Author(s): Mei Yook Woo

Contributor(s): Yodit Wongelemengist; Charlotte Neilson; Karen Conger; Bogale Demse; Tsehay Haile; Gammada Sani Abraham; Tsega Woldetatios; Phalla Kith; Dawn Corl; Mohammed Abdul-Kadir

Date Authored: July 13, 2016

Date Updated: December 5, 2019

Date Last Reviewed: December 1, 2019

This presentation is intended to be used by clinicians during discussion with patients about carbohydrates and blood glucose. It is culturally tailored to reflect foods commonly consumed by Ethiopian and Eritrean Americans and includes photos of foods, meal comparisons, portion sizes, and some information about managing diabetes during periods of fasting. 

Resources include narrated video presentations (47-50 minutes) and PDF presentations with table of contents (129 slides). Each resource is available in Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya in the sidebar.

Amharic

Introduction 0:50
Carbohydrates: Introduction 7:10
Carbohydrates: Starches 07:39
Carbohydrates: Fruit 18:26
Carbohydrates: Dairy 19:57
Carbohydrates: Sweets 20:54
Drinks 21:33
Extras 24:05
Foods That Do Not Raise Blood Sugar: 26:16
Proteins 26:46
Fats 27:59
Non-Starchy Vegetables 29:11
Meals 31:43
Fasting 39:00
Fasting: Orthodox Christian 40:27
Fasting: Muslim 42:30
Conclusion 45:29
Additional Resources 45:55

Oromo

Introduction 0:48
Carbohydrates: Introduction 6:51
Carbohydrates: Starches 07:24
Carbohydrates: Fruit 18:02
Carbohydrates: Dairy 19:42
Carbohydrates: Sweets 20:49
Drinks 21:28
Extras 23:52
Foods That Do Not Raise Blood Sugar 26:19
Proteins 26:43
Fats 28:03
Non-Starchy Vegetables 29:12
Meals 31:24
Fasting 39:21
Fasting: Orthodox Christian 40:56
Fasting: Muslim 42:49
Conclusion 45:41
Additional Resources 46:04

Tigrinya

Introduction 0:47
Carbohydrates: Introduction 6:59
Carbohydrates: Starches 07:26
Carbohydrates: Fruit 18:36
Carbohydrates: Dairy 20:32
Carbohydrates: Sweets 21:37
Drinks 22:16
Extras 24:58
Foods That Do Not Raise Blood Sugar 27:39
Proteins 28:07
Fats 29:43
Non-Starchy Vegetables 31:00
Meals 33:54
Fasting 41:58
Fasting: Orthodox Christian 43:29
Fasting: Muslim 45:51
Conclusion 49:06
Additional Resources 49:31

Background

Harborview Medical Center (HMC) physician Dr. Carey Jackson identified a need for a culturally-tailored visual reference tool to use during conversations about diet with diabetic patients. 

Methods

Mei Yook Woo created this tool to fulfill practicum requirements for the University of Washington’s School of Public Health, Nutritional Sciences, and as part of EthnoMed’s student contribution program. Dr. Carey Jackson served as clinical advisor. Rekha Ravindran provided program support. Harborview dietitians Charlotte Neilson and Karen Conger mentored the author during the project. Meetings were held with health care providers who work with Ethiopian/Eritrean patients. Cultural guidance was provided by caseworker/cultural mediator Yodit Wongelemengist.

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to Agelegle Ethiopia restaurant in Seattle for allowing us to photograph many of the foods featured in this slideshow at their wonderful restaurant. Special thanks to these others who supported and contributed to this work: Mohammed Abdul-Kadir (ICHS), Dawn Corl (HMC), Bogale Demse (HMC), Tsehay Haile (HMC), Phalla Kith (HMC), Gammada Sani Abraham (HMC), Tsega Woldetatios (HMC).

Funding for this education was provided by the Pacific Hospital Preservation and Development Authority.