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August 20th, 2008
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Patti LaBelle is on the TV singing about how a certain glucose monitor changed everything. "Back then, food was the enemy," she says. My mind flashes to a host of studies I've come across recently touting different foods as the "cure." I can't help but see the humor in it.

We all know diabetes and food are so closely linked that often it's hard to deal with daily diabetic life without feeling like you have a major eating disorder. And while these new studies shouldn't give anyone a license to eat with abandon, it's nice to see research money being spent investigating food and nutrition, instead of new drugs.

Here's a look at some of my favorite new finds:

Chips and dip. Mexican scientists discovered blue corn tortilla chips have properties that make them healthier for dieters and diabetics. Add some black soy bean dip for an even more diabetes-friendly snack.

Chocolate. Hands down my favorite food, chocolate is rich in heart-healthy compounds and may help treat diabetes, multiple studies show. Bring on the Lindt dark chocolate truffles!

Pumpkin pie. OK, maybe not the pie itself, but a recent study reveals pumpkin shows promise in treating diabetes. And of course, don't forget the cinnamon to help lower blood sugar.

Salad. So it may not be the most exciting of foods, and it's certainly the wackiest headline by far, researchers purport to have found the cure for diabetes in lettuce. Upon first look, this study sounds absolutely absurd. But, like with most things diabetes, when Gretchen Becker explains it, it actually sounds promising. (Trust me, just read the link...I couldn't possibly explain it any better!)



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I love chocolate and being a confirmed chocoholic it was hard to give it up. When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a year and a half ago I went cold turkey on chocolate. Then, when I shopping at Trader Joe's I found some dark chocolate that was sugar free and carb free. Now I can enjoy a piece once in a while and not feel guilty about it. I have read a lot about the healthful effects of dark chocolate.


I am a chocoholic also and love to eat whatever chocolate I can get a hold of, but I keep M&Ms on my headboard for emergency lows, or if my blood sugar is a little low (not low enough for my Capri Sun fruit drinks). Recently I havent been eating any M&Ms, and Ive been getting headaches a lot from it. It drives me crazy but I eat little by little and thats a good way of eating my chocolate.


Food is the enemy and the ally. Some hurt while others help. Learning which is which determines how well you manage your diabetes. Then you have to realize that the bad when in moderate and combined with the good may be good for you, while too much of a good thing can be bad for you.
I find this exciting. There is no way you can go by a few simple rules and live the rest of your life by them


My doc didn't think I could get under control with diet and exercise. I told him "Watch Me!" Of course I know that was a big mouth statement but now my glucose runs 98 and Aic 5.7 I eat more foood than I ever have just different kinds. Have lost 23 pounds. It took preplanning and learning to read labels and cook differently but it worked. I am blessed.


What? Diabetes isn't a major eating disorder?

*Hides the notebooks with hundreds of pages on carb ratios, weight, blood sugar values..* LOL

It really does make you wonder, doesn't it?


What a blessing to have come across this great site after going through the past two months as a newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic. It has been a real nightmare. The frustration of the ups and downs of the testing along with all of the counting, figuring and "depravation" has taken it's toll on me both physically and emotionally, especially emotionally. What the heck?? I have always been able to pretty much eat whatever I wanted. Now it feels like some kind of withdrawal or something. Besides the fact that when the numbers are high, it causes more stress, which causes my blood pressure to go up, which causes more stress, which causes ......well, you all know how it goes. I so appreciate knowing that there are other people out there who are willing to share their experiences and give encouragement to others. Thanks for your comments,everyone. Currently, my doctor is just having me try changing my diet and regularly exercising....no meds so far. We'll see how it goes.


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Rebecca Abma
What happens when a health writer develops a chronic illness? As Rebecca K. Abma can tell you, it turns into an obsession. Since being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in December 2003, 90 percent of her non-work computer time is spent researching the disease and chatting with fellow diabetics. (Read More)

Latest Posts: What a Difference | Never say never | The Best Advice About Blood Sugar

Andy Bell
Andy Bell has lived with diabetes since the age of 14. He controls his type 1 diabetes by taking multiple daily injections. Andy is 27 years old now and despite his diabetes, still maintains a very active lifestyle. Andy works for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in the National Outreach Department.(Read More)

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