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Put
on a Party that Everyone Can Enjoy --
Even Guests with Diabetes |
by:
ARA |
(ARA)
– People who have diabetes -- a disorder
of the metabolism, in which their body has
trouble converting food into energy -- must
pay close attention to everything they eat.
Their bodies do not have the mechanisms
necessary to properly regulate their blood
sugar levels.
Diabetes affects about 17 million Americans
so chances are good someone who has the
illness will attend your next party. Since
you don’t want anyone to feel left out,
here are some tips to help you plan a party
every guest will enjoy:
* For the main meal, offer your guests variety.
Have fish, poultry and lean cuts of beef,
veal or pork available so there will be
something for everyone. Remove the skin
-- which is high in fat -- from poultry.
This will benefit not only diabetics, but
everyone at your party.
* Instead of creamy mashed potatoes, which
are high in carbohydrates, offer a variety
of grains and fresh vegetables for side
dishes. Those items are all on the Diabetic
Food Pyramid and good for everyone. Keep
in mind, basic foods are always the safest.
Avoid sauces, and casseroles, especially
those with cheese and cream sauces.
* For dessert, provide your guests with
healthy, low-carb alternatives to the sweet
holiday treats. Put out platters with bagel
chips, pretzels, low fat crackers, raw fruits
and vegetables.
“People with diabetes must avoid foods high
in carbohydrates because they send the body’s
blood sugar levels soaring,” says Gary Janson,
president of American Medical Supply, a
Florida-based diabetic supplies company
that serves clients in all 50 states. “When
you eat, your body breaks down all carbohydrates,
and some portion of proteins, into a sugar
substance called glucose. The hormone, insulin,
directs glucose to enter the cells, creating
energy.”
In a regular, healthy person, the body carefully
monitors the amount of sugar which is circulated
in the blood and removes it when high levels
are detected. Diabetics’ bodies either produce
inadequate levels of insulin or none at
all, so their blood sugar level is chronically
high. Over time, patients with diabetes
can develop such complications as blindness,
kidney disease, nerve damage, heart disease,
stroke, increased risk of infections or
even amputations.
People who have diabetes should regularly
check their blood sugar levels. The cost
of testing supplies can exceed $1,200 a
year for someone who tests their blood sugar
three times a day. While Medicare and most
third party insurers cover some of the cost,
patients can incur substantial out-of-pocket
expenses while waiting for insurance reimbursement.
To help patients avoid this expense, companies
such as American Medical Supplies specialize
in taking the hassle out of ordering and
paying for supplies by billing insurance
providers and Medicare directly, with no
upfront cost to the patient.
For more information or to register with
American Medical Supplies, call (800) 856-7999
or go online at www.AmericanDiabetic.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
SIDEBAR
When it comes to diet, here are some things
people with diabetes need to keep in mind
-- not only during the holidays, but throughout
the year:
Foods that must be avoided:
* Sugar
* Sweets
* Honey
* Jam and Jellies
* Cakes and Pastries
* Sweetened Juices and soft drinks
* Fried food
* Fermented foods
Foods that can be eaten in moderate quantities:
* Fats
* Nuts
* Cereals/Roots/Tubers
* Pulses
* Fruits
* Milk Products
* Meat Products
* Eggs
* Artificial Sweeteners
Foods that are always safe:
* Vegetables
* Green Leafy Vegetables
* Spices
* Food high in fiber content
About the author:
Courtesy of ARA Content
Circulated by Bandoni
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