Category: Food and Nutrition

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What Should I Eat? with Registered Dietitian Jill Weisenberger

Are you frustrated or confused about what to eat for type 2 diabetes?
Enjoy this exclusive interview with nationally recognized Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND about what to eat for type 2 diabetes.
Q: A lot of people with type 2 diabetes are fearful of working with Registered Dietitians because they believe they will tell them that they can’t eat any of the foods they enjoyed before they were diagnosed.  What is your philosophy?
Jill Weisenberger (JW): I had all the bad habits. Eating large portions, going from one junk food to another to “get it out of my system and start fresh tomorrow,” berating myself for my apparent lack of willpower – I did it all. I’ve managed my weight for a very long time now by adopting a more suitable frame of mind. I treat myself with  more kindness, and I don’t look at food as good or bad. I’ve figured out how to treat myself daily and still have a terrific diet. It was a long process, but I’m happier, healthier and have tons more energy.
JW: Although it looks like an e-book and it’s 80-some pages, I think of it more as a course for people new to or struggling with food choices for type 2 diabetes. I see people so confused and frustrated. They tell me they eat the same things over and over because they don’t know what else is “safe” for them to eat. Or they tell me they stay hungry all the time. And when we get into longer conversations, I often see that they think they know how food affects their blood sugar levels, but they’ve got some very fundamental misunderstandings. I wanted to create a guide that people could use in a stepwise fashion to move from the very basics of how food affects blood sugar – to what my food choices are doing – to how to count carbs and how to plan meals even if I’m the only one with diabetes.
JW: This guide is similar to how I might structure my appointments with clients. The first module is all about blood sugar management with lessons on carbohydrates, snacking, meal planning, carb counting, label reading. It has worksheets to help the reader figure out their usual portions and most common foods with carbohydrates. There’s even practice for meal planning and carb counting and charts with helpful info. The lessons in the second module cover the big picture of healthy eating with emphasis on heart disease and cancer prevention. There’s also a chart of healthy food swaps, among other things.
Sign up now for Divabetic’s free Diabetes Virtual Cooking Party with Jill Weisenberger on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW – FREE REGISTRATION 

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Jeffrey Osborne Shares Secrets to Good Health

“It’s hard for me to do these concerts and watch people walking in with canes who can hardly move,” said Jeffrey Osborne in an interview with Real Health. “People don’t realize that’s a result of their diet.”

The 72-year-old Grammy–nominated singer–songwriter,  and musician has watched several of his eleven siblings succumb to different chronic illnesses. “I have only one sister left,” he says. “I have three brothers still living; the others either died from cancer or suffered from clogged arteries.”

Jeffrey Osborne rose to fame as the drummer and lead singer of the American R&B/Soul group L.T.D in the 1970’s. Recently, he released his first album of original material in 15 years entitled Worth It All.

Back in mid-’70s, Jeffrey Osborne toyed with the idea of becoming a vegan. “But it wasn’t cool then, and there wasn’t as much research at that time or great products like there are now,” he says.

What Is A Vegan?

A vegan is a person who does not eat any food derived from animals and who typically does not use other animal products. Foods from animals that vegans do not eat include eggs, cheese, milk, and honey. Foods made from plants that vegans eat include: Fruits and vegetables. legumes (peas, beans, and lentils), nuts and seeds, breads, rice, and pasta, dairy alternatives (soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk) and vegetable oils.

Vegan Diets & Diabetes

Studies have shown that those people who follow a low-fat vegan diet, avoiding meat and dairy, lower blood sugar levels very efficiently and lose weight reports Diabetes UK. Researchers have shown that people with diabetes who eat a vegan diet also lower their cholesterol and improve kidney functioning.

Jeffrey Osborne tried adapting a vegan diet again in 2017, on his 28-year-old son’s recommendation after their family watched the documentary, What The Health, about our nation’s health and how big business influences it.

“I did not know half of the things going on with the beef and poultry industries, and that just opened my eyes to so much, and that’s what started me.”

Now he and his family follow a plant-based diet. “It’s been incredible,” he says. “I feel so much better and have more energy, and I feel good. My bones and joints— everything—feels so good.”

“Worth It All finds Osborne picking up where he left off in the vein of new songs with 2003’s Music Is Life, remarkably displaying as much vocal agility and ease with range as ever atop a variety of urban-contemporary grooves and melodic R&B ballads that often reach back to harmonic and structural sensibilities of ‘80s soul while bearing a rhythmic foundation that adult-contemporary audiences came to appreciate during the early 2000s,” writes Justin Kantor for Soultracks.com.

