We received two groups of books to review this month. The first are cookbooks, and the second are comic-book-style books for newly diagnosed diabetic children and their parents.
Here we will review both.
The two cookbooks are from author Deanie Comeaux Bahan (Sugarfree Quick and Easy, AFM Publishing, L.L.C. and Sugarfree New Orleans, AFM Publishing, L.L.C. New Orleans) which are based on the Glycemic Index (included in each). I don't know how efficacious these two books will be for diabetics as there is no nutritional data for any recipe included and the amount of protein in the recipes is often much too high as is the amount of fat.
For example, Glazed Sweet Potatoes in Sugarfree New Orleans has 1/2 stick of butter and 1/2 cup pecans with 2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes and 4 tablespoons brown sugar. Recipes in Sugarfree Quick and Easy have too much fat and protein also for the average person with diabetes as both are based on Sugar Busters. Carbohydrate levels are quite low, thus going against the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.
Sugarfree Quick and Easy has suggested servings after each recipe. Sugarfree New Orleans does not. For these reasons we caution the use of these books for people with diabetes, although the author states that it has been of great benefit for her husband who struggled with type 2 diabetes before changing to this style of eating. We find proposing a diet high in saturated fat for diabetics who have a high incidence of coronary heart disease difficult to back.
The two comic book-style booklets are published by KRAMES Health and Saftey Education, which sent two new patients' education titles, one for adolescent diabetics ( suggested ages 10 to 14 years of age) and one for their parents. The former is titled Growing Up with Type 1 Diabetes and the later is Type 1 Diabetes and Your Child. Both are very easy reading and a good first step in educating a newly diagnosed young adolescent and/or his or her parents. They bring up many further questions as the information presented is as promised basic and therefore tends to be simplistic, but to tell the truth, this is mandatory to understand and is necessary to take the first baby steps to understanding and coping with diabetes.
Hopefully, reading one of these publications will help families to seek more information and become part of a trusted treatment team. Both suggest contacting the ADA and the JDF, organizations that can be a great support system and source of additional information. You can order samples for your medical office at 800 333-3032 or visit Krames at the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
BSP
