
Can The Weight Watchers Plan Fit In Your Diabetic Meal Plan?
Weight Watchers is a successful weight loss program that is not, by its own admission, “designed for those with diabetes.” However, successful weight loss can have profoundly positive effects on blood glucose control and on risk factors for diabetes complications like heart disease. Weight Watchers promotes a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, and offers programs that include regular, in-person meetings as well as an online program. A basic Weight Watchers philosophy is that foods are not forbidden. Instead, foods are assigned a specific point value, and the participant budgets for a daily points target. The targets are designed to provide a daily calorie deficit, resulting in weight loss. Foods that are low calorie, low fat, and high fiber are assigned a lower point value than high-calorie, high-fat, low-fiber foods. The advantage to the participant is in being able to see the relative advantage to choosing healthier foods, even though less healthy options can be freely chosen as long as the higher points are counted. Additionally, following the Weight Watchers program requires at least some focus on food portion sizes in order to arrive at the points value for any particular food. Diabetes management also requires an understanding of portion sizes. So, on the positive side, Weight Watchers has the following benefits: Potentially helps some achieve weight loss Encourages healthier foods and physical activity Teaches that all foods can fit into a healthy diet Requires a focus on portion size and the nutritional quality of food to arrive at a point value On the cautionary side, the points are completely unrelated to the carbohydrate content of food. In practice, that means that tracking Weight Watchers point values is no substitute for tracking carbohydra Continue reading >>

Diabetes And The Foods You Eat
The foods you eat are made of 3 basic nutrients: carbohydrates, fat, and protein. All of these nutrients provide calories (energy) that allow your body cells to function properly. Why do I need a meal plan? A balanced meal plan is important for everyone. If you have diabetes, eating properly balanced meals and snacks is even more important. Food is an important tool that you can use to control diabetes and stay healthy. Carbohydrate counting adds variety to your meals and still allows you to control your blood glucose. Ask a registered dietitian how carbohydrate counting can be incorporated into your lifestyle. Eating a balanced meal plan can help you: Control blood glucose (sugar) levels. Control blood pressure. Maintain a healthy weight or reduce your weight, if you are overweight. Prevent low blood glucose reactions. Reduce the risk of health problems caused by diabetes. How do I get a meal plan? To plan the amount of foods that you eat, you should meet with a registered dietitian who will help you develop a meal plan that is right for you. This plan will be based on your individual health goals. Do I have to count every bite? No. But you will need to be aware of what and how much you are eating and the right portions of foods. The number one goal of the meal plan is to control blood glucose levels with an even distribution of carbohydrates at meals and snacks. Here are some basic guidelines: Follow the meal plan set with your dietitian. Eat a variety of foods every day to get all the nutrients you need. Eat only the amount of food in your meal plan. Eat about the same amount of food each day. Be aware of portion sizes. Do not skip meals. Eat meals and snacks at regular times every day. Distribute meals 4 to 5 hours apart, with snacks in between. If you are taking a Continue reading >>

Fresh-made Home-delivered Meals
Click here to view our Privacy Policy Diabetic-Friendly Menu We know it’s challenging to count carbs and follow a proper diabetes diet. Mom’s Meals makes it easy by counting the carbohydrates for you. We provide nutritious, fully-prepared meals and deliver them directly to your home. Our Certified Diabetes Dietitian designed a variety of meals that meet the low carb (<75g per meal) nutritional guidelines recommended by the American Diabetes Association. We control carb levels by using low glycemic ingredients and right-sized portions. Continue reading >>

10 Diabetes-friendly Foods To Eat On A Budget
Ginger Vieira was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 13, celiac disease a year later, and fibromyalgia in 2014. Ginger provides great insights into life with multiple chronic illnesses, including how to make the most of your life despite your health setbacks. You've heard it before: reduce the carbs in your diet to help lower your blood sugar, lose weight, and live a healthier life with diabetes. But it isn't always easy! Many of us are concerned about the high cost of some healthier foods. Here are 10 foods that can fit your diabetes-friendly meal plan and your budget. 1. Frozen vegetables Frozen veggies don't come with all the sodium of canned vegetables, they're inexpensive, and they don’t spoil in a few days like fresh vegetables do. They're also easy to cook in the microwave or a pot on the stove. Stick with choices like peas, carrots, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, corn, and other lower-carb choices. 2. Chicken Whether you buy the leg, the thigh, or the breast, the standard packages of raw chicken in the meat aisle of your store are a great way to get plenty of protein. Flavor it with olive oil and a variety of basic herbs (like oregano, celery salt, and pepper) and cook on the stovetop in a pan. Buying a whole, roasted chicken is also a convenient, low-cost option. 3. Brown rice Swap your pasta for brown rice from the grocery store's bulk section, rather than one of those ready-made boxes, and cook it yourself! Rice is filling, easy to make, and when bought in bulk, it's cheap. 4. Beans Canned beans are an easy way to get plenty of low-glycemic carbohydrates and lots of fiber. Pour a can of beans into a strainer and rinse off as much of the liquid as you can by running it under the faucet; the liquid is where most of the added sodium is hiding. 5. Pean Continue reading >>

