Divabetic Reader #4: Hello, Summer by Mary Kay Andrews

I find it fascinating that the New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Beach Reads Mary Kay Andrews never fails to mention diabetes in her novels. I feel like she’s as obsessed with raising awareness for diabetes as I am.

Every one of her books that I have read has made some mention of diabetes. But, usually, there’s little to no information shared about living with diabetes past the initial reference which always bugs me.

One of the characters, Mrs. Lorraine DuBignon Conley, referred to as ‘G’mama,’ has prediabetes in her latest book, Hello, Summer.

The first reference to prediabetes comes on page 20. G’mama’s housekeeper, Winnie, tells G’mama’s youngest granddaughter, Conley, that her grandmother refuses to fill her prescription.

Conley asks her defiant G’mama if she has checked her sugar yet?

G’mama responds, “Not you too.” Then adds, “my blood sugar is perfectly fine.”

The following reference comes on page 156. G’mama says, “I’m a grown woman, and I can eat whatever I want.”

Thankfully, this time Mary Kay Andrews provides a bit more information about managing prediabetes.

Conley replies, “No. You can’t. According to your doctor, you’re prediabetic. You’ve got to limit your carb intake, eat protein, balance your diet, and drink plenty of fluids. Preferably not black coffee.

This sound advice is rather shocking since the author seldom educates her readers about diabetes self-care. I only wish there was more information sprinkled throughout the book.

Although recent statistics state that 88 million U.S. adults, or 1 in 3 – have prediabetes, most people don’t know what it is.

Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes.

A quick Google search will inform you that normal blood glucose levels for adults without diabetes range from 90 to 110 mg/dL. However, every person is different, so it’s essential to have your doctor check your blood sugars.

Without intervention, many people with prediabetes could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, which puts them at risk of health complications such as heart issues, stroke, vision loss, and kidney failure.

Of those 88 million living with prediabetes, more than 8 in 10 of them don’t even know they have it.

The risk factors for prediabetes include:

Being 45 years or older.
Being overweight.
Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.
Being physically active less than three times a week.
Having gestational diabetes.
Having polycystic ovary syndrome.

African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, Pacific Islanders, and some Asian Americans are at higher risk.

Could You Have Prediabetes?

Take this QUICK QUIZ

Our special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND for Divabetic’s upcoming Salad-Making Party on Zoom scheduled for Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST is the author of Prediabetes: A Complete Guide. This comprehensive 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, Prediabetes: A Complete Guide will allow you to choose your own path to wellness and help you gain a greater sense of wellbeing, boost confidence in your abilities to maintain a healthful lifestyle, and potentially even help you reverse prediabetes, avoid type 2 diabetes and other chronic illnesses, and have you feeling better than you have in years!

As obsessed as I am about finding misinformed references to diabetes in her books, I still enjoy Mary Kay Andrew’s storytelling. Her easy-to-read style and the blend of romance and mystery make for a winning combination.

Not surprisingly, I fell in love with the character, the Silver Bay Beacon’s society columnist, Rowena Meigs. Her ridiculously long narratives in which she describes the food and the fashion in glorious detail, along with each notable attendee’s family lineages at soirees happening around town, are delightful.

I remember watching the documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, about New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham, who said he was just as fascinated by who was talking to who at charity parties as he was in what anyone was wearing. For decades, this Schwinn-riding cultural anthropologist chronicled fashion trends and high-society charity soirées for the Times style section. His lens zoomed in on the ultrawealthy of New York and the Hamptons networking with one another.

Legendary New York Post celebrity and gossip columnist Cindy Adams also made a career writing about famous people networking with each other. But she’s not is a fan of the term “gossip” and admits she didn’t set out to be a newspaper writer.

“I don’t like the word gossip because it’s pejorative,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be nasty and biting. It should be chatty. It should be funny. It should be something you do over coffee in the morning,” she told Mo Rocca in an interview for “CBS Sunday Morning”.

I couldn’t agree more!

