Hypoglycemia - Low Blood Sugar

Hyperglycemmia, low blood suagar is also called insulin reaction. Hypoglycemia happens slowly when a diabetic eats too little food, gets too much exercise or takes to much insulin or oral mediation.

The symptoms:

The symptoms of hypoglycemia are lightheadedness, hunger, a fast pulse, pale skin, numbness or tingling of the mouth, nausea, headache, impaired speech, vision, or gait.

Treating Hypoglycemia:

You should treat low blood sugar as soon as possible, test your blood glucose. A fast acting sugar (4 ounces of sof drink or fruit juice, 2 teaspoons of homney or syrup. You may need to give glucose gel or glucagon. Someone should always stay with the diabetic.

If meal time is more than one hour away, give protein and complex carbohydrate snacks. Such examples are: cheese and crackers or skim milk.

Make sure you document the times, what was given and the response of the diabetic.

Tips for a Healthy Diabetic Lifestyle

1. Do not obsess about what you think is you ideal weight.
2. Concentrate on loosing 10 pounds over a 3 to 6 month period and keeping it off.
3. Make sure the breads you purchase and eat are really whole wheat. If it does not have whole wheat listed as the first ingredient it is simply white bread in disguise.
4. Anything that make your pulse rate rise and makes you breath harder is consider aerobic. Such activities may include, swimming, walking, dancing, and biking to name a few. Find something that you enjoy and do it for 30 minutes , three or four times a week.
5. Check your blood sugar levels before and after working out. If you decide to work out for more than one hour check the levels during your workout also.
6. Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables and yellow fruits and vegetables. These are good for your heart and can help prevent cancer.
7. Watch our for dishes like potato salad, pasta salad, and creamy soups; and choose low fat or fat free salad dressing when eating at salad bars.
8. When taking extended car trips, avoid high or low blood sugars. Check your levels every 2 to 4 hours. Always keep some form of sugar with you, it doesn't matter if it is glucose tablets, regular soda or candy.
9. Have your lipids (blood fats or cholesterol) checked at least once a year.
   HDL cholesterol is healthy you want your numbers to be high.
   LDL cholesterol is not good so you would want your levels to be low when checked.
10. Eat more beans (kidney, pinto, etc.) they are good alternatives for meat and provide protein and fiber with no saturated fat or cholesterol.
11. Keep healthy snack handy, a delayed meal can happen any time, so keep snacks in your briefcase, glove compartment or pocketbook.In addition to your regular doctor, have someone that that you can contact on short notice to discuss problems or questions that may arise .
12. Drinking less alcohol, quit smoking and get more exercise.
13. Make an appointment with your pharmacist for a pill check to make sure that you are not taking a drug that could react with another drug you are taking.
14. Make a back up plan of thing you will do when you are tempted to overeat or smoke.
15. Two tablespoons of salad dressing can add up to 150-200 calories to a salad. Instead, choose low calorie dressing or add a little oil and vinegar.
16. When you eat out ask for a to go box and put half of it in the box tucked out of eight.
17. Control the portion size of your meals.
18. Cut the fat in at least one meal a day.
19. Keep track of the total grams of fiber you eat a day. You should get around 25-35 grams a day.
20. See your physician at least twice a year.
21. Use a pill organizer to help you remember to take your medication as prescribed.
22. Instead of eating rice, try couscous or quinoa (KWEEN-wa).
23. Eat avocados, olives and almonds. Small amounts give your body the good fat that it needs.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes only happens when a women is pregnant. After a baby is born the women no longer has diabetes, however she must take steps to stay active, eat right and maintain a healthy weight level or she may develope type 2 diabetes later in life.

During the last two months of pregnancy, it is necessary to follow a meal plan to keep her blood sugar in normal ranger or her baby may grow too big, which will cause problems for her and her baby during the birthing process.

How to Avoid the damage that diabetes can do the body

1. Manage blood sugar levels by check the levels as directed by your physician and taking medication as prescribed.
2. Maintain a healthy diet and do not consume to much carbohydrates.
3. Check your blood sugar in the morning 2 hours after meals. This gives you information on how your blood sugar is going up and when. It can tell you the effects of any diabetes medication you are taking.
4. A daily walk of 30 to 45 minutes will help lower your blood sugar level. Exercise is an important key to help maintain an appropriate blood sugar level.

