A Diabetic At The Thanksgiving Table
Yahoo!-ABC News Network | 2018 ABC News Internet Ventures. All rights reserved. Many people feel stuffed and uncomfortable after gorging themselves on turkey, stuffing, and desserts on Thanksgiving. But for diabetics, the situation can be downright dangerous, as eating high-sugar foods can send blood sugar into a chaotic rollercoaster. The problem lies in simple carbohydrates and sugars -- common ingredients in holiday meals -- that boost blood sugar immediately and can throw glucose levels out of whack. However, other options such as whole grains can provide carbohydrates that impact the blood sugar more slowly. With a little foresight, meals can be tweaked to integrate diabetic-friendly options, say diet experts. "People with diabetes need to give thought to what they will eat so that they can keep their blood sugars in a normal range," says Connie Diekman, current president of the American Dietetic Association, noting that most non-diabetics are not accustomed to this level of precise planning. "People with diabetes can enjoy most of the foods so typical to the holiday season if they know how to balance the right portion of food into their meal plans. Such planning might be difficult for a new diabetic, but with a little experience it really isn't that tricky." For example, Diekman says, eating basic foods such as turkey, potatoes, vegetables, and salad is easier when options don't appear to be loaded with hidden ingredients. Serving plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables is a healthy option for all guests. Other diet experts agree that healthy options can be incorporated into holiday meals for all. "It is important to keep health in mind when planning the menu for the good of all party guests, not just those with diabetes," says Dr. George Blackburn, a profe Continue reading >>
Simple Fast Cranberry Sauce Thats So Good For You
Simple fast cranberry sauce thats so good for you I love all types of berries and cant get enough lately of cranberries. It helps that organic cranberries are easy to find at this time of year and fairly inexpensive. Cranberries are a source of vitamin C, manganese, and different antioxidants, including polyphenols, which may help to prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as boost the immune system. Cranberries and cranberry juice can prevent recurring urinary tract (UTI) and bladder infections. Because a lot of sugar is often added to cranberry juice, buy one thats organic with about 10 grams of sugar in it. You need some sugar to offset the tartness, in my opinion. Drinking several glasses of cranberry juice recently cleared up a lingering UTI. Simple fast cranberry sauce that's so good for you Simple fast cranberry sauce that's so good for you I'm Christine Lehmann, the Reverse Diabetes Coach and certified nutritional therapist. I'm dedicated to helping women prevent or reverse diabetes naturally. While doctors usually prescribe medications to control your blood sugar, I use a holistic, natural approach that is highly effective for lowering blood sugar, losing weight and regaining energy. When I see clients commit to my program, lose up to 100 pounds, and their lab tests come back normal, I know my approach works. My programs offer customized solutions to fit your lifestyle. I've helped numerous clients transform their health through a healthy diet, supplements, exercise, and stress management. Continue reading >>
My Secret Cranberry Juice Diet
Posted by ADW Diabetes | Jul 6, 2009 | Diabetes Management , GlucoStories | 0 | It was December of my senior year in high school. I really dont know how long it had been going on except I can kind of remember when it started getting severe right at the end of November. I was falling asleep during my classes every day and had teachers making comments about it. I was using the restroom what seemed like every hour. I could barely make it through a basketball practice without feeling like I was going to pass out. I was constantly needing more to drink and for some reason cranberry juice is what I was always craving. I dropped weight like crazy. People were starting to talk about how bad I looked and question if I had an eating disorder. That definitely was not the case, because I was also hungry most of the time. My friends wanted to know how I lost so much weight so fast and it never dawned on me that it could be from how much I was using the restroom, but the only explanation I had was that I was drinking cranberry juice. They all drank cranberry juice that day and until we found out I had Type 1 diabetes, never thinking about how much sugar it actually had in it! Whoops. A week before I was diagnosed, I had some friends that were in a car wreck and I lost someone very very close to me. I had a really hard time dealing with it, so when my problems started becoming even more noticeable, everyone just said it was from the stress. My mom finally MADE me go to the doctor, believe me I tried to fight her. It was December 14, 2006, my eighteenth birthday, a day I should be celebrating. Instead they put me in the hospital a.s.a.p. and started pumping fluids through me because I was so dehydrated. The journey started there. I was confused, scared, and a little mad. My first thou Continue reading >>
