It only takes is trying to read one food label for anyone to become extremely frustrated when trying to decipher exactly how much added sugar is contained in a specific food product. Unfortunately for us many food marketers like ot use sexy-sounding health-claims, fancy buzzwords, and seemingly “good-for-you” taglines that make it downright difficult to know what types of foods actually contain added sugar in them, and which ones do not.
To tell if a processed food contains added sugars, you need to look at the list of ingredients and have a dictionary handy. Sugar has many other names. Besides those ending in “ose,” such as maltose or sucrose, other names for sugar include high fructose corn syrup, molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey or fruit juice concentrates. Learn more about reading food labels.
For the record, the American Heart Association’s recommended maximum amount of added sugars is much lower than the amount most Americans consume. For most American women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. For men, it’s 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons. he AHA recommendations focus on all added sugars, without singling out any particular types such as high-fructose corn syrup.For more detailed information and guidance on sugar intake limits, see the scientific statement(link opens in new window) in the August 2009 issue of Circulation, Journal of the American Heart Association.
My food friend and mentor, health and wellness pioneer Kathie Dolgin aka ’High Voltage’ has a wonderful mantra ’no more than 24 grams in 24 hours’ that makes it easy to remember.
Here’s why:
The phrase, “No Sugar Added” or “No Added Sugar” on packaged foods is our #1 pet peeve. For one, it’s everywhere lately (especially since it’ll be mandatory on labels by 2018). It’s also tricking you into thinking you’re purchasing something that it’s not (that is, a nutritious food for you and your family!).
According to the FDA, food manufacturers may use the term “no added sugar” if “no amount of sugars, or any other ingredient that contains sugars that functionally substitute for added sugars is added during processing or packaging.” The loophole? Juice, of course. It’s made up of the simplest sugars on the planet, allowing it to immediately enter your digestive tract and be absorbed by the cells of your bloodstream.
While the FDA states that “concentrated fruit juice” can’t be used as a sweetener in a product labeled “no sugar added,” you bet many food products can still use “fruit juice from concentrate” (water plus fruit concentrate) as a form of added sugar.
You’re better off eating the whole fruit, not just the juice that fruit contains — regardless of the processing technique, price point, packaging, or celebrity endorser.
Added sugars contribute zero nutrients but many added calories that can lead to extra pounds or even obesity, thereby reducing heart health.
Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage’ talks about added sugar and shares an easy way to stay on track with your daily sugar consumption on October’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Sade. LISTEN NOW
are you sure that it’s ok
to eat that Chinese food?
Yes, it is, and I can say
I think you’re being rude.
I do not want to be observed
With everything I eat.
The food that I prepared and served
Is savory, and sweet.
What you don’t see is how I count
My carbs, my fats, my fruit.
To,make sure that the right amount
Is what I did compute.
So please believe that I do know
Exactly what I’m doing
And even if it doesn’t show
I’m sure what I’m pursuing.
If you see some onion rings
Or maybe eggs and bacon
Trust that I’m aware of things
And that I’m not mistaken.
Sometimes I eat pasta too
And pizza topped with cheese.
I do not need advice from you
So do not give it, please.
We people who have diabetes
Eat all kinds of food.
From oatmeal, grits and even Wheaties
And chicken, barbequed.
It’s ok to ask a question
To better comprehend.
But remember it’s just your impression.
And I do not have to defend.
So you eat yours, And I’ll eat mine
And we’ll enjoy our dinners.
Just realize where to draw the line,
And we’ll all come out winners!
LISTEN: Poet Lorraine Brooks reads ‘Don’t Hate My Plate’ on July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from Patti Austin. We’re celebrating our 8th Year Podcasting Anniversary talking about ‘I Know What You ATE Last Summer’ with Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.Throughout this podcast we will be featuring songs from ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
What words do you bring to the table? Fine Artist Susan McCaslin’s Plate Poetry Project will be on display at Mosaic Central Farm Market on Sunday, September 16, 2018 as part of Divabetic’s Collar Greens Wellness Day & Dog Parade outreach program.
Since summer cookouts, state fairs, amusement parks and waterside food vendors offer plenty of temptation to throw off your diabetes wellness we reached out to Author Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND for advice on the summer foods you should try avoid, and healthier options you can feel free to enjoy.
Jill’s latest book Prediabetes: A Complete Guideprovides choices, flexibility, worksheets, recipes, and much more to help you get started to a healthier you. She be talking about her new book and sharing nutrition advice onDivabetic’s 8th Anniversary podcast (‘I Know What You ATE Last Summer’) featuring music by Patti Austin on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 6 PM, EST,
Below are some of Jill’s healthier alternatives to the Summer’s most popular foods and drinks that we feel will silence even the most annoying members of the ‘Food Police’.
