Healthcare professionals have the unique opportunity to develop real-world knowledge about diabetes and healthy eating, during the first live cookery demo at this year’s show.

The unmissable, hands-on session will be hosted by dietician and Fresh Kitchen owner Natasha Beatty who plans to show delegates how easy it is to put together a healthy meal that is suitable for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

The practical presentation is part of a Fresh Kitchen initiative which hosts cookery classes in conjunction with a local diabetes service, Fresh Club.

Aimed at giving people living with, or at risk of developing diabetes the cookery skills and confidence to eat well, Fresh Club is run by Natasha along with Sarah Woodman, who is Head of Diabetes at the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Sarah said: “The number of people being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is growing rapidly and if we don’t do something urgently, then it’s only going to increase. We already know that childhood obesity is rife among primary school children and that nutrition knowledge and basic cookery skills are limited.”

Fresh Club was piloted in December 2018.Following the successful trial period, it was officially launched in January.

The four-week cookery class is about exploring new recipes and showing attendees how they can eat better to improve their health. As part of the course they are also encouraged to monitor their weight, blood pressure and blood sugar levels so they can see for themselves how adopting a new dietary approach is benefiting them.

Natasha said: “The sort of lifestyle we all have means we tend to be very time poor, but despite what people think, that doesn’t mean our diet has to suffer. I have a real passion for transforming people’s lives and helping them to see that you really can eat yourself healthy.

“We’re all about showing people that eating healthily doesn’t have to be boring or horrible. Our whole ethos is to get the entire family eating the same, tasty and nutritious meals.

“Beyond the benefits our attendees gain from learning how to cook and eat healthily, our classes have also given people with diabetes a support system and a sense of community. We’ve noticed that attendees get a lot of support from the other people going along as they’re all going through the same thing. We always have a clinician on board too, so any medical or nutritional questions can instantly be answered.”

The classes are suitable for a range of people, including those already living with type 1 or 2 diabetes and even those with prediabetes. Everyone has different needs, so each week low carbohydrate alternatives are included for those who are trying to manage their diabetes by reducing carbohydrates or working towards type 2 diabetes remission.

She added: “We appreciate some diabetes can’t be reversed, but following a better diet can make the person’s diabetes more stable, it can give them more confidence in managing their condition, encourage weight loss and boost their overall health.”

During their session – in the Nutrition and Lifestyle Clinic on Wednesday 30 October 12:40-13:20 – Natasha and Sarah will be teaching DPC visitors how to cook vegan, gluten free Pad Thai, packed full of rainbow vegetables.

Register your free place online or call 023 8081 1551 to join them.