Is Canned Cranberry Sauce Bad For You? : Ask Dr. Gourmet
It's easy to get answers about health and nutrition! Just send your question by email to [email protected] and Dr. Harlan will respond to selected questions of general interest. Answers will be posted in the Ask Dr. Gourmet newsletter ( sign up now!) and archived in the Ask Dr. Gourmet section of the website. Please note that the Ask Dr. Gourmet feature is restricted to questions regarding food and nutrition. Due to the many questions we receive, not all questions may be answered. For more specific questions about your individual health, please contact your doctor. About Timothy S. Harlan, MD, FACP | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Are canned cranberries, like the kind used on turkey, bad for you, fat wise? Cranberries are really good for you, but they are not naturally sweet. Consequently, all the cranberry products you purchase will have added sugar. For instance, 100 grams of fresh cranberries contain only 46 calories, while 100 grams of cranberry sauce has 151 calories. The extra 100 calories adds up to about 6 teaspoons of sugar. There's no fat in cranberries or cranberry products like the jellied cranberry sauce in cans. Canned cranberry sauce isn't one of the healthiest foods, but having some at Thanksgiving or Christmas is OK. It's not the sort of thing you want to be having every day. If there's a time to splurge a bit, it's the holidays. Eating well is about that balance between eating delicious healthy food day to day and also enjoying special days. Continue reading >>
Recipe Of The Week: Fresh Cranberry Relish
Recipe of the Week: Fresh Cranberry Relish If youve only ever had cranberry sauce from a can, this no-cook combination of fresh oranges, apples, and cranberries will be a Thanksgiving revelation. Sweetened with sucralose (brand name Splenda), this relish weighs in at only one carbohydrate choice for a generous half-cup serving. And remember that hundreds of additional recipes are always available in our recipes section! Disclaimer of Medical Advice: You understand that the blog posts and comments to such blog posts (whether posted by us, our agents or bloggers, or by users) do not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs. The opinions and other information contained in the blog posts and comments do not reflect the opinions or positions of the Site Proprietor. Please knock it off with the poison sweetners. Just be modest with the honey, sugar, real maple syrup etc. If not, be modest with those poison sweetners. I put one third, if not less, a pack of sweet and low in a cup of coffee. I do love cranberry relish. I want to give some to my mother every day to prevent bladder infection. M All comments are moderated and there may be a delay in the publication of your comment. Please be on-topic and appropriate. Do not disclose personal information. Be respectful of other posters. Only post information that is correct and true to your knowledge. When referencing information that is not based on personal experience, please provide links to your sources. All commenters are considered to be nonmedical professionals unless explicitly stated otherwise. Promotion of your own or someone el Continue reading >>
Sugar Free Jellied Cranberry Sauce
I bought the raspberry sf jello. I'm not crazy about the orange flavor with cranberry. My BIL makes cranberry sauce every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas, but his is the lumpy kind and he uses a lot of orange zest in his. His is also just a bit too tart for me. I always have to add more sweetener...and it's kind of dumb to add a packet of Equal to a sauce that he used sugar in I might try this tonight. I will have to get a jello mold to make it since I can't figure out anything that I might have that would work I have to stop at Walmart tonight to get some heavy cream since all the grocery stores and convenience stores around me were out when I went shopping last evening. Stupid me went to Walmart and forgot to look for a jello mold!!!! So, I will have to make the cranberry sauce tomorrow But, I did my baking tonight for Thanksgiving and I have to say my house smells absolutely delicious! I made the Low Carb Sugar Free Apple Spice Pound Cake and it looks and smells heavenly...I made the low carb sugar free cheesecake with an almond crust and it came out wonderful....and the low carb sugar free pumpkin pie with pecan nut crust is in the oven as I type this. My house smells good enough to gobble up! I am so enjoying Thanksgiving this year! I will report on the cranberry sauce once I make it. I will have to run to Bed Bath and Beyond during lunch tomorrow to get a mold. I'm so excited now! Can't wait for Thursday! Continue reading >>
Why Can't Diabetics Drink Cranberry Juice?