Learning to bring your blood sugar levels back to normal is key to preventing diabetes from causing damage to your body. People can keep diabetes from developing by simply eating healthy meals, and getting daily exercise. There are also tools that can reverse some of the damage that might have already been done.

What Causes Diabetes

First of all you need to have the genes for diabetes, and there has to be something to trigger it. Foir many people who develope diabetes 2 the tirgger is being overwieght and not getting the propper amount of exercise. Stress can be a trigger also. This sometimes happen during pregnancy.

For children with type 1 (juvenile diabetes), a virus may have confused the immune system into identifying the beta cells in the pancreas as parat of the virus, and so the immune system destroyed the beta cells and stopped the production of insulin.

Low Sodium Mixes and Sauces

Here are some great recipes for low sodium mixes and sauces that will help enhance the flavors or your meals.

#1 Italiam Seasoning Mix
(this makes about 13 servings of 1 teaspoon)

Ingredients:

1. 6 tsp. marjoram, dried
2. 6 tsp. thyme leaves, dried
3. 6 tsp. rosemary, dried
4. 6 tsp. savory ground
5. 3 tsp. dry sage, ground\
6. 6 tsp. oregano leaves, dried
7. 6 tsp. basil leaves, dried

Combine all ingredients.

(exchange list Values: vegetables 2.0, Meat, lean 4.00

Total fat 0 gm, saturated fat 0.1 gn, polyunsat fat 0.1 gm, chlesterol 0 mg, sodium 1 mg, total carb 2 gm, dietary fiber 1 gm, sugar o gn, portien o gm

#2 Taco Seasoning Mix, low sodium

Makes 3 serving, serving size is 1/2 of this recipe

Ingredients:

1. 6 tsp. chili powder
2. 5 tsp. paprika
3. 4 1/2 tsp. cumin seed
4. 3 tsp. onion powder
5. 1 tsp. garlic powder
6. 2/3 Tbsp. dry cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. One third of mix is equivelent to 1 package (1/25 oz) purchased taco seasoning.

Goulish Halloween Gorp

This recipe makes about 3 quarts

Ingredients:

1. 3 tablespoons reduced-fat margarine, melted
2. 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
3. 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
   1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
5. 2 quarts hot popped corn -use a hot air popper if you have one
6. 1 cup fat-free tiny pretzel sticks
7. 1 cup golden raisins
8. 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
9. 1/2 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds

Directions:

In a small skillet, combine melted margarine, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Heat for 1 minute over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Place remaining ingredients in a large paper bag. Pour on margarine-spice mixture. Close bag tightly and shake vigorously to coat evenly. Pour popcorn mixture into a large bowl. (Serving size 1 cup)

Nutritional Analysis: 195 calories 5 g protein 8 g total fat 1 g saturated fat 22 g carbohydrate 3 g dietary fiber 0 mg cholesterol 69 mg sodium
Diabetic Exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate 1 1/2 bread/starch 2 fat

Errie Eyes Tacos

Ingredients

• 1 lb (lean) ground beef
• 1 (1 1/4 package of taco seasoning mix
• 12 taco shells
• 3/4 cup taco sauce
• 3/4 reduced fat sour cream
• 1 ( 2 1/4) can sliced pitted ripe olives

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the meat and seasoning mix. Shape the meat into 36 one inch balls and place on a one inch de ep baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked thorugh. Fill each taco shell with 1 meatball and drizzle salsa over it. Top with 2 meatbalals dipped in sour cream. Garnish with olives to make the eyeballs

The Types of Diabetes

The three main kinds of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, is usually first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. In this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed them.
Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes taking insulin shots or using an insulin pump, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, taking aspirin daily (for some), and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.
Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, even during childhood. This form of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance, a condition in which fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin properly.

At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by producing more insulin. In time, however, it loses the ability to secrete enough insulin in response to meals. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Treatment includes taking diabetes medicines, making wise food choices, exercising regularly, taking aspirin daily (for some), and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.

Gestational Diabetes
Some women develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, a woman who has had gestational diabetes is more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin.

