Addiction to sugar leads to diabetes: Traditional indigenous foods combat fatal disease, restore communities.

by Don Harrison. January 22 2015.

cooked.riceroot.NT_-300x161 GIANT-300x225

Diabetes is a national epidemic. Whether you are Indigenous or not, addiction to sugar and a sedentary lifestyle are causing this harmful disease to sky rocket. It is also clear to see by the headlines today that diabetes is now known as the silent killer. One reason for the spike in cases seen across Turtle Island is the addiction to sugar. It is in most things, in one form or another of what we eat today, and this over consumption has lead us to become overweight as well. One major reason is the loss of traditional diets consumed by people. Diets low is sugar and high in rich soluble protein. And even if folks think they are not eating sugar, they still may be getting sugar due to eating carbohydrates-that turn to sugar in the body. Indigenous communities are fighting back today by returning to traditional foods that are metabolized buy the body better. One example is riceroot. It is more digestible as a nutrient rich carbohydrate source, but does not spike blood sugar levels, causing unsafe levels in the body. Riceroot is a traditional food source that was used by the Coast Salish for thousands of years and has now been the focus by many to restore vital food option.  As well as choosing healthier options, strategies designed to educate the public on safer food options are needed as well. Many people are just not aware that what they are eating has the potential to build really unsafe eating habits. Elders and community leaders fostering community programs focused on eating traditional diets, are reaching out to community members to educate, empower and employ volunteers. The goal is holistic food sovereignty, rooted in environmental and social justice. When a community is responsible for it’s food growth, they are tapped into what is needed to make that happen, and food grown in the region reflects the regions history and restorative community goals  of empowerment and providing for the future.This leads to stronger community ties and a vision that self empowerment is connected to sustainability and environmental connections.

Published by

donnyh2015

Youth support worker at Urban Native Youth Association and pet care specialist at Little Buddies Pet Care. I have completed a minor in First Nations Studies at SFU and am a Psych major. I continue to work as an oral testimony archivist with Dr. annie ross in the FN dept. at SFU. In 2016 I will attend grad school at City U to do a masters in counseling, and then a post master's certificate in Art Therapy. My dream is to open an inner city healing center one day. My vision is that it will offer a variety of holistic alternative therapies, and a community gardening program. I also would love to incorporate animal therapy somehow. I decided on the name "Reflections" for the healing centre, because we look back or (reflect) to sort out our feelings and archetypal imagery, and to look at a reflection of ourselves through the art.

Leave a comment