Diabetes and Diet

Controlling diabetes does not mean that you are advised to starve. You have specific foods to eat and specific food to avoid so that your blood sugar level is maintained. You can go ahead with your food habits, but your position is like that of a horse. Gallop forward, but well controlled by the jeans.

You will be put on restrictions with regard to certain types of foods, but you will begin to taste some of the items, which you have not hitherto been fortunate enough to taste. This change in food pattern will be for the better, diabetes or no diabetes.

When you study the recipes for diabetes, you will realize the importance of diet in your life. Hitherto, what you have been doing? Dump into the stomach anything that appeals to your eyes, anytime. Since you need to control your diabetes, don't be emotional in your food habits. Be factual and realistic.

For treating diabetes, you can not say with certainty that this one is good for you and that one is not good for you. It is a trial and error method. You will have to view the food from its medicinal content point of view.

As a rule, you know that when you are out to control diabetes, you avoid heavy meals, instead you take food in small quantities, several times in a day. Several times, does not mean that you go on eating at the interval of every two hours.

It is better if you draw a time table for your eating, and what you should take for the breakfast, lunch and dinner. This disciplined approach to the food itself would be part of the recovery process.
Diabetes is not a time bound disease as such; it's all about controlling. Diabetes is such a widespread malady that in every County, there exists a diabetic association which will give you the latest about this disease.

The underlying point about any system or procedure that you follow with regard to the intake of food, is that you need to control the insulin level within your body.
So, your emphasis should be on citrus fruits and fruits and vegetables in which the fiber content is more. Some foods release the insulin in to the blood slowly. This is Nature's way to control the sugar level within your body.

There is an ancient, trusted method to make your food items tasty and good from the point of view of controlling the diabetes. Along with every meal, take some fresh curry leaves. This item, taken regularly over a period of 6 months, has the capacity to cure even the hereditary diabetes.

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I'm Blue, Soooo Blue (Depression, part 2)

So what causes depression? There are many factors that lead to depession. Often, more than one, and usually a combination of many factors combine to lead to depression.

Simply put, when one of the following factors occurs, it changes our brain chemistry in some way. Of course, the factors themselves can vary in intensity; so a job change can vary from moving to a new cube, getting a new boss, being transferred to new department, being transferred to a new city, getting a demotion, getting fired, getting arrested for imbezzlement, etc. So when you say job change, that can mean many different things.

Add to that, the way we react to that change. For some people, getting a new boss is a huge deal, others, its no biggie. It doesnt meant the former person is weaker or inferior than the latter, it just means that the person reacted differently.

So, a job change occurs and our brain chemistry changes somewhat depending upon the type of change and our reaction to it. If multiple things happen our chemistry can change to the point where we are getting low in them which is a common cause of depression.

Let's look at some of these factors:

Genetics and biology.
Like other medical conditions, for example heart disease, cholesterol, and cancer, depression tends to run in families. People can be born with a certain predisposition to depression or have lower levels of chemical neurotransmitters to begin with.

Childhood trauma and other psychological factors.
As we discussed, changes in our psychology (reactions to trauma, personal loss, rejection) can also alter the biochemistry of the brain and nervous system - sometimes permanently. How we adjust to traumas, or how we are taught to adjust, can have a huge impact on the likelihood of develping clinical depression.

Environmental factors.
Poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, toxins in the environment, brain injuries, stress, substance abuse, and can lead to depressive states. Good nutrition, decreasing stress, healthy lifestyles are keys to minimizing depressive symptoms. Alcohol depresses the nervous system, thus drinking too much, too often can lead to depressive states. Thus, moderation in drinking alcohol is essential.

Prescription medications
Many people do not realize that many common prescription drugs have side effects that can induce depression. These include cardiac drugs and hypertensives, sedatives, steroids, stimulants, antibiotics, antifungal drugs and analgesics.

Sociological factors.
Many changes in modern society, such as the breakdown of traditional communities (people don't stay in one spot for very long any more), the dissolution of extended families (with mobility in the world, often families are spread throughout the country or world), the widening gap between rich and poor, and our increased isolation due to technology (we text/email people instead of calling or visiting), may play a part in the rising rates of depression worldwide.

