Friday, May 21, 2010

If you really do not prevent type two diabetes now, you will hate yourself later

This time I am posting a very good article written by a fellow blogger Patricia Harris...

Diabetes type 2 is easily the most common kind of diabetes. An incredible number of Americans are told they have type 2 diabetes, and others are unaware they're at high risk. Some groups have a very higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others.

Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians along with other Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged people.

In diabetes type 2, either your body doesn't produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is required for your body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the entire body reduces all the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the fundamental fuel for your cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from blood into the cells. When glucose generates in your blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

You could have the ability to improve and protect your well being. With proper nutrition and exercise and also making good way of life choices (like not smoking), you'll be able to feel better, stronger, and healthier, and will lower your risk of diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular accident.


What is actually Healthy Weight?

There's a great way to discover in case your current weight puts you at risk for developing serious diseases. Check out www.diabetes.org/bmi and take the Body Mass Index (BMI) test. The outcomes can help you decide if you need to give consideration to your weight.

The Better You consume, Better You are

Below are a few basic guidelines to aid you and your family make healthier food decisions.

* Eat numerous vegetables and fruit.

* Choose whole grain foods over processed grain products.

* Try brown rice instead of white. Substitute whole wheat bread for white.

* Eat fish 2 to 3 times weekly.

* Select leaner cuts of meat like the ones that end in "loin."

* Remove the skin from poultry and turkey.

* Eat non-fat dairy

* Drink water and low calories non-carbonated liquids.

* Use liquid oils for cooking as an alternative to solid fats.

* Reduce high calorie snacks like chips, cookies, cakes, and regular ice cream.

* Search for baked chips and reduced calorie snacks. Or have a bit of fruit instead.

* Watch your serving sizes. Even an excess of "healthy" food could potentially cause extra weight.

Tips:
* Compare labels of similar foods, then choose the one with smaller amounts of saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.

* Adults should consume below 2400 mg. of sodium daily. For people with hypertension, you should prefer even less.

* Try adding herbs and spices within your cooking to replace salt for enhancing flavor.

Just a little Work out Goes a long way
Anything that gets you up and moving is designed for you. Here's what it can do:

* Reduce your risk of developing diabetes type 2 symptoms

* Lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke

* Lower blood pressure and cholesterol

* Reduce blood glucose (sugar) levels if you have diabetes, which often can lower your risk of developing diabetes-related complications

* Alleviate stress

* Help you reduce weight

* Offer you more energy

* Assist you to sleep better

* Build stronger bones and muscles

You don't need to visit a gym, play sports or use fancy equipment.

Of course, you might want to speak with a family doctor before starting any exercise routine.

When you have Diabetes.
Maintaining a healthy diet and staying active are far more important when you've got diabetes.

Well-balanced meals may help keep your glucose (sugar) level as close to normal as it can be.

Being active also helps you lower your blood glucose. If you increase your level of physical activity, you might possibly take less insulin or diabetes pills. If you're very inactive, have heart disease or simply a history of foot ulcers, talk to your doctor about safe exercise available for you.

Check your blood glucose before exercising. If it's under 100 mg/dl, eat some fruit, crackers or have a glass of milk or juice.

Check it again after exercising to find out how your blood glucose reacts to workout. Bring a snack if you'll be active for some hour.

About me -Patricia Harris writes for the diabetic food menu blog , her personal hobby web site devoted to suggestions to eat healthy to avoid and manage diabetes.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Delta airlines cares for low sodium eaters

Several weeks ago I booked an international flight with Delta through Expedia.com. Delta's flight was as usual pretty good, not much luxury but providing the bare essentials.

One thing that was impressive for me during the flight was that the flight crew served me low sodium meals, which I had requested while I was booking the flight at Expedia.com. At the booking there was an option to choose "special meal request", which was categorized into several diet options including low sodium diet.

Honestly I was not expecting Delta to honor this request as low sodium diet is still not as widely accepted as low fat or Kosher diets. So Delta's crew surprised me pleasantly. Thank you Delta for caring for my health!