Diabetes is not just about your body…

Recently I replied to a girl that wanted to know if someone could make her care about her Diabetes.  At 16 her HBA1C was running over 10%.   The HBA1C test checks the blood to see how much of it is sugar and looks at this information over the life of your blood cells or about  3 to 6 months.  A normal reading is about 5.0% and 7.0% if you have Diabetes.

You may not realize that caring about your Diabetes is mental.  It’s about having a good support system and a desire for a full and healthy life.  When you have high blood sugar the problems don’t show up for years.  Since blood goes everywhere in your body and high sugar levels interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself, you will be looking at vision problems, circulation problems like not experiencing feeling in your extremities, your organs will be impacted (heart, liver, kidneys, not to mention your giblets :) ) AND it can impact your SEX LIFE.

My response to the 16 year old that doesn’t care anymore…”if you are writing this so others can see it means that you do care and that’s a great first step.  If your family and friends are not providing the right support level then maybe it’s time to seek additional support.  Find a diabetes support group in your area or a counselor that understands the issues and can help you understand them better.”

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Eating for Diabetes & Good Health

For over 15 years I’ve been struggling with diabetes and food.  No one knows better than me the triumph of finding a food and adequate quantities to satisfy me.  I guess it’s really a quest.  I’m on a quest to eat better and be in control of my diabetes.  On that quest I’ve found I’m not alone.  I’ve been lucky to identify a great snack, but that’s not enough.  Sure a good snack makes a difference, however there is way more to my day than eating granola bars!

On Saturday, February 28th at 2:00 PM at the Valencia Whole Foods, I’ll be hosting a discussion called “Eating for Diabetes & Good Health”.  I’ve already had the pleasure of presenting at several other locations and have been well received.  It seems like only half of the attendees are Diabetic.  Some are family members trying to help and others are simply interested in learning something new.

If you’ve been reading my column for the last year you are one step ahead of the average person.  Your insight will add to the fun.  Yes, I said fun.  The entire event is based around a game.  It’s a fun time and I’m looking forward to meeting you.  Please RSVP at 661-260-2377 x 210.  Hope to see you there.

Sugar Lows

I ran into a friend from our temple this week.  He is a great guy and looks very healthy.  We got to talking and I found out he was recently hospitalized.  I was shocked.  He told me a tale that every person needs to be aware of.  He had a low blood sugar episode.

Known as Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar is very dangerous.  What makes it so dangerous is that you can pass out or worse fall into a coma.  Imagine your problem if this happens while you are driving.  My friend was at home and passed out in the house with family around.  He described feeling light headed and thought he was next to get the flu.

I too have had low blood sugar episodes, but was warned by excessive sweating and shaking.  At this point it’s time to drink some milk or juice.  Eating takes too long to fix the problem, but the sugar in juice converts to blood sugar in under 15 minutes.

Hypoglycemia happens when your body works properly and creates insulin to cover the sugar that food creates.  Insulin aids in the process of converting blood sugar to fat.  If you experience Hypoglycemia, it’s because your body doesn’t stop producing insulin in time.  This causes your blood sugar to crash.  Typically, this happens when you eat foods that convert to sugar quickly.  For me this is anything with flower and not the whole grain.  However rice, potatoes and carrots are big offenders too.

Eat foods that convert slowly and you’ll have more energy over longer periods without sugar or insulin spikes.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Your Stressing me OUT!

Now that the holidays are over and you are settling into the new year it’s time to reassess your blood sugar and make sure it’s back on track.  Over the holidays I went a little off the waggon and saw my sugar hit some highs but I’m eating right again and my sugar should be under control.

If you are on a similar path you aren’t alone.  The real issue I’m dealing with it that as a type – A personality I work with high intensity and focus.  I create my own stress.  So with all the R&R from the holidays, I’m now back to dealing with sugar issues.  Stress impacts blood sugar control.  I’m eating right, but my Dr. tells me that stress is one reason that blood sugar readings become less controllable.

Time to reassess my 2009 and reconsider how I manage my year.  I think I’ll make the following changes to my routine:

  1. Get more sleep – getting by on 5-6 hours per night is not enough
  2. Exercise daily – Yoga helps me relax, I’m going to make 30 minutes every morning  I’m also going to walk 3-4 times per week.
  3. Eat right – track my carb intake
  4. Match my insulin need to my carb intake

The good news about this list is that I’m already doing these things, I’m just not as rigorous about them as I need to be.  Let’s all get off to a great start this year.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

How Should I Eat?

I was recently asked how diabetics should eat. There are millions of diabetics and tons of different needs we have. Here are some tips I think work and that I’ve followed. Sometimes this works better for me than other times.

- Space meals 4-5 hours

- Do not skip meals

- Serve small portions

The total Carbohydrate count INCLUDES the Sugar count.

