Best Fruits For Diabetics

Best fruits without worrying about your blood sugar levels

Portion control is essential for every diabetic. Learn more about the best practical way to ensure you get the required intake of sugar?

Fruits: The Ultimate Food For Diabetics:
http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/best-fruits-for-diabetics/

What Are The Best Breads For Diabetics?

It’s often recommended that you eat whole grains instead of the white stuff and it’s true, whole grains are always going to be a better choice because they are complex carbs, rather than simple carbs.

But, when you take the whole grain and grind it into a flour, it changes the way your body digests it. This mainly happens because the bulky fiber component of the grain gets broken down, meaning less digestion – for you as a diabetic that means higher blood sugar spikes

Read full article here at Diabetes Meal Plans 

Charcot Foot Can Cause Disability and Amputation In Diabetics

Charcot foot can occur in the one-third of diabetes patients who lose feeling in their feet and other lower extremities, a condition called peripheral neuropathy.

A debilitating condition called Charcot foot is often missed among the nearly 30 million Americans with diabetes, doctors say.

The condition is highly treatable, but if left alone it can lead to permanent deformity, disability, surgery and even amputation, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS).



Read more about how foot conditions in diabetics are often missed

Diabetic Breakfast Stuffed Peppers Recipe

A healthy blend of meat, dairy, vegetables, and spices, this breakfast will help you feel alert and well.

Image Credit: Diabetic Connect

Ingredients

• 3 small red, orange, and/or yellow peppers
• 3 oz. breakfast turkey sausage, crumbled and cooked
• 4 eggs
• 2 TBSP fat free milk
• 3 TBSP minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• Pepper to taste

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the tops off of the peppers, saving them. Remove the seeds from the peppers and set aside.
• Sauté the onions and garlic in the olive oil until fragrant and tender.
• Beat the eggs and milk together. Add the sausage, onion mixture, cheese, parsley and salt and pepper.
• Divide evenly, filling up the peppers. Replace the pepper tops and place in a baking dish. Fill with 1 inch of water.
• Bake for 40-45 minutes.

Nutritional Facts
Servings - 3 (For 1 pepper)
Calories 343
Total Fat 24g
Sodium 484mg
Carbohydrates 9g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Sugars 5g
Protein 23g

This recipe is from Diabetic Connect by Nikki Sheriff
Find more great diabetic breakfast recipes
http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/breakfast

Shop Smart for Controlling Diabetes

Making your grocery list for controlling blood sugar and calories

Source:

Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa

Smoothies for Diabetics

Smoothies are a great way to get in multiple servings of fruits and vegetables, along with many essential nutrients. 

The key for diabetics is to monitor the amount of carbs and sugars in any given smoothie and factor that into the amount that you aim to take in each day.

Get all the smoothie recipes here

Infographic: Carbs Per Day For A Diabetic

Did you know that one of the most commonly asked questions is how many carbs per day is best for a diabetic to eat?

More info at Diabetes Meal Plans

Truth About Expired Meds

There's certainly controversy about expiration dates on food, but as upsetting to your stomach as it can be to eat items that are no longer fresh, taking expired medications can be more complicated and, in certain cases, have far greater consequences.

"If the drug is an over-the-counter product for minor aches and pains, you may not get 100 percent of the benefits if the expiration date has passed, but it's not dangerous," explains Rabia Atayee, an associate clinical professor of pharmacy at the University of California, San Diego.

However, for people taking medications for chronic or life-threatening illnesses — such as heart conditions, seizures, COPD or severe allergies — a drug that's not completely effective can be downright dangerous, she says.

Here are some answers to common questions that may help you stay out of harm's way when it comes to ingesting and discarding expired medications.

1. "I have some five-year-old antibiotics I want to take on my vacation in case I get sick. Are they still good?"

They won't make you sick, but they may not be strong enough to fight off infection, which can be harmful. Over time, antibiotics stored at home can lose up to 50 percent or more of their strength, meaning they may not be able to halt a potentially life-threatening bug that's invading your system.

Plus, if you're taking leftover antibiotics from a past illness, you won't have a complete dose to knock out all the bacteria. As Amy Tiemeier, associate professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy, points out, not taking a full dose allows the most drug-resistant bacteria to remain in your body. You then risk getting the same infection again and needing a stronger drug to knock it out, which could mean more side effects and pricier antibiotics.

2. "Are there any medications that I should never, ever use beyond their expiration dates?"

Yes, absolutely. Oral nitroglycerin (NTG), a medication used for angina (chest pain), may lose its potency quickly once the bottle is opened and should never be taken after the expiration date. Similarly, insulin, used to control blood sugar in those with diabetes, may stop working after its expiration date. Other drugs you need to be sure are full strength include anticonvulsants, warfarin, digoxin, thyroid preparations and oral contraceptives (see full list here).

Another must-toss once the expiration date has passed: inhalers. "They will lose potency after their expiration date," Tiemeier says. "If you're having an acute respiratory attack and your inhaler doesn't work, it could be a dangerous situation." Ditto for EpiPens; the epinephrine in auto-injectors loses its potency. As with inhalers, EpiPens are used in life-threatening situations like anaphylaxis, so using an expired one is a major health threat.

