Mr. Divabetic – Page 131

12/05/201612/05/2016

Are You Too Ashamed to Eat What You Love During the Holidays?

December’s Diabetes Late Nite guest, Megrette Fletcher. MEd, RD, CDE, author of Discover Mindful Eating and Discover Mindful Eating for Kids, and the co-author of Mindful Eating and Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes , talks about the shame that people with diabetes may experience during the holidays.

Megrette is a mindful eating expert and registered dietitian and diabetes educator in practice. She is the president and co-founder of the Center for Mindful Eating.

What do I eat?” As a diabetes educator and dietitian, Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, CDE, admits that she’s asked this question every day – and even more so during the holidays! Mindful eating isn’t about eating a specific food or limiting yourself to a set number of calories or nutrients. It is about becoming curious and aware so you can make conscious decisions.

Many people react mindlessly to their thoughts. In other words, they re-act—repeating past actions again and again—feeling powerless to change says Megrette’s co-author, Michelle May MD. “For many people, eating is a mindless reaction to their unrecognized or unexamined thoughts. However, your thoughts are just thoughts. Thinking a thought doesn’t make it true or important, or require you to act on it. In fact, a thought doesn’t even need to provoke a specific feeling,” says Dr. May.

Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening in the present moment—including awareness of thoughts—without any attachment to whatever you notice. Mindfulness is helpful because it creates space between thoughts and actions. By increasing your awareness of your thoughts, you can begin to break old automatic or habitual chain reactions between your triggers, thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Each time you choose not to activate your old trigger-thought-feeling-action-result sequences, you weaken the connections. It’s as if the wires rust and eventually break. Further, each time you choose a different action, you create a new connection. With repetition, you’ll hardwire these new pathways—like insulating the wiring. Your new thoughts and responses become your new habits.

Shame is a harmful emotion that is often felt by the young and old, especially when you are trying to manage your diabetes during the holidays. By undertstanding the ingredients that set you up for overeating, you can create the perfect recipe for success and healthy, happy holidays!

Recipe for Overeating by Michelle May M.D.
Ingredients:
1 batch, bag, box, or large plate of food
2 tablespoons of deprivation
1 heaping teaspoon of guilt
Sprinkle of shame
Optional: fatigue, stress, resentment, loneliness, boredom

Studies confirm that some people do gain significant weight during the holidays. Who are those people? They’re the ones who worry about their weight, who try to restrict their intake of holiday goodies only to overeat them out of feelings of deprivation and then guilt. The same studies show that people who don’t worry about their weight don’t put on significant pounds during the holidays.

Learn how to create a self-care buffer zone by regularly nurturing your body, mind, heart, and spirit. from the book: Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat with Diabetes: A Mindful Eating Program for Thriving with Pre-diabetes or Diabetes.

LISTEN: December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with guest, Megrette Fletcher scheduled for Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 6 PM, EST. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Enjoy music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.

12/03/201612/03/2016

Thank Heavens for Cauliflower! Recipe by The Decadent Diabetic

Our good friend, Chef Ward Alper aka ‘the Decadent Diabetic’ who is living with type 2 diabetes, shares one of his favorite cauliflower recipes and blog post with us to help you stay happy and healthy.

For those of us with Diabetes (especially Type 2) we should be watching our carbohydrate intake. Starchy staples like potatoes and rice may not be our best choices.

Thank heavens for cauliflower. What was once just a boringly earthy vegetable that I smothered with a thick cheese sauce, is now a scrumptious and inventive side to many a meat and protein my plate.

More than just mashed or riced, cauliflower can be” glammed” up to make a delicious gratin or Asian partner for your meats, fish and chicken.

Cauliflower, Bacon & Blue by The Decadent Diabetic

Makes approx. 4 – 1 cup servings

Net carbs: 8 grams

Chef Ward Alper’s Notes: Putting some of my favorite things together to make a totally new dish is so exciting. Sometimes it does not work. Other times, like here, the finished product is greater than the sum of its parts.

This is a great side dish for a bland protein as it adds a great “pop” to the plate.

