These conditions include:

• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Nerve damage (neuropathy)
• Kidney damage (nephropathy)
• Eye damage
• Foot damage
• Skin and mouth conditions

Preventable Complications

Those complications would scare the pants off of anyone, but there is a way that will help avoid those complications. Proper diabetes management involves discipline which in the long run will become a healthy habit which will allow you to live life to the fullest. There will be changes to your current lifestyle but as stated before, it will become habit. These changes include:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol to one drink per day
• Exercise
• Manage Stress
• Get plenty of sleep
• If you smoke – QUIT!
• Report any infection that doesn’t heal

The list above are not suggestions but rather imperative for your essential health and well-being. Your endocrinologist (diabetes) doctor will tell you the same thing. Another key point to wisely consider is to work closely with your doctor for optimal health. Your doctor will prescribe medicine that will be in pill form (type 2 diabetes) or insulin injections (type 1 diabetes).

This delicious Meat Loaf is perfect for anyone who desires low carb and high protein meal. Diabetes friendly and filling. This recipe calls for 8 servings and approximately 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 whole onion, diced
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce
1/3 cup crushed fried pork skins
2 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon garlic pepper seasoning

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, diced bell pepper, diced onion,  Worcestershire sauce. tomato sauce, crushed pork skins, and eggs. Season with chili powder, garlic powder, and garlic pepper. Mix until well blended. Form into a loaf, and place into a greased loaf pan.
3. Bake, uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. Let stand for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

More Delicious Meatloaf Recipes

Directions
1. Combine chicken, tomatoes, soup mix and sugar into slow cooker/crock pot.
2. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken is no longer pink.
3. Serve on your choice of pasta and top with Parmesan cheese.
4. ENJOY!!

For more Diabetes Information cook4diabetes.com diabetesmanagementcenter.com

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What was it like for my son with diabetes? He was diagnosed at the age of 13 and for any teenager and even for adults for that matter it was a shock. Getting over the initial shock took some time but it was the family and support that sped things up. It was reinforced that his life was not going to change but only some adjustments were to be made, not just for him but for everyone in the family.

When he was diagnosed with diabetes he was in the eighth grade getting ready to go to high school. We were blessed as such because we lived close enough to the high school in which he was required to walk. There was no bus service so this was his daily exercise. He definitely didn’t think it was a blessing on rainy days but he did move faster.

Little Things

The thing that took time to notice was that the little things that we do will give us the best results in the long run regarding the diabetes. For example, snack on nuts rather than donuts or always wearing shoes when you go outside. My son’s body works differently than mine now so adjustments must be made or it can break down. Nobody wants that. So it is essential that look for adjustments that will work. For example, nobody goes outside without shoes on and I am the worst offender. We all support our son by abiding by the same rules. His kid brother rats me out and I get in trouble with the wife. There are consequences to be paid. I cannot stress enough how support from family and friends is essential for the healthy diabetic.

Diabetes True Story

This is a true story. My son has two friends whose mother works at the local convenience store and when he comes in has a watchful eye on him. My son went to the counter and his friend’s mother says “If you buy that then I will call your mother. Put it back and get something else and this stays between us”. Call it blackmail, I call it support. Nobody likes to have their mother called.

My wife’s family has a history of diabetes, so it really shouldn’t have been a shock but it was. It is wise to check what you family medical history is and mentally prepare. I hope that day never arrives but at least you can research on what can reduce your risks.

Winning the Diabetes

So how do I feel about my son having diabetes? He is a Winner! A winner is someone who always gets beaten down by what life throws at. Winners keep getting up and moving forward, that is what winners do. I got it easy; I get to watch him succeed with diabetes.

Diabetes Study

A recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association showed that fast eaters are more at risk for Type 2 diabetes than slow eats. I am not going to say I understand the science behind it but my Mom always told me eat slowly and who is going to argue with Mom, the cook. Smaller amounts of food can be digested more effectively. Here is a dilemma that many people come across is really good food that we feel has to be eaten fast.

