Should I check my sugar level if I feel some differences?

Some people with diabetes may feel that they are able to judge whether their blood level is too high or too low. Sometimes this may work, but it does not work all the time. In other words, it is unreliable to judge through feelings.

Studies have proven that diabetic blood sugar level can rise to an extremely high level or dropped dangerously with the person knowing it. Some people can tell when it is rising, but most people cannot tell when it is decreasing rapidly. Some even has mistaken the sugar level to be low even though it is high.

So this shows that is not accurate to judge by ourselves. Hence, always check your diabetic blood sugar level before taking insulin or exercising or driving.



PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Healthy Desserts on a Type 2 Diabetes Diet

Managing type 2 diabetes isn't only about food restrictions. Healthy desserts can be a delicious part of your diabetes diet.

By Chris Iliades, MD

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

PrintE-mail

If you have type 2 diabetes, you know that along with exercise your diet is the most important part of managing the condition. If you have a sweet tooth, finding healthy desserts might seem like a problem — but there are solutions.

"Most desserts are full of sugar and can rack up your carbohydrate allowance in one small serving," says Lanah J. Brennan, RD, a nutrition expert and certified diabetes educator practicing in Lafayette, La. “The extra carbohydrates and fats that we consume when eating desserts can elevate your blood glucose and hinder your weight-loss attempts.”

However, by picking the right kind of dessert foods and limiting your portions, you can satisfy your sweet tooth and still keep your blood sugar under control. The key is to keep track of your carbohydrates and incorporate healthy desserts as one part of your overall diet plan. "All foods that contain carbohydrates, including starches like breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables, and milk, can affect blood sugar, not just desserts," Brennan explains.

Diabetes-Friendly Desserts

Important factors of a successful type 2 diabetes diet are fewer calories, controlled carbohydrates, and limited saturated fat, with proportions tailored to your individual health profile. Work with your dietitian or diabetes educator to find the right mix for you, and apply the same principles of your regular diet to make healthy dessert choices.

"The best way to incorporate a dessert into your day is to have it within an hour of your meal. You can subtract main-meal carbs to make room for some dessert carbs,” Brennan advises. “For example, have a three-ounce portion of lean meat and fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables like green beans or summer squash. Subtract the carbohydrates you would’ve gotten from rice, pasta, or potatoes and replace those carbs with a small dessert."

Here are some tips on choosing the best dessert for diabetes:

• Start with fruit. Include plenty of fruits in your healthy desserts to help reach the recommended two to four servings per day.
• Choose dairy wisely. Include low-fat or non-fat dairy products in your desserts to help stay within the recommended two to three servings per day.
• Exercise portion control. Always go for small portions or ask for extra spoons and share desserts with others.
• Consider sugar-free desserts. Artificial sweeteners like Splenda (sucralose), Truvia (a sweetener made from leaves of the Stevia plant), and several others contain no sugar, and most don’t affect blood sugar levels.

One caution on sugar-free desserts is that labeling can be deceptive. If you’re shopping for sugar-free desserts, ignore the words on the front of the box and check the label on the back. "Beware of some 'sugar-free' desserts that may still contain plenty of carbohydrates and calories," Brennan warns.

Healthy Dessert Suggestions

There’s a wide variety of healthy dessert options, but remember to keep in mind the same principles you use for the rest of your type 2 diabetes diet. "Portion control is critical,” Brennan says. “Try individually wrapped ice cream treats with less than 30 grams of carbohydrates in place of ice cream that you have to serve yourself. Or put half of a banana on a Popsicle stick, dip it in dark chocolate, and freeze it on wax paper. Meringue cookies can also be a good low-carb, low-fat option," she suggests.

Some other healthy desserts you can try at home include:

• Chocolate-drizzled peanut butter cake (193 calories and 23 grams of carbohydrates)
• Apple crisp parfait (149 calories and 35 grams of carb)
• Mango-ginger sorbet (110 calories and 29 grams of carb)
• Crispy oatmeal-raisin cookies (98 calories and 17 grams of carb)

You can find all these healthy dessert recipes and more in the “Recipes” section of the American Diabetes Association’s website.

