AGAVE NECTAR

Agave nectar actually has a lower-glycemic index (sugar content) than many other sweeteners.  That makes it excellent for anyone worried about controlling their blood sugar levels.  It can be especially helpful for people who are on chemotherapy who are worried about their blood sugar levels.  Also helpful as a sweetener for anyone receiving steroids that affect their blood sugar.  Agave nectar also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Note: This picture is not meant to endorse a particular brand of Agave Nectar!

SHOULD YOU BUY CANNED FISH In OIL OR WATER?

It is better to choose canned fish not packed in oil.  Go for those packed in their own oil, water, mustard or a tomato sauce.  When you drain oil from canned tuna, for example, you lose from 15% to 25% of the healthy omega-3s that have leached into the oil from the fish while draining water packed tuna only loses 3% of the omega 3s. The photo below is not a brand recommendation. It is used for reference purposes only.

IMPORTANCE OF GREENS IN THE DIET

It has been said that the greening of the diet may be much more important to survival than the greening of the planet!  Green vegetables are packed with a variety of compounds, ie carotenoids, cholrophyll, glutathione, folic acid, vitamin C, etc that are known to protect our cells from a whole list of damages.  So be sure you include green vegetables in your diet daily.  That doesn't mean you have to sit down and eat a bowl of greens everyday.  Toss some greens into soups, stir-frys, etc.  And a few salads a week is a good idea. 

As an example, we will look at cabbage which along with its other cruciferous kin such as kale, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, etc, is extremely high in phytochemicals which are great protectors from cancer, etc.  Cabbage also works as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.  One of the properties of cabbage and its kin is indole-3-carbinol, known as IC3 for short.  IC3 nearly doubles how quickly the liver can break down estrogen so it doesn't remain in the body.  (Estrogen is known to feed some cancers.)  Do not overcook as you will lose some of the important chemicals in doing so.

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SHREDDED CARROTS (WITH A SALAD RECIPE)

Many nutritionists and experts on nutrition and health suggest grating carrots.  They say that when carrots are grated or shredded our bodies are able to get the most therapeutic benefits.  Grating or shredding the carrots breaks down cell walls which enables the body to absorb more beta-carotene.  Beta-carotene is the compound in carrots that is believed to help protect against cancer and some of the effects of aging.

Here is a recipe for a tasty grated carrot salad.
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup canned, crushed pineapple in its own juice (no added sugar)
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (a very healthy nut)

Mix the ingredients together in a bowl.  No dressing needed as the pineapple juice works as a dressing.  Let your imagination go wild with the combinations you can come up with.

 

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WHAT ARE CARBS?

We hear so much about carbs, especially if you are diabetic, but do you really know what a carb is?

First of all, carb/s is a shortened term for carbohydrates.  Okay, so, what is a carbohydrate? A carbohydrate, along with protein and fat, is one of the 3 macronutrients supplying our bodies with the calories they need to function.  That's right; our bodies must have calories to function properly.  Simply put, carbohydrate foods are the sugars and starches.  So, fruits, vegetables, grains, potatoes, etc are carb foods.  Many foods, milk for example, contain all 3 of the macronutrients of carbs, fat, and protein.

Diabetics are told to watch their carbs and to avoid refined carbs. When you eat foods high in poor quality carbs, such as refined sugar, bleached white flour, white bread, etc, they can raise your blood sugar.  This may cause your insulin to spike to higher-than-normal levels.  Over time, excessive sugar in the blood can be damaging to the body leading to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  Pictured below are some examples of healthy carbs.

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INFO ON SPLENDA

Over the past twenty-some years, well over 100 tests have been done on Splenda to confirm it's safety. I often see, especially on facebook, Splenda lumped in with other sweeteners and how harmful they are. Splenda is actually in a category by itself as it is the only sweetener actually made from sugar*. This is why it does not have the aftertaste most sweeteners do. Splenda is the brand name for the nonnutritive sweetener sucralose. Over the years my doctors have told me to use only sucralose or stevia products (I am a diabetic). I have used Splenda for 18 years. During that time my liver function has returned to normal, it was bad before, and all my blood work which is done every 3 to 6 months is always normal. So do not be frightened by the scary stuff you see on facebook or other social media. There are exceptions to everything, so I am sure there is someone out there that has an allergy or something to it but overall, it is a very safe product for me. I am not trying to convert you to Splenda; you use the product you like that works well for you. I am simply stating, do not believe things you see on social media. Always check things out on your own.

Facts: a Splenda packet is equal to the sweetness of 2 teaspoons of sugar and Splenda Granular measures cup for cup the same as sugar.
Splenda does not create an insulin response in the body, does not raise blood sugar or affect triglycerides.
*As of the original writing of this article in 2018. (I still use Splenda and bake with it weekly).

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ENJOY FISH FOR SATIETY

Fish are the last of the posts on food for satiety or to keep you satisfied longer to avoid snacking. Fish are a great way to get protein. Research has shown that 25 grams of protein in meals can have a positive impact on weight loss and appetite control. Not only will a 4-ounce serving of salmon help you reach that goal, but it will also give you a good dose of heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Some other fish that provide high amounts of protein are mussels, catfish, mackerel and Pacific halibut.

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AVOCADO HELPS TO CONTROL HUNGER

Scientists at Loma Linda University in California found that including about a half of an avocado in a meal can reduce the desire to eat by up to 40%. Avocados are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat which works to curb hunger pangs. There are many ways to enjoy avocados in your diet. Here in Texas, we love our guacamole but that's just one way to enjoy avocados. Avocados are great sliced on salads, tacos and soups. They are also tasty by themselves. My little great-granddaughter loves avocados cubed and placed on her dinner plate. Avocado toast is also popular. There are many ways to enjoy avocados.

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GREEK YOGURT IS A CHOICE FOR SATIETY

Like almonds, this is a post I can personally recommend. As a diabetic, I eat Greek yogurt because the process of making it leaves it with less sugar. But I digress. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that volunteers who consumed a high protein yogurt snack in the afternoon experienced greater reductions in afternoon hunger and consumed few calories at dinner than those who snacked on chocolate or crackers. The reason? Greek yogurt has large amounts of casein protein which helps slow digestion, leading to longer feelings of fullness. Other protein-rich dairy options include Kefir and a fairly new product of Icelandic yogurt called Skyr. It is important to buy plain yogurt then add fresh fruit or nuts rather than buying products with fruits or other additives. The additives usually increase the sugar content more than you adding fresh products.

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WHICH BREAD FOR SATIETY?

 I have long been a fan of rye bread without knowing it is highly recommended for satiety. I eat rye bread first of all because I like it and secondly because as a diabetic I stay away from refined breads. I have learned recently that studies show hearty rye bread does a better job at encouraging satiety and reducing post-meal insulin levels compared to standard grocery store breads. Credit goes to the structural differences and extra fiber in rye bread. By the way, a slice of pure rye bread can have up to 5 grams of fiber. If you haven't tried rye bread for sandwiches, give it a try.

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