Diabetes is a very severe disease, but those afflicted with this condition can take precautions to perk up their health. Diabetic cooking is one way that people with this serious disease can improve their health. Those with diabetes do not have to bond to bland food if they have meals prepared with diabetic cooking essentials. Diabetic cooking should focus on healthy meals that are full of nutritious ingredients. Diabetic cooking does not have to leave out all the regular favorites, but it may need some exclusions. Diabetic cooking does not have to be very difficult. Following some basic rules should provide for healthy ingestion.
Healthy cooking involves choosing leaner cuts of meat such as low fat chicken and fish, while some other meats can also be chosen that do not contain high amount of fat. You could choose sirloin and round cuts when selecting your red meats and you should also ensure that you check and buy only meat that has low marbling and the fat content should also be trimmed off before cooking. You should also choose ground beef that is in so far as ninety-five percent lean when moving over to healthy cooking habits.
Diabetic cooking should have lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains for nutritious meals. Some superb planning should make for some delicious yet healthy meals for a diabetic. Good planning can offer for excellent meals that the whole family will enjoy. Diabetic cooking will be good for the diabetic member and great for all of the other family members too. Those people who follow the rules for diabetic cooking will probably lose some weight or sustain their healthy weight.
Diabetics should try to stick to a regular schedule for their meals and snacks if achievable. Each person with diabetes should check with their doctor about their condition and the eating requirements. Some doctors may advise that the diabetic lose weight although others will just have to eat nutritious meals all through the day. Those diabetics that need to lose some weight should obtain some suggestions from their doctor. Most diabetic diets suggest a set number of servings that include the major food groups.
Diabetic cooking should account for the carbohydrates in the meals during the day. There is information regarding carbohydrates on the label of each food product so this should not be difficult to calculate. A cautious balance of the carbohydrates in a meal will help those with diabetes. Plenty of starches are a good addition to keep a diabetic healthy. These can be included to the diet with cereal and bread. Most diabetics will have to cut out the sweets so people will want to think of some inventive desserts. There are so many fruits that can be a fantastic end to a delicious meal.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Three Natural Ways to Lower Blood Sugar
There are easy and natural ways to lower blood sugar levels and reap the health rewards.
The first thing you can do seems obvious. Reduce the sugar in your diet. Cut back on sodas and sugary drinks and snacks. Switch high-sugar cereals for high-fiber cereals. Cut back or stop eating sweets such as cakes and candy, and use a sugar substitute. Only indulge in sugary sweets on special occasions.
The second thing you can do is exercise. Exercise not only helps to regulate your levels, but it has so many other health benefits as well. Exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. You don't have to jog five miles everyday or join a gym, but try to fit exercise into your daily life. Just going on a walk everyday will have great health benefits and help to regulate your hyperglycemia. Instead of watching TV or doing sedentary activities around the house, try to do something that involves physical activity. This can be anything from housework to dancing.
The third thing you can do is take supplements. You may not be getting all the nutrients you need in the foods you eat, so take a supplement to be sure. Chromium is one of the best minerals at helping to lower blood sugar. You can go to any store that sells vitamins and supplements and get a bottle of chromium picolinate.
Taking these three steps will be great for your overall health as well as helping to lower the levels of sugar in your body. You will lose weight, feel better, and your risk for diabetes and heart disease will be decreased.
The first thing you can do seems obvious. Reduce the sugar in your diet. Cut back on sodas and sugary drinks and snacks. Switch high-sugar cereals for high-fiber cereals. Cut back or stop eating sweets such as cakes and candy, and use a sugar substitute. Only indulge in sugary sweets on special occasions.
The second thing you can do is exercise. Exercise not only helps to regulate your levels, but it has so many other health benefits as well. Exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. You don't have to jog five miles everyday or join a gym, but try to fit exercise into your daily life. Just going on a walk everyday will have great health benefits and help to regulate your hyperglycemia. Instead of watching TV or doing sedentary activities around the house, try to do something that involves physical activity. This can be anything from housework to dancing.
