Chobani Zero Sugar Yogurts

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

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

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

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

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

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


An Appetite For Disaster: The Hummus Wars Between Two Nations

Hummus is packed full of diabetes-friendly complex carbs, protein, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and vitamins and minerals. It has a low glycemic index because your body digests them slowly. That means they aren’t absorbed as quickly as other carbs and won’t spike your blood sugar. The chickpeas in hummus give it lots of fiber and protein to fill you up too.

It’s hard to believe something as healthy as hummus could cause a riff between two nations. But that’s what a few handfuls of ground chickpeas did back in 2009.  “The Hummus Wars” began when Lebanon’s minister of tourism­, Fadi Abboud, wanted to break the world record for making the largest tub of hummus in the world. Lebanon’s goal was to claim hummus as their national dish and stop other nations, especially Israel, from encroaching on their proprietary rights of hummus. 

“I thought the best way to tell the world that the hummus is Lebanese is to break the Guinness Book of Records,” said Fadi Abboud in an interview.

At the ceremony, Guinness awarded Lebanon’s 4,532-pound plate of hummus the prize. A gleeful Abboud announced, “We want the whole world to know that hummus and tabouli are Lebanese, and by breaking [into] the Guinness Book of World Records, the world should know our cuisine, our culture.”

Of course, the ceremony’s results became big news all over the Mideast region, along with Lebanon’s fervent boasts claiming that hummus solely belonged to them. Unfortunately, Lebanon’s claim did not sit well with everyone.

So in 2010, the people of Abu Gosh set out to break Lebanon’s claim to the Guinness Book of World Records. When they did that, the news was broadcast worldwide. “In the town of Abu Gosh this morning, Israel re­took the title for the world’s largest hummus dish, weighing 4 tons and served in what a broadcaster described as something resembling a ‘satellite dish.’ 

The Lebanese heard the news and quickly counter-attacked. They created an even bigger entry by producing a vat of 23,042 pounds of hummus.  They were also trying unsuccessfully to simultaneously register the word “hummus” with the European Union (EU), thus banning any country other than Lebanon from calling their product hummus.

The EU previously had awarded a similar protective designation of origins to other countries. France had successfully registered Champagne, Italy registered Parmigiano Reggiano, and Greece laid claim to feta cheese. Unfortunately, the EU believed that hummus was the food of an entire region, not a country. Therefore they did not allow Lebanon to register hummus as its own.

And so hummus became a symbol of all the tension in the Middle East. But even as the Hummus Wars continue, nobody gets hurt with this war.

Enjoy another food story. Tune in to Divabetic’s Annual Mystery podcast, Tomorrow Is Not On The Menu.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic, lands his to-die-for job as a caterer for the nation’s hottest health guru, Wendy Wattage’s Wellness Retreat on the Jersey Shore. Everything seems low pressure and low calorie until the body of the nasty food critic, Marilyn Macaroni, is found stabbed to death with one of Max’s new chef knives. Now he’s the prime suspect in a big, fat murder investigation!

Can he and his team of friends, diabetes educators, and his nosey Italian mother, Mama Rose Marie, find the killer before the police arrive? Or will he be trading his fruit suit for coveralls with stripes?

Weight loss murder never tasted so good.

Starring Mr. Divabetic, Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Mama Rose Marie, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES, Maryann Horst Nicolay MEd, NTDR, Kathie Dolgin aka ‘High Voltage,’ Seveda Williams, Catherine Schuller and Lorraine Brooks. Produced by Leisa Chester Weir. Special thanks to our colleague, the multi-talented Wendy Radford.

Music from The Pink Panther and The Return of The Pink Panther soundtracks by Henry Mancini courtesy of SONY Music.

Divabetic Reader #3: And Then There Were Crumbs By Eve Calder

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries like Then There Were Crumbs. I consider cozy mysteries to be the literary equivalent of a Suduko puzzle. I can put down a cozy mystery, pick it up two days or even a week later, and not miss a beat. Plus, I’m learning the art of cozy mystery storytelling as I’m reading. That’s a tip I got from two Best-Selling Authors, Tonya Kappes and Brenda Novak, on how to improve your writing.

