LGBT POV

(Editor’s note: I’ve known Nancy Cohen for many years and I regularly run into her at political and civil rights benefits where she regales me about a non-profit she’s involved with.  At a political meeting last Thursday, however, she told me about how she and her straight brother had turned their involvement with a health issue into a new business.  I asked her to write about it.

I think Nancy’s story is instructive on a number of levels: 1) it provides information about Diabetes, which I might not otherwise write about; 2) it shows how an outsider with compassion can get involved with a particular community; 3) it shows that individuals with ingenuity and passion can still develop a small business in this dire economy. – Karen Ocamb)

How fighting Diabetes turned into a business

By Nancy Cohen

I have always had a passion for helping people and making a difference.  Involved in a variety of health related causes, such as Cancer and AIDS over the years.

Both my brother and mother have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  One in 4 Americans or 81 Million people in the US have Diabetes, Pre-Diabetes or other blood sugar issues. The Center for Disease Control calls it the “Epidemic of our time”.  It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. With numbers so staggering, I always felt that I would find the way to become involved in helping the Diabetes community.

As with most people, my brother had cravings for everything he shouldn’t eat as a diabetic.  It was nearly impossible for him to find a snack that would taste great and fulfill that craving.  After reviewing the Glycemic Index for low glycemic ingredients he came to a decision to come up with an energy bar that would not cause a spike in his blood sugar and provide a sustained energy release.  He and his family came up with a recipe that worked.  It was really tasty, fulfilled the craving, was filling and it provided a sustained energy release over time.  It wasn’t like all the other bars on the market that are essentially adult candy bars.

When he brought the bars into his Endocrinologist (Diabetes Specialist). The doctor (a type 1 diabetic) and several of his patients tested the bars and had limited impact on their blood sugar.  I was really intrigued.   After that, everything started to fall in place and it turned into a business.  Granola Gourmet “Energy Bars for Athletes, Diabetics and YOU!”

Granola Gourmet was approved to have a booth at the American Diabetes Association Expo; I couldn’t believe it, if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.  The people were lining up like there were rock stars at our booth to try and purchase the bars. When the kids or adults tried the bars, most were so excited and VERY emotional.  Very emotional because they finally found the solution to their snack time craving.  They could eat something they enjoyed and would feel secure.  Instead of eating something that would negatively affect their health.

I signed on and became a partner in this venture with my brother.  It has been immensely rewarding.  We also provide a portion of our profits to organizations to help fight diabetes.   Our website has a lot of great resources and information that will be helpful for anyone who is interested in learning more about eating for diabetes and good health.

I am not diabetic, and want to keep it that way – and I enjoy eating them all of the time. Granola Gourmet energy bars can be purchased at Whole Foods in So. Cal., Arizona, and Nevada.  To find other stores or to make online purchases please check out www.granolagourmet.com.

All photographs taken by Sunny Bak.