How to Prepare for Hurricane Florence if You Have Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com

Maintaining good blood sugar levels with diabetes requires careful planning, especially if a severe storm is headed your way.

Hurricane Florence is headed toward the East Coast, and if you’re in the storm’s path, you’re undoubtedly preparing for what could be a catastrophic weather event. This includes stocking up on non-perishable food, water, and batteries, boarding up windows, and securing or stowing outdoor furniture.
But if you have diabetes, storm preparation goes beyond the basics. Whether you’re living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or gestational diabetes, you must take extra precautions to manage your condition in a disaster.

To stay safe and healthy, follow these hurricane preparation tips if you have diabetes.

1. Stock Up on Your Diabetes Medication Supply and Keep a Record of It

The first thing you should do is check your stock of medication and supplies to ensure you have enough; and if you don't, call in a refill before disaster hits, says Deborah Malkoff-Cohen, RD, CDE, who is based in New York City.
You’ll need oral medication, insulin, emergency glucagon if you have type 1, chargers, syringes, lancets, and test strips, as well as an empty bottle to dispose of used supplies.
Also, don’t forget extra batteries for your glucometer so you can monitor and log your blood glucose, the New Jersey Department of Health advises.
Even if you’re riding out the storm at home, pack these items in a waterproof, insulated emergency bag that can be grabbed if you must leave in a hurry.
“Pack at least seven extra days of medication and supplies, and if you only use an insulin pump, make sure you write down the settings for the pump and have a backup in case the pump stops working: syringes to draw up from your Humalog or Novolog vial or a Novolog/Humalog pen,” notes Malkoff-Cohen, in line with advice from the Joslin Diabetes Centre and the American Diabetes Association.
If you lose power, it may take days for electricity to be restored, making it difficult to refrigerate insulin. Be prepared with a cooler.
Use ice or a reusable cooling pack to keep insulin cool instead of dry ice, which can freeze the medication, Diabetes Forecast notes.
Also, don’t rely on your memory during a disaster. Malkoff-Cohen says your emergency bag should include your health insurance card, copies of prescriptions, proof of your diagnosis and contact numbers for essential contacts including family members, friends, your primary care doctor, your pharmacy, your registered dietitian, and your endocrinologist.

2. Load Up on Non-perishable Carbs to Help Prevent Low Blood Sugar

Having a stockpile of non-perishable foods and water ahead of a hurricane may sound obvious. But if you have diabetes, certain types of non-perishable foods are a must-have in your pantry or emergency go bag.
Hurricanes are stressful — before, during, and after. Because stress alone can raise your blood sugar, you need a good mix of non-perishable carbs and protein to help stabilize your blood sugar, says Malkoff-Cohen. She recommends peanut butter crackers, beef jerky, canned beans, nuts and seeds, trail mix, whole-grain crackers, granola bars, and meal replacement bars.
It’s also a good idea to stock up on fast-acting carbohydrates like glucose tabs or chewable sugar, which can be true life-savers if you’re experiencing hypoglycemia, says Haley Hughes, RD, CDE, who is in private practice in Greenley, Colorado.
People living with diabetes are also prone to dehydration, so make sure each person has a three- to four-day supply of water, advises Diabetes.co.uk.

3. Prepare for Accidents and Injury, Especially if You Have Known Foot Problems

Injury can happen during disasters. If you have diabetes, a seemingly minor cut on your foot could become infected without proper care.
Make sure you have antibiotic creams, cotton swabs, bandages, as well as hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes, says Hughes.
“It’s also important to keep feet covered and safe to prevent infections,” urges Malkoff-Cohen. So wear shoes at all times when outdoors or when walking through standing water.
Check your feet daily for cuts, blisters, or open sores, and get medical help if you have signs of an infection — swelling, pain, redness, fever, or drainage, notes the New Jersey Department of Health.

