Tag: added sugar

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Divabetic Club 2025

Join us for our upcoming free Divabetic outreach program in partnership with the Frazier Family Coalition and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Saturday, November 8, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA.

For the past twenty years, Divabetic has been presenting free diabetes outreach in persona and online for thousands of women living with, at risk and affected by diabetes.

This month’s topic was ‘Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself.’

These free monthly motivational meetings are for people touched by diabetes in Philadelphia, PA, Cleveland, OH and New York.

Pattern Management is a skill that you can help you to manage your diabetes like a diva!

Mr. Divabetic talks to author Riva Greenberg about her new book, 50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life and the 50 Diabetes Truths That Can Save It at the Divabetic Club – NYC.

The Divabetic Club presents an upbeat mix of diabetes education and support. The safe environment of the Divabetic Club allows for participants to voice their failures and frustrations without judgement. It’s fondly referred to as a 12 step program for women living with diabetes by health professionals and patients alike.

Diabetes Late Nite podcast host, Mr. Divabetic and co-star Poet Lorraine Brooks joined comedians Tom Ragu and Nicky Sunshine on stage for a special performance at the Greenwich Village Comedy Club. As the member of the Diabetes Late Nite podcast team, Poet Lorraine Brooks writes original poems specifically for each monthly Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Mr. Divabetic challenges Poet Lorraine Brooks to play his favorite game, Shady Sugar to help raise awareness for the alarming amount of added sugar contained in many of today’s most popular beverages. If you play along you just might be surprised by the results: Dannon Dairy Drink Mango flavored (28 grams of sugar), VitaCoco Lemonade (30 grams of sugar), and Red Bull Energy Drink (39 grams of sugar).

Did you know the average American consumes around 22.2 teaspoons of added sugar every day? Both the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association (AHA) note that we should really be eating only a fraction of that amount. The AHA says that adult women should get 5 teaspoons (20 grams) of sugar per day, adult men 9 teaspoons (36 grams), and children 3 teaspoons (12 grams). If you quickly do the math, you’ll soon discover that one 12 fl oz Red Bull Energy Drink is way more than the recommended daily average.

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What Are You Putting On Your Plate To Replace What You’re Taking Off Of It

Changing our diet or mindset can feel like a daunting task, especially when it seems like others are breezing through the process. For our upcoming fee Divabetic outreach on Saturday, November 8, 2025, in Philadelphia, let’s engage in an activity that fosters open discussion and support.

In the comments, think about something you’re considering taking off your plate—maybe a beloved snack, emotion, habit or an indulgence. Then, share something you’d like to replace it with, perhaps a healthier alternative, attitude, or activity that excites you. This exchange can inspire and motivate us all on our journey toward better health.

For example, a friend of mine faced the challenging decision to eliminate gluten from his diet due to celiac disease. While the availability of gluten-free options has grown, it still requires significant adjustment, especially for someone who enjoys Italian cuisine. It’s certainly possible to embrace this change, but it’s important to recognize the difficulties that come with it.

I often recall the valuable insight from a Registered Dietitian who emphasized, “I focus on telling people what to put on their plate, not what to take off.” This perspective encourages us to view dietary changes as opportunities rather than restrictions.

Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by managing your diabetes? It’s completely understandable. Instead of focusing on what you can’t eat, why not shift your attention to the delicious options you can include on your plate?

One effective approach is the Plate Method, which can make mealtime both satisfying and manageable! Start by filling half of your plate with colorful non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts—these are not only nutritious but also add a lot of flavor.

Next, dedicate a quarter of your plate to lean proteins such as fish, chicken, beef, or soy foods. Lastly, don’t forget the carbs! The remaining quarter should be filled with wholesome carbohydrates like beans, whole grains, or pasta.

Puting The Plate Method into practice sounds simple, but it can be a bit tricky in practice. So, take your time and make gradual changes to your meals. You might find that tweaking your plate is a great way to enjoy your food while taking care of your health!

Let’s support each other by sharing our thoughts and experiences. Your participation can provide the encouragement we all need to make lasting changes together!

Looking forward to hearing from everyone!

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Princess Frog Poems: Rapunzel

Finally, all four of my Princess Frog sculptures are displayed for Halloween at West 69th Street in New York City.

I was overjoyed when a young girl pointed at each frog and said, “Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit, Ribbit.”

West 69th Street is one of New York City’s iconic Halloween Streets, where over 2,000 children trick-or-treat annually.