The third thing you can do is take supplements. You may not be getting all the nutrients you need in the foods you eat, so take a supplement to be sure. Chromium is one of the best minerals at helping to lower blood sugar. You can go to any store that sells vitamins and supplements and get a bottle of chromium picolinate.
Taking these three steps will be great for your overall health as well as helping to lower the levels of sugar in your body. You will lose weight, feel better, and your risk for diabetes and heart disease will be decreased.
High Blood Sugar Symptoms - Top 3 Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
In medical terms high blood sugar is called hyperglycemia and also called high glucose. The only way to know of sure if you have high blood sugar is to get a test done, so if you notice any high blood sugar symptoms just get it checked.
The reason I say get it checked is because the sooner you find out you have high blood sugar the sooner you can get it treated, because if this initial condition is not treated you have a risk of getting diabetes and will have to live with it for the rest of your life.
Top 3 Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
The high blood sugar symptoms may vary from person to person, some people show no sigh or symptoms while the others show these common signs, so look out.
1.Fatigue - One of the early sight to high blood sugar is fatigue, where you feel really tiered weak, and feel drained out. This usually happens because the sugar in the blood is not being converted into energy.
2.Thirst - When there is too much of sugar in the blood, the blood becomes thick and it tells your brain that your body is thirsty, sue to which you drink a lot of water in the hope of thinning the blood. But unfortunately drinking more liquids will not have the desired effect.
3.Urinating Frequently - One of the common signs is frequent urination, this happens because the extra sugar goes through the kidney, while the kidney absorbs the glucose it cannot absorb a lot of it and that is what causes frequent urination.
If you notice Increased thirst and frequent urination, this is a cycle and go together. This is because increase blood sugar makes you drink alot of liquids and urinate frequently, Drinking more will make a person urinate more. And more urination will make a person feel thirstier.
These are just 3 common high blood sugar symptoms there are many more, so if you have a slight doubt visit the doctor, because if you are wrong that is great news and if you are right hopefully you have realised it early and can cure it.
The reason I say get it checked is because the sooner you find out you have high blood sugar the sooner you can get it treated, because if this initial condition is not treated you have a risk of getting diabetes and will have to live with it for the rest of your life.
Top 3 Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
The high blood sugar symptoms may vary from person to person, some people show no sigh or symptoms while the others show these common signs, so look out.
1.Fatigue - One of the early sight to high blood sugar is fatigue, where you feel really tiered weak, and feel drained out. This usually happens because the sugar in the blood is not being converted into energy.
2.Thirst - When there is too much of sugar in the blood, the blood becomes thick and it tells your brain that your body is thirsty, sue to which you drink a lot of water in the hope of thinning the blood. But unfortunately drinking more liquids will not have the desired effect.
3.Urinating Frequently - One of the common signs is frequent urination, this happens because the extra sugar goes through the kidney, while the kidney absorbs the glucose it cannot absorb a lot of it and that is what causes frequent urination.
If you notice Increased thirst and frequent urination, this is a cycle and go together. This is because increase blood sugar makes you drink alot of liquids and urinate frequently, Drinking more will make a person urinate more. And more urination will make a person feel thirstier.
These are just 3 common high blood sugar symptoms there are many more, so if you have a slight doubt visit the doctor, because if you are wrong that is great news and if you are right hopefully you have realised it early and can cure it.
3 Ways to Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels Lower and in Check
One thing we as type 2 diabetics should always remind ourselves, is that type 2 diabetes, although it can be managed and managed pretty darn well. It can not be cured, not to the point where daily helpings of apple pie and ice cream used to be the norm.
Yes you will be able to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, no you will not be able to revert to your old ways, forget what numerous books and flyers may tell you about treating yourself once a week. You are in this for the duration and you are now a soldier, fighting for your right for health, happiness and a long and plentiful life.
Ok, so onto our first part.
1.
Do not eat any food after 6pm, yes that will be annoying for a while, as all else around you are stuffing their faces. No you will not die. Maybe the first few days or even a week will see you grumbling and moaning but really it is nothing. Get used to it and get over it.
2.
