Make the season merrier with new holiday traditions
How many of your holiday traditions exist because "we've always done it that way?" If you could choose which ones to keep or toss, what would you decide? It's okay to reconsider anything that feels like it takes up more time, money, effort or calories than it's worth. Traditions to review:• "Must haves" at dinner. Turkey isn't hard to make, but all the things that go with it (potatoes, gravy, cranberries, stuffing) start to add up. You can enjoy family time just as much with a spiral-sliced ham served with rolls and a salad. Or try a new global cuisine each year. As much as they might...
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<h2>Springtime is the perfect "lower your A1C</h2>
If your healthcare provider has talked to you about reducing your A1C test result, or you want to make some improvements to your diabetes care, this is the ideal time to get started. After all, warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get active, fresh foods are easier to come by, and the sunshine may help you feel like you can conquer anything. 7% vs. 7.0 mmol/L First, let's be clear on what your A1C result means. It can be a little confusing, as the A1C is a percentage, rather than a direct measurement of the glucose in your blood. Your regular blood sugar checks tell you the amount of...
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The incredible, unbelievable value of having a friend with diabetes.
Guest article by Christel Oerum. Have you ever imagined having a best friend who also lives with diabetes? How wonderful it would be to meet the perfect "diabuddy" who truly understands what it means to live with diabetes and relates to what you deal with every day. They wouldn't have to guess at what you're thinking—they'd know because it's their life, too. The fact is—you are not alone. There are so many of us living with diabetes around the world. If you're open to it and willing to share your experience with others, the chance of meeting another person with diabetes is pretty high. But it means you can't keep...
Read More
Better Diabetes Care in a Single Step
The big secret to living a long and healthy life with diabetes is not really a big secret. There are certain phrases that seem to be played on a loop in every physician's office. "Check your blood sugar levels, administer medication appropriately, eat nutrient-dense foods and exercise," is common advice, but putting it into action can be a challenge. After all, when you're busy with work, school, family, social activities and other obligations, something has to be left along the way. Unfortunately, exercise is often the first thing to be dropped. Why is exercise important for...
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A Makeover for Your Home and Habits
There are 2 ways even people who already manage diabetes well can make their self-care even better: Set up your environment for success Practise healthy habits We tend to think people who do something well, do so because they are highly motivated or have lots of willpower. But that is not necessarily true. An environment that supports the actions you want to take can make a positive difference. And while willpower is great, it is a finite resource—it will run out. Think about it this way. Keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom makes...
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Aim for better, not perfect
Guest article by Riva Greenberg. Let's dispel a diabetes myth right now—the idea that you can manage your diabetes and blood sugar perfectly. You can't. There are so many tasks involved in managing diabetes and blood sugar that you will not be able to do them all, every day, with absolute success. For example, you won't eat perfectly all the time. There will be times an event will prevent you from being active. You may forget to take your medicine or log your blood sugar every now and then. Further, while we know keeping our blood sugar in the recommended target range helps delay or prevent diabetes...
Read More
Sleeping better for people living with diabetes: Tips for your mind and body
Sleep is a fundamental need for the body. It affects emotional well-being, cognitive function, daytime performance and physical health. Poor sleep quality can influence weight, appetite and mental health, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. It can also affect your body's sensitivity to insulin.1 For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is thought to be optimal, whereas a child can require between 8 and 15 hours of sleep each day.1 If you aren't getting the sleep you need, some causes may be caffeine or alcohol consumption, diet, electronic media...
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Good reasons to open your home and heart to a pet
When you run across a pet adoption event, are you drawn in? Those cute little fur-babies are so tempting—perhaps it's time to give in. You already know that pets offer wonderful emotional benefits, but did you know that they can provide physical benefits as well? In addition to unconditional love and companionship, a pet can be just the motivation you need to take better care of yourself or get more exercise. They can make a big difference in your stress levels and mood. And, if you're walking a dog every day, there may be social benefits as well.1,2 Doctors also suggest that having a pet can...
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One resolution: Drink more water
If you have been reading us for a while, you know we are not big fans of resolutions. Goals? Yes. Commitments to yourself at any time of year? Certainly. However, we are bending our own rule a bit this year. Because if ever there were a resolution worth making—and super easy, to boot—it is this one: drink more water. Even better, drinking water may be able to help you with other goals and resolutions, if you were to decide to go that route. Here is a peek at how: Water for weight loss or management A 2019 study found a link between dehydration and overweight1, and...
