If you have diabetes or are watching your weight there’s a good chance you look at the amount of sugar on" Nutrition Facts" labels. Today we'll talk about what this really means. l will also as discuss the varieties of sugar and what to look at on the label to make the best choices. My friend Mary would only buy food that contained had 8 grams or less sugar. That seemed like a good limit given that she had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. She had already eliminated sweet tea and desserts from her diet. She also severely limited her intake of fresh fruit and dairy - noticing that these … [Read more...]
Why Eating This Is Dangerous If You Don’t Cook It!
There's a popular food here in the panhandle of Florida that could prove fatal if you have diabetes (as well as certain other health problems). Cooking it thoroughly makes it completely safe. Do you know what it is? This picture is a huge clue! I don't mean to be a fun-sucker. I just want you to be safe. Between May and October is when we see the most illness from raw oysters and other uncooked shellfish (like clams and mussels). Of course, you can get sick from raw and undercooked shellfish any time of year. Here's why it happens: Oysters and their cousins are what we call "filter … [Read more...]
Favorite Easy Quesadillas Recipe
I'm staying positive and using some my extra time at home trying new recipes. I really liked how these easy quesadiilas were crispy in such a short time with just a little bit of oil. The ingredients are things I usually have on hand and they tasted great. I serve it with salad or baby carrots. I love eating healthy food and making it easy for my husband Bob to get what he needs. But do I love cooking? Not so much. I want quick and easy recipes so I have time to be active, relax, and still go to bed early. That's my new plan for being productive AND healthy. I really like the recipes in … [Read more...]
Why it is Important to Protect your Kidneys when you have Diabetes
As it has for all of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has consumed most of my attention. However, as we are cloistered, it is actually a good time to remember that March is the month for Diabetes Alert Day, National Kidney Month, and Registered Dietitian Day. What better time for a dietitian nutritionist to talk about what you need to know when you have diabetes and chronic kidney disease. I am particularly passionate about this topic because my first husband, James, ended up on dialysis. He had diabetes, was uninsured and didn't get regular checkups. He felt fine. Why bother? Because it eventually … [Read more...]
Four Ways to Save Money on Diabetes Medications
Diabetes is expensive! According to the American Diabetes Association diabetes costs America $327 Billion a year. Health care costs for people with diabetes are 2.3 times greater than people without diabetes. If you take medication for your diabetes you may feel this burden firsthand. Today I'm going to share some resources that may help you save money on diabetes medications. Many do not realize that the "First-Line" therapy for diabetes involves taking Metformin (a diabetes medication) and making comprehensive lifestyle changes (including weight management and physical activity). … [Read more...]
