Sydenham retiree Robyn has struggled with balancing her sweet tooth and her diabetes. Living alone, she finds it difficult to cook nutritious, cost-effective meals for one.
Robyn was a participant in the new Puāwai-Kai healthy lifestyle and cooking programme. She was referred to the free, eight-session course by her GP. The course gives participants information on developing a healthier relationship with food, cooking and trying meals with cost-effective seasonal ingredients, the importance of sleep and exercise, and stress management skills. Experienced facilitators deliver the course to groups of up to 16 people.
Since completing the course Robyn has felt more in control of her diabetes, and enjoyed sharing her new knowledge about food and recipes with her granddaughter.
“I have gained quite a lot of knowledge about food and the things I should keep away from, and the things I should be using to help me with the diabetes. I’m cooking for my granddaughter quite a lot when she comes to stay with me. It’s a learning thing for her too. She is prone to (being) overweight like I am.”
Robyn says one of the best things about the course was getting out of the house and meeting others in similar situations.
“Perhaps like me they had lost confidence or had been part of a partnership and not been the cook.”
If you want to do a Puāwai-Kai course, ask your GP for a referral. Or to find out more or register for a course go to puāwai.org.nz.