Here’s a short synopsis of Hello, Summer:

Conley Hawkins left her family’s small-town newspaper, The Silver Bay Beacon, in the rearview mirror years ago. Now a star reporter for a big-city paper, Conley is exactly where she wants to be and is about to take a fancy new position in Washington, D.C. Or so she thinks.

For small town scandals…

When the new job goes up in smoke, Conley finds herself right back where she started, working for her sister, who is trying to keep The Silver Bay Beacon afloat—and she doesn’t exactly have warm feelings for Conley. Soon she is given the unenviable task of overseeing the local gossip column, “Hello, Summer.”

And big-time secrets.

Then Conley witnesses an accident that ends in the death of a local congressman—a beloved war hero with a shady past. The more she digs into the story, the more dangerous it gets. As an old heartbreaker causes trouble and a new flame ignites, it soon looks like their sleepy beach town is the most scandalous hotspot of the summer.

What am I eating when I’m reading Hello, Summer? FIBER!

Did you know that fiber-rich foods slow down the delivery of glucose into the bloodstream? Your blood sugar levels will gradually rise. Even more, fiber-rich foods tend to keep us satiated for longer periods of time, which helps with weight loss.

New research finds that adding fiber to your diet can help combat the effects of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. But only 25 percent of adults get the recommended amount of fiber daily.

Are you struggling with ways to add more fiber to your diet?

Then why not try Omega3NutraCleanse®?

Omega3NutraCleanse® is a delicious, gluten-free, organic flaxseed blend rich in fiber and nutrients. Recently their marketing team sent me a 14.8 oz sample to try. I love it! After I consulted with my doctor about adding it to my diet, I started adding it to my morning bowl of nonfat, plain yogurt, and berries. It has a nutty flavor that I enjoy. This product compliments Keto, 0 Net Carbs, Paleo, and Vegan lifestyles. And just like their website states: ‘O3NC is a simple way to get the right amount of fiber to keep your inside healthy’.

Talk to your doctor before adding supplements to your diet.

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Salad Making Party with special guest, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWWC, FAND on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 7 – 8 PM, EST on Zoom.

FREE REGISTRATION – REGISTER NOW

05/20/202105/20/2021

Product Review: Metamucil Sugar Free

“A day without Metamucil is like a day without sunshine,” writes one customer on Amazon.

Can a spoonful of an orange powder really provide relief for one of the most common yet often overlooked complications related to diabetes — CONSTIPATION?

I’ve Got Diabetes, But Why Am I Constipated?

Healthline reports a whopping 60% of people with long-standing diabetes deal with constipation.

High blood sugar levels can lead to nerve damage in the digestive tract which can cause constipation, diarrhea, and incontinence.

While constipation can be a sign of poor long-term diabetes management, it could also be due to something as simple as not getting enough fiber. And consuming ample amounts of fiber each day can also lower your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of heart disease.

Constipation can be defined as having fewer than three regular bowel movements each week. It can also be defined as infrequent, unpleasant, and painful bowel movements. The kind that makes people make agonizing low guttural noises in the bathroom similar to those of a moose caught in a bear trap.

If eating more fiber, drinking more water, and increasing your physical activity doesn’t help then talk with your doctor about moving on to fiber supplements, stool softeners, or laxatives.

One supplement that’s pretty much everywhere is Metamucil Sugar-Free.

Metamucil Psyllium Fiber Supplement Sugar-Free Powder – Orange Smooth

How Does It Work? Metamucil works by increasing the bulk in your stool, an effect that helps to cause movement of the intestines. It also works by increasing the amount of water in the stool, making the stool softer and easier to pass. Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative that can also help treat lower cholesterol.

Metamucil can play a role in helping certain people with diabetes get enough fiber, especially if they are constipated. But read the label carefully. This product replaces sugar with Aspartame.

Some people with diabetes have found that the aspartame-sweetened (Nutrasweet) Metamucil spikes blood sugar, in spite of the lack of sugar in it, which could be from the maltodextrin (an additive that makes the product nice and smooth).

Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than directed.

WebMD warns that this product may decrease the absorption of other medications you may be taking. Take this product at least 2 hours from your other medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

It may take 1 to 3 days before this medication starts working. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Do not take this medication for more than 7 days unless directed by your doctor.

Others humorously warn of potential side effects, “You should be aware that there may be an odorous side-effect, that for me, usually presents itself during church, so when those around you look in your direction, just discretely, point, with your thumb, to sweet old Sister Thompson sitting near you!,” writes Mike on Amazon.

“Metamucil is made from [a fiber called] psyllium husk, which slows down the absorption of glucose and can cause less of a spike in blood sugar,” says Audrey Koltun, RDN, a registered dietitian in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Lake Success, New York for Livestrong. But “this does not mean someone with diabetes who eats a high-carbohydrate/high-sugar diet can expect normal blood sugars after taking Metamucil.”

Dana Greene, RD, a dietitian in Brookline, Massachusetts, says she suggests fiber supplements like Metamucil to patients with diabetes when they can’t get what they need through diet, describing supplements as “a good backup plan.”

“ The taste of this product is great. I take it as a quick drink 2x a day and in conjunction with adding more fiber to my diet got me to go a little more frequently. It’s no miracle, but I definitely needed more fiber for my cholesterol and I take many medications which stop me up incredibly,” writes Angela in a product review.

Keep in mind when you increase your fiber intake too quickly with supplements you may experience bouts of painful gas, bloating, diarrhea, and/or constipation.

Don’t forget to talk to your Doctor, Registered Dietitian (RD), and/or Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) before adding supplements to your diabetes self-care plan.

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, virtual diabetes support program with style. Divabetic’s dynamic diabetes program features ‘What To Wear When Nothing Fits for Summer’ presented by Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller and ‘How To Master The Menu at The Cookout’ presented by MaryAnn Nicolay MEd, NDTR on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST.

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03/01/202103/01/2021

Free Diabetes Cooking Party with Jill Weisenberger on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Looking for a fun way to socialize without putting your diabetes wellness at risk?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM. Jill will be sharing her favorite Quinoa recipes with us.

The dietary fiber content in quinoa is higher found in many other grains. This means that quinoa can be particularly beneficial for people with diabetes, since fiber and protein are considered important for keeping tighter blood sugar management.

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Having diabetes doesn’t mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but you do want to make healthier food choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are heavy in nutrition but light in calories.

Jill Weisenberger’s candid and energetic approach and her sound nutrition and fitness advice has earned her a place as one of 10 Dietitians You Need to Follow on Social Media in US News & World Report. Jill offers healthy and delicious recipe ideas and nutrition strategies that are based in sound nutrition science.

Jill Weisenberger is the author of The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes. Jill’s guide will teach you how to enjoy eating again without all the worry and guilt. You’ll learn to:

balance macros (protein, fat and carbohydrate), so you’ll have energy and good nutrition all day
plan meals even if no one else in your family has diabetes
fit in your favorite treat foods, so you never feel deprived
choose the right foods to avoid blood sugar spikes
pick the most healthful carbohydrate-containing foods for your body, so you can feel confident about tending to your heart and blood sugar at the same time
keep track of the carb counts in your usual foods
eat to feel full – no more long-lasting hunger pangs!
set the right goals for you

BUY NOW

Nationally Recognized Dietitian & Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist Jill Weisenberger prepares her favorite Quinoa recipes and shares nutrition tips for people with type 2 diabetes.

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02/27/202102/28/2021

Quinoa Gets A ‘Quin-Wow!’ Makeover with Jill Weisenberger

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wa) has become the latest superfood to take America by storm.

Some people even call it the ‘Beyonce’ of Supergrains!

But is this gluten-free, high-protein grain-like relative of spinach and beets worth the hype?

We asked our friend and colleague, Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, FAND, CHWC, who recently published The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes, for her advice.

Q: What puts the ‘Quin-Wow! into Quinoa and makes it so special?

