SALT

If you are one who always adds salt to your food, some of you before you even taste it, beware! Did you know only one teaspoon of salt contains 2300 mg of sodium? That is the recommended daily dosage. Try seasonings such as the Mrs. Dash salt-free blends to cut back on salt. Your body will thank you. Notice I did not say to eliminate salt, just reduce it, as the body requires salt to operate. However, most of us are putting way more salt into our bodies than they need.

Note: Yes, I know there are people who require more salt. My late husband was one of them, but they are exceptions to the rule. Only use extra salt at the recommendation of your doctor.

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RAINDROPS FOR RELAXING?

 I am posting this after a day and night of everything from drizzles to rainstorms and I am not personally verifying this information. Scientists say it has been proven that the sound of raindrops bring one peace. A few years ago, YouGov polled 1,000 Americans about the noises they most enjoy hearing. The sound most people said were their favorite was raindrops. Another survey found that rain sounds make one more productive. The reason, the fast tempo wakes up the brain to improve alertness and problem solving. If you don't live in an area where you get much rain or you want the sounds on a routine basis, you can get the sound of recorded rain. There is a free app called Nature Melody where you can choose from several different rain sounds.

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PORTION CONTROL WHEN EATING OUT

To help you control portion size when eating out (since most restaurants serve a meal equal to at least two servings), ask for a to-go box when the waiter or waitress brings your meal. Immediately put half of the meal in the box out of sight. And the bonus, another meal ready to be warmed up tomorrow!

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CHOOSING A MEAT PROTEIN

When choosing a meat protein source, think lean - ie skinless chicken, lean pork chops, etc. It is also a good idea to trim any excess fat before cooking. A good rule of thumb when choosing lean meats is to think "chops" or "round".

PERFECTION QUOTE FROM VINCE LOMBARDI

I like this quote attributed to the late, great football coach Vince Lombardi: "Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."

We can apply this to our health, diet, etc. We know we aren't perfect. We diabetics plan or chase perfection in our eating habits, exercise, etc but we will slip up from time to time. We may not be perfect but we can be excellent. The same can be said for fighting most illnesses. We aren't perfect in that the battle continues but with our doctors, loving family and friends, etc we can often reach excellent days.

Don't give up.  As you chase perfection you will often catch excellence in the process.

VARIOUS TREATMENTS FOR HEART FAILURE

Receiving a diagnosis of heart failure is not necessarily a bleak diagnosis. Doctors have many treatments for this condition. You will probably be referred to a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in treating heart conditions. There are many treatments available, and they will work with you to find what works best for you. Some of the options will be lifestyle changes, various medications and devices and surgical procedures. If you or a loved one have symptoms of heart problems, contact your primary care physician. After initial consultation and testing, you will probably be referred to a cardiologist to handle further care.

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DIAGNOSING HEART FAILURE

 A diagnosis of heart failure can only come through a healthcare provider. They may use any of or more than one of the following tests: blood tests, chest exrays, an ekg (electrocardiogram), echocardiogram, stress test, etc. Your healthcare provider will be looking for your EF or ejection fraction. The EF indicates how much blood your heart pumps out every time it beats. If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with heart failure, there are various treatments they may recommend. You need to know that your healthcare provider can treat heart failure and slow the development at any stage to make you feel more comfortable. Our next post will discuss some of the treatments that may be available to one who receives a diagnosis of heart failure.

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SIGNS OF HEART FAILURE

 In yesterday's post regarding heart failure, I promised more information to follow. If you think you or someone close to you may have heart failure, here are the major signs to look for:

• Shortness of breath with everyday activities
• Increased fatigue
• Swelling of the legs, feet, ankles, abdomen
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Trouble sleeping lying flat on one's back
• Persistent cough or wheezing
• Loss of appetite, upset stomach, nausea

In most cases of heart failure, the patient may already be under the care of a physician. If so, and you notice any of these symptoms, talk to the physician about them. If not already under the care of a physician, make an appointment right away with a primary care doctor who can check the person and get them in with a cardiologist as needed.

