Diabetes affects more than 24 million people in the United States, and one of them is celebrity chef Art Smith.
The 51-year-old former personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, best-selling cookbook author and restaurateur, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five years ago and now has become vocal about clean and healthy eating.
"Being a chef, you're constantly around food, constantly being given food," Smith told the New York Daily News. "I think it says 'feed me' on here," he added, gesturing to his forehead.
The chef is helping others living with diabetes find delicious, healthy meals by offering diabetes-friendly dishes at several New York City restaurants.
"I've said, if you can get restaurants to have just one healthy dish and label it on the menu, it will make a difference," Smith said. "I don't want people to feel excluded, but I want them to know what they can eat."
Restaurant menus are usually a minefield for people with diabetes, due to super-sized portions which are amped-up fat and sugar. Smith said his focus is to make healthy eating easier.
The disease runs in Smith's family, and both his father and grandfather died from sudden heart attacks related to the condition. Smith said after being diagnosed with diabetes, he worked with his doctor, hit the gym and lost 100 pounds
"The truth was I wasn't feeling great. I was tired and emotional," Smith said. "Something wasn't right. I did push aside the warning signs because my partner had his own health challenges with cancer at the time. I was more concerned about him."
According to the Daily News, Smith is an executive chef of the LYFE Kitchen restaurant chain, where every dish is under 600 calories, and a supporter of Michelle Obama's Let's Move! campaign.
"It was important that I be a beacon for my family as well as for other people, to show them they could live well," Smith said. "For me, it was working with my doctor to create an individualized diabetes management plan, which really helped me get back on track."
Smith avoids sugar and processed foods in favor of whole grains, proteins like fish and egg whites, steel-cut oatmeal, Greek yogurt, fruit and plenty of water. He said he has become completely aware of how to control his diabetes.
"It is important to be aware of both high and low blood sugar, and managing low blood sugar is crucial for a type 2 diabetes patient, like me," he said.
Smith shares his healthy recipes with the "Taking Diabetes to Heart" campaign, an online resource sponsored by Merck. He also challenged eateries across the country to make their dishes diabetes-friendly.
Here are a few spots New Yorkers can look for the following dishes at (via the Daily News):
* Carmine's Restaurant (200 W. 44th St.): Misti Salad with Fall Fruits and Walnuts
* Fred's Restaurant (476 Amsterdam Ave.): Strahan Super Bowl Salad
* Pappardella (316 Columbus Ave.): Seared Filet of Salmon
* Big D's Grub Truck (food truck; various locations): Ginger Chicken Tacos