Jill Weisenberger (JW): I love it for its taste, versatility and nutrition profile. We classify quinoa as a whole grain and eat it like it’s a whole grain, but technically it’s a seed. Nutritionally, it has all the essential amino acids, lots of fiber, B vitamins, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals, as well as health-boosting phytonutrients.

Eat it hot or cold, in soups or stews, in place of rice or pasta and even as a cooked breakfast cereal. And it’s great sweet or savory.

Q: Why should someone with type 2 diabetes and/or prediabetes consider adding Quinoa to their meal plan?

JW: In general, eating whole grains is associated with less risk of type 2 diabetes. And whole grains are an important part of a balanced diet. Quinoa is a little higher in protein than most, but the goal is not to focus on one or two whole grains. Instead, we should eat a diet as varied as possible to get the best range of nutrients and other disease-fighters. I especially like quinoa because it’s an intact whole grain, as opposed to one highly refined. Of course, you can find it in crackers, breads and other processed foods – and that’s perfectly fine – but eating the intact seed is quite good for us.

Q: Can Quinoa help manage blood sugar levels?

JW: Not in any direct way, but a balanced diet in general helps manage blood sugar and other metabolic problems associated with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Q: What are some do’s and don’ts for cooking Quinoa?

JW: Rinse it first to rid the bitter saponins, which are natural pesticides. You can cook it like rice: 2 parts liquid: 1 part quinoa. I typically prepare it in my rice cooker with half water and half broth. This gives it a great flavor without too much sodium.

Experiment with quinoa as a base for a whole-grain salad, a nourish bowl, as the starchy side to soup up sauces, and as a str on it’s own flavored with your favorite herbs, spices and cooked vegetables.

Love New Recipes?

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free Virtual Cooking Party with special guest, Author of The Beginner’s Guide To What To Eat With Type 2 Diabetes, Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Zoom on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 7-8 PM, EST. Jill shares her favorite quinoa recipes with us!

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08/31/2020

Are Nuts Good For Diabetes?

We’re talking about the benefits of nuts for people with diabetes in Divabetic’s new Mystery Podcast, Kill Me Madam, available on demand for free.

Nuts can be a good snack for people with type 2 diabetes because they may help prevent heart disease, keep blood sugar controlled, and even aid weight loss according to an article on NDTV‘s website.

Nuts are known to be low-glycaemic foods, which is a ranking of carbohydrate according to how they affect blood sugar levels. They have a limited amount of dietary carbohydrate; therefore, it has a little effect on your blood sugars.

Almonds have been shown to slow down the blood sugar response when eaten with carbohydrate-rich foods, as per a study published in the journal Metabolism.

There’s a good indication that murder might be part of the recipe when Nantucket’s ten time reigning Baking Champion’s last name is ‘Coffin’ in Divabetic’s Mystery podcast: Kill Me Madam.

Starring USA Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, MaryAnn Horst-Nicolay MEd, NDRT, Lorraine Brooks, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Coach The Cure‘s Trisha Artman, Mama Rose Marie, Seveda Williams, and Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. Produced by Leisa Chester-Weir.

Throughout the podcast we will be featuring music from the Broadway Cast Album of ‘Call Me Madam’ courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN NOW

08/02/2020

New Product Alert: Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes

Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes are a delicious meal or snack replacement with no added sugar! With 60% more protein and a cleaner label than other shakes, Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes deliver the nutrition you need to help manage your blood sugar.

These shakes contain a unique blend of slow-digesting carbohydrates, quality protein and healthy fat in each 8-ounce serving, which several leading registered dietitians suggest may help you manage your blood sugars – and help reduce blood sugar spikes, too.

Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes are sweetened with zero-calorie Splenda sucralose and are packed with protein from microfiltered milk protein, a high-quality protein that, due to filtration, is higher in protein and lower in milk sugar than traditional milk.

Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes contain 60% more protein than many of the leading shakes; specifically, each 8-ounce shake provides 170 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrate, 16 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber.

