Diabetes & Caffeine

Here is a question I recently answered from someone with Diabetes visiting GlucoMenu:

Q:  "Does caffeine have any effect on blood sugar either good or bad?  Also, what are some healthy snacks that will NOT cause a spike in blood sugar?"

A:   Regarding your caffeine Q:  some research does show that caffeine can cause:  Diabetes and Caffeine

 

Can you reverse Pre-Diabetes?

Here is a question I recently received from someone with Pre-Diabetes visiting GlucoMenu:

Q:  "Can you reverse Pre-Diabetes?  My doctor just diagnosed me with Pre-Diabetes."

A:   It is important to note that if you are diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes you can actually...  Click the following link to read my entire answer about Pre-Diabetes Treatment 

 

Diabetes & Hunger

Here is a question I recently answered from someone visiting GlucoMenu:

Q:  "Lately, I have had difficulty controlling my eating and my sugar has been elevated.  I find myself, always, hungry and most of the time ravenous.  I need some good advice."

A:  Excessive hunger can be a symptom of hyperglycemia.  Other symptoms include... Click the following link to read my entire answer  Diabetes & Hunger

Diabetic Menus

Often I receive inquiries from people with diabetes looking for menus to follow to help them control their blood sugar.  They are usually looking for something to help them lose weight and control blood sugar before their next doctor's appointment.

Here is a question I recently received:

"I need 8 weeks of diabetic menus.  My doctor says I need to get my weight down and control my blood sugar or he is going to put me on insulin.  Can you help?"

GlucoMenu offers complete menus for people with diabetes.  Basically, the menus are broken down week-by-week.  There is a new menu for every day of the week as well as a new grocery list for each week.  The menus follow American Diabetes Association guidelines.  Carbohydrate is evenly distributed throughout the day.  Menus also support weight loss goals.

You can learn more about menus for those with diabetes by visiting:  Diabetic Menus

Does low sodium mean high potassium?

Here is a question I recently answered from someone with type 2 Diabetes:

Question:  I’ve noticed that a lot of “low sodium” items seem high in potassium.  Should this be a concern?

Answer:  Sometimes potassium chloride is used to…

Click to read the entire response:  Sodium versus Potassium

GlucoMenu SUGAR SCORE

We are seeing great results with our new SUGAR SCORE® program! Members should Login and visit the red Tools link and check out the SUGAR SCORE® section.

You can read more about SUGAR SCORE® in this week’s newsletter:

SUGAR SCORE® Newsletter

Diabetes Blood Sugar Numbers

Hello Everyone! How are your blood sugar numbers running this week? Comment with your numbers!

You can learn more about blood sugar numbers & treating diabetes by visiting http://GlucoMenu.com

Diabetes Medication

Hi Everyone! Last week I attended a meeting in Phoenix discussing a new diabetes medication that recently received FDA approval called Bydureon. Bydureon is the once a week version of Byetta that you may be familiar with. It can help your body produce its own insulin and slow down how quickly food moves from your stomach during digestion. Its one of the many medications available for Type 2 diabetes... just wanted to share what I learned. Have a great week!

You can learn more about diabetes treatment by visiting GlucoMenu.com

Breakfast Burrito Recipe

GlucoMenu® Breakfast Burrito

Recipe Ingredients:
1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 oz. low sodium mozzarella cheese
1 Mission low carb soft taco size tortilla

Recipe Directions:
1. Pour egg substitute into non-stick skillet. Begin to cook on medium heat.
2. As eggs begin to solidify, add vegetables and cheese and gently fold mixture. Continue to heat until eggs are cooked.
3. Serve mixture on tortilla.
4. Makes 1 burrito.

Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 223, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Fiber: 12 g, Fat: 7 g, Protein: 18 g, Sodium: 445 mg

Visit GlucoMenu for more recipes!

Diabetes Awarness Day Update

Arizona Diabetes Awareness Day Pictures - What a great event! We met some great people from all walks of life... Everyone coming together to raise awareness about Diabetes! We asked our friend Linda to help with the booth and here's what she had to say after the event:

"It was a fabulous event and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. I've already called my parents and told them all about what I learned. I loved talking to everyone and being outside was a real treat. I also enjoyed being inside the House of Representatives. It was cool to get a taste of what those legislators are up to."