The Eating Solution

I have the solution and I have tried on several occasions. Do you like Chinese food? Have you ever tried using chop sticks instead of a knife and fork? Trust me when I say it can be frustrating. It wasn’t pretty watching me eat rice for the first time with chop sticks. It took me a good half hour to eat my dinner but my body digested it effectively. In addition, this is very important; it gave me a sense of accomplishment and confidence. A simple yet challenging task was met that would enhance my quality of life.

Another way to eat slowly is to sit down and eat as a family without the TV on as well as all electronic devices. This way everyone can converse with each other unless of course you don’t like each others company, if that is the case you might as well leave the TV on Jeopardy. If you actually speak to one another then you are not eating continuously which will, ultimately have positive results. Eating slowly will signal you brain that you are full thus not eating as much, hence the natural weight loss.

Diabetes Epilouge

The two examples listed above are meant to change your eating habits for a healthier you.They were written in tongue and cheek, but even the silliest ideas can be effective. Proper digestion is essential and eating fast is not good. You are not in a hot dog eating contest that is a recipe for disaster so doesn’t enter one.

Diabetes Diet: Start With Meal Planning

The name of the game with diabetes diet management is portion control — watch your portion sizes to avoid overeating. Advance planning helps, too. Spend a few minutes every weekend deciding on your meals for the following week and keep these strategies in mind:

Eat more whole grains and  vegetables. Limit fats and sweets. Eat moderate amounts of lean meats, low-fat milk and dairy products, starchy vegetables, and fruit.

Be creative when cooking by making substitutions. For example, use fat-free milk instead of whole milk and trans fat-free margarine instead of butter.

Choose whole grains and brown rice over white or enriched bread or pasta products.

Cook with healthy oils, like canola or olive oil.

Cut back on salt, which can raise blood pressure.

Avoid fried foods and foods in heavy sauces.

Limit alcohol. One drink per day for women and one to two drinks per day for men is okay, but always consume alcohol with food.

Diabetes Menu: Healthy Dinner Ideas

Here are six easy dinners that will fill your tummy and still keep your blood sugar levels in check:

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, and green beans. You can eat this classic “comfort food” meal, but keep it diabetes-friendly with a few smart substitutions. Use ground turkey instead of ground beef. When making the mashed potatoes, use fat-free milk instead of whole milk and trans-fat-free margarine instead of butter. You could also use fewer potatoes by folding in pureed cauliflower. Steam the green beans and season with a little salt and pepper, then top with a few almonds rather than a pat of butter.

Chicken, brown rice, and steamed broccoli. Grill boneless, skinless chicken breasts or bake a whole chicken (don’t eat the skin). Marinate the chicken in Italian dressing before grilling or season it with your favorite herbs before roasting it in the oven.

Baked red snapper and mixed veggies. This dinner is a snap. Wrap a fish filet together with sliced vegetables — try a blend of zucchini, garlic, red peppers, onions, fennel, and tomatoes — with a drizzle of oil in parchment paper. Place in a 450 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Serve with a whole-grain side dish of fast-cooking couscous or quinoa

Pasta your way. Although people with type 2 diabetes have to be careful about the amount of carbohydrates they eat, pasta can still be a safe dinner choice. As with bread, whole-grain pasta is better than enriched pasta. Avoid heavy cream sauces like Alfredo, and stick to tomato-based sauces or olive oil and garlic. You can add chicken, shrimp, or fish to your dish for protein — even lean meatballs or turkey meatballs are allowed.

Chili. When you make it yourself, chili becomes a very healthy choice. Start with ground turkey or extra-lean ground beef, or go vegetarian with beans only ‐ black beans and kidney beans. Add lots of diced vegetables to the pot, such as garlic, onion, red, green, and yellow bell peppers, and zucchini. Use no-salt canned tomatoes and low-sodium beef broth. Instead of serving the chili topped with traditional sour cream and cheese, use low-fat yogurt or fat-free sour cream, crumbled pecans, and cilantro. Serve with a garden salad with low-fat or non-fat salad dressing and whole-grain crunchy bread.