Spiritual crises.
People can suffer from an existential depression when life loses its meaning and purpose. Any significant transition, especially a change of roles in family or work, can trigger this crisis in meaning. Connection to a "Higher Power"has been shown to increase mood and levels of neurochemicals.

Next, we'll look at symptoms of clinical depression...

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Cashew Your Way to Health

Diet To Lower Triglycerides

A high triglyceride level has been shown to increase the risk of stroke and heart attack by as much as 60% even if the Cholesterol level is normal. Simple changes in the diet may help with high triglyceride levels. This article discusses several ways to use the diet to lower triglycerides.


Triglycerides are naturally occurring fats that come from both dietary intake and are manufactured within the body. When present in high levels in the bloodstream, they are blood vessel clogging fats. Triglycerides are considered to be largely responsible for diseases such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, and venous and arterial occlusion in areas such as the lower legs, heart and brain. While medications to lower triglycerides are available, they have considerable side effects and most experts agree that controlling the diet is the best place to start when attempting to lower triglyceride levels. Many people are successful in lowering triglycerides to normal healthy levels simply through a healthy diet.


The first step to improving the diet in a person with high triglycerides might be to avoid refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates such as white sugar, corn syrup, white flour and foods containing large amounts of these products are a major contributor to high triglyceride levels. Many think that fat content in the diet is the most important factor in reducing triglyceride levels but experts agree that the biggest problem is refined sugar and other simple carbohydrates. Instead of eating processed white flour, one should consume more whole grain products, fibrous foods and other carbohydrates with a low glycemic index such as vegetables, fruits and nuts. Total carbohydrate consumption should be approximately 50% of the total caloric intake.


The second step in controlling the triglyceride levels through diet might be to limit fat consumption to no more than 20 to 30% of the total caloric intake. These calories should be composed of healthy oils such as olive oil, canola oil, safflower oil and peanut oil along with eating foods high in unsaturated fats such as avocados and nuts. In addition, omega 3 fatty acids are present in large amounts in oily fish and have been proven to aid cardiac health. Fish is a healthy substitute for other meats with saturated fat such as beef and pork. Eating fish on a regular basis has been proven to lower cholesterol and triglycerides and to improve cardiac health by as much as 40%.


Losing weight by reducing total calorie consumption and exercising is also important step for reducing health risks of high triglyceride levels in overweight individuals. Obesity is a common contributor to type II diabetes which is known to increase the risk factors and frequency of diseases commonly caused by high triglyceride levels such as arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis as well as the end results of stroke and heart attack.


In conclusion, many people will benefit from a diet to lower triglycerides. The three best options to accomplish this appear to be reducing refined carbohydrate consumption, limiting fat intake to healthy oils, and losing weight by reducing total calorie consumption.

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Research-proven information on the best diet to lower triglycerides. Discover how to lower triglycerides naturally, much more effective than any supplement or medication ever can. Go to:
http://www.lowertriglycerides.org

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

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Smoke Out

Adult smoking cessation, like losing weight, is one of the most popular goals for people of all ages. Like starting a new fitness regime it is also seen as something to build up to - something that's hard work and takes a lot of discipline.

I'm glad to be able to tell you that in my experience if you're finding adult smoking cessation unbearably tough and you're looking for a new solution then you're probably doing it all wrong.

It's hard to convincingly put into words how simple smoking cessation can be if you get the technique right. I struggled with attempt after attempt and while I once managed to get to 3 months I still always ended up back on the cigarettes.

Yet, without wanting to sound too much like a salesman, eventually I stumbled onto something that worked amazingly well and made giving up smoking a breeze.

OK, so realistically what works and what doesn't?

The less successful methods, ironically, tend to be the more expensive options. The various methods of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for example tend to cost a similar amount to continuing to smoke (there goes the "saving money" argument to quitting smoking!).

