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Diabetes Self-Management

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Amy Campbell, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES

A Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator at Good Measures, LLC, where she is a CDE manager for a virtual diabetes program. Campbell is the author of Staying Healthy with Diabetes: Nutrition & Meal Planning, a co-author of 16 Myths of a Diabetic Diet, and has written for  publications including Diabetes Self-Management, Diabetes Spectrum, Clinical Diabetes, the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation’s newsletter, DiabeticConnect.com, and CDiabetes.com

Amy Campbell, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES on social media

Dealing With Winter Blues

Dealing With Winter Blues

People who have diabetes have a higher risk of depression compared with people who don’t have this condition and may also be prone to having seasonal affective disorder. Fortunately, there are things that you can do…

Seven Ways to Ward Off Dementia

Seven Ways to Ward Off Dementia

There are certain factors that can put you at risk for getting dementia, and one of them is having type 2 diabetes. This may sound scary, but there’s a silver lining: You can take steps to prevent it by focusing on healthy lifestyle habits…

Nutrition for a Healthy Thyroid

Nutrition for a Healthy Thyroid

If you have either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, medication may likely be part of your treatment plan. While good nutrition won’t cure your thyroid condition, it can help you manage your symptoms and feel your best. Let’s take a closer look…

Can Diabetics Eat Dates?

Can Diabetics Eat Dates?

While the general consensus is that people with diabetes can eat anything (it’s matter of how much, when, and maybe, what you pair it with), there’s still some confusion around certain foods. Dates happen to be one of these foods…

Give Tai Chi a Try

Give Tai Chi a Try

If you’re struggling to find an activity that you enjoy doing, if you need a gentler way to move more, or if your goal is to help better manage the daily stresses of life, consider trying tai chi…

Soup Nutrition

Soup Nutrition

Chosen wisely, soup is a great way to sneak in some vegetables, whole grains and even an ounce or two of protein. Learn about soup nutrition and get some top picks…

Staying Flexible

Staying Flexible

it’s easy to increase and maintain flexibility — it just takes a little bit of time and dedication, but the payoff is worth it. Learn more about how you can become flexible…

Is This Food Safe to Eat?

Is This Food Safe to Eat?

How do you know if your food has gone bad? If you’re judging the safety of a food by the food expiration date printed on the can, bottle, or package, you might be throwing away perfectly good food. Here’s how to make sense of these dates…

What to Know About Electrolytes
Fresh fruit and vegetable high in electrolytes. Healthy food sources of electrolytes. Foods to naturally replenish electrolytes. Banana spinach pomegranate beans mango table salt avocado coconut water

What to Know About Electrolytes

Electrolytes probably sound at least vaguely familiar to you. Are they something that you need to think about? Read on to learn more about electrolytes…

Why Do I Have Acne?

Why Do I Have Acne?

Your teenage years may be behind you, but lo and behold — you now have acne! Why is this happening? Does it have anything to do with diabetes? And most importantly, how do you get rid of it?

Signs of Dehydration

Signs of Dehydration

Dehydration happens when you lose more fluids than you are taking in, and your body doesn’t have enough fluids to work properly. Dehydration is associated with certain illnesses and even death…

Healthy Halloween Foods

Healthy Halloween Foods

Halloween is nearly here, and while the kids may be munching on loads of sugar and chocolate, you can be enjoying your own Halloween treats that just happen to be a little healthier for you. Check out these healthy Halloween foods…

Is Yogurt Good for Diabetics?

Is Yogurt Good for Diabetics?

Yogurt is one popular food – just head to the dairy case in your local grocery store and you may be amazed at the multitude of brands and varieties that line the shelves. But is it a food that people with diabetes can or even should eat?

Bee Stings, Burns, Bug Bites and Diabetes

Bee Stings, Burns, Bug Bites and Diabetes

This year, summer will likely be very different for most of us, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But what probably won’t change are the long, lazy, hot days — and the accompanying nuisances that can make this time of year uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous for people who have diabetes…

Plate of bananas -- Is Banana Good for Diabetes?

Is Banana Good for Diabetes?

Fruit is pretty much all carbohydrate, and carbohydrate raises blood sugar levels. So, the logical reasoning is that fruit raises blood sugar, therefore, fruit is “bad.” But is that really true? And what about bananas — should you avoid those if you have diabetes?

Product Review: Dex4 Glucose Gel

Product Review: Dex4 Glucose Gel

The best way to handle hypoglycemia is to prevent it from happening in the first place. But because life happens, it’s important to be prepared. Dex4 Glucose Gel is a fast-acting source of carbohydrate that’s an excellent option for treating low blood glucose…

Product Review: Yomandamor Bamboo Diabetic Socks

Product Review: Yomandamor Bamboo Diabetic Socks

If you currently have any foot problems, or if you’ve had them in the past, it’s a smart idea to wear socks geared for diabetes. Yomandamor bamboo diabetic socks are made from a combination of bamboo and elastane — materials that wick away moisture, are wrinkle-resistant, and are free from seams…

Plant Sources of Protein

Plant Sources of Protein

There’s plenty of evidence that eating a plant-based diet is beneficial to health. Concerned about getting enough protein? Learn about plant sources of protein from Certified Diabetes Educator and Registered Dietitian Amy Campbell…

Yoga for Diabetes

Yoga for Diabetes

What if there was a way to reap the benefits of physical activity while a) enjoying what you’re doing and b) not having to huff and puff or fight someone for the treadmill at the gym? If you’ve been asking yourself this very question, then yoga might be right for you.

Chromium and Diabetes

Chromium and Diabetes

The role of chromium in diabetes control remains controversial. Is there any new research on this supplement? Is it really helpful in managing blood sugars? Or are the chromium claims mostly hype?

Pasta for Diabetics

Pasta for Diabetics

One of my favorite foods is pasta. I think I could eat pasta every day and never tire of it. And when I’ve had a rough day, nothing comforts me as much as a plate of pasta with butter (or trans-fat-free margarine), Parmesan cheese, and freshly ground black pepper…

Building a Better Sandwich

Building a Better Sandwich

Back to work or school often brings up the issue of what to take for lunch, and inevitably, sandwiches come to mind. By avoiding or limiting fast-food sandwiches and making your own, you’ll have more control over portion sizes and ingredients…

Insulin: Types

Insulin: Types

If you have diabetes, there is a good chance you are taking this medicine. Learn about the different options that are available from certified diabetes educator Amy Campbell…

Navigating the Grocery Store

Navigating the Grocery Store

We’ve all been there: We go to the store to get some milk or a loaf of bread, and we come out with two bags of groceries that we had no intention of buying. Use these tips to make the most of your food dollars and your time…

Soup Really Is Good Food

Being a native New Englander, I’m beginning to brace myself for the cold weather ahead. I admit — I’m not a big fan of frigid temperatures, sleet, or snow, but one thing I really can appreciate about the big chill is soup. Soup has a lot of good things going for it, but not all soups are created equally nutrition-wise…

Color Me Healthy

When was the last time you gave some thought to color? Maybe you were trying to decide if that pink blouse goes with that orange skirt. There’s more to color than just decorating or assembling an outfit, however. The choice of color can affect your health and your mood…

Brain Training: How You Can Learn to Like Healthy Foods

In my years as a dietitian, I’ve talked with plenty of people who have told me that they just don’t have a taste for fruits or vegetables or whole grains or skim milk, for example. But might it be possible for people to learn to like foods that are good for them and turn off their taste buds for the less healthy foods? Scientists seems to think so…

Nutrition for Neuropathy

Roughly 60% to 70% of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy (nerve damage); the risk for the condition increases the longer you’ve had diabetes. Not surprisingly, good nutrition can go a long way in helping both to prevent and manage neuropathy…

Techie Tools to Help With Weight Loss

There’s still no magic bullet for weight loss. I know, we all keep hoping for something quick, easy, and painless that will melt the pounds away with little or no effort. While we wait for that to come along, you might be interested in some new gadgets that are on or soon will be on the market that might at least make it easier to drop some pounds…

What Color Is Your Fat?

Fat seems like a problem, and for a huge segment of the population, it truly is. But fat isn’t all that bad. We do need this stuff. Many people simply have too of it. The issue, then, is how to get rid of that excess…

Nutrition—In a Jar!

Salads are a mainstay for many people, and summertime is the perfect time to savor them. There are many reasons to enjoy a salad, and if you happen to frequent a farmer’s market or have a vegetable garden, it’s very tempting to throw one together…

When Blood Pressure Is Too Low

Talk around blood pressure typically centers on what to do if blood pressure is too high. We know that high blood pressure is more common in people with diabetes than people without diabetes. But what if your blood pressure is too low? Is it cause for concern? And what do you do about it?