Q: It seems like the deep fryer gets the most use during the Summer judging from the menu at summer festivals, carnivals and amusement parks. What’s your healthy alternative to fried clams?
A: Anything deep fried has to be a ‘now-and-then’ food. And if you’re going to eat a now-and-then food, it’s smart to eat it surrounded with a plate of healthful foods like fruits and vegetables, not more fried food. If I were to make the clam cakes, I’d serve them with fresh fruit, a roasted vegetable and perhaps some boiled red potatoes or zucchini noodles with Parmesan cheese. I suggest this fried clams recipe.
Q: The only thing better than watching the sunset on a beach on a Hot Summer night is to be watching it while sipping a frozen drink. Our favorite is a Strawberry Daiquiri. What do you recommend?
A: Daiquiris tend to be loaded with calories and added sugar. For a light alcoholic drink, mix a favorite wine with seltzer for a wine spritzer. If you really feel that you need something fancier, opt for a light Cape Codder: light cranberry juice and a shot of vodka, topped off with a slice of orang
Be careful with alcohol. Even small amounts loosen inhibitions, which might mean more eating.
Q: How about alternatives to two of the Summer’s most popular beverages: Sweet Tea and Lemonade?
A: I adore flavored waters, especially since they save tons of calories and added sugars. If your water doesn’t taste crisp and refreshing, attaching a filter to your faucet or filling a filter pitcher may be all you need to brighten the taste. But if water is just plain boring, you can flavor it without sugar. Experiment with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Try any of these: Cucumber slices and mint or lavender, Orange slices or orange and lemon slice, and Lemon slices and grated gingerroot. See MORE OPTIONSI also really enjoy making my own seltzer in my sodastream. I can flavor it with a bit of juice or fresh fruit. Another alternative is the great selection of LaCroix waters.
Q: My Dad used to pile my plate with an extra helping of his shell macaroni salad. What foods can you recommend to fill my plate with instead?
A: Add vegetables to bulk up the portion for less calories and less carbohydrates. Plus, they’ll help boost nutrition. But you don’t necessarily have to skip the macaroni or potato salad in order to stick to your meal plan. Simply add in your favorite non-starchy vegetables to dilute the pasta or potato. To dress your salad, use light mayo, mashed avocado or a vinegar based dressing. Here’s my Veggie-Packed Potato Salad (feel free to use it and the photo with attribution): https://jillweisenberger.com/resistant-starch-what-foods-have-it-and-a-recipe/
Q: Our family used to drive to Bill Wahl’s Ice Cream when I was growing up in Rochester, NY for a treat to beat the Summer Heat but now that I’m older I’m looking for a satisfying alternative to ice cream. What do you recommend?
A: I have two yogurt-based recipes on my website that are good substitutes. Both are lower in calories and added sugars than an equivalent amount of ice cream. And they’ve got the bonus of both protein and fruit!
“Yogurt is another favorite food. Some studies link yogurt to less risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And that’s something I care a lot about!, ” says Jill Weisenberger.
Ingredients
1 cup frozen mixed berries or berries and pitted cherries (about 4.7 ounces)
1 (5.3-ounce) container of nonfat strawberry Greek or Icelandic yogurt ( I used Siggi’s brand
Instructions
Place both ingredients into a food processor or powerful blender and mix thoroughly.
Transfer the contents into a freezer-safe container, and freeze for at least two hours.
If desired, garnish with fresh mint leaves or chocolate shavings.
Serves: 1 cup.
Nutrition Information: Serving size: ½ cup Calories: 90 Fat: <1g Saturated fat: 0g Trans fat: 0g Carbohydrates: 15gSodium: 25mg Fiber: 2g Protein: 8g Cholesterol: 0mg
“If you plan your meals with diabetes Exchanges, count this full recipe as 1 Milk and 1 Fruit,” says Jill Weisenberger. She adds, “Researchers in Finland found that berries were associated with less risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Men who consumed the most berries were 35% less likely to develop the disease.”
Ingredients
1 cup plain nonfat strained yogurt (Greek or Icelandic)
1 cup frozen mixed berries or frozen mixed berries with cherries
1 tablespoon sweetener of choice
2 tablespoons nonfat milk or any tart juice (cranberry, pomegranate, cherry)
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a blender or a container for an immersion blender. Process until smooth.
Notes: If you are not using frozen fruit, you will need to add several ice cubes to make the smoothie thick.
Q: Bill Wahl’s also serves burgers. What’s a satisfying healthier burger alternative?
A: experiment with veggie burgers for a dose of fiber and plant protein over a traditional burger heavy in unhealthful saturated fats. Something my family really enjoys is serving a turkey burger inside the center of a large portabello mushroom.
