Diabetes awareness hits supermarkets

Diabetes New Zealand takes diabetes awareness to the supermarket

Diabetes New Zealand are organising an informative programme of nutrition tours and food tastings in supermarkets around Auckland for Diabetes Awareness Week.

People ‘at risk’ of developing Type 2 diabetes and the general public are being encouraged to sign up for a supermarket tour.

“We want to give people the know-how to manage their eating habits and to learn more about the importance of nutrition. This is critical in the management of Type 1 diabetes and the fight against Type 2 diabetes. Good nutrition helps prevent Type 2 diabetes,” says Russell Finnerty, president of Diabetes New Zealand.

The tours, lead by qualified dietitians, will be fun and educational. People will learn more about how to make healthy food choices and product substitution. The tours will also teach people how to read and compare food labels, particularly as new labeling rules are coming into force in December.

Linda Vagana, New Zealand netball icon, will be joining at the Foodtown Papatoetoe tour on Wednesday 20 November at 12.30pm.

The programme is being supported by Progressive Enterprises Ltd supermarkets in Auckland and Wellington.

“Supermarkets are an integral part of people’s daily lives and a place where people make important nutritional decisions,” says Geraldine Oldham of Progressive Enterprises Ltd. “We felt that it was imperative to get behind this programme that looks to improve the health status of all New Zealanders.”

Equal and Burgen bread will be among the food tastings that will be run in selected supermarkets.

Members of the public interested in attending one of the following tours need to book as numbers are limited.

Supermarket Date Time Tour Bookings
Foodtown Greenlane Monday 18 Nov 10.00am Celebrity tour Invite only

Foodtown Mt Eden Tuesday 19 Nov 10.00am
Tuesday 19 Nov 7.00pm Practice Nurses 09 623 2508

Foodtown Papatoetoe Wednesday 20 Nov 10.00am Public 09 273 9650
Wednesday 20 Nov 12.30pm Public (with Linda Vagana) 09 273 9650

Countdown Westgate Thursday 21 Nov 10.00am Public 09 832 0344
12.30pm Public 09 832 0344

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