Diabetic Diet Plan
I have been prescribed a Diabetic— can I still receive meals from Meals On Wheels Inc. of Tarrant County? YES! Meals On Wheels Recommended Meal Plan No concentrated sweets, Diabetic Diet with the beverage choice of one of the following: Skim Milk, Low fat Milk, or Calcium/ Vitamin D Orange Juice Diet Implications What is the purpose of a no concentrated sweets/ Diabetic diet? To achieve and maintain optimal blood glucose and lipid levels through appropriate food choices. What does the diet consist of? The diabetic diet can vary from person to person depending on diagnosis, current nutritional status, blood glucose levels, glycated hemoglobin, blood lipids, and blood pressure. Regardless, it generally consists of monitoring the daily intake of macronutrients: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Specifically, patients need to watch their carbohydrate intake because it is the main factor affecting postprandial blood glucose levels. What are the nutritional recommendations of a diabetic diet? The amount of carbohydrate in the diet is individualized based on the person’s usual intake and desired glucose and lipid goals. Daily intake of carbohydrates can range from 45% to 60% of total calories. Blood glucose and insulin response are influenced by both the source and amount of carbohydrates consumed. Of the two, priority is given to the total amount of carbohydrate consumed at each meal and snack rather than the source of carbohydrate. Protein intake should consist of 10% to 20% of the daily calories. Dietary protein can be obtained from vegetable and animal sources. Fat intake should be 25% to 30% of total calories for the day. It is important to keep track of your lipid levels with your doctor. Cholesterol should be limited to less than 300 mg a day. How can I make my presc Continue reading >>

These Ideas Are For ~45 Grams Of Carbohydrate Easy To Prepare Diabetic Meals
Breakfast: 2 frozen waffles with 1 cup blueberries 45 g Breakfast burrito with 6†tortilla, 1 egg, 1/2c. diced potato and low fat cheese and salsa 45-50 g English muffin with 2 T low fat cheese, and 1cup fat free or 1% milk 45 g Toast 1 slice 100% whole wheat bread, add 1 T peanut butter and ½ of a banana 37-40 g One packet instant plain oatmeal, 2 T raisins and 6oz lite yogurt 48 g Toast 2 slices of raisin bread, top with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese 37 g 1 cup cheerios, ¾ cup fat free or 1% milk and 1 small banana 43 g 1 cup Wheaties, ¾ cup fat free or 1% milk and 1 cup frozen or fresh blueberries 47 g ½ bagel, 2 tsp peanut butter, small fruit 40-45 g Lunch: Medium sized baked potato (6oz) 1/2cup pinto beans, margarine and low-fat cheese and salsa 45 g Tossed salad with ½ cup garbanzo or black beans, ½ cup corn, and small apple 45 g 1cup reduced sodium vegetable soup, 6 crackers, and ½ sandwich with turkey, low fat mayo 40-45 g Fill 6†pita bread with veggies, tuna, low fat dressing and 6 oz. lite yogurt or 1 cup low-fat milk 47-50g 2 slices of rye bread, with turkey or lean roast beef and a small orange 40-45 g 1 cup minestrone soup, and 6 crackers, string cheese and a small apple 45-50 g Dinner: Chicken breast grilled with spices, 1cup brown rice, with broccoli or other non-starchy vegetables 45 g Buy packaged salad, add 3oz tuna or chicken, and add ½ cup beans, a small roll or 6 crackers and a piece of fruit 45 g 3 oz. lean pork, medium sweet potato (6 oz), 1cup cauliflower, 3 graham cracker squares 45 g 2/3 c cooked pasta with 1/2 cup no sugar added spaghetti sauce with ground turkey breast; cooked broccoli and a tossed salad with lite dressing 40-45 g 3 oz. grilled fish or chicken breast, medium baked potato( 6 oz) with light mar Continue reading >>

