Tag: diabetes podcast

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Happy Diabetic’s Turkey Joe’s Fast Recipe

Chef Robert “The Happy Diabetic” Lewis, who is living with type 2 diabetes, has made it his  goal is to live happy and healthy and to create recipes that celebrate great-tasting food that both diabetics and non-diabetics can enjoy. His cookbooks are filled with tips, tidbits and humorous anecdotes that he hopes will make cooking fun! Below is one of our favorites:

Happy Diabetic’s Turkey Joe’s Fast Recipe

“Happy and Healthy sloppy style joes made with simple ingredients and ground turkey. Can you feel the love?”, says Chef Robert Lewis. 

What’s In It?

2 pounds ground turkey

2 cups tomato sauce (low sodium)

1 can tomato paste

1 Tablespoons garlic powder

¼ teaspoon Mrs. Dash Table Blend Salt

¼ Tablespoons chili powder

2.5 Tablespoons honey or maple syrup

1 16 oz can diced tomatoes, drained (optional I like to reserve the juice incase I want or need to thin down the sauce)

Let’s Put It Together:

In a large sauce pan, brown ground turkey over medium heat until completely cooked.

Stir in all ingredients. Once mixed, heat on low for an additional 10-15 minutes.

The NUTRITION Facts (approximate): Serving Size 4 oz, Calories 220, Total Fat 8 g, Sodium 178.7 mg, Total Carbohydrates 14.5 g, Protein 22.1 g

In a recent profile on the Everyday Diabetes website, Chef Robert Lewis admitted that he feared the worst for his own love of great food following his diagnosis with Type 2 Diabetes in 1998.

“I suspected that my days of good eating were over,” Lewis writes on his blog. “Yet, as I worked through my ups and downs, I came to realize that the selection of foods I could and should eat was vast and included many of my favorites. This motivated me to attempt to create delicious, diabetic-friendly dishes that were also easy to prepare.

Today he’s a man on the go! is a man on the go. When he’s not working as a director of training for 60 restaurants in the Midwest, he’s  traveling around the country as a keynote speaker for Taking Control of Your Diabetes and/or hosting his own podcast, ‘The Happy Diabetic Kitchen Podcast’! Read more about Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ in Diabetes Health Monitor magazine.

Chef Robert “The Happy Diabetic” Lewis stars in Divabetic’s 5th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast, “Swan Wake”  starring Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, We Are Diabetes organization founder Asha Brown, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Mary Ann Nicolay MEd, DTR, Mama Rose Marie, Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ and Poet Lorraine Brooks. Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from Leonard Berstein’s recording of ‘Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake, Op. 20’ in celebration of the centennial of America’s greatest classical composer and conductor courtesy of SONY Music. Available for free on demand LISTEN NOW

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How Much Do You Know About Insulin? Part 2

How much do you know about insulin? 
The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic has created a new game to test one lucky listener’s ‘INSULIN IQ’ featuring a series of questions about insulin for November’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with musical inspiration from Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Teach Me Tonight’ from her Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics album courtesy of SONY Music.
Can’t wait until Wednesday, November 14th? Test your knowledge with these two ‘Teach Me Tonight Challenge’ questions (answers appear at the bottom of this blog post):

3: Which animal was insulin first tested on?

A. A cow

B. A pig

C. A dog

4: What year was insulin first used on a human?

A. 1912

B.1922

C. 1932

5: How many people are living with diabetes in the world?

A. 322 million

B. 399 million

C. 422 million

Are you concerned about the average price of insulin skyrocketing in recent years – nearly tripling between 2002 and 2013?
Join us in calling for increased transparency and more affordable insulin. More than 377,207 people have signed the American Diabetes Association’s petition to support those struggling with insulin affordability. Add your name today. CLICK HERE

Don’t miss November’s Diabetes Late Niteon Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM, EST.Divabetic will be hosting November’s Diabetes Late Nite with music by Aretha Franklin on World Diabetes Day Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6 PM EST in celebration of World Diabetes Day.

You may be wondering why November 14th is World Diabetes Day?
November 14th is a significant date in the diabetes calendar because it marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin, Sir Frederick Banting. Banting discovered insulin in 1922, alongside Charles Best. Insulin isn’t just a drug. It’s the difference between life and death for millions of people with diabetes – and it’s something they will need every day for the rest of their lives.

