Five Diabetes Myths, Busted
David Kendall, M.D., is the chief scientific and medical officer of the The American Diabetes Association. The group’s 71st Scientific Sessions begin Friday in San Diego, California, with presentations of the latest research, treatment recommendations and advances toward a cure for diabetes. Each year diabetes accounts for more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS combined. While diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is ever more manageable because of advances in medication, a better understanding of blood glucose monitoring and new technologies for delivering insulin, uncontrolled or undiagnosed diabetes still remains the leading cause of blindness in adults, kidney failure and amputation. There are many myths about diabetes - myths that can do much harm. Many believe that diabetes is “just a touch of sugar,” or only something we develop in later life. Although diabetes is manageable, the diabetes epidemic continues to grow; every 17 seconds someone is diagnosed with diabetes and at the current rate, one in three people in the U.S. will have diabetes by the year 2050. Knowing the facts (and your own risk) can help all of us fight the misconceptions associated with this awful disease and ultimately stop diabetes. So take a minute to learn the facts about diabetes. The more we know, the better equipped we are to detect, prevent and treat diabetes and its deadly complications. 1) Myth: Diabetes is really no big deal. Fact: As I’ve already noted, diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. The risk of heart problems is more than twice as high in people with diabetes and two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke. Uncontrolled diabetes also leads to a host of other complications. 2) Myth: Eating too much sugar cause Continue reading >>
9 Of The Worst Eating Habits For Diabetes
You’re a breakfast skipper istock/ShotShare We always hear that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but this may be particularly true for individuals with diabetes, says Alison Massey, RD, a registered dietitian and director of diabetes education at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Waiting too long to eat in the morning might result in hypoglycemia or blood glucose that is too low. Here are tricks to treat hypoglycemia every diabetic should know. “Even when my clients aren’t typical ‘breakfast eaters,’ I encourage them to incorporate a small snack into their morning routine, like a Greek yogurt with some berries or a hard-boiled egg and slice of whole grain toast,” she says. It doesn’t have to be a sit-down meal, but make sure you have something healthy in your body so you don’t crash. Follow these healthy breakfast rules for diabetics. istock/GMVozd Research suggests that excessive fat intake (more than 30 percent of total calories) may worsen insulin resistance. Stay away from meals that tend to contain high amounts of saturated fat, like those from fast food restaurants. While the mechanism isn’t clearly understood, some research has found a modest benefit in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) on insulin resistance, as well as decreasing liver fat. MUFAs are good-for-you fats found in avocados, olive oil, nut butters, and seeds, to name a few. A diet that is high in MUFAs and lower in saturated fats is also associated with improvements in cardiovascular health, lower LDL cholesterol, and reduced triglycerides and blood pressure, says Massey. Here are clear signs you aren't eating enough healthy fats. From Merrill Lynch istock/alle12 Overindulging in protein could impact your blood glucose levels, especially if that protein Continue reading >>
Too Much Junk Food - 10,000 Children With Diabetes
Junk food is having a deadly effect on Jamaica's children as approximately 10,000 of them under age 15 are said to be suffering from diabetes. According to University of Technology president, Professor Errol Morrison, surveys by government and non-governmental organisations indicate this startling figure. "If you'd asked me five years ago how many children there are with diabetes, I would tell you very few, maybe a couple hundreds," Morrison said to reporters attending the University Diabetes Outreach Programme (UDOP) at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort in Ocho Rios. "I am startled myself, I haven't done the survey, but I'm being told that the data coming in as a result of the government and the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) surveys is that we may be having nearly 10,000 children under 15 and what is contributing to this is interesting - lifestyle," he added. According to Morrison, eating too much junk food and not exercising enough are the main reasons for the high rate of diabetes among this age group. Morrison is urging a proactive approach to stem the ballooning number of cases. Morrison said: "Too much eating of ... what you call fast food or junk food, too little exercise. This lack of physical activity, this eating of these fast foods which are energy-dense, the contribution is overweight. Overweight is the single most important cause for the development or the aggravating of diabetes, and so we're seeing a serious problem. It is escalating and we need to get to work proactively, and part and parcel of our outage here is to get the health team and educators and persons across the spectrum of Jamaican life to understand that we have a crisis on our hands and for them to help us to improve the quality of lifestyle, which can contain this pandemic." Morrison was Continue reading >>