DAILY:

- Carbohydrate – 40% of your daily calorie consumption

- Protein – 40% of your total calorie consumption

- Fat - 30% of your total calorie consumption

The greatest issue I have is quantity. I enjoy eating and want to eat a lot. To combat this urge I am always looking for filling snacks that won’t through my diet out of wack. That’s how we came up with Granola Gourmet. These are not the only snacks I eat today just my favorite. Snacking is problematic for me though. I enjoy fruits especially apples, however I rarely see an apple not grown for a giant today. In keeping with the notion that you should have small meals multiple times per day look for apples that are 2″ in diameter not 5″. Be conscious of your need for moderate portions and start eating smaller meals several times per day. Don’t save it up till the end of the day and eat all at once. That’s not good for your metabolism. Since Diabetes is a Metabolic disease, these tips are important. Learn how your body responds and eat accordingly.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

I am RESOLVED

2009 comes in with anticipation and desire.  Outside of all the personal and financial stresses that we have there are many other people in our city and country that have needs and stresses that outweigh ours.  Keep in mind that at the top of your resolution list you become a better person when you resolve to do something to help someone that needs a leg up.

I am resolved to help someone that has a greater need than I have.

I am resolved to keep my blood sugar under control

I am resolved to eat healthier.  I know as I do, I will lose weight

I am resolved to exercise.  I know as I do, I will become stronger, feel better, more confident and happier.

Your resolutions may look like mine.  The question you really need to consider this January is…will you be resolved to keep your resolutions for the rest of your life?

Happy New Year.  May you and your family enjoy the health and prosperity that you deserve.

Always bring something healthy to the party!

Hi everyone, we’re in the home stretch…  We are partying and having fun with friends and Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years are right here.  If you have successfully navigated the party platters, the egg nog and sweets, you’ve only had blood sugar issues half the time. 

Now it’s time to put your will power into high gear.  Before you attend the party make sure to ask if you can bring something healthy to share.  Make sure to put the word healthy in.  Thats the key.  Most of your friends and family will be happy to say yes.  Others, not understanding your needs will say yes and hope you bring some food that will be in the spirit of the holidays.

Your contribution needs to be your “Plan A”.  It needs to be something that you can enjoy and will carry you over for the party.  Self control is harder this time of the year especially when everyone is saying have some, eat well now and indulge.  Believe me I know this is what you want to hear, but slow down.  Take it easy and focus on the yummy healthy food you brought.  A fruit salad, a box of Granola Bars, pick something others will also enjoy and your holiday party will be fun and memorable.

Happy Holidays!

Deprivation

Holiday parties are in full swing and I’ll bet you have or will be joining in the festivities.  I know I will and with all the sugary snacks, alcohol and starchy food that will be served I’m going to be challenged.  It actually stared for me at Thanksgiving when my wife brought out her famous stuffing, home made cranberries and green bean casserole.

The challenge for me was taking small amounts of the bad stuff and eating more of the good stuff.

Cake, pie, cookies…HELP!!!  OK, I took a small piece of pie and ate a spiced orange cranberry granola bar.  The cake converted to sugar quickly, however since I ate the granola bar right after the cake they were digested together which slowed the conversion of the cake to sugar in my blood.

The key to slowing the blood sugar conversion of high glycemic foods is to eat low glycemic foods with them.  That said it doesn’t mean you can load up on high glycemic foods with a drop of low glycemic foods.  Moderate the high glycemic food with higher volume of low glycemic food.  This is no cure for high blood sugar, you may still spike however you’ll likely have a lower spike this way.

Bottom line, too much of anything will cause blood sugar problems so eat less and enjoy it!

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Holiday Happiness

I love Turkey Day!  This year we had family and enjoyed the best meal.  Turkey and all the fixings which included plenty of my favorite low carb options.  I think we’ve hit the mark in our family and now makes foods that meet my needs as a diabetic but it’s no longer “my special food”.

I’ve always hated having special food, I guess I’m just tired of being treated like an outcast when it comes to food.  It’s taken a lot of effort and time but now “my special food” is “our regular food”.  I’m also more experienced at saying no to foods that are going to spike my sugar.  Even so I now am satisfied with a bite or nibble to satisfy my desire.

Getting through the holidays is always challenging but if you take a few simple steps you will be better off:

1. Whenever possible bring something healthy that you can eat (I bring Granola Bars)

2. Eat a balanced meal that is lower in carbs and includes foods that are low on the Glycemic Index

3. Eat dessert while you are still full.  This will keep you from overdoing dessert and will reduce the impact on your blood sugar.

Most of all, enjoy yourself (in moderation).

 

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

The Diabetic Thanksgiving

I am thankful for many things this year.  First I am thankful for the support of my family and friends, without which nothing else would really matter anyway.  It is because of their love, support and involvement that I have been able to lead a meaningful life.

I am thankful for the granola bar recipe that has helped turn our Granola Gourmet into a real company with appreciative customers.  It amazes me how often someone writes to thank me for making the bars available to the public.

I am thankful for my Endocrinologist.  A man with type 1 diabetes he is an inspiration to me.  His guidance and support have been a cornerstone in helping me manage my diabetes better.

Everyday that I look at food I am inspired to eat, drink and be merry this holiday season.  I am also focusing my discipline on eating the right foods.  I am thankful that there is usually something I can eat at holiday events.  Here are my three goals when at a holiday party:

1. Enjoy the company – talk more, eat less

2. Enjoy the food – focus more on proteins, stay away from sugary treats (I’m bringing granola bars for my treat this year)

3. Enjoy the drinks – stop at one (but really savor it) than switch to something with no calories or sugar

Let me know what works for you and we can share with others that are interested!

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general informational purposes only. Granola Gourmet does not treat, cure or prevent diabetes or any disease, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.