“They taste really good! I’ve never found any meal replacement products to be effective for me in the past. However, these shakes actually do seem to work as appetite suppressants for me,” wrote C. Spurgeon on Amazon.

“I compare the taste to Glucerna and it isn’t as good. I assume it meets the nutritional requirements for diabetes and it is less expensive than Glucerna,” wrote Judy J. on Amazon.

Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes Are Available in 3 flavors:

Milk Chocolate: a rich and velvety chocolate profile

French Vanilla: a perfect smooth and creamy milkshake

Strawberry Banana: a tasty balance of both strawberry and banana.

Splenda Diabetes Care Shakes are grab-and-go breakfast option and/or a snack in-between meals.

Enjoy Divabetic’s 10th Year Podcast Anniversary Special with music from the world’s most famous “Divabetic”– Ms. Patti LaBelle. She’s encouraging you to have a ‘NEW ATTITUDE’ about living with diabetes! Guests include: Patricia Addie-Gentle, RN, CDE, Dr. Andrea Chisholm OB-GYN, Luther McRae, Mama Rose Marie, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, Dr. Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Seveda Williams and Terri Seidman.

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Zoom on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom, Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness.

Chef Robert Lewis, The Happy Diabetic, is a nationally recognized author and motivational speaker who is passionate about helping people learn to live a healthier lifestyle. Chef Lewis graduated from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in 1976. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1998. Thus began his motivation to create great tasting dishes that are easy to prepare. He travels the country speaking on the benefits of healthy eating not only for people affected by diabetes, but also for anyone who would like to eat and live a healthy lifestyle.

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07/30/202007/30/2020

Divabetic Mystery Phrase #27

Can you solve Divabetic’s Mystery Phrase #27? Our phrase is a great way to save time and money, as well as stay on track with your diabetes self-care goals.

Are you struggling with achieving your diabetes wellness goals?

Maybe you should consider planning your meals ahead of time. Experts agree that’s one of the key strategies for successful weight loss and/or tighter management of blood sugar levels is meal planning.

If planning a whole week of meals ahead of time seems overwhelming to you then keep in mind that a few things prepared ahead of time will make it easier to eat healthy too.

Set yourself up for a week of delicious lunches without feeling guilty using meal-prep plans. By prepping a week’s worth of lunches in advance (on Sunday, for example), you’ll avoid foods high in saturated fats, carbohydrates, sugar and calories and set yourself up for a week of diabetes wellness. Assembling meals ahead of time allows you to portion sizes and ingredients, which can be beneficial if you’re managing a health condition—like type 2 diabetes—or trying to lose weight.

What should you eat? If you have diabetes, you should choose lean proteins, high-fiber, less processed carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, and low-fat dairy.

Remember, if you weren’t packing any meals, one or two a week is a great start!

Setting small, realistic nutrition goals can also set you up for success. For example, try limiting sugar-filled drinks or setting a max number of days to eat out per week.

A registered dietitian can help you put together a diet based on your health goals, tastes and lifestyle. He or she can also talk with you about how to improve your eating habits, such as choosing portion sizes that suit the needs for your size and activity level.

Solving the Mystery of Your A1C

Many people wonder how their hba1c number relates to their blood sugar levels. After all, daily diabetes self-care management can be a jumble of numbers: weight, blood sugar levels, carbohydrate counts, fat grams, serving sizes, etc. Hopefully, this handy chart will provide some clarification.

When it comes to the numbers, there’s no one-size-fits-all target. A1C target levels can vary by each person’s age and other factors, and your target may be different from someone else’s. If you feel your hbA1C number is on a higher side, say over 7 or 8%, do not worry! Knowledge is power. You can lower your hbA1C by creating your own personal self-care plan with your healthcare professional.

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free, fun Virtual Cooking Party on Zoom where everything you need to win is within your own home.

Whether you have had diabetes for a long time or have only recently been diagnosed, having a diabetes management plan and supplies in place are essential for living life to the fullest.