Fast Food And Diabetes: Tips And Options For Eating Out
Fast food and diabetes: Tips and options for eating out To manage diabetes effectively, people need to follow a healthful diet. Fast food has a bad reputation for being unhealthy and highly processed. Like junk food, fast food should be avoided most of the time. However, with a bit of know-how, people with diabetes can eat fast food in moderation without putting their health and wellness at risk. It is important for people with diabetes to approach fast food options with some caution, and when possible, be prepared for what might be on offer. Before going to a favorite fast food restaurant, people with diabetes should consider some of these tips: Menus and calorie counts can often be found online, which can help people with diabetes make sure there is a meal option for them. Do not go when overly hungry. Starting any meal on an empty stomach can cause even those with the best intentions to overeat and make less healthy choices. When possible, people with diabetes should plan to eat a fast food meal after having a healthful snack, such as an apple, to avoid overeating. Know before going. Due to popular demand, many fast food restaurants have calorie counts on their menus and nutrition information on their websites. In other cases, independent websites might offer reviews and food facts. No matter the source, it is a good idea for people to look at the menu options and have a meal planned out ahead of the trip, whenever possible, to limit impulse orders. Drink water, not soda. People with diabetes should avoid soda due to the high sugar content and the risk of causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Swapping soda for water can help avoid unnecessary calories and blood sugar spikes, and help reduce the feeling of hunger. Eat slowly. It takes the brain at least 15 minutes t Continue reading >>
Healthy Eating With Diabetes
Healthy eating habits are good for everyone. When people choose nutritious foods and watch serving sizes, their bodies get the nutrients they need and the right amount of calories to function at their best. A healthy, balanced diet can also help lower the chances of getting certain kinds of cancer and heart disease. When you have diabetes, you need to be even more careful about making the right food choices. That's because your body doesn't make enough insulin to help you use food the way you need to. Without insulin, your body has a harder time changing food into energy. This means you need to be thoughtful about what you eat, when you eat, and how much. Meal Plan Needs Your meal plan needs will depend on your individual diabetes care plan. Managing by diet and exercise Follow a healthy, balanced diet to help your body handle food, especially carbohydrates (sugar and starch), more easily. Eat enough food to reach and maintain a healthy body weight, but no more. Make sure your meal plan helps you maintain body functions, have energy for activity, and get to or stay at a healthy weight. Choose foods that are heart healthy and will help you keep your blood sugar and blood pressure in good control. Taking diabetes pills Follow the guidelines listed above for eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure in control. Coordinate your meals with your diabetes medications. Taking insulin Coordinate the food you eat with your insulin shots. Make sure your food plan helps you maintain body functions, have energy for activity, and stay at a healthy weight. General Guidelines Instead of thinking about food as either good or bad, think about which foods support good health. The following guidelines will help you take better care of your diabetes, no Continue reading >>
Top 10 Worst Foods For Diabetes
These foods can can cause blood sugar spikes or increase your risk of diabetes complications. French Fries Overdoing it on greasy, fried foods can lead to weight gain and wreak havoc on your blood sugar. French fries, potato chips, and doughnuts are particularly bad choices for diabetics because they’re made with carb-heavy, starchy ingredients, which can cause blood glucose levels to shoot up. Fried foods soak up tons of oil, leading to lots of extra calories — and some, like fried chicken and many fried appetizers, are coated in breading which increases the calorie count even more. Many fried foods are also laden with unhealthy trans fats because they’ve been deep-fried in hydrogenated oils, which will raise your bad cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. Whether you already have diabetes or are working to prevent it, no amount of trans fats can be safely incorporated into your diet, so it’s best to check labels and keep hydrogenated oils far from your plate. Previous Next More Photos White Bread Pancakes and Syrup Continue reading >>