Do no start your day with carbohydrates. Yes this sounds ridiculous and for reasons that will take up too much page space right now, your body and its diabetic metabolism will be a heck of a lot better off for it. Again, no you will not die.
3.
Try not to eat carbohydrates in any large amount at any one time. Little bits here and there will be dealt with by your body but flood it with two plates of pasta and you will be asking for it big time. The carbohydrates you do eat should only be of the low GI kind as well.
Yes you will be able to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, no you will not be able to revert to your old ways, forget what numerous books and flyers may tell you about treating yourself once a week. You are in this for the duration and you are now a soldier, fighting for your right for health, happiness and a long and plentiful life.
Ok, so onto our first part.
1.
Do not eat any food after 6pm, yes that will be annoying for a while, as all else around you are stuffing their faces. No you will not die. Maybe the first few days or even a week will see you grumbling and moaning but really it is nothing. Get used to it and get over it.
2.
Do no start your day with carbohydrates. Yes this sounds ridiculous and for reasons that will take up too much page space right now, your body and its diabetic metabolism will be a heck of a lot better off for it. Again, no you will not die.
3.
Try not to eat carbohydrates in any large amount at any one time. Little bits here and there will be dealt with by your body but flood it with two plates of pasta and you will be asking for it big time. The carbohydrates you do eat should only be of the low GI kind as well.
Understanding the Glycemic Index - For Diabetics
If you are diabetic, then your doctor, or dietician, will have discussed the glycemic index, and how important it is to eat foods that are low in this listing.
The gfi is a measure of the effect that carbohydrates have on blood sugar levels. A carbohydrate food, which breaks down quickly during the process of digestion, releases glucose rapidly into the blood stream, has a high GI.
Low gi foods break down slowly, and release glucose slowly into the bloodstream. Whether you have diabetes, or not, foods with a low index score have important health benefits.
A Doctor at the University of Toronto developed the glycemic index of food, during research into the best diet for people with diabetes. Foods which are low on the scale are not only slower in the digestive system, but also take the load off the liver.
A lower glycemic response means the body needs less insulin. A food, which is seventy or more, is high in the list. You may be surprised to find that cereals like Rice Krispies, and Cornflakes were rated as high.
Between fifty-six and sixty-nine is considered medium, and fifty-five or less, is low. You will be equally surprised to find the index number of vodka, beer, and alcohol is low, but this is because there are no carbohydrates in vodka. Fruits and vegetables all have low ratings.
If you are diabetic and need to eat a low GI diet, then there is a good deal of information available on the Internet. There are many websites, which display a comprehensive food listing.
This is especially useful as some foods, for example carrots and rice, have a large range of values. This varies according to the way you prepare the food, and is also because of natural botanical differences. Another example is the musa paradisiaca (banana). Research has shown that the carbohydrate content of bananas depended on how ripe they were.
On one website I found a table to calculate values, and a free calorie chart. There were ideas for recipes for those times when you need to create something special, and even a shopping list. You can save a lot of time, and frequent visits these websites, by making a printed copy of the food list. You can then refer to this guide whenever you want.
The gi diet has been incorporated into some of the top weight loss diets, such as the South Beach, and Atkins. This is because when your body digests foods, which are low on the index ratings, you feel fuller for longer. This allows you to eat fewer calories without the hunger pangs.
Body builders also use knowledge of the GFI in a product called weight gainer 1200, to feed muscle.
Obesity is a major factor in diabetes, so it is interesting to note that when you add a food from the low index chart to your meal, it lowers the level of the whole meal. Additionally research has shown that a 1000-calorie low index diet facilitates greater weight loss in obese adults with high insulin secretions.
If you are still confused about all this, you may like to consider buying software, the GI diet meal planner. This software doesn't show you how to calculate the values, but does it all for you.
The gfi is a measure of the effect that carbohydrates have on blood sugar levels. A carbohydrate food, which breaks down quickly during the process of digestion, releases glucose rapidly into the blood stream, has a high GI.
Low gi foods break down slowly, and release glucose slowly into the bloodstream. Whether you have diabetes, or not, foods with a low index score have important health benefits.