Currently, I’m knee-deep in rewrites for this year’s Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, debuting in September 2021. At this point, we have had several full-cast rehearsals, so I’m listening to rehearsal tapes and tightening up the script. One of the biggest challenges for me is to say more with fewer words. 

Eve Clader does a great job of storytelling in Then There Were Crumbs. 

However, I found that the biggest mystery could be the real identity of the author! My google search of ‘Eve Calder’ revealed ‘nada.’ I guess I’m not much of a super sleuth after all.

That said, I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the mystery, and the charming setting.

Agatha Christie said, “The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”

She was right! I was plotting out Divabetic’s Mystery podcast while my hands were submerged in sudsy water. So here’s the link to Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam.

I don’t know about you, but reading is one of my favorite past-times. But, unfortunately, the food described in the pages of whatever book I’m reading triggers hunger pain more time than not. This is why I don’t read Joanne Fluke‘s books. Her books are high-calorie, high-carb indulgences with tempting titles like Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, Carrot Cake Murder, and Raspberry Danish Murder. 

To stay on track with my own personal health goals, I like to have a healthy snack handy. 

I believe developing healthy habits takes as much time and effort as developing bad habits, especially when it comes to snacks. Think about. In the time it takes to grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the grocery store freezer, you can reach for frozen fruit and vegetables in the same freezer.

Lucky for me, I found a delightful frozen vegetable snack option at my neighborhood grocery store.

While reading Then There Will Be CrumbsI supported my health goals by snacking on Strong Roots’ Spinach Bites. After all, this book’s sugar ladened subtitle is A Cookie House Mystery!  While the townsfolk of Coral Cay, Florida were chewing on one cookie after another, I was eating several delicious spinach bites are wrapped up in a carrot and vegetable crumb.

The first ingredient listed on the food label is Spinach, so you know you’re actually eating an actual vegetable. One serving, 3 bites, has180 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates. I enjoyed 3 servings while I read. 

Did I mention that they’re easy to prepare too! Open the bag, then just pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, and they’re ready.

Staying on track with my diabetes wellness while I read is one of my Summer 2021 goals. Join me! Visit divabetic.org

Divabetic Reader #2: Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion

On the heels of reading Viola Shipman’s The Summer Cottage and Nancy Thayer’s Family Reunion books back to back, I noticed two trends. First, readers are obsessed with stories about homes located in idyllic spots like Nantucket and Lake Michigan. Second, authors go to extreme lengths, not to mention the protagonist’s size.

Now, I like nothing more than watching a new homeowner knock down a retaining wall to open up space on HGTV but still, I get easily bored reading about an actual house like its the main character. I imagine that we all have a natural curiosity to know what type of people living in white elephants and cottages on the coastlines of oceans and lakes. Or even in the garden districts of cities like Savannah, Charleston, and New Orleans.  In both novels, the protagonists’ family have owned their property for several decades. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind inheriting beachfront property either, regardless of the home’s condition. However, I would hope owning a home wouldn’t be my only claim to fame or strongest personality trait.

Regarding the second issue, the ambiguous shape and size of protagonists in fiction. Several authors have mentioned their publishers have pressured them about the size and shape of the protagonists on Divabetic’s monthly podcast. Publishers either want authors to describe the protagonists in general terms or make their protagonists smaller in shape and size. For example, one author interviewed told me that her publisher forced her to make her size 18 protagonist a size 12. She stated that her publisher didn’t think it was believable for a size 18 woman to have a romantic life.

I admit that I found Viola Shipman and Nancy Thayer’s ambiguous references to their protagonists’ size distracting. Descriptions of both main characters lead the reader to believe their beautiful. Both characters also express their own dissatisfaction with their bodies too. But that’s about the extent of it. Both authors’ avoidance seems downright obvious. So what is the big deal? There are plenty of women who looks like the cast of ‘Sex & The City’ but still manage to have active, fulfilling sex lives.

A widow over seventy starting to date again is an exciting story regardless of her size! However, if I had a clearer picture of what she looked like, I think I would have enjoyed reading more about Eleanor’s dating adventures.

Strangely, there are many mentions of her displeasure with the softness of her upper arms but nothing else.

Eleanor struggles with her energy level, and lack of focus, and coping with financial matters as she ages.