How To Order Fast Food When You Have Diabetes
Although anyone may develop type 2 diabetes, this kind of diabetes is often caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as being overweight and not being physically active. Controlling your diet by avoiding typical fast-food choices can play a large role in helping control your blood sugar levels — a must when managing type 2 diabetes. Taking this important step may even reduce the amount of medication you need to take each day. But there are many reasons that you might need to rely on fast-food restaurants. For instance, you may work late hours or be pressed for time, and fast food might be the most convenient, or even the only, option available to you. There's no denying that these quick-bite chains seem to be everywhere — the United States has about 7.52 fast-food restaurants per 100,000 residents, according to a study published in December 2011 in the journal Critical Public Health. If you do find yourself needing to order at the drive-thru, don't fret. The key is knowing what to order to get the nutrition you need without jeopardizing your health. Type 2 Diabetes: Better Fast-Food Choices Common sense says that fast food isn't likely to be on the preferred-foods list for people with diabetes. After all, a typical fast-food breakfast can put you at or over your daily limit for fat, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. But many fast-food restaurants offer smart choices that can help you get the nutrition you need with the convenience you desire. For starters, fast food doesn’t have to mean fat-laden fare. Planning ahead is key, says Jenny Dejesus, NP, CDE, a diabetes educator at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Many fast-food chains now feature healthier choices, and these are the restaurants you want to go to. “If possible, look at the menu ahead of time Continue reading >>
Eating Well At Fast Food Restaurants
Here’s a little secret for those of you looking to eat right: Fast food restaurants don’t have to be your enemy. That’s right, those brightly lit temples paying tributes to burgers, and fries, and nuggets can provide decent meals if you’re in a rush. The key, as always, is to be careful and informed about the choices you make. No one-possibly not even the restaurants themselves-will say you should eat fast foot three times a day, seven days a week. And it’s best to prepare your own healthy food at home as often as you can. But people with diabetes are all-too-familiar with compromise. We have to compromise to live, given how demanding this condition can be. And the restaurants themselves have made the task easier in recent years. They have added more and healthier options. They have made nutrition facts more easily available. They aren’t charities, of course-the job of these chains is still to sell you as much fattening food as possible-but the situation is better than it used to be. Here’s a list of six of the healthiest meals from major fast-food chains. I’ve arranged them based on amount of carbs, going from lowest to highest. Carbohydrates aren’t the only important nutrition information, of course, but they are how most people with diabetes calculate insulin dosage, and they do have the most direct impact on blood sugar. A couple of disclaimers before we begin. First, these meals are not, by most standards, “low-carbohydrate.” They should be thought of as lower or moderate carb. Second, you can always go to a restaurant and order a plain green salad, without dressing, and be healthy. My goal here is to point out actual menu items that you might want to eat.. All of the figures are taken from the chains’ respective websites, which means they s Continue reading >>
Type 1 Diabetes Diet
Type 1 diabetes diet definition and facts In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas can do longer release insulin. The high blood sugar that results can lead to complications such as kidney, nerve, and eye damage, and cardiovascular disease. Glycemic index and glycemic load are scientific terms used to measure he impact of a food on blood sugar. Foods with low glycemic load (index) raise blood sugar modestly, and thus are better choices for people with diabetes. Meal timing is very important for people with type 1 diabetes. Meals must match insulin doses. Eating meals with a low glycemic load (index) makes meal timing easier. Low glycemic load meals raise blood sugar slowly and steadily, leaving plenty of time for the body (or the injected insulin dose) to respond. Skipping a meal or eating late puts a person at risk for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Foods to eat for a type 1 diabetic diet include complex carbohydrates such as brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, oatmeal, fruits, vegetables, beans, and lentils. Foods to avoid for a type 1 diabetes diet include sodas (both diet and regular), simple carbohydrates - processed/refined sugars (white bread, pastries, chips, cookies, pastas), trans fats (anything with the word hydrogenated on the label), and high-fat animal products. Fats don't have much of a direct effect on blood sugar but they can be useful in slowing the absorption of carbohydrates. Protein provides steady energy with little effect on blood sugar. It keeps blood sugar stable, and can help with sugar cravings and feeling full after eating. Protein-packed foods to include on your menu are beans, legumes, eggs, seafood, dairy, peas, tofu, and lean meats and poultry. The Mediterranean diet plan is often recommended for people with type 1 diabetes because it is full of nut Continue reading >>