Frozen meals in a supermarket -- Choosing Frozen Meals for Diabetics

Choosing Frozen Meals for Diabetics

Frozen dinners may not be what comes to mind if you’re trying to eat healthfully. Yet many people (guiltily) admit to eating them, whether for a quick and easy lunch or for those nights when they just don’t have the time or energy to turn on the stove or oven…

Where Sugar Lurks

Years ago, nutrition recommendations for people with diabetes were essentially to avoid sugar as much as possible, based on the thinking that sugar would send blood glucose levels through the roof. Well, that notion was pretty much disproven…

Cats and Dogs Get Diabetes, Too!

We may not think about it much, but our pets can get diabetes. In fact, diabetes is pretty common in cats and dogs, and it’s on the rise in both of these species. Luckily, if you have a beloved cat or dog who has diabetes, you can help him lead a healthy life with this condition…

Unconventional Ways to Lose Weight… Maybe

America’s quest to lose weight continues. As a nation, we’re heavier than ever and just as eager to shed those pounds quickly and painlessly. More than 30% of US adults are obese; this statistic is the same as it was 10 years ago, so things aren’t getting much better. Losing weight is hard and keeping the weight off is harder…

Six Fish Facts to Know Now

We’ve been hearing for a long time now that fish and other types of seafood are good for us. Current recommendations tell us to aim to eat “two fish meals a week.” But fish has some fishy aspects to it, like mercury. And what about all that cholesterol in shellfish? Do fish sticks count towards your two weekly fish meals? Let’s find out the facts about fish…

Giving Your Heart a Helping Hand

We’re in the midst of February, and Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. February happens to be American Heart Month (appropriately so), which means that it’s a good time to take stock of what you’re doing to ensure your heart stays as healthy as possible…

Clean Eating: Fad or Future?

Last week my sister told me about a coworker of hers who recently lost weight by “clean eating.” I admit, I’m not an expert in this area, but I’ve heard of this movement and it got me wondering. Is eating “clean” is just another fad or trend, or is it something that’s not only here to stay, but that can help people with diabetes?

Linking Weight With Relationships

The winter holidays are slowly dwindling. Besides being left with too many presents and a lot of food, you might also be left with some unwanted weight. Now’s the traditional time for people to be thinking about New Year’s resolutions and shedding some pounds for the incoming new year…

Sugar Surprises!

‘Tis the season for visions of sugarplums dancing in your head…and lurking in your food, too. It’s virtually impossible to completely avoid sugar. However, too much of a good thing isn’t all that good…

Calories: Do They Count?

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. No doubt, you enjoyed some familiar favorites: turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes…perhaps a slice of pie. And you probably thought, at least a little bit, about how much you were eating…

Facing the Fats

Fat is a necessary nutrient, and we need it to sustain health. But it’s also had its share of hard knocks in the past, and many people (including some dietitians) are still leery about promoting its goodness…

Shared Medical Appointments: Are They for You?

A few years ago, I needed to make an appointment with one of my doctors. I was told that I could see her sooner if I attended a group appointment, otherwise known as shared medical appointment (SMA). At first, I was very hesitant. A group visit? With my doctor and other patients? How strange…

Low-FODMAP Diet: A New Fad?

People who have IBS will tell you that sometimes the above approaches work for them, and sometimes they don’t. But thanks to researchers from Australia, a newer approach is available that may help the millions of IBS sufferers get a little more relief…

Juicing: Is It for You?

Ask people who have diabetes if they drink juice, and chances are they’ll tell you that they don’t. They may say that juice is “too high in sugar” or “too high in carbohydrate.” But “juicing” is a whole different ballgame for some people…

Being Kind to Your Kidneys (Part 1)

When was the last time you thought about your kidneys? Was it when you had a kidney test (a microalbumin test, to be exact) at your doctor’s office? Many of us don’t give much thought to these two bean-shaped organs, but if you have diabetes, you may be worried about developing diabetic kidney disease…

Other Sweeteners to Consider: Agave and Coconut Palm Sugar

Our fondness for all things sweet is ingrained in us. References to our desire for foods like honey date back thousands of years. And there’s nothing wrong with that, unless you happen to indulge a little too often. There’s also the dilemma that some people face regarding whether to use a “nonnutritive” (noncaloric) sweetener, such as aspartame or sucralose, or something more “natural” (including real sugar)…

Focus on This: May Is Healthy Vision Month

The merry month of May is upon us, and that means it’s time to think about your vision! In 2003, the National Eye Institute declared May as Healthy Vision Month. Now is as good a time as any to make sure that you’re doing all that you can to protect your vision and prevent vision loss…

U-500 Insulin: Is It Right for You?

If you take insulin, chances are, you use a strength of insulin called U-100 insulin. U-100 insulin is the most common strength of insulin in the US. But there’s yet another strength of insulin, U-500, that is used in cases of insulin resistance…

Standout Foods Take Center Stage

Meet with a dietitian and one of the first questions you might ask him is, “What should I eat?” The answer, in part, lies in the reason for seeing him in the first place. Most dietitians will tell you to eat a variety of foods from all of the food groups, but there are also some particular standouts that you might want to make an extra effort to add to your repertoire…

A Twist on “Tea”

It’s not exactly news that that tea has a number of health benefits. The “real” tea, from the Camellia sinensis plant comes in four varieties: green, white, oolong, and black. Recently, other types of “tea” have become trendy…

The Nose Knows: Smell Disorders

Some of my favorite smells are a Christmas tree, chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven, and freshly cut pumpkins at Halloween — I can’t imagine not being able to smell these delightful things. But according to the National Institutes of Health, between 1% and 2% of people in North America say they have a smell disorder…

What’s in Store for 2013?

At the end of the year, articles and predictions abound on what the latest, greatest, or hottest food trends will be for the upcoming year. Of course there are also food trends for 2013, and now that we’re into February, a few are worth mentioning…

More Weight-Loss News

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who is trying to lose weight (or not gain weight), chances are, you keep an eye out for any mention of that truly miraculous pill/potion/magic wand that will make the weight disappear. Well, I hate to disappoint, but that hasn’t appeared just yet. However, there IS a lot of research going on in the field of weight management…

New to Diabetes: What’s Next? (Part 2)

There’s a lot to juggle when you have diabetes, and at times, you may feel as if you’re in a circus. Between balancing eating, physical activity, medication, and appointments (not to mention all of the other things that you need to do every day), it’s not surprising that many people tune out and throw up their hands. “It’s too hard to have diabetes,” they say…

On the Move for the Holidays

he word “holidays” signifies weight gain for many people. After all, it’s been drilled into us that come Thanksgiving (actually, Halloween), we start packing on the pounds (at least 5) until New Year’s Day, when we dutifully sign up for a gym membership that we rarely end up using…

Sneaky Sodium: It’s Lurking Everywhere!

Hopefully you all had an enjoyable and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday. And hopefully you didn’t overindulge too much, but if you did, you’re getting back on track. If you ate a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal (plus leftovers), which usually includes turkey, gravy, stuffing, and the rest of the fixings, chances are you got more than your fair share of sodium…

Bad Bugs: Facts About Food Safety (Part 1)

The last thing you want to do is have to worry about becoming ill from something that you ate or drank. But with Hurricane Sandy paving a path of destruction along the East Coast and knocking out power to millions of homes, and with the holidays coming up, it’s a good idea to brush up on keeping your food safe from nasty little organisms…

Getting Started With Type 2 Diabetes

It seems that, no matter what topic I write about or what questions I answer, the same type of question frequently comes up: “I just found out that I have Type 2 diabetes. What do I do?” This makes me realize that, despite the wealth of diabetes information that’s out there, we’re not reaching everyone.

Carbonated Water: Yes or No?

I’ve become a fan of flavored seltzer water. With flavors like lime, pomegranate, green apple and yes, even eggnog (at holiday time), one can never get bored. Also, thanks to seltzer, I’ve been able to wean myself off Diet Coke to some degree. But is carbonated water really all that good? And what’s the difference, anyway, between club soda, seltzer, and tonic water?

Words to the Wise: Everything in Moderation

If you ever have talked with a dietitian about food (and why wouldn’t you?), you’ve likely heard him say one or both of these famous catchphrases: “All foods can fit” or “everything in moderation.” To many people, including myself at times, these words start to sound like a broken record. But they really do ring true…

Fascinating Fat Facts and Findings (Part 2)

I don’t know about you, but I find the science behind fat to be rather fascinating. Fat seems to be both friend and foe, so having a better understanding of how it behaves in the body, and why some fat is good and some is not so good, can help us (hopefully) be healthier all around…

Fascinating Fat Facts and Findings

Mention the word “fat” and you probably think of the greasy stuff found in food or the equally greasy stuff that clings to hips, thighs, and stomachs. Fat gets a pretty bad rap because it’s been drilled into us for so long that fat is “bad.” But fat has some redeeming qualities, too…

Diabetes and GERD: Are They Linked? (Part 1)

You know the feeling. You wake up in the middle of the night with a burning feeling in your chest or throat. You might have a sour taste in your mouth or feel nauseated. Maybe your throat is sore or you sound hoarse when you talk. Or perhaps you start to wheeze or cough. Many of us have had some or all of these symptoms at one time or another. But what causes them?