1 head of cauliflower ( about 3-3 ½ cups)

1 medium onion, sliced thinly

2 Tbsp. butter

2 cloves garlic, grated or minced very finely

3 Tbsp. sour cream

2 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

6 slices of crisp bacon, crumbled

½ cup whole milk

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut cauliflower into 1 inch florets. Sautee the onion in the butter until lightly golden brown. Turn off the heat and add the garlic. Allow to cool slightly. Add the bacon, blue cheese, pepper, and sour cream. Combine with the cauliflower and pour into an oven proof dish. Add the milk. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes until lightly brown. NOTE: if you like your vegetables softer cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Click on the link to get more great tasting recipes from The Decadent Diabetic.

LISTEN: Diabetes Game Show podcast hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Special giveaways courtesy of Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetic Foot & Hand Cream

12/01/2016

Weekly Wow: Fruity Facts

Can you guess how many servings are in one avocado?

Portion distortion in America is one of the main reasons why 70 percent of our country is considered overweight or obese. As the holidays approach filled with plenty of temptations for your taste buds it’s important to be aware of how much you’re actually eating.

A review published in the Journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition showed that when people are presented with larger portions, they consumed more despite hunger levels and what their bodies actually needed for nourishment.

Avocado is considered a fat, and while it may be a “healthy fat” it is still a more concentrated source of calories when compared to protein and carbohydrates according to Tanya Zuckerbrot MS, RD, is a Registered Dietitian in New York City and the author of two bestselling diet books: The F-Factor Diet and The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories and Fat Disappear – with Fiber.

ANSWER: One avocado equals five servings

In fact, fats contain 9 calories per gram, which is more than double the 4 calories per gram that protein and carbs have. A serving of avocado is one fifth of an avocado, or about a 50-calorie portion–not a whole avocado. So that avocado toast comes in at around 400 calories and that’s not including the mimosa or whatever else you are consuming during that brunch

“The serving size that I don’t think anyone sticks to is one-fifth of a medium-sized avocado,” Keri Gans RD, the author of the Small Change Diet, tells Yahoo Health. “Most people think you’re supposed to eat the whole thing, like with any fruit.”

But consider that an avocado packs around 250 calories. “So it’s not the same as eating a whole peach, which is 60 calories. There’s a difference — and if you are watching your weight, you probably don’t want to eat an entire avocado,” Gans says.

LISTEN: November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald. We’re talking about encouraging people who have experienced diabetes health-related complications to stay healthy.

11/30/2016

Thank Heavens for Cauliflower! New Recipe from the Decadent Diabetic

For those of us with Diabetes (especially Type 2) we should be watching our carbohydrate intake. Starchy staples like potatoes and rice may not be our best choices.

Thank heavens for cauliflower. What was once just a boringly earthy vegetable that I smothered with a thick cheese sauce, is now a scrumptious and inventive side to many a meat and protein my plate.

More than just mashed or riced, cauliflower can be” glammed” up to make a delicious gratin or Asian partner for your meats, fish and chicken.

Fried “Riced” Cauliflower and Shrimp by The Decadent Diabetic

Recipe makes 2 servings

Net Carbohydrates 5 g.

Chef’s Note: Will the wonders of what you can do with cauliflower never end? This very simple Asian Style preparation takes the place of rice on your plate for amazingly few carbohydrates for a very large serving. It has a similar texture to rice but a different flavor that substitutes perfectly!

You can do this with a box grater but it works best and most quickly with a food processor.

3 cups cauliflower florets (about 1” each)

2 Tbsp. neutral oil (canola etc.)

3 scallions minced (reserve the light green parts for garnish)

1 clove of garlic, grated or minced very fine.

pepper to taste

¼ cup low sodium chicken broth

2 Tbsps. low sodium soy sauce

1 TBSP. neutral oil (canola etc.)

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

½ tsp. Chinese five spice

12 ounces shrimp cleaned

HOW TO PREPARE THE RECIPE:

Pulse the cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles kernels of rice (this can also be done on the large side of a box grater).

Heat 2 Tbsp. of the oil in a large (12”) frying pan. Add the white part of the scallions and cook until just wilted. Add the garlic and pepper. Stir to combine. Add the cauliflower and continue to cook over medium high heat for 3- 4 minutes. Add the chicken broth. Allow to come to a simmer. Cover and cook at LOW heat for 4-5 more minutes. Allow to cool and place in a bowl.

Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Add the soy sauce, ginger and Chinese five spice and shrimp. Toss to coat the shrimp. Add the cooked “riced” cauliflower to the pan and heat through. Garnish with the green part of the scallions.

Click on the link to get more great tasting recipes from The Decadent Diabetic.