Why Can't Diabetics Drink Cranberry Juice? Beth Conlon is a registered dietitian with work published in several peer-reviewed journals. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science in nutrition from Marywood University. Conlon is currently pursuing a doctorate in biomedical sciences at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Cranberry juice is higher in sugar than many beverages.Photo Credit: Eric Hood/iStock/Getty Images Cranberry juice is a popular beverage in the United States. The consumption of cranberry juice is not prohibited on a diabetic diet. According to the American Diabetes Association, no food or beverage is off-limits to diabetics based on the diagnosis of diabetes alone. However, cranberry juice is higher in sugar than other foods and beverages and should be consumed by diabetics with careful observance of portion size and in accordance with any medication regimen as prescribed by a physician. Cranberry juice is available as a pure juice or as a juice cocktail. Pure cranberry juice should not contain any additional fruits or added sugars, whereas cranberry juice cocktail or juice blends often contain additional fruit juices and added sugars. Per serving, cranberry juice cocktail may contain more than twice the amount of calories and carbohydrates of pure cranberry juice. Light cranberry juice cocktails made with artificial sweeteners have entered the market that contain less sugar and calories per serving than regular cranberry juice cocktail. The American Dietetic Association food exchange list for diabetics defines one serving, or exchange, of unsweetened fruit juice as equal to 1/2 cup, or 4 fluid ounces, and one serving of sweetened fruit juice and juice blends as 1/3 cup, or 2.7 fluid ounces. One s Continue reading >>
Do Cranberries Really Lower Blood Sugar?
Cranberries (fruits of the plant called Vaccinium macrocarpon) are fruits from the berry family, along with blueberries, bilberries or cowberries (also called lingonberries). Fresh (natural) cranberries contain mostly water (90%), carbohydrates and both soluble and insoluble fiber ( 1 , 2 ). Typical carbohydrates found in cranberries include simple carbs, such as fructose, glucose, and saccharose (also called sucrose) ( 3 ). They are also rich in vitamins and plant compounds, which makes them very beneficial to your health. Cranberries are particularly high in vitamins C, E and K1 (phylloquinone). While vitamins C and E are strong antioxidants, which help your body fight free radicals and prevent some serious diseases, including cancer, vitamin K1 is necessary for blood clotting. Cranberries are also an excellent source of manganese and copper. Cranberries are full of vitamins and essential minerals Manganese is a mineral, which improves metabolism and promotes cellular growth. It is also an essential molecule for the bodys antioxidant system. Copper is necessary for a healthy heart ( 4 ). The plant compounds found in cranberries include the following molecules (mostly flavonols and polyphenols): A-type proanthocyanidins (another name: condensed tannins): these polyphenols make cranberries an effective remedy for urinary tract infections ( 5 , 6 ) Peonidin: this antioxidant gives cranberries their red color (it is an anthocyanin) and may help prevent some kinds of cancer ( 7 ) Quercetin: cranberries are one of the richest natural sources of quercetin, a polyphenolic antioxidant, which helps prevent inflammation (by inhibiting cyclooxygenases) and cancer cell growth ( 8 , 9 ). Ursolic acid: peel of cranberries is a rich source of this acid, which has potent anti-inflamm Continue reading >>
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Diabetics Rejoice!: Sugar-free Cranberry Sauce
I love cranberry sauce with my turkey, but traditional cranberry sauce is off the charts! Even a small portion of only 1/4 cup is loaded with 22 grams of added sugar and a total of 27 grams of carbs. Add that to the other carbohydrates in a Thanksgiving meal and cranberry sauce, even a spoonful, is off limits for me. Instead of dwelling on the things I can't have because of my diabetes, on this Thanksgiving Day I smile and am thankful I live in an age when there are so many wonderful alternatives that make it easy to manage this complicated disease. It's simple to make homemade cranberry sauce and it tastes so much better than canned. I tweaked the traditional recipe just a bit to create this delicious variation that calls for a combination of erythritol sweetener, stevia and applesauce to replace the sugar called for in the recipe found on the back of a bag of fresh cranberries, plus it cooks up quick on the stovetop. The hint of cinnamon, cloves and vanilla balances out the tartness. The pectin in the applesauce helps to thicken the sauce perfectly. This cranberry sauce is so delicious, I top it with whipped cream and have it for dessert, use it as a fruit spread on my gluten free waffles or stir it into yogurt. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Continue reading >>
Can Cranberry Juice Control Blood Sugar And Lower Blood Pressure?