Getting Fired Up for the Fourth (of July)

July is here, and this year, the Fourth falls in the middle of the week. Even if you have to go back to work the next day, chances are you’ll be celebrating our nation’s birthday with fireworks, parades, cookouts, and perhaps a bit of alcohol. Successfully managing diabetes at any time involves being one step ahead of the game as much as possible, and this week’s holiday is no exception…

Weight Update

Ah, summer is finally here. In my opinion, it seemed to have snuck up on us awfully fast. I don’t quite feel prepared. Millions of people are probably feeling the same way as they pull on their shorts and bathing suits for the first time and realize that the waistband is a bit too snug or that the bathing suit seems tighter than it did last summer…

Organic Foods: Are They Worth It? (Part 1)

Walk into the produce section of your local supermarket, and you’ll see organic fruits and vegetables sitting alongside the “regular” fruits and veggies. And it’s not only in the produce section. But there’s still some confusion and mystery behind the term “organic.” Just what does it mean? And are these foods really better for you?

Weighty Matters: What’s New in the Weight-Control Arena

Every now and then I like to write about some of the latest developments and findings in the arena of weight loss or weight control. Obviously, a lot of research is going on in this area, and given that so many of us (with and without diabetes) struggle with weight or have to work hard to stay at a healthy weight, I think it’s a good idea to periodically highlight these findings…

Some Hard Facts About Vitamins and Minerals (Part 2)

The use of vitamins and minerals is always worthy of a good discussion. Like many of you, I get frustrated with all of stories that come out about what to take, what not to take, what can cause this or lead to a problem with that. What many of these “studies” tell us is that we still don’t know an awful lot about what vitamins and minerals can do for us…

Listen to Your Heart (Part 2)

Valentine’s day is today. It’s one of those holidays that you either love or hate. Whether or not you have a special someone on this Hallmark holiday, you might view Valentine’s day (heck, the whole month of February), as a reminder to take care of your ticker…

Do You Have a “Leaky Gut”?

“Leaky gut” doesn’t have a whole lot to do with diabetes, but it’s a condition that is becoming more and more commonly recognized by both alternative and traditional medicinal practitioners, so it’s something that you may want to familiarize yourself with…

Cereal: It’s What’s for Breakfast… or Lunch, or Dinner

Raise your hand if you currently eat or have ever eaten cereal. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of you raised your hand. Back in 2005, Good Morning America conducted a poll and found that 60% of Americans eat breakfast, and of those 60%, about 40% eat either hot or cold cereal. If you’re a Seinfeld fan, you probably remember the episode when Jerry’s girlfriend ate cereal for all three meals…

To Detox or Not?

The holidays are over. You survived Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s… Perhaps you indulged yourself a bit too much and now your waistband is a smidge too tight. Or maybe you just feel tired and bloated from too much rich, fatty food and holiday spirits. Perhaps your blood glucose levels are running higher than usual…

Gentle (Food) Reminders for the Holidays

It seems like every year, when the fall and winter holidays roll around, I write about how to “get through” them, whether it’s making better food choices, finding ways to fit in more physical activity, or checking blood glucose levels more often to see how things are going. I began to wonder if I was repeating myself every year…

Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and Prebiotics

This article describes what probiotics and prebiotics are, how they can help you, and how they might in some cases be harmful — so that you can have a better idea whether adding them to your diet is right for you…

Insulin: It’s a Good Thing. Really!

One of my nurse educator colleagues was recently featured in a teaching video on how to inject insulin. As part of the video, we asked people who have diabetes and who take insulin to answer some questions about what it’s like to have diabetes, including following a meal plan and injecting insulin…

Weighty Matters

Why am I writing about anything remotely related to weight issues during the week of Thanksgiving? Believe me; I’m not trying to cast a shadow on turkey day, nor any holiday, for that matter. But, it never hurts (any of us) to be somewhat mindful of what and how much we eat…

Wise Up on Water

Water has got to be one of the most boring beverages there is. Now don’t get me wrong — I love water, and we wouldn’t survive without it. I mean no disrespect. But water is tasteless, colorless, and odorless and, in general, has nothing in it (provided it’s clean, of course). How exciting is that?

Getting Up to Speed on New Injection Guidelines (Part 2)

Last week I mentioned that there are new insulin injection guidelines (as of 2010) that came out of a workshop called TITAN. These guidelines are important because they aim to achieve clarity and consistency among how people with diabetes inject their insulin. Sadly, however, I suspect that not many health-care professionals, let alone people with diabetes, are familiar with these guidelines…

Getting Up to Speed on New Injection Guidelines (Part 1)

Chances are, if you’re reading this, you take (inject) insulin, or you know someone who does. Insulin injections aren’t a whole lot of fun, but then again, they aren’t the end of the world, either. Some people mind them more than others. There are those who have a real fear of any kind of injections, whereas others are more matter-of-fact about injecting themselves…

White Foods Are Nutrition Superstars

How many of you have been told somewhere along the line that white foods are bad for you? When you think of “white” foods, you probably conjure up images of white flour, white bread, white pasta, white rice, sugar, and perhaps even those little snack cakes that are yellow with white frosting…

Got Milk? What Kind?

Milk drinkers seem to be a thing of the past. Growing up, I remember having to drink milk every night with my dinner, and that habit stayed with me long after I started living on my own. I don’t drink milk as much now, although I do use it on my cereal and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. Like other carbohydrate foods, though, milk has somewhat of a bad reputation, depending on who you talk to…

What’s Your Vegetable IQ?

All of you gardeners out there are probably reaping the benefits of your harvest right about now. Even if you don’t have a garden, hopefully you’ve been taking advantage of all the wonderful vegetables from farm stands, farmer’s markets, and even the produce section of your grocery store. Nothing tastes quite like a homegrown tomato, that’s for sure…

Weird and Wacky Ways to Win at Weight Loss

Did the title of this week’s posting grab your attention? If so, that was my intent. And maybe I exaggerated the title somewhat, but I did so because I know how much people struggle with losing weight. It’s not always just about eating less and exercising more. So this week, I thought I’d list a few tips on losing weight that perhaps you hadn’t known much about. If they help you, all the better…

Blasted Belly Fat: What You Can Do

As frustrating as it is to carry around that spare tire or suffer from “muffin top” syndrome, you might find some comfort in the fact that a slimmer, trimmer middle is something that everyone strives for. Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to whittle your waist somewhat and, perhaps most importantly, lower your risk for a host of health problems…

Blasted Belly Fat: Taking Stock

I don’t know about you, but pretty much every week, I receive e-mails from a certain company that promise to help me “blast away” my belly fat. Belly fat is big (again, no pun intended) and the media invokes a certain urgency for people to get rid of it. Oh, if only it were that easy…

Blasted Belly Fat: Types of Fat

It’s no secret that having excess fat anywhere in the body isn’t so healthy. When’s the last time you took a good long look at your body in a full-length mirror? If you’re like many people, you probably don’t do this, and if you do, you might quickly glance away…

Protein Supplements: Hemp

This week wraps up our look at protein supplements. As we’ve seen, whey and casein supplements are the top contenders out there. Soy protein supplements are another option, especially for those who prefer something that’s plant-based. There’s one other plant-based protein supplement that isn’t as widely known as the others…

Protein Supplements: Casein and Soy

One of the myths about protein supplements is that they can magically help you build muscle…or lose weight. What many people don’t realize about protein powders and shakes is that unless you substitute them for other foods in the diet, you can very well end up gaining weight…

Introducing MyPlate

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced something big last week: They ditched the Food Guide Pyramid and welcomed MyPlate. If you even remember the Food Pyramid, you might vaguely recall that it was first introduced in 1992, and then revised in 2005. And if you’re like most people, you probably found the pyramid to be rather unhelpful, to say the least. Even dietitians didn’t have a whole lot of positive things to say about the pyramid…

What’s New in Weight-Loss Research?

The unofficial start of summer is upon us. I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day weekend. How many of you enjoyed a cookout…or two? How many of you followed your meal plan to a T, or counted your carbs perfectly? It’s OK if you didn’t. But in case you’re anxious to get back on track after the long holiday weekend, here are a few new studies that might give you some food for thought…

Healthy… or Not? Energy Bars

We’re fortunate in this country to have so many different types of food available to us. And thousands of new food products are introduced to every year. One food product that has really skyrocketed in popularity is the energy bar.