Don’t miss Divabetic’s virtual Cooking Party with special guest Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ on Thursday, August 13, 2020, 7 – 7:40 PM, EST on Zoom.

During this virtual Cooking Party on Zoom, Chef Robert Lewis will prepare a recipe that won’t compromise your diabetes wellness. Register Now

05/06/202005/20/2020

Which Food Contains More Fiber? #1

Fiber is helpful for promoting weight loss, lowering blood sugar levels and fighting constipation. But are you eating enough?

The recommended daily intake is 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.

Unlike other food components, such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates — which your body breaks down and absorbs — fiber isn’t digested by your body. Instead, it passes relatively intact through your stomach, small intestine and colon and out of your body.

Diabetes Late Nite Inspired by Maren Morris

We’re talking about staying strong as we face the challenges of living with diabetes during the coronavirus pandemic on April’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast.

Our Diva Inspiration, Maren Morris has opted to do things her own way and obliterating expectation at every turn on her newest album entitled Girl.

Many music experts believe she’s making a bid for the sort of across-the-board pop stardom enjoyed by Pink, Katy Perry and Selena Gomez with this album. Maren’s singing about independence, self-love and the need to reach across the aisle to find common ground.

Guests include Author of the Noodle Shop Mysteries: Vivien Chien, Lorraine Brooks, Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, CDE, Dr. Wendy Satin Rapaport PhD, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Alexis Gray.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from Maren Morris’s Girl album courtesy of SONY Music.

LISTEN

ANSWER: Avocado have more fiber! Avocados contains: 10 grams of fiber in a cup, or 6.7 grams per 100 gram. Raspberries contain: 8 grams of fiber in a cup, or 6.5 grams per 100 grams. More info: healthline

Have fun learning to carb count!

07/24/201907/24/2019

Kale For Dessert?

Kale has been a trendy health food for a while. It’s so trendy that people including cooking hacks like Mr. Divabetic are adding it into any food, including DESSERT!

With more nutritional value than spinach, kale may help improve blood glucose management in diabetes, lower the risk of cancer, reduce blood pressure, and help prevent the development of asthma. The fiber and antioxidants in kale also may offer protection against diabetes. Studies have shown that a high intake of fiber may lower blood glucose levels in people with type-1 diabetes and people with type-2 diabetes may see improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels according to Medical News Today.

But can one of the world’s healthiest foods taste heavenly in a dessert?

“While you might not think of the fibrous leafy greens as essential to dessert dishes, kale has the unique ability to lend cakes a feel-good dose of nutrients without sacrificing taste or flavor,” writes Jennifer En for mashed.com

Why Kale & Chocolate Make A Good Combination!

Chocolate is incredibly rich and bold, which makes it the perfect ingredient to pair with kale when you don’t necessarily want the veggie flavor to overpower the chocolate one. If you’re curious about what kale and chocolate taste like together, try this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie for kale brownies.

“It’s easy, streamlined, and completely winning where flavor is concerned. Get your chocolate on,” writes Jennifer En for mashed.com

KALE BROWNIES RECIPE

Don’t let incorporating greens into your desserts be an excuse to overindulge. It’s easy to convince yourself that you can enjoy more sweets and feel better about yourself in the process because you’re adding in extra nutrients between spoonfuls of sugar. An indulgence on one day doesn’t matter when looking at a week or a month.

Mr. Divabetic loves to infuse his desserts with healthy doses of vegetables. Unfortunately his lack of cookings skills and questionable good taste doesn’t always make for a winning combination. In this year’s Diabetes Mystery podcast, “Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes” his original Kale Hot Cocoa recipe turns everyone’s favorite leafy green vegetable into something downright lethal!

Divabetic presents their 6th Annual Diabetes Mystery Podcast, “Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes,” on Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 6 -7 PM, EST. This diabetes mystery caper takes place at the fictitiously decadent world-renowned Gingerbread Men Cookie Baking Competition in New York’s Central Park Zoo. Mr. Divabetic’s culinary misadventures continue in this year’s escapade as he enters the competition with headless cookies and pureed kale hot cocoa for the judges to sample. As if this dreadful combination wasn’t bad enough to land him at the bottom of the throwdown, his mother, Mama Rose Marie, is accused of poisoning one of the celebrity judges. Things go from bad to worse when the snake phobic Mr. Divabetic hears about the giant python’s escape.

