LAKEPORT, Calif. – Very few people diagnosed with pre-diabetes must plan meals around what they can and cannot cook in the middle of a forest during a 2,000 mile motorcycle trip, but Ben Cox-Frankenfield is one of them.

Cox-Frankenfield attended Sutter Lakeside Hospital’s Diabetes Education Day to learn more about building a healthy lifestyle without sacrificing the activities he loves, like riding his motorcycle.

“I bought my first motorcycle for six hundred dollars at age fourteen. I earned the money by cleaning swimming pools. I got $2 per pool,” said Cox-Frankenfield.

For him, motorcycles offer the freedom to wander from place to place with no set agenda or time constraints.

“A pre-diabetes diagnosis was a rude awakening,” said Cox-Frankenfield. “I’m re-educating myself on how to cook and what to eat.”

Patti Cox-Frankenfield attended with her husband in support of his diagnosis.

“I do most of the cooking, so I’m here to learn some new recipes,” she said.

Attendees of the event sampled quinoa salad, a recipe high in protein and low in sugar.

The event, which was coordinated between multiple departments of Sutter Lakeside Hospital, also provided free diabetic cook books, informational pamphlets, and resources for pre-diabetics and diabetics alike. Kathy Exum, RN, answered questions about managing diabetes or pre-diabetes.

“It’s important for you to be your own blood sugar detective,” said Exum. “Stress, illness, or medication can affect your blood sugar. I like for patients to have blood glucose meters to establish a baseline of what’s normal for that individual. Bodies can react differently to the same food, so it’s important for a patient to know what’s normal for him or her.”

Pharmacist intern Greg Matsumura answered questions about diabetes medication management and Medicare testing supplies.

“Your pharmacist is a great resource for questions about what’s covered under your Medicare plan,” said Matsumura. “Testing strips can be very expensive, so it’s important to pick a brand that’s right for your coverage.”

“This was a great event,” said Frank Cox-Frankenfield. “I feel like I learned a lot.”

Sutter Lakeside Hospital is providing free one-on-one counseling to pre-diabetic and diabetic patients with a doctor’s order, and a support group for pre-diabetic or diabetic patients and loved ones will be forming in January.

For more information about diabetes counseling, please call or email Kathy Exum at 707-262-5140 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information about Sutter Lakeside Hospital, visit www.sutterlakeside.org or call 707-262-5121 to schedule a tour.