Prediabetes can be scary, but it’s also an opportunity—an opportunity to “reset,” to improve your health, and to get yourself in better shape than ever. Let ‘Prediabetes: A Complete Guide’show you how!
Jill Weisenberger’s comprehensive guide, ‘Prediabetes: A Complete Guide’will lead you through dozens of concrete steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Taking an individualized approach to your lifestyle “reset,” this book will allow you to choose your own path to wellness, help you gain a greater sense of wellbeing, boost your confidence in your abilities to maintain a healthful lifestyle, and potentially even help you reverse prediabetes and avoid type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses. You’ll be feeling better than you have in years! Inside, you will learn to:
Identify your risks for developing type 2 diabetes
Set personalized and meaningful behavioral goals
Identify and build on your motivation for a lifestyle reset
Create positive new habits
Change eating habits for weight loss and greater insulin sensitivity
Choose wholesome foods in the supermarket and when away from home
Tweak your favorite recipes
Reduce sedentary time
Start or improve upon an exercise plan
Reduce emotional eating
Organize and track your progress with tools included in the book
Much more
Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND is a great resource for all things nutrition, food and diabetes. Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, her candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.
TUNE IN: On Tuesday, July 10th, we’re talking about the ‘FOOD POLICE’ on our 8th Year Anniversary podcast featuring music by Patti Austin at 6 PM, EST. How often have you been confronted by family members, co-workers and friends on inappropriate food policing? If you get defensive they quickly turn the tables on you. They insist that you are being too sensitive, or that they are doing it out of love, or that they aren’t ganging up on you—they just all care about you so much. What can you do? We will be discussing this topic with Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.
Instead of a frozen strawberry daiquiri, drink water!
Most of us would sooner roll our eyes than adhere to this helpful, overzealous healthy eating advice. But does that mean we’re not taking our diabetes seriously? Or are we a bad person?
Although water is the obvious healthier option, the two choices aren’t even comparable which doesn’t seem to bother our well-intentioned friends, co-workers and family members aka ‘The Food Police’. They like to share stringent suggestions while strictly adhering to a ‘do as I say, not as I do’ code of conduct at family gatherings or celebrations. But our their good intentions helpful or hurtful?
The ‘Food Police’ is the topic of July’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast entitled ‘I Know What You Ate Last Summer’ on Tuesday, July 12, 2018, 6 PM, EST. Those well meaning friends, family members and co-workers in your life who like to imply you’re good or bad for choosing a certain food. Their ‘helpfulness’ can lead to guilt and shame over food choices and make you loathe your diabetes self-care. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros’ Foundation, and Mama Rose Marie.
Confused about Food?
If you are, you’re not alone. When you go online to seek advice you’ll find a dozen different ideas on the right way to eat to manage your blood sugars and they all contradict each other. It is very confusing, but it will all fall into place eventually, especially if you connect with a Registered Dietitian(RD) who’s a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). You can find such a person at EatRight.org.
A Registered Dietitian (RD) can help you to create a personalized nutrition care plan to help manage your blood sugar levels throughout the day, prevent further health complications, and feel your best,
Have you got a blood glucose meter? If not, we recommend that you get one. You can use it to test out your meals by check before you eat then again 2 hours after your first bite. The difference in the readings will show you how that meal affected your blood sugar levels. You may have some shocks, and you may have some nice surprises, but it is the only way to learn. Our bodies are all different. We are all on different (or no) medications, at different stages of the disease, so what is right for one may not be right for another.
What’s a healthy alternative to a Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri?
1. Make your own Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri at home. Most home-cooked meals have less calories, sugar, and fat than meals out and the same holds true for stay at home cocktails. The main ingredients are frozen strawberries, lime juice, lemon juice and a bit of sugar or honey. And, if you opt for alcohol you can decide how much rum to use. Don’t forget that a frozen strawberry daiquiri, made from strawberry schnapps, rum, lime juice, sugar and strawberries, contains about 220 calories and 34 grams of carbohydrates. If you’re trying to lose weight than drinking a few of these isn’t the best option.
2. Opt for a nonalcoholic version. You won’t save many calories but you will cut down on the added sugars from the liqueurs.
3. Alternate between a frozen strawberry daiquiri and a glass of water. As an added bonus, drinking plenty of water at the bar will likely reduce the chance of waking up with a hangover.
Keep in mind, while moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar level — sometimes causing it to drop into dangerous levels, especially for people with type 1 diabetes. Alcohol can interfere with the positive effects of oral diabetes medicines or insulin.
What’s moderate alcohol consumption?