Lastly, using ophthalmic (eye) drops past their expiration date could be dangerous because of the high risk for bacterial growth. You could risk losing your vision from contaminated drops, Tiemeier says.

Get MORE answers to common questions that may help you stay out of harm's way when it comes to ingesting and discarding expired medications - 

• Is a drug's expiration date the same thing as the 'use-by' date I see on my prescription vials?
• I keep all my medications on the kitchen counter so I remember to take them, rather than in my medicine chest. Are they safe there?
• How can I safely dispose of expired medications?
• How often should I clean out my medications?

Continue reading article at AARP 

Chocolate Cake That's Diabetic Friendly

Who doesn't love chocolate cake - and this one is diabetic friendly

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• Non-caloric cooking spray
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup DiabetiSweet
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2/3 cup safflower oil
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup 2% milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray 13”x9” cake pan with non-caloric cooking spray
Lightly beat 2 eggs (until just mixed). Combine beaten eggs and other ingredients in a large bowl. Mix until just blended (do not over-mix).
Bake for approximately 45 minutes (until an inserted knife comes out clean).

Each serving counting as ½ starch exchange and 1 fat exchange.

More diabetic desert recipes via Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/CEThompkins/diabetic-deserts/

FDA Using Social Media to Reach African Americans

What is FDA Doing to Improve the Health of African-Americans?
By: Jovonni Spinner, M.P.H., C.H.E.S. 

Every February, we celebrate Black History Month – a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor the contributions of African-Americans to our society. 

We know that achieving and maintaining good health is a long-standing issue for this group, many of whom may experience worse health outcomes in critical areas like heart disease and diabetes. But, we want to focus on the positive and provide consumers with health education materials to support healthy behavior changes! 

 It’s true that the health equity gap has narrowed over time, but there is still significant room for improvement. Here are few things that the FDA and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) have done over the past year to reduce health disparities. 


Public Engagement: 
More than 29.2 million blacks/African-Americans are on social media — and we want to meet consumers where they are. 

So we’re using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms and electronic communications (e.g. our newsletter and e-blasts) to educate African- Americans on issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and sickle cell disease among others, and also provide tangible solutions to help manage these chronic conditions. 

For example, to mark American Heart Month in February, we developed a social media toolkit to help our stakeholders engage with their members and partnered with the Association of Black Cardiologists to spearhead an #ILoveMyHeart social media campaign. 

Continue reading at FDA Voice 

Have You Seen New Blood Monitor Patch for Type 1 Diabetics?

Fantastic Diabetic Friendly Fudge Recipe

Ingredients

• 2-8 OZ. PKGS REDUCED FAT CREAM CHEESE
• 2-1 OZ SQS. UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE-MELTED AND COOLED
• SUGAR SUBSTITUTE EQUAL TO 1 CUP SUGAR
• 1 TEASPOON VANILLA
• 1/2 CUP PECANS CHOPPED

Directions
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, chocolate, sweetener, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans. Pour into an 8 inch square pan lined with foil, cover and refrigeraye overnight. Cut into 16 squares. serve chilled. Yields 16 servings.

Nutritional Facts
Servings 1 (Serving size 1 piece)
calories 147
Total Fat 14g
Saturated Fat 0g
Sodium 84mg.
Protein 3g
Carbohydrate 5g
Cholesterol 31mg
Fiber 0g
Dietary Exchange 3 Fat

Find more Diabetic friendly recipes at Diabetic Connect 

Medications Associated With Increase in Diabetes

Inhaled Corticosteroids Associated With 34% Increase in Diabetes Onset 

Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly made use of for treating asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). 

These medications may however be related to the development and progression of diabetes. Researchers have discovered that inhaled corticosteroids were linked to a 34% increase in the rate of onset and progression of diabetes. 

On the highest doses inhaled, the risk increased by 64 percent in onset of diabetes, and 54 percent in the progression of diabetes. Even though inhaled corticosteroids are advised only for individuals with the most severe COPD, recent practice has resulted in them being used in less severe cases. 

The fact is, more than 70% of all individuals having COPD are making use of inhaled corticosteroids. Considering that COPD and diabetes have a tendency to increase with age, it’s especially important to determine any possible interaction between the use of inhaled corticosteroids and glycemic control deterioration.
Image via: Inhaled Corticosteroids Associated With 34% Increase in Diabetes Onset

Read full article at Health Blog

9 Diet Tips for Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Two out of three people with diabetes also have high blood pressure. 

Keeping your diet in check by counting carbs, limiting sugar, eating less salt is key. You can still eat well and manage your conditions with these easy tips. 

Use Spices and Herbs to Pump Up the Flavor 

1. Get zesty 

Photo Credit: The Kitchen

Instead of reaching for the saltshaker, flavor food with citrus zest, garlic, rosemary, ginger, jalapeno peppers, oregano, or cumin.

Since you have high blood pressure, you should get no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. That's less than a teaspoon. 


Continue reading, and find more diet tips at WebMD 

Diabetic Cheesecake Recipes