Does Your Family Know These Blood Sugar Facts?
This year, the focus of World Diabetes Day is all about family and diabetes, and we are celebrating by taking a close look at how families support each other in managing health. Can diabetes actually help families make health a priority? We think so—especially when families understand the demands of diabetes, and as a result their own individual health needs. When it comes to managing diabetes, it is all about blood sugar. If blood sugar (or “blood glucose”) levels get too high or too low, it can drastically alter your mood, your well-being, and even your long-term health. But as important as blood sugar management is, for...
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10 ways to save money on a gym membership
With a little planning, you can save big bucks on just about anything―even a gym membership. Here are 10 ways to get into a gym without spending a fortune. 1. Wait for the off-season January is not the best time to join the gym. Everyone has "exercise more" near the top of their list of new year resolutions, and gyms know this. Wait until enthusiasm has died down a bit and start looking for a membership in February or spring, when demand is lower. Once the weather warms up, membership drops significantly and gyms may be more likely to negotiate. 2. Join on the last day of the month...
Read More
14 delicious ways to enjoy autumn vegetables
We can't get enough of autumn vegetables and the warm, savory recipes they inspire. Soup, appetizers, roasts—it's all here, including some lesser-known veggies we hope you'll try. Turn up the heat with this curried broccoli couscous packed with protein. Smother lightly roasted Brussels sprouts with vinegar-glazed red onions, and garnish with chopped hazelnuts if you like. ...
Read More
Staying fit through the holidays
'Tis the season to overindulge while visiting with loved ones near and far. Still, staying in control of your (or your child's) diabetes while having a good time is absolutely possible. Here are a few ideas to try as you bounce between holiday events. Schedule time to exercise, even if you have to cut back a bit due to other commitments. Need to skip the gym because you're shopping for presents? Maybe take a brisk walk as you shop. Know what's on the menu before you arrive at the party, and offer to bring a dish or two that you'll feel good about eating. Plan...
Read More
Treat yourself: 10 hot drinks for winter
One of the best things about the colder weather: huddling over a steaming mug of something delicious. Low-calorie, low-carb drinks are always best, according to the American Diabetes Association,1 so here's a healthy and unique twist on some winter favorites. Moroccan Fresh Mint Tea Basic hot tea gets a major upgrade when you add a generous handful of fresh mint and a little sugar (although you can switch to your favorite sweetener). ...
Read More
A handy guide to portion control
Many people with diabetes learn how to count carbohydrates in order to manage their blood sugar. But even old pros occasionally slip up and find their blood glucose levels out of balance. One of the easiest ways to miscount carbs is by underestimating portion sizes, so here are a few handy tips. Measure now, feel good later Using a food scale and measuring cups can save you a lot of worry. This way, you'll know that you had exactly a half-cup of brown rice with 22 carbs,1 instead of "about" that much and "20-ish carbs." Over the course of a day, small inaccuracies can add up...
Read More
Smart food swaps: the holiday dessert table
While the turkey remains the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner, the dessert spread rules December. Our gift to you―here's how to enjoy traditional holiday desserts without sending your blood sugar level off the charts. Yule Log Your bûche de Noël doesn't have to be heavy, as we see in this lower-carb Yule Log, that's also gluten-free. Instead of slathering on frosting, give it a light dusting of powdered sugar and shave some dark chocolate flakes on top. You won't lose points for...
Read More
5 great reasons to get back on your bike
Going for a ride used to be so easy—you'd just grab your bike and your helmet (depending upon what year you were born) and go. There's no reason that has to change. In fact, jumping on your bike again can be beneficial for your body and your mind. Here's why. It makes you more attractive. According to a British Heart Foundation survey, people felt that cyclists were smarter and cooler than other people.1 (Frankly, after reading that, we're surprised you need the other reasons.) It's an excellent head-clearer. Thinking about the ride and what you see along the way...
Read More
Meatless Mondays—once a week, let veggies shine
Make a change for the environment and your health—think about going vegetarian one day a week, without missing out on protein or piling on the carbs. The Meatless Monday and VB6 (vegan before 6:00pm) movements aim to shift our thinking away from meat as the center of the meal—with the intent of improving people's health as well as the environment. Let's start by saying we're not anti-meat. We wanted to think about how eating can affect a person's carbon footprint. Meat and the environment As it turns out, the impact of meat production can be pretty great. For example, it takes about 300...
