Instead of dreading all the chores of managing diabetes, change your thinking and have a positive attitude. Try these tips for success. I hear people all over town saying that this is the year they will: lose weight; eat better; get more exercise; get more sleep; watch less television and any number of other significant changes to their lives. In each instance it seems to be said with a deep breath as they prepare themselves for these difficult and unpleasant changes. Not surprisingly, most people don't meet their goals. Why? I suggest they don't have enough positive reinforcement in place … [Read more...]
What Is Diabetes?
Most people don't understand all the aspects of diabetes. It is important to have a basic understanding of what is happening in your body when you have diabetes. Let’s first look at what happens in a healthy body. When you eat, some of your food is broken down into sugar (also called glucose). Sugar travels in your bloodstream to all your body’s cells. Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into your cells. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. When you have diabetes: Your pancreas makes little or no insulin, or Your body prevents the insulin you do make from … [Read more...]
Healthy Snack Ideas When You Have Diabetes (and when you don’t)
People often ask me for healthy snack ideas when you have diabetes. I'll share a list of snack ideas and also how to decide if you need a snack. But first, what IS a snack? That may sound crazy but regular folk often think that a snack is something different than what a dietitian thinks. When I say snack, I simply mean anything that you eat that is not part of a meal. Healthy snacks are the well, the healthiest. Not everyone needs a snack. For some people with diabetes, getting everything in 3 balanced meals works well, especially if the meals are about 4-5 hours apart. Many people … [Read more...]