4. Consider Evacuating Your Home, Even if It Isn’t Required

Even if you don’t receive mandatory evacuation orders, you might consider voluntarily leaving if your area has a history of power outages or flooding. “It’s a personal choice, but you should always opt for the safest outcome and evacuate if you have multiple ailments, trouble ambulating or breathing, or if you’re on multiple medications,” says Malkoff-Cohen.
If you stay home, be mindful that flooding can make it harder for first responders to reach your home in an emergency, she adds.

5. Be Prepared if You’re Staying in a Hurricane Shelter

If you're headed to a local shelter, keep your medication and supplies with you at all times to avoid theft or loss, and don’t skip meals, which can wreak havoc on your blood sugar. Bring your own food supply with you just in case, the New Jersey Department of Health advises.
“Having some type of identification information, like a bracelet or necklace, can also be helpful in an emergency situation,” says Hughes. An ID badge shouldn’t only identify who you are, but also alert others of your condition if you experience an emergency and can’t communicate.

6. Take Care of Your Kidneys, Particularly if You’ve Been Diagnosed With a Kidney Problem

A natural disaster may prevent you from getting to a dialysis centre. Until you’re able to resume treatments, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends following the 3-Day Emergency Diet. This diet can reduce the amount of waste in your blood.
If you have a home dialysis machine, get a backup emergency generator in the event of a power outage. Also, notify your power company ahead of the storm and be added to their “priority reconnection service” list, advises the Americans with Disabilities Act National Network.

A Final Word on Preparing for Hurricanes When You Have Diabetes

It’s critical that you’re able to access medication, food, and water in a hurricane — or any disaster, for that matter. The sooner you act, the better. And remember, you can never be too prepared for these types of situations.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/treatment/hurricane-preparation-tips-diabetes/

Diabetes patients need extra preparation for hurricanes

From fox10phoenix.com

NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - The frantic rush to prepare for a natural disaster is stressful for everyone but people with diabetes have an extra worry - protecting climate sensitive insulin and blood monitoring equipment.
For people who are evacuees or are in an emergency situation, the CDC says it is of prime importance to identify yourself as a person with diabetes and any related conditions, so you can obtain appropriate care. It is also important to prevent dehydration by drinking enough fluids, which can be difficult when drinking water is in short supply.
In addition, it is helpful to keep something containing sugar with you at all times, in case you develop hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

Patients should try to keep their insulin as cool as possible, avoiding direct heat and direct sunlight as well as freezing if placed on ice. Although a physician should supervise when switching insulin products, here are recommendations for emergency situations.

Blood Glucose Meters and Hurricane Disasters
Heat and humidity can damage blood glucose meters and test strips. If you use a blood glucose meter, check the meter and test strip package insert for information on use during unusual heat and humidity.

Diabetes Disaster Preparedness

Find important tips for caring for yourself or a loved one with diabetes in an emergency, as well as a checklist of essential items to include in an emergency evacuation kit.
Emergency Dialysis
Dialysis treatment may not be available during an emergency, but these critically important steps can help safeguard your health. For immediate assistance, call the National Kidney Foundation help line at 1-888-33KIDNEY.

Prepare for Diabetes Care in Heat and Emergencies

Kidney Community Emergency Preparedness and Response
To prevent infections, which people with diabetes are more vulnerable to, pay careful attention to the health of your feet, and get medical treatment for any wounds.
People often receive wound injuries during and after a natural disaster, and wound care is of particular importance for people with diabetes.

Foot Care for People with Diabetes
Foot wounds or infections can develop into serious problems for people with diabetes, so foot care is especially important.

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/hot-topics/diabetes-patients-need-extra-preparation-for-hurricanes

Want to avoid type 2 diabetes? Eat more whole grains

From medicalxpress.com

(HealthDay)—It may seem counterintuitive, but eating bread, pasta and cereal may actually help prevent type 2 diabetes, as long as those foods are made from whole grains, new research suggests.

The study found that each serving of whole-grain foods per day was linked to as much as an 11 percent drop in the risk of type 2 diabetes.
"Whole grains appear to play an important role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and choosing whole grains over refined grains is highly recommended," said study author Cecilie Kyro. She is a post-doctoral researcher at the Danish Cancer Society Research Centre in Copenhagen.
Kyro added that, in addition to preventing type 2 diabetes, there is evidence that whole grains can help prevent heart disease and colon cancer.

