World Diabetes Day - November 14th, 2009

There are 5 days left until World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2009. This international campaign to educate and prevent diabetes is led by the International Diabetes Federation. On November 14th, 2009, join people all over the world in lighting a candle for WDD, or find out other ways to get involved.

November is American Diabetes Month

This November, join the American Diabetes Association in a national movement to Stop Diabetes.

Here's how you can get involved:

• Share -Inspire others by sharing your personal story by word of mouth, social media sites (Twitter, Facebook) and by blogging.
• Act - Consider walking or riding your bike more often to get some extra exercise.
  
• Learn - The ADA and AmericanDiabetes.com are both useful resources for those living with diabetes or at risk for the disease.
• Give - Help raise money for diabetes research and education.
  

Foot Care Tips for Diabetics

People with diabetes are at high risk for foot problems and lower extremity amputations. In order to lower your risk for foot problems, it is important for diabetics to care for their feet. Here are a few simple tips from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons which will keep your feet in tip-top shape, despite your diabetes.

• Wash your feet daily with soap and water. Dry them carefully after washing.
• Apply a rich moisturizer, avoiding the spaces in between your toes.
  
• Trim your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toenails.
• Avoid antiseptics, sharp tools and using heating pads on your feet.
• Prevent circulatory problems by quitting smoking.
• Avoid sitting with your legs crossed.

Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics

Here are the Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics. Not only are these foods a great way to control your weight and blood glucose levels, they are also easy to find and prepare.

Join me in counting down the Top 20 Super Foods for Diabetics based on fiber content, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals:

20. Yogurt - an excellent source of calcium, vitamin B2, zinc and protein.
19. Tomatoes - high in vitamin C, potassium and lycopene. For optimal lycopene absorption, cook your tomatoes instead of consuming them raw.
18. Tea - whether you drink it hot or cold, tea contains antioxidants which may prevent disease. White and green teas have more antioxidants than black teas.
17. Soy - even if you aren't a vegetarian you can still benefit from the protein, zinc, iron and potassium present in soy beans. For maximum protein, try baby green soybeans called edamame.
16. Spinach - loaded with vitamins and minerals including B2 and B6, potassium, zinc, fiber and beta-carotene.
15. Raspberries - packed with fiber and vitamin C.
14. Red Onions - a good source of fiber, potassium and folate.
13. Oatmeal - the soluble fiber in oats can lower cholesterol, improve blood pressure and stabilize blood glucose. Oats also provide vitamin E, B, magnesium and potassium.
12. Nuts - walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans and hazelnuts help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Nuts are also a great source of fiber, protein, vitamin E and healthy fats.
11. Melon - high in vitamin C and potassium. Includes watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba and more.
10. Apples - the soluble and insoluble fiber in apples may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and may stabilize blood glucose.
9. Cranberries - packed with vitamin C and antioxidants.
8. Flaxseed - high in fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a fatty acid with similar benefits as omega-3 fatty acids. Which brings us to...
7. Fish - salmon, trout, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring are especially rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
6. Carrots - cooked or raw, carrots contain beta-carotene, which provides vitamin A, and are a great source of fiber.
5. Broccoli - with more vitamin C per 100 grams than an orange, fiber and beta-carotene, broccoli truly is a super food.
4. Beans - high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.
3. Red Grapefruit - a truly heart-healthy fruit, rich in vitamin C.
2. Blueberries - fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants make blueberries effective disease fighters.
1. Asparagus - high in fiber, vitamin B folate and vitamin C.

Halloween Tricks and Treats for Diabetics

It's mid-October, and the only thing scarier than Halloween are the sugar levels of all that candy!

Here are some simple tricks-and-treats to keep help manage your diabetes, while still staying in the spirit of the sweet-filled holiday.

1. Remember, one piece of candy will not kill you. However, opt for sugar-free options if you feel the need to splurge.
2. If you have been suppressing your sweet tooth, Halloween is not an excuse for a candy buffet.
3. Just because you are diabetic doesn't mean you can't pass out candy to trick-or-treaters or take your own children out. Plus, there are always candy alternatives such as popcorn balls or coupons.
4. This is the perfect time to educate the neighborhood kids about sugar moderation and diabetes.

H1N1 "Swine" Flu Vaccine to be Available Shortly

On September 15, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of four vaccines against the H1N1, or “swine” flu, virus. According to federal officials, 6-7 million doses of vaccine will be available starting the first week in October, with millions more doses to be shipped in the following weeks.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the rate of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms is higher than typically expected at this time of year. However, the vaccines currently available for seasonal flu do not protect against the H1N1 virus.

Although there will eventually be enough H1N1 vaccines for everyone in the United States, healthy adults are encouraged to hold off on being vaccinated so that people who are most at-risk from the flu can receive the vaccine first. Those identified as at-risk include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children under 6 months old, health-care and emergency service workers, people from 6 months to 24 years old, and those from 25 to 64 years old who have a chronic health disorder, such as diabetes or a compromised immune system.

Since the flu is spread primarily by the coughing and sneezing of infected people, those who have the H1N1 flu are advised to stay home and limit their contact with other people to prevent the spread of infection. It is also important to wash your hands with soap and water or to use hand sanitizer to avoid spreading the virus through contact.

For more information visit the CDC's H1N1 "Swine" Flu page.

Managing Gestational Diabetes with a Diabetic Diet

3-5% of pregnant women will be diagnosed with gestational diabetes. While this condition is rare, it is important to know how to manage the disease during your pregnancy. One of the easiest ways of managing your gestational diabetes is by following a healthy, diabetes-friendly diet. The diabetic diet you follow during pregnancy will help regulate your blood sugar and ensure the health of your baby.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when planning a Gestational Diabetes Diet:

1. Meet with your doctor to discuss your personalized meal plan that will be focused on helping you maintain normal blood glucose levels. Ask any questions you may have, and be sure you are clear on what foods are appropriate for you to eat as well as how much you should eat.
2. Avoid sugar and all foods high in sugar. These will create unnecessary and harmful spikes in your blood sugar.
3. Choose complex carbohydrates, including vegetables, grains, cereals, beans, peas and other starchy foods. These take longer to break down in your body and help regulate your blood sugar.
4. Place emphasis on foods that are high in fiber in your diet, and choose foods that are low in fat.
5. Eat bedtime snacks that contain both protein and complex carbohydrates to encourage your body to maintain a constant level of blood sugar.
6. Be sure to eat 3 consistent meals a day with several snacks at similar times each day in order to provide adequate nutrition to you and your baby as well as regulate your blood sugar naturally.

For more information about Blood Sugar Levels and Pregnancy, please visit American Diabetes Services.