You don't need to give up sweets on a type 2 diabetes diet. However, you do need to count your carbohydrates, limit your fats, and maintain a healthy weight to enjoy some dessert while maintaining good health.

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

6 Emergency Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

Uncontrolled diabetes can control your health. Help prevent these serious diabetes complications by learning the warning signs.

By Hedy Marks, MPH

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

PrintE-mail

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of many serious health problems, including heart attack, stroke, vision loss, and amputation. But by keeping your diabetes in check — that means maintaining good blood sugar control — and knowing how to recognize a problem and what to do about it should one occur, you can prevent many of these serious complications of diabetes.

Heart Attack

Heart disease and stroke are the top causes of death and disability in people with diabetes. If you experience any of the following heart attack warning signs, call 911 immediately:

• Chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest, lasting for a short time or going away and returning
• Pain elsewhere, including the back, jaw, stomach, or neck; or pain in one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or lightheadedness

Heart attack symptoms may appear suddenly or be subtle, with only mild pain and discomfort.

Stroke

Stroke warning signs may include:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially if it occurs on one side of the body
• Feeling confused
• Difficulty walking and talking and lacking coordination
• Developing a severe headache for no apparent reason

If you suddenly experience any of these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately. As with a heart attack, immediate treatment can be the difference between life and death.

Nerve Damage

People with diabetes are at increased risk of nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, due to uncontrolled high blood sugar. As a result, various foot and skin problems can occur, including:

• Foot problems. Nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes can cause a loss of feeling in your feet, which makes you more vulnerable to injury and infection. You may get a blister or cut on your foot that you don't feel and, unless you check your feet regularly, an infection can develop. Untreated infections can result in gangrene (death of tissue) and ultimately amputation of the affected limb.
• Skin problems. Diabetes can make it more difficult for your body to fight infections, causing skin problems. Various skin conditions are linked to diabetes, and even the most minor cuts or sores can turn serious fast. Any bumps, cuts, or scrapes should be cleaned and treated with an antibiotic cream and monitored carefully.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, see your doctor:

• Inflammation and tenderness anywhere on your body
• Red, itchy rash surrounded by small blisters or scales
• Cuts, sores, or blisters on your feet that are slow to heal and are not as painful as you would expect
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your hands or feet, including your fingers and toes
• Sharp pain that gets worse at night
• Muscle weakness that makes walking difficult
• Bladder infections and problems with bladder control
• Bloating, stomach pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Erectile dysfunction in men and vaginal dryness in women

Kidney Disease

Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of kidney disease, or diabetic nephropathy, a condition in which the blood vessels in your kidneys are damaged to the point that they cannot filter out waste properly. If left untreated, dialysis (a treatment to filter out waste products from the blood) and ultimately a kidney transplant may be needed.

Typically, you won’t notice symptoms of kidney disease until it has advanced. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your doctor:

• Swelling in your ankles and legs
• Leg cramps
• A need to go to the bathroom more often at night
• A reduction in your need for insulin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and paleness
• Itching

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes-related kidney problems is to have your urine, blood, and blood pressure monitored regularly and to keep your blood sugar and blood pressure under control.

Eye Problems

People with type 2 diabetes are at risk of several eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (which affects the blood vessels in the eye), glaucoma, and cataracts. If left untreated, these conditions can cause vision loss.

Call your doctor if you notice any of these warning signs:

• Blurry vision that lasts for more than two days
• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• Floaters, black or gray spots, cobwebs, or strings that move when you move your eyes
• A sensation of seeing "flashing lights"
• Pain or pressure in one or both eyes

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia means you have too much sugar in your blood. High blood sugar doesn't always produce symptoms; therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor. When symptoms of hyperglycemia occur, they may include:

• Frequent urination
• Extreme thirst
• Feeling tired and weak
• Blurry vision Feeling hungry even after eating

If you frequently have high blood sugar, tell your doctor. He or she may need to make changes to your medication and suggest diet and lifestyle modifications to help you gain and maintain better blood sugar control.