Guests included Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport, Owner of Diabetes Strong Christel Oerum, Makeup Artist & Skincare Expert Suzanne Perez, Mama Rose Marie and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach. Plus, win a copy of Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport’s newest book,

“Friendship Matters: memoir, life lessons, laughter” as part of our World Diabetes Day giveaway! TUNE IN

ANSWERS: 1). C: DOG. Canadian physician Frederick Banting and medical student Charles H. Best would be credited with discovering the hormone insulin in the pancreatic extracts of dogs. Banting and Best injected the hormone into a dog and found that it lowered high blood glucose levels to normal. 2). B: 1922.  On 11 January 1922 insulin was first used in the treatment of diabetes. Insulin was discovered by Sir Frederick G Banting, Charles H Best and JJR Macleod at the University of Toronto in 1921 and it was subsequently purified by James B Collip. 3). C: 422 MILLION. According to the World Health Organization, 422 million people are living with diabetes worldwide, nearly doubling the prevalence from 4.7 percent in 1980 to 8.4 percent in 2014. In the United States alone, an estimated 29.1 million adults and children are affected.
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‘Don’t Hate My Plate’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

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.

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Sunlight, Diabetes & Your Eyes: What’s A Diva to Do?

Taking care of your diabetes health doesn’t have to cramp your style! The stunning Gucci Cruise 2019 collection proves that you can still make a fashion statement while taking care of your diabetes health!

The sun releases UV radiation which can damage our skin and eyes, particularly when the sun is strong. When the sun is out, all of us should take certain precautions to limit over exposure to the sun.

Diabetes can also raise the risk of diabetic retinopathy and so those of us with diabetes should protect our eyes from the sun to avoid any additional damage to the retina occurring.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Poorly controlled blood sugar is a risk factor. Early symptoms include floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision, and difficulty perceiving colors. Blindness can occur.

Mr. Divabetic talks about Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) on this episode of Diabetes Late Nite with Diabetic Macular Edema patient Maryanne Kass and Artist Bryce Chisholm.

Protect yourself from UV rays and your eyes will thank you! Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light increases your risk of developing cataracts.  To reduce your exposure, wear a wide brimmed hat when spending time outdoors and always keep sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection close at hand.

When picking suitable sunglasses, the National Health Services (NHS) advises picking sunglasses with a ‘CE mark’, marked as UV 400 or that provide 100% UV protection.

Statement Sunglasses

From extra-large frames, to two-toned models and couture accessories covered in crystals, sunglasses were the key statement accessory for this Gucci Cruise 2019 show, designed to be worn both night and day. Photo: Getty Images

Don’t miss Divabetic’s 8th Year Anniversary Diabetes Podcast Special 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.  Throughout this podcast we will be featuring songs from ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music. TUNE IN on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 6 PM, EST

Divabetic presents Collar Greens Wellness Day & Dog Parade  featuring Health Screenings, Cooking Demonstrations, Healthy Food Tours, Service Dog Demonstrations, Scavenger Hunts,  Poetry Readings, Plate Poetry Project Displays & More on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at Mosaic Central Farm Market in Fairfax, VA

 

 

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Sugar-Free Chocolate Rainbow Cupcakes by the Diabetic Pastry Chef 

Let your ‘TRUE COLORS’ shine during Pride Month without compromising your diabetes wellness.

Pride Month is when the world’s LGBT communities come together and celebrate the freedom to be themselves. The original organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops by the New York Pride March to raise awareness for diabetes in a fun, new way.

Stacey Harris aka ‘The Diabetic Pastry Chef’ offers this fabulously colorful and sugar free recipe to help you celebrate PRIDE without compromising your diabetes health!