A new study found that drinking cranberry juice reduces some key risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The study, published in the Journal of Nutrition, adds compelling evidence to the growing body of research on the benefits of berries on the heart. Cranberries are rich in a number of polyphenols, chemicals that have been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. They include procyanidins, quercetin, myricitrin, and anthocyanins. Quercetin, for example, has been shown to reduce blood pressure, while procyanidins have reduced C-reactive protein (CRP) in animal studies. Anthocyanins have lowered triglycerides in animal studies as well as inflammatory markers in people. In this study, researchers randomized patients into two groups, one that drank two 8-ounce glasses of low-calorie cranberry juice each day for eight weeks. The juice was sweetened with sucralose and had about 40 calories in each serving. The control group drank a similarly tasting drink that did not contain cranberry juice. Both drinks were supplied by Ocean Spray Cranberries, which partially funded the study, but was not involved in the analysis of the results. Both groups also followed a fully controlled diet to reduce other dietary variables. The study was double blind, so neither subjects nor researchers knew which people drank the juice versus the placebo. The group that drank low-calorie cranberry juice had lower levels of triglycerides (fatty acids) compared to the controls, and those with the highest level of triglycerides at the onset of the study saw the greatest decrease in the fatty acids. The juice drinkers also had lower diastolic blood pressure and lower levels of CRP, an inflammatory marker for cardiovascular disease. They had a 44% lower level of CRP than th Continue reading >>
Cranberry Sauce - Diabetes - What To Know
Bring water, juice and sugar alternative to a boil. Add the cranberries and gelatin. Let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow mixture to cool then refrigerate for two hours. Cut the pineapple chunks into small pieces. Add the pineapple and the toasted nuts to the cranberries. Pour into a beautiful dish and refrigerate until ready to use. To print a copy of this article click here . We are so privileged to have Ward sharing his experience with diabetes AND his delicious recipes with us. To hear his story about what it was like to be diagnosed, click here . And for more about Ward, check out his website or his Facebook page . Health Note: Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about how many grams of fat you should eat each day. Especially if you have high cholesterol, keeping your saturated fat intake to what your doctor or educator has suggested is very important for overall health. Feel free to make adjustments to the recipe to make it right for your body and remember keeping your portions sensible is the key to good health and good diabetes control. Continue reading >>
Cranberry Juice And 4 Other Drinks That Could Fight Diabetes
Cranberry juice and 4 other drinks that could fight diabetes Jack is a 27-year-old journalist based in Coventry, UK. He is a type 1 diabetic who enjoys sport, boring weekends, MTV and once won a talent show for dancing to Dario Gs 1997 hit Sunchyme. Tagged with blood glucose levels , insulin sensitivity , polyphenols There are many drinks which benefit people with diabetes, such as water, milk and diet soft drinks, as they are low in sugar. Earlier this month, cranberry juice made the news for its preventative prowess against type 2 diabetes, and there are other drinks that help tackle diabetes. Weve assessed which drinks could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes developing, as well as the ones that can aid the management of people with the condition. The United States Department of Agriculture reported that two glasses of cranberry juice per day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is due to the polyphenols contained in cranberries which protect cells from damage and disease. Participants who did this had consistently improved blood glucose levels and blood pressure. Those at risk of type 2 can therefore reduce their risk, while people with type 2 can decrease their likelihood of developing heart disease. However, drinking low-calorie cranberry juice is important as a typical glass is quite high in calories. Those aforementioned polyphenols are also found in coffee , but how much coffee one should consume has been long debated, leading to mixed findings. Earlier this year, American dietary guidelines found multiple cups of decaffeinated coffee reduced the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimers. A 2014 Swiss study, meanwhile, observed that drinking three to four daily cups each day could reduce ones type 2 risk by 25 per cent. Continue reading >>
Enjoying Thanksgiving With Diabetes
