Food & Diet In Diabetes Cyber Kitchen  Judith's Diabetes Cyber KitchenDiabetes Diet #27: Less In More OutDiabetes Recipes: Its Your Time For Less In, More OutMixed messages are coming in loud and clear with advice that runs in circles. At this time of year, the wind down of the holiday season and advent of a new year, a ruffled deluge of advice bobs and weaves like a calliope of jumping jack clowns all pointing the way to a shopping mall of diet books. Being diabetic, we have a slight edge on this shell game because we appreciate the importance and consequences of eating with a grain of sanity, and the day to day (sometimes minute to minute) effects, food has on our health and well being. However, some of us may have wavered a trifle during holiday celebrations (perhaps even indulged in a few bites of the rich English dessert of sponge cake, custard, berries and cream, called Trifle). Statistics show this is the time when many people look to improve their health and diet. New year. New beginnings. Makes perfect sense. About the overload of diet books on the market, most have been written by MD's, RD's and diet gurus who are sincere and passionate about their theories. It may be worth taking a cursory look at some of the books currently making the rounds, while keeping in mind that none will result in producing a slim healthy permanent 100 bg body or a 5.5 A1c. Blood sugars would surely start a revolution from deep within the pancreas, if we jumped on the roller coaster of testing diet book methods. But it's interesting to see what diets people are currently following,. It helps bolster confidence in the wisdom of my favorite, the good old well balanced, fresh food diet. The South Beach Diet by cardiologist Dr. Arthur Agatston calls for 0 carbs for the first 14 days of the diet. It is basically protein, fat and a little salad, followed by slow and limited integration of low glycemic index carbs. The Ultimate Weight Solution by Phil McGraw reveals the 7 keys to weight loss. Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution by Dr. Robert Atkins, teaches how to lose weight and achieve good health through a high protein, high fat diet. The Atkins principal draws clear lines of believers and skeptics in any discussion on weight loss and diet. There have been no long term studies on this diet. Dr. Dean Ornish teaches a high complex carbohydrate, extremely limited fat regimen, similar to the Pritiken Diet, which in its original form, extolled zero tolerance for any fats. Dr. Howard Shapiro shows us in Picture Perfect Weight Loss, vivid pictures on how to make good, low cal food choices. It is interesting to see the gamut that 600 calories offers. Dr. Andrew Weil, Eating Well For Optimum Health author, believes in variety, freshness, unprocessed foods and an abundance of fruits and vegetables to insure a sound and healthy diet. The "Zone" series of books by Barry Sears has grown into a business of low carb meals, that can actually be delivered to your doorstep each day to help you stay in The Zone. What Works For The Long Haul aka The Be Kind To Blood Sugars Diet Balance Freshness Exercise Portion Control
Drink Water An endocrinologist / nutritionist in NYC, Dr. Nicholas Mezitis, once taught me his theory of making each meal complete, packed with protein, carbohydrates, fat and fiber. For example, a breakfast meal of whole grain toast spread with ricotta cheese and topped with sliced pear, provides all the nutrients to energize the start of a new day. The carbohydrate from the fruit gives a quick rise to the blood sugar, supplying that "get up and 'go" fix, while the protein from the cheese furnishes the longer, steadier flow of fuel necessary for the next few hours. The fat contained in the cheese slows down the absorption of the carbs in the bread. And the whole grain bread dishes up a nice portion of fiber, thus completing a wholesome balanced meal. I'm a big fan of the tuna sandwich at lunch time, provided I get to make my own. I jam in celery, shredded carrots, green onions, a few toasted nuts, lots of fresh parsley and a dab of mayonnaise mixed with low fat plain yogurt. Stuff it into a whole wheat pita bread, lined with lots of salad greens, and you have created a very tasty lunch that will keep the machine well fueled. Dinner is anybody's game. A moderate portion (3 ounces) of lean meat, poultry, fish or a vegetarian combo of beans and grains, all provide appropriate protein and fat. A good rule of thumb to remember is make half your plate leafy vegetables. Those dark green wonders: spinach, broccoli, chard, kale, green beans, dandelion , asparagus and, of course, salad greens, are so beneficial to the diet, providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, bulk, eye appeal and tallying up to a low calorie, low carb count. EAT MORE VEGETABLES. In many countries, an evening meal begins with a bowl of soup, a small dish of pasta or rice and is followed by a little protein, fat and vegetables. Sounds like a lot of food, but a dinner eaten in courses has the result of slowing down the appetite and slowing down the dinner rush. No need to "wolf down" dinner. The day's work is done. Learn to enjoy time at the table with family, friends, even alone. Take time for conversation, listen to a radio show, read a magazine, chew your food. IT'S YOUR TIME Is 2004 your time to lose a few pounds? Click Here to browse our secure, on-line store for a complete selection of diabetes books at 22%-50% off their cover price. You can also download our Diabetes Mall 2008 Catalog, email our Order Form, or call us at (800) 988-4772. |
