PERSONAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: CAITLIN | CREATING A COOKBOOK FOR DIABETICS

What was your project about? Why did you choose this topic?

My project is a cookbook specifically made for those with Diabetes. It includes recipes for 4 dishes per meal, and has images and video tutorials that I filmed. I chose to do this because I’m Diabetic myself, and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 8 years old. As someone who loves to cook and bake, and to share it with peers, I wanted to use this project as an opportunity to share my love for food in a way that was more personal to me.

What was the most challenging part of the project?

I think the most challenging part was most definitely creating the recipes themselves. I had to plan them, make the recipes, and film them all within a week. I hadn’t managed my time properly then, so I had to create all 16 recipes within a few days, and also figure out what to do with the leftover food. 

What was the most rewarding part of the project?

Whenever I cook, I always believe the most rewarding part is to see the reactions of those who eat my food. In a way, cooking is a love language, and being able to see people enjoy something I put a lot effort into is always rewarding. I was able to get feedback from a family friend who also has Diabetes, and hearing about how much she enjoyed it made me really happy! 

What did you learn from doing this project?

I was able to learn a lot about the way in which foods impact blood sugar when researching about the ingredients I wanted to use for my recipes. I also learned a lot about how to manage my time better, since I was a bit behind my planned schedule.

How did this project help you develop your approaches to learning (ATL) skills?

For this project, I focused on two ATL skills: research and critical thinking. In terms of research, I was able to develop my skills by creating a plan with all the sources and note-taking techniques I was going to use, and also by checking the reliability of my sources using the OPVL format. For critical thinking, I communicated with my adviser and other people to help with decision making, especially when translating my research into my product.

How did this project connect to your personal interests and passions?

Baking is something I’m very passionate about, and something I want to pursue when I’m older. I wanted to do something related to food for this project, as I feel like it was something I already enjoy doing, and something I wanted to share with the community.

What advice would you give to other students who are working on their Personal Projects?

I would advise to start working on your project as soon as possible. I think when starting the process, you tend to underestimate the amount of time it will take to document the creation of your project, and to create your paper. In the end, your paper is just as important as your project, so you need to make sure you communicate well with your adviser as well to make sure you’re on the right track with your project!