Read MorePages
10 ways to save money on a gym membership
With a little planning, you can save big bucks on just about anything―even a gym membership. Here are 10 ways to get into a gym without spending a fortune. 1. Wait for the off-season January is not the best time to join the gym. Everyone has "exercise more" near the top of their list of new year resolutions, and gyms know this. Wait until enthusiasm has died down a bit and start looking for a membership in February or spring, when demand is lower. Once the weather warms up, membership drops significantly and gyms may be more likely to negotiate. 2. Join on the last day of the month...
Read More 14 delicious ways to enjoy autumn vegetables
We can't get enough of autumn vegetables and the warm, savory recipes they inspire. Soup, appetizers, roasts—it's all here, including some lesser-known veggies we hope you'll try. Turn up the heat with this curried broccoli couscous packed with protein. Smother lightly roasted Brussels sprouts with vinegar-glazed red onions, and garnish with chopped hazelnuts if you like. ...
Read More Staying fit through the holidays
'Tis the season to overindulge while visiting with loved ones near and far. Still, staying in control of your (or your child's) diabetes while having a good time is absolutely possible. Here are a few ideas to try as you bounce between holiday events. Schedule time to exercise, even if you have to cut back a bit due to other commitments. Need to skip the gym because you're shopping for presents? Maybe take a brisk walk as you shop. Know what's on the menu before you arrive at the party, and offer to bring a dish or two that you'll feel good about eating. Plan...
Read More Treat yourself: 10 hot drinks for winter
One of the best things about the colder weather: huddling over a steaming mug of something delicious. Low-calorie, low-carb drinks are always best, according to the American Diabetes Association,1 so here's a healthy and unique twist on some winter favorites. Moroccan Fresh Mint Tea Basic hot tea gets a major upgrade when you add a generous handful of fresh mint and a little sugar (although you can switch to your favorite sweetener). ...
Read More A handy guide to portion control
Many people with diabetes learn how to count carbohydrates in order to manage their blood sugar. But even old pros occasionally slip up and find their blood glucose levels out of balance. One of the easiest ways to miscount carbs is by underestimating portion sizes, so here are a few handy tips. Measure now, feel good later Using a food scale and measuring cups can save you a lot of worry. This way, you'll know that you had exactly a half-cup of brown rice with 22 carbs,1 instead of "about" that much and "20-ish carbs." Over the course of a day, small inaccuracies can add up...
Read More Smart food swaps: the holiday dessert table
While the turkey remains the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner, the dessert spread rules December. Our gift to you―here's how to enjoy traditional holiday desserts without sending your blood sugar level off the charts. Yule Log Your bûche de Noël doesn't have to be heavy, as we see in this lower-carb Yule Log, that's also gluten-free. Instead of slathering on frosting, give it a light dusting of powdered sugar and shave some dark chocolate flakes on top. You won't lose points for...
Read More 5 great reasons to get back on your bike
Going for a ride used to be so easy—you'd just grab your bike and your helmet (depending upon what year you were born) and go. There's no reason that has to change. In fact, jumping on your bike again can be beneficial for your body and your mind. Here's why. It makes you more attractive. According to a British Heart Foundation survey, people felt that cyclists were smarter and cooler than other people.1 (Frankly, after reading that, we're surprised you need the other reasons.) It's an excellent head-clearer. Thinking about the ride and what you see along the way...
Read More Meatless Mondays—once a week, let veggies shine
Make a change for the environment and your health—think about going vegetarian one day a week, without missing out on protein or piling on the carbs. The Meatless Monday and VB6 (vegan before 6:00pm) movements aim to shift our thinking away from meat as the center of the meal—with the intent of improving people's health as well as the environment. Let's start by saying we're not anti-meat. We wanted to think about how eating can affect a person's carbon footprint. Meat and the environment As it turns out, the impact of meat production can be pretty great. For example, it takes about 300...
Read More