They also simply serve to swap the nicotine in your cigarettes for nicotine in other forms (such as a patch) so you're still actually addicted.

Even weeks after you've had your last cigarette - if you have happen to leave home without your latch or run out of gum you'll likely be back smoking within hours.

That's not what I think of as successful adult smoking cessation.

What I came to realise after numerous failed attempts myself was that the core of the problem - the real key to solving your smoking problem rapidly and painlessly - is to focus your efforts on changing the *habit* that makes you want a cigarette.

As pesonal examples I always used to smoke when I was in a bar having a drink. Why? I would also smoke when feeling nervous about a dentists appointment or job interview for example.

Smoking cessation techniques that deal with *why* these situations are the ones to make us want to smoke, and then breaking that behavioural, sub-conscious knee-jerk reaction often work rapidly, painlessly and over the long term.

Indeed, discuss with ex-smokers how they managed to quit and most would admit that their success is down to spending time on modifying their behaviour. Even those who disagree will likely have made some changes without even realising it.

In contrast, ask how many current smokers have tried nicotine replacement and I think the answer will shock you. So many people have tried and failed with NRT that it's quite shocking.

I should say to reassure you that in terms of changing your bahaviour you will still be yourself. We're not talking about changing your personality. I was nervous I would lose those elements that I sub-consciously linked to smoking - the fun, talkative side to my personality. But of course I didn't. The changes are far more subtle and just serve to break the bonds between smoking and why you think you need to do it. You'll barely notice a difference yourself, except that you will suddenly just about fancy a cigarette.

No stopping yourself having one - you actually just won't want one! Imagine that feeling you get *just after* a cigarette - where you feel fulfilled, calm, happy and don't fancy a smoke - carrying on all day long.

It's an amazing experience!

Today the science of adult smoking cessation using behavioural modification is advanced-enough to have a range of solutions and no doubt one of them will perfectly match both your behaviour and your pocket.

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For more detailed advice on adult smoking cessation read our indepth free report at Tips On Stopping Smoking

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H1N1

So why the change from Swine Flu to H1N1....were the swine offended? Oh, well. I'm not sure there will be as big a pandemic as they are thinking. Seems overblown to me, but what do I know?

For all the latest government information on the upcoming flu season, go here: http://www.flu.gov/

Of course, if there isn't a big outbreak they will say that it was due to all the hard work they did and that the vaccines work. If there is a pandemic, they will say not enough people took it seriously or that not enough got vaccinated or that the unvaccinated spread it around. That's typically what we've seen. However, there is a lot of information that the vaccines are not all what they say.

For more information on vaccines, go here: http://www.nvic.org/

Best of health!

EXCELLENT pdf on Food Plans and Recipes!

http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/FoodPlans/MiscPubs/FoodPlansRecipeBook.pdf

Good recipe sites for health and weight loss

Healthy Recipes from the Mayo Clinic

American Heart Association Recipes

American Council of Exercise Recipes

Healthy Recipes

Cooking the Heart Healthy Way

American Institute for Cancer Research Recipes

Recipe and Meal Planner Guide

Diabetic Recipes

Searchable by category (low fat, low cholesterol, etc)

Healthy Lifestyle Balance on Vacation

Decide what you want to do about alcohol.

Alcohol may lower self-control. If you drink, are you aware of the calories involved?

Try to balance rest with activity.

Look for ways to be active that you enjoy.

Healthy Lifestyle Balance on Vacation

If you tend to be tense on vacation, ask why and what you can do about it.

a. Avoid extended periods when you are doing what others want and not what you want. Be assertive about what you want to do.

b. Plan daily times to relax. Try not to get overtired (e.g., by doing too much sightseeing in a short period of time).

c. Plan regular breaks while driving. Carry low-calorie snacks and take breaks to get out of the car and walk.
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Great Resource on Exercise for all Ages

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/index.html

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Other Related Websites on Healthy Eating on a Budget:

Eating Healthy on a Budget
http://nutritionservices.upmc.com/NutritionArticles/Habits/Budget.htm

Eating Healthy on a Budget
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=511

Eating Healthy on a Budget: Shopping and Menu Ideas
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/pdfs/PatientEd/Materials/PDFDocs/nut-diet/nut-other/EatingHealthyBudget.pdf

Emergency $45 menu - feed 4 for a week! www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

USDA 2000 calorie menu plan www.mypyramid.gov/tips_resources/menus.html

Health Information: http://coach4health.blogspot.com/

Stretching Your Food Dollars
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/fcd/nutrition/ewfl/module_03/

Nifty & Thrifty Spark Team ( Community Message Board for Saving Money and Buying Healthy Food) http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/groups_individual.asp?gid=8011

Club Mom www.clubmom.com/display/232857

Healthy Eating on a Budget

• Buy milk (low fat or fat free) in the largest containers you can handle before it spoils (gallon or ½ gallon). Milk sold at convenience stores usually costs more than at supermarkets. (Fat-free dry milk is an inexpensive back-up choice for using milk in recipes.)
• Buy a whole chicken and cut it up into parts instead of buying pre-cut chicken (breast, wings, thighs, legs). Remove the skin before cooking or serving.
• Stock up on sale items of healthier foods that you may be able to use in a timely manner. Buy canned, frozen, or packaged foods in bulk for quality and value, but serve appropriate portions within estimated calorie needs. Buy produce, lean meats, and low fat or fat free milk and milk products in bulk amounts that you can eat before they spoil (refer to http://www.checkyourhealth.org/nutrition/portiondistortion/pd_movies.htm for more information on appropriate portion sizes).
• Use your food budget wisely. If you spend $7 on lunch 5 days a week for a year, you will spend a total of $1,820. You can save money and calories by bringing a healthier brown bag lunch from home.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

• Sign up for your grocer’s bonus/discount card for additional savings.
• Try store brands. The most costly brands are typically placed at eye level. Store brands that may be cheaper and are just as good are often placed higher or lower on the shelf.
  
• Comparison shop for healthier brands. Read the Nutrition Facts Label. Learn how to find serving sizes and the per serving amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, sugars, protein, fiber, and vitamins and minerals. For more information on the Nutrition Facts Label go to: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/foodlab.html.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

• 
  Use the unit price and the Nutrition Facts Label to compare similar foods. The unit price tells you the cost per ounce, pound, or pint, so you’ll know which brand and size are best to buy. Look for it on the shelf sticker below the product. Then, read the Nutrition Facts Label to be sure that you are getting the healthiest option at the lowest cost. Click on these Food Label resources from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): http://www.csfan.fda.gov/~ear/hwm/labelman.html and http://www.csfan.fda.gov/~acrobat/nutractds.pdf.
• 
  No matter what the form – fresh, frozen, canned, dried, juice – all varieties of fruits and vegetables count toward your daily recommendation. Choose fruits without added sugar or syrups and vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces. Although 100% fruit or vegetable juice counts towards your daily recommendation, the majority of the total daily amount of fruit and vegetables should come from whole fruits and vegetables to help you get enough fiber. Click on http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/ for more information.
  
• Buy in-season fruits and vegetables. Use local farmer’s markets when possible – the foods are fresher and usually cost the same, if not less, because you are buying direct from the farmer.

Healthy Eating on a Budget

With tough times, comes all sorts of information on saving money. Over the next few days, I'll give some tips on saving money, while at the same time eating healthy.

Let's start:

1. Make a plan and stick to it. With a little planning, you can get most of your groceries for the week in one trip, which will save a lot of time. And, the fewer trips to the store, the less likely you will be to buy unnecessary items. There are a variety of website to help you plan meals, like: http://www.ndep.nih.gov/diabetes/MealPlanner/en_intro.htm.
2. Review store ads and clip coupons for healthier items such as skinless chicken breasts, lean cuts of meat or ground beef, fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned in its own juice), vegetables (fresh, frozen without added fat, or canned without added sodium), whole grain breads and cereals, and low fat or fat free milk and milk products.
3. Check your cupboards and refrigerator for items that you can use and then plan to use them, instead of making another shopping trip.