Rapunzel 

Once upon a time, there was a little frog,
Who lives in a pond, in a cozy little bog
One day, she meets a prince who is lost in the woods,
And she asks him kindly If she can do him any good.

 “Please help me find my way to the tower up ahead,
Where my dear Rapunzel lives with her long, luscious hair, unfed.”
The smart little frog knows the way, and she hops along the road,
Leading the prince until they reach the tower of cobblestone

But when they find Rapunzel l, She is no longer a maid,
But a slimy green frog, who has been cursed and betrayed.
The prince is surprised, But he takes the frog in his hands,
And kisses her on the cheek, Breaking the witch’s spell demands.

 And lo and behold, The frog turns into a princess fair,
With golden locks of hair and eyes like the sun’s glare.
Hand in hand, the happy couple go on their merry way, 

leaving the little frog to deal with the tower’s disarray.

On the floor, the frog sees Rapunzel‘s beautiful locks of hair

And decides to make a wig that she can wear
Next, she sees a big pile of pretty, lacy dresses
All of which seem fit for a Queen or Princess

Beautiful dresses covered with buttons and stripes, 

others with purple flowers in designs she likes 

The frog tries on a pink dress with long, pillowy sleeves
She looks in the mirror and decides it suits her to a tee
She hops to the bureau, where she finds a gold crown
She stares in the mirror, sees her reflection, and laughs out loud

Suddenly, she hears a creak when the couple opens the door
To find the little frog draped in velvet, pearls, and furs galore
Rapunzel and the Prince shriek at the frog in delight
Thrilled to see the frog beaming in jewels shining bright

Rapunzel runs to the little frog and gives her a squeeze
“You saved my life, little frog. Take whatever you please.”

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Halloween Extravaganza at the Cathedral Of St. John the Divine

Last night, I attended the Cathedral of St. John the Divine‘s beloved annual Halloween celebration, 

The night started with a ‘cello-ween’ performance by a scary skeleton musician. The haunting melodies filled the cathedral’s amber-hued walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.  Next, we enjoyed a screening of the silent film The Phantom of the Opera, from 1925, starring the incomparable Lon Chaney. I always thought Lon Chaney was a one-note performer best known for scary roles, but his performance as the Phantom was masterful. 

The film remains most famous for Lon Chaney’s ghastly, self-devised make-up, which was kept a studio secret until the film’s premiere.  The lighting design filled with shadows, the mythic Grand Opera House stage, cellar and river, the enormous cast, and the superb editing of this film make it a must-see movie.  


TV guide said, “One of the most famous horror movies of all time, The Phantom of the Opera, still manages to frighten after more than 60 years.”

Our screening featured a live organ accompaniment that heightened the horror and drama. After the film finished, we were treated to a parade of ghouls and goblins from the Mettawee River Theater Company. Performers emerged from the smile of a gigantic, grotesque clown to scare and delight us. 

The Mettawee River Theatre Company dramatizes myths, folk tales, and legends from diverse cultures. Their original theatre productions incorporate masks, puppets, and giant figures with music, movement, and text.  

Under the Artistic Direction of mask maker, designer, and director Ralph Lee, the Mettawee River Company experimented with means of presenting masks, puppetry, mythology, and theater in ways that led an audience to experience the powerful relationship between human beings, their ancestry, and the natural environment.

Janet and Rosetta Van der Voort, born in the 1800s, were two wealthy sisters whose father rarely let them leave the house unaccompanied. The one place they were allowed to visit was Central Park’s Wollman Rink, where they went ice skating in the winter. The two sisters never married, were lifelong best friends, and died a few months apart. Since their death, their ghostly spirits have been seen periodically skating together on the Central Park Pond, wearing the same red and purple outfits they wore over 100 years ago.

Divabetic pays tribute to the sisters’ spirits, hoping to encourage you to indulge in the creativity associated with Halloween instead of candy. Halloween’s record-breaking sugar consumption and its detrimental effects on overall health are scarier than any ghost story.

It’s been reported that consumers gobbled up a record $36.9 billion in candy, gum, mints, chocolate, and other confections in 2021. High dietary sugar intakes in the context of a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive sugar consumption.

The American Heart Association suggests limiting added sugars to less than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.

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Kitty Litter Sculpture Gets A New Corset

Last year’s Halloween sensation, Kitty Litter‘s new bustier, was my creative twist on French designer Thierry Mugler‘s futuristic designs, using a $0.99 roasting pan from my local Dollar Store. 

