Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diet. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Diabetic Vegetarian, Vegan & Raw Food Recipes

Cheese Baked Peppers with Linguine

I was vegetarian in the mid nineties for four years and began to eat meat again but it was only a few times a week.  Then 3 years ago, my step-son became a vegetarian and my husband and I joined him in changing our diet.  However, I still fish a few times a week because it was highly suggest by my family doctor and Rheumatologist but did not mind because I like my salmon, tuna, sardines and many others.  I would be called a Pescetarian.  You can find more information on Wikipedia for Pescetarianism,  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pescatarian), Vegetarianism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetarianism), Veganism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism) and Raw Foodism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_foodism).   In other posts I'll talk more in detail about these diets because they can incorporated into your diet in some way,  I don't think that Raw Foodism can be used for Diabetics but I don't know much about it yet.  Though I have ate from recipes that are considered vegetarian, vegan, and raw food, enjoying all meals.


Friday, March 15, 2013

Diabetic Recipes

http://www.cooksrecipes.com/category/diabetic.html

I have a few diabetic recipe books but found its way easier to look online and get an idea what to make from scratch.  I usually don't need to follow recipes anymore but I still get some great ideas to follow with diabetic diet guidelines.  Later on I'll find links that will talk about what is unique and not so unique with the diabetic diet.  Have Fun Surfing!!! There is no difference in the diet for either type I, type II or gestational diabetes.


The next few days I'll be looking for specific online diabetic recipes under: appetizers, beverages, breakfast/brunch, breads. desserts. fish/seafood, main dishes, meat, salads, sauces/condiments, side dishes, snacks, soup/stews/chili, and vegetarian/vegan.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

What is Type I Diabetes?

This post today is about what Type I Diabetes is all about, but will not go into specific details... I will add links at the bottom for people to visit, if they are curious about the specifics of type I diabetes.  I use the terminology of 'type I diabetes' instead of juvenile diabetes because there is many of who are adults and not so young.   Though I'm still Young at Heart!

Wow!, I like what they say on Wikipedia, that they don't call type I diabetes; juvenile or insulin dependent diabetes anymore.  I am very pleased with this because it really depends on the individual who has type I diabetes.  One time in my life my autoimmune system attacked my cells (islets of Langerhans) in my pancreas, causing it to stop producing insulin.  This stops the body from getting energy from glucose which comes from this like; bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, fruit and milk.   Insulin helps control the levels of sugar (glucose) by having it enter blood cells to produce energy for the body to use for activities in the day.

The symptoms of type I diabetes are the following: increase thirst followed up by frequent urination, and weight loss which includes increased hunger.  There is other symptoms as well, which I had before being diagnosed; tiredness, change in behaviour, dry mouth and a few other minor ones.

If it wasn't for the discovery of insulin by Canadian Frederick Banting and Charles Best, type I diabetes would be fatal for anyone diagnosed with it and without insulin, the individual would first go into a coma caused by ketoacidosis and then a accumulation of liquid in the brain (Cerebral Edema.)  There are a few ways of getting insulin into the body, using through injections (needles or pens) and less often with an insulin pump (cost is high.)  There is many different types of insulin which are determined by the individuals lifestyle: exercise routine/lack of, meal plans, age, goals, health and outlook.

The many theories of what causes type I diabetes are: Genetics (European), Environmental, Virus (triggering auto-immune response), Diet (antibodies against cows milk, lack of Vitamin D and short Breastfeeding period), Chemical & Medications (Pyrinuron & Zanosar), and Pathophysiology (autoimmune response.)  I come from a European Family of Italian origins and my mom was told to not breast feed me because formula was better for me (early seventies.)

If a type I diabetic has high levels of sugar over a period time, there is high chance of them getting complications includes: nerve damage, thyroid disease, heart disease, kidney problems, and blindness. However,  if the diabetes is in good control there will be a delay or no appearance of these complications.

It is not a preventable disease and has no cure, but can be managed depending on the severity of the disease.  Type I diabetics can also live quite a normal life doing the same as any other health person (participate in any sport/exercise, have children, etc, but with a few guidelines to follow.   It will differ from all individuals from excellent control to brittle diabetes (which I'm still considered but getting better.)

Diet and Exercise is other areas which help with the management of type I diabetes and is as important as getting the shots of insulin and blood test monitoring.  This includes; carbohydrate counting with a balanced food groups of starch, protein, fruit, vegetable and calcium.  This is one of the contributing factors of keeping normal blood glucose levels, measuring between 4.4-7.8 mmo/L (80-140 mg/dl), again with the help of exercise and insulin.  To know if the blood sugars are on track is including the use of a blood-testing machine, giving a important insight.

There is many other things that diabetics have to keep their eye on like; keeping cholesterol & other blood fats in range, maintain a healthy weight, keep blood pressure at a target level, don't smoke and regular visits to the dentist, eye specialist and family doctor.  I know that being obese is one of the largest causes of being a brittle diabetic but very lucky to have low blood pressure and a normal cholesterol levels.



Resources:  Diabetes mellitus type 1 - Type I Diabetes: the basics - T!D Fact Sheet - type I diabetes: the basics

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The best sic doctors anywhere!

This is a good way to learn a little about myself and the goals that I will be setting to improve my mental and physical health.  I have already met a few of these goals and then others I have re-introduce into my daily routine and make them habits once more.  The areas which I have already met is drinking water which is usually done through my water bottle and tea but know there should be some more improvement.  I am pretty close to have rest full sleep with between 8 to 10 hours but I am using medication to help me but hope to cut back to 1/2 a pill and then none by the end of spring.  I have a pretty good diet (following diabetic guidelines) and eating 3 meals a day with two snack periods which includes most of the food groups but lack in veggies most days.

The areas which I'm really lacking in because of anxiety are: sunshine (when we get it in Vancouver) but use a SAD light to help, air (stale inside air does not count) and exercise.  I use to go for walks a lot which helped me with sunshine, fresh air and moderate exercise because I use to go for 1/2hr or more.  I would like to improve my exercise by doing things that is greatly needed like stretching, chair exercises (to help with balance) and go to a community center to use facilities that I can use a stationary bike and go swimming.

I will have to tell you about some of the challenges that I have with seeing some of those great free doctors of mine that will help with my visits to my family doctor and Specialists.  Wish me the best! :)