Diabetic-friendly Thanksgiving meal

Carla Hall, chef on ABC's The Chew, joined chefs Guillermo Pernot, Delilah Winder and Barbie Marshall in hosting a cooking demonstration at the Navy Yard on Nov. 20 in support of the American Diabetes Association's America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes, presented by Sun Life Financial.

Winder made a more healthful version of her signature mac and cheese. (See her recipe here.) Pernot made braised calabaza (recipe is here). Marshall - who arrived with a 50-pound turkey donated by Quarry Hill Farms - made turkey gravy that was not thickened with flour but with vegetables. (See her recipe here.)

Throughout the demonstration, Hall provided commentary as each chef created his/her dish, while also sharing healthy cooking tips and recipe ideas for an audience of home cooks, teaching them how to create healthy dishes and easily integrate them into their everyday lives. Audience members also had an opportunity to ask Carla Hall and the other chefs questions.

America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes, presented by Sun Life Financial, is an initiative designed to engage people to live a more active and healthier lifestyle, and will empower people to cook nutritious and delicious food, and encourage them to be more active. Each week, the association will share healthy cooking tips, diabetes and nutrition facts, recipe ideas and more.

Last month, Sun Life Financial announced its comprehensive alliance with the American Diabetes Association as an extension to Sun Life's ongoing commitment to programs that inform Americans of the risk factors and health consequences associated with the disease.