HEART FAILURE

Do you know someone who has been diagnosed with heart failure? Do you even know what heart failure is? The words heart failure can sound scary. After all failure means not working and how can one live if their heart fails? That is not exactly what heart failure means. Here is the simple explanation for heart failure: A condition in which the heart has trouble pumping blood throughout the body. The heart has not failed, in that it is still working. However, it is failing to work as effectively as it should. The heart muscle has gotten too weak or stiff to function properly, thus causing heart failure. Over the next few days, we will discuss diagnosis, treatment, etc.

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EAT YOUR LENTILS!

Lentils are such a healthy food and especially important for diabetics. If lentils are not a regular part of your diet, consider adding them. Even if you don't especially like them, throw a few into soups or onto salads to work them into your diet.

Lentils are loaded with fiber and with protein, both essential to a healthy diet. Some people shy away from lentils because they consider them too high in carbs. The good news is that around 40% of the carbs in lentils are fiber! And that causes a lower blood sugar response thus the reason lentils are important to a diabetic's diet.

According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) one serving of lentils contains 15 grams of fiber and almost 18 grams of protein!

Note: Red lentils are quicker cooking, if you are impatient or in a hurry!

Note: This information is from Jill Weisenberger, RDN, CDE.

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DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES AND WONDERING WHAT TO EAT?

A diabetic can enjoy a diet that is both tasty and healthy. According to Sue McLaughlin, RD, a certified diabetes educator, we should “Look for items that contain healthy fats and are high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.” Too often people think they are to shy away from fats but that is not exactly true. There are many healthy fats that are vital to a diabetic's diet and health. It is also important to eat a wide variety of foods to make sure we’re getting a healthy mix of phytochemicals and essential fatty acids. Following is a list of foods we diabetics should be sure we are eating.

1. Legumes provide vital fiber and protein. They absorb slowly into the body which helps to regulate our blood sugar. How about this little fact - half a cup of most types of beans provides about 1/4 of our daily requirement of fiber and as much protein as an ounce of meat! In a study published in 2012 in JAMA, Canadian researchers linked eating beans, chickpeas, and lentils with improved blood glucose control and reduced blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides (blood fat) levels in people with type 2 diabetes. 
2. Fatty Fish provide essential Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Suggested fish to eat are salmon, tuna, mackrel, and bluefish.
3. Tree Nuts provide, here it is again - healthy fats! Nuts are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Recommended nuts are almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, walnuts, and pistachios as they seem to hold the biggest benefits for diabetics. Peanuts aren't listed because they are not tree nuts. They are legumes!
4. Blueberries are considered a superfood for type 2 diabetics. Blueberries contain a good number of antioxidants as well as vitamins and fiber.
5. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. Broccoli is high in vitamins A and C as well as fiber. The fiber in broccoli can help one feel full longer and that is important to a diabetic, so they won't snack too much on unhealthy snacks.
6. The above is a short list. Additional good foods for diabetics include green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, and avocados.

If you are having problems controlling your blood sugar, try adding more of these foods to your diet!

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WHAT IS FIBER AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Fiber is sometimes called nature's broom according to Toby Smithson, RDN, LDN, CDE, the author of Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies.

Fiber, which is found in plant-based foods, is a carb that the body cannot digest. That makes fiber a necessity for diabetics in controlling the rise in blood sugar following a meal. Fiber helps to slow down the body's absorption of sugar.

There are two types of fiber and both are very beneficial:

1. Soluble fiber foods become sticky as they pass through our digestive systems and that helps to reduce the absorption of cholesterol.
2. Insoluble fiber doesn't dissolve and that helps to keep the bowels regular.

