CARBOHYDRATE FOODS ARE THE ONLY FOODS THAT CONTAIN FIBER. In fact, fiber is a carbohydrate. Fiber is a very important for a diabetics diet. So don't be fooled into thinking you shouldn't have carbs. Eat Low Glycemic carbs and eat carbs within reason, but do not skip carbs!
POTATO CHIPS ARE ACTUALLY CONSIDERED A LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI) FOOD. Believe it or not, you can enjoy some potato chips (which are high in potassium--a good thing) even though you are diabetic. Potato chips are on the list of low GI foods. Another surprise? So are M&Ms. So when you just have to give in to the urge for a little sugar, eat a few M&Ms.
1/2 CUP OF POTATOES WILL HAVE A GREATER EFFECT ON YOUR BLOOD SUGAR THAN WILL A TEASPOON OF SUGAR. 1/2 cup of potatoes has 15 grams of carbs while the sugar only has 4 grams of carbs. The potatoes will have more effect on your blood sugar because of what some call the "bad" carbs. Potatoes aren't "bad" but they must be part of a balanced meal plan for diabetics.
SODA POP 7UP WAS CREATED IN 1929. The name was selected after the original 7-ounce containers and the direction of the bubbles. By the way diabetics, diet 7up is, in my opinion, one of the better diet sodas.
COOKING CARROTS INCREASES THE SUGAR IN THEM. When eating cooked carrots always eat them as part of a meal that contains protein.
NICK JONAS, THE YOUNGEST OF THE TEEN HEARTHROB "JONAS BROTHERS" HAS TYPE 1 DIABETES. But he doesn't let that slow him down as he records, does concerts, etc. So if you or your child has type 1 diabetes, take heart. Look to Nick as an inspiration that one can do and be whatever they want in spite of this disease!
DEPRESSION STRIKES 15 TO 20 PERCENT OF PEOPLE WITH DIABETES? This makes it even harder for those people to manage their condition. (Personally, I think it is because they feel they can't have the foods they enjoy anymore. Check out our diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com recipes and you will know that is not true!)
POTATOES, GREEN PEPPERS, STRAWBERRIES, AND PINEAPPLE ALONG WITH CITRUS FRUITS ARE GOOD SOURCES OF VITAMIN C. So when you are fighting a cold or flu add these foods to your diet along with your orange juice.
Months that begin on a Sunday will always have a Friday the 13th.
YOU SHOULD SCATTER A HANDFUL OF DRY LAUNDRY DETERGENT IN THE BOTTOM OF GARBAGE CANS. This is said to help repel flies and other insects.
WE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BUY AND/OR EAT FOODS THAT APPEAL TO US BY NAME. Brian Wansick, PhD, head of the Cornell University Food and Brand Lab, had slices of apple pie placed on a menu under two different names. One name was "Grandma's Homemade Apple Pie" while the other half were listed as simply "Apple Pie". You guessed it, most people chose "Grandma's Homemade Apple Pie" over the slices simply labeled "Apple Pie". Remember folks, marketers and reseachers know this too. Be aware when shopping!
CHOOSING PART-SKIM MOZZARELLA instead of regular mozzarella saves you half the fat!
There is more sugar in what we eat than we often realize. For instance, a 1.7 ounce package of M&M's has 7 3/4 teaspoons of sugar. Surprised? Most people are! A serving, 8-ounces of Gaterade has 3 1/2 teaspoons of sugar. A 3/4 cup serving of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes has 3 1/4 teaspoons sugar. These are not naturally occuring sugars but simply plain old table sugar. To put that in perspective, the USDA recommends no more than 10 teaspoons of added sugar per day for a healthy individual eating 2,000 calories per day. Beware, especially if you are diabetic.
SUGAR HAS MANY NAMES! It is important for the diabetic to know that plain old table sugar--the sugar to be avoided by diabetics--has more than one name. Many people mistakenly think that if a label doesn't list sugar, it's okay for diabetics to eat. Not always true! For example the following are often listed in the ingredients on a label but they are simply another name for "sugar": Dextrose, Sucrose. Beware if those names are listed on the nutrition label of a food product. You will be eating plain old table sugar. Fructose is also often found on labels. It is more allowable for diabetics as it is the simple sugar found in fruit, juices, and honey.