Now, the happy healthcare host must decide to face his fear of snakes and recipe rejection or throw in his apron and risk getting caught up in another murder investigation. Can Mr. Divabetic and his team of amateur sleuths hunt down the real killer and get Mama Rose Marie out of jail? Will he be the next murder victim? Can he ever create an edible recipe?

The cast of Gingerbread Men Prefer Blondes features Mama Rose Marie, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach (Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE and MaryAnn Nicolay BA, DTR), Asha Brown, Chef Robert Lewis, Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller, Wendy Radford, Dave Jones and Lorraine Brooks.

Throughout this podcast we will be featuring music from the original Broadway cast recording of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ courtesy of SONY MUSIC.

TUNE IN

01/18/2018

Spaghetti Squash of LOVE by Chef Robert Lewis

What should you amke for dinner this weekend? How about Spaghetti Squash?

Both regular pasta and spaghetti squash have low amounts of fat, salt, and fiber. However, pasta has over 100 calories, while spaghetti squash has only about 20 calories, is richer in protein, and has far fewer carbs than pasta’s 31 grams. You’ll also get 9% of the recommended daily intake of dietary fiber, also delivering a range of nutrients, including vitamins C and A, Potassium & Calcium from spaghetti squash.

Creating vegetable spaghetti from spaghetti is fairly simple but it’s also available ready-to-serve at your local grocery store.

One of our favorite chefs, Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’ shares this delicious recipe to help you satisfy your hunger without compromising your diabetes health.

Spaghetti Squash of LOVE by Chef Robert Lewis aka ‘The Happy Diabetic’

Ingredients

1 medium spaghetti squash (2 pounds)

1/2 medium green pepper, diced

1/2 medium sweet red pepper, diced

4 medium fresh mushrooms, quartered

1 small onion, diced

1 tablespoon olive oil or canola

2 medium tomatoes, quartered

1 garlic clove, minced

salt & pepper to taste

3 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down in a microwave-safe dish or plate. Roast at 400 for 45 min. or Microwave, uncovered, on high for 12-20 minutes or until tender. Cool.

2. In a large nonstick skillet, sauté the peppers, mushrooms and onion in oil until tender. Add tomatoes and garlic; sauté 4-5 minutes longer.

3. When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands. Place squash into the pan with the veggies, sauté until hot and fully mixed. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Yield: 4 servings.

Chef Robert’s Tip: This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave. The cook time might take longer or shorter.

Nutritional Facts

One serving (1/2 cup spaghetti squash with 1/2 cup pepper mixture) equals 110 calories, 5 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 4 mg cholesterol, 372 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 4 g protein.

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.

Listen to our 4th Annual Diabetes Mystery podcast entitled ‘Gypsies, Tramps and Peas’.

Synopsis: Diabetes advocate turned reluctant amateur sleuth, Mr. Divabetic finally takes the plunge and ventures into a new career as a healthy diabetes-friendly caterer. With the help of his co-workers and nosy Italian mother, he heads for Coney Island to cater his first party for his former swim coach, Ted Rockow. But his nautical soiree quickly capsizes when the guest of honor is found sleeping with the fishes. What it an accident or foul play? Now Mr. Divabetic’s grilling Burlesque dancers, an amorous amputee and some sequined mermaids, all intent on keeping their secrets buried deep within the sand. Can Mr. Divabetic prove Coach’s death was a murder, not an accident? Or will he end up floating out to sea?

Will he sink or swim? Tune in to find out if he can solve the murder of his former swim coach with the help of his friends, some sassy mermaids and a cooky fortune teller. Along the way to revealing the identity of the murderer he uncovers expert tips for diabetes self-care during the Summer months.