The holiday season can be hectic. And if you have diabetes, it can be a challenge to eat right and keep your blood sugars level. Here’s something that can help, and it’s available at your local Costco!]]>
If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or just want to have a healthier lifestyle, a good place to start is with your dinner plate. Too many of us focus on what foods to avoid, instead of thinking about what to include. When you focus on what to eat to fuel your body properly, you limit the “room” you have for unhealthy foods. ]]>
Joe is the friendly pharmacist at the Costco in Wilmington, NC, a Southern coastal town where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean, and where I did a Costco store tour to learn about products for people with diabetes. Blood Glucose Meters Joe showed me several blood glucose meters, including Lifescan, Contour and True Metrix meters. The easy to use True Metrix meter features “triple-sense tecnology” for accuracy, and no coding.It’s covered by Medicare Part B and most Medicaid plans, and test strips are affordable, and lower cost than other major brands. Joint health for diabetes People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop arthritic joints, so Costco carries Kirkland brand Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements at great prices. Joint pain and swelling cause people with diabetes to have stiffness, which leads to problems with activities of daily living. Painful shoulders, back, knees, hips, and feet from arthritis can make a person with diabetes less likely to move around and be active. Kirkland and Cosamin products for joint health, available at Costco, decrease wear on joints. As always, consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements or making changes to your diabetes plan. COQ10 for diabetes Continuing [...]]]>
I have enjoyed shopping at Costco for many years.? I buy so many foods and supplements that support the healthy lifestyle I want for myself and my family.? Recently I went to Costco to find out what’s available for people with diabetes or who are trying to prevent diabetes. The focus of healthy meals is vegetables, and Costco’s produce section has a large variety of fresh, non-starchy vegetables.? There are many colorful choices that are nutritious and look great on your plate. Non-starchy vegetables are full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and are low in calories and carbohydrates. Costco has healthy whole grain bread choices,as well as other healthy cereal options. My favorite breakfast is Coach’s Oats, which is a 100% whole grain oatmeal.? This cereal is delicious, especially when topped with nuts and cinnamon. Low-fat dairy products are also easy to find, including non-fat Greek yogurt, which is great to use in place of sour cream in many dishes. Healthy meat choices include Kirkland rotisserie chicken, which can make a quick and easy meal when you are short on time or energy.Rotisseries chickens are also a great short cut for tasty salads, soups, wraps, and casseroles.? Canned salmon is [...]]]>
I recently visited my local Costco, on Commerce Drive in Rochester, MN. I was especially interested in finding out what Costco carries for people with diabetes, or for anyone trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle. My first stop was at prepared foods. In addition to cooked meats and other ready-to-eat meals, this section has a great selection of salads.I was especially excited about the quinoa salad, which is loaded with protein and fiber to help keep blood sugar levels stable. Next, I went to the meat and seafood department. I was impressed by the large selection of organic chicken and healthy fish, like cod and salmon, which are great choices for people with diabetes. The third stop on my tour was the produce department, where I was amazed by the huge selection of fruits and vegetables. There were eight different varieties of apples, vegetable trays, citrus, and beautiful tomatoes. I was really excited to see pre-cooked beets, which are perfect for adding to salads and casseroles, as well as easy to prepare cubed butternut squash and the Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad kit. In the beverage section, I found a surprising variety of sugar-free and low-sugar beverages, including sparkling water, sugar-free [...]]]>
This past week, my sister-in-law and I ventured into the local Costco that recently opened in our town of Lawrenceville, NJ. Although I was uncertain about what to expect, I was filled with anticipation, imagining the abundance of products in the brand new store. As we carefully perused each section of the store, I was not disappointed.? Aisle after aisle revealed a variety of products that benefit not only people with diabetes, but also the general population.? Costco offers items that can help people manage diabetes-related health problems and assist healthy people in maintaining wellness and preventing diabetes. In the pharmacy section, we found blood glucose meters, dietary supplements, liquid nutrition supplements, and dental hygiene products.? The pharmacist presented various brands of blood glucose meters, including Contour and True Metrix.? The Contour meter is simple and easy to use with proven accuracy. The True Metrix meter offers numerous advanced features, including unique advanced event tags which demonstrate the effects of meals, exercise, illness, and other events on blood glucose. Next, we moved on to the vitamin and supplement section.? Diabetes affects almost every system in the body, including muscles, bones and joints.? Physical activity is a crucial component of diabetes [...]]]>
I love Costco for so many reasons. The value, the quality, and the free samples! Now I have a new reason to love Costco. On a recent trip I noticed how many products Costco has for people with diabetes. Everything from supplies to check blood sugar levels, to supplements and healthy meal options. So while I was shopping with my grandfather, who has type 2 diabetes, I made note of a few of my favorites. Costco offers a 24-pack of Glucerna for just over half of what the bottles cost in a regular supermarket. Glucerna shakes are great for people with diabetes. Glucerna is a carb controlled meal replacement, and it provides important nutrients for people who don’t have much of an appetite. Each bottle is one serving of essential vitamins, minerals, and protein, with low sugar and carbohydrate content to keep blood sugar levels in check. Glucerna shakes are “Carb Steady,” meaning they release carbohydrates slowly, with no blood sugar spikes. As we age, the cartilage in our bodies began to breakdown, resulting in joint pain and discomfort with movement. And not moving around as much leads to many other problems. ?Costco offers an amazing deal on Cosamin? to [...]]]>