Thierry Mugler not only created fashion and couture, but he also invented perfumes, photographed his creations, and worked as a director, costume, and spectacle designer.

According to Madame Faction, Thierry Mugler’s fashion is – first and foremost – intrinsically linked to the aesthetic of the 1980s and 90s: The hyper-feminine, body-hugging silhouettes, narrow waists, extremely broad shoulders, bold colors, and the vital power dressing aspect breathe the Zeitgeist of 80s and 90s fashion

Unfortunately, last year’s candy-encrusted bustier didn’t survive the intense summer heat and the rat infestation of ’23 (I still have nightmares about it).

Kitty Litter was my response to people’s upsetting claims on social media that only certain types of people can be mermaids following the release of the live-action Little Mermaid movie. I believe anyone can be a mermaid, so I made a sculpture depicting a cat as a mermaid to prove my point. 

Personally, I loved watching singer and actress Halle Bailey in the title role in Disney’s live-action Little Mermaid.

I also wanted to raise awareness for single-use plastic consumption. Over two months, I collected my single-use plastics, including water bottles, take-out food containers, cups, straws, and food packages, which really opened my eyes to the staggering amount of trash I contribute to the environmental crisis. 

Single-use plastic is as prevalent as added sugar in our food and drinks. It’s easy to consume too much without realizing it. Most people know that added sugar is in soda, sweetened tea and coffee, energy drinks, fruit drinks, candy, ice cream, sweetened yogurts, flavored and/or sweetened milk, breakfast cereals, and bars. But added sugar is found in bread, condiments, dairy-based foods, nut butter, salad dressings, sauces, and even some “healthy” cereal.

The average American consumes more than 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, more than the recommended amount. Consuming too much-added sugar can lead to health problems such as tooth decay, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

I took a break from writing Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcasts to focus on my Halloween displays and the related book, Once Upon A Slime.

This year, Kitty Litter’s final appearance will be on Halloween Street at West 69th Street in New York City.

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Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurts

Have you tried Chobani’s Zero Sugar yogurts? If so, please share your comments to add to our upcoming blog post. 

Small changes can help manage diabetes, but where do you start? Many zero-sugar, less-sugar, and reduced-sugar foods have a strange aftertaste or leave you unsatisfied and wanting to eat more. The more these products proliferate in grocery store aisles, the more hopeless our search becomes. We’d love to hear what works or doesn’t for achieving your diabetes health goals. Let’s help each other out with some valuable insights!

Mr. Divabetic talks to nationally-recognized Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND about The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes digital download.

Podcast guests include Catherine Schuller, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RD, CDCES, MaryAnn Horst Nicolay, MEd, NDTR, and MamaRose Marie. Hosted by Mr. Divabetic.

With a few simple swaps, you can help live your best life while managing your diabetes. Our experts offer straightforward, simple, and fun swap ideas for drinks, medications, self-care, and fashion. Plus, we share style tips and words of inspiration to help you maintain a healthy habit.

Developing these habits isn’t always easy. Adapting to a new routine can be tricky, and it’s often tempting to want to return to old ways if we don’t see immediate results. One of the biggest mistakes people make when forming a new habit is taking on too much too quickly.  Focus on what’s working in your diabetes self-care plan before overhauling diabetes management. Instead of decluttering the entire house, why not focus on one room or closet? Why not focus on the calories you drink rather than everything you eat?  If you want to eat healthier, try replacing one dessert daily with a piece of fruit rather than cutting out sugar completely. If you’re going to get into hiking, start with a walk at lunchtime. Setting small goals you can achieve will help keep you motivated along the way.


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Divabetic Salutes Sade

Sade’s music has been a staple in the hearts of millions for five decades. With over 50 million records sold worldwide, Sade’s music has been a constant reminder that true talent doesn’t need to be loud or flashy. She has always let her music speak for itself. 

Although her body of work is considered paltry by industry standards, her music has been covered by everyone from Frank Ocean and Lauryn Hill to Herbie Hancock. Sade and the band seem obsessed with less rather than more.

 This dedication to her craft has made Sade a mystery to her fans even after all these years. She rarely does interviews and shares very little about her personal life, but her music has been covered by some of the biggest names in the industry. 