19 Places Where Diabetics Can Safely Eat Out
Diabetics know they should limit carbohydrates, fats, and sugar and up their intake of fiber. Meal plans created by the American Diabetes Association suggest that 45 percent of daily calories should come from carbohydrates, with 45 to 60 grams per meal, and most of those from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, New York nutritionist Laurie Simon suggests limiting any one meal to 10 grams of sugar or less. That's difficult enough eating at home; sticking to the rules at restaurants can be even harder -- but it can be done. Continue reading >>
One Man’s Stand Against Junk Food As Diabetes Climbs Across India
NEW DELHI — Rahul Verma’s son was born gravely ill with digestive problems, but over years of visits to the boy’s endocrinologist, Mr. Verma saw the doctor grow increasingly alarmed about a different problem, one threatening healthy children. Junk food, the doctor warned, was especially dangerous to Indians, who are far more prone to diabetes than people from other parts of the world. One day in the doctor’s waiting room, Mr. Verma noticed a girl who had gotten fat by compulsively eating potato chips. He decided he had to do something. “On one side you have children like my son, who are born with problems,” said Mr. Verma, “and on the other side you have children who are healthy and everything is fine and you are damaging them giving them unhealthy food.” Mr. Verma, who had no legal training, sat late into the nights with his wife, Tullika, drafting a petition in their tiny apartment, which was bedecked with fairy lights and pictures of the god Ganesh, who is believed to overcome all obstacles. He filed the public interest lawsuit in the Delhi High Court in 2010, seeking a ban on the sale of junk food and soft drinks in and around schools across India. The case has propelled sweeping, court-ordered regulations of the food industry to the doorstep of the Indian government, where they have languished. They have outsize importance in India, population 1.3 billion, because its people are far more likely to develop diabetes — which can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations — as they gain weight than people from other regions, according to health experts. Since 1990, the percent of children and adults in India who are overweight or obese has almost tripled to 18.8 percent from 6.4 percent, according to data from the Institute for Continue reading >>
What I Ate When I Couldn't Eat Anything: Facing Gestational Diabetes As A Food Lover
Whether food is your comfort, your hobby, or your profession, gestational diabetes is tough. Here's what you can eat. [Photograph: Shutterstock] In the first few months of my pregnancy, friends often asked me how I was dealing with life without wine, beer, and cocktails; without buttery pieces of toro at my beloved neighborhood sushi bar; without the various other foods most people avoid when they're carrying a baby. Early on, none of those things mattered much to me; I was too sick to crave much more than mac and cheese. Coffee and wine started to taste oddly bitter and flat to me, but it didn't seem that awful to wait 40 weeks to get back to enjoying them. My local bar always managed to serve me some creative alcohol-free concoction. (Pineapple juice and savory Cel-ray? Highly recommended.) I took advantage of California's citrus season, buying pounds of floral Oro Blanco grapefruits and tangerines for making fresh juice. Fruit never tasted better: I sent my husband on wild goose chases for out-of-season mangoes, and celebrated the early arrival of local strawberries by eating a pint every day. And I had ice cream: pints of salted caramel at home, cones of Bi-Rite's insanely rich buffalo-milk soft serve during walks around the park. In challenging moments in those first few months, Max reminded me that "at least it's an excuse to eat all the ice cream you could desire." (I never did convince him to ship me some homemade pints of this crazy chocolate number from New York.) But in mid-March I found myself undergoing a hazing ritual pretty much all pregnant women experience: you show up at the hospital with an empty stomach, get your blood drawn, and then chug a bottle of extra-strong Kool-aid-like glucose solution to see how your system reacts to the sugar over a couple Continue reading >>
Western Fast Food Chains Flourish In China, Rates Of Obesity And Diabetes Skyrocket