Costco is my go-to-store for my favorite items in large quantities at great prices. And Costco is where I go to meet my dietary needs, including fresh produce, whole grains, yogurts, meats and vitamins. Costco isn’t just the best place for buying food in bulk; the Costco pharmacy stocks a wide selection of vitamins by Nature Made. As a dietitian, I recommend a whole food approach to eating,and taking supplements to fill in what you don’t get from your meals and snacks. Nature Made offers high quality vitamins backed by science and clinical trials. Costco has a great selection of food, especially for people who are managing diabetes. Caring for your diabetes can feel like a full time job, but with the support and guidance of nutrition professionals,with the unbeatable selection and prices at Costco, you have some great tools for success. And here’s one more: cinnamon, the miracle spice in my kitchen cabinet and the one I recommend to people with diabetes. Research has shown that cinnamon helps your body absorb and process sugar more effectively,which helps you manage and balance your blood sugars. You can get all the benefits of cinnamon in pill form with CinSulin?, a dietary [...]]]>
Living with diabetes doesn’t mean giving up the foods you enjoy, or going hungry. In fact, a healthy eating plan can be delicious, satisfying and good for you and your blood sugars!And Costco makes it easy to eat well while eating healthy.]]>
I had my doubts.? It was a chilly and rainy Saturday.? But eight of my friends were joining me for a heart healthy, diabetes-friendly supermarket tour at Costco Polaris in Columbus, Ohio.? Allen greeted us and told us about Costco in general.? We were surprised to learn that Costco sells more organic products than Whole Foods!? Using handouts downloaded from www.www.keixun.com.cn, we reviewed how to read a food nutrition label and how to compare different types of foods throughout the store. Knowing that half of our plates should be non-starchy vegetables, we were excited to see the variety of options at Costco.? The produce cooler was stocked with low calorie, healthy vegetables.? I was intrigued by the baby cucumbers; I bought some, and the crunch is delightful. We discussed the benefits of color in our diet.? Fruits and vegetables are awesome ways to add color to a plate.? We get bored eating the same fruits and vegetables over and over. Costco had a wide variety that my friends had not tried.? Those were added to carts! Using the heart health guidelines on saturated fats, we went on to the meat case.? Several cuts were fairly low in saturated fat.? We [...]]]>
I recently shopped at Costco in Boynton Beach, Florida, and I was amazed by the selection! Costco is a great place to get the most value for your money, shop for your family, and choose healthy foods to manage your diabetes. Caring for your diabetes can be expensive. Diabetes medications and supplies and healthcare costs can add up. Healthy foods can also be expensive, but at Costco, you can get your healthy foods for much less. Costco offers many name brands of favorite healthy foods, like Snapea Crisps, Yasso Greek Yogurt pops, Kashi Granola bars, and Truvia Natural Sweetener, but what I really enjoy are Costco’s own Kirkland Signature products. Kirkland Signature products, like organic chicken breasts, fresh fruit and vegetables, unsalted nuts, and whole grains, are a great value, which makes it easier to use these foods in your meal planning. When shopping and preparing meals for diabetes, using whole foods is a great way to manage blood glucose levels while reducing sodium and sugar intake. Plus using whole foods helps minimize additives or preservative that could have a bad reaction with your blood glucose, blood pressure, or other medications. I bought Kirkland Signature fresh brussel sprouts, unsalted almonds [...]]]>
Keeping your blood glucose levels under control can be hard to do when you’re busy, especially if you count carbs as part of your balanced meal plan. You may not always have time to count carbs when you have to grab something fast at work, or while running errands. At these times, meal replacements may be just the help you need to keep your blood glucose levels on track. What exactly are meal replacements, and how can they help improve one’s health? The answers to these questions can be found in the full article, here.]]>
If you have been told you have high?cholesterol, you most likely want to take?action. If you are already on medications?to control diabetes, you may be looking?for natural options to avoid additional?medications. The good news is that?cholesterol, for many individuals, can be?managed through diet and lifestyle changes. Although this approach takes some work,?in three to six months, you may be thrilled?with the changes in your cholesterol levels. To find out more about this approach to lowering your cholesterol, click here. WIN a FREE bottle of Weider? Red Yeast Rice Plus, 180 Tablets]]>
When it comes to controlling your blood glucose, you have probably researched the impact of everything from food, to exercise, to weight control. But have you looked into how spices may impact it? Cinnamon is a spice that doesn’t just add great flavor to foods; it may help to lower blood glucose as well. The best benefit it offers is that it’s all-natural and considered safe for most people with diabetes. Does it sound too good to be true? In Medieval times, cinnamon was used for medicinal purposes thanks to its high antioxidant properties. Research now shows us that it may be a powerful player in the fight against diabetes. Read the full article on how Cinammon can improve your blood glucose control here.]]>
Lauren, one of our Diabetes influencers, recently?took a trip to Costco and put together two full days’ worth of diabetes-friendly recipes, all with ingredients available at the warehouse. Recipes for breakfast?Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Chia Pudding all the way to Salmon with Quinoa and Veggies for dinner were?presented. Here’s one the recipes she laid out, which, by the way, are all quick and easy to prepare: Lunch: Chicken and Kale Salad: In a very large bowl add the greens from Costco’s Sweet Kale salad, chopped Sunset cucumbers, and halved grape, cherry or heirloom tomatoes. Toss with one packet of dressing from the kale salad. Add Kirkland diced rotisserie chicken or Nature Raised Farms heated grilled chicken strips. Sprinkle with add-ins from the salad package. (This will make several days worth of lunches!) Click here to read the full article on Lauren’s blog. Visit www.keixun.com.cn/guide to get a free “Costco Diabetes and Heart-Healthy Shopping Guide” eBook. About Lauren She is a nutrition communications specialist, social media consultant, spokesperson, brand ambassador, corporate consultant, and registered dietitian in private practice. She is currently the owner of Nutrition Starring YOU, LLC. Lauren was co-host of the Family Food Experts Kitchen radio show, available for listening [...]]]>