WELCOME TO DIABETIC ENJOYING FOOD

I have chosen this name for this blog because it truly states my story. I am a type II diabetic who most certainly enjoys food. When I was diagnosed with diabetes several years ago, my blood sugar level was over 400. With some oral medications, a lot of research and some trial and error, I have found that unlike my ancestors I truly can continue to enjoy food. I hope this blog will help you to also enjoy food and be healthy. Some recipes are my originals and some I have collected. Everyone reacts different to various foods. Check your blood sugar readings so you will know whether or not a recipe works for you! And feel free to take a recipe and adjust it to suit your needs.

Monday, August 29, 2011

PUMPKIN OATMEAL RAISIN NUT COOKIES

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 1/3 cups quick oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup Splenda Granular
1/2 cup packed Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1 cup canned pumpkin or cooked pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
3/4 cup raisins, optional (I omit)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a medium bowl combine the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixer bowl beat butter, Splenda both white and brown, until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla extract mixing well. Add the flour mixture and mix in well. Stir in the nuts and raisins. Drop the cookie dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 16 minutes until cookie are lightly browned and set in the centers. Allow to cool on baking sheets for a couple of minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies
Diabetics should be limited to 2 cookies a day!

Note: File Photo

Saturday, August 27, 2011

HEART ATTACK

As we diabetics know, diabetes over the long term causes damage to other areas and makes us more likely to suffer heart disease along with other problems. Did you know that many people, especially women, who have heart attacks do not have any or severe chest pain? In addition to chest pain, other signs of heart attack can include chest pressure, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion, excessive sweating, fainting, dizziness, heart palpitations, and left arm pain. If you think you or a loved one may be suffering a heart attack, call 911 and chew an aspirin-full dose 325 mg. The sooner heart attacks are treated, the better. When blood flow is cut off to any part of the heart during an attack, that heart muscle may become damaged or die.

When I had a heart attack several years ago I had stayed home from work thinking I was coming down with the stomach flu that had gone around at work. I only went to the doctor after almost fainting going down the stairs. My only sign was nausea and sweating which I related to the nausea.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

NEUROPATHY AND THE DIABETIC

Neuropathy is a functional change or pathological disturbance in the peripheral nerves. Know anymore than you did? Probably not. Let's see if we can get a better understanding of what all that mumbo-jumbo means!

The human body's nervous system has two main parts with the Central Nervous System being the one we hear the most about. This is the part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord. The one we hear less about is also a very important one. The Peripheral Nervous System is made up of the nerves that connect the Central Nervous System to the other organs and muscles in the body. As you can imagine, the peripheral nerves affect a lot of areas of the body. Now back to our original definition of neuropathy, a functional change or pathological disturbance in the peripheral nerves, one can see how neuropathy can become a big problem.

The peripheral nervous system is made up of three different types of nerves. They are motor nerves, which are responsible for voluntary movements such as waving goodbye, walking, etc. Another is sensory nerves which allow us to feel pain, hot and cold, etc. The third type is the autonomic nerves. As the name implies, these nerves control our involuntary movements such as breathing, heart beats, etc. Obviously, the nervous system is very complex and one or more nerves may be involved in neuropathy.

Symptoms of neuropathy can come on suddenly or gradually over time, depending on the types of nerves involved. Unfortunately, diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy so we diabetics need to be aware of the symptoms because early intervention is important in treatment and recovery. In most cases, the early symptoms are weakness, pain, or numbness. Symptoms such as difficulty walking, stumbling or tiring easily, muscle cramps, trouble holding onto objects, an unsteady gait, dizziness when standing up may be symptoms. Some people complain of their hands and feet feeling as though they are wearing gloves or slippers when they are not. Because the peripheral nerves involve so many areas, there are many different types of symptoms. This can lead to problems getting a diagnosis since so many of these symptoms also relate to other illnesses. If you notice one or more of these symptoms for an extended time, check with your doctor. He or she may refer you to a neurologist, a doctor whose specialty is the brain and nerve disorders. A complete history of the symptoms should be presented and such tests as an EMG (electromyography), blood tests and urine tests will probably be done.

The key to recovery is to seek help as soon as you suspect problems. Recovery time depends on how much damage has been done and if nerve damage is left untreated for a long period of time, the symptoms could become irreversible. Don't ignore the symptoms! This is your life, your future and your comfort we are talking about here. Most of us human beings have a tendency to think it's our imagination, it will get better on its own, the doctor will think I'm just a complainer, I'll mention it when I see the doctor in six months, etc. Wrong! At the risk of repeating myself, I feel that I must stress early diagnosis and treatment is important for this one. Don't let yourself have permanent nerve damage because you waited too long to admit you had a problem.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

CARB CHOICES VS CARBS

Do you get confused when you see Carb Choices in the nutritional information of a recipe or on a product label? 1 carb choice is equal to 15 carbs. So if something has 29 or 31 carbs it would be equal to 2 carb choices. Don't get the two confused.


Saturday, August 13, 2011

SMART BALANCE OMEGA BUTTERY SPREAD

Information on another margarine spread:

1 tablespoon of this spread = 80 calories, 5 grams (2.5 g sat)fat, 85 mg sodium

This product is made from a natural blend of soybean, palm fruit, fish, flaxseed, canola, and olive oils. Due to the fish oil there is a small amount of omega-3 fats which are heart-healthy fats.

Works well as a topping, and also for cooking and baking.

NOTE: This same product in the "Light" version has 30 calories less, 1 gram less saturated fat, and should not be used for baking as it has a high water content.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

KEEP MEALS EVEN

One thing diabetics (or anyone who wants to eat healthy) should never do is eat small meals or skip meals during the day so they can eat a big dinner/supper! Nutritionists warn that diabetics need to keep their carbs leveled out over the day. Skipping meals or eating light so one can eat a big meal later will cause a definite roller coaster of blood sugar levels.

 No, no, no!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

MAKING KIDS CLEAN THEIR PLATES?

Do you remember your parents telling you to clean your plate? Were you told to be thankful for your food and not waste it because kids all over the world were going hungry? Those old adages need to be thrown out the window! With the obesity epidemic and diabetes being at epidemic levels, you should teach your children to take smaller portions of food and to stop eating when they feel full. Children used to be busy from the time they got up until they went to bed. They rode bikes, took walks with grandparents, played in the backyard on swing sets, played neighborhood games of stickball and baseball, etc. Now they sit in front of a TV or video game. Too much food on their plates and being forced to eat every bite could be setting them up for a lifetime of health problems.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

COMPLEX CARBS TO BOOST YOUR MOOD

Feeling down or depressed? Eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Yes, these are carbohydrate foods but they are the complex (or good) carbs. These carbs boost your serotonin levels. Serotonin is a mood-elevating chemical in the brain.