LISTEN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Meghan Trainor

11/28/2016

House and R &B vocalist Colonel Abrams Died at Age 67

Colonel Abrams joins a long list of men from the R & B and Hip Hop music communities who died of diabetes health-related complications this year. The list includes Phife Dawg (‘A Tribe Called Quest’), Prince Be (‘P.M. Dawn’), and radio personalities Doug Banks and Vaughn Harper.

Diabetes is 60% more common in black Americans than in white Americans. Blacks are up to 2.5 times more likely to suffer a limb amputation and up to 5.6 times more likely to suffer kidney disease than other people with diabetes. Diabetes is also a significant contributor to erectile dysfunction. Because men are less likely to engage in the health care system, primary and secondary prevention efforts need to be implemented in culturally appropriate, male-oriented venues.

Last year, Colonel Abrams was reportedly homeless and suffering from diabetes, and a crowd-funding effort by fans and friends was launched to get him back on his feet.

Colonel Abrams stated in a video: “As most of you may or may not know, a lot of recording artist don’t have medical coverage or benefits.” He went on to say… “The Colonel is very ill with no permanent place of his own to live at this time and limited financial resources.”

The Detroit-born, Manhattan raised singer began playing both piano and guitar while still quite young. By the mid 1970s he became part of the band Heavy Impact. But it was nearly a decade later that Abrams really made a name for himself with the big 1985 hit “Trapped”. Colonel Abrams also sang on several tracks that are considered to have laid the groundwork for what is now considered global dance music including the songs, “How Soon We Forget” and “Not Gonna Let.”

According to Soul Tracks: “By the mid 1970s he became part of the band Heavy Impact. But it was nearly a decade later that Colonel Abrams really made a name for himself with the big hit ‘Music Is the Answer.’ It began a string of dance hits that capitalized on the electronic sounds that were popular in the mid ’80s … Abrams continued to chart on the Dance and R&B charts into the mid-’90s, and performed around the world into the new century. He also formed his own Colonel Records and released music sporadically through the early part of this decade.”

The rate of diabetes among people who are homeless is on the rise along with diabetes health-related deaths. People who are homeless don’t have the finances to afford to monitor their blood sugar levels on a regular basis and healthy food choices.

Jan Boyd, a registered nurse who works with Withers on Operation Safety Net said, “People on the street don’t usually seek medical care unless the symptoms are making them uncomfortable. With diabetes, discomfort comes too late.”

And life expectancy for a person without a home is just 45-49 years, according to a study done by the National Health Care for the Homeless Council. The NHCHC also reports that the number one cause of death among the homeless population is complications related to chronic conditions like diabetes!

Dr. Jim Withers co-founded Operation Safety Net, which is part of the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System in Pittsburg, PA. Operation Safety Net provides healthcare to people living on the street, but Withers describes it differently: “The program is providing people with hope,” he says.

“Our philosophy is to treat people where they are,” said Withers, who has been treating homeless people since 1992. Operation Safety Net has helped transition more than 850 chronically ill homeless people into permanent housing since it started, and many of those people have been living with diabetes.

We have experienced so many diabetes health-related deaths in the urban radio and music industry. It is my goal to find a way to share these stories as a way to teach today’s music fans about diabetes on our free monthly podcasts. If you have any suggestions let me know.

LISTEN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by A Tribe Called Quest. Phife Dawg, born Malik Taylor, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in May of 1990. Experiencing constant thirst and bathroom visits, his grandmother, a nurse, tested him for diabetes after a performance in Connecticut. Initially, Phife admitted he did not take his diagnosis seriously, and maintained his same lifestyle.

“It’s really a sickness,” Taylor said in Beats, Rhymes & Life, Michael Rapaport’s candid 2011 documentary on the group. “Like straight-up drugs. I’m just addicted to sugar.”

Phife’s initial resistance to treatment made it necessary for him to go on dialysis followed by a kidney transplant in 2008. This past March he died at age 45.

11/27/2016

Why Most Men Don’t Treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

Most men who are diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) don’t follow through with treating it, says research from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Researchers analyzed 6.2 million health insurance claims for men who received an ED diagnosis, and discovered that only 25 percent filled a prescription for treatment during the 12-month study period.

Erectile dysfunction — the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex — is common in men who have diabetes. It can stem from problems caused by poor long-term blood sugar control, which damages nerves and blood vessels.