A lot of Family Reunion is about accepting the aging process.  I found these passages to honest and heartfelt. Here’s a quick synopsis:

Eleanor Sunderland loves living on Nantucket, in a gorgeous cliffside home that has been in her family for decades. Yet this year she can’t help but feel a bit isolated, even as the island begins to come alive with summer tourists and travelers. Her best friend has skipped town on a last-minute cruise, leaving Eleanor feeling lonely and nostalgic about her family’s weekend trips to the island, made less frequently in the years since her husband’s passing. Now, her money-driven children contact her mostly to complain and to beg her to sell her beloved home for a steep payout. Hoping to kick the season off on a good note, Eleanor decides her seventieth birthday may be the perfect occasion for a much-needed reunion.

Fresh off the heels of her college graduation, Eleanor’s dear granddaughter, Ari, has just ended an engagement that felt less like true love and more like a chore. She longs for a change of scenery and to venture far from her parents’ snobbish expectations. Taking advantage of her newfound freedom, she heads to Nantucket to clear her head before graduate school, moving in with her grandmother and taking a job at the local beach camp. As she watches Eleanor begin to form a bond with an old acquaintance, Ari herself becomes completely smitten with a friend’s charming older brother. But just as grandmother and granddaughter fall into a carefree routine, a few shocking discoveries throw them off course, and their ideas of the future seem suddenly uncertain.

Eleanor and Ari make exciting connections, old and new, over the course of an unpredictable, life-changing few months, and learn to lean on each other through every new challenge they face in life and love, in this tale filled with Nancy Thayer’s signature Nantucket magic.

Here’s what we were snacking on while reading Family Reunion. Grilled romaine lettuce, with tomato and topped with Tabitha Brown‘s carrot bacon. Added a little olive oil to make a simple marinade for the dressing.

Tabitha Brown is an American actress and social media personality. She creates online video content incorporating veganism, humor, and motivational speaking. Brown has over four million followers on TikTok and over three million followers on Instagram as of July 2021.

Check out Tabitha Brown’s favorite bacon substitute is Carrot Bacon! 

https://www.facebook.com/ActressTabithaBrown/videos/217570532863818/

 

As for her advice for others who are considering starting a vegan diet, Brown recently told our sister magazine Health that “food can be medicine, or it can be the thing that puts us in the ground…You have to start with your ‘why.’ My why was that I was sick. My why was life or death. I chose life,” Brown said. Sure, it will be challenging at first. “Do I still get cravings? Yeah, girl, right now I could see myself dipping a crab leg into some butter. But my why is strong enough. I say: ‘Be easy on yourself. Take your time. Don’t be hard on yourself. The world is hard enough already.'” Truer words have never been spoken, Tab.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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


Ingredients

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

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

 

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

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

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

“These chocolate peanut butter balls are so delicious and chocolatey that you’d never guess that fruit is a primary ingredient. For the most health benefits and to get the flavanols in dark chocolate, choose cocoa powder that has not been Dutched or treated with alkali,” says our colleague and frequent Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest,  Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Balls Recipe by Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, FAND

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pitted medjool or deglet nor dates (4.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 6 tablespoons natural peanut butter, creamy style (3.5 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats (2 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chips, preferably dark chocolate

Nutritional Information: Serving: 1 ball | Calories: 70 | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.8g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g

SEE FULL RECIPE

JILL’S HELPFUL TIP: Eat Mindfully

“My challenge for you is to pick at least two meals or snacks this week to practice eating with intention or mindfulness. Really pay attention to your food – why you chose to eat it; what it looks like; how it smells; what you expect it to taste like; how it actually tastes; and how the taste, texture and temperature change in your mouth as you chew. Notice how it makes you feel, what you like and don’t like, how your hunger and appetite change,”says Jill Weisenberger.

“This is the week-by-week guide that will change your life!”

Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week takes you on a one-year journey to weight control while managing your blood sugar,cholesterol level and more! This best-selling book includes sample menus, recipes and tricks for the kitchen. Instead of focusing on gimmicks, you will learn the skills you need to be successful long term.

