Are All Starches Created Equal? July 4, 2010

Here’s the newest question from FOODPICKER.org:

I have type 2 diabetes and am confused about carbohydrates.  Are all starches out completely?

Your body uses carbohydrates as fuel for your brain, so starches, or carbohydrates, are essential for a functioning body. With that said, not all carbohydrates are the best choices for a healthy, functioning body.  Look for complex carbohydrates like whole grains that provide nutrients and fiber.

The foods to be avoided are simple carbohydrates that are lacking nutrients; think fast food, white flour, white sugar, sweets. These foods don’t fill you up and if they do it’s not with the nutrients your body needs to stay awake, alert, and strong.

Make sure to look at the portion size for foods consumed, especially if you count carbohydrates. If your doctor, endocrinologist, or dietitian has assigned you a certain carbohydrate goal for each meal stick to that number, otherwise it is recommended to have 130 grams of carbohydrate per day.

Remember to make all your carbohydrates complex!

The Wonderful World of Fruit May 12, 2010

Here’s the newest question from FOODPICKER.org:

I have pre-diabetes and am trying to learn about carbohydrate and sugar.  Does the sugar in fruit count as sugar?

Fruit sugar, also known as fructose, does contain sugar that needs to be accounted for. The best thing to do would be to choose whole fruits versus drinking fruit juice. Eating the actual fruit provides fiber and less sugar than drinking fruit juice.

If you decide to carbohydrate count, one serving of fruits is 15 grams and provides 60 calories per serving. Here are some serving sizes for fruits to ensure you’re not eating too many at one sitting, which could raise your blood sugar:

Apple: 1 small

Banana: 1/2 banana

Blueberries: 2/3 cup

Cantaloupe: 1/3 melon or 1 cup cubed

Grapes: 1/2 cup

Orange: 1 medium

Raspberries: 1 cup

Strawberries: 1 1/4 cups

Diabetes Education Classes March 3, 2010

Here’s the newest question from FOODPICKER.org:

I am trying to find a class for our grandson.  He is 19 and has a part-time job but no insurance.  He just found out last week that he is a type 1 diabetes after losing a lot of weight and his blood sugar was 523.  He is on insulin but needs to go to a class to manage is diabetes without going hungry.  Where do we start?  Any suggestions would help us a lot.

I would first start by checking out the American Diabetes Association’s website (www.diabetes.org). There is a huge amount of helpful information there. You can even chat with other people with diabetes online through the message board.

You could also check the chamber of commerce website for your town and see what community events are being held that month. Usually there are free education classes offered to the community; you could even try looking at the local health club or community college for education classes.

If you’d like more one-on-one help the American Diabetes Association has a helpful link to Certified Diabetes Educators (CDE) in your area; you just  enter your zip code and a list of CDE’s pops up.  If you’re interested in speaking with a Registered Dietitian you can go to the American Dietetic Association’s website (www.eatright.org) and enter your zip code to find a list of dietitians in your area.

Your local library would also be a great place to check out resources they offer. Sometimes diabetes and health classes are offered there or the library has a list of community events that are current and up-to-date.