Foodpicker.org has brought another question...
Q: My doctor recently diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes. I know it is important to watch my sugar intake. Is sugarless candy really sugarless?
A: Oh my is the sugar-free market a tricky thing! For type 2 diabetics the important thing to watch your intake of is your CARBOHYDRATES (that's the magic word). Your carbohydrate is the macronutrient that is going to turn into to glucose (sugar) once it hits your blood stream and raise your blood sugar levels. Forget SUGAR...and think "Carbs!"
Sugarless candy may not have sugar but it definitely has carbohydrates. Usually the sugar is replaced with sugar alcohols and artificial sugars. These substitutes will not have calories but may have carbohydrates.
Case in point: Pay attention to carbohydrate intake as oppose to your sugar intake!
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetes. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Q&A
Latest question from foodpicker.org
My fasting glucose number was 127. Does this sound like pre-diabetes or diabetes? What should I do to control by blood sugar?
According to the American Diabetes Association, two fasting glucose readings over 126 mg/dl is considered an immediate diabetes diagnosis. A third fasting glucose should be done in order to confirm this however, it more than likely implies diabetes. It is a good idea to consult your primary care physician about testing for confirmation.
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My fasting glucose number was 127. Does this sound like pre-diabetes or diabetes? What should I do to control by blood sugar?
According to the American Diabetes Association, two fasting glucose readings over 126 mg/dl is considered an immediate diabetes diagnosis. A third fasting glucose should be done in order to confirm this however, it more than likely implies diabetes. It is a good idea to consult your primary care physician about testing for confirmation.If in fact confirmed, treatment options vary among all patients. Treatment can range from weight control, drug therapy, diet and exercise to regular blood glucose checks.
While determining the proper treatment, it is important to enroll yourself in a diabetes self-management program, seek education at your local health department or hospital or find a Certified Diabetes Educator or Registered Dietitian in your area to help guide you through this process.This will help you get the proper treatment [based on your personal needs] while taking control and continuing to live your life at the same time [because it is possible].
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Q&A
Latest question from foodpicker.org...
Q: I have pre-diabetes and am trying to lose weight. How many servings of fruit and veggies should I have each day?
A: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, using the mypyramind guildines, daily recommendations for fruits and vegetables vary according to your sex and age.
Follow the links below to see where you fall...
Vegetable Servings
Fruit Servings
Keep in mind that different fruits and vegetables equal different serving sizes. For example, a 1 small apple= 1 serving of fruit and so does a 1/2 of a large (about 6'' long) banana.
Q: I have pre-diabetes and am trying to lose weight. How many servings of fruit and veggies should I have each day?
A: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, using the mypyramind guildines, daily recommendations for fruits and vegetables vary according to your sex and age.
Follow the links below to see where you fall...
Vegetable Servings
Fruit Servings
Keep in mind that different fruits and vegetables equal different serving sizes. For example, a 1 small apple= 1 serving of fruit and so does a 1/2 of a large (about 6'' long) banana.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Q&A
My most recent question from foodpicker.org...
Q: I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last month. I’m having difficulty understanding how many carbs and sugar I can have each day. I’m finding that nearly everything contains carbs and sugar! Can you help me with this?
A: When diagnosed with diabetes it can definitely be overwhelming. I strongly advise you to see a Registered Dietitian (RD) and/or your primary care physician for additional information however, I can steer you in the right direction for now.
One that has diabetes must remember that you need carbohydrates just as much as someone without diabetes. For diabetics, it is important that you are evenly distributing your carbohydrates throughout the day. For instance, X amount of carbohydrate grams at breakfast, lunch and dinner and then a couple between meal times for snacks. This will help keep your blood sugars level all day and avoid the "roller coaster ride" and side effects associated with it.
The current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the macronutrient, carbohydrates (glucose), is 130 grams per day. This is based on what you body needs to function properly. Depending on your height, weight, age and activity level will change this. For now focus on carbohydrates coming from whole grains, fresh fruit, starchy vegetables (corn, potatoes, etc) and some dairy instead of carbohydrates from cookies, cakes and donuts. These "healthier" carbohydrate sources will hit your blood stream slower and leave you feeling satisfied longer [as opposed to your cookies]. Again this will help you maintain optimal glucose readings and really just make you feel better all together.
