Insulin is a powerful, effective tool for controlling glucose but most people don't want to take it. One of the main fears people have about starting insulin in having to inject it. It seems so painful but it really doesn't hurt much at all. The pen needle or syringe is very small in diameter and not even very long, which makes it slide in easily. It's nothing like a syringe used for vaccinations. For fun, when I taught new groups of people about diabetes self management, I used to stick myself in the abdomen with a syringe. It got people's attention; and many thought I was crazy. … [Read more...]
Are Low-Calorie and No-Calorie Sweeteners Safe?
Are low-calorie and no-calorie sweeteners safe? I can confidently say yes they are! To be sure I was still current with the latest science, I recently attended a webinar on sweeteners by James O. Hill, PhD, from Director of the Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, University of Colorado, and Berna Magnuson, PhD, an expert in ingredient safety and regulatory issues in the area of dietary supplements and food who is a professor from University of Toronto. It feels good to be sure I am giving accurate information. It sure can be confusing listening to the media. Sweeteners have been … [Read more...]
Should you be taking that medication?
One of the most common statements I have heard over my years is "I don't want to take medications" or " I want to come off some of this medication". I understand that. Medication is often expensive, it's another thing to do everyday, it may be a reminder that something is wrong with you, and you may even have side effects from it. Some people think they are "worse off" or have "bad diabetes" if they take medicine for their diabetes. I have seen people put off going on medicine for way too long which is a big problem. The way I see it "bad diabetes" is diabetes that is not controlled. … [Read more...]
Are you moving enough?
The American Diabetes Association has updated their recommendations for physical activity in the 2015 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. The new guidelines include Don't sit for more than 90 minutes. Evidence shows that all individuals, with or without diabetes, should limit the time they spend being sedentary by breaking up amounts of time spent sitting. We are more sedentary than ever before. Sedentary means all the activities you do while sitting or laying down. You are not using much energy and are burning minimal calories. Being sedentary can increase the risk factors associated … [Read more...]
DASH Diet Lowers Blood Pressure
The DASH diet is a way of eating that lowers blood pressure. It won Reuters award in 2015 as the best overall diet for the 5th year in a row. Registered dietitians love the DASH diet because it helps people know what TO eat and is realistic and healthy. It's surprising how few people have heard of it. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and is meant for people with high blood pressure. It also is heart healthy and good for most everyone. DASH is a "combination plan" which is lower in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and rich in fruits, vegetables, and … [Read more...]
