GARYVILLE — The Garyville Library is hosting two “Dining with Diabetes” sessions this month in coordination with the LSU AgCenter to teach the public how to take control of diabetes through diet and lifestyle changes.

The educational sessions are from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Monday and again Feb. 12. They are free and open to the public, according to Branch Supervisor Elmira Duhe, though it is recommended attendees call the Garyville branch ahead of time.

Cynthia Clifton, general nutrition agent with the LSU AgCenter in St. John the Baptist Parish, conducts the classes to educate the public and help those with diabetes become less dependent on insulin and pills.

She said the lessons aim to provide information regarding diabetes and nutrition, increase knowledge of healthy foods, present healthy versions of familiar foods and demonstrate cooking techniques with food tastings.

Attendees go home with healthy living recipes to try at home, informational brochures and a food tracker to manage daily eating habits.

Monday’s session will focus on fats and sodium, while the Feb. 12 session highlights vitamins, minerals and fiber, according to Clifton.

“Dining with Diabetes” is open to everyone, she said.

“It’s not just for people with diabetes,” Clifton said. “It’s also for people who don’t have it and want to stay healthy and for people who want to help their family members with diabetes.”

Sessions held at other library branches in the past have drawn small crowds of approximately five to 10 people, Clifton said. She hopes to reach a greater number of people by reaching out to local churches and hosting a program follow-up in three months.

Lessons offered through the sessions have positively impacted attendees, she said.

“One of the ladies who attended has had diabetes for a year, and she told me she learned information here that she’d never heard from her doctor,” Clifton said.

According to Duhe, information presented during the session could help patients with diabetes compose a list of questions and topics to discuss with their doctors. Duhe said the St. John library system aims to be a community resource that caters to individuals from all walks of life.

“We are a public library, and we want to be able to connect with the community,” Duhe said. “We try to find out what their needs are and provide programs to meet those needs.”

For more information, call the Garyville Library at 985-535-6868 or Clifton at 985-497-3261.