The African American Guide to Living Well with Diabetes [Paperback]

Constance Brown-Riggs (Author), Tamara Jeffries (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2010

“In The African American Guide to Diabetes, Constance Brown-Riggs very effectively demonstrates an important Health Power principle, namely the importance of Different Strokes for Different Folks . She shares a wealth of information about diabetes that has been specifically tailored for African Americans, in a down to earth fashion, and emphasizes the important interrelationships of spiritual health, mental health, and physical health, in Living Well with Diabetes. This book is a valuable resource for African Americans with diabetes, and for their family members and friends, whose increased understanding of diabetes will help to increase their support of those affected.“
Norma J. Goodwin, M.D., Founder, President and CEO, Health Power for Minorities (Health Power)

“Connie Brown-Riggs’s...culturally appropriate messages are an extraordinary benefit to African-Americans, particularly women, who are often not fully aware of the lifestyle changes they can and should make to prevent diabetes and improve their health and that of their families.”
Wendy C. Brawley, publisher and CEO, IMARA Woman magazine

“This book provides cutting-edge information on diet, exercise, and medication, synthesized with other aspects of diabetes care, including spirituality-providing a total lifestyle wellness plan. I support this book with high enthusiasm.”
Wahida Karmally, DrPH, RD, CDE, associate research scientist, Director of Nutrition, Irving Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University

More than 4 million African-Americans have diabetes; thousands more have pre-diabetes or are at risk for the condition. But in 21 years as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, Constance Brown-Riggs found few books that even vaguely addressed the unique health concerns of this population.

This comprehensive guide includes:

The latest medical treatments for diabetes-medications, insulin therapies, blood glucose monitors, plus the pros and cons of supplements, herbs, and alternative diets.

What you can’t eat-- and what you can.

Dozens of mouthwatering Caribbean and soul food recipes, with a two-week menu plan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In The African American Guide to Diabetes, Constance Brown-Riggs very effectively demonstrates an important Health Power principle, namely the importance of Different Strokes for Different Folks. She shares a wealth of information about diabetes that has been specifically tailored for African Americans, in a down to earth fashion, and emphasizes the important interrelationships of spiritual health, mental health, and physical health, in Living Well with Diabetes. This book is a valuable resource for African Americans with diabetes, and for their family members and friends, whose increased understanding of diabetes will help to increase their support of those affected."
--Norma J. Goodwin, M.D., Founder, President and CEO, Health Power for Minorities (Health Power)

"Connie Brown-Riggs's...culturally appropriate messages are an extraordinary benefit to African Americans, particularly women, who are often not fully aware of the lifestyle changes they can and should make to prevent diabetes and improve their health and that of their families."
--Wendy C. Brawley, publisher and CEO, IMARA Woman magazine

"This book provides cutting-edge information on diet, exercise, and medication, synthesized with other aspects of diabetes care, including spirituality-providing a total lifestyle wellness plan. I support this book with high enthusiasm."
--Wahida Karmally, DrPH, RD, CDE, associate research scientist, Director of Nutrition, Irving Institute of Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University

About the Author

Constance Brown-Riggs, MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN-an award winning registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association—is the author of Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes and creator of the Diabetes Soul Food Pyramid. Her work has appeared in books for health professionals and healthcare consumers. She has been a featured expert in national magazines such as Essence, Real Health and Diabetic Cooking. Visit her Website at eatingsoulfully.com.<br /><br />Tamara Jeffries, former executive editor of Essence magazine, has contributed articles to Redbook, Parenting, Health, Heart & Soul, and other national publications. She is currently an assistant professor of journalism at Bennett College for Women in North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Career Press; 1 edition (July 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601631154
• ISBN-13: 978-1601631152
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #738,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Over the course of her career, Constance Brown-Riggs has established herself as an expert on the subject of nutrition, diabetes and the cultural issues that impact the health and health care of people of color. She is not only versed in the science of medical nutrition, but also has an active nutrition counseling practice through which she sees hundreds of patients. Her ability to translate her academic and clinical knowledge into clear, understandable terms have made her a nationally renowned, sought-after speaker, educator and author. She is passionate about creating opportunities to spread the word about health and nutrition, and developing educational tools which shorten the cultural distance between patients and caregivers. Every aspect of her work supports that mission

As president and owner of CBR Nutrition Enterprises, she operates a multi-pronged company that focuses on providing complete medical nutrition therapy to patients. Her enterprise also provides training and education for laypeople and health-care professionals, as well as consultation services to industry, physicians, fitness centers, churches and other corporate and community organizations.

Brown-Riggs is the author of Eating Soulfully and Healthfully with Diabetes (iUniverse, 2006), a guide that helps African-Americans with diabetes learn how to prepare and enjoy traditional ethnic food from the American South and the Caribbean. She was also the nutrition consultant for health-related books including Lighten Up: The HealthQuest 30-Day Weight-Loss Program (Amistad, 2001), The ESSENCE Total Makeover Book (Three Rivers Press, 1999) and contributed to Food, Cuisine, and Cultural Competency for Culinary, Hospitality, and Nutrition Professionals (Jones and Bartlett, April 2010).

Brown-Riggs has written for publications including POZ and IMARA Woman magazines and contributed to newsletters for the American Dietetic Association. She is also frequently quoted as a featured expert in national magazines such as Essence, Heart & Soul, Real Health, Diabetic Cooking, Diabetic Living and in newspapers across the country. Brown-Riggs serves as an expert for dLife.com, the online companion to CNBC's premier diabetes program and posts to the "R.D.s Weigh In" blog (www.eatright.org/blog).

Brown-Riggs has been invited to appear as a keynote speaker, presenter or panelist at conferences and professional meetings across the country for organizations such as the American Dietetic Association, Empire State Medical Association, American Academy of Physical Therapy, University of South Carolina, Dothan Alabama Leisure Services, North Carolina Dietetic Association, American Diabetes Association, St. Louis Association of Diabetes Educators and New York State Office of Children & Family Services. She is also a speaker for PESI Healthcare, providing continuing education seminars across the country.

Her professional honors include 2009 Distinguished Dietitian from the New York State Dietetic Association, 2007 Diabetes Educator of the Year from the American Dietetic Association Diabetes Care and Education Practice Group and 2004 Dietitian of the year from the Long Island Dietetic Association. Brown-Riggs is a past president of the New York State Dietetic Association and currently a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. She graduated from Queens College with honors for excellence in research, where she earned a master's degree in nutrition education.

Constance writes a blog Diabetes: Don't Claim It! Manage It! www.eatingsoulfully.com/blog and can be found on twitter at www.twitter.com/eatingsoulfully

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for anyone with diabetes August 3, 2010

By Keri Gans

Format:Paperback

Living Well with Diabetes by nutrition expert Constance Brown-Riggs is just what the doctor (and registered dietitian) ordered !!! This very comprehensive and easy to understand book should be in everyone's library who has diabetes. As a registered dietitian myself i am definitely recommending this book to newly diagnosed patients as well as those who have been diabetic for years and years. And honestly as a practitioner myself will use it as a reference book. Ms. Brown-Rigg's expertise is so apparent in this book that it only makes you want to stay tuned for her next one.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete Guide for Diabetes Care August 14, 2010

By Gretchen Scalpi - RD, CDN, CDE,

Format:Paperback

The African American Guide to Living Well With Diabetes by nutrition expert Constance Brown-Riggs is a comprehensive guide on diabetes care, and at the same time, speaks to the unique cultural needs of African American population. The book approaches diet, weight control, exercise and lifestyle change in a realistic way to help reader improve their health one step at a time. There are plenty of delicious recipes, food lists for carbohydrate counting and creative ideas that make eating healthfully a pleasure! As a fellow Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator, I am always looking for relevant, consumer-friendly books to recommend to my clients with diabetes. This book not only has become part of my diabetes reference library, I have been recommending it to many of the clients in my practice!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars COMPLETE August 10, 2010

By M Moore

Format:Paperback

This book is truly a comprehensive guide to living well with diabetes for any audience. As a registered dietitian and granddaughter, niece and cousin to several family members with diabetes, I am excited to see the depth of information this book provides. The way the book is written makes it easy to understand for the layperson and a great reference for healthcare professionals. It includes all of the essentials from defining and diagnosing diabetes, medication, food and physical activity and even a great chapter on natural and alternative therapies to treat diabetes.

Ms. Brown-Riggs does a fantastic job addressing the issues I've seen in practice and in my own family including denial, myths, and the importance of spirituality in coping with diabetes in the African-American community. I'd recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more about diabetes, especially those living with diabetes and practitioners seeking culturally appropriate guidance and recipes for the population.