Food for Type 2 Diabetes
The Different Types of Natural and Artificial Sweeteners
Diabetics use several types of sweeteners as sugar alternatives. These sweeteners are sometimes natural, such as Stevia and fruit juice. Other sweeteners are man-made, such as Aspartame (as-per-teym) and Splenda. Different sweeteners are often used in different ways. For example, Aspartame is frequently used in diet beverages whereas Splenda is most often used in prepared foods and by the teaspoon
Type 2 Diabetes: Tips for a Summer of Healthy Cookouts
Nearly everyone knows about the dietary risks of summertime cookouts; the menu tends to be loaded with items that are high in fat, high in calories, and full of grease.
However, there are healthy alternatives that you can include in your next cookout to ensure that your menu stays tasty, but won’t ruin your dietary goals. Here are some healthy food choices to add to your next cookout:
Grill Veggies
Salad Mythbusters
Croutons should be avoided. Many people believe that they should not add croutons to their salads because of the added carbohydrates. However, croutons can be a source of energy, fiber, and healthy carbohydrates. Keep in mind that everyone needs some carbohydrates in order to gain energy each day.
Fast Foods Mythbusters
Chicken nuggets = Protein Chicken nuggets are a poor choice if you are looking to add protein to your diet. In fact, not only are chicken nuggets often fried and loaded with grease, but they also contain high amounts of corn starch when they are made at most fast food establishments.
Energy Drink Mythbusters
Because energy drinks are made with vitamins, they are good for me. Some energy drinks are made with vitamins. One of the latest trends in energy drinks is the infusion of Vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is supposed to help boost the metabolism and increase energy levels. However, it is important to note that the benefits of taking vitamins have never been fully proven by researchers to be effective.
Artificial Sweetener Mythbusters
Many people living with diabetes avoid eating sugar, using guidelines like cutting out refined sugar in the form of candy, white bread, and desserts. In place of sugar, many choose to use artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and Splenda®.
However, anecdotal reports indicate serious health issues, such as tumors and liver problems for using common sugar alternatives. Often repeated concerns about the side effects of the chemical structure of sweeteners versus natural or herbal substances confuse consumers. People living with diabetes struggle with choices that are best for their health and their future.
Type 2 Diabetes and Great Grilling
Planning a barbecue? If you want the menu to be healthier than the traditional picnic fare, there are plenty of options. In place of well-marbled steak or chock-full-of-fat hot dogs and burgers, grill salmon, chicken, or shrimp. Replace mayonnaise-drenched potato salad with whole grain rolls, brown rice, or a salad made with whole-grain pasta.
If you have diabetes disease, what exactly is a serving of almonds?
Some-one just sent me a very provocative question that I think deserves to be shared with everyone. The question was a follow-up from an article I wrote on diabetes care and nutrition, saying that one serving of almonds was one handful which is roughly 10 almonds.
He has been advised by his doctor to have a handful of almonds as he works to improve his HDL, his good cholesterol. The packaging label shows one serving of almonds to be equal to one ounce or 28 almonds. How confusing! I said 10 and the label said 28! It was my job to explain the discrepancy.