It is estimated that about 35% to 75% of men with diabetes will experience at least some degree of erectile dysfunction — also called ED or impotence — during their lifetime.

Men with diabetes tend to develop erectile dysfunction 10 to 15 years earlier than men without diabetes. As men with diabetes age, erectile dysfunction becomes even more common. Above the age of 50, the likelihood of having difficulty with an erection occurs in approximately 50% to 60% of men with diabetes. Above age 70, there is about a 95% likelihood of having some difficulty with erectile dysfunction.

One potential barrier to treatment is cost: Many drugs don’t have generic versions yet, and some insurance companies provide limited or no coverage, says study author Kevin McVary, M.D. as reported by Men’s Health.

Men may also feel too embarrassed to drop off the prescription at the pharmacy, or believe ED isn’t a high-enough concern to bother addressing it, Dr. McVary says.

Another problem is that people with diabetes also tend to have problems with their heart, these medications may not be appropriate and could cause dangerous interactions with some heart medicines. Talk to your doctor to determine what treatment is best.

Additional treatments men with diabetes might want to consider include intracavernous injection therapy, vacuum erection (not constriction) devices, venous constriction devices (for venous leak syndrome), intraurethral therapy, penile prostheses (inflatable and malleable), and sex therapy.

So what treatment is best? It depends on many factors including a man’s health and his ability to tolerate the treatment. Ask your doctor if you should see a specialist (a urologist) to determine the best treatment for your situation.

LISTEN:Don’t let Diabetes Kill Romance podcast with guest, Janis Rozsler MS, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND (2008-2009 Diabetes Educator of the Year (AADE).. The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic explores issues of love, intimacy and diabetes on this special one hour podcast

11/23/2016

Baked Rice or Quinoa Pudding by the Diabetic Pastry Chef

The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris’s recipes are featured in this year’s Diabetes Mystery podcast, “Suspect Boulevard” featuring Best-Selling Author, Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.

Millions of people with, at risk and affected by diabetes read mystery paperbacks and there’s a huge collection of books featuring super indulgent recipes that really bug me. I think it’s high-time someone wrote a mystery featuring healthy and delicious recipes so I asked Stacey Harris, The Diabetic Pastry Chef to contribute some recipes for this year’s diabetes mystery podcast.

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t stop Stacey Harris. From her tasty treats to her outlook on life, this pastry chef keeps things as sweet as can be! Her flavor combinations and attention to detail make Stacey’s treats so craveable, while her soft voice and gentle smile make this pastry chef just so lovable reports Diabetic Living magazine.

Baked Rice or Quinoa Pudding Recipe by the Diabetic Pastry Chef Stacey Harris

Ingredients

2 cups milk or unsweetened almond milk

3 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

½ tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

¾ cup cooked brown rice or quinoa

1 cup Whey Low D granular

3 tbsp. melted butter

½ cup raisins

Directions

Combine all ingredients mixing well. Pour into an ungreased 1 ½ quart casserole dish or individual ramekins. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes or until center of pudding is firm and does not shake. Can be served warm or cold. Refrigerate any leftovers.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Ella Fitzgerald podcast hosted by Mr. Divabetic. Throughout the podcast we will be playing music from the album, Columbia Jazz; Ella Fitzgerald, 1973 courtesy of SONY Music.

11/20/2016

Leona Lewis inspires December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

We’re talking about coping with diabetes during the holidays on December’s Diabetes Late Nite with musical inspiration from Leona Lewis.

‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and temptations that may disrupt daily diabetes health routines. That means it’s also the season when eating healthy, staying active, and taking medication on schedule is harder to do. The added stress and anxiety of staying on track with your diabetes health may cause even those who are usually content to experience loneliness and a lack of fulfillment.

Studies show that people with diabetes have a greater risk of depression than people without diabetes.

Just like denial, depression can get you into a vicious cycle. It can block good diabetes self-care.

“I have a best friend who has severe depression, who takes medication and still struggles, so I know how bad it can be,” says Leona Lewis.

She describes herself as having “highs and lows” brought on by circumstance, not a clinical illness. In retrospect, frustrated and anxious might have been better terms to use, but she declines to dwell on it.

If you are feeling symptoms of depression, don’t keep them to yourself. First, talk them over with your doctor.