Moderate alcohol consumption is considered 2 drinks/day for men; 1 for women. One drink contains 14 grams of alcohol meaning: one 12 oz beer (5% alcohol), one 5 oz glass of wine (12%) or one 1.5 oz of hard liquor (40% or 80 proof). It does appear that alcohol itself, and not the source, is responsible for the benefits.
Best-Selling Cookbook author Holly Clegg guests on March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast, shares her wonderful Cuban recipe to help you add some flavor to your menu without compromising your health.
Holly says, “Easy to toss into a crock pot for a wonderfully flavored Cuban beef stew-style recipe.Serve over rice or with tortillas.” She adds, “If using a cooker larger than what’s called for increase everything proportionately, making sure the cooker is at least half to no more than two-thirds full.
Ropa Vieja Slow Cooker Recipe fromAlimentándose bien durante el cáncer: Recetas fáciles y recomendaciones durante y después del tratamiento.
Ingredients
2 pounds flank steak, trimmed of fat
1 cup fat-free beef broth
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 green bell pepper, cored and sliced into strips
1 onion, sliced into strips
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon vinegar
Directions
1.In 3 1/2-6-quart slow cooker, insert plastic liner if desired.Place flank steak in slow cooker.Add remaining ingredients.Cover, and cook on LOW 8-10 hours or on high 4 hours or until meat is very tender.
2.When meat is very tender, remove from slow cooker and shred meat with fork. Serve in sauce.
Makes 8 servings
Nutritional information per serving: Calories 197 kcal, Calories from fat 42%, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 48 mg, Sodium 378 mg, Carbohydrates 7 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Total Sugars 5 g, Protein 21 g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat
Nutrition Nugget: Make this even easier by cutting up vegetables the night before so are ready to go in morning. Cut slow-cooking vegetables, such as carrots, into small pieces. Cut quick-cooking vegetables, such as sweet peppers into bigger pieces. Can serve over couscous, polenta, or rice, if desired.
With over 1 million cookbooks sold,Holly Clegg has become a culinary expert on easy healthy everyday recipes through her nationally recognized best-selling trim & TERRIFIC® and Eating Well cookbook series, including Eating Well Through Cancer, (English, Spanish and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis and Diabetic Cooking with the American Diabetes Association.
This newly revised and expanded 15-year anniversary edition of Holly’s Eating Well Through Cancerincludes chapters on nourishing foods that are best tolerated to ease common side effects such as nausea, sore mouth and throat, taste changes, neutropenia and weight loss. With easy everyday recipes using familar ingredients, you’ll find this book an invaluable recipe resource for cancer prevention
Holly Clegg attended the Cordon Bleu Cooking School, London. For more information, visit About Holly or The Healthy Cooking Blog for more recipes and tips.
LISTEN NOW: Mr. Divabetic shines the spotlight on author and chef, Holly Clegg, in this half-hour special edition of Diva Talk Radio. This fun-filled food frenzy will feature expert advice on quick, flavorful and healthy eating from Holly’s latest book, ‘Too Hot in the Kitchen: Secrets to Sizzle at Any Age’
LISTEN NOW: March’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast inspired by Celia Cruz. Guests include Cookbook Author Holly Clegg, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, CDN, Poet Lorraine Brooks, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach and Mama Rose Marie.
We’re talking about ‘COUPLES& DIABETES’ on February’s Diabetes Late Nitepodcast on Tuesday, February, 13, 2018. 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.
How we deal with the pressures of diabetes can make a real difference to the relationships we have with others including friends, family, work colleagues or one off acquaintances.
I reached out to my friend, and colleague, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, who isa Certified Diabetes Educator and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for her advice on the subject in an exclusive interview for the Divabetic community.
Q: What are the common do’s and don’ts for engaging your spouse in your diabetes care?
Janis Roszler (JR): Ask, don’t assume.Ask your partner if they would like your help.If they say yes, ask what they would like you to do.
(JR): Learn about diabetes.The more you know, the more comfortable you are likely to feel.For example, your partner’s occasional high blood sugar level is not a problem. Complications develop when blood sugar levels remains high for an extended period of time.
(JR): Don’t be offended if your partner turns down your offer to help.Many people prefer to do certain tasks themselves.
(JR): Don’t enter the “parent trap.”You don’t want to turn into your partner’s nagging mother or father! Calmly share your concerns then ask how you can help.
Q: What is helpful and not helpful in their interactions with each other?
(JR): Watch your non-verbal communication.Rolling your eyes or turning away communicates a negative message as clearly as yelling.When you speak to your partner, turn your body towards them, employ good eye contact and listen to what they say.Don’t think about your response while they are speaking.Good listening communicates heartfelt concern.
Q: What advice can you give spouses/partners who argue about diabetes?
(JR): Most couples fight.The trick is to fight fair and repair hurt feelings at the end of the argument.Here are some rules for fighting fair:
Make an appointment to discuss the issue.Find a time when you both aren’t distracted.