READ MORE

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Chocolate Tofu Pudding Pies Recipe

Why not pack some protein into your next chocolate dessert?

Tofu is a plant-based protein that’s high in dietary fiber. Researchers have reported that tofu can help to regulate blood sugar levels.

Tofu is a soft, cheese-like food made from soymilk. An average serving of tofu is low in calories and sodium and is protein rich and provides iron, calcium, and certain B vitamins. (About 3 ounces of firm tofu has 70 calories, 3 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrate, and 7 grams of protein). Tofu can be used in place of meat or dairy products in recipes.

Chocolate Tofu Pudding Pies Recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz) package silken tofu

1 cup granulated Splenda

1 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 tsp agave nectar

1 tsp vanilla extract

6 (4 oz each) mini graham cracker crust pie shells

*optional: fresh berries as a garnish

Directions

Puree tofu, Splenda, cocoa, agave nectar, and vanilla in blender until the mixture is smooth and thick. Spoon pudding into pie shells and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries and/or blackberries).

By the way, tofu is amazing in smoothies, and can even be used in baking as a substitute for dairy. For example, tofu is a great vegan substitute for cream cheese in cheesecake because of its airy texture.

Recipe adapted from the soy foods council, courtesy of Elizabeth Karmel. Reprinted with sugar substitutes from Costco Connection. 

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk? Do you need a little help staying on track with your diabetes self-care?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support program with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes empowerment presentation features a Hat & Face Mask Fashion Show presented by  Harlem Heaven’s Hats and a Diabetes Educational Group Activity and Discussion on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

REGISTER NOW 

 

 

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Low Carb Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

These easy to make pizza mini peppers are filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s the perfect low carb appetizer for your holiday celebrations!

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers – Low Carb Recipe

Ingredients

You’ll only need 5 simple ingredients to make pizza mini peppers.  Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

Bell Peppers: grab diffferent colors for a more festive looking appetizer

Pizza or spaghetti sauce: right out of the jar! Look for one lower in sodium

Shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese: shredded is great!

Pepperoni or small meatballs 

Directions

Start by cutting the peppers in half lengthwise and removing the membranes and the seeds.

Stuff the peppers with a little pizza sauce, ome cheese and pepperoni, then spray them with olive oil.

Broil the peppers until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on them so that they don’t burn!

 

We’re talking about staying healthy during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

The holiday season can present problems for those living with diabetes. Add a global pandemic, and it’s even more challenging.Continuous care and support are important to staying on track with your diabetes wellness goals throughout the holidays.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Divabetic’s Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Games

In the game, you’re given three choices of popular foods. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. 

The happy healthcare host, Mr Divabetic plays the hilarious Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game with Mother Love and the attendees at the American Diabetes Association’s Expo in New York, NY.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game at Central Farm Markets in Bethesda, MD during our annual Bake Bethesda a Pie Contest over Labor Day Weekend 2012.

Mr. Divabetic hosts the new hilarious culinary podcast, Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game. A delicious combination of crazy food challenges and fresh perspectives on the latest food trends.

Tonight Mr. Divabetic discusses easy ways to go from ‘Farm To Fabulous’ with co-founders, Debra Moser and Mitchell Berliner of Central Farm Markets and one of the market’s featured vendors.

Our Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game challenge features jerusalem artichokes, kale and oranges. One lucky contestant must decide which choice they’d serve, which choice they’d taste and which one they’d trash. But will they regret their decision after hearing our guest culinary wizard’s mouthwatering recipes for each choice? Can low-sodium foods rate high in taste? Stay tuned.

Special guests include Wellness and Diabetes Coach, Ginger Vieira, the author of “Your Diabetes Science Experiment” and “Emotional Eating with Diabetes,” Co-founders of Central Farm Markets, Debra Moser and MeatCrafters owner, Mitchell Berliner, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’, the ‘Queen of the Green’ Miss Aida Romaine and Laura from Chattanooga, TN who is living with diabetes.

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Is Vegetable Oil Worse Than Sugar?

This morning, our friend and colleague, Dr. Lori Shemek, Ph tweeted “Did You Know? Vegetable Oil is Worse Than Sugar”.

I’ve never heard of this claim before, so I decided to google it. My findings are below. I strongly recommend that you do your own research and share your findings with your healthcare providers.