Asian stir-fry. Make your own version of your favorite restaurant dish. Prepare your vegetables — any combination of green beans, broccoli, carrots, onion, snow peas, red and green peppers, and baby corn — then sauté in low-sodium soy sauce and garlic. Mix in chicken, shrimp, or tofu to add protein to your meal. Serve over brown rice or whole-grain noodles.

Diabetes Diet: Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth

Limiting sweets doesn’t mean eliminating them. You can indulge your sweet tooth every now and then. Here are some tasty dessert ideas:

Fresh fruit with low-fat topping

Fat-free frozen yogurt

Lower-fat cookies, such as ginger snaps, vanilla wafers, and graham crackers

No sugar-added pudding or frozen fudge bars

Always keep portion size in mind so that you don’t overdo the sweets. Even the most decadent desserts can be enjoyed in very small amounts on occasion.

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What do I buy at the grocery store now that my son is found to have diabetes? This will be a daunting task because old habits are hard to break. I like my TV dinners and chicken pot pies load with sodium and my white flour tortillas. Well, this is for my son and the well being for the rest of my family so this challenge will be met.

How Do I Shop for Diabetes?

First, I am going to search online for diabetes friendly food and make a shopping list. I have found in the past that if you stick to the list you save time and money, and who doesn’t want more time and money? So what am I going to buy for groceries? Here is what I found out in order to refine my choices:

Diabetes Recommendations

Buy beans, not only are beans (like kidney and pinto) a low-fat, nutritious source of protein, but they’re also high in fiber. And that’s just what you want, because high-fiber foods slow down digestion. While whole grains like beans, are nutrient-rich, high in fiber, and low on the glycemic index. Translation: They digest more slowly than refined and processed grains, keeping your blood sugar steady-as-she-goes.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are high in fiber. But just as important, they’re typically low in calories, thanks to their high water content, so they help you manage your weight, too. Add in the fact that produce is rich in inflammation-quelling antioxidants, and you’ve got more than enough reason to fill up half your plate with things like broccoli, leafy greens, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, string beans, eggplant, and the like. And a delicious piece of fresh, ripe fruit is a satisfying ending to any meal.

Fish is another excellent choice for dinner because high blood sugar can put your heart health at risk, you’ll want to do everything you can to protect your heart. And that means choosing healthful lean protein for your diet. Fish just happens to fit the bill and also brings the added benefit of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids to the table as well as low-fat dairy products are another good choice for lean protein. And new research suggests that higher dairy intake may help prevent type 2 diabetes onset.

What is a good healthy snack that satisfies, try unsalted nuts. Nuts are the snack that really satisfies. Next time you get a craving for potato chips, grab a handful of unsalted nuts instead. Nuts fill you up with fiber and load you up on omega-3 fatty acids as well. This is only one example of a healthy snack for diabetes.

Nowhere did I find TV dinners, chicken pot pies or frozen pizzas or the preferred list of food for diabetes. I see how people would get frustrated. I went to the grocery store and bought accordingly to the suggestions but it will be worth in the long run.

Epilogue

After a month or so, preparing meals according to the ingredients bought at the grocery store, we all felt better than ever. Most importantly, my son’s glucose levels were in line. In fact, I lost a couple of pounds as well as my wife. It’s ironic that one can be diagnosed with diabetes and soon everyone in the family is in better health.

For more delicious low carb meals be sure to search out the other menus.

For more delicious low carb meals be sure to search out the other menus.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Snacks

Ingredients:
8 chicken pieces (bone in and skin on)
1 stick butter
garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 cans diced tomatoes (undrained)
2 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can chopped green chili‘s
1 cup shreaded cheddar cheese

How to Prepare:
Melt butter in frying pan. Season chicken with garlic, salt and pepper. Fry chicken in butter till browned. Reduce heat, cover pan, and let simmer for 20 min.
In large bowl, mix the diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and chili’s well. Pour over chicken. Cover pan, and let chicken simmer in sauce 25 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Uncover and top with cheddar cheese. Serve warm.

For more delicious low carb meals be sure to search out the other menus.

