Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but so many skip this head start on diabetes management altogether. Effective diabetes management is easier when we spread healthy meals across our day, so check in with Toby on this video for some great ideas for diabetes-friendly (and quick, quick, quick) breakfasts.
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Two Thumbs Up for “The Complete Diabetes Organizer”
As I hope you’ve noticed, I’ve managed to keep DiabetesEveryDay.com free of advertising, the idea being that whenever I endorse or recommend a product you’ll know it’s coming straight from me without any financial influence. And, having the dual personality- person with diabetes and person who counsels people who have diabetes – I can’t help but look at anything diabetes-related from both angles. So, when I tell you that a new book, The Complete Diabetes Organizer, is something you should read and keep handy for frequent reference, you can believe it. I’m certainly keeping it handy.
The book is written by fellow Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and my friend Susan Weiner, and co-authored by Leslie Josel, an authority on “chronic disorganization.” Now, I should say that people with diabetes are not chronically disorganized by default, so don’t think the book will only be helpful if you happen to fall into that category. The real issue, and what makes this book so valuable for anyone with diabetes, is that we can all greatly reduce the stress of diabetes self-management if we are greatly organized. In fact, one of the things I like most about the book is the admission right up front that managing diabetes effectively is a huge pain in the butt.
Not surprisingly, the book is well organized, even to the extent of having a built-in bookmark. And, the authors also offer ideas from many other diabetes experts who understand the challenges best- they all have diabetes. I’ll just encourage you to grab a copy for yourself, and see if the tips and guidance don’t make your diabetes management activities more efficient, and more successful.
As I hope you’ve noticed, I’ve managed to keep DiabetesEveryDay.com free of advertising, the idea being that whenever I endorse or recommend a product you’ll know it’s coming straight from me without any financial influence. And, having the dual personality- person with diabetes and person who counsels people who have diabetes – I can’t help but look at anything diabetes-related from both angles. So, when I tell you that a new book, The Complete Diabetes Organizer, is something you should read and keep handy for frequent reference, you can believe it. I’m certainly keeping it handy.
The book is written by fellow Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and my friend Susan Weiner, and co-authored by Leslie Josel, an authority on “chronic disorganization.” Now, I should say that people with diabetes are not chronically disorganized by default, so don’t think the book will only be helpful if you happen to fall into that category. The real issue, and what makes this book so valuable for anyone with diabetes, is that we can all greatly reduce the stress of diabetes self-management if we are greatly organized. In fact, one of the things I like most about the book is the admission right up front that managing diabetes effectively is a huge pain in the butt.
Not surprisingly, the book is well organized, even to the extent of having a built-in bookmark. And, the authors also offer ideas from many other diabetes experts who understand the challenges best- they all have diabetes. I’ll just encourage you to grab a copy for yourself, and see if the tips and guidance don’t make your diabetes management activities more efficient, and more successful.
Impulsive Eating? Blame Your Brain
Researchers at the University of North Carolina reported, in a study published in the journal Science, that stimulating certain cells connecting the amygdala and the hypothalamus of mice could stimulate impulsive overeating- “voracious feeding behavior”- even when the mice were well fed. These particular areas of the brain are a part of what’s called the “limbic system”, responsible for insuring that survival instincts get top priority.
As early as the 1960s neuroscientists electrically stimulated the lateral hypothalamus and saw that it played a key role in feeding behavior, and in the reinforcement of feeding behavior. This current research focused on the hypothalamus as well, one of the brain’s most primitive structures, and a crucial part of brain circuitry that drives us to eat and drink, to seek out sexual partners, and generally to crave more of what makes us feel good. The lateral hypothalamus is connected to the amygdala, where basic, powerful emotions like fear, anger and love are processed.
This connection between eating behavior and powerful emotion is consistent with other research suggesting that stress and overwhelming exposure to food triggers overeating. Moreover, the study results may identify a target for intervention in the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes associated with overeating.
Painted into a Corner- feeling trapped with diabetes?
>“Painted into a Corner” is a colorful phrase that has two very different meanings. One meaning is ‘trapped by our own bad decisions”, and many people with diabetes suffer from the guilt of poor past lifestyle choices. Guilt can keep us stuck, and interfere with making positive changes to better manage diabetes. Toby has another way to look at the phrase “painted into a corner” that might just set you free.
Here’s the video trailer for your entertainment
Lindsey’s Thai Chicken Salad
Toby and Chef Lindsey Singleton prepare a special salad with a Thai flair
Polyphenols and Alton Brown Make for a Great Evening
I had the opportunity to attend a sponsored event last night to hear some of the latest research on polyphenol compounds, and was fortunate to have a seat right next to Alton Brown, best known for Good Eats, Iron Chef America, and other Food Network and Cooking Channel shows. The socializing and networking was great, and the food at Chef Art Smith’s Table 52 in Chicago was superb. But, now that I have your attention by posting the photo of an extremely personable celebrity, let’s talk about polyphenols.
Polyphenols are plant-based compounds that are included in a group known as phytonutrients, most of which play some role in protecting the plants from damage by sun exposure or infection. The compounds are very beneficial to humans too, however, having powerful antioxidant properties that seem to protect your cells from damage too. These properties reduce the risk for heart disease by reducing the cellular damage that facilitates plaque formation in arteries. Polyphenols are abundant in most all fruits and vegetables, tea, coffee, chocolate, olives (and olive oil), and red grapes (red wine). These compounds are so complex that scientists are still sorting out the benefits, but the picture is pretty clear about how you should add these bioactive substances to your metabolism- in food. And, that’s one reason that colorful, nonstarchy vegetables play such an important role in a diet that manages diabetes. Just ask Alton Brown.