Tag: food

diabetes meal planning carb counting

Carb Counting for Diabetes: 3 Easy Steps (with diabetes food list)

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When you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range is not only essential in keeping your diabetes under control, but it can help you feel your best. The easiest way to stabilize your blood sugar level is to watch your carbohydrate intake. This is because any carbohydrate food you eat (e.g., milk, fruit, bread, and pasta) is immediately digested into glucose (sugar), which causes your blood sugar level to increase. In this article, I will discuss one of the more “advanced” methods of diabetes meal planning: the “carb counting” method. A simpler method is the Diabetes Plate Method, so be sure to check out that article as well if you haven’t yet, along with the rest of the posts in the Diabetes Series!

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diabetes plate method eat with ease

Diabetes Plate Method: Meal Planning Made Easy

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In my last post, I introduced one of the fundamental elements of effective diabetes management, which consists of knowing and understanding important health indicators (such as your A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol). Now I will discuss another important skill that will play a massive role in determining whether your diabetes worsens or improves in the future—and that is eating the right way.

While there are many ways to approach meal planning, the Diabetes Plate Method (also called the “Create Your Plate” method) is an incredibly simple way to monitor portions and your carbohydrate intake, even if you are in a situation where you cannot plan ahead of time. 

For those who do not have diabetes, or have been told that they have pre-diabetes, you will find that this method is so simple and practical that you can easily incorporate it into your life to help you eat in a more balanced way. So let’s get started!

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The Ketogenic Diet: Fact or Fad?

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Over the past year, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the ketogenic diet. Not surprisingly, I have encountered many questions regarding them. What is it? Is it safe? Would I recommend it? 

Despite the recent trend, a “ketogenic diet” is actually not new at all. In the 1970’s, Dr. Atkins popularized his low-carbohydrate diet for weight loss that began with a very strict two-week ketogenic phase. Over the years, other popular diets also incorporated similar approaches for weight loss. But in medicine, we have been using this method for almost a century to treat some forms of epilepsy, especially drug-resistant types in children.

As you know, whenever something is popularized, much information goes around—some accurate, some not so accurate. The purpose of this post is to summarize for you what the medical community actually knows so far through its research on the health effects of ketogenic diets. This post is not to make a stance either for or against, because as you will see, there are both pros and potential cons (as well as some unknowns); rather, I simply want to equip you with the right information in order to empower you to make the best decision for your personal situation.

So let’s get started!

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Low Sodium Diets How to Cut Down on Salt

Low Sodium Diets: How To Cut Down on Salt

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Do you enjoy salty snacks? Do you often find yourself reaching for the salt shaker at the dinner table? In general, people eat much more sodium (salt) than they should. But why is it important to watch the amount of sodium you eat? It is important because the more sodium you consume, the higher your blood pressure becomes, which in turn can harm your health in the long run. Some conditions, such as certain heart and kidney problems, cause the body to hold onto sodium, which causes extra fluid to build up in the body. This extra fluid forces the heart to work harder. Therefore, if you live with chronic conditions, it is especially important to control the amount of sodium you eat. This article will cover the essential information you need to know that will make it simple to cut down salt and start on a low sodium diet.

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anti inflammatory foods

Anti-Inflammatory Diets: Fact or Fad?

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Inflammation. Foods that fight inflammation. Anti-inflammatory diets. It has no doubt become a buzzword in the world of nutrition and health these days. But while there’s little question that the food we eat is an important part of staying healthy, some of these diets are being promoted with very big health claims, among them the assertion that they can cure serious diseases. But does the actual science match up to these claims? And should you follow these dietary guidelines? And what exactly do these diets consist of? These are the questions that will be addressed in this post. 

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Food Guide

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Omega-3 fatty acids and omega-3 foods. The benefits of fish oil.  No doubt you’ve heard these mentioned before. But is it all true?  While this article will present the fundamentals of omega-3 fatty acids—what they are, how much you need, and how you can get them naturally—be sure to check out the article focused on fish oil supplements and their benefits, with a discussion on what is known about them, what has changed, and what you need to be aware of. In this way, you will be empowered to make the best decisions for your personal health. 

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