BUY NOW 

Jill Weisenberger, MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, is a Nutrition, Culinary & Diabetes Expert, Wellcoach®-certified health and wellness coach, Freelance Writer, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator. She’s also the author of four books, including a best-seller. She’s a nationally-recognized media expert in high demand for print and online interviews, as well as corporate and one-on-one nutritional counseling. Jill’s philosophy is that nutrition science should be understandable, realistic and oh so delicious.

Listen to Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast with music from the ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music available on demand. Guests include Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND, Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and Mama Rose Marie.

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 Scavenger Hunt on Zoom with special guest, Best-Selling Intimacy & Diabetes co-author, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND on Thursday, July 16, 2020, 7 – 7:35 PM, EST.

One lucky winner in our random drawing will win Janis Roszler’s best-selling e- book, Intimacy & Diabetes. A second lucky winner will win a Dario Blood Glucose Meter starter kit. This all-in-one pocket-sized device can track blood sugar fluctuations and trends and identify hyper/hypoglycemic episodes right from your smartphone, providing readings within as little as 6 seconds. It’s scientifically proven, HIPPA compliant, and includes Dario Coaches to offer support and motivation to help manage your diabetes.

Thank you to everyone who has taken measures to protect our Divabetic community members and their loved ones by wearing cloth face coverings and social distancing. We are so grateful! Divabetic will continue to provide free Virtual Diabetes Outreach events with qualified health experts to keep you safe, informed and connected. Please join us!

REGISTER NOW

Tomato and Goat Cheese-Walnut Pesto Flatbread Recipe by Jill Weisenberger

There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy summer produce, including Jill’s delicious heirloom tomato flatbread recipe!

“The goat cheese and walnut pesto pair perfectly with these beautiful heirloom tomatoes,” says Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND. 

Tomato and Goat Cheese-Walnut Pesto Flatbread Recipe by Jill Weisenberger RD

Ingredients

  • For the Goat Cheese-Walnut Pesto
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves (about 16 g)
  • 1/3 cup walnut pieces
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large garlic clove
  • juice of 1/2 lemon (about 11/2 tablespoons)
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 5 ounces soft goat cheese
  • For the Tomato Flatbread
  • 4 medium to large tomatoes

FULL RECIPE 

Nutritional Information: Serving: 1slice | Calories: 182 | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2.5g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 310mg | Fiber: 2.5g

Quick Takes with Registered Dietitian Jill Weisenberger

Q: How much is ‘too much’ when it comes to eating carbohydrates for someone with type 2 diabetes?

Jill Weisenberger (JW): This is way too individualized for me to give you a solid answer. If your blood glucose is in your target range before eating, but above your target range 2 hours after eating, chances are you ate too much carbohydrate. Though it might suggest something else such as taking your medications incorrectly or needing a different dose, or it might even be your blood sugar’s way of reminding you not to miss your usual exercise. 


Q: How much is too much when it comes to eating carbohydrates for someone with pre-diabetes? 

JW: People with prediabetes have more flexibility because they are not at risk of having a dangerously high blood sugar level. Instead of focusing on the quantity of carbohydrate, I prefer to focus on the quality of carb-rich foods. Aim to eat fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains and other wholesome, nutrient-rich foods. 


Q: Are there any carbohydrates someone with pre-diabetes should avoid?

JW:  recommend limiting what I call fun foods. For me, that’s chocolate. For someone else, it’s corn chips. If it doesn’t had much to the wholesomeness of your diet, eat just small amounts or skip it completely. It’s almost always reasonable and possible to fit in favorite foods. However, I do urge extra caution around sugary beverages. Sugary drinks, like sodas, sweet tea and lemonade, are linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes. 


Q: I’ve read that adding walnuts to your meal plan is a good idea. Why or why not?  

JW: Love walnuts! And yes, they are a great addition to the diet. They give us omega-3 fatty acids, fibers, phytonutrients and more. Diets with nuts are associated with improved heart and blood vessel health in people with diabetes and in the general population.

Prediabetes: A Complete Guide


 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 and is renowned for disease prevention and management, nutritious, delicious meals, and truths (and myths!) about food trends.

Divabetic Scavenger Hunt: At Home Party

Divabetic Scavenger Hunt & Smoothie Party: At Home Party – Register Now!