20 Make-ahead Freezer Meals That Are Delicious, Healthy & Cheap (!)
While we all strive to have healthy, home-cooked meals on the table each night, there are times when just making it through the day feels like an achievement. It’s those days when frozen meals seem like a Godsend. Thaw, pop into the oven and you have a meal ready, without the fuss of ordering food or resorting to a drive-thru. But have you seen what’s in those frozen food meals? The long list of preservatives, low-quality ingredients and steep prices are usually enough to keep me away from the frozen aisle (with the exception of frozen fruits and veggies, of course!). Luckily, there’s a better way to have delicious, homemade, easy meals ready for you in the freezer — by making them, of course! I love freezer meals, because you can do it so easily. You can either double up on meals you were already cooking and freeze extras, or designate a cook-up day, like a Sunday, where you prep and cook meals for the sole purpose of freezing them for later use. Not only does this free up valuable dinnertime, but it also means you’ll always have a meal you’ll love waiting for you. You can easily freeze both individual portion sizes and entire meals, making it easy to feed just yourself or the whole family with minimal fuss. You can even cook up and freeze specific meal ingredients. For instance, if you find a great sale on chicken breasts, you can cook up a batch and freeze, ready to be pulled out for ingredients that call for cooked chicken or added to salads. Freezer-ready meals are also an awesome gift to take to friends and family with a new baby or who are going through life changes, like illness or a death in the family. They’ll appreciate your gesture at a time when things are hectic. Freezer Meal Tips Once you start freezing meals, you’ll likely be a convert, b Continue reading >>

Diabetic Meals From The Freezer
Stocking the freezer with the right foods helps people with diabetes ward off temptations. Reaching for junk food or fast food in a rush is always a poor choice. Make healthier decisions by keeping quick and easy diabetic meals in the freezer. Keep plenty of diabetes-friendly foods in your freezer to grab on-the-go. Frozen strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are tasty snacks and desserts. Heat up frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrots for a side dish or quick meal by adding a protein source. Top them off with no-fat, no-calorie Walden Farms Sauces for robust flavor. Other yummy frozen vegetables to keep on hand include spinach, sugar snap peas and whole green beans. Fruits and vegetables are rich in essential vitamins and minerals including Vitamin C. You can also keep sources of lean protein in the freezer. Stock up on frozen tuna and salmon for dinner. Make breakfast a breeze with frozen low-fat turkey sausage and egg substitutes. Get ground flaxseed to sprinkle over yogurt or fruit for a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator the night before you cook it. Frozen food can also be thawed on a low setting in the microwave. Often pre-packaged frozen foods are high in fat, calories and sodium. Carefully read the labels before you get tempted by the convenience of packaged frozen foods. Certain brands make low calorie, low carbohydrate frozen dinners including Kashi, Atkins and Smart Ones. Shop wisely and limit your intake of pre-packaged frozen meals. Make your own meals ahead of time and freeze them to eat right in a hurry. For example, you can make mouthwatering broccoli and cheddar breakfast burritos that take just two minutes to heat up in the microwave. The ingredients include 12 tortillas, 10 eggs or equivalent of egg beat Continue reading >>

Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Bowl
Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak is the perfect recipe for a delicious, health and quick-fix meal. In less than 30 minutes, you can enjoy a diabetes-friendly meal the whole family will love. CLICK BELOW FOR THE LOW CARB CHEESESTEAK VIDEO: I’m back with more philly cheesesteak!!! Now do you believe me when I say “I’ll never give up my quest for the ultimate low carb philly cheesesteak recipe”? First there was Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Cups, next there was Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Mushrooms and then Low Carb Philly Cheesesteak Bowl! Now my fellow cheesesteak lovers, I give you my low carb chicken-based version. ♥ This recipe is perfect if you are cooking for either low carb eaters or people with diabetes and also for those who have no diet restrictions. Just add in a hoagie roll or hamburger bun and dinner is done. It all begins with thinly sliced chicken breasts. I sliced my chicken partially frozen which helps tremendously with getting the super thin slices I wanted. If your chicken is fresh or thawed, simply place it back in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to get it to a semi-frozen state. (You can slice the chicken breasts without freezing them, it just makes things a little easier) Next, I added my seasonings to the raw sliced chicken and made sure all pieces were coated. I let this sit a few minutes while I warmed up a little olive oil in my skillet. (You could complete this step up to a day ahead of time if you’d like. Just store the chicken in fridge until your ready.) When your olive oil is heated, add the chicken slices and spread them out. I used a large skillet here and it allowed enough room for 2 large chicken breasts. As the chicken browns, continue spreading the pieces out and turning them so each side is nicely browned. For this part, you Continue reading >>