Healthy… or Not? Yogurt and Salad

Grocery shopping can be a daunting task for anyone, even dietitians. Keeping up with label reading and trying to decipher the ingredients list practically requires a PhD. (OK, perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but it can often be confusing.) What’s frustrating for me is the sneaky, stealthy way that some (not all) food manufacturers package and advertise their foods to make them seem “healthy” and “good for you…”

The Dukan Diet: Fit for a Princess?

Have you gotten caught up in the royal wedding fever surrounding Kate and Will’s upcoming nuptials? Imagine if you’re the bride, or even the mother of the bride. You have to look good for the big day. Enter the Dukan diet, France’s version of the Atkins diet…

Pass the Pecans, Please!

Nuts are big in nutrition right now. We hear a lot about how great almonds, walnuts, and even pistachios are for us. Pecans are usually relegated to the back of the line. But not anymore. March 25 was National Pecan Day (also International Waffle Day, but we won’t go there), although National Pecan Month is in April…

March: A Month Dedicated to Good Nutrition

Leave it to dietitians to designate a month for healthful eating. Why March? That’s a good question. March, in my opinion, is pretty dreary. And here in New England, there’s always the risk of a nor’easter this time of year, but it’s also not unheard of to have temperatures in the 70s…

Vegetarian Diets in the Limelight… Again! (Part 2)

Discussing vegetarian diets can be a lot like discussing politics, I’ve found. There are definitely two camps: those who are ardent supporters of staying away from animal foods as much as possible, and those who insist that humans aren’t meant to subsist on plant foods and that eating animal protein is the way to go…

Vegetarian Diets in the Limelight… Again!

Have you heard of Michael Pollan, an author, journalist, and professor of journalism at the University of California, Berkeley? Several years ago he wrote a book entitled In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. One of the “rules” in his book is startlingly simple yet powerful at the same time: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants…”

Eating for a Healthy Thyroid

We’re full throttle into January 2011 and, some might say, in the midst of the “winter doldrums.” Where I live, the weather has been cold and somewhat snowy. January doesn’t have a whole lot going for it, but it does happen to be Thyroid Awareness Month! So in its honor, I thought I’d focus on the role of nutrition in thyroid disorders this week…

Fight the Flu… With Food! (Part 2)

Did you get your flu shot yet? It’s hard to even think of getting the flu, especially with the balmy weather we had in New England on Saturday (a high of 88 degrees!). But cold weather is on the way, and while it’s always tempting to snuggle up in bed when the snow flies, you don’t want to do so with a fever, muscle aches, and a sore throat…

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge: (Part 7)

If you’re following the guidelines issued by the Beverage Guidance Panel (a panel of experts whose aim is to provide guidance on the risks and benefits of various types of beverages) in 2006, it means that you’re drinking at least 12 cups of fluid every day. (The question is — have you actually measured how much you drink?)

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge (Part 6)

Another heat wave seems to be upon us. It is summer, after all. Hopefully you’re staying hydrated, whether you feel thirsty or not. In the hot weather, it seems like the refrigerator is frequented mostly by people in search of something to drink. So, what beverages are in your fridge?

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge (Part 4)

Cheese sure is popular. Did you know that the Pilgrims brought cheese over on the Mayflower? Or that the United States makes over 25% of the world’s cheese supply, producing roughly 9 billion pounds each year? Wisconsin, California, Idaho, New York, and Minnesota are the top cheese-producing states. Last cheese fact: A professional cheese seller is called a cheese monger. (These facts may come in handy if you ever go on Jeopardy!)

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge (Part 3)

This week is devoted to cheese. We actually could probably spend many weeks talking about cheese because A) there are so many types of cheeses available, B) there’s a lot you can do with cheese, and C) cheese seems to be a food that many, if not most, people love to eat. In 2003, Americans ate, on average, more than 30 pounds of cheese (or 8.8 billion pounds, collectively), according to the California Milk Advisory Board…

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge (Part 2)

Last week we started to peek inside your refrigerator to make sure you have the fixings for a healthful meal. If you were to open your fridge right now, what’s inside? Would you be able to make a nutritious dinner with what you have in your fridge and cupboards? If the answer is yes, excellent! If the answer is no, then we may have some more work to do. But the good news is that you’re getting there!

Stocking Your Healthful Fridge (Part 1)

At this point, your cupboards or pantry should be pretty well stocked with the “basics” — grains, canned vegetables, beans, oils… But there’s one more spot in your kitchen that also needs to be well stocked, and that’s your refrigerator (we’ll lump the freezer into this as well). While canned goods are great staples to have on hand, it’s important to have fresh ingredients as part of your meals, too. Let’s look at what a healthful fridge and freezer should contain…

Stocking Your Healthful Kitchen (Part 5)

Grains are a staple of a healthful diet. To some people with diabetes, it may be surprising that I’m advising you to eat grains (whole grains, to be more specific). Grains are made of carbohydrates. And yes, carbohydrate does break down into glucose, meaning that grains will usually cause some sort of rise in blood glucose…

Stocking Your Healthful Kitchen (Part 3)

A word of thanks to our readers who have shared their thoughts on what foods to keep on hand for a fabulous meal! You might be thinking, “Gee, this seems like a lot of work to go out and buy all these foods…and then try to find a place to keep them.” Believe me, I’m not trying to add any stress to your day. But as I’ve been saying all along, much of eating healthfully is in the planning and preparation…

Nonnutritive Sweeteners: Help or Hindrance? (Part 5)

Last week I wrote about Truvia and PureVia, two new stevia-based sweeteners. Because they really are so new to the market, we don’t know a lot about them. They likely are safe. Then again, it’s hard to say what researchers will find years down the road. Whether you use nonnutritive sweeteners or not and which ones you use is really a matter of individual preference…

Nonnutritive Sweeteners: Help or Hindrance? (Part 4)

A lot of questions came in again (last week on sweeteners! This week, I wanted to focus on two of the stevia (rebiana) sweeteners that are now available on the market. And just a reminder that even though we call these sweeteners “stevia,” they’re really not quite the same as the stevia (perhaps purchased in a health food store) that some of you have mentioned using. Only the stevia extract rebiana has been given the green light for use as a general purpose sweetener by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…

Nonnutritive Sweeteners: Help or Hindrance? (Part 3)

Thanks to everyone who posted questions last week! The use of sweeteners in people both with and without diabetes is always a great topic for discussion, and I’m glad to see that folks have done their homework and are asking questions about all of the products out there. We continue with the sweetener saga. The sweetener of the week this week is stevia (actually, rebiana, a stevia-based sweetener)…

Boosting Brain Health: What Can Food Do?

Over the past few weeks I’ve highlighted various dietary supplements that may (or may not) play a role in slowing cognitive decline. Supplements can be “iffy” in that they’re not always well researched, side effects can be a concern, and they can be expensive. So, that leads to the question, “Can eating a particular food or foods promote brain health?” Let’s take a look…

Boosting Brain Health: Do Supplements Really Help? (Part 2)

Last week a study was released in The British Journal of Psychiatry. This study involved 103 men and women with mild cognitive impairment. Nineteen of the 103 participants developed dementia (probably Alzheimer) over the course of the study, which was four years. And sixteen of those participants had diabetes; they were about three times as likely to develop dementia as those without diabetes. Granted, this was a small study, but it does reinforce the link between diabetes and dementia…

Surfing the ‘Net for Helpful Advice

Even though the holidays aren’t quite over, chances are you’re regretting having that extra glass of eggnog, the double scoop of mashed potatoes, or the few extra holiday cookies that somehow landed in your hands. With each new year come new resolutions to eat better, exercise more, lose a few pounds, or improve diabetes control…

Making a List and Checking It Twice

The winter holidays are upon us. With them comes the usual stress of shopping, cooking, and cleaning, not to mention the very real possibility of expanding waistlines and extra pounds showing up on the bathroom scale. And, for people with diabetes, there’s often the extra worry of more erratic blood glucose levels — sometimes too high, sometimes too low, which can make you feel frustrated and tired…

Spice It Up! Boosting Your Health with Spices and Herbs (Part 4)

If you like curry dishes, no doubt you’re familiar with the bright yellow or orange color of the sauce. This vivid color is due to turmeric, a spice that comes from the rhizome, or underground stem (similar to ginger!), of the Curcuma longa plant. Turmeric has been used for more than 5,000 years for food, medicine, religious purposes, and as a dye. It’s native to Southeast Asia, and currently is grown in a number of countries, including India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Haiti, and Jamaica…

Can the Company You Keep Make You Fat? (Part 1)

When it comes to weight control, it’s probably been ingrained in you by now that eating too many calories without subsequently burning them off can cause you to gain weight. And that not doing enough physical activity can make you gain weight (or at least make it hard to lose weight). You’ve likely also heard theories suggesting that eating too much fat, or too much carbohydrate, or not enough protein can make you gain weight…