Marshmallow Mummies

Ingredients:
18 large marshmallows
6 thin pretzel sticks
1 box (4.5) 0z. sugar free fruit snacks
black decorating gel

Directions:

Thread 3 marshmallows onto each pretzel stick to make 6 bodies
Unwrap fruit snack rolls, but do not unroll. With kitchen scissors or sharp knife, cut rolls into 1/2 inch strips. Unroll strips, remove plastic.
Wrap 2 strips around each body to resemble a mummy, leaving small mount of 1 marshmallow uncovered for face. With decorating gel add dots on face for the eyes..

Mudd Soda - Diabetic Halloween Recipe

4 cups of low fat chocolate milk
4 cups of diet root beer
1 pint (2 cups ) sugar free chocolate ice cream

Directions:
In a 8 inch tall galsses, place 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup root beer, stir to mix.

Top each serving with 1/4 cup ice cream.

Kid's Witches Brew

This recipe was adapted from a recipe from Kool-Aid.

Ingredients:

2 pkg. (4-serving size each) Sugar Free JELL-O Brand Black Cherry Flavor Gelatin
1-1/2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (4-serving size) Sugar Free JELL-O Brand Orange Flavor Gelatin
3/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup blueberries
3 qt. (12 cups) prepared KOOL-AID Orange Flavor Sugar free Soft Drink Mix, chilled

Directions:

FOR Hand: Dissolve black cherry gelatin in 1-1/2 cups boiling water, stirring 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Pour into greased 8-inch square pan. Refrigerate 2 hours or until firm.

FOR Eyeballs: Meanwhile, dissolve orange gelatin in 3/4 cup boiling water, stirring 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Pour into round or square ice cube trays. Refrigerate until thickened but not set. Insert a blueberry into the center of each gelatin eye ball. Refrigerate until completely set.
TO Assemble: Trace outline of small hand on piece of paper. Cut out pattern, then place on top of cherry gelatin. Cut around the pattern with a small sharp knife. Carefully pull hand away from pan. Place hand in punch bowl, allowing the fingers to hang over the side of the bowl. Arrange the eyeballs around the inside edge of the punch bowl. Gradually pour in the prepared drink. Serve immediately.

French Dressing

Ingredients:

1/2 tsp powdered mustard
1/3 cup Wine vinegar
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
2 tsp Water
1 tsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp finely chopped onion
7 tbsp salad oil

Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well or puree in a blender for smooth dressing.

Makes (12) 1 tbsp Servings
Dietary Exchanges:1 Fat

Nutrients Per Serving:50 Calories0 grams Carbohyrate0 grams Protein6 grams Fat0 mg Sodium1 mg Potassium0 grams Cholesterol

Ranch Salad Dressing

1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt
1/2 tsp dried basil
2 green onions chopped
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dijon mustard

In food processor or blender, process cottage cheese and yogurt until smooth. Pour into bowl and stir in onions and seasonings. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 min so flavours develop. Store for up to one week. Stir before serving. Makes Nine 3 tbsp Servings

Dietary Exchanges:1/2 Milk Choice (2%)
Nutrients Per Serving:37 Calories3 gram Carbohydrates5 gram Protein1 gram Fat

Creamy Italian Dressing

Ingredients:

1 tbsp virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp leaf oregano
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/8 tsp salt
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate. Shake well before using.

Makes (6) 1/3 cup Servings

Dietary Exchanges: 1 Fat

Nutrients Per Serving: 46 Calories 0 mg Cholesterol 1 gram Carbohydrates 0 grams Protein
5 grams Fat

Type 1 Diabetes Cause and Risk Factors

Researchers have identified several genes associated with the development of type 1 diabetes. The prevailing belief about the etiology, or cause, of type 1 diabetes is that although someone may have a genetic predisposition for developing type 1 diabetes, it takes an environmental trigger (e.g., virus, toxin, drug) to set the autoimmune process in motion that destroys insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells and causes type 1 diabetes.

Risk factors for developing type 1 diabetes may include:

Family history. A child that has a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes has a 2 to 6% risk of developing the disease (the risk is higher if both a parent and sibling or an identical twin have type 1 diabetes).

