Pros and cons of going vegetarian with diabetes
Have you noticed more veggie-meat options at your grocery store or at your favorite restaurants lately? Dairy-free cheese, meatless sausages and plant-based burgers are just a few tasty vegetarian selections that even meat eaters can enjoy. Even fast-food restaurant has a selection of meat-free burgers that's too good to pass up. Nearly 10% of Canadians have cut meat out of their diets1—people choose to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for a variety of reasons. Some want to lose weight, some care about animals, and others do it to support their health or the environment. For people...
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How To Quit For Good
Smoking is extremely harmful to your health, and this is especially true for people living with diabetes. It increases the existing risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye problems and nerve damage, plus it increases insulin resistance. If you’re ready to stop smoking—you have to do it for your own sake, and willingly—we have a few tips to help you. First of all… Set a quit date within 30 days. Mark your calendar, tell your friends and family about it so you don’t back out when the day comes, and sign a symbolic quitting contract (it’s not...
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Protecting Your Smile When You Have Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk of mouth problems, but this has (almost) nothing to do with your sugar intake. The main culprit is actually hyperglycemia. The effect of blood glucose Your body can react in many different ways to improperly managed blood glucose. You produce less saliva, and the smaller amount you do produce contains more glucose, which can lead to dry mouth, ulcers, tooth decay or yeast infections. Due to hyperglycemia, there is increased glucose in the saliva which promotes the spread of bacteria, decreases nutrient...
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5 additions to your back-to-school-with-diabetes supply list
You've got the ICP (Individual Care Plan) written and the DCT (...
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Dark chocolate bark
Dark chocolate bark - a (slightly) healthier holiday indulgence Don't get us wrong—even though it's rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate isn't exactly a healthy food. However, because it packs huge flavor into a small serving, you can get that satisfying sweetness you crave without digging deep into the sweet cookie jar. This version uses Christmas colors, but you can substitute any nuts or dried fruit you prefer. Dark Chocolate Bark Ingredients (makes about 25 servings of...
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Travel Smart
Due for a holiday? San Francisco, Moncton, Milan or Kelowna: wherever you choose to go, the golden rule is to plan your trip carefully—and this is especially true when you’re living with diabetes. Before leaving Do your research. Does the destination have good access to medical care? What should you pay special mind to at mealtimes? What type of trip do you want to go on? Naturally, you won’t plan a week at the beach the same way as a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Talk to your doctor...
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Halloween Treats For Grown-Ups
Let children have their candy. Adults can have their own fun! Set up a horror movie marathon Watch or rewatch the classics—Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Carrie—or choose a theme: black and white movies, B movies, vampires, ghosts… there’s no lack of options! Instead of popcorn, prepare raw vegetables or roasted cauliflower for snacking. Invite friends over for a themed dinner Why not make it a potluck? Here are some ideas: ...
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For Frightfully Fun Halloween Festivities
On Halloween night, invite your child’s friends to celebrate at your house. By organizing a fun party, you’ll be stealing the spotlight from candy and sweets. A costume pageant Set up a fashion show for the kids where they show off their costumes to the tune of “Monster Mash” or another Halloween hit. Ask everyone to explain why they chose their costume. Hand out lots of prizes—pens, balls or small toys—or hold a draw. This way, several kids get something. Games The classics can be...
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Five Little Mistakes Everyone Makes
Managing diabetes is quite the juggling act. Between your treatments, your busy schedule and your blood glucose measurements, it’s normal to sometimes run out of time or forget a few details. So don’t beat yourself up if you make one of the small mistakes listed below. Of course, if you can avoid them, all the better! 1- Skipping breakfast. After a night of sleep, your blood sugar level is usually higher, and your body needs fuel. Plan quick and healthy meal options for chaotic mornings: oatmeal, fruits and whole grain cereals, for example. 2- Guessing the carbs. By now...
Read MorePages
How To Quit For Good
Smoking is extremely harmful to your health, and this is especially true for people living with diabetes. It increases the existing risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, eye problems and nerve damage, plus it increases insulin resistance. If you’re ready to stop smoking—you have to do it for your own sake, and willingly—we have a few tips to help you. First of all… Set a quit date within 30 days. Mark your calendar, tell your friends and family about it so you don’t back out when the day comes, and sign a symbolic quitting contract (it’s not...
Read More Protecting Your Smile When You Have Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk of mouth problems, but this has (almost) nothing to do with your sugar intake. The main culprit is actually hyperglycemia. The effect of blood glucose Your body can react in many different ways to improperly managed blood glucose. You produce less saliva, and the smaller amount you do produce contains more glucose, which can lead to dry mouth, ulcers, tooth decay or yeast infections. Due to hyperglycemia, there is increased glucose in the saliva which promotes the spread of bacteria, decreases nutrient...
Read More 5 additions to your back-to-school-with-diabetes supply list
You've got the ICP (Individual Care Plan) written and the DCT (...
Read More Dark chocolate bark
Dark chocolate bark - a (slightly) healthier holiday indulgence Don't get us wrong—even though it's rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate isn't exactly a healthy food. However, because it packs huge flavor into a small serving, you can get that satisfying sweetness you crave without digging deep into the sweet cookie jar. This version uses Christmas colors, but you can substitute any nuts or dried fruit you prefer. Dark Chocolate Bark Ingredients (makes about 25 servings of...
Read More Travel Smart
Due for a holiday? San Francisco, Moncton, Milan or Kelowna: wherever you choose to go, the golden rule is to plan your trip carefully—and this is especially true when you’re living with diabetes. Before leaving Do your research. Does the destination have good access to medical care? What should you pay special mind to at mealtimes? What type of trip do you want to go on? Naturally, you won’t plan a week at the beach the same way as a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Talk to your doctor...
Read More Halloween Treats For Grown-Ups
Let children have their candy. Adults can have their own fun! Set up a horror movie marathon Watch or rewatch the classics—Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Carrie—or choose a theme: black and white movies, B movies, vampires, ghosts… there’s no lack of options! Instead of popcorn, prepare raw vegetables or roasted cauliflower for snacking. Invite friends over for a themed dinner Why not make it a potluck? Here are some ideas: ...
Read More For Frightfully Fun Halloween Festivities
On Halloween night, invite your child’s friends to celebrate at your house. By organizing a fun party, you’ll be stealing the spotlight from candy and sweets. A costume pageant Set up a fashion show for the kids where they show off their costumes to the tune of “Monster Mash” or another Halloween hit. Ask everyone to explain why they chose their costume. Hand out lots of prizes—pens, balls or small toys—or hold a draw. This way, several kids get something. Games The classics can be...
Read More Five Little Mistakes Everyone Makes
Managing diabetes is quite the juggling act. Between your treatments, your busy schedule and your blood glucose measurements, it’s normal to sometimes run out of time or forget a few details. So don’t beat yourself up if you make one of the small mistakes listed below. Of course, if you can avoid them, all the better! 1- Skipping breakfast. After a night of sleep, your blood sugar level is usually higher, and your body needs fuel. Plan quick and healthy meal options for chaotic mornings: oatmeal, fruits and whole grain cereals, for example. 2- Guessing the carbs. By now...
Read More