A Doctor at the University of Toronto developed the glycemic index of food, during research into the best diet for people with diabetes. Foods which are low on the scale are not only slower in the digestive system, but also take the load off the liver.
A lower glycemic response means the body needs less insulin. A food, which is seventy or more, is high in the list. You may be surprised to find that cereals like Rice Krispies, and Cornflakes were rated as high.
Between fifty-six and sixty-nine is considered medium, and fifty-five or less, is low. You will be equally surprised to find the index number of vodka, beer, and alcohol is low, but this is because there are no carbohydrates in vodka. Fruits and vegetables all have low ratings.
If you are diabetic and need to eat a low GI diet, then there is a good deal of information available on the Internet. There are many websites, which display a comprehensive food listing.
This is especially useful as some foods, for example carrots and rice, have a large range of values. This varies according to the way you prepare the food, and is also because of natural botanical differences. Another example is the musa paradisiaca (banana). Research has shown that the carbohydrate content of bananas depended on how ripe they were.
On one website I found a table to calculate values, and a free calorie chart. There were ideas for recipes for those times when you need to create something special, and even a shopping list. You can save a lot of time, and frequent visits these websites, by making a printed copy of the food list. You can then refer to this guide whenever you want.
The gi diet has been incorporated into some of the top weight loss diets, such as the South Beach, and Atkins. This is because when your body digests foods, which are low on the index ratings, you feel fuller for longer. This allows you to eat fewer calories without the hunger pangs.
Body builders also use knowledge of the GFI in a product called weight gainer 1200, to feed muscle.
Obesity is a major factor in diabetes, so it is interesting to note that when you add a food from the low index chart to your meal, it lowers the level of the whole meal. Additionally research has shown that a 1000-calorie low index diet facilitates greater weight loss in obese adults with high insulin secretions.
If you are still confused about all this, you may like to consider buying software, the GI diet meal planner. This software doesn't show you how to calculate the values, but does it all for you.
Somogyi Effect and the Dawn Phenomenon
Diabetes is an illness that the patient must live with the rest of their lives. The key to living with diabetes successfully is tight glycemic control, or controlling blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels can vary from time to time depending on several factors such as stress levels, amount of food consumed, type of food consumed, amount of insulin used or insufficient insulin coverage and the time of day.
The human being responds to Circadian Rhythms. These are regular changes in mental and physical characteristics that occur in the course of a day. This term may be more familiar as the, "biological clock". A good example is that of someone working midnights for the first time. They find it very difficult to sleep during the day and stay awake all through the night. It is as if their body has a mind of its own. In fact, there is some truth to that statement. Bears hibernate because of their biological clock.
Circadian Rhythms combined with the above mentioned factors can produce wide fluctuations in the blood glucose levels of diabetics while they sleep. A diabetic's blood glucose level may be at 135 mg/dL prior to bedtime and at two A.M. may drop to 40 mg/dL, causing a severe state of hypoglycemia. The body responds to such a drop by producing glucose from alternate sources, since there is no source of ingested food. The only sources of glucose come from the liver via gluconeogenesis, lipolysis (break down of lipids) and glycogenolysis.
The body's hormones stimulate this cascading response to dangerously low blood sugar. The results of such a response, is that of high blood sugar. This rebound hyperglycemia can in turn causes ketosis. Ketosis occurs because the body is fooled into thinking that there is not enough glucose, since the cells are starved, and the glucose is floating in the blood stream instead of being utilized within the cells. The body then begins to break down proteins which in turn cause the release of ketones. The release of ketones causes the pH of the system to drop. If the pH of the body drops below 7.35, a state of Diabetic Ketoacidosis occurs, which can cause a diabetic coma.
This rebound hyperglycemia known to occur in response to hypoglycemia in the early hours of the morning between two and four A.M., is called, the Somogyi Effect. A good way of detecting the Somogyi Effect is to have the diabetic test their blood sugar during those hours. If their blood sugar is low, then they can correct it by eating a snack, before going back to sleep.
