You ran out of oil. You have your grocery shopping list in one hand and you are armed with knowledge. Olive oil is the cardiovascular health darling. “It’s all I use,” says Magaly, one of my patients diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol levels. “It has no cholesterol,” she adds with an approving nod. Olive oil has once again garnished attention following the results of the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet, the PREDIMED study. [...]
Costco is known for its great selection of foods for every occasion. Whether you’re throwing a party or simply doing your weekly grocery shopping, you know you’ll find exactly what you need here. But what if you’re on a low-carb diet to control diabetes? How can you make the [...]
Kerri Sparling, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 27 years ago, recently spoke with me about her new book Balancing Diabetes: Conversations About Finding Happiness and Living Well (Spry Publishing, 2014). Like many people with diabetes, she often felt alone with her disease. So she started a [...]
Can you picture yourself at 70 years old enjoying an evening stroll? Will you be a cool grandma hanging out on the beach with your grandchildren? Will you tinker with the latest gadget as you sit in your favorite rocking chair? Or do you fear for your future because of ailments that are starting to [...]
Dealing with diabetes can be a huge task, but by taking small steps toward simple healthy habits, you can achieve lasting control.
Let’s take a look at three key areas of health - nutrition, exercise and behavior - and habits in each of these areas that can help you have better blood glucose control and a better quality of life. [...]
If you have been told that you have diabetes, it might seem like the end of the world. You may not be able to think about anything except the bad things linked with the disease. However, researchers have found that (if you are a woman with diabetes) certain diabetes medicines might help lower your risk of some cancers. [...]
Do these goals sound familiar to you? "I’m going to exercise more often," "I want to try to eat healthier," "I’m never going to eat sugar again!" The problem with these types of goals is that they’re too broad and aren’t realistic. [...]
Did you know that foods that are good for your heart health can also be good for your diabetes? For most people, there’s little, if any, need for a diet to help control your cholesterol and blood pressure. The key is eating foods that do “double-duty” in terms of keeping your blood glucose level, cholesterol and blood pressure in check. Let’s take a look at a few of these foods to fit into your eating plan today. [...]
For over 40 years, I have watched diabetes education grow and change in the United States. Quality education has really made a difference in the lives of people with diabetes. I tell my own patients that my job is to give them all the information they need to decide what they are willing and able to do to live better. [...]
If your blood glucose level is high, eating more may help bring it down. While that may be the last thing you expected to hear, studies have shown that certain foods and nutrients can actually help your body to better control blood glucose, making it easier to manage diabetes. So before you sit down to your next meal or snack, think of ways to squeeze in these delicious sugar-busters! [...]
If you’ve turned on your computer, radio or television, picked up a magazine or newspaper, or chatted with a neighbor or family member, chances are you got a dose of nutrition advice. It’s just one of those hot topics. If you’re lucky, it’s reliable. The majority of the time, though, it’s what I refer to as Junk Nutrition. And just like junk food, it is here, there, and everywhere. [...]
Numbers are just numbers. But, the way you think about numbers can affect your feelings. For example, many people think the number 13 is unlucky. There's even a fancy term for people who are fearful of the number 13 - it's called Triskaidekaphobia. But the number 13 can also mean something good. For example, when you order 12 of something in a bakery, you usually get 13 of that item. That is known as a "baker's dozen." The point is that however you may feel about the number 13, it is only a number. [...]
You know the cartoon image -- an angel on one shoulder trying to convince you to be responsible, and a devil on the other tempting you to give in to desire. That classic battle is a fairly good illustration of the struggle many people with diabetes experience making eating choices every day. The imaginary angel and devil represent two parts of your brain, and food can stir up quite a debate inside your head. [...]
Phytonutrients (literally “plant nutrients”) are good-for-you compounds found in fruits and vegetables. They are also called phytochemicals. There are several categories and thousands of types of phytonutrients. Although only a small percentage of phytonutrients have been studied, many of them have been found to contain anti-cancer activity and other health benefits. A number of them can even help to reduce your risk of developing complications that are common in people with diabetes. [...]
Confused about cholesterol? Unsure which fats are good and which are bad? Wondering if you can eat eggs? Well, wonder no more. We’ll set the record straight on some of the “facts” and “fictions” about cholesterol and eating for a healthy heart. [...]