Thanksgiving can be challenging for people with diabetes who are trying to manage blood glucose levels and weight. Many traditional Thanksgiving foods are high in fat as well as carbohydrates, but with careful planning, you can make healthy choices that fit into your diabetes meal planand enjoy this wonderful celebration with friends and family, says Tracey Lucier, R.D., Nutrition Educatorat Joslin Diabetes Center. Start the day off with a good breakfast so you wont be tempted to overeat. Nibble on raw vegetables with low-fat dips before dinner rather than salted nuts or cheese and crackers. Choose white rather than dark turkey meat, without the skin. Make mashed potatoes with low-fat milk and margarine instead of butter, and take it easy with the gravy. Skim the fat off the top of the gravy before serving. Steam vegetables like peas and green beans rather serving them in a casserole with creamed sauces. Bake stuffing in a casserole dish rather than inside a turkey so you can make it with less fat. Bake with low-fat broth and margarine. Make cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries. Canned cranberry sauce is high in sugar. If youre going to drink a glass or two of wine, do it with dinner, rather than starting earlier. Consider diluting white wine with seltzer water to make a wine spritzer. Have dessert with everyone else, but choose pumpkin pie over pecan pie, or bring a dessert youve made with an artificial sweetener . Top it with low-fat whipped cream. It is unquestionably hard to stick to your diabetes meal plan on Thanksgiving when you see allof thefood and everyone else is overindulging. It's also difficult if you have food police in your family who try totell you what you can or cant eat, or havesomeone who wants to load more food on your plate, saying its only onc Continue reading >>
Cranberry Sauce | Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community
Diabetes Forum The Global Diabetes Community Find support, ask questions and share your experiences. Join the community Is cranberry sauce bad for type 2 diabetes? Does it have to much sugar in it? Is cranberry sauce bad for type 2 diabetes? Does it have to much sugar in it? A quick Google search say's cranberry sauce has 30 grams carbs per 100 grams. Resurgam Type 2 (in remission!) Well-Known Member If you make your own and don't sweeten it with sugar then you should be OK with it - the sugar syrup ready made would not be so good. Thanks guys. It's a shame they sweeten it. It's sweet enough as it is. I make my own I'm sure you could.easily sub sweetener for brown sugar. I add clementine and port to mine but pretty sure you could make it without it's very very easy to make. Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) Well-Known Member The cranberries will be back in supermarket stores shortly so you will be able to make your own. I Don, t eat cranberry sauce but I would imagine it would have lots of sugar in it The cranberries will be back in supermarket stores shortly so you will be able to make your own. How do cranberries come in natural form and where do you buy it and in what season. I've only ever seen it in a jar or juice. I've never seen it in real form. Mbaker Type 2 (in remission!) Well-Known Member How do cranberries come in natural form and where do you buy it and in what season. I've only ever seen it in a jar or juice. I've never seen it in real form. They are a bigger than red currants but nut as big as a small grape. I was getting mine from Waitrose, but I know they were in at least one other major supermarket. I put them in a Nutribullet with water - very sour but I don't mind that. They definitely will be in before Christmas. Rachox Type 2 (in remission!) Well-Know Continue reading >>
Cranberry Benefits: Healthy Reasons To Eat More | Reader's Digest
Americans consume nearly 400 million pounds of cranberries each year, 20 percent of those during the week of Thanksgiving alone. Packed with nutrients and surprising health benefits, theyre definitely more than a side dish. Its no secret that cranberries are good for preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and consuming them on a regular basis could cut back on your need for antibiotics thanks to one powerful antioxidant. All berries contain antioxidant compounds call polyphenols. Cranberries in particular contain a unique type of polyphenol called proanthocyanidins (PACS); studies have shown that PACS help keep the urinary tract free from a bacteria known for getting stuck in places like your bladder walls or stomach lining and wreaking uncomfortable havoc. A study by Ocean Spray researchers found that women who consumed a glass of 27 percent cranberry juice every day for six months reduced the number of UTIs they got by 40 percent compared to those who drank a placebo UTIs are the second most common infection that leads to antibiotic use, and antibiotic resistance is a major health issue right now,says Christina Khoo, director of research sciences at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. We think that cranberry is the nutritional approach to maintaining your urinary tract health. (Related: Here are other times you should say no to antibiotics .) Cranberries are natures anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is the cause of many health conditions such as arthritis, Alzheimers, or heart disease. But drinking two 8 oz. glasses of high polyphenol cranberry juice a day could help fight this disease-causing inflammation. The polyphenols interact with other bioactive cranberry compounds to suppress the cells that stimulate inflammation in our bodies and give our immune systems an extra Continue reading >>