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, and most have type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). People with type 2 diabetes don't use the hormone insulin efficiently.
Insulin normally ushers blood sugar into cells to be used as energy. But some people are resistant to the effects of insulin, and then more and more insulin is needed to do the same job. Eventually, the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas can't keep up with the demand, and blood sugar levels rise, resulting in type 2 diabetes, according to the ADA.

Lifestyle factors, such as diet and exercise, are known to play a role in type 2 diabetes. In the latest study, researchers wanted to see what role specific whole grains played in type 2 diabetes.
To do this, they reviewed diet information from more than 55,000 people, aged 50 to 65, in Denmark. On average, the group was slightly overweight.
Overall, about 7,400 people were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during the study's average 15-year follow-up.

The study volunteers completed food diaries. From these food diaries, the researchers calculated how many grams of whole grains each person ate daily.
The investigators found that for every serving of whole-grain food, the risk of type 2 diabetes dropped by 11 percent for men and 7 percent for women.
In women, only wheat and oats seemed to reduce the risk of diabetes. But for men, all whole grains—wheat, rye and oats—were linked to a lower risk of the blood sugar disorder. Kyro said this difference may just be a statistical anomaly because fewer women developed diabetes.
She added that all whole-grain products can be recommended for preventing type 2 diabetes in both men and women.

Exactly how whole grains help prevent type 2 diabetes isn't clear from this study. Because it's an observational study, it isn't designed to prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
Still, the scientists suspect that there may be several reasons why whole grains could be protective, including reduced blood sugar secretion after a meal.
Registered dietician Samantha Heller said the findings fall in line with previous research.
"People who consume whole grains have lower risks of type 2 diabetes, as well as inflammation, coronary heart disease and cancer," she said. In addition, a diet including whole grains also helps with weight management and may improve digestive health.

"Whole grains contain fibre, vitamins, minerals, protein and phytonutrients, all of which play important roles in maintaining a healthy body. Dietary fibre decreases insulin resistance, after-meal blood sugar spikes and decreases inflammation, all of which may contribute to its beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes," Heller explained. (Phytonutrients are nutrients from plant sources.)
Kyro said one serving of whole grain contained 16 grams of whole grain. That can vary depending on the type or brand of a product, but 16 grams is approximately one slice of whole-grain bread, she said.

Heller said that U.S. dietary guidelines recommend three to four servings of whole grains a day. A serving is one slice of bread, one-cup of ready-to-eat cereal or 1/2-cup cooked rice, pasta or cereal. She said those recommendations are for people who are sedentary. If you're more active, you may need more grains each day.
Findings from the study were published in the September issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-09-diabetes-grains.html

Diabetes: Eight breakfast swaps to control your blood sugar level

From express.co.uk

DIABETES is a lifelong condition that causes the level of sugar in the blood to become too high. While diabetes sufferers don’t have to completely cut sugar from their diet, they should limit the amount they consume. Here are eight alternative breakfast ideas you can try which aren’t high in sugar.

If not properly treated, diabetes can lead to serious medical complications including heart disease, strokes, nerve damage, kidney problems and loss of vision.
However, it can be controlled by taking medication and by making changes to your lifestyle.
Many breakfast choices are high in sugar or fat, which are not recommended for diabetes sufferers.
“A healthy, satisfying breakfast can make a big difference. But some traditional breakfast foods are packed with sugar and fats,” said Diabetes UK.

Here are eight breakfast swaps, recommended by the diabetes charity, you could try in order to lower your intake of sugar and fat.

Swap cereal for porridge or muesli
Breakfast cereal is often high in both sugar and fat, whereas porridge and muesli are not. Just be sure to avoid porridge with added sugar, honey or golden syrup. For sweetness, you can add chopped fruit.

Make your own flavoured yoghurt
Many low-fat yoghurts sold in supermarkets are high in sugar. Instead, you could make your own flavoured yoghurt by adding fresh fruit or nuts to low-fat, plain, Greek natural yoghurt.