The key to preventing many of the complications of diabetes is to keep your blood sugar at a healthy level. To do this, eat right, exercise, monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your doctor, and don't smoke.

Report any unusual signs or symptoms to your doctor. Together you can work to prevent these diabetes-related health complications.

PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Is sugar in common food harmful to my body?

Sugar is a powerful pack of energy for our body. Our body takes great care to monitor the sugar level as any unbalanced in sugar level can cause disaster to our body system. However, for people with diabetes, their body cannot regulate the blood sugar level well. This may cause high blood sugar level from occurring easily. If this is not solved, high sugar level can create problems such as damages to eyes, kidneys and nerves. That is why for people with diabetes, it is important for one to watch what one eats.

Sugar in common food may not look harmful, but for people with diabetes, simple things like the food we eat can also create problems if we do not take note of what we eat. So start to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat a well balance food diet plan.


PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Kitchen Tips and Tricks for Diabetes

A type 2 diabetes diet requires cutting back on certain foods. But with a little creativity, you can work around those restrictions and still cook up tasty and healthy meals.

By Dennis Thompson Jr.

Medically reviewed by Pat F. Bass III, MD, MPH

PrintE-mail

At first, people with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to follow a healthy diabetes diet. It's normal to feel that many of your favorite dishes are now off limits due to restrictions on sugar, fat, carbohydrates, salt, and other ingredients.

However, there are many ways to tweak recipes to better accommodate a diabetes diet. You can also pursue healthier cooking methods that give the flavor you desire while helping to manage diabetes.

Goals of a Diabetes Diet

Following a healthy diet for diabetes is about choosing foods that will help you control your blood glucose levels and manage your weight. For people who are overweight, losing weight is an important part of managing diabetes, and a healthy diet along with exercise can help you do it.

The goals of a type 2 diabetes diet are to:

• Lower the amount of calories you consume from fat and sugar
• Reduce fat intake, particularly saturated fat
• Cut down on sugar
• Reduce sodium intake
• Eat more fiber, which can help stabilize blood sugar levels

Diabetes Diet: Modifying Recipes

You may need to make some changes for your diabetes diet, but you can still enjoy many of your favorite meals. Keeping your goals in mind, there are ways to alter recipes to meet the requirements of a type 2 diabetes diet:

• Only use one-third or one-half the sugar called for in a recipe, then add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, almond extract, or vanilla to replace some of that sweetness, or substitute some or all of the sugar in a recipe with an artificial sweetener such as Splenda (sucralose) or Truvia (made from the leaves of the Stevia plant).
• Cut back on the fat in a recipe by one-third or one-half. Substitute canola or olive oil for some or all of the butter called for, and use a low-fat cooking spray to coat pans.
• Replace the oil in a baking recipe with pureed fruit such as unsweetened applesauce or baby-food pureed prunes.
• When you’re making a recipe that calls for cheese, use strong flavored cheeses, which will allow you to use less and still have a lot of flavor.
• Replace a whole egg in a recipe with 1/4 cup egg substitute or 2 egg whites.
• Substitute whole milk products with low-fat or non-fat dairy products.
• Allow stock, soups, and meat drippings to cool, then skim off and throw out the congealed fat. Adding an ice cube or two will speed up the process. Use this method to strain out cooking juices for a low-fat gravy.
• Use whole-wheat flour, whole-wheat pasta, and brown rice in recipes that call for white flour or white rice.
• Add healthy ingredients like vegetables and beans into recipes when appropriate. For example, add broccoli or cauliflower to macaroni and cheese, and put garden vegetables in pasta sauces.
• When using meat, choose the leanest cuts possible for your recipes.
• Use low-sodium or sodium-free stocks and broths. Substitute fresh or frozen vegetables for canned veggies that contain sodium.
• Use lots of fresh herbs and spices to add flavor.