Stay on topic.If you are upset about a certain problem, don’t bring up other issues that also bother you.
Don’t bring up the past.Avoid phrases like “you always…” or “you never…”They make people feel attacked.
Focus on the problem, not the person.Don’t call your partner stupid, forgetful or any other negative term.That can cause hurt feelings and prompt your partner to attack you back. The problem is the issue, not your partner.
If things get heated, take a break. When people feel angry or attacked, they stop listening. They also have a harder time feeling compassion. If things get out of hand, take a break. Set a time to resume the discussion.
End in a supportive way. After the fight, try to connect in a loving way.Hug, laugh, go for a walk, etc.Invest in your relationship.
Q: What advice can you give to spouses/partners of people with diabetes who don’t want to manage their diabetes?
(JR): You can’t control another person’s behavior.Let your partner know that you are there for them, but try not to nag or guilt them into changing their behavior.It will only stress your relationship. It is hard to watch someone ignore or mismanage their health.If watching them becomes too overwhelming, meet with a therapist who can help you deal with the situation.
Q: What advice can you give to spouses who may be afraid that their partners will develop diabetes health-related complications?
(JR): The good news is that people who manage their diabetes well dramatically reduce their risk of complications.Discuss how you can support their efforts to stay healthy.If they are open to it, join them at a diabetes class or appointment with their health provider, so you can learn what they need and how you may be able to help.
Q: Hypoglycemia is upsetting, both for people with diabetes and their partners. Both get scared, both get frustrated, and both can get angry, at each other and at the diabetes. What advice can you offer on this subject?
(JR): Create a diabetes emergency plan before a problem develops.Which snacks should be in the house?What should you say if you think your partner’s blood sugar is dropping? If your partner wears a pump and has an unexpected blood sugar swing, what should you do?Etc. If you have unanswered questions, join your loved one at an upcoming appointment with their healthcare provider and ask what they suggest.
Q:Many people use glucose monitoring devices that can share data. Are there any guidelines for partners who monitor their spouse’s blood sugar data on their iPhones, etc.?
(JR): Some people feel great comfort knowing that their partner is watching their blood sugar level.Others prefer to keep these results private.Ask how your partner feels about sharing this information.If you see that their blood sugar level is going out of range, how would they like you to communicate this information?When should you tell them?This is all very personal and should be discussed before the situation arises.
Q:Divabetic is honored to participate in Diabetes Podcast Weekto raise awareness for the ‘Spare a Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. This a wonderful cause encourages people to take the typical “dozen roses,” so popular on Valentine’s Day, and donate the value of one rose to help save the life of a child living with diabetes in developing countries. (The International Diabetes Foundation estimates that there almost 500,000 children under 15 years with type 1 diabetes. Lack of access to insulin remains a common cause of death in a child with diabetes.) Make your donation tonight by visiting the International Diabetes Federation (idf.org).
In the spirit of Diabetes Podcast Week, I’d like to ask you what some guidelines are for creating boundaries between parents and children with diabetes?
(JR): Visit the Children with Diabetes organization (childrenwithdiabetes.com).They run wonderful programs and offer online support for parents of children who have diabetes. Learn how other parents handle boundary issues.If your child is ready, encourage them to gradually start to do age appropriate self-care tasks, so they can become more independent.Let them know that they can come to you if any task doesn’t go as planned.
Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and insulin pump trainer. She is the author of several books as well as the popular Dear Janis column in Diabetes Positive! Magazine and contributes to Diabetes Health, Diabetes Forecast, Diabetes Interview, and Diabetes Self-Management . She is also a speaker on diabetes-related topics and has appeared on numerous radio programs and Internet webcasts.
In this book, three experts deliver advice on issues such as handling nagging friends and relatives, injecting insulin discreetly while dining out, bringing up the subject of blood sugar highs and lows before turning out the bedroom lights, and avoiding diabetes urgencies becoming emergencies. Also included are practical tools like exercises, quizzes, questions, checklists, and coping strategies.
One of Janis Roszler’s other books, Sex & Diabetesis the first book ever to deal exclusively with sexual problems as they relate to diabetes— and the only book to discuss issues that relate to both men and women.
It also shows you how sexual problems can be prevented or delayed and discusses treatments options that currently exist. Sex & Diabetes highlights the value of communication between sexual partners and the importance of having an open relationship with healthcare professionals.
TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST. Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s ‘Rest Of Our Lives’ album courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jaye O’Grey, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.
We’re going ‘beyond the music’ to explore the chronic health hardships experienced by beloved musicians giving hope to others struggling with the same issues.