Healthy Frozen Meals: 25 Of The Best Low-cal Options For Losing Weight
How to Pick a Healthy Frozen Meal Don't feel like slaving over dinner? Or running late and don't have time to make eggs for breakfast? Luckily, there's a wide variety of quick and healthy frozen meal options that make you feel full and help you reach your weight loss goals. When you're browsing the freezer aisle, consider three things: serving size, sugar, and sodium. While a single dish may look like one serving, the label may reveal it's actually a dinner for two or three. Some frozen meals also pack tons of sodium and sugar (certain dishes eat up 75 percent of your daily sodium allowance in just one dish!). The following 25 frozen meals keep these three factors in check—and pack major flavor. Here are my favorite healthy options for quick, tasty meals that help you lose weight. CedarLane Spinach & Roasted Tomato Egg White Frittata: 160 calories Courtesy Stop & Drop Continue reading >>

100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards 2013: Diabetes-friendly
We love this crunchy organic cereal from Food For Life—especially in cinnamon raisin. With no added sugar, it only tastes like a sweet indulgence. Extra points for the immaculate ingredient list and the fact that it delivers 21 percent of your daily fiber. Nutrition (1/2 cup): 190 calories, 7 g protein, 41 g carb, 5 g fiber, 1 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 160 mg sodium, 8 g sugar Ingredients: Organic sprouted wheat, organic raisins, organic malted barley, organic sprouted barley, organic sprouted millet, organic sprouted lentils, organic sprouted soybeans, organic sprouted spelt, filtered water, sea salt, organic cinnamon high fiber, organic, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, diabetes-friendly Has apple-cinnamon anything ever been so healthy? Just a couple of tablespoons of this seedy trio provides plenty of omega-3s, protein, and fiber. Sprinkle it into your yogurt, milk, or oatmeal. Nutrition (2 Tbsp): 130 calories, 6 g protein, 15 g carb, 4 g fiber, 6 g fat, 0.5 g saturated fat, 0 mg sodium, 3 g sugar Ingredients: Chia seeds*, buckwheat groats*, hemp seeds*, raisins* (coated with sunflower oil*), freeze-dried apples*, cinnamon* *Organic high fiber, organic, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, diabetes-friendly Continue reading >>

The Diabetes Diet
What's the best diet for diabetes? Whether you’re trying to prevent or control diabetes, your nutritional needs are virtually the same as everyone else, so no special foods are necessary. But you do need to pay attention to some of your food choices—most notably the carbohydrates you eat. While following a Mediterranean or other heart-healthy diet can help with this, the most important thing you can do is to lose a little weight. Losing just 5% to 10% of your total weight can help you lower your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Losing weight and eating healthier can also have a profound effect on your mood, energy, and sense of wellbeing. Even if you’ve already developed diabetes, it’s not too late to make a positive change. By eating healthier, being more physically active, and losing weight, you can reduce your symptoms or even reverse diabetes. The bottom line is that you have more control over your health than you may think. The biggest risk for diabetes: belly fat Being overweight or obese is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, your risk is higher if you tend to carry your weight around your abdomen as opposed to your hips and thighs. A lot of belly fat surrounds the abdominal organs and liver and is closely linked to insulin resistance. You are at an increased risk of developing diabetes if you are: A woman with a waist circumference of 35 inches or more A man with a waist circumference of 40 inches or more Calories obtained from fructose (found in sugary beverages such as soda, energy and sports drinks, coffee drinks, and processed foods like doughnuts, muffins, cereal, candy and granola bars) are more likely to add weight around your abdomen. Cutting back on sugary foods can mean a slimmer waistline as well as a lowe Continue reading >>