Diabetes Diet: Cooking Methods

Another way to make recipes healthier is to change your method of cooking, says dietitian Susan McLaughlin, RD, a certified diabetes educator and president of health care and education for the American Diabetes Association.

Cooking methods like broiling, grilling, poaching, steaming, baking, or roasting either do not require added fat or allow fat to drip away. These methods reduce the amount of saturated fat in food, making it healthier for you.

"Cooking methods that are healthiest for people with diabetes are baking, boiling, broiling, or grilling," McLaughlin says. "Meats can be marinated overnight to add flavor without adding fat. Low-sodium broth can be used in a skillet or wok to quick-brown meat without added fat."

Remember that indulging yourself a tiny bit can help you maintain your diabetes diet discipline. For example, in a recipe that calls for sautéing with lots of butter, use olive oil or low-fat cooking spray as a replacement. Then just before the cooking is finished, add a small dab of butter or a drizzle of oil for more flavor. Little additions like this can make your healthy meals even more enjoyable.

You Are What You Eat

By Julia Hanf

For a diabetic nothing could be truer. When it comes to maintaining good blood sugar levels, a healthy diet is vital.
People with diabetes have to take extra care to ensure their diet is properly balanced with their insulin and oral medications.
The right meal plan will help any diabetic improve blood glucose levels, blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. It will also keep their weight on track.

All diabetics must control their refined carbohydrate intake. These types of carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels. While some promote health, others when eaten often and in large quantities, may increase the risk for diabetes.

Carbohydrates come from a wide array of foods including fruit, vegetables, beans, milk, popcorn, potatoes, cookies, spaghetti and corn. The most common and abundant ones refined in are sugars, fibers and starches. It is advised diabetics avoid white bread, rice and pasta, along with foods containing unnaturally added sugars.
The body will convert all types of refined carbohydrates into glucose. Eating extra servings of rice, pasta and bread will make blood sugar rise. Just because an item does not contain added sugar, does not guarantee it is a safe food.

Diabetics should consume carbohydrate-rich foods close to their natural form. These items have greater vital nutrient density. Whenever possible, replace highly processed grains, cereals and sugars with natural whole-grain products.

Eating complex carbohydrates rich in fiber significantly lower blood sugar levels. It is suspected that soluble fiber may play an important role in glucose control. It is capable of slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and increasing the sensitivity of tissues to insulin, thereby preventing rises in blood sugar.

It is recommended diabetics eat 13 fiber-rich servings of fruits, veggies, beans and grains daily. Soluble-fiber rich foods include orange and grapefruit segments, prunes, cantaloupes, papayas, raisins, lima beans, zucchini, oatmeal, oat bran and granola. Other foods high in soluble fiber include barley, peas and strawberries.
The glycemic index system, or GI, is a good guideline for diabetics to follow.

Invented in the early 1980s by University of Toronto researchers, the glycemic index ranks carbohydrate foods by their effects on blood sugar levels.

The GI assigns carbohydrate-containing foods a number based on how they affect blood sugars. The number indicates how quickly the food breaks down during digestion. The longer the body has to break an item down into glucose, the slower the rise in blood-sugar levels, and the lower the GI. Products with a GI less than 55 are preferred.

Natural supplementation is a good ingredient to implement in the fight against diabetes. Adding a half a teaspoon of cinnamon to any meal can stabilize blood sugar swings.

Many diabetics also supplement with vitamins, herbs and medicinal teas. Incorporating natural ginseng into a diet can produce positive affects. This herb, which is recognized throughout China to have healing properties, has been known to help improve fasting blood glucose levels and increase insulin secretion.

The easiest method to control diabetes is through proper diet. An eating plan high in fiber and low in refined carbohydrates will ensure the best strategy to beat the disease.