Singer and actress, Phyllis Hyman was best known for her soulful music during the late–1970s through the early–1990s including the songs; “You Know How to Love Me” (1979), “Living All Alone” (1986) and “Old Friend” (1991). Phyllis Hyman also performed on Broadway in the 1981 musical based on the music of Duke Ellington, Sophisticated Ladies, which ran from 1981 until 1983.
Let’s be clear, Phyllis Hyman was not living with diabetes but she was battling depression and other mental health issues throughout her life.
People with diabetes tend to suffer higher rates of depression according to research.As many as one in five people with diabetes think about suicide, some on a daily basis. People considering suicide don’t always advertise their plans, but those with diabetes might be doing so by neglecting their diabetes management.And suicide or suicide attempts using insulin or other diabetes medications that lower blood sugar levels may not always be an easy-to-spot attempt at self-harm, they added.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1950, Phyllis Hyman was the eldest of seven children. She grew up in Philadelphia listening to a wide range of music from James Brown to Nina Simone via Karen Carpenter and Minnie Ripperton.
Her big break came when she gained the attention of the jazz drummer Norman Connors, who had something of a reputation for discovering female vocalists (including Jean Carne). In 1976, Phyllis Hyman’s sultry rendition of The Stylistics’ “Betcha By Golly Wow” proved a favorite on the R & B radio stations in the United States.
She then signed to the New-York-based Buddha record label and cut several fine tracks which became staple fare on an emerging radio format, the “quiet storm” – soul ballads played late into the night.
When she should have been soaring like the gifted songbird she was, Phyllis Hyman’s mental health issues took control of her life. She committed suicide a few days before her 45th birthday, a few hours before she was due to appear at the Apollo Theatre, in Harlem.
“Phyllis had a philosophy about life, death and her body. Simply, she felt that because it was her life, it was also her death. Because it was her body, she had the right to do with it as she chose, including leaving it behind when she was ready to.
Although she was not a member of the Hemlock Society, she was very clear that suicide was indeed an option for those whose lives could not be managed successfully because there was just too much pain : emotionally, physically and spiritually.
About ten years earlier, Phyllis was diagnosed as being “bi-polar”, a medical term for someone who suffers from the dis-ease of manic-depression. As she got older, her disease became more and more difficult for her to manage. She elected not to use pharmaceutical medication. She elected to self medicate. Her self medication distorted her disease more and more, until she felt helpless about ever being able to recover from it.
It is important to note that she had attempted suicide twice before she actually committed suicide. Because she and I talked about suicide as an option to living a painful life, I was not surprised by her death. I was and am still very sorrowful that she actually made the decision to ascend June 30, 1995.“
“As an artist, she sang her desperation. “She has a song that is a soundtrack of her entire life, ‘You Just Don’t Know What I’ve Been Going Through,’ ” said Frank Sheffield, Hyman’s long-time friend who managed the jazz station at Hampton (Va.) University, where Hyman often appeared.
The connection point between diabetes and suicide is depression. About 16 percent of the general population experience depression, but the percentage is nearly doubled among those with diabetes.
In Everyday Health Ed Cook, who was diagnosed with diabetes 38 years ago gradually lost his vision and then his driver’s license, his business, and most recently, one toe to amputation, depression infiltrated his life. A religious person, he struggled against thoughts of suicide and sought help.
“The complications led me to severe depression,” Cook admitted. He entered treatment, which included anti-depressants for a time, and he now regularly attends both therapy and support groups. “It helps to know I am not alone,” he said. “Diabetes is not the end of the world.”
But Cook also acknowledges that his battle is not over. Periodically, he still feels some despair as he continues to face the screenings and health assessments, such as vascular checkups, that are intended to catch complications before they do too much damage. Still, through prayer and therapy, he said, he’s come to see that even now he has a role and a purpose. “I try to be an encouragement to people,” he said.
Are You Feeling Suicidal?
No matter how much pain you’re experiencing right now, you’re not alone. Some of the finest, most admired, needed, and talented people have been where you are now. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now.
The pain of depression can be treated and hope can be renewed. No matter what your situation, there are people who need you, places where you can make a difference, and experiences that can remind you that life is worth living. It takes real courage to face death and step back from the brink. You can use that courage to face life, to learn coping skills for overcoming depression, and for finding the strength to keep going. Remember:
Your emotions are not fixed – they are constantly changing. How you feel today may not be the same as how you felt yesterday or how you’ll feel tomorrow or next week.
Your absense would create grief and anguish in the lives of friends and loved ones.
There are many things you can still accomplish in your life.
There are sights, sounds, and experiences in life that have the ability to delight and lift you – and that you would miss.
Your ability to experience pleasurable emotions is equal to your ability to experience distressing emotions.