A SERVING OF FOOD IS NOT WHAT WE NORMALLY PUT ON OUR PLATE OR WHAT WE ARE SERVED IN A RESTUARANT! Remember this when you eat as you may be consuming far more calories, sugar, carbs, etc than you realize. For instance, q serving of cereal, grain, or pasta is 1/2 cup. That's right, 1/2 cup. When was the last time you ate only 1/2 cup of cereal, oatmeal, or pasta? You get the idea? One serving of a bread product is 1 ounce, not a half basket of the rolls they bring to your table at a restuarant. By the time they bring your food in some of the restuarants that bring out bread first, you've probably already gone over your calorie and carb quotient. It is very important for diabetics especially to remember this. Most vegetables are also in the 1/2 cup catagory for cooked vegetables or vegetable juice. A serving of raw vegetables is generally 1 cup. For fruit the general rule is 1/2 cup of fresh fruit or fruit juice. That goes down to 1/4 cup for dried fruit. And a serving of meat is 4 ounces or about the size of a deck of cards. Don't fool yourself into thinking, "I only ate one plate full." Stop to think about what was on that plate. When eating at home, measure your servings until you get to the point where you can reasonably guess how much equals a serving. When eating out, especially at restuarants that serve big portions, ask for a to-go box and put half of your meal in it before you even start eating.
SCIENTIFICALLY SPEAKING, NUTRITION IS THE PROCESS OF INGESTION, DIGESTION, ABSORPTION, AND METABOLISM OF FOODS. It is the nutrients in food that perform the different functions our bodies require to keep operating.
TOURNIQUETS ARE NO LONGER THE WAY TO STOP EXCESS BLEEDING. Back in "the old days", as my grandchildren often say to me, every good Boy Scout and First Aid Caregiver was taught how to make a tourniquet. Today, tourniquets are a no-no and should not be used to stop bleeding. According to Dr. Schneider of the American College of Emergency Physicians, using a tourniquet can do much more harm than good. Dr. Schneider stated that if one has a cut on the upper part of the leg and a tourniquet is applied, you will close the vessels to the entire leg. This could actually cause the loss of the foot due to a loss of blood supply to the extremities.
So how does one stop excess bleeding today? As we know, medicine is an evolving science and treatments do change. Today we are told to use our hand, a clean rag or cloth, paper towel, etc and apply pressure to the wound. By doing this, pressure is applied to the wound but the remaining vessels are free for the blood to continue flowing through. This method will not damage the area below the wound but should control the excess bleeding until help arrives or transport to the emergency room or other medical facility can be made.
According to Dr. Charles Pattavina, chief of emergency medicine at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, Maine, a tourniquet may still be used when "everything below the wound is beyond repair." This would be the case if the area below the wound has been amputated. In that situation, the main concern becomes stopping the bleeding as the rest of the damage has already been done.
It is important to keep up-to-date on the many changes that take place in the field of medicine. In this instance, our old method could cause a far more serious problem than the initial wound. One thing we don't want to do is to make matters worse!
STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PEOPLE WITH DIABETES ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION AS ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT DIABETES. And unfortunately, we women are more likely to suffer from depression than men. In a study published in Diabetes Care in 2001 28% of the women with diabetes suffered from depression compared to 18% of the men with diabetes.
THE GI (GLYCEMIC INDEX) OF A FOOD CHANGES DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS GROWN AND HOW IT IS PREPARED? Example: Raw carrot = GI of 16 which is low. Boiled carrot = GI of 92 which is high.
ONE CUP OF COOKED BARLEY PROVIDES AS MUCH PROTEIN AS AN 8-OZ GLASS OF MILK. Add barley to soups for an extra protein boosts.
Physical activity during a teenage girl's life may protect her from breast cancer later in life. A study in the late 90s found that the women participants who had the highest activity levels at age 12 had a 30% lower risk of getting breast cancer as adults. Just another reason to get that teenager off the couch and active!
A Camellia Sinensis or Tea Bush
TEA IS ONE OF THE MOST WIDELY CONSUMED BEVERAGES IN THE WORLD! Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of liquids is important to our overall health. Tea is a great beverage choice as it basically has no carbs, protein or fat. It is tasty, is a natural source of amino acid and antioxidant catechins. It is available in several forms and is tasty both as a hot drink or iced. Note that we are talking about true tea here. Herbal teas usually contain no actual tea leaves but infusions of fruit and/or herbs. Therefore, this article is not about herbal teas.
True tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis evergreen plant commonally known as the tea bush. The tea bush grows mainly in tropical and sub-tropical climates. This plant or tree prefers acidic soil and requires an annual rainfall of at least fifty inches. Camellia Sinensis plants can grow into trees but are usually kept cropped to about waist height to make cultivation easier. Only the leaves from the top 1-2 inches are picked. Many of the top-quality teas, such as darjeeling, are picked from plants grown at elevations of about 5,000 feet. This causes the plants to grow slower thus acquiring a better flavor.
There are four basic types of true tea common to us today. They are black, green, white and oolong. Each is unique but they all come from the same source. The difference occurs in the processing. Briefly, here is a description of each type and what makes it unique. Green tea leaves are unwilted and unoxidized. White tea leaves are wilted and unoxidized. Oolong tea leaves are wilted, bruised and partially oxidized. Black tea leaves are crushed and fully oxidized. Because of the oxidation process, white and green teas have a higher concentration of the antioxidant catechins.
Proper preparation also differs for each of the tea types. For black tea, boiling water should be used. Many of the active substances in black tea won't develop at lower temperatures. This is the most common mistake made when brewing black tea! For optimum results, black tea should be brewed about 4 minutes and never longer than 5 minutes. Longer brewing will cause the tea to taste bitter.
Green tea should be brewed at a lower temperature, approximately 180-185 degrees which is below the boiling point. Hotter water will burn the green tea leaves causing a bitter taste. When brewing green tea, it is best to pre-warm the mug or teapot you will brew in. This will keep the tea from cooling immediately before it is fully steeped.
Oolong tea should be brewed at about the boiling point in a pre-warmed mug or pot. For oolong tea, it is best to use spring water. The minerals in the water tend to bring out more of the flavor in the tea. High-quality oolong tea leaves can be brewed several times. It actually improves with reuse. Many believe the third brewing actually produces the best tea.
To keep your teas fresh and flavorful, store them in a dry, dark, cool place inside an airtight container.
The health properties of tea are constantly in debate. Many believe drinking tea will help to prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. One thing we know for sure is that tea contains both antioxidant and amino acid properties. It also doesn't add to our daily carb, protein or fat and calorie count when drank in it's natural state without adding sugar, milk, etc. And it tastes good. If you aren't currently a tea drinker, become one. It sure won't hurt you and it just might be healthy for you.
In the United States, heart disease kills more women than all types of cancer combined. Women are pretty good at having mammograms and pap smears but tend to neglect their hearts. Women must start paying more attention to heart health remembering it is not just a "man's disease".
One ounce of cheddar cheese contains 205 mg calcium. To get that much calcium from cottage cheese, you would need to eat three cups. Keep this in mind when adding calcium to your diet. By the way, you get the same amount of calcium in low-fat cheddar cheese as you do the full-fat version.
People with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin. It is very important for diabetics to take good care of their skin, especially since we tend to have drier skin. With drier skin it is harder to fight off harmful bacteria from the skin which increases the risk of infection. Use a good skin lotion or conditioner to help keep your skin in good condition. (If you do not have a good moisturizing skin lotion that you currently use, go to my favorite links on this website and click on my Avon link to check out their excellent skin lotions and conditioners.) Whatever you use, take care of your skin! You definitely do not want to be battling diabetic-related skin problems.
The Female Diabetic and ADHD. Unfortunately many girls, and women, who could benefit from treatment for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) may be going undiagnosed. We diabetics know that dealing with our diabetes plays a large role in our lives. We have to monitor our blood sugar levels, take our medicines at the proper times, eat on a regular schedule and many of us have to deal with injections several times a day. For most of us it may be a nuisance at times but it quickly becomes very routine. Then when other health problems are added in, it becomes more of a problem. For the ADHD person, especially children and teenagers, adding on the burden of all that diabetes entails may seem overwhelming. Imagine being a female diabetic with ADHD and no one is aware of your struggles. That may be the case for many of our young females today.
ADHD specialist Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ph.D. of the Chesapeake ADHD Center in Silver Spring, Maryland believes that ADHD in girls is often missed. As the grandmother of a young teen with ADHD, I cannot imagine him having to deal with the demands of diabetes. When I read that many young girls may be going undiagnosed, my heart went out to the number of them also dealing with diabetes. So I did a little research. Following are some things to look for if you think your daughter could be one of them.