Swap white bread for wholegrain bread
Processed white bread can contain a lot of sugar, so instead use multi-seed, granary or soya bread for your toast.

Swap jam for mashed fruit
Jam is obviously very high in sugar, so you can swap it for a pure fruit spread or mashed fruit, such as banana. Low-fat or cottage cheese is another alternative.

Swap a fried breakfast for a grilled breakfast
Fried bacon and sausages contain a lot of calories and fat, so you should try grilling your cooked breakfast instead. Try to avoid red meat and replace it with oily fish, such as kippers. Scramble your eggs instead of frying.

Scramble eggs instead of frying; choose multi-grain bread over white bread (Image: Getty Images)

Swap whole milk for semi-skimmed or skimmed
Switching from whole milk to skimmed milk can save you 164 calories and 19.8 grammes of fat per pint - the equivalent of four chocolate digestive biscuits, according to Diabetes UK.

Make your own juice
Shop-bought pure fruit juice often has all the fibre removed, so instead you could try blending fruit together yourself.

Swap cereal bars for fruit and nuts
Cereal bars aren’t always as healthy as they appear to be, so replace these with fresh fruit and a handful of nuts.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1014863/diabetes-diet-breakfast-swaps-control-blood-sugar-level

Diabetes type 2: Never skip this meal in the day if you want to control the condition

From express.co.uk

Diabetes type 2 is a common condition in the UK and alongside being overweight or obese, having a close family member with the condition can be one of the causes.
People with the condition are recommended to make changes to their diet, such as counting the amount of carbohydrates they eat and keeping an eye on portion sizes.
Choosing foods with unsaturated fat instead of saturated fat, eating less salt, and avoiding fatty or processed meat is recommended.
The NHS also recommends not skipping a certain meal in the day - breakfast.
A small clinical trial found people with diabetes who skipped breakfast had 37 per cent higher blood sugar levels at lunchtime.
And blood sugar levels were found to still be higher at dinnertime on the day the study volunteers skipped breakfast (27 per cent higher).
The study’s lead author, Dr Daniela Jakubowicz, a professor of medicine at Tel Aviv University in Israel, said: “This is of high relevance since skipping breakfast has progressively increased over the past decades in Western society.”
So what should you eat for breakfast? Diabetes UK suggests four healthy breakfast swaps, which include switching cereals, grilling instead of frying, swapping the type of milk you use, and what to replace on-the-go cereal bars with.

Switching cereal

While granola and cereal clusters appear healthy, they are often full of sugar and fat, according to the charity.
Instead, it recommends switching to porridge - either porridge oats or the instant variety - just make sure to avoid those with added sugar.
For sweetness you can add chopped fruit.

Diabetes type 2: Never skip a certain meal in the day if you want to control the condition (Image: GETTY)

Savoury breakfasts

If you prefer having a savoury, cooked breakfast it recommends grilling instead of frying bacon and sausages to cut down on calories and fat.
You should also try and avoid red meat and instead us oily fish such as salmon or kippers.
It adds: “They’re delicious served with scrambled egg, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms and wholegrain toast.
“You could also try topping wholegrain toast with scrambled egg or egg bhurji, avocado, cottage cheese with edamame beans and tomatoes, or grilled tomatoes and mushrooms.”

Breakfast drinks

A simple way to cut down on calories is to switch from whole milk to semi-skimmed or skimmed milk.
The charity says switching from blue to red top milk will save you 164 calories and 19.8g per pint - which is the equivalent of four chocolate digestive biscuits.
If you have coffee int he morning you should switch the medium latte for a flat white or cappuccino made with skimmed milk to save at least 100 calories.