PS Melabic is a combination of the 9 all natural most effective diabetes
fighting ingredients. To find out more how they can help you normalize
your blood sugar levels and take back your health visit me at Melabic.com

Facts on Diabetes and Prediabetes

From the SouthBeachDiet.com

PrintE-mail

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert starches and sugars into energy needed for daily life. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), an estimated 366 million people now have diabetes worldwide. In the United States, 25.8 million people are living with the condition, and a staggering 79 million have prediabetes, meaning they are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Diabetes and Prediabetes Defined

Type 2 diabetes is a condition defined by high blood-sugar levels and abnormal insulin action. Insulin helps the body use a type of sugar called glucose, which the body gets primarily from carbohydrates in food. Glucose provides energy for movement, growth, repair, and other functions. In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin fails to move glucose from the blood into the cells, which is why blood-sugar levels may spike after eating. Poor control of type 2 diabetes can lead to many health complications and affects the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys.

Prediabetes, as the name implies, is characterized by blood-sugar levels that are above what is considered normal but are not as high as those that occur with full-blown diabetes. People with prediabetes also tend to have high blood pressure, high triglycerides (fats that circulate in the blood), low HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, and significant belly fat — a cluster of symptoms that raise their risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, most people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years unless they make certain lifestyle changes — changes that have been found to be more effective for reversing prediabetes than medications, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you’re following a healthy lifestyle, you’re already on the right track.

"The most frustrating part about prediabetes and diabetes is that they are largely preventable, and in circumstances where diabetes can't be prevented, the onset can usually be postponed," says Arthur Agatston, MD, author of The South Beach Wake-Up Call and creator ofSouthBeachDiet.com, "These conditions are brought on by a Western lifestyle — eating refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats like trans fats and saturated fats and being inactive," he explains. But a straightforward South Beach Diet approach to eating nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, wholesome foods (with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, lean sources of protein, good unsaturated fats, and low-fat dairy), along with daily exercise, can reverse prediabetes and help you control diabetes. "Many of my patients actually started the South Beach Diet because they were diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, and I've witnessed their blood-glucose levels revert back to the normal range," adds Dr. Agatston.

When to Get Tested

The American Diabetes Association recommends diabetes screenings every three years beginning at age 45. If you have symptoms of diabetes, which include excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or fatigue, and irritability, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Last Updated: 09/16/2011

Foods That Fight Prediabetes and Diabetes

From the SouthBeachDiet.com

PrintE-mail

There are many ways to help prevent the onset of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Making healthy lifestyle changes, including losing weight and getting regular exercise, is a great place to start.

The good news is that weight loss and other healthy lifestyle changes have been found to be more effective than medications for reversing prediabetes, a precursor to diabetes with which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not as high as in diabetes. So if you’re following the South Beach Diet, you’re taking the right steps.

To reverse prediabetes (and prevent type 2 diabetes), try these smart-eating guidelines from the South Beach Diet:

• Eat whole grains, such as brown rice, barley, wild rice, bulgur, slow-cooking oatmeal, and whole-grain breads and pastas. Quinoa is another healthy option.
• Enjoy beans and other legumes frequently.
• Enjoy plenty of vegetables, prepared without unhealthy fats (like stick margarine and butter) or sweetened sauces.
• Consume whole, fresh fruits like berries, apples, and/or citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit halves. Avoid canned or jarred fruits with added sweeteners or syrups.
• Include nonfat or low-fat dairy in your diet, such as fat-free or low-fat milk, plain or artificially sweetened low-fat soy milk, nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt, and artificially sweetened low-fat or nonfat flavored yogurt.
• Focus on lean proteins, like fish and shellfish, skinless poultry breasts, and lean cuts of meat.
• Use healthy cooking methods, such as baking, roasting, broiling, or grilling.
• Avoid saturated fats and trans fats; instead, choose monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, found in olive oil and canola oil, for example, or foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish.