More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and there are probably millions more who have it and don’t know.
Latinos and African Americans are at a much higher risk for developing the disease than non-Hispanic whites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says over 50% of Hispanic men and women are expected to develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetimes.
The documentary “A Touch of Sugar” was produced in cooperation with the Merck pharmaceutical company. It’s narrated by actor Viola Davis. Davis lost her great Aunt Bessie to the disease. Davis herself is pre-diabetic.
“A Touch of Sugar” explores the struggles of Americans with diabetes, their doctors, and health professionals.
Leticia Moreinos Schwartz is a Latina chef who specializes in healthy cuisine. She appears in “A Touch of Sugar” and is a spokesperson for the film.
Moreinos Schwartz knows it’s not that easy to control diabetes through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Many Latinos and African Americans with diabetes live in poverty. They probably live in food deserts with no easy access to fresh fruits or vegetables. Or they don’t want to stop eating the foods that are an essential part of their culture.
Moreinos Schwartz tries to tackle these issues with her cookbook “Fresh & Flavorful Latin Superfoods.” It features recipes that are familiar to Latino households but with a healthy twist.
You can view “A Touch of Sugar” and view some of Moreino Schwartz’s recipes by visiting ATouchOfSugarFilm.com.
Norma Martinez can be reached by email at norma@tpr.org and on Twitter @NormDog1.