Breakfast on the go

Cereal bar aren’t always as healthy as they appear.
For a better breakfast snack on the go, Diabetes UK, recommends grabbing some fresh fruit and a handful of nuts instead.
You can combine this with a glass of semi or skimmed milk to keep hydrated and get essential calcium for your bones and teeth.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1013743/diabetes-type-2-diet-food-never-skip-this-meal-in-the-day

Eating whole grains cuts risk of getting diabetes: study

From nypost.com

Eat your Wheaties to avoid diabetes.
That’s the takeaway from a new study showing that whole-grain foods could be one of the easiest weapons against Type 2 diabetes, a condition that disrupts the body’s sugar metabolism and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Researchers at the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and the Danish Cancer Society Research Centre looked at international data from more than 55,000 men and women aged 50 to 65 and found that those who gobbled at least 50 grams of whole-grain foods per day were far less like to develop Type 2 diabetes over a 15-year period — 34 percent less likely for men and 22 less likely for women.

The type of whole grain didn’t matter, the study found, with varieties such as rye, millet, barley or wheat germ all showing similarly positive effects.

For reference, 48 grams of whole grains is about three servings of foods such as quinoa, brown rice and whole-wheat pasta. USDA dietary guidelines recommend that adults consume at least 3 to 4 servings of whole-grain foods per day.

In a statement, senior researcher Rikard Landberg had some words for people following trendy low-carb diets: “There hasn’t been a single study which has shown negative health effects [of whole grains].” So feel free to indulge in a slab of whole-wheat sourdough with dinner.

An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States developed Type 2 diabetes in 2015, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and health experts say most cases are preventable through lifestyle measures.

https://nypost.com/2018/09/07/eating-whole-grains-cuts-risk-of-getting-diabetes-study/

Type 2 Diabetes and Healthy Food Choices - What Are The Dirty Dozen of Fruits and Vegetables?

By Beverleigh H Piepers

We often hear if we choose to exercise and eat properly, our pancreas will thank us by functioning better and reduce our chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. Many of you watching your health will have heard of a list of produce referred to as the "dirty dozen." What is this list and how do the contents impact your life and your body? The dirty dozen is a term used to describe certain fruits and vegetables, maybe even some of your favorites, impacted negatively by pesticides. The produce listed as the "dirty dozen" are thought to be more heavily contaminated by pesticides than other produce and, as such, it is wise for you to steer clear of them if you are hoping to maintain good health.
Researchers have also connected the ingestion of pesticides as a risk to the developing brain of the fetus during pregnancy and even into early childhood. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report recommending limiting foods containing pesticides in children as much as possible. While it is unfortunate to have to "avoid" fresh fruits and vegetables as they are considered to be very healthy for the body what you do need to remember is when they are contaminated due to the use of pesticides, they will not be doing anything positive for your health. These chemicals will be entering your system, and they may be doing more damage to your body than benefiting your health.
So what are the "dirty dozen list of fruit and vegetables?" The following are the current list to steer clear of...

• strawberries (these are considered to be especially harmful. Researchers found over one-third of the berries tested contained 10 or more pesticides),
• spinach,
• nectarines,
• apples,
• peaches,
• pears,
• cherries,
• grapes,
• celery,
• tomatoes,
• sweet bell peppers, and
• potatoes.

While you can purchase conventional varieties and then focus on washing them well, it has been found a high amount of pesticide residue remains. Therefore, it can be best to make sure you purchase organic produce, provided your budget allows. If your budget does not allow you to buy organic products, then you may want to avoid them entirely.

Many other "conventional" options offer a healthier choice and are deemed to be the "clean 15." These include...

• avocados,
• sweet corn,
• pineapples,
• cabbage,
• onions,
• frozen sweet peas,
• papayas,
• asparagus,
• mangos,
• eggplant,
• honeydew melon,
• kiwifruit,
• cantaloupe,
• broccoli, and
• cauliflower.

As you can see, there are a variety of tasty options to choose from if you want to continue to maintain a healthy intake of fresh produce but limit your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides. While we do not instantly notice the side effects and symptoms from taking in damaging chemicals; over the years it does add up and can increase your risk factor for many diseases including cancer. Shop smart, and you will have no problem avoiding this issue!

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes-and-Healthy-Food-Choices---What-Are-The-Dirty-Dozen-of-Fruits-and-Vegetables?&id=10000022