Summer is officially here, and that means hot weather is upon us. It’s important to drink more when the temperature climbs to avoid getting dehydrated. However, it’s just as important to choose the right kind of drink if you have diabetes to prevent your blood glucose from spiking. Many popular beverages, like soda, sports drinks and ice tea, are loaded with sugar and calories. [...]
If you think your blood pressure is OK because you’ve never heard the words, “You have high blood pressure,” think again. Pre-hypertension is a category for blood pressure that is higher than normal, but not high enough to be called high blood pressure. Blood pressure that is even a little bit higher than normal can put you at risk for heart attack, stroke and kidney disease. This is important to know because high blood pressure is very common among people with diabetes—2 out of 3 adults with diabetes also have high blood pressure. [...]
It may come as no surprise to you to learn that overweight, obesity, and diabetes are some of the most common medical problems found in adults today. Part of what is so alarming about these diseases is that they put you at risk for a variety of other health problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart attacks. [...]
A balanced meal plan is key to good health and improved blood glucose control. But figuring out just how to balance your diet can be a challenge. That’s why the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) introduced MyPlate. This tool uses the image of a meal place setting to show the 5 food groups that you need to stay healthy. In order to create a balanced plate, you have to start by having a balanced cart when grocery shopping. [...]
You might not think a lot about your eyes. We often take being able to see for granted. Hopefully, you’ll never have a problem with your vision. But, if you have diabetes, you need to be extra careful to make sure that your eyes stay as healthy as possible. [...]
Did you know that eggs are one of the healthiest foods that you can eat? Maybe you’ve been avoiding eggs, thinking that they’re too high in cholesterol for you to eat. But the good news is that eggs can be a delicious part of anyone’s eating plan—as long as you’re not allergic to them. Here are 10 good reasons to add eggs to your eating plan today. [...]
When you have a great meal and exercise plan in place, it’s hard to imagine what could get in the way of managing your weight and blood glucose levels. Unfortunately, old habits are often hard to change, and your behavior can become a big obstacle in the way of progress. Managing weight and blood glucose is not just about calories and carbs; it’s also about making behavior changes that will stick. The smallest habits (good or bad) can add up, influencing weight and blood glucose management. [...]
Do you love shopping, sampling items, and learning about newly released products? If so, a day at Costco may be just what you need! Even better, you may be able to improve your blood glucose control just by walking the aisles at your local Costco warehouse. [...]
How often are you out with friends who order and eat whatever they like? Appetizers, a few slices of bread, a glass of wine and dessert – so tasty, and all gone. Meanwhile, you’re being good and watching every bite but thinking to yourself, “It’s not fair. Why can everyone else eat whatever they want but I can’t?” [...]
If you’re like most people with diabetes, chances are a trip to Costco can be exciting, yet stressful, all at the same time. You may be looking forward to finding new foods to try or stocking up on ingredients to make a healthy recipe. But, at the same time, trying to select foods that won’t raise your blood glucose levels can feel overwhelming. How do you know what foods to choose and which ones to leave on the shelf? That’s where decoding the food label comes in! [...]
There have been a lot of changes in the healthcare field in the last 50 years. Doctors have a much better understanding of many conditions than they did in the past. There are also lots of new medicines available today to treat a wide variety of different diseases. New technologies and new machines allow doctors to do a great deal of testing and procedures as part of treating some conditions. [...]
Many of us grew up drinking milk. How many of us reached for a cold glass of it when eating cookies or apple pie? But cow's milk isn’t as popular as it used to be, in part because many people are unable to properly digest it, thanks to lactose intolerance. Some people are allergic to cow’s milk or choose to follow a vegan diet. And some people with diabetes avoid or limit milk because it contains carbohydrate. [...]
With summer just around the corner, no doubt the thought of looking great in your swimsuit has crossed your mind. With busy work schedules, family commitments, and daily activities pulling you in a hundred directions, trying to get started with a weight loss plan that works for you can seem overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to look far to start slimming your waistline. [...]
The decision to stop smoking is one of the best actions you can take to improve your health. You may be concerned about gaining weight, but try not to worry about it as you quit. Focus on stopping smoking first, and then continue to improve your health in other ways. [...]
Do you take a daily aspirin to help lower your risk of a heart attack or a stroke? If you answered “yes” to this question, then you are like millions of other people with diabetes. Would you believe that the time you take your aspirin might affect how well it works? This might surprise you, but it is exactly the result found in a recent medical study. [...]