Stacey loves to bake! While she was attending cooking school she began creating  diabetic-friendly recipes for breads, cakes and other desserts by swapping out the sugar, blending the flour, eliminating trans fats and cutting the milk carbohydrates after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Stacey Harris has transformed more than 200 desserts into diabetic-friendly delights. Here’s one of the Diabetic Pastry Chef’s most requested recipes:

Sugar-Free Chocolate Cupcakes by the Diabetic Pastry Chef 

1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups dry sugar substitute (such as Whey Low D Granular or Splenda for Baking)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup hot coffee

1 cup dairy or almond milk

2 large eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

In large bowl, sift together the dry ingredients except for the sugar substitute. In bowl of mixer combine oil, coffee milk and sugar substitute and beat at medium speed with electric mixer for two minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat for an additional 2 minutes. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix until well combined. Batter will be thin. Pour into paper lined muffin tin. Recipe should make 24 plus cupcakes. Bake in pre-heated oven at 325 degrees until toothpick inserted in middle of a cupcake comes out clean. Remove pan to cooling rack and cool completely. Frost.

Swerve Frosting

2 sticks, unsalted butter, room temperature

16 ounce cream cheese, room temperature

1 1/2 cups Swerve Confectioners

2 tsps pure vanilla extract

2 Tbsp heavy cream or milk

Beat together the butter and cream cheese with electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy for 2-3 minutes.

Reduce the speed to low and add the Swerve a cup at a time, then vanilla and cream or milk; continue mixing until smooth.

Beat for an additional 10 minutes until well combined.

The Diabetic Pastry Chef’s cookbooks are filled with information on the definition, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and include complete nutritional information (calories, fat, cholesterol, sugars, and protein) for each recipe. She uses Splendar and presents other sugar-free alternatives for pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, and pies. Stacey Harris shares the sweet secrets of her simple-to-use formula that will convert most any recipe into a lower-carb alternative without compromising taste or quality. Now ‘divabetics’ can enjoy Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Blueberry Tartlets, Cream Cheese Cupcakes, Coffee Bread Pudding, and hundreds of others. BUY NOW

“In The Diabetic Pastry Chef, Stacey Harris proves you can prepare and eat wonderful food and still stay well within the guidelines of food for a person with diabetes.”—Alan L. Rubin, M.D., author of Diabetes for Dummies and Diabetes Cookbook for Dummies

Instructions For Rainbow Frosting Swirl Technique for Cupcakes from My Cupcake Addiction 

If you do choose to use artificial sweeteners to help with diabetes, weight management and calorie control, do so in moderation and check ingredient lists — your intake of artificial sweeteners may be more substantial than you think.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s 8th Year Anniversary Diabetes Podcast on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST. We’re talking about whether or not the ‘Food Police’ are helpful or harmful to our diabetes wellness.

Guests include 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.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring songs from ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music.

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Totally Unrealistic Healthy Food & Drink Swaps for Summer

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.

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‘Je ne regrette rien’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

Je ne regrette rien by Lorraine Brooks 
The where and the why and the when.

If I have a need that is pressing
I never find that it’s distressing.
Like pricking my finger for testing
Or foods that I may be ingesting.

I do not regret when they stare…
Or that I receive Medicare.
I take stock of all of my needs
And all that I need to proceed.

Why regret what makes me feel better?
Maybe its ME that’s the trend-setter!
I spend no time feeling regret.
Or that some might think me “heavy set”.

Life is too short for that worry.
So I’ll order that Indian curry.
As long as I’m smart and stay mindful
There’s no reason not to be prideful.

Pack up your cares and remorse.
And stay on your self-caring course.
Kick that regret to the curb.
And start living the life you deserve.

LISTEN NOW: Poet Lorraine Brooks reads her poem, ‘Je ne regrette rien’ on June’s Diabetes Late Nite. We’re talking about having ‘NO REGRETS’  with musical inspiration from Edith Piaf.

We all have regrets. It is part of human nature. However, hanging onto regrets takes up space and keeps us from enjoying the present moment. The stress factor plays havoc on the cells of the body. It affects our blood pressure, energy levels, hormones and immune response. It also affects the mind. Our thinking process becomes clouded, mistakes are made and poor choices lead to increased stress. All of these things can affect our diabetes wellness. For the things we regret doing, if we look carefully enough, we will see that they hold a lesson and if we learn from our regrets then the regret has served us well.