Q: I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last month. I’m having difficulty understanding how many carbs and sugar I can have each day. I’m finding that nearly everything contains carbs and sugar! Can you help me with this?
A: When diagnosed with diabetes it can definitely be overwhelming. I strongly advise you to see a Registered Dietitian (RD) and/or your primary care physician for additional information however, I can steer you in the right direction for now.
One that has diabetes must remember that you need carbohydrates just as much as someone without diabetes. For diabetics, it is important that you are evenly distributing your carbohydrates throughout the day. For instance, X amount of carbohydrate grams at breakfast, lunch and dinner and then a couple between meal times for snacks. This will help keep your blood sugars level all day and avoid the "roller coaster ride" and side effects associated with it.
The current recommended daily allowance (RDA) for the macronutrient, carbohydrates (glucose), is 130 grams per day. This is based on what you body needs to function properly. Depending on your height, weight, age and activity level will change this. For now focus on carbohydrates coming from whole grains, fresh fruit, starchy vegetables (corn, potatoes, etc) and some dairy instead of carbohydrates from cookies, cakes and donuts. These "healthier" carbohydrate sources will hit your blood stream slower and leave you feeling satisfied longer [as opposed to your cookies]. Again this will help you maintain optimal glucose readings and really just make you feel better all together.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Q&A
My most recent foodpicker.org question...
Q: I am trying to find a class for our grandson. He is 19 and has a part-time job but no insurance. He just found out last week that he is a type 1 diabetes after losing a lot of weight and his blood sugar was 523. He is on insulin but needs to go to a class to manage is diabetes without going hungry. Where do we start? Any suggestions would help us a lot.
A: In my experience, I have found the best thing to do is contact your local health department. They will have information on local classes either within your community or at their department. Most of the time they will have a registered dietitian (RD) or certified diabetes educator (CDE) on staff that would be available for one-on-one counseling to assist your grandson. The second choice would be to talk to his primary care physician. More often than not, the physician is actively involved and immersed in the community and would know the best reference for you, in regards to diabetes self-management.
Best of luck to you and your family!
Q: I am trying to find a class for our grandson. He is 19 and has a part-time job but no insurance. He just found out last week that he is a type 1 diabetes after losing a lot of weight and his blood sugar was 523. He is on insulin but needs to go to a class to manage is diabetes without going hungry. Where do we start? Any suggestions would help us a lot.
A: In my experience, I have found the best thing to do is contact your local health department. They will have information on local classes either within your community or at their department. Most of the time they will have a registered dietitian (RD) or certified diabetes educator (CDE) on staff that would be available for one-on-one counseling to assist your grandson. The second choice would be to talk to his primary care physician. More often than not, the physician is actively involved and immersed in the community and would know the best reference for you, in regards to diabetes self-management.
Best of luck to you and your family!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
To Snack or Not to Snack?
Here is the most recent foodpicker.org question I have received regarding diabetes...
I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. During the day at work I eat very little, but in the evenings and weekends, I can't seem to stay out of the kitchen. Do you have any suggestions to control my snacking in the evenings and weekends?
Often times we find ourselves consuming more on the weekends because we find "more time" to do things like go out to restaurants, cook or simply lay around the house (which could spike mindless munchies in front of the tv). It's okay to snack but only when it is in moderation.
Here's a couple guidelines that may help nosh the uncontrolled snacking:
-Sipping some water. Sometimes your stomach thinks your hungry when really your just thirsty. Swish down some H2O and then wait 20 minutes...stomach still rumbling? grab a small carbohydrate and protein snack (i.e. some string cheese, pb and a couple of crackers)
- Make sure your snacks are really snacks. You don't want to snack on anymore than 150-200 calories in between meals
- Make your meals more satisfying. Do your meals have a healthy balance of whole grain carbohydrate, lean protein and healthy fats?
- Use a plate. Avoid eating right from the bag/ box/ carton. If you plate your snacks and walk away this will in theory keep you from over eating.
It is important for diabetics to take into account your daily intake of carbohydrates. It is important to consult your RD or physician to ensure that snacking is right for you and your usual regimen prior to embarking on any new lifestyle modifications.