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

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic for this free and entertaining, Scavenger Hunt: At Home Party on Thursday, June 18, 2020, 7 PM, EST. This hilarious night of virtual diabetes wellness and conversations features make-your-own smoothies with Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDCES, CHWC, FAND. 

Having diabetes does not mean you need to deny yourself all the foods you love, but it is about healthy choices. One good choice is to eat a lot of fruits and vegetables with smoothies. During our online Scavenger Hunt, Jill shares tips for making healthy smoothies without compromising your diabetes wellness.  

When: Thursday, June 18, 7PM, ET 

Where: on Zoom Register Now on Zoom Code

Fee:  Totally Free

 How: Mr. Divabetic will have a list of people may find around their kitchen. Once he posts an item you will have 30 seconds to find it and accumulate points for fun prizes including Jill Weisenberger’s Diabetes Weight Loss Week by Week bestselling book. After the hunt, we’ll sit back, laugh, make smoothies and enjoy a toast together until we can do it again in person.  

Divabetic’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast

 We’re talking about “I Know What You Ate Last Summer” with Jill Weisenberger MS, RDN, CDE, CHWC, FAND on Diabetes Late Nite with music from ‘The Best Of Patti Austin’ album courtesy of SONY Music. Addtional guests: Chris Pickering co-founder of ‘The Betes Bros, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Lorranie Brooks and Mama Rose Marie.

Flours To Help Manage Blood Sugars Naturally #4

If you have walked down the baking aisle at your local grocery store lately, you may be tempted to start experimenting with unending varieties of baking flour.

Recently I discovered chickpea flour and felt bored and fearless enough to try it! 

Chickpeas

Chickpea flour or chana atta is a soluble fiber that not only reduces blood cholesterol levels but also aids in the slow absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, causing the blood sugar levels to rise slowly. It’s a great alternative to refined wheat flour, as it’s lower in carbs and calories yet richer in protein and fiber

Expert bakers and bloggers say that chickpea flour provides a sweet, rich flavor that works well in pizza crusts, crackers, and breads as well as desserts with strong flavors such as chocolate cake or pumpkin bread. It can even be used as a thickening agent in soups, sauces, and gravy in replacement of all-purpose flour or cornstarch. 

When using it in a recipe, it is recommended that you replace up to one quarter of the flour with chickpea flour. One-quarter cup provides 110 calories, 18 grams of carbohydrate, and 5 grams of fiber.

Here’s a great chickpea flour recipe off of Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B70vVEEp_XE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

We’re talking about Secrets to Longevity & Diabetes with musical inspiration from Dionne Warwick on this episode of Diabetes Late.

Living longer and increasing your life expectancy with diabetes doesn’t have to be a chore. From flossing your teeth daily to getting a good night’s sleep, there are simple things you can do to help you live long, happy and healthy life.

Guests include The Lager Queen of Minnesota and Kitchens of the Great Midwest Author J. Ryan Stradal, Deborah Greenwood PhD, RN, BC-ADM, CDE, FAADE, Fonzi Thornton, Rachel Stahl MS, RD, CDN, CDE, and Lorraine Brooks.

Divabetic Smart Snacks #4

Choosing healthy snacks can be difficult when you have diabetes.

The key is to choose snacks that are high in fiber, protein and healthy fats. These nutrients will help keep your blood sugar levels under control.

It’s also important to snack on nutrient-dense foods that promote overall health.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans have close to 15 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber in a 1-cup (164-gram) serving of chickpeas, making them an excellent snack for people with diabetes.

Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine’s Hommus Crisps

One of our new favorite snacks, Oasis Mediterranean Cuisine’s Hommus Crisps‘ contain: chickpeas, green lentils, corn, sesame seeds, vegetable oil, sea salt.

FIND OUT MORE

Carb Kitty Video Games

Healthy Snacking Tips for Book Lovers from Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, FADCES

How are you coping with stress and anxiety related to the new ‘normal’ from the pandemic? 

Are you binge watching TV or are you reading books like me? I just finished reading Linda Holmes’ debut novel, “Evvie Drake Starts Over”

Unfortunately I’ve been known to polish off a salty snack or two while I’m reading without noticing! Since many Divabetics like to read after dinner and/or before bedtime, I contacted our good friend, a Diabetes Late Nite podcast guest, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Certified Diabetes Educator, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, FADCES for her advice about healthy snacking. 