Autoimmune diseases. The presence of other autoimmune disorders, such as thyroid disease and celiac disease, raises the risk of type 1 diabetes. Early cessation of breastfeeding and/or exposure to cow’s milk. Clinical research indicates that breastfeeding at least three months decreases the risk of type 1 diabetes.1,2 Some studies have also found that exposure to cow’s milk or cow’s milk-based formula before one year of age may increase diabetes risk3-6, although other studies have not borne out the link.

Ethnicity. In America, Caucasians have a greater risk of type 1 diabetes than African-Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics. Worldwide, Finland and Sardinia have the highest incidence of type 1 diabetes.

History of childhood viruses. Viruses that have been associated with type 1 diabetes as environmental triggers include coxsackie B, enteroviruses, adenovirus, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus

Diabetic Recipe - Pizza Rollers

This is a diabetic recipe designed for kids.

Ingredients

1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated pizza dough
1/2 cup pizza sauce
18 slices of turkey pepperoni
6 sticks mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Coat baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Roll out pizza dough on baking sheet to form 12 x 9 inch retangle. Cut pizza dough into 6 (4 1/2 x 4 inch) retangles; sperad about 1 tablespoon sauce over center third of each.

Top with 3 slices pepperoni and sticl of mozzarella cheese. Bring ends of dough together over cheese, pinching to seal. Place seam side down on prepared baling sheet. Bake in center ofoven 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 6 servings
Calories 222, calories from fat 34%, total fat 9g, saturated fat 4g, cholesterol 27mg. carbohydrates 24g, fiber 3g, protein 13g, sodium 6013mg. Dietary exchanges: 1starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.

Almond Macaroons

Ingredients:

• 8 oz (about 2 cups) lightly toasted almonds
• 1/4 cup potato starch
• 3 egg whites, at room temperature
• 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon Dash of salt

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. Place the almonds in the container of a food processor and process until they resemble a coarse meal. Beat the egg whites until quite stiff. Beat in the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Gently fold in the ground almonds. Drop by tablespoonfuls on baking sheets which have been coated with a vegetable spray. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Remove carefully with a spatula and set gently to cool on plates. The cookies will be soft at first, but become crisp once cool. Store in an airtight container.

source: Big Mama's Recipes

Nutritional Information:
Per Cookie: 52 Cal; 3 g Total Fat; 5 g Carb; 00 mg Cholesterol; 7 mg Sodium; 18 mg Calcium; 2g Protein; <1>

Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed very ripe banana
• 7-1/4 teaspoons Equal® for Recipes* or 24 packets Equal® sweetener or 1 cup Equal® Spoonful*
• 1/2 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 4 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 1 egg
• 1 egg white
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup walnut pieces

Directions:

Beat banana, Equal®, yogurt, margarine, egg, egg white, and vanilla at medium speed in large bowl until blended; beat at high speed 1 minute. Add combined flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until ingredients are moistened.

Stir in walnuts, if desired. Pour batter into one 8-1/2 x 4-inch greased and floured loaf pan, or three 5-5/8 x 3-1/4-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F until bread is golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 55 to 65 minutes for large loaf, 35 to 40 minutes for the small loaves.

Cool 10 minutes in pans on a wire rack; remove from pan, and cool.
Recipe can be doubled to make 2 large or 6 small loaves.

Source: Recipe courtesy of Equal® and the Merisant Company.*Equal® is a registered trademark of the Merisant Company

Nutritional Information:
Nutritional Information (per serving): 128 cal., 3 g pro., 20 g carb., 4 g fat, 15 mg chol., 172 mg sodium.
Dietary Exchanges: 1 bread, 1 fat.

Smothered Pork Chops

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried sage or thyme, crumbled
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 4 boneless center-cut pork chops-1/2 inch thick (trim off fat)
• vegetable oil spray
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 4 tbsp low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (regular or hot)

Directions:

Sprinkle the paprika, sage, salt and pepper over the pork chops. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Remove from the heat and lightly spray with vegetable oil spray . Cook the pork for 4 minutes on each side. Put the pork on a plate. Set aside. Separate the onion slices into rings.

Put the onions in the skillet. Stir in 1 tablespoon broth. Cook, covered for 5 minutes. Stir well. Cook, uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the onions are golden brown, stirring once. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons broth and mustard. Place the pork on the onions. Cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes, or until the onions are tender and the pork no longer is pink in the center.