Both of these things are important for diabetics as well as the general population. Here are some of the important benefits of fiber (other than the ones mentioned above):

• Managing weight - fiber helps to make us feel fuller and more satisfied therefore we will do less overeating at meals and less snacking.
• Blood sugar regulation - The previous bullet, eating and snacking less, helps in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
• Improve heart health - everyone needs to be aware of heart health and taking care of their heart. Diabetics face double the risk for cardiovascular complications than does the non-diabetic. Fiber's ability to help lower cholesterol as well as blood pressure makes it especially important to diabetics and those with heart problems.

We should strive for 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day. 

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WASH YOUR HANDS

I know this goes all the way back to lessons from mom but wash your hands often! The best way to prevent colds and flu, etc could be as simple as washing your hands. If it isn't convenient to wash your hands, keep an alcohol-based hand gel around. Every time you shake hands or handle a public door handle, shopping cart, etc, wash or gel your hands. Once the germs are on your hands and you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you are very likely to catch whatever the last person who handled said object has.

I found it interesting a few years ago after President Trump had his annual physical and his doctor came out to talk to the press. Among many silly questions asked was one about his hand washing and is he a germophobe. His doctor smiled and said something like this, "As much as he shakes hands, he would be crazy not to wash his hands often." The same goes for each of us.

My personal opinion about covid-19 prevention is that hand gel is your best defense. I have spent a lot of time around covid. Being cautious about what you touch and using hand get can go a long way in prevention of this crazy illness and others..

WHAT IS THE ONLY GRAIN NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA?

Did you know that wild rice is actually the only grain native to North America? And guess what! It is actually a grass. Here is a bit of info on wild rice. Originally, uncultivated wild rice grew in the wetlands and was hand-harvested by canoe in the Great Lakes regions of the United States and Canada. There are certain places where it still grows uncultivated. But it is now cultivated in Oregon and California. The cultivated isn't quite as good as the wild but it still quite tasty.

It takes longer to cook wild rice than it does other types as the wild rice contains the bran, endosperm, and germ. Even after cooking it remains chewy and has a nutty taste. To cook wild rice, cook for 45 minutes to an hour in lots of boiling water. One cup raw makes about 3 1/2 cups when cooked. Wild rice tastes best when combined with brown rice and I like mushrooms in mine.

Why not make wild rice one of the grains you add to your diet (if you aren't already doing so)?

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FACTS ABOUT TESTOSTERONE

 If you assume testosterone is a "male" hormone, you need to read this post. Are you aware both men and women produce testosterone? Yes, men produce testosterone in their testicles but both men and women produce testosterone in their adrenal glands. Women also produce a small amount of testosterone in their ovaries. Testosterone production begins early in fetal development and continues throughout life. Men produce much higher levels than do women, no doubt accounting for their muscular difference. The fact is it is impossible to build muscle and bone without testosterone. Following is more of the functions of testosterone.

• Decreases blood clotting
• Decreases visceral fat
• Decreases total cholesterol
• Improves bone density
• Improves glucose control
• Improves libido
• Maintains mental physical energy
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Prevents neurodegenerative disorders

Note: This information is from David Brownstein, M.D., a board-certified family physician.

LEMON WATER BENEFITS

WILD SALMON VS FARM-RAISED SALMON

Did you know that wild salmon can have up to 6 grams less fat in a 5-ounce portion than does farm-raised? (Remember the fat in salmon is mostly healthy fat.)

OMEGA-3 EGGS

Do you know what it means to purchase eggs labeled Omega-3?  It simply means that the chickens who laid the eggs were fed flax seeds which could make the eggs have a higher content of the heart-healthy fatty acids, Omega-3s.

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DIABETIC PRESCRIPTION: EXERCISE

I know! Most of us hate the word exercise, let alone the actual activity involved. Well, get over it! Once we've allowed ourselves to become diabetic, we no longer have a choice. We must exercise!

Yes, you read that right. I really did say, "Once we've allowed ourselves to become diabetic." I'm talking to us Type 2 diabetics on that one, you Type 1s don't have to accept that remark. Now before you get all mad, have steam coming out your ears and start sputtering, "Who does she think she is, telling me I'm responsible for the fact I became diabetic," hear me out. Did you know you had diabetes in your family history? Did a doctor ever tell you to lose weight? Did a doctor ever tell you to change your diet or lifestyle? Did a doctor ever tell you to get more exercise (there's that dirty word again)? Did you gorge on sweets and/or carbs? You get the point. But there is a diabetic prescription: EXERCISE!

We helped to create this problem in our bodies, now we have to take our medicines. And that doesn't stop with pills and shots. Just consider exercise another of the medicines we have to take. I read somewhere that exercise is the diabetes treatment almost everyone can benefit from. I backed up, read that again and the light bulb came on. I got it! Exercise is another of our treatments and we need to think of it as such. It's not something we know we should do, something we might get around to someday, but something we have to do just as we have to take our other prescriptions the doctor gives us.

We don't, however, have to go out and join a gym or buy expensive equipment. Of course you can if you want to and it is a good thing to do, but it isn't necessary. We can work exercise into our everyday lives! We Americans have become very lazy as a whole. This is often caused by some terrific technological advances and inventions. But we can't use that as an excuse. Following are some easy ways to get started adding more exercise into your everyday routine. Give them a try. After all it is YOUR life that matters.

1. Hide the remote controls; they make it too easy to be lazy. This includes the garage door remote. Getting in and out of the car to open the garage door is good exercise.

2. Carry your groceries from the car to the kitchen one bag at a time. More steps and lifting; more exercise.

3. Instead of stacking things by the stairs to avoid extra trips up and down, make the trips. Stairs are a great way to get exercise.

4. Push the kids or grandkids on the swings. Play frisbee with them, etc. Quality time with the children is an added benefit.

5. Go for a walk. Start with a short walk and work your way up to several blocks or 30-40 minutes. If the weather is bad, go to the local mall and walk.

6. Walk around while talking on the phone instead of plopping down in a comfy chair.

7. Stop driving around the parking lot for ten minutes trying to get a parking spot next to the entrance. Park farther away and enjoy the walk.

8. Put items you use often on higher shelves so you do more stretching and reaching to get them.

9. Housework is an excellent exercise. Vacuum an extra time per week, etc.

10. Gardening is another wonderful exercise.

I'm sure you can think of other ways to add exercise to your daily routine. Take that prescription seriously. Do whatever works for you but do something! Take that most-hated prescription: EXERCISE!

FOODS (CARBS) HIGHEST IN RESISTANT STARCH

A couple days ago I mentioned some of the foods that are high in Resistant Starch (RS). Below is a list of some of the foods highest in RS. Try to eat some RS foods at every meal when possible or at least a couple meals a day.

This list starts with the foods highest in RS and goes down accordingly.

• Bananas (note: buy your bananas as green as you can eat them for the most RS. A mostly green banana medium-size, approximately 7 to 8-inches, has 12.5 grams of RS while a ripe banana of the same size has 4.7 grams.) Can't stand greenish bananas? That's okay. The ripe banana still has more RS than other foods.
• Oatmeal ( 1/2 cup uncooked, toasted, comes in right under the ripe banana with 4.6 grams)
• White beans, (1/2 cup has 3.8 grams - the highest of all the beans)
• Lentils (1/2 cup has 3.4 grams)
• Potatoes (Surprised? Yes, one small cooked potato has 3.2 grams!)
• Garbanzo beans (1/2 cup has 2.1 grams)
• Whole-wheat pasta (1 cup cooked has 2.0 grams)
• Brown rice (1/2 cup cooked has 1.7 grams)
• Pumpernickel bread (1-oz slice has 1.3 grams)

This is a very small list of RS foods. But you have probably gotten the idea that some of the carbs you are afraid to eat are actually what you should be eating. As with any food, you should not go overboard but you should include resistant starch foods in your daily diet.

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RESISTANT STARCH FOODS

Note: This is a repost from my blog in 

September 2021. You can find resistant starch list in the index to the right, if you want to know more about them. A few days ago, t posted about carbs and dieting. I promised more about carbs so here is a follow-up. Have you ever heard of resistant starch foods? Possibly not. As with most things, there are carbs that are good for you and carbs that aren't so good for you. Think cookies, doughnuts, bagels, etc. These are not carbs you should be stuffing yourself with! Such carbs will not have a positive effect on your body! But there are RS foods (resistant starch foods), carbs, that you should be eating that will help you lose weight, keep weight off, control blood sugar, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, etc.

Resistant Starch may sound like a strange name but the name comes from the fact that RS foods resists digestion. RS doesn't get absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine like other foods therefore creating a chain reaction in the body that literally shrinks fat cells, preserves muscle and stokes metabolism. Yes, there are some foods that we don't want to be fully digested and absorbed into the body. We need foods that pass through our digestive system taking unwanted toxins, etc with them. Fiber is a good example. Fiber is important for passing through the digestive system and causing it to work properly. Think of RS foods in a similar manner.

You may be wondering if RS foods are exotic, expensive, etc. Good news! They are neither and you probably have them in your pantry right now. Some of the carbs highest in resistant starch are bananas, oatmeal, beans, even potatoes. Start eating resistant carbs at every meal and you will be surprised how quickly you will see your belly bloat disappear, start having more energy, drop some weight, etc.

More to follow in the next post.

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BUCKWHEAT

Many people think buckwheat is a cereal grain. Actually, it is a fruit seed that is related to rhubarb and sorrel which makes it a suitable substitute for grains for people who are sensitive to wheat or other grains that contain protein gluten. Buckwheat is available as a gluten-free whole-grain flour.

Some of the health benefits of this healthy food are:

• Controlling cholesterol - Buckwheat's beneficial effects are due in part to its rich supply of flavonoids, particularly rutin. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that protect against disease by extending the action of vitamin C and acting as antioxidants. Buckwheat's lipid-lowering activity is largely due to rutin and other flavonoid compounds. These compounds help maintain blood flow, keep platelets from clotting excessively (platelets are compounds in blood that, when triggered, clump together, thus preventing excessive blood loss, and protect LDL from free radical oxidation into potentially harmful cholesterol oxides. All these actions help to protect against heart disease.
• Keeping the cardiovascular system healthy.  Buckwheat also contains almost 86 milligrams of magnesium in a one-cup serving. Magnesium relaxes blood vessels, improving blood flow and nutrient delivery while lowering blood pressure.
• May contribute to the regulation of blood sugar.  Canadian researchers, publishing their findings in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have found new evidence that buckwheat may be helpful in the management of diabetes.  Buckwheat is also a rich source of magnesium, a mineral that acts as a co-factor for more than 300 enzymes, including enzymes involved in the body's use of glucose and insulin secretion.
• Aids digestion.  Buckwheat has a high fiber content which helps to regulate bowels and moves toxins quickly and efficiently out of the body.  And this may help to prevent colon cancer.
• Buckwheat also has anti-inflammatory properties which our bodies always need.

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ANTIOXIDANTS EVERYDAY

As has been noted several times on this blog, antioxidants are vitally important to maintain a healthy body.  We know it is important to eat them every day and that is such a simple thing to do.  One of the easiest ways to add antioxidant-rich foods to your diet is to make a habit of adding berries such as blueberries, strawberries or raspberries to your morning cereal or oatmeal.  Fresh or frozen berries are fine so don't use the excuse that berries are out of season!

Another way to add antioxidants daily is to add a cup of fresh brewed tea, hot or iced, to your daily regimen.

There are many ways to add more antioxidants to your diet, but these are too of the really easy ones.

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OATS AND NUTS ARE IMPORTANT TO DIABETICS

Oats and nuts should play a major role in most diabetics' meal plan. That is not to say you have to eat loads of either. but to say they are important to controlling your blood sugar. Oats are easy to work into the diet through morning cereal, snack bars (watch sugar content), sugary toppings, etc. When you eat nuts, use the unsalted variety and do not smother them in candy coatings. Try to work a small portion of both into your diet often.

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BE A BAD HOST TO CANCER!

Integrative oncologist Donald Abrams, director of clinical programs for the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, tells his patients by way of analogy that when it comes to cancer, you need to be a bad host!  "I tell them that cancer is a weed, you are the garden, and our job is to make your soil as inhospitable as possible to further growth and spread of the weed.  The first approach I take is through diet and nutrition."

I first saw this quote in 2011 but I continue to think we need to make our bodies a "bad host" to cancer. There are many short articles on this blog about diet and cancer, if you are interested.

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WHICH COFFEE ROAST IS MOST BENEFICIAL FOR YOUR HEALTH?

You may not give much thought to which coffee roast is the healthiest. After all we buy coffee for the flavor and yes, often the caffeine. Really, who bothers to think about such trivial things as how it was roasted, right? Actually, we should. According to a study a few years ago from the University of British Columbia, you should choose a medium-blend coffee for the most health benefits. Coffee beans have two types of antioxidants. Some are natural to the bean while others develop from a chemical reaction when they are roasted. As the beans darken, the amount of disease-fighters gradually decreases while the quantity of the antioxidants from the color change increases. Medium roast gives the best mix of both types of antioxidants, which is most likely to be most beneficial to the human body in different ways. Look for the words American, regular, or breakfast when choosing your coffee blend. 

This is one of the small ways we can give our bodies the most natural protection. If we learn to make small changes like this on a daily and routine basis, it is amazing how much our bodies can benefit without any big change in our lifestyles.

Note: This picture is not to support this particular brand but to show the roast on the front of the can.

BLUEBERRIES AND VITAMIN K

Did you know that eating a half cup of blueberries a day will give you approximately 20% of your daily requirement for Vitamin K.  Vitamin K helps to keep bones healthy and strong.  And the little blueberry is full of other great nutrition, too.  If you have osteoporosis or other bone problems, or you just want to work to prevent them, eat some blueberries several times a week, if not daily.

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OLIVE OIL FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Studies have shown that the high concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil seem to protect against joint inflammation.  The participants in one study who consumed approximately 3 tablespoons of olive oil a day lessened their chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis by 60%.  If you suffer from RA, it might be worth it for you to add more olive oil to your diet.  Beware though that olive oil can be high in calories so use as a replacement for butter, etc. Don't be afraid of olive oil because of the fat content. Olive oil contains healthy fats your body needs.

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SOUP FOR A COLD?

Studies show that your mother was right!  Eating soup can reduce inflammation and help clear away mucous therefore easing the symptoms of colds and upper respiratory tract infections.  And, yes, when you don't feel well, you may not want to make homemade soup.  That is okay, too.  As we the public have become more attuned to how the foods we eat affect our bodies, the food manufacturers have come up with ways to keep our business!  After all, if they don't have us the consumers, they have no business!  You can now find soups with lower fat, lower sodium, organic, etc on the grocer's shelves.  Just be sure to read the labels!  And did you know you can also find soup in the freezer section?  The plus for frozen soups is that they usually contain much less sodium since they don't need it as a preservative.  Next time you are grocery shopping, check out the soups and purchase one or two to have on hand when needed. Broth based soups are better for this than rich creamy soups.

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CALORIES - AN UGLY WORD!!

Calories - what an ugly word. But remember, calories do count whether you count them or not. The only way to lose weight, and most diabetics should (me included!), is to use up more calories than you take it in. Sounds simple, doesn't it? It is simple, we just don't like doing it!!

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