Is Your Health Covered in 2008?
The campaign trail is hot as the presidential candidates make their way from state to state, debate to debate, stumping for the almighty vote. The issues are the same but the plans are as varied as the many candidates that are all vying for the title of President of the United States. For people with diabetes, one of the issues of concern is health care – rising costs, research, insurance.
Who will be the one to garner your vote? Check out the dLife Election coverage for more on how the candidates stack up for PWDs. If you want to offer up your opinion, leave a comment and let your voice be heard!
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ADA Catches Up on Low-Carb...Sort Of
The American Diabetes Association has started to acknowledge the evidence that a low-carbohydrate diet is beneficial for people living with diabetes....sort of. In the newly-released "Nutrition Recommendations and Interventions for Diabetes," the ADA says that: "For weight loss, either low-carbohydrate or low-fat calorie-restricted diets may be effective in the short term (up to 1 year)." This marks the first time that the ADA has acknowledged the clinical benefit of low-carbohydrate diets in any capacity, and we applaud them for taking this step in the right direction.
However, for daily diabetes management, the ADA stands firm on its former dietary recommendations, continuing to recommend a minimum of 130 grams of carbohydrates daily. The authors noted that "(a)lthough brain fuel needs can be met on lower-carbohydrate diets, long-term metabolic effects of very-low-carbohydrate diets are unclear, and such diets eliminate many foods that are important sources of energy, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and are important in dietary palatability."
Of course, any dietary strategy needs to provide some level of taste enjoyment if it has any chance of long-term adherence, but the assumption that low-carb can't be a palatable dietary option is a cop out. There is no hesitancy on the ADA's part in officially recommending low saturated fat intake, yet it could be argued that low-saturated-fat diets can eliminate many foods that are important sources of nutrients and “dietary palatability.” And energy, fiber, and vitamin and mineral requirements can certainly be met within a healthy low-carb eating plan.
Yes, you have to work at low-carb, but let's give people with diabetes some credit in wanting to put in that hard work for better blood glucose control. Nutrition principles that promote our best chance at diabetes health should be the goal of all professional healthcare organizations. Let's not settle for less.
Read more about the new ADA nutrition guidelines and how low-carb advocates are reacting.
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Braving the Cold
These cold winter days have us craving comfort foods, but all those carbs are bad for the blood sugar. Fortunately, there are dLife Healthy Swaps — delicious and diabetes-friendly substitutions for comfort standards like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and more. Get swapping now!
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Advocacy Delivered
Patriots vs. the Giants this Superbowl, and there will be plenty of pizza served up across the nation. But in four states, their pizzas will be topped with something even better than pepperoni - they'll also receive a public health message about diabetes.
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) , state Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs. and pizza shops are teaming up to deliver pizza with a public service announcement. Atop thousands of pizza boxes will be a print ad promoting free diabetes information from NDEP , a federal program that provides free diabetes prevention and control materials for people with diabetes, people at risk for diabetes and their loved ones.
How's that for door-to-door advocacy?
Related: Make a Difference
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Happy 2008!!!
Working on your resolutions for the New Year? dLife has you covered with plenty of ways to start 2008 off right with great food, fun ways to stay fit, and better diabetes control all year long. Visit our New Year, New You resources now!
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