Our Host Nikki shocks our audience with some startling cold hard facts, Singapore is ranked as second in the world for the highest proportion of Diabetes amongst its population. Nikki begins to explore this alarming phenomenon by speaking with a health professional who first explains what diabetes is in its two forms, both insulin dependent and non insulin dependent.We learn that the cause of diabetes is commonly linked to lifestyle risk factors, as well as family history. We take to the streets of Singapore and ask the general public, “What is diabetes?” The answers reveal many misconceptions associated with the disease, such as, “Isn’t it caused by eating too much sugar?” Our health professional helps debunk the general myths.Interviews with three distinctly different people who have diabetes provide a revealing insight in how the disease first manifested itself in each case, the possible causes, and how each person is coping with the diabetes.Our first episode of Food Detectives vs Diabetes concludes with some important tips to help newly diagnosed patients in making lifestyle changes to help manage the disease and establish a healthy living routine.
Singaporeans love their food! But, is what we eat making us sick? Nikki takes to the streets again, this time to ask Singaporeans what their favorite foods are. Our resident expert analyzes these chosen dishes and highlights the problematic areas of the Asian diet.We learn about the importance of limiting refined carbohydrates and how sweets and sugary drinks cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels; not only bad for diabetics, it’s a warning for normal healthy individuals. In true Food Detectives style, we conduct a series of experiments and analyze the popular favorite meals, with some surprising results that expose a warning about our eating habits.Nikki offers our audience a selection of healthy and tasty alternatives.
As in Singapore, diabetes is a growing health concern in countries such as Hong Kong and Japan. What are these countries doing to prevent the increase of this disease and can Singapore adopt similar methods? Nikki is on a mission to find out, and she investigates some of the world’s best examples.Nikki gathers people from different age groups, lifestyles and backgrounds to undergo a series of tests. Our expert responds to individual cases and offers advice on how each individual can alter food consumption, fitness focus and lifestyle, based on the test results.
Diabetes doesn’t have to take over your life, but you do have to pay attention to making good choices. In this episode, Nikki explores how changes in lifestyle can improve the health of those with diabetes.Our nutrition and medical experts review the roles of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. including portion-control, in preventing or controlling diabetes. We learn the importance of tracking the ABCs — HbA1c, blood pressure, cholesterol — to manage and reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems for the diabetic.Nikki also looks into the all-important role of insulin, a hormone that works like a key that unlocks the door and allows the proper level of sugar in the blood and delivered to the cells. Different insulin problems require different treatments. And, at last, we meet Butter — a diabetic alert dog that saved the life of its owner.
Nikki investigates the Diabetes Risk Assessment Tool. This ground-breaking new tool will help Singaporeans aged 18 – 39 assess their risk for as yet undiagnosed diabetes. Again in true Food Detectives style, Nikki tries out the DRA tool and asks our expert, can we take steps to prevent diabetes? Is there a cure?We conclude our special series on diabetes with sound advice on food that diabetics can and should include in their diet. Our nutritionist explains good foods verses bad and presents a range of healthy and delicious meals and snacks that are especially good for people with diabetes.