If you have yet to experience Sade’s music live, you’re missing out. When I attended her Madison Square Garden concert, I was blown away. She and her band were positioned behind a scrim on stage, adding an air of mystery to the atmosphere. Although we could see through the scrim, her lighting technicians projected colors and images, providing an extra visual treat for the audience. The show was fantastic, from the mesmerizing visuals to the smooth, calming sounds. 

I fell in love with Sade’s sophisticated jet-set, jazzy romance stories from her first album, Diamond Life. Whether it’s ‘Your Love Is King,’ ‘Smooth Operator,’ or ‘Hang on to Love,’ Their music transported me from the ordinary suburban to a swanky European cafe and the sands of St. Topez.

 “Kiss Of Life” is my fantasy wedding song. Sade’s voice and the band’s sultry rhythm make it sound timeless to me.

“It’s strange because most bands are forgotten about when there is a long hiatus between albums, but with us, it seems the opposite, particularly in the last few years,” Sade told GQ Magazine. 

Her music is a reminder that sometimes less is more and true talent always stays in style. 

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Added sugar is everywhere. But do we understand the impact it has on our diabetes health? 
You may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit if asked to name sugary foods. However, sugar also appears in savory foods such as ready meals, soups, salads, sauces, and ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake. 

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller, Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from ‘The Essential Sade’ album courtesy of SONY Music. If asked to name sugary foods, you may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit.
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Kevin James Jokes About Prediabetes

Kevin James talks about the confusion and prevalence of a PreDiabetes diagnosis in this comedy routine.

Approximately 98 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Of those with prediabetes, more than 80% don’t know they have it.

While his routine is funny, it’s also misleading. His approach to brushing it off is problematic because prediabetes is a chance to reset and take action. Prediabetes is a serious health condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes.

Letting it slide, a Prediabetes diagnosis will eventually lead to type 2 diabetes. With equal amounts of regret and self-judgment on top of this new diagnosis, no one is setting themselves up for a ‘win.’

Join a National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program for more guidance and support. This program teaches you how to make gradual lifestyle changes that increase your chances of reversing prediabetes. You’ll have access to professional advice and a community of others on a similar journey to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. You can joke all you want as you work to achieve optimum health!

Gospel Singer Pat Lacy, who has worked with The Sounds of Blackness and Luther Vandross, shares her experience living with type 2 diabetes and how she modified her lifestyle to take charge of her health.

One positive side effect of Kevin’s comedy routine is that Kelly Clarkson revealed her Prediabetes diagnosis sparked her weight loss journey. The TV show host turned her health around by walking, eating a healthy mix of foods, and not depriving herself of an occasional treat.

Not everyone can indulge in a treat. My friend, health guru Kathie Dolgin, known as ‘High Voltage,’ can’t stop eating sugar once she has it. High Voltage chooses not to eat added sugar. She doesn’t believe in deprivation, so she’s found ways to satisfy her sweet tooth with natural sugars and alternatives. High Voltage joins me on this podcast!

Dr. Stephen Bracci & special guest Kath Dolgin discuss the standard American diet.

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How Much Sugar Is In Starbucks Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino?

Starbucks Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino combines apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar in your brew to taste apple pie filling.

You might assume you’re ordering something healthy because it contains oat milk, but think again: Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccinos pack a big sugar punch!!

According to the Starbucks website,  a Grande size Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappuccino contains 60 grams (or 15 teaspoons) of sugar. Additional nutrition information: Total Carbohydrates: 70 grams, Calories:420

Oat milk is a non-dairy milk alternative like soy and almond milk. An 8-ounce glass of oat milk contains 4 grams of protein compared to dairy milk, which has twice as much: 8 grams of protein in every 8-ounce glass.

But this grain-based milk is gluten-free, and many brands are free from the major allergens.

Oat milk and dairy milk also differ in carbohydrate content. Original varieties of oat milk can have up to 24 grams of carbohydrates per serving, while dairy milk has 12 grams.

Expert Tip: The American Diabetes Association recommends you look at the Total Carbohydrate instead of the Net Carbson the Nutrition Facts label. The total carbohydrate on the label includes all three types of carbohydrates: sugar, starch, and fiber.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends eating no more than 12.5 teaspoons of sugar daily, or about 50 grams (the same amount found in Starbucks’ super popular Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte and a 16 oz. bottle of Coke!).  You are having a day’s worth of sugar in one drink!

Limiting added sugar consumption to 10 percent of a person’s daily total calories is the idea. Americans get about 16 percent of their calories from added sugars on average.