*If you have the time please get involved with your local ADA chapter... you won't regret it!

You can learn more about treating diabetes by visiting GlucoMenu.com

Diabetes Awareness Day

This Thursday we are heading to the AZ Capitol for "Diabetes Awareness Day".
(GlucoMenu has a booth and ADA will be there among others). We thought it would be cool to hand out Diet Snapple Trop*A*Rocka (Bret Michaels brand, he has Type 1 Diabetes)...

Here's a picture of the 227 bottles in the car!


You can learn more about diabetes by visiting GlucoMenu.com

Diabetes & High Blood Sugar

I recently received the following question from someone with Type 2 diabetes:

Q: My 12 hour fasting sugar was 158 and my A1C was 10.8. At first my sugar was doing ok (about an average of 165 to 180). But now it seems like if I eat any type of carbs my sugar is high. In the last week or so my readings have been as high as 312. Can you tell me why this is happening?

A: High blood sugar can be due to a number of factors:

1. how much food you eat
2. what type of food you eat
3. stress
4. illness
5. too little insulin or medication
6. too little exercise

It’s very important to consider portion sizes with carbohydrates. Eating a healthy diet, exercising, and losing weight (if needed) helps to control blood sugar.

Regarding your specific numbers, be sure to stay in contact with your doctor so you two can figure out the right combination of medication, test times, diet, and exercise.

You can learn more about controlling blood sugar and treating diabetes by visiting: GlucoMenu.com

Pre-Diabetic Treatment

Last week I attended the Joslin Diabetes Critical Literature Analysis conference in Phoenix.

One of the presenters mentioned research will be presented later this year on giving low dose insulin to those with Pre-Diabetes with the thinking that it may help with preserving pancreas function... Of course, diet and exercise (along with weight loss) can be very helpful in treating Pre-Diabetes.

You can learn more about Pre-Diabetes treatment by visiting: GlucoMenu.com

The conference was at the Arizona Biltmore... I'm including a photo. Nice place!

Diabetes & Vinegar?

I've had several people ask about whether vinegar assists with reducing blood sugar. Here's what research shows...

Researchers have found that taking a few tablespoons of vinegar (not the pill form) each day can help to reduce post-prandial (2 hours after eating) blood sugar and A1c levels for those with type 2 diabetes. Acetic acid is the component of vinegar that seems to help with this blood sugar lowering effect by inhibiting digestion of carbohydrate.

You can read the entire response and learn more about Diabetes by visiting the following link:

Diabetes and Vinegar

Diabetic Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Here is a great recipe to help you warm up from the winter weather.

GlucoMenu® Chicken Tortilla Soup

Recipe Ingredients:
1/3 cup onion, chopped
3 T. garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
1 - 28 oz. can no salt added cut tomatoes
2 cups low sodium chicken broth
10 fl. oz. water 1 cup low sodium black beans
1/4 cup chopped green chilies
5 oz. roasted skinless chicken breast, diced
1 T. chili powder
2 t. ground cumin
1 t. black pepper
4 T. fresh cilantro
2 corn tortillas (6 inch in diameter), cut into strips

Recipe Directions:
1. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent.
2. Transfer to large pot. Add tomatoes, broth, water, and spices. Heat for 10 minutes.
3. Add beans, chicken and chilies. Simmer for additional 10 minutes.
4. Serve with tortilla strips as garnish.
5. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition Facts per serving:
Calories: 236, Carbohydrate: 28 g, Fiber: 7 g, Fat: 6 g, Protein: 19 g, Sodium: 504 mg


Find more diabetes recipes by visiting GlucoMenu.com

Diabetes Glucose Monitoring Device Being Developed

Microsoft and UW are developing a contact lens that will allow people with Diabetes to monitor their glucose levels. Some of the information found in blood is also available on the surface of the eye. The new lens will transmit the data wirelessly.

Here is a link to learn more:

Microsoft Functional Contact Lens

Diabetes and Exercise in the New Year!

There are a lot of people heading back to the gym this time of year. Be sure to wash hands and clean equipment before and after use to avoid getting sick. Here's to great workouts in 2012!


Get more diabetes exercise tips by visiting GlucoMenu