I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. During the day at work I eat very little, but in the evenings and weekends, I can't seem to stay out of the kitchen. Do you have any suggestions to control my snacking in the evenings and weekends?
Often times we find ourselves consuming more on the weekends because we find "more time" to do things like go out to restaurants, cook or simply lay around the house (which could spike mindless munchies in front of the tv). It's okay to snack but only when it is in moderation.
Here's a couple guidelines that may help nosh the uncontrolled snacking:
-Sipping some water. Sometimes your stomach thinks your hungry when really your just thirsty. Swish down some H2O and then wait 20 minutes...stomach still rumbling? grab a small carbohydrate and protein snack (i.e. some string cheese, pb and a couple of crackers)
- Make sure your snacks are really snacks. You don't want to snack on anymore than 150-200 calories in between meals
- Make your meals more satisfying. Do your meals have a healthy balance of whole grain carbohydrate, lean protein and healthy fats?
- Use a plate. Avoid eating right from the bag/ box/ carton. If you plate your snacks and walk away this will in theory keep you from over eating.
It is important for diabetics to take into account your daily intake of carbohydrates. It is important to consult your RD or physician to ensure that snacking is right for you and your usual regimen prior to embarking on any new lifestyle modifications.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Diabetes "Brain Buster"
Good afternoon my fanatical followers,
As you know I have started as a nutrition editor for a diabetes resource website, http://www.foodpicker.org/
We get weekly questions from anonymous readers every week to pick our brains of diabetes goodness. Here's the latest...
What is the best sugar substitute to use for baking and daily use for diabetics?
Answer:
There are several types of artificial sweeteners in today’s market; Sweet and Low, Equal, Splenda, Stevia and Truvia to name a few. These sweeteners have been approved by the FDA and are available in local markets and grocery stores. These sweeteners are low in calories but still may contain some carbohydrate. In recent research I have found that saccharine (better known as Sweet and Low) is an artificial sweetener that is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar. It can be used in baked goods. The conversion for baking would be using only half of the sweetener in place of the sugar in the recipe; for instance, 6 packets for each ¼ cup of sugar.
Most artificial sweeteners are sufficient for use by diabetics because they don’t raise the blood sugar like regular sugars do however; there is insufficient amounts of research to signify which is ultimately best for diabetics in day-to-day use. I would recommend using any kind of artificial sweetener in moderation and with caution; I would think of it as something like salt- use to taste!
**This was the perfect post for today, as I have just finished team-teaching a diabetes self-management training program with the Health Dept's Dietitian for the past 6 hours :)
Your thoughts on this topic?
As you know I have started as a nutrition editor for a diabetes resource website, http://www.foodpicker.org/
We get weekly questions from anonymous readers every week to pick our brains of diabetes goodness. Here's the latest...
What is the best sugar substitute to use for baking and daily use for diabetics?
Answer:
There are several types of artificial sweeteners in today’s market; Sweet and Low, Equal, Splenda, Stevia and Truvia to name a few. These sweeteners have been approved by the FDA and are available in local markets and grocery stores. These sweeteners are low in calories but still may contain some carbohydrate. In recent research I have found that saccharine (better known as Sweet and Low) is an artificial sweetener that is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar. It can be used in baked goods. The conversion for baking would be using only half of the sweetener in place of the sugar in the recipe; for instance, 6 packets for each ¼ cup of sugar.
Most artificial sweeteners are sufficient for use by diabetics because they don’t raise the blood sugar like regular sugars do however; there is insufficient amounts of research to signify which is ultimately best for diabetics in day-to-day use. I would recommend using any kind of artificial sweetener in moderation and with caution; I would think of it as something like salt- use to taste!
**This was the perfect post for today, as I have just finished team-teaching a diabetes self-management training program with the Health Dept's Dietitian for the past 6 hours :)
Your thoughts on this topic?
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Calling all Readers!
Inspired to teach my knowledge and daily practice of living a healthy lifestyle (by incorporating healthy eats and daily physical activity), I have recently started as a Nutrition Editor for a nutrition database designed to help people live healthfully with their diabetes. Check out a new recipe, nutrition tip or a posted Q&A today...http://www.foodpicker.org/
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