Controlling Diabetes

Check out this great article for both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Controlling Diabetes One of the ways to help control diabetes is through superfoods! Picking out snacks that have healthy benefits will boost your diet. Recommended by the American Diabetes Association, these superfoods have a low glycemic index and provide key nutrients like calcium, potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamins A, C and E. Here are some superfood choices: A citrus snack: Grapefruit and oranges provide soluble fiber and vitamin C. Slice a grapefruit in half, cut around the edges and then eat it with a spoon. Oranges are great to eat on the go and can be an especially refreshing snack for a hot afternoon. Deliciously sweet potatoes: Shy away from french fries and instead have sweet potatoes, full of vitamin A and fiber. Because they have so much flavor, you don’t have to add tons of butter and salt to make them tasty. Berry nice to eat: Choose your favorite — strawberries, blueberries or blackberries. All of them are full of antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. Pair fruit with nonfat yogurt to make a yummy dessert. Tomato time: Whether you have tomatoes pureed, mixed in a sauce or raw, they provide vitamin C, iron and vitamin E. Cut up big slices of fresh tomatoes and add fresh mozzarella, then sprinkle with basil for a sophisticated appetizer. Go nuts: Having an ounce of nuts can keep you from being hungry between meals and give you a dose of magnesium and fiber. Walnuts and flax seed are great choices because they contain omega-3 fatty acids. These snacks will help with the healthy diet of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. Type 2 diabetes patients may supplement their diet with one of the oral medications that help manage blood sugar — sulfonylureas, biguanides, meglitinides, thiazolidinediones , alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, D-phenylalanine derivatives and DPP-4 inhibitors. Be aware that one thiazolidinedione, Actos (pioglitazone), comes with serious side effects like weakened bones, impaired vision, exacerbating heart failure and an increased risk of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer symptoms include blood in the urine, pain while urinating and an increased need to urinate. Experiencing the debilitating effects of bladder cancer has caused many Actos users to file lawsuits against Takeda, the drug's manufacturer. Type 1 diabetes patients may need to take insulin before snacks, depending on the insulin regimen their doctor has prescribed. Living with diabetes doesn't mean that you have to deprive yourself of every good food, but it's important to adjust to intentional dietary choices — like superfoods. Alanna Ritchie writes about prescription drugs and medical devices for Drugwatch.com.