Archive for the ‘Diabetes and Diet’ Category

Diabetes Diet Plan: What to Eat and Not to Eat

October 25, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes - Did You Know?, Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Control 

Protein vs. carbs

Protein vs. carbs

When someone is diagnosed with diabetes or told that he is at risk, the first thought that is bound to run through his mind is “I will no longer be able to eat normally.” The common notion is that sugars must be avoided at all costs and desserts must be given up completely. Your previous diet gets replaced by a strict, merciless regimen and your whole life is spent keeping a sharp eye on what you put into your body.

While it is true that diet modification is required to prevent or control diabetes, the notion that this medical condition will cripple your entire life is nothing more than a misconception. And, this article aims at busting some of the more common myths surrounding this topic. So, let’s get started, shall we?

Carbohydrates are An Absolute No-no!

The average diabetic believes that carbohydrates should be stricken completely off the list. However, few people know that carbohydrates, or “carbs” as they are popularly referred to, are integral to a healthy diet for diabetic patients.

Apart from being the primary source of energy, carbs contain essential nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, and fiber. For this reason, instead of abstaining from them altogether, a better thing to do would be to choose healthier carbs, such as the ones you find in whole foods and high fiber fruit and vegetables.

Diet for Diabetics should be High in Proteins

Since most diabetic patients cut down on carbohydrates, they turn to proteins as a source of energy. However, this can be counter-productive for them. Studies show that having a protein-rich diet can cause insulin resistance, a factor that could aggravate the condition further. For this reason, a healthy diet, especially for people with diabetes, should derive only 15-20% of its calories from proteins, and no more.

Your Favorite Foods are Completely off the List

Abstinence seems to be the defining characteristic of a diet for people with diabetes. The general idea is that anything you may have loved eating becomes the forbidden fruit and gets crossed off your diet chart. This isn’t necessarily so.

While you are not allowed to give in to your indulgences, there is no reason really why you should give up having what you like as long as it is in moderation. For instance, you could reduce the portion of your favorite dessert or use it as a reward for following your meal plan regularly.

Life for people with diabetes is not easy. Constant vigilance is required to keep their sugar levels in check. That said, it’s important to investigate the scientific validity of dietary ideas that one comes across these days. And the best way to do that is to consult a trusted medical practitioner or a qualified nutritionist.

How Sweet it is – a New Sugar for Diabetics

October 3, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Control, Diabetic Recipes 

Apple Berry Crisp Recipe from Lisa

Coconut Palm Sugar has been making headlines lately as a low glycemic alternative to cane sugar. This delicious sweetener has been used in traditional Southeast Asian cuisine for thousands of years but is a relative newcomer to the US market. It has been touted as nutrient rich (yes you read that correctly) natural sweetener with an extremely low glycemic index in comparison with traditional sugars such as white and brown sugar. This is great news for diabetics who need to manage their blood glucose levels. A new medication, Januvia is a once-daily pill prescribed to treat diabetes and lower blood sugar level.

Coconut Palm Sugar has a Glycemic Index (GI) rating of 35 whereas cane sugars, both brown and white have a GI rating of 68. Coconut Palm Sugar’s Glycemic Index even measures lower than agave nectar at 42, and honey at 55! Coconut Palm Sugar is also said to be high in Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc and Iron as well as B-Vitamins 1, 2, 3 and 6. Compared with brown sugar, Coconut Palm Sugar has 36 times more iron, 4 times more magnesium, and over 10 times the amount of zinc!

While it shouldn’t be considered a “health food” per se, it is a healthier alternative to traditional sweeteners and a more natural alternative to artificial sweeteners such as sucralose. Its slow energy release also makes it a great alternative for diabetics who would like to enjoy an occasional sweet treat. Coconut Palm Sugar is produced from the sap of flower buds cut from a coconut palm tree. The sap is collected and then heated to evaporate its moisture content. It is then further reduced to create crystals, and then packaged and sold in small bags at your local health food store or natural grocery store. It can even be found in the natural foods section of some larger grocery store chains.