Mental health conditions such as depression, and bipolar disorder are treatable with changes in lifestyle, therapy, and medication. Most people who seek help can improve their situation and recover.
Take these immediate steps: Promise not to do anything right now, avoid drugs and alchohol, make your home safe, and don’t keep these suicidal feelings to yourself.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. 1-800273-8255
Off-Off Broadway Soul Divas Night Out Presents Strength of a Woman: A Phyllis Hyman Tribute Experience Starring Queen Diva is an intimate 75 minute concert that is a celebration of Phyllis Hyman’s musical legacy. Featuring Sonja Elise Freeman, ASCAP Singer/Songwriter, Author, Teacher, Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Advocate will sing her favorite songs to celebrate the life and musical legacy of the Legendary Songstress Phyllis Linda Hyman. BUY TICKETS
Join us for the inaugural Fandross Festival presented by the Vandross Family Estate and Divabetic celebrating the musical legacy of Luther Vandross and raising awareness for the prevention of diabetes health-related complications such as stroke on Saturday, May 12, 2018, 6:30 -9:30 PM at SVA Theater. BUY TICKETS
We’re talking about ‘Diabetes, Sleep & Mental Health Issues’ on Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from the iconic Phyllis Hyman. Guests include Alyson Williams, Queen Diva, Patricia Farrell PhD, Kristina Wolfe, ‘Tabouli: The Story of a Heart-Driven Diabetes Alert Dog’ Author Matt Pelicano, Elizabeth Vaughan Gallagher, Stacie Shonkwiler, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach with Patricia Addie-Gentle. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from ‘The Essential Phyllis Hyman’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Barely a day goes by without my social media feed buzzing over the miraculous powers of some type of chocolate. Most recently, I’ve been bombarded by the news of the new KitKats coated in the pink-tinged, berry-like chocolate (Ruby Chocolate) offered in Japan. This pink Kit Kat is made from ruby cocoa beans without the addition of any coloring or flavoring and is being hailed as the first new type of natural chocolate to appear in over 80 years.
What’s the deal? Is this legitimate claim or just another example of the manufacturers enticing us to buy their food products without regard for our diabetes health?
Q: Is this ruby chocolate healthier than dark chocolate? Why or why not?
JW: There’s not much information available about the nutritional composition or the flavanols in ruby chocolate. Because the processing is different and the beans may also be different, I would have to assume that there are differences among ruby chocolate and a flavanol-rich dark chocolate. I just can’t guess what they are.
Q: What advice can you offer someone living with type 2 diabetes about adding this Kit Kat as a snack to their meal plan?
JW: Treat this like any other indulgent food. Work in the calories, carbs and saturated fat. You’ll need to swap this food for another. The best way to know how any food – indulgent or not – affects your blood sugar is to measure your blood sugar before eating and again about 2 hours later.
Q: Is this Kit Kat bar or any other chocolate a good way to treat a low blood sugar?
JW: Only if that’s your only option. I’ve known some people who say they actually look forward to having low blood sugar, so they can eat chocolate bars or other desserts. This just isn’t a good idea though. The quickest way to restore blood sugar levels is to consume something like glucose tablets, table sugar or fruit juice. Another big advantage is that glucose tablets or something similar provides many, many fewer calories and no unhealthy saturated fats. Here’s a good intro to treating low blood sugar levels: http://www.joslin.org/info/how_to_treat_a_low_blood_glucose.html
The Overworked Person’s Guide to Better Nutrition offers bite-sized nutrition tips for busy people looking for solutions to their everyday food and nutrition problems. This book is filled with diet strategies for weight loss and overall better health that can help anyone, on any schedule, eat and feel better. Meant to be picked up and read piecemeal, every page is packed with interesting tips designed to improve nutrition and relieve stress and guilt. Healthier habits can fit with any schedule!
Whether she’s speaking, writing, chatting on social media, appearing on TV or working with individuals, Jill’s candid and energetic approach appeals to busy people, and her sound nutrition and fitness advice gets results. In fact, her appreciation for science and ability to translate science into actionable information earned her a place in US News & World Report’s 10 Dietitian’s You Need to Follow on Social Media.
Jill Weisenberger‘s specialties include weight control, heart health, diabetes, pre-diabetes, wellness and nutrition for people with hectic lives. She’ll make nutrition science understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.
Tune in to January’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast available on demand, at any time, using this LINK. We’re taking about ‘MINDFULNESS’ with musical inspiration from Pink. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, ‘Walking with Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Poet Lorraine Brooks, ‘Yoga for Diabetes’ Author, Rachel Zinman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the P!nk’s ‘Beautiful Trauma’ album courtesy of SONY Music.
Connected, injected, collected, in touch,
Devices are sometimes a need or a crutch.
If I find myself in the mall with no phone,
I suddenly feel afraid and alone.
