Stop & Shop And JDRF Provide Lessons For Long Island Residents Living With Type 1 Diabetes

Lucille Hughes, Director of Diabetes Education, South Nassau Communities Hospital and Brian Pavur, Director of Pharmacy Operations, Stop & Shop walk aisles of Carle Place Stop & Shop with 9 yr. old Katherine Kuo of Syosset and 13 yr. old Jack Levin of Glen Head as they receive healthy eating tips for people living with Type 1 Diabetes.

Local Long Island residents living with type 1 diabetes (T1D), representatives from JDRF, the leading global organization funding T1D research, Health Care providers and Stop & Shop pharmacy experts walked the aisles of the Clifton Stop & Shop and shared insight for counting carbohydrates, reading nutritional labels, and offered other advice that are vital to successfully managingT1D.

More than 1.25 million Americans live with T1D; 170 thousand are under the age of 18. Experts say that by 2050, the numbers will skyrocket to 5 million, of which 600 thousand will be under the age of eighteen. Forty thousand Americans are diagnosed with T1D each year. The Federal Government says T1D costs our healthcare system in excess of 14 billion dollars a year.

While walking the aisles the medical experts and Stop & Shop personnel offered those dealing with T1D the following:

• Tips on what to focus on for meals and snacks.
• Explain how much and what type of carbohydrate containing foods are best.
• Provide suggestions for quick meal ideas and healthy snack choices.
• Provide insight into the different resources and non-prescription T1D supplies that can be found in the pharmacy.

The guided tour of the supermarket also underscored why those dealing with T1D must:

• Count Carbs - Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy.
• Reading food labels –It is very important for people with T1D to be able to understand the labels and what they mean.
• Shop wisely – Those living with and affected by T1D should understand what kinds of foods are best for blood sugar control. It is helpful to plan meals ahead of time and grocery shop regularly. A well- stocked kitchen of healthy food helps support a healthy life style and blood sugar control.
• Have “low foods” on hand – When responding to a low blood sugar, there are a variety of healthy food options that can raise blood sugar quickly – choices like all-natural juice boxes, applesauce packets, and fruit chews are easy to grab and raise blood sugar quickly.

Stop & Shop customers can help raise funds for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation beginning February 10 through February 26. Specially marked “paper sneakers” will be available for purchase for one dollar at all registers as part of the JDRF Walk for a Cure Campaign. For more information, visit www.jdrf.org.