Guests include Diabetes Alert Dog expert, Debby Kay CDT, CDTA, PDTI, Megrette Fletcher, MEd, RD, CDE (co-founder of the Center for Mindful Eating), the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Emmy winning Producer, Linda Bracero Morel, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

Plus, we’re giving away 6 months access to mySugr Pro in our INSTANT WINNER challenge.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leona Lewis’ “Christmas, with Love” album courtesy of SONY Music.

TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Leona Lewis

11/17/2016

Weekly Wow: Glaucoma Quiz

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic enjoys making learning about diabetes fun and entertaining!

Test your Diabetes IQ with our weekly wow challenge questions. This week we’re talking about eye care and diabetes.

Did you know that a common complication of diabetes is diabetic eye disease? Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of sight-threatening eye problems that people with diabetes may develop.

Glaucoma is one of these diseases.

People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics, although some current research is beginning to call this into question. Similarly, the likelihood of someone with open-angle glaucoma developing diabetes is higher than that of a person without the eye disease.

Neovascular glaucoma, a rare type of glaucoma, is always associated with other abnormalities, diabetes being the most common. In some cases of diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels on the retina are damaged. The retina manufactures new, abnormal blood vessels.

Neovascular glaucoma can occur if these new blood vessels grow on the iris (the colored part of the eye), closing off the fluid flow in the eye and raising the eye pressure. Neovascular glaucoma is a difficult disease to treat. One option is laser surgery to reduce abnormal blood vessels on the iris and on the retinal surface. Recent studies have also shown some success with the use of drainage implants.

Since eye complications are common with diabetes, it is very important that people with diabetes get their eyes examined on a regular basis. The National Eye Institute recommends that people with diabetes get a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

ANSWER: True. The early stages of open-angle glaucoma, the most common form, usually have no warning signs. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing

LISTEN NOW: Play December’s INSTANT WINNER challenge and win a ‘mySugr giveaway on Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Leona Lewis hosted by Mr. Divabetic. mySugr is a diabetes management company that aims to make life with diabetes suck less. The mySugr is a smart diabetes companion that’s there for you anytime, anywhere and for free. Face the challenges of diabetes with confidence!

11/16/201611/16/2016

Pushing Past the ‘Shame’ Associated with Diabetes

‘What did you do?’

‘You must have eaten something bad!’

These types of condescending and mean-spirited comments are common from family members of people living with diabetes who are experiencing high blood sugar values. From blame to shame, overcoming the stigma of living with diabetes seems to be the biggest roadblock to living well with diabetes. Not only must someone with diabetes cope with the stress of day to day self-care management, they also must contend with the stigma of having a condition that even doctors don’t really understand.

For example, most people with diabetes know that high blood sugars aren’t just a result of what’s on the end of your fork. You can experience high blood sugar values because of a urinary tract infection, or depression, or from a fight with a spouse or children or anxiety over not being able to pay your rent.

A 2014 poll for the diaTribe Foundation reports that most people people with diabetes feel stigmatized by the condition regardless of its origins. And the burden of shame makes it harder to handle the ongoing diabetes self-management required to stay healthy and avoid complications.

“Many people not only feel stigmatized by the disease, but see their diabetes as a character flaw,” says Susan Guzman, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute.

“We try to make people understand that they may have contributed to their diagnosis, but it is not all their doing,” says Divabetic Club – Philly leader, Neva White DNP, CRNP- BC, CDE, as reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“We talk about how we need to rethink having diabetes. How can I use this new information as a catalyst not only to change my lifestyle but maybe to change other things?,” she adds.

“I tell people that your numbers are your power and that they help you make your next move,” says Neva White.

“When you don’t take your blood sugars, it’s like driving a car and not knowing how fast you’re going. You can use the number to see what it is after you go to the gym, not only when you ate chocolate cake.”

What’s behind the number on your glucose meter?

“There are so many variables: stress, financial problems, poor access to health care, inability to pay for medications, someone who is forgetful or not organized, depression and mental illness,” says Susan Guzman, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of the Behavioral Diabetes Institute reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

REGISTER NOW: Divabetic Club in Philadelphia, PA. Our next meeting is Thursday, December 15, 2016, 12 PM -1 PM.

LISTEN NOW: November’s Diabetes Late Nite hosted by Mr. Divabetic. We’re talking about overcoming the shame and blame of experiencing a diabetes health-related complication such as lower limb amputation with musical inspiration from Ella Fitzgerald.