It is similar in appearance to brown sugar but has a much more complex taste. It has been described as tasting similar to brown sugar but with a slight caramel or butterscotch flavor. It’s warm, rich flavor tastes great as a sweetener in coffee or tea, and can be used as a one to one replacement for both white and brown sugar in recipes. Its granulated crystals are quite large, but it can be powdered down in a blender or food processor when a more delicate sugar is needed.

Lisa’s Coconut Palm Sugar, Apple Berry Crisp
Filling:
2 baking apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
3 cups of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, black berries), fresh or frozen
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Topping:
1 ½ cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
½ cup all purpose flour
½ cup coconut palm sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup butter softened (can be replaced with coconut oil for a healthier alternative)
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Place all filling ingredients into an 11 x 7 inch pan. Gently stir to combine.

In a medium mixing bowl add rolled oats, flour, coconut palm sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine. Add vanilla extract and then butter using a fork or your hands to combine. Crumble topping evenly over filling.

Bake for 40 minutes until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.

Enjoy warm from the oven.

7 Easy Ways to Slash Your Diabetes Risk

August 28, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Prevention, Diabetic Treatment 

New research from Women’s Health Magazine finds you can slash your diabetes risk by following these healthy tips:

1. Hit the Weights. Upping your lean muscle mass could lower your insulin resistance, and drop your odds of developing pre-diabetes. Or every 10-percent increase in muscle mass, your pre-diabetes risk fell by 12-percent. Aim for at least two and a half hours a week of glucose-burning cardio activity — like running, cycling, or swimming.

2. Score Enough Sleep. Long-term sleep deprivation may amp up the body’s insulin resistance, especially in people genetically predisposed to diabetes. Those who regularly snoozed fewer than six hours a night were at the highest risk. Try to get at least seven hours of shut-eye each evening.

3. Fiber up. The rough stuff isn’t just good for digestion; it also curbs post-meal sugar spikes by slowing down the flow of glucose into the bloodstream. So when you crave something sweet, opt for fiber-rich fruits like raspberries or pears. And consider adding brown rice to your diet because it lowers your diabetes risk by 11%.

4. Chill Out. When your body senses stress, it releases hormones that increase blood sugar. Regularly practicing deep breathing or meditation, listening to calming music, or getting massages can quell stress hormones and help lower overall blood sugar.

5. Embrace the Omegas. The omega-3 fatty acids found in foods like oily fish, can help improve insulin sensitivity. Eat at least one serving of this kind of seafood a week.

6. Do the D. The “sunshine vitamin” may be a key factor in the fight against diabetes. A review published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people with high vitamin-D levels were less likely to develop type 2. Swallow 1,000 to 2,000 IU a day through dairy foods, fatty fish, or supplements.

7. Spice Things Up. Cinnamon may be an ace at lowering blood sugar levels, says research in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. Rich in nutrients called polyphenols, the sweet spice may help insulin do its job more effectively. Sprinkle some into your morning joe or mix it into an oatmeal snack.

Diabetes is a serious chronic disease but that can be managed through lifestyle changes and medications such as generic Glucophage 850mg.

Bitter, Better for A Diabetic

June 18, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Prevention 

Bitter gourds

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, is enriched with dietary fiber, also a rich source of iron and potassium. Bitter melon is a vegetable cultivated and eaten in many countries including China, India, Japan, and South American. Bitter melon grows on a vine in yellow or green color.

Bitter melon is a valuable vegetable, sometimes known as “plant insulin”. Studies claim that various compound in bitter melon have found to be responsible for lowing blood sugar level such as charantin, polypeptide p, and oleanolic acid glycoside. Bitter melon juice has been shown the ability to renew and recover of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.

Bitter gourds are commonly found at Asian grocery markets and can be used as a natural treatment for diabetes. Integrating the bitter gourds in your diabetic diet is a good and inexpensive way to help reduce blood sugar and prevent diabetes.

There are so many ways of cooking bitter gourds tastier. Including raw eating, fresh juice, deep frying, or stir-fried mixed with pork or beef. Bitter melon has many health benefits despite the bitter taste; it is helpful to treat blood disorders, respiratory problems, piles, skin disease, improve digestion, eyesight, and weigh loss. Blanching bitter melon before cooking can help reduce the bitter taste.