With all this technology right in our hands
It increases pressure and makes more demands.
I’m beeping, and buzzing, and vibrating too,
They tell me the traffic and tell me what’s new.
Weather, and movies, and amber alerts,
Baseball and football and music concerts.
I have the world in my pocket at will,
But often I feel that I’m out of it still.
There’s hazards to all of this need to be known.
There’s risks to,our health, as studies have shown.
The false sense of intimacy when we’re online
Is making connections that aren’t genuine.
There’s many days when I just put down my screen,
And those are the times when I feel most serene.
I put up my boundaries, turn off the sounds,
And try to connect with the peace to be found.
We all need alone time, to take care of us,
Time away from the hustle and fuss.
My message is always essentially this…
Take care of YOU FIRST, And don’t be remiss.
Don’t allow,life to just fritter away,
And turn off your phones for a part of the day!
Poet Lorraine Brooks reads her poem, ‘Disconnect’ on January’s Diabetes Late Nite with music from P!NK. We’re talking about ‘Mindfulness & Diabetes’ with guests: Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, ‘Walking with Peety’ Author Eric O’Grey, Poet Lorraine Brooks, ‘Yoga for Diabetes’ Author, Rachel Zinman, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE. Throughout the podcast we’re spotlighting songs from P!nk’s album, ‘Beautiful Trauma’ courtesy of SONY Music. LISTEN NOW
Enjoy this original poem, ‘Blue Christmas’ by Lorraine Brooks written for December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.
Blue Christmas by Lorraine Brooks
Thinking about the holidays and all the endless cheer
Carols, lights and Christmas trees, and ringing in the year…
Friends and folks and families all gather in the home
We look around at all the hope, but sometimes feel alone.
While others eat and drink and dine enjoying foods we make
I’m calculating insulin, and how much I should take.
If I want pie or something sweet, I have to stop and think.
But other people can just eat, and never have to blink.
If I am honest and up front, I have to just admit
That all the food around me sometimes makes me want to quit.
The holidays can make me sad with all thats going on
I wish that I could just be glad, and sing a happy song.
Its better to be pleasant though, and think of all I’ve got
And if I can remember it, I know I’ve got a lot.
This time of year can be so blue, we have to just remember
It’s only one month of the year…only the month of December.
There’s lots of colors that I want to be, and I choose not to be blue.
I’d rather be gold or purple or pink, and maybe lavender too.
i’m not gonna stress about all,the treats, I’ll try to be sensible though.
And after I eat maybe I’ll go outside for a walk in the snow.
So,I will have a holiday that’s full of fun and cheer
And I’ll be happy and give thanks that I made another year…
and I’ll enjoy my Christmas day, and I will make it right.
And I will have a Christmas that’s the way it should be – white.
On December’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast we’re celebrating a Blue Christmas. I chose this theme in December because ‘Blue’ is the color that I feel is most closely associated with diabetes and more importantly, it gives us an opportunity to raise awareness for the mental health issues related to diabetes. Guests include Chilbrook Kennels Breeder Author, Diabetes Alert Dog and Scent Detection Expert, Debby Kay, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Rachel Zinman, Dr. Mandy Reece PharmD, CDE, BC-ADM, and America’s #1 Energy Conductor, High Voltage.
Throughout the podcast we will be featuring songs from the new “Christmas with Elvis and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra” album courtesy of SONY Music. The album brings together Elvis Presley’s best-loved yuletide performances from “Elvis’ Christmas Album” (1957) and “Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas” (1971) re-imagined with sublime and exquisite new arrangements performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Are you feeling ‘blue’ this holiday season?
If so, you’re not alone. While it’s true that sadness and/or depression at holiday time can be a reaction to the stresses and demands of the season, people with diabetes are more likely to be depressed than others states David Spero BSN, RN for Diabetes Self-Management.
Diabetes can cause complications and health problems that may worsen symptoms of depression. Depression can lead to poor lifestyle decisions, such as unhealthy eating, less exercise, smoking and weight gain — all of which are risk factors for diabetes.
The good news is that diabetes and depression can be treated together. And effectively managing one can have a positive effect on the other.
If you think you might be depressed, seek help right away. Your doctor or diabetes educator can refer you to a mental health professional.
For the record, the American Heart Association’s recommended maximum amount of added sugars is much lower than the amount most Americans consume. For most American women, that’s no more than 100 calories per day, or about 6 teaspoons of sugar. For men, it’s 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons. he AHA recommendations focus on all added sugars, without singling out any particular types such as high-fructose corn syrup. For more detailed information and guidance on sugar intake limits, see the scientific statement(link opens in new window) in the August 2009 issue of Circulation, Journal of the American Heart Association.