How Much Added Sugar Are You Drinking?

America’s #1 Energy Conductor, Kathie Dolgin aka High Voltage, shows how much added sugar is in popular drinks in this video – it’s shocking!! 4.2 grams equals a teaspoon, but the nutrition facts round this number down to four grams. Using this equation, you can easily look at any drink to see how much sugar it contains.

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller,  Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from The Essential Sade album courtesy of SONY Music.

Over time, consistently taking in more sugar will lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t easily take up glucose from your blood, leading to prediabetes.

Prediabetes means your blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Help Us Light the Way During National Diabetes Awareness Month (November)

Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Did you know that over 80% don’t know they have it? Prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

This November, join Divabetic’s Blue Candle initiative and encourage your friends, co-workers, and family members to be screened for pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a quick, easy online Pre-Diabetes risk test.

Prediabetes Risk Test

Be by their side when they check, and share your experience of living well with diabetes so they can see that living well with diabetes is possible. Together, we can help others come out of the dark, address their diabetes health status, and start living their lives to the fullest.

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McDonald’s Phases Out Self-Serve Soda Fountains

According to the State Journal-Register of Illinois, McDonald’s plans to phase out the do-it-yourself stations, eliminating them over the next decade as franchise owners cite hygiene, theft, and consumer eating habits.

Slashing soft drinks from your diet is a quick way to improve your health and lose weight. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks are the leading sources of added sugars in the American diet. Frequently drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout, a type of arthritis. But giving up your soda habit isn’t always an easy task. While some people can function just fine without soft drinks, others need their fix starting at breakfast.

Soda Is Engineered To Make You Drink More 

According to Gary Wenk, director of neuroscience undergraduate programs at Ohio State University and author of “Your Brain on Food,” it’s all in the beverage’s design.” He believes your favorite soft drink brand is engineered with enough sweetener, caffeine, and carbonation to make you continuously want to grab and gulp.

“Free refills are a big draw for people,” Kim Derringer, who operates three McDonald’s franchises in Springfield, Ill., told The State-Journal Register.

“I don’t see anything taking that away.”

Most People Don’t Know How Many Calories Are In Soda 

Even though it’s widely known that soda can contribute to weight gain, most adults don’t know how many calories are in a bottle of soda, a new study reveals.

The research, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and based on data from 3,926 adults, shows that eight in 10 adults — 84.4 percent — know that sugar-sweetened beverages can promote weight gain. However, nearly the same percentage of adults — 81 percent — did not know (or inaccurately stated) the number of calories in 24 ounces of soda. (There are 251 to 350 calories in a 24-ounce soda).

If you’re having a soft drink on occasion – say a few times per month – there’s no need for concern. But if you’re having more than one soda per day, you could be putting yourself at risk for health conditions, stroke, and dementia.

“The key is finding (another) beverage you enjoy,” Msora-Kasago said. “Unsweetened milk is always a great place to start because in addition to quenching thirst, milk provides many important nutrients such as protein and calcium.”

We’re talking about ‘THE SWEETEST TABOO’ aka ‘SUGAR’ with musical inspiration from Sade on this episode of Divabetic’s podcast.

Added sugar is everywhere. But do we understand the impact it has on our diabetes health?

You may think of sweets, chocolate, sodas, table sugar, and perhaps fruit if asked to name sugary foods. But sugar also appears in savory foods such as ready meals, soups, salads, sauces, and ‘healthy’ foods such as breakfast cereals and yogurt. Furthermore, starches such as bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes also convert to sugar in our bloodstream, having the same impact on our bodies. These ‘hidden sugars’ can add a surprising amount to our daily intake.

Guests include Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Tameka Milline, Catherine Schuller, Kathy Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’, and Stephanie MacKendree. Throughout the podcast, we play music from The Essential Sade album courtesy of SONY Music.

Help Us Light the Way During National Diabetes Awareness Month (November)

Approximately 96 million American adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes. Did you know that over 80% don’t know they have it? Prediabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

This November, join Divabetic’s Blue Candle initiative and encourage your friends, co-workers, and family members to be screened for pre-diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers a quick, easy online Pre-Diabetes risk test.

Prediabetes Risk Test

Be by their side when they check, and share your experience of living well with diabetes so they can see that living well with diabetes is possible. Together, we can help others come out of the dark, address their diabetes health status, and start living their lives to the fullest.

 

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