The Somogyi Effect can occur at anytime during the day, but is most often equated with the early hours of the morning. Symptoms include headache, nightmares and night sweats. The treatment of this phenomenon usually involves lowering insulin dosage prior to sleep.
Another disorder similar to the Somogyi Effect is known as the Dawn Phenomenon. Although most diabetics are affected by this disorder, it seems to occur more often in pubescent adolescents. Adolescents' blood sugar is affected adversely by their body releasing counter regulatory hormones. These counter regulatory hormones produce precipitously high blood sugar levels. It is thought that the growth hormone has some impact in relation to the production of counter regulatory hormones. Usually upon waking, the diabetic's blood sugar is excessively high. Correction of the Dawn Phenomenon requires an increase in insulin coverage prior to bedtime.
It is easy to see how both of these disorders can be mistakenly diagnosed for the other. That is why it is important for the diabetic to test their own sugar on several early morning intervals and present the results to their doctor. Correct determination of which disorder is occurring is crucial to continued health of the diabetic.
The human being responds to Circadian Rhythms. These are regular changes in mental and physical characteristics that occur in the course of a day. This term may be more familiar as the, "biological clock". A good example is that of someone working midnights for the first time. They find it very difficult to sleep during the day and stay awake all through the night. It is as if their body has a mind of its own. In fact, there is some truth to that statement. Bears hibernate because of their biological clock.
Circadian Rhythms combined with the above mentioned factors can produce wide fluctuations in the blood glucose levels of diabetics while they sleep. A diabetic's blood glucose level may be at 135 mg/dL prior to bedtime and at two A.M. may drop to 40 mg/dL, causing a severe state of hypoglycemia. The body responds to such a drop by producing glucose from alternate sources, since there is no source of ingested food. The only sources of glucose come from the liver via gluconeogenesis, lipolysis (break down of lipids) and glycogenolysis.
The body's hormones stimulate this cascading response to dangerously low blood sugar. The results of such a response, is that of high blood sugar. This rebound hyperglycemia can in turn causes ketosis. Ketosis occurs because the body is fooled into thinking that there is not enough glucose, since the cells are starved, and the glucose is floating in the blood stream instead of being utilized within the cells. The body then begins to break down proteins which in turn cause the release of ketones. The release of ketones causes the pH of the system to drop. If the pH of the body drops below 7.35, a state of Diabetic Ketoacidosis occurs, which can cause a diabetic coma.
This rebound hyperglycemia known to occur in response to hypoglycemia in the early hours of the morning between two and four A.M., is called, the Somogyi Effect. A good way of detecting the Somogyi Effect is to have the diabetic test their blood sugar during those hours. If their blood sugar is low, then they can correct it by eating a snack, before going back to sleep.
The Somogyi Effect can occur at anytime during the day, but is most often equated with the early hours of the morning. Symptoms include headache, nightmares and night sweats. The treatment of this phenomenon usually involves lowering insulin dosage prior to sleep.
Another disorder similar to the Somogyi Effect is known as the Dawn Phenomenon. Although most diabetics are affected by this disorder, it seems to occur more often in pubescent adolescents. Adolescents' blood sugar is affected adversely by their body releasing counter regulatory hormones. These counter regulatory hormones produce precipitously high blood sugar levels. It is thought that the growth hormone has some impact in relation to the production of counter regulatory hormones. Usually upon waking, the diabetic's blood sugar is excessively high. Correction of the Dawn Phenomenon requires an increase in insulin coverage prior to bedtime.
It is easy to see how both of these disorders can be mistakenly diagnosed for the other. That is why it is important for the diabetic to test their own sugar on several early morning intervals and present the results to their doctor. Correct determination of which disorder is occurring is crucial to continued health of the diabetic.
A Diabetic's Diet is Healthy and Tasty
Having diabetes means having to control your glucose levels. Failure to control your glucose levels increases your risk of heart disease, damage to your eyes, damage to your nervous system and organs. One way to control the glucose level is through medication, but the medication is often not enough and most doctors advise the patient complete a course in nutrition so the patient eats better and controls the glucose level better.