For years vegetable oil was considered a better alternative to saturated fats like butter. However, recent animal research suggests that when it comes to weight gain, soybean, canola, corn, and vegetable are making us fat, sick & harming brain health. These oils are highly processed damaging cellular health. Use olive oil, avocado oil, coconut, butter or ghee.

Photo by Roberta Sorge on Unsplash

Up until the 1950s, when butter and coconut oil were first wrongly blamed for the rise in heart disease, we weren’t eating these processed oils reports Eat This, Not That. So we’re just now seeing what years and years of eating the stuff can do.

In  Dr. Catherine Shanahan, MD’s book, Deep Nutrition: Why Your Genes Need Traditional Food, Shanahan explains that vegetable oils are the “brain’s worst enemy” because they increase the risk of brain conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. While she didn’t conduct a formal research study to back her claims, recent research by Professor Martin Grootveld of De Montfort University Leicester confirms Shanahan’s inklings.

We’re talking about a ‘New Year, New You‘ attitude about living with diabetes with musical inspiration from Aaliyah on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Although Aaliyah died at the age of 22 and had a short music career due to her early passing, the singer’s music helped to redefine R&B, pop, and even hip-hop. And her legacy continues to live on. Her hard work ethic, creativity, and her sweet demeanor have inspired fans over the past two decades.

Diabetes Late Nite podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Pendulum Therapeutics CEO and Co-Founder Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph. D., (the maker of Pendulum Glucose Control), Virginia Valentine, APRN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Dr. Darren Wayne from MealBetix and Yoga For Diabetes Author Rachel Zinman.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Aaliyah’s Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number album courtesy of SONY Music.

Tune in over 140 Diva TalkRadio podcasts available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’).

Get the latest in diva news, diabetes headlines and inspiration by joining our Divabetic facebook page.

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New Product: Low Carb Green Giant® French Onion Veggie Rings®

Green Giant has turned cauliflower into a low carb version of onion rings!

Their “onion rings,” are made with real cauliflower and come in two flavors: the Cauliflower Three Cheese with Bacon and Cauliflower French Onion

I tried a package of Green Giant® French Onion flavored Veggie Rings® and really enjoyed them! The texture was smilar to a real onion ring and the flavor was enjoyable.

Cauliflower is one of the most versatile and popular low-carb vegetables.  One cup (100 grams) of raw cauliflower contains 5 grams of carbs, 3 of which are fiber.

Some low-carb diets may have health benefits beyond weight loss, such as reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.  A low-carb diet generally limits grains, legumes, fruits, breads, sweets, pastas and starchy vegetables, and sometimes nuts and seeds.

Ingredients

Filling (cauliflower, Onion, Water, Dried Potatoes, Parmesan Cheese (part-skim Milk Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Corn Starch, Enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Methylcellulose, Salt, Dried Onion, Sodium Alginate, Guar Gum, Brown Sugar, Dried Green Onion, Butter, Spices, Powdered Molasses, Yeast Extract, Whey, Caramelized Sugar, Dried Vegetable Stock Carrot, Onion, Celery) Natural Flavors, Dried Garlic), Coating (enriched Flour (wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Whole Wheat Flour, Soybean Oil, Water, Corn Flour, Modified Corn Starch, Whey, Dextrose, Salt, Yeast, Sugar, Sodium Alginate, Soy Flour, Nonfat Milk, Paprika Extract (color), Natural Flavors, Eggs, Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda.)

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that carbohydrates make up 45% to 65% of your total daily calorie intake. So if you consume 2,000 calories a day, carbs would account for between 900 and 1,300 calories a day.

 

We’re talking about ’Eating Right, Being Bright’ during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. and his 16 piece big band.  Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music. Harry Connick, Jr.’s second Christmas album, Harry for The Holidays is as much a salute to his New Orleans musical roots as it is to the season.

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Why is Vanilla So Expensive?

Over the holiday I ran to the grocery store to buy vanilla to use in King Arthur Baking Company’s recipe for shortbread cookies using almond flour. The cost for a 2 oz. bottle of Pure Vanilla extract was a surprising $14.99!

Why is vanilla so expensive?

According to Business Insider vanilla is worth more by weight. Why?

Complex Pollination Process

Vanilla is actually a difficult plant to grow. The vines take 2-4 years to mature. The orchid flowers only bloom once a year and must be hand pollination on the same day.  Then it takes several months before the vanilla is ready to harvest.

Limited Quantity 

Additionally, over 80% of the world’s vanilla is grown on the island of Madagascar, which has been recently hit with terrible weather. Failed crop yields have caused the prices of vanilla beans to soar to nearly $600 per kilogram, which is 10 times more expensive than it was a few years ago.

