Indholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2019 i Diabetes Self-Management

A few reports have suggested that people who take metformin, one of the most widely prescribed drugs for diabetes patients, have a lower risk of getting colorectal cancer. Later reviewers of these studies, however, have concluded that they were possibly flawed, which left the question open. To address that concern, researchers recently conducted a study of the relationship between metformin use and colorectal cancer and came away with some good news: long-term use of metformin is associated with a decreased risk for colorectal cancer in men with diabetes. As one of the authors described, “If our findings are confirmed, metformin may have a role in the chemoprevention of colorectal cancer.” The study involved people who participated in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Diabetes Registry. The subjects were at least 40…

Type 2 diabetes in youth is on the rise, largely influenced by the obesity epidemic. While the majority of children and adolescents with diabetes (less than 20 years old) have Type 1 diabetes—a condition in which the body makes very little to no insulin—more and more kids have been diagnosed with Type 2 in the last two decades. In Type 2 diabetes, the body produces some insulin, but not enough to overcome the insulin resistance that occurs with the disorder. Experts estimate that about 5,000 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes annually. In fact, new cases of Type 2 diabetes in youth are predicted to quadruple in the next 40 years. Risk for Type 2 Diabetes The ratio of Type 1 versus Type 2…

As 2019 begins, why not make one of your New Year’s resolutions to diversify your palate and bring new flavors into your daily diet? If you need inspiration, try the Latino flavors of Le Cordon Bleu-trained and Certified Nutritionist Laura Diaz, better known as Chef LaLa. In her large Mexican family of food lovers and restaurant owners, diabetes has affected more than a dozen relatives. Her grandparents and father passed away from diabetes complications, and her mother lives with the condition in Los Angeles. Chef LaLa’s family became her inspiration for studying the health benefits and intricacies of global cuisine and how to bring it into people’s everyday lives. “After speaking with my dad about his diabetes and hearing how passionate he was about not giving up the flavors he…

Barley and Vegetable Risotto MAKES 6 SIDE-DISH SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: ½ CUP Nutrients per Serving: Calories 70, Total Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Protein 3g, Carbohydrates 7g, Cholesterol 5mg, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sodium 340mg Exchanges per serving: ½ Fat, 1 Vegetable 4½ cups fat-free reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 small onion, diced 8 ounces sliced mushrooms ¾ cup uncooked pearl barley 1 large red bell pepper, diced 2 cups packed baby spinach ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon black pepper 1. Bring broth to a boil in medium saucepan. Reduce heat to low to keep broth hot. 2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Add mushrooms; cook 5 minutes, stirring…

While you know that maintaining a healthy weight will help manage your diabetes, getting started can be difficult. Having a set of clear goals and a plan of action can help, and the New Year is a great time to get your plan in motion. Where am I now? Identifying how much weight you need to lose in order to achieve a healthy weight is one of the first steps to establishing your goals. Let’s start with your body mass index (BMI). Your BMI considers your weight and height to assess whether you are underweight, overweight or within the healthy range. It only provides a rough estimate of how much weight you might need to lose, but it is a good starting point. Use the following to calculate your BMI:…

COUNTER-REGULATORY HORMONES Hormones that work against the action of insulin, raising blood glucose levels in response to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). The main counter-regulatory hormones are glucagon, epinephrine (also known as adrenaline), cortisol and growth hormone. People who don’t have diabetes have several defense mechanisms against hypoglycemia. In response to hypoglycemia, the pancreas decreases its insulin output, allowing blood glucose to rise, and secretes glucagon, which signals the liver to release more glucose. The adrenal glands secrete epinephrine, which signals the liver and kidneys to produce more glucose, keeps certain body tissues from using as much glucose and reduces insulin secretion. Epinephrine also produces the symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as hunger, sweating, trembling, “butterflies” and heart palpitations. In some cases, the body releases cortisol and growth hormone, which can also…

Cold weather can throw off your diabetes management. Here are eight ways winter can present a challenge and what you can do to maintain your blood sugar control. 1 Be aware that cold environments can raise your A1C A1C levels (a measure of average glucose over the previous two to three months) often increase in cold weather. To some degree, bodies seem to do this on their own, perhaps as an evolutionary adaptation that helps raise their freezing point to survive the cold, according to Sharon Moalem, MD, PhD, author of the book, Survival of the Sickest. 2 Stay out of the cold when you can Pharmacist and diabetes educator Susan B. Sloane says that higher sugars may make you feel warmer in the cold, but they are still unhealthy.…

Strawberry Cheesecake Parfaits MAKES 4 SERVINGS Nutrients per Serving: Calories 220, Total Fat 7g, Saturated Fat 3g, Protein 11g, Carbohydrates 29g, Cholesterol 15mg, Dietary Fiber 2g, Sodium 200mg Dietary Exchange: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat, 1 Fruit, 1 Meat 1½ cups vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt ½ cup whipped cream cheese, at room temperature 2 tablespoons powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups sliced strawberries 2 teaspoons granulated sugar 8 honey graham cracker squares, coarsely crumbled (about 2 cups) Fresh mint leaves (optional) 1. Whisk yogurt, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla in small bowl until smooth and well blended. 2. Combine strawberries and granulated sugar in small bowl; gently toss. 3. Layer ¼ cup yogurt mixture, ¼ cup strawberries, and ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs in each of 4 dessert dishes.…

A medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) might also be useful in lowering blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, according to a new report from researchers in China. The drug is leflunomide, which has been used to treat RA for nearly two decades. According to Xiulong Xo, PhD, of Yangzhou University, it “could potentially be useful for treating patients with both RA and diabetes.” Xo said that his team of researchers studied how leflunomide “works at a molecular level” and discovered that it targets a protein that’s involved in desensitizing the insulin receptor. Because the insulin receptor instructs the cells to start absorbing sugar from the bloodstream, the researchers speculated that leflunomide could play a role in blood glucose management. To test their theory, they administered leflunomide to…

Diabetes—both Type 1 and Type 2 —is a disorder of how the body uses glucose, the main form of sugar used as fuel. While many people without diabetes don’t know a lot about the disease processes involved, they probably know it has something to do with sugar. But the relationship between blood glucose and dietary sugar intake is anything but direct, both when it comes to developing diabetes and among people who already have it. Some people consume high levels of sugar and never develop diabetes, while others follow a low-sugar diet and still develop it. This doesn’t mean, though, that no relationship exists between dietary sugar and diabetes or blood glucose. In fact, sugar consumption seems to be associated with a number of different health outcomes, including whether someone…

Like everyone, you’re busy – and we kept that in mind when we selected recipes for this issue. Many of the recipes in Diabetic Cooking can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Others require short preparation times followed by long cooking times. We’ve also included symbols to help you more easily find those recipes especially low in fat, sodium, and carbohydrates, and high in fiber.  LOW-FAT RECIPE Contains 3 grams or fewer of fat per serving  LOW-SODIUM RECIPE Contains 140 milligrams or fewer of sodium per serving  LOW-CARBOHYDRATE RECIPE Contains 15 grams or fewer of carbohydrate per serving  HIGH-FIBER RECIPE Contains 5 grams or more of fiber per serving…

Vegetable-Chicken Noodle Soup MAKES 6 SERVINGS SERVING SIZE: ABOUT 1 CUP SOUP Nutrients per Serving: Calories 98, Total Fat 2g, Saturated Fat 1g, Protein 10g, Carbohydrates 12g, Cholesterol 18mg, Dietary Fiber 1g, Sodium 73mg Dietary Exchange: ½ Bread/Starch, ½ Vegetable, 1 Meat 1 cup chopped celery ½ cup thinly sliced leek (white part only) ½ cup chopped carrot ½ cup chopped turnip 6 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley 1½ teaspoons fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves or ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar ¼ teaspoon black pepper 2 ounces uncooked yolk-free wide noodles 1 cup boneless skinless chicken breast, cooked and diced 1. Combine celery, leek, carrot, turnip and ⅓ cup chicken broth in large…

292 CALORIES PER SERVING ORZO SPINACH PIE MAKES 4 SERVINGS Nutrients per Serving: Calories 292, Total Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 3g, Protein 15g, Carbohydrates 42g, Cholesterol 13mg, Dietary Fiber 3g, Sodium 399mg, Dietary Exchange: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat, 2 Vegetable, 1 Meat. ⅔ cup uncooked orzo 1 cup fat-free (skim) milk 3 egg whites ¼ teaspoon salt (optional) ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg ⅛ teaspoon black pepper 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and pressed dry 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided ¾ cup fresh whole wheat bread crumbs* 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray. 2. Cook orzo according to package directions, omitting any salt. Drain. 3. Whisk milk, egg whites, salt, if desired, nutmeg, and pepper…

SOMETIMES what we need is not always what we want. Take, for instance, when you feel tired, lethargic, foggy-headed, unmotivated or like you have hit a brick wall—the last thing you may want to do is get up and move your body. In reality, that simple action could be the key to unlocking and opening the door to creativity, inspiration, clarity, energy and productivity. Research has proven that exercise is not simply a tool to achieve a desired “look,” but is quite literally a lifeline that can enhance and optimize the function of your nervous system, memory, creative output, mood and energy levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend at least 150 minutes (two hours and 30 minutes) a week of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes (one hour…

New Year, new format! In 2018, the Food for Thought column provided the latest information on culinary tools, food products, and seasonal produce and answered a few readers’ questions. In 2019, this column will highlight the same topics but will be dedicated to answering your questions on nutrition and food trends. Email questions to communications@diabetesselfmanagement.com. Q: I would like to improve my food choices in the new year to help with weight and diabetes management, but I get overwhelmed with the process of preparing foods when I have limited time. Any suggestions? A: Regardless of whether you are preparing food for one or a family of five, meal preparation can be daunting, especially when you are also interested in making changes. Simplify the food preparation process as much as possible.…

Bare Baked Crunchy Sea Salt Beet Chips YOU KNOW THAT YOU SHOULD probably eat more beets. After all, beets provide many health benefits, including lowering the risk of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. Eating beets can also help you lower your blood pressure. And did you know that beets help boost eye health? They contain lutein, an antioxidant that can lessen the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. Plus, if you’re looking to get more from your workouts, studies show that drinking beet juice before you exercise can give you more endurance and a lower resting blood pressure. But maybe eating beets really isn’t for you—after all, they can be a little messy. Or maybe you can’t get your fill of beets. In either case, give Bare Sea Salt Beet…