Diabetic-friendly Meals Bow At Retail
Meals to Live has introduced what it says is the first-ever retail frozen meals line created specifically for people with diabetes. The nutritionally focused line includes such convenient entrees as Chicken Fajita with Santa Fe Rice, Shrimp Jambalaya, and Chili Relleno with Chicken and Ranchero sauce. Additionally, five of the eight meal options are 100 percent gluten-free. Easy-to-read packaging that clearly displays relevant nutritional information on the front, including fat, sodium and fiber, allows shoppers to see exactly what’s in the meals. “After working with a number of diabetes support groups, I saw firsthand the frustrations these individuals face every day as they try to adhere to certain nutritional requirements, and I was surprised to learn that there is nothing in the grocer’s freezer specifically for them,” explained Cole Egger, founder and CEO of Dallas-based Meals to Live. “Our meals provide a delicious, convenient alternative while meeting the nutritional needs of those living with diabetes, or anyone looking for flavorful, healthy meals.” Created by Egger and former Dallas Cowboys chef Jeremy Womble, who has type 2 diabetes, the entrees contain from 18 grams to 58 grams of carbohydrates, and are high in fiber and low in saturated fat, trans fat and sodium, which are important considerations for those living with diabetes as well as other consumers. Meals to Live also incorporates whole grains as much as possible. In addition with frozen entrees, the brand offers Glucose Quick Sticks, an easy-to-carry, quick-dissolving flavored powder that instantly provides a healthy boost of glucose for those who experience low blood sugar. Meals to Live is now available at 2,000 U.S. retail locations, including select locations of Randall’s/Tom Thumb, Continue reading >>

5 Keys To Selecting A Frozen Meal For People With Diabetes
Share: Do you struggle with no time to cook, or even what to cook for your diabetes? Some people are surprised that I might suggest the diet frozen meals as an option. Dietitians are all about wholesome food, healthy eating, and portion control. Yes, and we are practical, too. If your choice for lunch at the office is the submarine sandwiches that are ordered in, or a quick trip to the closest fast food restaurant, you might find another option is in the freezer. Benefits of Frozen Meals 1. Convenience: A balanced meal that you didn’t have to cook! 2. Portion Controlled: You eat what you get. Can’t go back for seconds. 3. Calorie and Carbohydrate Controlled: If you are watching your weight and carbohydrate intake for diabetes control, you have the nutritional facts to guide you. Concerns of Frozen Meals 1. Sodium Content: Look again! Many of the food companies have reduced the sodium content by revising their recipes and using fewer preservatives. 2. Quality: People have their preferences -- Lean Cuisine, Smart Ones, Healthy Choice, and Kashi are the major players with extensive test kitchens. Food technology has advanced since frozen “TV dinners” were first invented. You might also findother brands that suit your dietary prescription. 3. OK for People with Diabetes? If you choose the right ones. Might be the better choice depending on your diet goals. How to Choose a Frozen Meal 1. Carbohydrates: Do you know your carbohydrate goal per meal? A guideline might be 45 grams for females, 60 grams for males. Check the carbohydrate grams on the label and see how it fits into your plan. If the sugars are 6 grams or less (listed under carbohydrate), it is OK. Remember, one carbohydrate choice is 15 grams, so you could divide the total carbs by 15 to get the number of st Continue reading >>

13 Healthy Frozen Dinners
Yes, healthy TV dinners exist The freezer aisle has come a long way in the 60 years since the first TV dinners entered the scene. Instead of Salisbury steak and sad, rubbery peas, today's microwavable meals are likely to include kale and organic chicken. "The quality and variety are so much better than they were just a few years ago," says Libby Mills, RDN, spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "More people are demanding food that is both healthy and environmentally sound, and companies are responding." In fact, organic and "natural" ready-to-eat meals are projected to become a $2.2 billion business in the U.S. by 2017. But what good is nutritional cred if the offerings taste like airplane food? No worries: We tested dozens to pinpoint the ones you'll actually want to eat again and again. Luvo Chicken Chile Verde Power ingredients: Chicken, polenta and black beans in a punched-up green chile sauce Tester's take: "The chicken somehow tasted freshly cooked, and the black beans had a nice al dente quality. The only downside was that it could use something green. Next time, I'll steam some spinach to serve on the side." Key nutritionals: 320 Calories, 4.5g Saturated Fat, 27g Protein, 6g Fiber, 470mg Sodium ($58/10 pack; amazon.com) Kashi Mayan Harvest Bake Power ingredients: Plantains, black beans, sweet potato, kale, Kashi 7 Whole Grains & Sesame Pilaf, amaranth and polenta in a spicy ancho sauce Tester's take: "The sweet plantains in the sauce had a nice oomph to them. And the pilaf added a satisfying texture to the meal." Key nutritionals: 340 Calories, 2g Saturated Fat, 9g Protein, 8g Fiber, 380mg Sodium (For stores visit kashi.com) Saffron Road Chana Saag Power ingredients: Chickpeas and spinach seasoned with ginger and traditional Indian herbs and s Continue reading >>