Diabetics should generally eat snacks and meals having one-third as many proteins as carbs! For example, if you have a snack that contains 21 grams of carbs you want to balance that with 6 to 8 grams of protein. This is not a hard and fast rule but something that should be done as often as possible. It will help you control your blood sugar in almost all cases.This is what I was taught years ago and I have successfully controlled my diabetes by following this rule and taking a 500 mg metformin for almost 13 years. This is the only way I count carbs.
Showing posts with label Tidbits of Information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tidbits of Information. Show all posts
Monday, May 27, 2019
Friday, May 24, 2019
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. Just remember to eat some protein, too.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Sunday, November 24, 2013
ONE CARB SERVING
Did you know that 1 carb serving is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrates? Important to know in case your nutritional information lists carb servings rather than straight carbs. Also it is important to know how many carb servings you are eating per meal. Most diabetic men can handle 4 to 5 carb servings per meal while most women should only have 3 to 4. If in doubt about your situation, ask your doctor.
As an example, the above nutritional label shows a total of 26 carbs. That would be almost 2 carb servings. I have no idea what this label is for but a serving is only 1/2 cup. If you eat a cup of said item, that is almost the 4 carb servings per meal.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
STAIR EXERCISE
If at all possible, a diabetic should always take the stairs rather than an elevator or escalator. One of the keys to diabetic exercise is to make it a part of your everyday life. While that doesn't have to mean an hour a day at the gym, it does mean you should find the simple ways to get exercise. Stairs are a very good way to do that.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
KIDS AND FAST FOOD, OBESITY, AND DIABETES
I am stepping out of the norm here and writing about kids and fast food. Now understand, I am not against fast food for children. Just this past Saturday I bought my 7-year-old granddaughter a McDonald's happy meal while we were out enjoying some Christmas activities. But that is not something we do on a regular basis. Having said that, I recently saw a study from about a year ago that said 30% of our kids eat fast food everyday. Another said that a survey of 4th graders in one of our nations large cities said that nearly 50% were overweight. Might there be a correlation between the two? I think so.
What concerns me even more is the number of these children who will be facing diabetes later, if not already. Please do not feed your children fast food everyday. If they are overweight, make small subtle changes in their diets to help them lower their weight. Remove a lot of the snack foods from your home and replace them with whole-grain crackers, fresh fruit that is easy for kids such as grapes, bananas, etc, and fresh produce such as baby carrots, etc. Healthy, unsalted, nuts can also he a good idea. And remember all things in moderation.
I am not a fan of Mrs. Obama and some of the crazy ideas about school lunches. My daughter used to be an elementary school lunchroom manager. When they had to replace some of the foods with fresh fruit, their trash cans were full of apples, bananas, etc. I am also against banning toys in happy meals, etc. We can control what our kids eat better than we do. And it starts when they are young. Don't reward behaviour with food. Refrain from buying the heavily coated sugar cereals; teach your youngsters to eat healthy cereals. There is much we can do to protect our children and grandchildren from this hideous disease known as diabetes!
What concerns me even more is the number of these children who will be facing diabetes later, if not already. Please do not feed your children fast food everyday. If they are overweight, make small subtle changes in their diets to help them lower their weight. Remove a lot of the snack foods from your home and replace them with whole-grain crackers, fresh fruit that is easy for kids such as grapes, bananas, etc, and fresh produce such as baby carrots, etc. Healthy, unsalted, nuts can also he a good idea. And remember all things in moderation.
I am not a fan of Mrs. Obama and some of the crazy ideas about school lunches. My daughter used to be an elementary school lunchroom manager. When they had to replace some of the foods with fresh fruit, their trash cans were full of apples, bananas, etc. I am also against banning toys in happy meals, etc. We can control what our kids eat better than we do. And it starts when they are young. Don't reward behaviour with food. Refrain from buying the heavily coated sugar cereals; teach your youngsters to eat healthy cereals. There is much we can do to protect our children and grandchildren from this hideous disease known as diabetes!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
GROUND POULTRY
Poultry is a good lean protein and a good source of necessary minerals. It should be a part of a diabetic's healthy diet. Having said that, let me add this; beware of ground poultry. Read the fine print before you purchase packages of ground chicken or turkey! They often contain skin which can really push the fat into an unhealthy level. You don't have to avoid it, just beware of what you are buying!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
WATCH OUT FOR THOSE HIDDEN SUGARS
I know I repeat myself sometimes, but this is important. As a diabetic, you cannot just purchase and eat an item because it is labeded "healthy." Many foods, including those labeled "healthy" and many times especially those labeled "healthy," have way too much sugar! For example; a popular Yogurt Parfait with Fruit has 38 grams of sugar per parfait! An average Bran Muffin has 16 grams of sugar, and granola cereal - how often are you told to eat healthy granola? - averages around 13 grams of sugar per serving. I am not belittling these foods, just reminding you that the word "healthy" does not mean low in sugar. Beware!
Wednesday, October 5, 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 of 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.
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 of 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.
FRESH FRUIT VS CANNED FRUIT ESPECIALLY FOR DIABETICS
Diabetics should be aware of canned fruits. That is not to say all canned fruits should be avoided. Just be sure to read the nutritional label and be especially aware of the sugar and carbohydrate counts. Here is an example using my favorite fruit, peaches. One-half cup canned peaches in heavy syrup has 22 grams of carbs. A medium-sized fresh peach has only 14 grams of carbs. Now there are options in between including peaches in light syrup or peaches sweetened with Splenda. You know your situation better than anyone so the decision is yours. But diabetics should never choose the canned fruit in heavy syrup, and fresh fruit is always preferable.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
LOW FAT (SKIM) MILK VS WHOLE MILK
Did you know that drinking an 8-ounce glass of low-fat (skim) milk instead of whole milk cuts your calorie intake by more than 45% without cutting the amount of calcium?
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
BEWARE OF HIDDEN SUGAR
You will be amazed at the sugar in foods you never thought of as sweet. Always read the nutritional label on foods to check their sugar content. This is especially important for diabetics! Be especially cautious about frozen breakfast treats, mayonnaise, salad dressings, canned soups, crackers, breads, stuffing mixes, tomato and/or pasta sauces. You may be surprised at the sugar you are consuming while unaware. I am not referring to the natural sugar in fruits and some vegetables. I'm talking about "added sugar." Read all your labels for one week; I imagine you will be surprised at the sugar you are eating!
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