If you are taking medications or insulin such as Humalog lispro insulin for regulating your blood sugar levels, check with your doctor before trying bitter melon, and keep a close eye on your blood sugar. Avoid use if you have a history or liver problem. Excessive amount scan cause abdominal pain or diarrhea. Avoid it during pregnancy.

Tree Nuts May Prevent Diabetes and Heart Disease

April 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Buy Lantus, Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Prevention 
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Diabetes Prevention

All those fancy nuts you see at parties may be helping out your heart as well as preventing diabetes. A study was recently released by Louisiana State University describing the effects of tree nuts on inflammation marker C-reactive. C-reactive is often linked with chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Researchers found that people who had a higher consumption of tree nuts such as pistachios, almonds, macadamias, walnuts and cashews were 5 less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a condition which often elads to more chronic conditions.

Tree nuts have a significant amount of ‘good’ cholesterol. This helps the body to digest food, and metabolize it properly. Buildups of ‘bad’ cholesterols often lead to blocked arteries and heart problems. Researchers were quick to note however, that consuming too many nuts often can cause weight gain, as the body reacts to fats and cholesterol that are only good in small, steady amounts. The recommended intake by diet experts is only a quarter of a cup per day…a perfect mid-afternoon snack.

White Rice Raises Risk of Diabetes

March 20, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Buy Lantus, Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes Prevention, Diabetes Research and News 
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White rice is joining white bread as a contributor to the development of diabetes. According to new research, a eating a significant amount of white rice may raise your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, especially in Asian populations. It is not just the white rice though. Researchers say that the high intake of white rice in Asian populations, combined with modern life’s more sedentary lifestyles, are what is leading to these results.

Researchers believe white rice is creating a high diabetes risk due to its high glycemic index; it has a significantly higher glycemic index than that of most other whole grains, due to its processing. The report also showed that this diabetes risk was also higher in women than in men. According to their calculations, Asians who ate a large amount of white rice were 55% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who ate less. The researchers noted only a 27% higher risk in other racial populations.

Although four studies were done, other scientists are suggesting that a more controlled trial will need to be completed in order for this to be seriously taken into consideration when creating one’s diet.

Diabetes Superfoods

February 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet 

Ultra Bikes Full of Superfoods

The American Diabetes Association has just released a list of their top ten superfoods for diabetics. If you don’t already have these in your diet, try making a meal that incorporates more than one!

Beans- A half cup of these fulfills about 30% of your daily protein!

Dark green leafy veggies- Kale and spinach belong to this family. Try a spinach salad with walnuts and mandarin slices.

Citrus Fruits- Oranges, grapefruits and lemons are great examples of useful citrus fruits. Lemon water is also great for the gastrointestinal system.

Sweet potatoes- A particular favorite of the author, sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin A and fiber. Try roasting them for a delicious alternative to potatoes.

Berries- Blueberries, strawberries, and other berries are recommended by diabetic experts as they have been shown to affect blood sugar less than some other fruits. Blueberries in particular are a great source of antioxidants, one of the ingredients for beautiful skin!

Tomatoes- Tomatoes have recently been named as a superfruit, along with the famous acai. But why? Tomatoes are exceptionally high in Vitamins C and E, and also contain iron. Vegetarians are often encouraged to eat lots of tomatoes.

Some types of fish- fish such as salmon are high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, but just remember to have them baked, not fried!

Whole grains- Whole grains are better for everyone, as they have usually not come into contact with chemical bleaching agents used in white breads. However, there is a disparity between what is considered whole grain and what is actually whole grain. The germ and bran are the parts of the grain that contain the most nutrients.

Nuts- Nuts are a great snack, as they have protein to help you feel full. They also contain important healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids. Try a handful of raw almonds or walnuts for a mid-afternoon pick me up.

Fat-free milk and yogurt- As many people know, dairy products are an excellent source of calcium. Try to find “fortified” products, which often contain vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin,” which has been linked with overall good health.