Extra, Extra: Nutrition News That You Can Use (Part 1)

As summer begins to wind down, I thought you might be interested in catching up on various nutrition studies that have been released over the past few months. Some of the research findings are perhaps not all that earth-shattering, but they serve to remind us of how a few lifestyle changes can really make a difference in terms of health. Other of the findings provide some hope, particularly in the areas of heart disease, weight management, and diabetes. At any rate, read this for what it’s worth…

The Buzz on Energy Drinks

The Buzz on Energy Drinks

Full Throttle. Rockstar. Monster Energy. Spike. Wired X505. Red Bull. Amp. Fixx. No Fear. Cocaine (Cocaine?). What do they all have in common? No, they’re not names of monster trucks or wrestlers from SmackDown. Rather, they’re the names of popular energy drinks that have blasted their way into the beverage market…

Functional Foods

Chances are that you’ve heard the phrase “functional foods,” but maybe you aren’t sure just what it refers to. Rest assured that most functional foods are not foods created in a laboratory somewhere, but instead are many of the foods you probably eat every day…

Medicinal Mushrooms: Coming Out of the Dark (Part 1)

I may have mentioned last week that the month of June was mostly overcast and rainy — I think we maybe had three days of sunshine. As a result of everything being wet and damp, I’ve noticed that a lot of mushrooms have sprung up on my lawn, some big, some little. It got me thinking about mushrooms and the fact that the health benefits of edible mushrooms tend to be overlooked by most people. In fact, I’d guess that most of you didn’t know that mushrooms have quite a bit to offer in terms of nutrition and health. But first, a few mushroom facts…

Food Group Superfoods: Fats (Part 11)

This week ends my series on superfoods. It’s been a long journey, but look at all of the foods we’ve covered! I’ve learned a lot myself about the various nutritional components that make so many foods so good for us. I hope this information has been helpful for you and that maybe you’ve been inspired to try some foods that you haven’t eaten before. And now, a final look at two foods in the fats category: sesame seeds and olives…

Food Group Superfoods: Fats (Part 10)

Well, we’ve reached the last of the food groups: fats! The “fats” food group consists of more than just butter and oil. For example, nuts, seeds, salad dressing, olives, and avocados are all included in this category. I’ve written about many of the oils in previous postings, so I’ll focus on some other foods in the “fats” group this week…

Food Group Superfoods: Protein Foods (Part 9)

When most people think of protein foods, meat, chicken, or fish come to mind. But one concern with animal-derived foods is that they can be high in saturated fat. And cost can be an issue as well, especially for people feeding a large family. This week we’ll look at soybeans, a type of legume that has grown in popularity over the years, and another option for adding protein, flavor, and variety to your diet…

Food Group Superfoods: Protein Foods (Part 8)

Only two more food groups left to go! We’re working our way through the six food groups, and this week we’ve come to protein sources. (Check out “Food Group Superfoods: Milk Products (Part 7)” for information about yogurt and kefir.) The protein group is a little tricky in some ways because there are both pros and cons to foods in this category. For example, beef often gets a bad rap because of its saturated fat content. (Plus, a new study shows that people who eat too much red meat may have a shortened life span). But beef contains important nutrients, such as iron, phosphorous, and, of course, protein. But I’m not going to “beef” about beef. Instead, let’s look at two animal sources of protein, and then next week we’ll look at two plant sources…

Food Group Superfoods: Milk Products (Part 7)

We’re making a lot of progress, going through each of the food groups and highlighting some of the superstars. I’ve received some great comments on this series and I truly hope that it at least opens your eyes to all the fabulous, healthful foods that are available. This week, I’ll focus on a couple of dairy foods that are standouts. (See “Food Group Superfoods: Vegetables (Part 6)” for information about onions and celery…)

Food Group Superfoods: Vegetables (Part 6)

We’re into week six of reviewing some “superfoods.” Have any of you been inspired by these entries to eat more fruits, vegetables, or whole grains? Have any of you ventured forth to try a food that you’ve never eaten but have always wondered about? It’s easy to get in a rut and complain that meals are boring, but if you open your eyes to all the different foods that are available, you’ll see that there’s plenty to choose from. Hopefully this series will encourage you to try some new foods, both for variety and for the nutritional benefits. This week, we’ll look at two more vegetables…

Food Group Superfoods: Vegetables (Part 5)

Raise your hand if your mother told you to eat all your vegetables. And raise your hand if vegetables were your least favorite food on the plate. I remember my parents telling me I had to sit at the table until I ate all my broccoli. Of course I didn’t eat it, and after about 15 minutes my parents let me off the hook. Yet despite that, I went on to become a dietitian…

Food Group Superfoods: Fruit (Part 4)

Last week, we looked at blueberries and plums, fruits from the blue/blue-red end of the spectrum that have much to offer in terms of health benefits. I actually ended up buying a small container of plums this weekend at Costco — haven’t eaten one yet, but I’m hoping they’re sweet and juicy! This week, we’ll look at two more fruits: cherries and kiwi.

Food Group Superfoods: Fruit (Part 3)

Over the last couple of weeks (in "Food Group Superfoods [Part 1]" and "Food Group Superfoods [Part 2]"), we’ve explored foods from the "starch" group, including grains, beans, and starchy vegetables. This week, we’ll begin our "fruit" journey. Suffice it to say that I won’t be getting into some of the more exotic fruits that have been labeled "super fruits" by the media; these include açaí, mangosteen, and goji berries. While they may be the current fruit darlings, there are plenty of other "old standbys" that are just as nutritious (plus, I already wrote about the super fruits in September 2007!).

Food Group Superfoods (Part 2)

Last week (in "Food Group Superfoods [Part 1]"), I highlighted two "superfood" grains: oats and quinoa. Oats are nothing new, but I suspect that many of you have never tried quinoa. (In fact, according to last week’s DSM E-News survey, almost 80% of respondents have never tried it!) One reader commented that quinoa was quite costly where she lived. Yes, this grain (or seed, actually) is more expensive than your basic rice, for example, so perhaps it’s not something that you eat all the time. However, I urge you to give it a try if you’re able; not only does it lend a different taste and texture to your meals, you’ll get an added nutrition boost, too.

Food Group Superfoods (Part 1)

By now, you’re well aware that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good for you. As far as other foods, well, things can seem murky, depending on whom you listen to. Dietitians are fond of telling people that "everything in moderation" is the way to go. But aren’t there certain foods that really stand out from the crowd?

If you were on a desert island and could only have a few foods to keep you alive and healthy, wouldn’t you want to know what those should be? What I’m going to do over the next few weeks is highlight a few (but not all) of the superstars from each of the food groups that you may already be familiar with.

Irritating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Conclusion)

OK, so here’s the last part of my series on IBS (I promise!). But as you can see, there’s a lot to say about this condition (just as there’s a lot to say about diabetes). I mentioned this previously, but I do think there are a lot of similarities between IBS and diabetes. When it comes to treatment approaches for either condition, there is no one "right" method; treatment must be individualized, based on such factors as type and severity of symptoms. Fortunately, as we learn more and more about diabetes as well as IBS, more treatment options become available.

Irritating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Part 3)

Back before I became a diabetes educator, I worked with a team of gastroenterologists. Many of the patients that I saw had IBS. And while medication was often prescribed to try and regulate, if not alleviate, their symptoms, the reason that the physicians referred them to me was to make some nutritional changes; at that time, dietary intervention was the most effective way to manage IBS. Nutritional management is still a key factor in IBS management, but today we’re fortunate to have some other treatments available.

Is Going Organic the Way to Go?

As a person with diabetes, you’ve most likely given some thought to what you choose to eat. Perhaps you’re counting carbohydrates or following a tailored eating plan; maybe you’re careful to make heart-healthy food choices or are trying to incorporate…

Irritating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Part 1)

Shhh…irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, isn’t exactly a topic that one brings up at the dinner table or during a business meeting. It might even be a topic that, if you have IBS, you don’t talk about with anyone except maybe your physician. But if you’re part of the 20% of Americans who live with IBS (and yes, some of them also have diabetes), chances are you welcome any information that may just help relieve some of your symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at this condition and find out what’s being done to help those who have it.

Are You Doing Your Part for Your Heart?

February is winding down. The groundhog saw his shadow, so winter will be hanging around a little longer than we all hoped. Valentine’s Day has come and gone (perhaps a relief for some?). Not much else happens in February…with the exception of American Heart Month.

Essential Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know (Part 4)

This week, we conclude our series on essential fatty acids. (See the previous entries at "Essential Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know [Part 1]," "Part 2," and "Part 3.") I hope that this information hasn’t been too technical for you. However, you don’t always read or hear about such things as essential fatty acids in the newspaper or on television, so my thought is that this has been an interesting topic.