Born in Paris in 1915, Edith Piaf become the voice of France. She began her singing career on the streets, and her only musical apprenticeship came from listening to singers on the capital’s popular radio stations. But Piaf’s ability to sing from the heart, as very few can, soon enchanted  audiences beyond Paris. Her songs touch one’s heart and spirit, even if one cannot understand the words themselves.

Edith Piaf is helping us sing your praises! We applaud the determination, persistence and efforts to stay healthy and upbeat about your daily self-care. Together, we are changing the way people learn to live with diabetes.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Best-Selling Author and Weight Loss Expert, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OBGYN, Cindy Lou from the ‘Diabetes What To Know’ community, and Mama Rose Marie.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from ‘EDITH PIAF TOP 40’ album courtesy of SONY Music

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‘Disconnect’ by Poet Lorraine Brooks

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

https://youtu.be/btWXFB6L4IA

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Blue Christmas by Poet Lorraine Brooks

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.

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‘What Scares You The Most About Diabetes?’ on October’s Diabetes Late Nite

We’re talking about ‘What Scares You the Most About Diabetes?’ on October’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 6 PM, EST with musical inspiration from the chart-topping band, Old Dominion.

Does diabetes and/or it’s diabetes health-related complications scare you?

According to the members of Divabetic, Diabetes – What To Know, Diabetes Type 2 Group Support Facebook communities, people fear experiencing diabetes health-related complications such as: amputation, blindness and kidney disease.

Many of our members posted messages about their fears including:

“The questions I didn’t know to ask. You just don’t know what you don’t know” – Marie Jean
“Not being in control of my appetite and not being able to lose weight!” – Chrysta
“Having kids and passing diabetes on to them” – Mallory
“Not having a family that I can talk about this!”– Gaye
“Not knowing if the meds I’m taking are actually helping or creating more of a problem. My belly is super bloated from metformin with digestive issues all the time.” –  Kristine
“There’s so much to fear, so much I don’t know, and so much to learn. I guess in hindsight, I don’t want diabetes to become my life.” – Stephanie
“My biggest fear is that I will never have it under control and it will over take my life causing harm to not only myself but my loved ones” – Karen
“My son died two years ago from diabetes health-related complications. He absolutely didn’t do anything to help himself. He lost his right leg and half his left foot. He was going blind and just totally gave up. I’m heartbroken that I lost him, but I watched him give up on himself. As diabetics, we have to fight every second we are alive to be as healthy as we can with this disease. Don’t fear, fight.” – Roberta
“I appreciate that there is a lot to be scared of. I had a few days of being afraid of all of these things when I was first diagnosed. But then I got a new mindset. I refuse to be afraid of it. I will fight it with everything I have for the rest of the days God gives me. And if it does eventually get me, well I will go down swinging. Life is too short and precious to be afraid. And there are so many good things we can do to fight it.” – Sam 

How does fear of diabetes affect your life and your daily self-care, and more important, what do you do about it?

Small amounts of fear may energize you and get you to pay attention, but the threat has to seem manageable. If there’s nothing you can do, and the future looks too awful, you will tend to give up and try to enjoy the time you have left.

Of course, some fear of diabetes is justified. The complications of diabetes are truly ‘scary’ as our members indicated in several posts. So are the effects fear can have on your family and your finances.

Fears are stressful, and stress isn’t good for diabetes. Fear increases insulin resistance and blood pressure and interferes with the body’s natural healing systems. It makes it harder to enjoy life.

So what do we do about it? Tune in to October’s Diabetes Late Nite to get advice from our panel of experts including:  Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr. Michele Summers Colon DPM, Dr. Lori Shemek PhD, CNC, Dr. Andrea Chisholm MD,OB-GYN, Ansley Dalbo  (founder of Diabetes – What To Know), Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and Jackie Mernit Muhlstock.

Throughout the podcast we will be playing selected songs from Old Dominion’s “Happy Endings” album courtesy of SONY Music.

The country band, Old Dominion’s success makes it hard to believe that its members were once just a group of individual songwriters trying to navigate Nashville’s music industry, playing tiny bars and hoping their songs would catch the right ears. They’ve quickly become of one ofNashville’s savviest songwriting collectives with their highly acclaimed new album Happy Endings. 

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour of diabetes education and wellness advice that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

 

TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite on Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 6 -7:30 PM, EST.

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