When I asked my friend living in China about fast food restaurants there, he responded, “They’re constantly packed with young people.” Though most Chinese know that American fast food is unhealthy and leads to weight gain, the growing trendiness of Western fast food among young people in China has contributed to its increased consumption. American franchises such as KFC are thriving. In the U.S., the chain amassed 4,618 locations in 61 years. In China, though, KFC boasted 4,260 locations in only 26 years. China now consumes twice as much meat as the U.S., a whopping 71 million tons per year. Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, intends to open 20,000 restaurants over the “long term,” according to their website. Meanwhile, McDonald’s is expanding in China at the rate of 10 new restaurants per week. These alarming figures reveal how much American fast food culture has already permeated China. And with the burgers and fries come a host of public health consequences. American fast food chains serve consumers Western-style food products: high in saturated fat, simple carbohydrates, and sugar, with a lot of processing and little nutritional density. In contrast, a traditional rural Chinese diet features plant-based protein, low cholesterol, and some dietary fat. As obesity has become an increasingly common public health concern in the U.S. and other countries, research has shown links between consumption of the Western diet and chronic disease. For example, a study conducted at the German Institute of Human Health found a link between weight gain and consumption of a Western diet high in processed meats, refined grains, sugar, and potatoes. A 2012 study published in the journal Circulation found that Chinese men and women who consume W Continue reading >>
Eating Out
In the fast lane Everyone'’s allowed to indulge once in a while, and it’'s no different if you'’ve got diabetes. Here'’s our guide to how eating out will affect your glucose. More and more of our meals are eaten out. It’'s a quick and easy option –– but not always as healthy as food you cook yourself. Fast food tends to be higher in fat and salt than if you rustle up a similar meal at home. But as long as you’'re eatinglow-fat meals and snacksfor the majority of the week, eating out isn'’t a problem. Some of the options Fabulous fish and chips The bad news is there's loads of fat in a plate of fish and chips, and that means too many calories. It'’s not a good meal for anyone to eat on a regular basis. Ordering a smaller portion might help, but it still shouldn'’t be eaten often. The good news is that chippy-style chips are cut thicker and so absorb less fat than French fries. If you know you are going to be eating fast food, such as fish and chips, for your tea, aim to eat more fruit during the day and salad and vegetables with your lunch. Burger binge Sorry, but burgers aren'’t much better than fish and chips. The buns that burgers come in ensure you'’ll get plenty of carbohydrates, so perhaps you could skip the fries or order a small portion. Avoiding cheeseburgers will reduce the fat content, as will leaving off the mayo. Some burger chains sell side salads, which are a good choice and help balance the meal – as long as they don'’t get drenched in a high-fat sauces or dressings. Ordering diet drinks is another good idea. However, don'’t be fooled by the milkshakes –– they contain lots of fat and sugar. Chinese chow Guess what, Chinese meals can be high in fat too. Why not stick to the stir-fry dishes, providing they are served with Continue reading >>
Can You Eat Junk Food If You Have Diabetes?
Quick Summary Junk food should never make up the bulk of your diet, even if the food choices fit your calorie needs. Junk food isn’t filling and may leave you feeling hungry. This can be problematic for fat loss. People with diabetes need to be vigilant with blood glucose management when including junk food in their diets. The simple answer is YES. You can include junk food as part of your daily eating regime if you live with diabetes. However, this doesn’t mean you can eat as much Oreos, Ben & Jerrys and Pizza as you like. There are certain rules and principles you must respect before you rush off and start snacking. First, let me ask, Is junk food good for you? Honestly? Is It…? Are there any benefits to including junk food in your diet? Ask a health professional or someone on the street, and their first reaction will be a confident ‘NO’. ‘Junk food is not healthy and should be avoided or kept to an absolute minimum.’ Let’s explore this common dogma a little more.Here are a few reasons why most people have a negative perception of junk food. Here are the main reasons why most people have a negative perception of junk food: Junk food is high in calories and increases fat gain. Junk food is low in vitamins, minerals and fibre. Junk food doesn’t fill you up and increases your chances of overeating the rest of the day. Junk food can spike blood glucose levels, increasing the potential for hyperglycemia. Dosing the correct amount of insulin with different types of junk food can be challenging and increase the potential for hypoglycemia. All of these points are true. However, these negative aspects only become apparent when junk food is overeaten or makes up the bulk of someone’s diet. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A GOOD OR BAD FOOD. JUST GOOD OR BAD DIETS. Continue reading >>