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ADHD is often missed in females because they often suffer in silence. They are not as rambuctious as boys and are therefore not as likely to be noticed as having a problem by parents and teachers. They are much less likely than boys to have behavior problems in the classroom.
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Females are more likely to be hypertalkative than hyperactive. They are more likely than boys to be talking, humming, singing, etc at inappropriate times.
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Females with ADHD often do pretty well in elementary school. It's later when their hormones start to fluctuate that their problems in school may become more evident. About the time their hormones start to fluctuate they are entering middle school or junior high school where they are faced with greater demands for organizational and time management skills. Thus you may see their grades start to drop.
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As their hormones start to fluctuate, females are also at the stage where social relationships become very important to them. If they start having trouble "fitting in" this can be very traumatic for them. They may turn to food for comfort which can wreak havoc for the diabetic.
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Females with ADHD, in their early teens, usually become disorganized, messy, forgetful, easily distracted and are very likely to procrastinate.
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Girls may have more difficulty keeping up with life's daily demands therefore becoming very argumentative and emotional.
All of the above items can, at one time or another describe the typical teenager, making a diagnosis even more difficult. But if you notice several of these symptoms, do your daughter a favor. Take her to a doctor who specializes in ADHD. Your family doctor or pediatriction may not be trained to look for these symptons. If your child is diabetic and ADHD you owe it to her to get her help. Both of these diseases require constant medical supervision. Make your child's life easier by helping her deal with her ADHD. Both you and she will be glad you did.
Our bodies break down the different food types at different rates. Carbohydrates are broken down the quickest followed by proteins then fats. This is why different foods have different effects on our blood sugar levels. It generally takes from five minutes to three hours for our bodies to digest carbs, while it takes three to six hours for proteins and fats can take up to eight hours or more. Now you know why potatoes effect blood sugar quickly while ice cream, which is high in fat, effects it more slowly.
Soluble fibers are found mostly in fruits and vegetables along with some seeds. Soluble fibers are especially good for diabetics because they help to slow down or reduce the absorption of glucose from the intestines. Legumes, such as kidney and garbanzo beans, are among the foods with the highest soluble fiber levels.
Eating 1/2 cup of potatoes will make your blood sugar level rise approximately 3 times higher than will a teaspoon of refined sugar. Controlling your blood sugar levels require more than just "not eating sugar."
Scientist now predict that one in three people born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes. It is important to teach younger children to eat properly and make sure they get enough exercise.
Dark chocolate is lower is sugar (and fat) than milk chocolate. Keep this in mind when choosing to treat yourself with chocolate.
Treating sleep apnea can improve memory problems.
Berries are loaded with anthocyanins, an antioxidant that gives them their deep colors. Studies have shown that anthocyanins can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Since heart disease is a major complication of diabetes, try to incorporate berries into your diet several times a week. Add a few to a bowl of cereal, incorporate berries into pancake or waffle batter or serve atop, have fresh berries for dessert, etc.
Diabetes is now considered to be an epidemic in the United States. Record numbers of children and young people are being diagnosed as diabetics every year. It is very important to teach our youngsters to eat properly. The recipes on this site are perfect for that. They are simple, tasty, and children will love them. We also need to teach our children portion control. The old adage of "clean your plate, children in other countries are starving" is out!
A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP IS VITAL TO GOOD HEALTH. In fact, many in the medical community say a good night's sleep is the bedrock of good health. Yet a recent survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that over 50% of adults say they experience insomnia several nights a week. They suggest the last hour before bedtime should be wind-down time. No work, no emails, no TV. Drink a cup of herbal tea, take a warm bath, listen to soft music or settle down with a good book that is relaxing and not work related. In other words, relax! And all us diabetics know that the better your general health, the easier it is to control your diabetes. So get some rest!
IN THE WINTER IT IS COMMON TO EAT MORE. There are chemical changes that occur in the brain during the winter months that increase our cravings for carbohydrates. Beware!
PEANUTS GROW UNDERGROUND! On this site you will notice that I often recommend peanuts and peanut butter to the diabetic. It is interesting to note that peanuts are actually legumes, like peas. The shells are pods and the seeds are the peanuts. The top three peanut producing states are Georgia, Texas and Alabama. There are more energy-giving calories in peanuts or peanut butter than in an equal weight of beef. Peanuts are high in fat but 75% of that fat is unsaturated. They are high in protein, thus their benefit to the diabetic, niacin, vitamin E, fiber and folic acid.