Diabetes and Gastroparesis Linked

November 15, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes and Gastroparesis 
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Many people with diabetes suffer from gastroparesis, or slow stomach emptying. As a matter or fact, diabetes is the most common cause of gastroparesis. That’s because chronic high blood glucose levels can damage the vagus nerve – which controls the movement of food down through the digestive tract.

In a double whammy, gastroparesis can make diabetes worse by making blood glucose control more difficult. When food that has been delayed in the stomach finally enters the small intestine and is absorbed, blood glucose levels rise. Since gastroparesis makes stomach emptying unpredictable, a person’s blood glucose levels can be erratic and difficult to control – a diabetic’s nightmare.

How do you self-treat gastroparesis? The simplest and healthiest option is to change your eating habits. Eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones to prevent the stomach from becoming overly full. Avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods, as fat naturally slows digestion and fiber is difficult to digest. If you have gastroparesis, carbonated beverages are also not your friend. In more severe cases, a liquid or pureed diet may be required for awhile.

If a dietary adjustment isn’t providing the relief from gastroparesis you need, there is a medicinal option in the form of prescription domperidone. Doctors prescribe domperidone for gastroparesis and other digestive ailments across the world. Both generic domperidone, and its equivalent name brand Motilium, have been available in Canada for many years.

To learn more about which basic dietary guidelines for gastroparesis, and to watch a video explaining the disease and the connection between diabetes and gastroparesis on hubpages.com, >Click Here<.

Eating Too Quickly Doubles the Risk of Insulin Resistance

November 8, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes and Weight Management, Diabetes Control 
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Yet another reason to listen to your mother and slow down and chew your food properly – eating too quickly has been associated with a doubled risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance, or pre-diabetes. As the name suggests, pre-diabetes is the forerunner to developing type 2 diabetes. Most diabetics have type 2 diabetes – a form of diabetes where your body no longer responds properly to insulin (called insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes used to be described as non insulin dependent diabetes.

Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar (glucose) from the blood to the body’s cells to provide them with energy. If your cells do not use insulin properly, the pancreas produces more insulin that normal to cope with the body’s demands. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up, and excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood.

A recent Japanese study followed over 170 healthy individuals for three years, monitoring their eating habits. Snacking, eating late at night, skipping meals and eating out were not associated with developing pre-diabetes. The one and only eating habit associated with the development of insulin resistance was eating too quickly. Read the full article

Updated Glycemic Index for Diabetic Diet

October 24, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes and Weight Management, Uncategorized 
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insulin spike chartGlycemicEdge.com, a leading nutrition and health wellness community site, has updated and expanded its popular glycemic index food list and now features food scores from 12 categories of foods and nearly 200 individual foods.

The glycemic index is a scoring system which rates foods on a 0-100 basis according to their impact on digestion and insulin levels, based on the type of carbohydrates used. The glycemic index diet plan has become increasingly popular for wellness, weight loss, and has been particularly well received by pre-diabetics, diabetics, and those following a heart healthy cardiovascular health plan.

According to Wayne Mitchell of GlycemicEdge.com, the best part about the glycemic index diet is it’s realistic approach to choosing foods while not banishing carbs. “Low carb and no carb diets are really challenging to follow. They also don’t have the health benefits that “low GI” or good carb foods provide. With low glycemic foods, you get the benefit of feeling “fuller” with foods that put much less strain on your digestive system and pancreas, controlling the release of insulin.”

Another popular benefit for low glycemic foods is weight loss, as your metabolism adjusts and switches from primarily burning carbs as a fuel source to burning fat. Whole grains and complex carbohydrates are emphasized while simple carbohydrates and foods which result in a sudden, rapid insulin spike during digestion rank high on the GI scale and should be avoided.

“Our users love the ability to compare foods, find some surprising foods that are good low GI choices, and print and take lists with them when they do their shopping and planning for their families. About 70% of our users are moms planning for their families, and the charts and food lists are a great resource to make this easier for them.”

Users can print the lists for free and are invited to share questions and submit food scores of their own to help grow community awareness. Also featured are south beach diet food list and printable shopping guides.

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