Q: I’ve been known to polish off a bag of pretzels while I’m reading without noticing! And a lot of us like to read after dinner and/or before bedtime. 

Susan Weiner (SW): Try not to eat directly out of a bag, container or box! You can avoid portion distortion if you pre-portion your snack and put it in a small bowl or dish.

Familiarize yourself with the difference between a serving and a portion. The nutritional information listed on a food item is based on a single serving (a specific amount will be listed for an individual food item). Portion size is the amount you eat or what you put on your plate. Please note that the portion that you are eating may be much larger (or smaller) than the serving size listed on the nutrition facts label. If you eat twice the amount of the listed serving size, you will be consuming twice the calories, carbohydrate, fat, sodium etc as listed. 

Cut up colorful, low carb veggies in advance. Try some radishes, cucumbers, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes. That way you have them at the ready, and can much on them as you read. In the mood for a dip? Mash up a ripe avocado and mix in some lime juice, garlic and onion powder. 

Q: What you recommend as a late night snack? 

SW: If you are not a late night snacker, there is really no reason to start now! But if you are looking for something crunchy and yummy, try a couple of flaxseed crackers with a spoon full of almond butter. It’s a delicious snack anytime!

Q: In Divabetic’s Diabetes Mystery podcast,  ‘Phantom of the Okra’ you used a combination of carbohydrate counts to unlock a safe, how can counting carbohydrates help people with diabetes? Can you provide a few  tips for beginners?

SW: Carbohydrate counting, or carb counting can help a person with diabetes manage their blood sugars. Carbohydrate containing foods raise your blood sugars, and therefore it’s important to be aware of which foods contain carbohydrates and how much carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food item. That way you can count the amount of carbohydrate in a serving of a food. 

Common foods which contain carbohydrates include bread, pasta, cereals, rice, fruit, beans, sweets, cakes, cookies, candy, regular soda and fruit drinks. 

In addition to reading food labels, there are a number of websites and apps which can get you started with carb counting. Please know that in addition to food, many other things can affect your blood sugar, including your physical activity level, stress, medications and lack of sleep and so much more. So, please take good care of yourself and reach out to your health care professional.

For more information visit:

American Diabetes Association – Get Smart on Carb Counting

New York-Presbyterian – Carbohydrate Counting for People with Diabetes

Beyond Type 2’s 5 Calorie-Counting Apps To Help Achieve Your Goals 

Divabetic Mystery Podcas: Phantom of Okra

Find out what happens when Mr. Divabetic, the Diabetes Late Nite cast and some special friends try to solve this diabetes murder mystery, Phantom of Okra, loosely based on “The Phantom Of The Opera.” Enjoy diabetes self-care advice and nutrition information in between moments of suspense, wide-goose chases, and entertaining banter. 

Co-starring Best-Selling Author Tonya Kappes, Asha Brown (founder of the We Are Diabetes organization), Central Farm Markets Co-Founder Debra Moser, Poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Author Peter Arpesella, Susan Weiner MS, RDN, CDCES, FADCES, Leisa Chester Weir, Terri Seidman and Mama Rose Marie.

This podcast features song selections from “The Phantom Of The Opera” soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music. 

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In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.

Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, former Major League pitcher and Andy’s childhood best friend, is wrestling with what miserable athletes living out their worst nightmares call the “yips”: he can’t throw straight anymore, and, even worse, he can’t figure out why. As the media storm heats up, an invitation from Andy to stay in Maine seems like the perfect chance to hit the reset button on Dean’s future.

When he moves into an apartment at the back of Evvie’s house, the two make a deal: Dean won’t ask about Evvie’s late husband, and Evvie won’t ask about Dean’s baseball career. Rules, though, have a funny way of being broken—and what starts as an unexpected friendship soon turns into something more. To move forward, Evvie and Dean will have to reckon with their pasts—the friendships they’ve damaged, the secrets they’ve kept—but in life, as in baseball, there’s always a chance—up until the last out.

Author Linda Holmes