Keep your blood sugar steady with a smart and satisfying snack!

from 759 Secrets for Beating Diabetes

“Don’t eat between meals.” If you’ve ever heard that advice, you might want to take it with a grain of salt. If you go more than four or five hours between meals, a mid-afternoon snack might be just what the doctor ordered to help you keep your blood sugar steady. Snacking is also important if you’re taking medication that could cause a blood-sugar low between meals. Discuss with your doctor or a registered dietitian what snacking approach is right for you.

1. Keep your snacks to 150 calories or less.The danger of snacks is that they can become more like extra meals if you go overboard. First, make sure you’re truly hungry—and not just bored or stressed or craving chocolate—before reaching for a snack. Then limit yourself to 150 calories per snack. This will help keep your snacking “honest.” After all, it’s hard to find a candy bar with only 150 calories. And if you’re hankering for a candy bar, but a healthier snack doesn’t appeal, you’re probably not truly hungry.

2. Beware of low-fat snacks. Studies show that people tend to eat about 28 percent more of a snack when it’s low-fat because they think they’re saving on calories. But low-fat snacks such as cookies only have about 11 percent fewer calories than their full-fat counterparts. Stick to the same amount you’d eat if you thought the snack was full-fat.

3. Plate your snacks. Eat straight out of the bag and you’re guaranteed to eat more, whether it’s chips, pretzels, or cookies. Instead, put a small portion on a plate, seal up the bag and put it away, then sit down and enjoy your snack.

4. Grab the whole bag. A single serving bag, that is. You’re much more likely to stop after one serving if you don’t have to measure it out yourself. If paying more for extra packaging that will eventually clog landfills bothers you, separate your snacks yourself into reusable single-serving containers when you get home from the grocery store so they’re ready to grab when you’re ready to eat them.

5. Pour a handful of nuts. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, and cashews contain the healthy monounsaturated fats that lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. And because they’re packed with protein and “good” fat, they won’t raise blood sugar as much as crackers or pretzels do. Because many nuts are high in calories (almonds are the lowest), stick to an ounce, or about the amount that will fit in the palm of your hand.

6. Have a few whole-grain crackers with peanut butter. You’ll eat more protein and fewer carbs than if you have a bigger pile of crackers with no peanut butter, and your blood sugar won’t rise as much.

7. Snack on raw veggies. Get in an extra serving of vegetables by nibbling on grape tomatoes, carrots, red and green peppers, cucumbers, broccoli crowns, and cauliflower. Eat them plain or dip them into nonfat yogurt, a light salad dressing, or hummus (stick with 1 to 2 tablespoons’ worth).

8. Spread some black bean salsa over eggplant slices. The salsa has only about 15 grams of carbs, 80 calories, and 1 gram of fat.

9. Sip a small cup of vegetable soup. Cook non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, onion, celery, green beans, and squash in some vegetable or chicken stock. It’s filling, full of veggies, and low in carbs.

10. Indulge in a few decadent bites. Have a snack of three dried apricots, a small piece of dark chocolate (about the size of a Hershey’s miniature chocolate bar), and three walnuts or almonds, suggests Vicki Saunders, RD, who teaches nutrition education programs at St. Helena Hospital in Napa Valley, California. Savor every nibble!

11. Blend a fruit smoothie. Combine half of a chopped banana, 3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt, and a non-nutritive sweetener, and blend until smooth.

12. Freeze grapes and peeled bananas. Seal them in a sandwich bag and throw it into the freezer. Once frozen, they’re a refreshing and healthy treat. You can eat 20 red seedless grapes and still consume only 100 calories.

13. Eat an apple—and the skin. An apple with the skin contains about 3 grams of fiber. The skin packs a double whammy, carrying healthy soluble fiber that helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease and antioxidants that fight free radicals and lower the risk of diabetes complications.

14. Try low-fat string cheese. Each one contains only 80 calories. These are one of the few portable goodies rich in sugar-steadying protein.

15. Have your chocolate “bar” frozen. By that we mean enjoy a frozen fudge pop. They taste delightfully chocolatey but contain only about 80 calories.