NMSU photo by Josh Bachman

New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service will offer a series of cooking classes designed to teach adults with diabetes how to cook healthy meals.

The four-class series, called Kitchen Creations, is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health and kicks off this week at Gadsden High School, 6301 N.M. Highway 28, in Anthony, New Mexico. Classes will take place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30 and Nov. 6.

Over four consecutive weeks, participants will learn food safety, how to plan meals, how to read food labels and how to manage carbohydrates. They also will prepare and sample healthy meals. Beatriz Favela, a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent at the Doña Ana County Extension Office, and Gaby Phillips will teach the classes.

“This is a great program, and I think it is important that we offer it in Spanish. I hope individuals suffering from diabetes and living in the Anthony, New Mexico, area can take part in these classes and can benefit from the valuable information shared,” Favela said.

According to the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 11.4 percent of adults in New Mexico had diabetes. Research has shown that lifestyle changes, including healthier eating, can help manage diabetes and reduce the risk of complications.

“Many people with diabetes struggle with what to eat,” said Cassandra Vanderpool, a registered dietitian at NMSU. “Kitchen Creations opens their eyes to a wide variety of options to enjoy healthy eating. Plus, participants cook and do other activities in the classes to help them succeed in managing diabetes at home.”

In 2018 and 2017, Kitchen Creations served more than 1,000 New Mexico residents.

The class series is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To enroll in the upcoming class series at Gadsden High School, contact Sofia Hernandez at 575-635-1230 or Favela at 575-525-6649. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. If you are an individual with a disability who needs an auxiliary aid or service to participate, contact Favela by Oct. 14.

For a complete schedule of classes in other counties, visit https://kitchencreations.nmsu.edu/#anchor_168588%20or%20call%20505-850-0186,%20505-703-2343%20or%20toll-free%20888-900-2629.

Kitchen Creations is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program and offered by NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service as part of the “Paths to Health NM: Tools for Healthier Living initiative.” To learn more, visit www.pathstohealthnm.org. The Gadsden Independent School District also is sponsoring the upcoming class series.