High Demand

The demand for pure vanilla has skyrocketed because of the natural foods movement. Consumers don’t want food products containing artifical ingredients which has triggered many large food and beverage companies such as Nestle, General Mills, and Hershey to eliminate these ingredients from their products. Instead these large manufacturers are replacing cheaper articifial vanilla with real vanilla in the products. The public’s increasing desire for shorter ingredient statements and transparency in production practices and supply chains keeps the price rising and rising as demand continues to grow.

“Clean eating became more prevalent and mainstream with the initial push of plant-based eating several years ago, which began as a health-based trend focusing on whole or unprocessed foods and a back-to-basics view on diets,” said Cali Amos, the research manager for HealthFocus International as reported by Food Business News. “That, along with a major push toward a sustainable planet, crops and food sources, people are tying what they eat to the source of the food and not just how it affects their body but how it affects the world around them.”

Theft

Vanilla beans are now the target for theft because of their increased value. Many farmers have to guard their farms to prevent their beans from being stolen. As the stolen beans move up the supply chain, they get mixed in with legally purchased beans making it difficult for buyers to know which are which. The prevent theft, farmers pick the beans before they’re ripe and unripe beans means lower quality vanilla.

Climate Change

Cyclones are becoming increasingly more common in Madagascar and can easily wipe out vanilla crops. If this happens, it takes a year before new plants start producing beans. The limited supply works to drive prices for vanilla up.

We’re talking about ’Eating Right, Being Bright’ during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.  Our guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.  Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Low Calorie Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

This Macaroni & Cheese recipe from BlackDoctor.Org will have you eating more this great dish without the added weight. It feeds 6 and takes only 30 minutes.

Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

Low Calorie Macaroni & Cheese Recipe

Ingredients 
12 oz fusilli or elbow pasta
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup flour
2 cups 2% milk
1 cup vegetable broth
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 cup shredded colby cheese
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
cooking spray
salt and pepper to taste

READ FULL RECIPE 

 

Sodium Doesn’t Just Come From the Salt Shaker

Most of the sodium in our meals comes from packaged foods that contain sodium in a variety of forms, including as a preservative. Reading labels is important because even within a category, there can be huge differences in the sodium content. Many brands have reformulated and call out reduced sodium on the label so that is a good place to start when trying to lower sodium.

Other tips to reduce sodium include:

  • Rinsing canned veggies. Did you know that by draining and rinsing canned beans (a nutrition superstar) you can cut sodium by 40%?
  • Use herbs and spices for flavor instead of salt
  • Choose breads with less sodium

 

Fruits, veggies and dairy foods (all rich in potassium, calcium, and magnesium) can help lower blood pressure.

Did you know that nearly half of US adults have hypertension? High blood pressure is extremely common, but here are some ways to lower it?

LEARN MORE

Tune in to Divabetic’s Annual Luther Vandross Tribute podcast featuring Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Nat Adderley Jr.,  Dr. Khoshnevis, Danny Clay, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Luther Vandross’s album, ‘The Night I Fell In Love’ courtesy of SONY Music.

 

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Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

These easy to make pizza mini peppers are filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni then broiled until the cheese is melted and bubbly. It’s the perfect low carb appetizer for your holiday celebrations!

Easy Pizza Mini Peppers Recipe

Ingredients

You’ll only need 5 simple ingredients to make pizza mini peppers.  Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:

Bell Peppers: grab diffferent colors for a more festive looking appetizer

Pizza or spaghetti sauce: right out of the jar! Look for one lower in sodium

Shredded Mozzarella or Provolone cheese: shredded is great!

Pepperoni or small meatballs 

Directions

Start by cutting the peppers in half lengthwise and removing the membranes and the seeds.

Stuff the peppers with a little pizza sauce, ome cheese and pepperoni, then spray them with olive oil.

Broil the peppers until the cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on them so that they don’t burn!

 

We’re talking about staying healthy during the holiday season with musical inspiration from Harry Connick, Jr. on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

The holiday season can present problems for those living with diabetes. Add a global pandemic, and it’s even more challenging.Continuous care and support are important to staying on track with your diabetes wellness goals throughout the holidays.

Podcast guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Dan Houdeshell, Pendulum Glucose Control‘s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Orville Kolterman and Diabetes Meal Planning Made Easy, Author Hope Warshaw, MMSc, RD, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Harry For The Holidays album courtesy of SONY Music.

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