At these nutrition seminars diabetics are taught to eat in moderation and to eat more frequently. For many diabetics these courses are very disheartening, because almost everything a diabetic is accustomed to eating is taken off the list of foods that can be eaten. Interestingly diabetics find that everything they had been told were junk food are in fact junk food. The nutritional value of fast food, doughnuts, cakes, pies, ready to eat cereals, regular sodas, and fast food has so little nutrition that they are in fact junk food. The foods a diabetic should be eating are what we already knew was good food. The only exception would be bread and rice, which is high in carbohydrates.
Once a diabetic gets over the initials shock of the radical diet change, it is evident that there are plenty of good foods that can be consumed. There are plenty of good recipes that help a person lose weight, eat better, and also helps diabetics control their glucose level.
A diabetics diet is a very healthy diet that works for almost anyone wanting a healthier diet. The diet should contain lots of nutrients per calorie. A diabetic should consume plenty of vegetables, beans, nuts, cheese, milk, mushrooms, seeds, onion, garlic, peppers and a little fresh fruit. Fats, oils, and red meat should be eaten in small quantities. Fish has been shown to be rich in Omega-3 oils which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and should therefore be eaten regularly. A simply Salmon fish recipe for type 2 diabetes is as follows.
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. Salmon fish cut into 1-1/1/2 cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon dill
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 medium onion cut into chunks
2 red peppers cut into chunks
12 cherry tomatoes
skewers
PREPARATION:
Rinse fish in cold water
pat dry with paper towel
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and vinegar. Pour marinade into large resealable bag with fish. Seal and refrigerate for 2-6 hours.
Soak skewers for 30 minutes (if wooden or bamboo)
Thread fish and vegetables on skewers
Oil steel skewers with olive oil
Oil grill lightly with cooking oil and place the fish kebabs on the grill. Cook for about 4-6 minutes each side or until the fish is done.
Recipes as simply as this one contains great nutritional value and great for diabetics and anyone wanting to eat healthy or lose weight.
At these nutrition seminars diabetics are taught to eat in moderation and to eat more frequently. For many diabetics these courses are very disheartening, because almost everything a diabetic is accustomed to eating is taken off the list of foods that can be eaten. Interestingly diabetics find that everything they had been told were junk food are in fact junk food. The nutritional value of fast food, doughnuts, cakes, pies, ready to eat cereals, regular sodas, and fast food has so little nutrition that they are in fact junk food. The foods a diabetic should be eating are what we already knew was good food. The only exception would be bread and rice, which is high in carbohydrates.
Once a diabetic gets over the initials shock of the radical diet change, it is evident that there are plenty of good foods that can be consumed. There are plenty of good recipes that help a person lose weight, eat better, and also helps diabetics control their glucose level.
A diabetics diet is a very healthy diet that works for almost anyone wanting a healthier diet. The diet should contain lots of nutrients per calorie. A diabetic should consume plenty of vegetables, beans, nuts, cheese, milk, mushrooms, seeds, onion, garlic, peppers and a little fresh fruit. Fats, oils, and red meat should be eaten in small quantities. Fish has been shown to be rich in Omega-3 oils which helps reduce the risk of heart disease and should therefore be eaten regularly. A simply Salmon fish recipe for type 2 diabetes is as follows.
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs. Salmon fish cut into 1-1/1/2 cubes
1/3 cup olive oil
3/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon dill
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 medium onion cut into chunks
2 red peppers cut into chunks
12 cherry tomatoes
skewers
PREPARATION:
Rinse fish in cold water
pat dry with paper towel
Mix olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and vinegar. Pour marinade into large resealable bag with fish. Seal and refrigerate for 2-6 hours.
Soak skewers for 30 minutes (if wooden or bamboo)
Thread fish and vegetables on skewers
Oil steel skewers with olive oil
Oil grill lightly with cooking oil and place the fish kebabs on the grill. Cook for about 4-6 minutes each side or until the fish is done.
Recipes as simply as this one contains great nutritional value and great for diabetics and anyone wanting to eat healthy or lose weight.
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