~ Myths about Dieting and Food ~

Myth: Certain foods, like grapefruit, celery, or cabbage soup, can burn fat and make you lose weight.

Fact: No foods can burn fat. Some foods with caffeine may speed up your metabolism (the way your body uses energy, or calories) for a short time, but they do not cause weight loss.

Tip: The best way to lose weight is to cut back on the number of calories you eat and be more physically active.

~ Myths about Dieting and Food ~

Myth: “Going vegetarian” means you are sure to lose weight and be healthier.

Fact: Research shows that people who follow a vegetarian eating plan, on average, eat fewer calories and less fat than nonvegetarians. They also tend to have lower body weights relative to their heights than nonvegetarians. Choosing a vegetarian eating plan with a low fat content may be helpful for weight loss. But vegetarians—like nonvegetarians—can make food choices that contribute to weight gain, like eating large amounts of high-fat, high-calorie foods or foods with little or no nutritional value.

Vegetarian diets should be as carefully planned as nonvegetarian diets to make sure they are balanced. Nutrients that nonvegetarians normally get from animal products, but that are not always found in a vegetarian eating plan, are iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, and protein.

Tip: Choose a vegetarian eating plan that is low in fat and that provides all of the nutrients your body needs.

Food and beverage sources of nutrients that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet are listed below.

• Iron: cashews, spinach, lentils, garbanzo beans, fortified bread or cereal.
• Calcium: dairy products, fortified soy-based beverages, tofu made with calcium sulfate, collard greens, kale, broccoli
• Vitamin D: fortified foods and beverages including milk, soy-based beverages, or cereal
• Vitamin B12: eggs, dairy products, fortified cereal or soy-based beverages, tempeh, miso (tempeh and miso are foods made from soybeans)
• Zinc: whole grains (especially the germ and bran of the grain), nuts, tofu, leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage, lettuce)
• Protein: eggs, dairy products, beans, peas, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh, soy-based burgers

~ Myths about Dieting and Food ~

Myth: Dairy products are fattening and unhealthy.

Fact: Low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese are just as nutritious as whole-milk dairy products, but they are lower in fat and calories. Dairy products have many nutrients your body needs. They offer protein to build muscles and help organs work properly, and calcium to strengthen bones. Most milk and some yogurt are fortified with vitamin D to help your body use calcium.

Tip: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming 3 cups per day of fat-free/low-fat milk or equivalent milk products.

If you cannot digest lactose (the sugar found in dairy products), choose low-lactose or lactose-free dairy products, or other foods and beverages that offer calcium and vitamin D (listed below).

• Calcium: soy-based beverage or tofu made with calcium sulfate; canned salmon; dark leafy greens like collards or kale
• Vitamin D: soy-based beverage or cereal (getting some sunlight on your skin also gives you a small amount of vitamin D)

For more information on these guidelines, visit http://www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.

~ Myths about Dieting and Food ~

Myth: Eating red meat is bad for your health and makes it harder to lose weight.

Fact: Eating lean meat in small amounts can be part of a healthy weight-loss plan. Red meat, pork, chicken, and fish contain some cholesterol and saturated fat (the least healthy kind of fat). They also contain healthy nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc.

Tip: Choose cuts of meat that are lower in fat and trim all visible fat. Lower fat meats include pork tenderloin and beef round steak, tenderloin, sirloin tip, flank steak, and extra lean ground beef. Also, pay attention to portion size. Three ounces of meat or poultry is the size of a deck of cards.

~ Myths about Dieting and Food ~

Myth: Nuts are fattening and you should not eat them if you want to lose weight.

Fact: In small amounts, nuts can be part of a healthy weight-loss program. Nuts are high in calories and fat. However, most nuts contain healthy fats that do not clog arteries. Nuts are also good sources of protein, dietary fiber, and minerals including magnesium and copper.

Tip: Enjoy small portions of nuts. One-half ounce of mixed nuts has about 84 calories.