Read MorePages
<h2>Springtime is the perfect "lower your A1C</h2>
If your healthcare provider has talked to you about reducing your A1C test result, or you want to make some improvements to your diabetes care, this is the ideal time to get started. After all, warmer weather makes it easier to get outside and get active, fresh foods are easier to come by, and the sunshine may help you feel like you can conquer anything. 7% vs. 7.0 mmol/L First, let's be clear on what your A1C result means. It can be a little confusing, as the A1C is a percentage, rather than a direct measurement of the glucose in your blood. Your regular blood sugar checks tell you the amount of...
Read More The incredible, unbelievable value of having a friend with diabetes.
Guest article by Christel Oerum. Have you ever imagined having a best friend who also lives with diabetes? How wonderful it would be to meet the perfect "diabuddy" who truly understands what it means to live with diabetes and relates to what you deal with every day. They wouldn't have to guess at what you're thinking—they'd know because it's their life, too. The fact is—you are not alone. There are so many of us living with diabetes around the world. If you're open to it and willing to share your experience with others, the chance of meeting another person with diabetes is pretty high. But it means you can't keep...
Read More Better Diabetes Care in a Single Step
The big secret to living a long and healthy life with diabetes is not really a big secret. There are certain phrases that seem to be played on a loop in every physician's office. "Check your blood sugar levels, administer medication appropriately, eat nutrient-dense foods and exercise," is common advice, but putting it into action can be a challenge. After all, when you're busy with work, school, family, social activities and other obligations, something has to be left along the way. Unfortunately, exercise is often the first thing to be dropped. Why is exercise important for...
Read More A Makeover for Your Home and Habits
There are 2 ways even people who already manage diabetes well can make their self-care even better: Set up your environment for success Practise healthy habits We tend to think people who do something well, do so because they are highly motivated or have lots of willpower. But that is not necessarily true. An environment that supports the actions you want to take can make a positive difference. And while willpower is great, it is a finite resource—it will run out. Think about it this way. Keeping your toothbrush in the bathroom makes...
Read More Aim for better, not perfect
Guest article by Riva Greenberg. Let's dispel a diabetes myth right now—the idea that you can manage your diabetes and blood sugar perfectly. You can't. There are so many tasks involved in managing diabetes and blood sugar that you will not be able to do them all, every day, with absolute success. For example, you won't eat perfectly all the time. There will be times an event will prevent you from being active. You may forget to take your medicine or log your blood sugar every now and then. Further, while we know keeping our blood sugar in the recommended target range helps delay or prevent diabetes...
Read More Sleeping better for people living with diabetes: Tips for your mind and body
Sleep is a fundamental need for the body. It affects emotional well-being, cognitive function, daytime performance and physical health. Poor sleep quality can influence weight, appetite and mental health, and has been associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease risk. It can also affect your body's sensitivity to insulin.1 For most adults, 7 to 9 hours of sleep is thought to be optimal, whereas a child can require between 8 and 15 hours of sleep each day.1 If you aren't getting the sleep you need, some causes may be caffeine or alcohol consumption, diet, electronic media...
Read More Good reasons to open your home and heart to a pet
When you run across a pet adoption event, are you drawn in? Those cute little fur-babies are so tempting—perhaps it's time to give in. You already know that pets offer wonderful emotional benefits, but did you know that they can provide physical benefits as well? In addition to unconditional love and companionship, a pet can be just the motivation you need to take better care of yourself or get more exercise. They can make a big difference in your stress levels and mood. And, if you're walking a dog every day, there may be social benefits as well.1,2 Doctors also suggest that having a pet can...
Read More One resolution: Drink more water
If you have been reading us for a while, you know we are not big fans of resolutions. Goals? Yes. Commitments to yourself at any time of year? Certainly. However, we are bending our own rule a bit this year. Because if ever there were a resolution worth making—and super easy, to boot—it is this one: drink more water. Even better, drinking water may be able to help you with other goals and resolutions, if you were to decide to go that route. Here is a peek at how: Water for weight loss or management A 2019 study found a link between dehydration and overweight1, and...
Read More