"Diabetic Cooking for Latinos" by Olga Fuste has just been published by the American Diabetes Association. There are an assortment of cookbooks to help people with diabetes control their blood sugar but this is one of the first aimed at the growing Hispanic population. An estimated 17 million people living in the U.S. have diabetes, but it is especially prevalent among African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics and some Asian and Pacific Island groups.

Fuste is a nutrition expert working with Washington State University's Extension Service. She said: "Being told you have diabetes can be very traumatic. When making diet changes, it's important to bring favorite flavors and textures into your new food, whatever your ethnicity...We looked at how you can have Latin flavors using ingredients you can still get in this country."

The recipes come from throughout Latin America, including some from Fuste's native Puerto Rico. The book is available in bookstores or from the American Diabetes Association: www.diabetes.org or 800 232 6733. (with thanks to the Seattle Times)

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