Women with diabetes - own your strength and lift each other up
BY CHRISTEL OERUM (DIABETES STRONG) I am a woman living with diabetes, and if you read this, there is a high likelihood that you are too. Aside from living with diabetes, we might not have much in common, but that does not mean that we cannot or should not support each other. Living with diabetes as a woman comes with a tremendous number of challenges, and there is no reason why any of us should have to face those challenges entirely on our own. Strong women lift each other up...
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To Drink Or Not To Drink: That Is The Question
Alcohol is often on the guest list at everything from family reunions to evenings with friends, but it doesn’t always mix well with diabetes. Unless otherwise specified by your doctor, nothing is stopping you from having a drink as long as you follow some basic guidelines. First, what effect does alcohol have? When you drink some alcohol, your liver goes into a “cleaning” mode: instead of producing glucose, it works at eliminating alcohol from your system. This puts you at risk of having a low blood sugar episode which may...
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Put A Stop To Cravings!
People living with diabetes often think they have to ban all unhealthy foods. Yet, dealing with your cravings, rather than trying to eliminate them, is the best way to prevent possibly damaging binges. Defuse high-calorie bombs. Bored? Stressed? Cravings often arise in response to a psychological need. Outsmart them: dive into a novel, or go for a walk or a run. Self-indulgence or true hunger? All you had for lunch was a green salad? It’s no surprise that your stomach is growling! Add some fibre and protein to...
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How to make sense of blood sugar values
I don’t understand what my blood sugar range means! If you live with diabetes, you have probably been asked to check your blood sugar a lot. But what are you supposed to be checking? How do you interpret the values you see? Managing your diabetes is easier when you know what the values mean and what you are trying to accomplish. What is the normal blood sugar range? Your doctor is the best person to ask what your blood sugar goals should be. Since everyone is different and unique, your goals may be different from the standard ranges. Things like age, your health...
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Diabetes And Intimacy
When talking about diabetes management, sex remains a taboo subject. You hear a lot about risks for eyes, nerves, kidneys and the heart. You hear a lot less about possible problems in the bedroom—be they psychological barriers or dysfunctions. Can diabetes affect your sexuality? There might be some potential inconveniences when it comes to diabetes and sex. However, it does not mean that you have to give up on sex. Let’s take a closer look at this topic in five points. Dialogue. It’s true...
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A matter of chocolate!
Why deny yourself the pleasure? Good for both your mood and your cardiovascular health, chocolate can very easily be integrated into your diet—as long as it’s consumed in moderation, of course. Good fats The types of fats contained in cacao butter, such as monounsaturated fatty acids, prevent high cholesterol, which contributes to good cardiovascular health. Antioxidants The flavonoids contained in dark chocolate help lower blood pressure by...
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Debunking Dietary Myths
Who hasn't heard far-fetched "facts" about diet and diabetes? These days, with the barrage of information coming at us from all sides, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. In this article, we take a closer look at 8 of the most common and persistent...
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All About Desserts
It’s the holidays and a delicious scent of cinnamon and spice is wafting in the air. From homemade pie to French toast, seasonal treats look all kinds of delicious… But how do you indulge your sweet tooth without jeopardizing your blood sugar level? It’s easy: just go for slightly healthier variations! Lighten your cake roll. Cut carbs by replacing the frosting by a thin layer of powdered sugar sprinkled with pieces of dark chocolate. The result will be just as beautiful (and yummy). Change up your cheesecake....
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Neuropathy: A Painful Reality
Neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes: over time, hyperglycemia ends up damaging nerves—particularly those in the lower extremities. This can then compromise the functioning of organs such as the digestive or renal system, the heart or the genitals. Recognizing the problem and diagnosing it in time The risk factors of neuropathy share much with those of diabetes: High blood glucose High triglyceride levels in the blood Excess weight Smoking Hypertension Your health care...
Read MorePages
To Drink Or Not To Drink: That Is The Question
Alcohol is often on the guest list at everything from family reunions to evenings with friends, but it doesn’t always mix well with diabetes. Unless otherwise specified by your doctor, nothing is stopping you from having a drink as long as you follow some basic guidelines. First, what effect does alcohol have? When you drink some alcohol, your liver goes into a “cleaning” mode: instead of producing glucose, it works at eliminating alcohol from your system. This puts you at risk of having a low blood sugar episode which may...
Read More Put A Stop To Cravings!
People living with diabetes often think they have to ban all unhealthy foods. Yet, dealing with your cravings, rather than trying to eliminate them, is the best way to prevent possibly damaging binges. Defuse high-calorie bombs. Bored? Stressed? Cravings often arise in response to a psychological need. Outsmart them: dive into a novel, or go for a walk or a run. Self-indulgence or true hunger? All you had for lunch was a green salad? It’s no surprise that your stomach is growling! Add some fibre and protein to...
Read More How to make sense of blood sugar values
I don’t understand what my blood sugar range means! If you live with diabetes, you have probably been asked to check your blood sugar a lot. But what are you supposed to be checking? How do you interpret the values you see? Managing your diabetes is easier when you know what the values mean and what you are trying to accomplish. What is the normal blood sugar range? Your doctor is the best person to ask what your blood sugar goals should be. Since everyone is different and unique, your goals may be different from the standard ranges. Things like age, your health...
Read More Diabetes And Intimacy
When talking about diabetes management, sex remains a taboo subject. You hear a lot about risks for eyes, nerves, kidneys and the heart. You hear a lot less about possible problems in the bedroom—be they psychological barriers or dysfunctions. Can diabetes affect your sexuality? There might be some potential inconveniences when it comes to diabetes and sex. However, it does not mean that you have to give up on sex. Let’s take a closer look at this topic in five points. Dialogue. It’s true...
Read More A matter of chocolate!
Why deny yourself the pleasure? Good for both your mood and your cardiovascular health, chocolate can very easily be integrated into your diet—as long as it’s consumed in moderation, of course. Good fats The types of fats contained in cacao butter, such as monounsaturated fatty acids, prevent high cholesterol, which contributes to good cardiovascular health. Antioxidants The flavonoids contained in dark chocolate help lower blood pressure by...
Read More Debunking Dietary Myths
Who hasn't heard far-fetched "facts" about diet and diabetes? These days, with the barrage of information coming at us from all sides, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. In this article, we take a closer look at 8 of the most common and persistent...
Read More All About Desserts
It’s the holidays and a delicious scent of cinnamon and spice is wafting in the air. From homemade pie to French toast, seasonal treats look all kinds of delicious… But how do you indulge your sweet tooth without jeopardizing your blood sugar level? It’s easy: just go for slightly healthier variations! Lighten your cake roll. Cut carbs by replacing the frosting by a thin layer of powdered sugar sprinkled with pieces of dark chocolate. The result will be just as beautiful (and yummy). Change up your cheesecake....
Read More Neuropathy: A Painful Reality
Neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes: over time, hyperglycemia ends up damaging nerves—particularly those in the lower extremities. This can then compromise the functioning of organs such as the digestive or renal system, the heart or the genitals. Recognizing the problem and diagnosing it in time The risk factors of neuropathy share much with those of diabetes: High blood glucose High triglyceride levels in the blood Excess weight Smoking Hypertension Your health care...
Read More