Makes 4 Servings.
Dietary Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Vegetable

Baked Chicken Parmesan

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 oz each)
• substitute equivalent to 1 egg,
• 1 tbsp water
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 1/3 c finely crushed reduced-sodium five- whole-grain crackers
• 1/3 c shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp ground oregano, crumbled
• 1/4 tsp pepper vegetable oil spray

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put the breast with the smooth side up between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a tortilla press, the smooth side of a meat mallet, or a rolling pin, lightly flatten to a thickness of 1/4 inch, being careful not to tear the meat. In a shallow dish or pie pan, whisk together the egg substitute, water, and oil. In another shallow dish or pie pan, stir together the remaining ingredients except the vegetable oil spray.

Place the dishes side by side. Lightly spray a 13x9x2-inch baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Set beside the dishes. Dip the chicken into the egg white mixture and turn to coat. Roll each piece in the crumb mixture, shaking off any excess. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the baking sheet. Lightly spray the chicken with vegetable oil spray. Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the top coating is golden brown.

Makes 4 Servings.

Dietary Exchanges: 4 Very Lean Meat, 1 Fat
Nutrients Per Serving:200 Calories66 Calories from Fat7 g Total Fat2.1 g Saturated Fat1.1 g Polyunsaturated Fat3.1 Monounsaturated Fat4 g Total Carbohydrate1 g Dietary Fiber0 g Sugars29 g Protein74 mg Cholesterol144 mg Sodium

Is there a type of diabetes that only occurs when with pregnant women?

Yes, it is called gestational diaberes. After the women gives birth she no longer has diabetes. She still needs to take care to maintain a healathy weight or she may develope type 2 diabetes later in life. Usually during the last two months of the pregnancy she will have to follor a meal plan to keep her blood sugar in normal ranges or the baby will row too big.

Is here a Cure for Diabetes?

As yet there is nor cure for either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. May people who have type 2 diabetes may think that they have been cured by loosing weight and etting regular diet and eaxercise. This is because their blood sugar levels return to normal levels and stay there. This can contiune for years until their pancreas wears out and medication is needed to manage thier levels.

There have been cases where people with type diabetes have had s ucessful pancreas or islet cell transplant no longer have diabetes becuasue thier bodies are producing insulin again. However they have to take immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of their lives to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant.

Why Don't People know that they have Diabetes?

People who develop type 1 diabetes generally know that they have it because it comes on quickly and the symptoms are serious. This type of diabetes account for about 10% of diabetics.

People with type 2 diabetes are more likley to have it without knowing because it does not hurt, and the symptoms come on gradually. Many people have type 2 diabetes for years before ever being diagnosed.

What Causes Diabetes?

You need to have the gene for diabetes. Then there has to be a something that triggers the gene. For many people with type 2 diabetes the trigger can be : being overweight, or stress on the body.

For children with Juvenile Diabetes - type 1 diabetes, a virus can confuse the immune system into identifying the beta cells in the pancreas as part of the virus and so the immune system destroys the beta cells and stops the production of insulin.

What is Diabetes?

When you eat it is digested and broken down into glucose (sugar). In this form it travels arund to feed all the cells in the body thruogh the bloodsteram. Glucose can not get into your cells unless insulin is there to let it in. Without insulin the glucose stays in the bloodstream. Each time you eat more glucose goes into your bloodstream. High levels of blood glucose or blood sugar is the sign that you have diabetes.

Can People With Diabets Eat Sugar?

Yes they can. Sugar is a carbohydrate to the body. All carbohydrates, no matter from what source raise the blood sugar. It does not matter if it is a serving of cake or a baked potato it will still raise your blood (glucose) level.

Juvenile Diabetes - A Growing Problem

Over 13,000 children are diagnosed with juvenile diabetes each year in the United States Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes is the most prevalent form in the younger population. Type 1 is caused by an automimmune process in the body. The child's insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed, hindering the production of insulin. In the past parents were told to monitor the amount of sugar in foods that their child ate. It was thought that simple sugar was the culprit. Today the focus has shift away from sugar to the total amount of carbohydrates a child consumes. This is called Carb counting. This is a much easier and flexible system.

Source: Diabetic Cooking for Kids