Essential Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know (Part 3)

Talk about timing. Last week (in "Essential Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know [Part 2]"), I reviewed some key sources of omega-6 fatty acids: evening primrose oil, borage oil, and black currant oil. If you recall, these oils (which are typically taken as supplements) are prime sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), one of the "good guy" omega-6’s that seems to have anti-inflammatory properties, helping with such conditions as rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, diabetic neuropathy, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Essential Fatty Acids: What You Need to Know (Part 1)

When you think about fat (and who doesn’t these days?), you likely think about "good" fats and "bad" fats, or saturated fat and unsaturated fat. And that’s fine. Those of you who have an interest in nutrition might like to know a little more, however, about good fats, beyond what’s generally taught to the average consumer. So, if that’s the case, read on!

Slow Cookers: A Must-Have for Healthy Eating

Before I delve into this week’s topic, I just wanted to comment on last week’s survey results. The survey, entitled "Small Changes" was based upon my post last week about small steps you can make to better manage your diabetes. More than 1,000 votes were cast, which is great! Also, I noticed that most people chose to set a goal to check their blood glucose two hours after meals more often, take their medication as prescribed by their provider, or keep appointments with their providers.

Healthy Holidays To All

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us…and has been since October. Doesn’t it seem like people start decorating for Christmas earlier and earlier nowadays? It used to be that maybe after Thanksgiving, a few brave souls would put up Christmas lights. Now, the lights and lawn ornaments go up a day or so after Halloween.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket—Or On One Plate!

Eggs are one of the most frustrating foods. As a dietitian, I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent telling people that eating eggs is OK, and that it’s really the saturated fat in food that’s the culprit, not the cholesterol. But it seems that once people finally get comfortable with the fact that eggs are highly nutritious and can be part of a heart-healthy diet, researchers give us some bad news.

Osteoporosis: Yet another Complication of Diabetes? (Part 2)

Last week, in "Osteoporosis: Yet Another Complication of Diabetes? (Part 1), " we started to look at osteoporosis. As a quick review, osteoporosis is a bone disease whereby you lose too much bone, make too little bone, or both. We also know that, while women are primarily impacted, men can get osteoporosis, too. Everyone needs to be aware of this disease and focus on ways to prevent it. This week we’ll look at diagnosis and medical treatment for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis: Yet Another Complication of Diabetes? (Part 1)

As if you didn’t have enough to contend with managing diabetes, many of you will need to consider your risk of developing osteoporosis at some point. Women are certainly at higher risk of getting this bone disease, but men aren’t off the hook either. And while most people don’t usually link diabetes with osteoporosis, there actually is a connection, so it’s important to take steps to keep your bones as healthy as possible.

Get Moving! New Physical Activity Guidelines! (Part 2)

If you’re not currently doing any kind of physical activity on a regular basis (meaning, most days of the week), now’s a good time to ask yourself these two questions (there are no right or wrong answers here, either):

  • What kind of benefits will I get from being physically active?
  • What’s stopping me from being physically active?

Get Moving! New Physical Activity Guidelines! (Part 1)

I was looking back at all the blog posts I’ve written and realized that one topic I’ve yet to write about, after all this time, is physical activity.

Now, I can just hear the inward groans from all the readers. Who wants to hear about exercise and physical activity? Most of us know we need to do it, and most of us know we don’t get enough. What more is there to say?

Fight Flu and Pneumonia: Get Vaccinated!

October is here, and fall is starting to settle in. Here in Massachusetts, the leaves have started to turn their brilliant colors, people are getting ready for Halloween, and yes, Christmas decorations have hit the stores. It’s also Columbus Day weekend, a time of year when I dig out my warmer clothes and do some fall cleaning. The squirrels are scurrying around, burying acorns, preparing for what will probably be a long, cold winter. Do you do anything special this time of year?

Gastroparesis: That Gut Feeling (Part 2)

As always, a big thank you to those of you who shared your gastroparesis stories this past week (see "Gastroparesis: That Gut Feeling [Part 1]"). I can’t imagine that this is an easy complication of diabetes to deal with, yet I’m also heartened to hear of some success stories. Diabetes and its complications are managed and treated in varying ways, and what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. Trial and error, plus a lot of patience, is usually what works best.

Gastroparesis: That Gut Feeling (Part 1)

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at celiac disease, an often-overlooked but increasingly prevalent digestive disorder that can be seen in people with diabetes. Along that same line, a complication of diabetes that, too, often gets overlooked is gastroparesis. While technically a form of neuropathy, gastroparesis refers to delayed stomach emptying due to damage to the vagus nerve (the nerve that helps the ear, tongue, larynx, pharynx, and abdominal organs work), as well as damage to the muscles in the stomach.

Primer: Managing Diabetes and Celiac Disease (Part 3)

This week, I’ll wrap up my three-part series on celiac. So far, we’ve looked at symptoms of celiac, how it’s diagnosed, and the beginnings of what the gluten-free diet consists of.  I’d like to share some more information on the gluten-free diet, since this is really the crux of the treatment of celiac, as well as some tips for managing both diabetes and celiac at the same time.

Primer: Managing Diabetes and Celiac Disease (Part 1)

You may recall that I attended the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) annual meeting a few weeks ago.  When I arrived at the conference on Wednesday, I was a little late getting to the 1:30 session that I really wanted to go to and, as a result, got closed out. I then wandered across the hall to another session called "Managing Diabetes with Celiac Disease."

Vitamin D: Is It a Miracle? (Part 3)

This week, I’ll wrap up my "series" on vitamin D. There’s an awful lot to say about this vitamin, and it seems like every week or so, there’s something new to say! First, I wanted to mention a few more areas in which vitamin D might be beneficial.

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 3): Blood Lipids

For the past two weeks, we’ve been delving into various medications that are often prescribed for people with diabetes (see "The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 1): Steroids" and "The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 2): Blood Pressure"). Some of these drugs, such as steroids, have a direct effect on blood glucose levels. All drugs have some side effects, so it’s important to have a clear understanding of what these are. Over these next two weeks, we’ll look at classes of drugs that are used to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 2): Blood Pressure

Last week, in "The Ups and Downs of Meds and Diabetes (Part 1): Steroids," we took a look at steroids, a powerful class of drugs that, while very good at doing what it’s supposed to do, can cause significant hyperglycemia (high blood glucose). Frequent blood glucose monitoring and using sick-day rules are the best ways to deal with that issue. This week, we’ll look at another category of drugs: hypertension (high blood pressure) medications, since many people with diabetes take these.

Nutrition On A Shoestring (Part 1)

Gas prices have passed the $4.00 mark, at least in some parts of Massachusetts, while prices of homes continue to drop. And you’d pretty much have to have your head buried in the sand not to notice that the price of food has skyrocketed, too.

High-Fructose Corn Syrup: The Controversy Continues

Last week (in "A Foray Into Fructose"), we learned how fructose, or fruit sugar, may be linked to certain health conditions, such as high lipid levels, gout, kidney stones, and irritable bowel syndrome. What we haven’t looked at yet, but will this week, is a substance that has just about as bad a reputation as trans fat, or pesticides, or even global warming: high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS, for short).

A Foray Into Fructose

We continue to delve into various sweeteners. This week, we’ll start to take a closer look at fructose and its counterpart, high-fructose corn syrup, with which you’re undoubtedly somewhat familiar.

Sugar is Sugar, By Any Other Name… Or Is It? (Part 3)

Well, we’re slowly but surely making our way through the sugar maze! Hopefully, you haven’t tired of reading about the many guises of sugar; personally, I think it’s pretty fascinating to learn about the intricate details and characteristics of something that has gotten such a bad rap for so long (but then, again, I am a dietitian…). Anyway, we’ll look at another, lesser known sweetener this week—agave syrup—and also take a peek at maple syrup.

Sugar Is Sugar, By Any Other Name… Or Is It? (Part 1)

By now you’re probably aware of the news: People with diabetes can eat sugar! No, sugar isn’t going to spike up your blood glucose levels (unless you happen to pour the entire contents of the sugar bowl into your mouth). But sugar isn’t so simple anymore. For those of you who’ve decided to sneak some back into your eating plan, you’re now faced with some choices.

Caffeine: Friend or Foe? (Part 1)

How many of you make a morning pilgrimage to Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts? How many of you grab an icy can of diet cola to jump-start your day? How many of you reach for a caffeinated beverage to "perk" you up when the midafternoon slump hits you like a ton of bricks?

Diabetes and Skin Care: Nutrition (Part 1)

Skin conditions and skin care have been popular topics over these last couple of weeks (See "Diabetes and Skin Care [Part 1]" and "Diabetes and Skin Care [Part 2]"). Sometimes, we in the diabetes field focus so much on other diabetes complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and heart disease, that we often overlook the effects that diabetes can have on the skin. Hopefully you’ve learned a little from the previous two posts as well as from the comments, advice, and tips readers have offered on protecting and caring for your skin.

Diabetes and Skin Care (Part 1)

By now, your skin is probably feeling the effects of a long winter: Dryness, itchiness, flakiness, and redness are all common conditions that can affect your skin. It’s especially important to pay attention to your skin when you have diabetes. Diabetes can affect your skin, just as it can your eyes, feet, kidneys, and heart, so make sure you check it daily.

Binge Eating Disorder and Diabetes (Part 2)

I’d like to start off by thanking those people who posted comments and questions about binge eating disorder (BED) on my previous blog entry ("Binge Eating Disorder and Diabetes [Part 1]") over the last week. Some of you have shared that you have BED, while others are perhaps questioning the possibility. Arming yourself with facts about BED can help you and your health-care team determine whether you have this disorder and, if so, how to get the right treatment.

Binge Eating Disorder and Diabetes (Part 1)

If you’re a regular reader of Diabetes Self-Management E-News, you’re probably familiar with the surveys that are featured in the newsletter. Maybe you’ve even participated in a few. Back in the fall, a survey was posted regarding "bad habits." Out of 130 responses, 50% of people responded that the bad habit they most wanted to tackle was binge eating. That’s a pretty high percentage. Hopefully, we’ll see this number drop during 2008!

Gearing Up for a New Year

Happy New Year! By the time you read this, it will be a brand new year. It’s the time of the year, too, when the inevitable "top stories of 2007" appear—the most notable people, the top business stories, the top news stories, etc., etc. Oh, and don’t forget that it’s time to set those traditional New Year’s resolutions.

Shaking the Salt (Part 3)

I’d like to thank everyone for their comments and helpful suggestions for cutting back on sodium over these past few weeks.  We can only hope that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will take a stronger stance on requiring food manufacturers to cap the amount of sodium they add to their products. But don’t hold your breath on this for too long, as the FDA sometimes moves slowly!

Shaking the Salt (Part 1)

I hope you enjoyed a tasty Thanksgiving feast last Thursday. Chances are you’re still munching on leftovers. And it’s likely that many of you were counting the grams of carbohydrate in the stuffing, or the fat grams in the gravy. How many of you were thinking about the amount of sodium in the turkey with all the trimmings?

The Beauty of Beans (Part 1)

Often overlooked (and often looked down upon), beans are an important, albeit humble, food to include in your meal plan. We’re not talking about green beans here, either. Technically called legumes, the beans we’re focusing on include kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans, soy beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, and dried peas. Over the next three weeks, we’ll take a closer look at beans, including why they’re so good for us and how we can best fit them into our diets.

Take a Hike!

I live in New England and, so far, we’ve had a great fall. The weather has been unusually warm, and the foliage is becoming spectacular with its bright colors. Fall is a good time to get outside and enjoy nature before the cold, snowy weather sets in. Whether you’re a serious hiker, or a hunter, or just like to take long walks in the woods, there are a few considerations to keep in mind if you have diabetes.

Nutrition and Eye Health: Carbohydrate

Nutrition and Eye Health (Part 1)

It’s been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. Whether you believe that or not, your ophthalmologist (eye specialist), at least, is the one person who has the best view of the insides of your eyes and who can quickly spot any problems.

Fruits & Veggies—More Matters!

For the past two weeks, I’ve written about super fruits—exotic, unfamiliar fruits that contain higher levels of antioxidants than your “run of the mill,” everyday fruits, such as apples and oranges. However, many claims about the health benefits of super fruits have yet to be proven. And we shouldn’t overlook the garden-variety (literally) fruits and vegetables that brighten up the produce aisles in our local grocery stores.

Super Fruits: Can One a Day Keep the Doctor Away?

You know that fruit is good for you. It’s full of vitamins and fiber, low in calories, and sweet and refreshing. And, probably, when you think of fruit, what comes to mind is the average, garden-variety assortment: apples, oranges, blueberries, bananas, etc. Now there’s a whole new category of fruits called "super fruits."

Nutrition and Dental Health

Having just undergone a root canal this past week, and also having read DiabetesSelfManagement.com’s recent Article of the Week on diabetes and oral health, teeth have been on my mind. When people think about a healthy mouth, what usually comes to mind is brushing and flossing and going to the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups. All of that is important, of course. But what sometimes gets overlooked is how our food intake and nutrition status affect the health of our teeth and gums.

Meal Replacement Products: Do They Work? (Part 2)

Last week, we talked about meal replacements products (MRPs), such as shakes and bars, and how they might fit into a weight-loss plan. We also talked about some of the benefits of MRPs, such as how they can eliminate some of the decision-making when it comes to making food choices and how they can provide a framework for a healthy, calorie-controlled eating plan, not to mention a source of nutrition for folks who tend to skip meals.

Pycnogenol: Antioxidant Superstar? (Part 1)

Pinus pinaster, more commonly known as Pycnogenol, is a lesser-known antioxidant that has quietly hit the nutrition supplement scene. Pycnogenol is extracted from the bark of the French maritime pine, grown in coastal southwest France. This supplement contains a handful of phytonutrients, including proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, and organic acids. And while you may not have heard too much about this supplement, its list of possible health benefits is quite impressive. Let’s take a look.

Go for the Green: Cool Down with Green Tea

How many of you are tea drinkers? If you’re a tea aficionado, you’re probably feeling pretty smug about all the positive news that’s come out over the past few years regarding the health benefits of tea. Tea has often been maligned because of its caffeine content, but now we know that tea is a powerhouse of antioxidants that may prevent all sorts of health problems. This week, I’ll focus on green tea in particular.

Weight Loss Drugs: Is the Magic Pill Here at Last? (Part 2)

Last week, we looked at a few prescription weight-loss drugs—some that can lead to dependency, and one that has yet to be approved. What else is available? If you’ve been in your local pharmacy recently, you may have seen displays heralding the arrival of "alli" (spelled with a small "a" and pronounced "ally"). What’s this all about, and why is it sold over the counter rather than by prescription?

Weight-Loss Drugs: Is the Magic Pill Here At Last? (Part 1)

Wouldn’t it be nice to hear on the nightly news that researchers had finally found the magic pill that helps you lose weight…and keep it off? This pill would be taken once a day and wouldn’t have any side effects. It would start working immediately and the pounds would just melt off. Can you imagine all the happiness and excitement this would generate?

Keeping Your Cool When it’s Hot!

Last week, I wrote about traveling when you have diabetes (“Summertime…And the Traveling Is Easy!”). In keeping with the whole summertime/vacation theme, I thought I’d write about some tips on managing diabetes when it’s hot.

When it comes to staying cool and safe in the summer, it helps to keep a few things in mind. Much of this will seem like good, common sense. However, some of the tips pertain directly to people with diabetes, so please take a few minutes to read through the list!

Your Mother Was Right: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

Unless you’ve buried your head in the sand or just returned from a trip to Mars, it’s pretty clear that we all need to fit more fruits and vegetables into our diets. Some of you have been hearing this advice since the days you sat at your parents’ kitchen table, picking at overcooked peas or canned fruit cocktail. I remember being told to sit at the table until I finished my broccoli, which I hated as a child (now I love it).

Slow Down, You Eat Too Fast!

While thinking about possible topics for this week’s blog entry, for some reason I thought about how quickly people eat. Being a dietitian, I’m always attuned to things like what foods people put in their shopping carts, what people order at a restaurant, and how much and how fast people eat. For example, my husband tends to eat quickly, as does a colleague of mine. When I eat with them, I find myself eating quickly, too, as though I need to keep pace, and I need to consciously force myself to slow down.

Water, Water Everywhere…

Now that summer is just around the bend, thoughts often turn to summer foods and drinks. When we’re hot and thirsty from working in the yard or spending a day at the beach, many of us reach for a can of diet soda or sugar-free lemonade or iced tea. Others reach for plain old water to quench their thirst.

Getting Off to a Good Start with Breakfast: Part 2

In last week’s blog entry (“Getting Off to a Good Start with Breakfast: Part 1”),
we talked about the importance of eating breakfast and all the health benefits that result from fueling yourself with food at the start of the day.

So maybe now you’re convinced that eating breakfast is a good thing. But perhaps you’re scratching your head, thinking “What the heck do I eat for breakfast?”

Getting Off to a Good Start with Breakfast: Part 1

Do you eat breakfast? If you don’t, you’re not alone. A poll done a couple of years ago by ABC News revealed that four out of ten people don’t eat breakfast. Not surprisingly, older adults and seniors are more likely to eat breakfast than younger adults, mostly because of time; according to this poll, only 53% of adults ages 18 to 34 eat breakfast, whereas about 83% of people over the age of 65 eat breakfast regularly.

Troublesome Triglycerides (Part 1)

By now, you’ve heard that people with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. You’ve also heard that it’s important to have your cholesterol level checked at least once a year, and that you should keep your LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol under 100 mg/dl (or 70 mg/dl if you’re at high risk for heart disease). You may even know about getting a “lipid profile” done once a year. What may seem a little murky is what triglycerides are, how they are related to heart health and diabetes, and what to do if they’re too high. So this is the topic for this week’s blog entry.

Zinc and Diabetes

Z is the last letter in the alphabet, which means it often receives little or no attention. Yet Z is the first letter in the word “zinc.” How much thought have you ever given to zinc? Maybe some, if you take zinc supplements for a cold, for example. But new research indicates that zinc is something else that people with diabetes should think about. Why? Read on.

Oil Changes: Part 2

Did last week’s blog entry (“Oil Changes: Part 1”) prompt you to rush out and try Enova oil? No? Well, maybe it did pique your curiosity somewhat, which is good. And at the very least, it’s something to bring up during your daily water cooler chat or at your next dinner party. This week, I want to mention two other oils that have received some attention lately.

Oil Changes: Part 1

Years ago, when I was a new dietitian, I remember counseling my patients to use what were then considered to be the most “heart-healthy” oils: corn oil, safflower oil, and vegetable (soybean) oil. These oils are known as polyunsaturated fats, due to the presence of double bonds in their chemical makeup (I’ll spare you the chemistry lesson, however). Then, monounsaturated fats came into favor, and the “polys” took a back seat. Monounsaturated fats include canola oil, olive oil, and peanut oils. Why were these better?

Juice vs. Fruit: What’s Better for Diabetes?

This past week, results of a European study, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition in 2006, made the news. This study was actually a comprehensive review of the literature on fruit and vegetable juices. And while it may not sound like an exciting paper to read, this study does raise an interesting point. Here’s the crux of the study, according to the authors: “When considering cancer and coronary heart disease prevention, there is no evidence that pure fruit and vegetable juices are less beneficial than whole fruit and vegetables.”

Can Dairy Prevent Diabetes? Help with Weight Loss?

Last week, we explored some of the potential health benefits of both dairy-based and soy-based yogurt. But there’s more about dairy that we haven’t touched upon yet. For example, there’s evidence linking a higher intake of low-fat dairy foods to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes in women. You might be thinking, “Well, I already have diabetes—what does this have to do with me?” I thought it was worthwhile to mention this study because, if you have Type 2 diabetes, you likely have family members who are at risk for getting diabetes. Here’s your chance to spread the word and help them do what they can to prevent its onset.

Diabetes and Dairy: Soy Yogurt – As Good as Insulin?

A lot of you probably keep up with the latest health news, especially as it relates to diabetes. Late last year, one of the newsworthy items had to do with soy yogurt and diabetes. Not exactly a topic of great excitement, you might be thinking, but this story has generated sparks of interest, especially in the blogging community.

Be “SMART” About Your Goals: Part 2

Have you been thinking about your goals and wondering if they really are “SMART”? Last week, we talked about resolutions and goals and how most people "fall off the wagon" because they haven’t come up with a plan of action as to how they’re going to reach their goals. But using the concept of SMART goal-setting can help you keep your resolutions. Just a quick refresher: SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-limited.

Fat Facts: Part 2

Many people with diabetes will tell you that fat can wreak havoc on blood glucose control. Fat doesn’t turn into blood glucose the way carbohydrate does, but it does have two very real effects on blood glucose levels.

Fat Facts: Part 1

Every now and then, it’s a good idea to dust off the cobwebs and refresh your memory about certain things. This week, I thought it might be a good idea to remind you of a few facts about one of the key nutrients in our diets: fat! I chose fat because the winter holidays are upon us, and this is traditionally a time for overindulgence in fatty treats.

“A” is for Almonds

Now that the holiday season is upon us in full force, chances are you might be noshing on almonds as a snack or using them in your baking. Almonds are a key ingredient in many holiday treats. Did you know that almonds are related to the plum and that these popular nuts were first cultivated in Greece? Almonds are also mentioned frequently in the Bible. It’s thought that Spanish missionaries were responsible for bringing almonds to America, particularly to California where the majority of this country’s almonds are currently grown.

Metformin and Risk For Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Metformin (brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Fortamet, Riomet, Glumetza, and others) is a popular and highly effective oral diabetes drug used to help manage Type 2 diabetes. This drug works by lowering the amount of glucose made by the liver and by making the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin. Metformin also has some other beneficial effects in that it may help lower blood lipid, or fat, levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) and can, in some people, promote a small amount of weight loss.

Treating Diabetes with Diet and Exercise

Recently, I was reading some of the readers’ postings on this Web site. Some of these postings expressed fairly strong opinions about how one should best manage his or her diabetes. Of course, one of the many good things about living in the United States is our right to freedom of speech, and postings such as these certainly get people thinking. However, it’s all too common for misconceptions about diabetes to abound. Whether it’s the belief that eating sugar causes diabetes, or that starting on insulin can make you go blind, or that having to start taking diabetes pills or insulin means that you’re a “bad diabetic,” as a dietitian and diabetes educator, I feel compelled to set the record straight whenever I can.

Chromium Confusion

Who would have thought that a trace mineral could cause so much confusion? As a dietitian, I remember many of my patients asking me if they should take chromium supplements. It was always a gray area for me, based on the ever-changing research.

Vegetarianism and Diabetes: Do the Two Mix? (Part 3)

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been taking a closer look at vegetarian eating. The purpose of these entries hasn’t necessarily been to persuade you to convert, but to show you the benefits of eating a plant-based diet—if not every day, then at least a few days a week. As we wrap up with the final part of our series, we’ll take a closer look at a few of the nutrition considerations that come with vegetarianism.

Vegetarianism and Diabetes: Do the Two Mix? (Part 1)

Does the word “vegetarian” conjure up images of people with long hair, wearing robes, feasting on bean sprouts and tofu? While that may have been the picture of vegetarianism back in the 1960’s and 70’s, today’s vegetarian is just like you and me, except for some of the food choices he makes. Let’s define “vegetarian.”

Portion Control: A Tool for Good Health

Last week, I wrote about the difference between a serving size and a portion size. As a quick reminder, a portion size is the amount of food that you choose to eat, whereas a serving size is a recommended amount of food to eat. No doubt you’ve caught on that portion sizes of food and beverages continue to grow. Sizes of sodas, French fries, and even dinner plates are bigger than ever before, and as portions get larger, so do people. Surprisingly, though, many Americans have lost sight of portion size.

Serving Size vs. Portion Size: Which is Which?

Having diabetes is hard work, especially when it comes to meal planning. In fact, many people with diabetes find meal planning to be the most challenging aspect of having diabetes. There’s so much to think about: carbohydrate, timing of meals, reading food labels, controlling portions… Speaking of food labels and portions, have you ever stopped to think about the difference between a serving size and a portion size? Well, they’re the same thing, right? Sorry, but that’s wrong. It’s important to know the difference between the two, not only for blood glucose control but for weight control as well. Let’s take a closer look.

Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth With Low-Calorie Sweeteners: Part 1

Not too long ago, people with diabetes were told to avoid sugar. Sugar was pretty much seen as the downfall of diabetes; in fact, many people thought that eating sugar actually caused diabetes. We know now that isn’t true. Eating sugar doesn’t cause diabetes, nor does eating sugar (or something sweet) necessarily cause your blood glucose to rise any further or faster than eating another carbohydrate food, such as a piece of bread or an apple. (Remember, it’s the total amount of carb you eat that impacts your blood glucose, rather than the type of carb you eat.)

Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

What’s this thing called the glycemic index? Is it a meal-planning method? Does it work? The glycemic index is a hot topic these days, it seems. But it’s a controversial topic, too. This week, I thought I’d try and shed some light on the glycemic index and hopefully clear up any misconceptions you may have.

Carb Counting

Last week we talked about two types of diabetes meal planning tools: the exchange system and the plate method. While both of these approaches can work well, today, more and more people with diabetes are turning to carbohydrate counting.

Meal Planning 101

As a dietitian and diabetes educator, some of the  comments I’ve repeatedly heard from many people with diabetes over the years are "I need a diabetic diet" and "I can’t figure out those exchanges. Just tell me what to eat." It’s true that meal planning can be challenging when you have diabetes. The good news, though, is that meal planning has changed quite a bit over the years. In fact, there’s no such thing as a "diabetic diet" anymore. The best "diet" for you is one that is flexible enough to fit in with your lifestyle and help you control your blood glucose levels. In fact, there are many different ways to help you eat and manage your diabetes at the same time. This week, we’ll explore a couple of different meal planning methods that are available.  Next week, we’ll look at some more.

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