Alcohol And Diabetes - Effects Of Drinking Alcohol With Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease where the body does not properly use or produce insulin. The cause of this disease is still a mystery that affects over 20 million people in the United States. It is estimated that over 6 million individuals are not aware they have diabetes.

Mixing alcohol and diabetes can be risky business. It is hard enough for diabetics to control their diets without using alcohol. They not only have to pay attention to what they eat, but how much they eat. It is only through proper diet and planning careful meals that diabetics can gain control of the disease and regulate it in order to live healthier, longer lives.

Drinking too much alcohol makes it very difficult for the body of a diabetic to maintain the proper blood sugar levels in their system. Alcohol is quickly absorbed into the blood stream without fully metabolizing in the stomach. It can take a normal person about two hours to metabolize one average alcoholic drink. But when a person that is diabetic drinks alcohol, they are at risk of developing low blood sugar very quickly.

People with diabetes that drink alcohol will always be putting themselves at risk of developing low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is what causes diabetics to having reactions. When alcohol is consumed, the liver focuses all it's attention to clear the alcohol from out of the body. This means that the liver does not have time to provide the glucose the body needs, leading to low blood sugar, a diabetic's nightmare. When a diabetic has been consuming alcohol, even a shot of Glucagon will be ineffective in raising the low blood sugar because the alcohol will stop the Glucagon from working.

After everything is said and done, this does not necessarily mean that a person who has diabetes should never consume alcohol. This is something that needs to be discussed with a doctor. People who suffer from type II diabetes are better candidates for having an occasional drink. There are even some documents in medical journals that discuss how women with type II diabetes can lower risks of complications associated with the disease by consuming alcohol in moderation. The alcohol's effects can decrease insulin resistance only when the alcohol consumed is a couple of drinks per day. If, after checking with your doctor and if your doctor says you can drink alcohol on occasion, then use some commonsense guidelines when drinking alcohol.

Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Eating some food before drinking helps the alcohol to metabolize faster, so your blood sugar level has a better chance of not falling. Drink light beer instead of the regular variety. When consuming mixed drinks, stay with the sugar free mixes. When drinking wine, stay with the dry wines. Always drink in moderation. If you do not, then you are putting yourself at risk with your diabetes. Anymore than a couple of drinks can cause your blood sugar to begin falling too low.

Overall, diabetes is the silent killer. It would be much safer to not drink at all. If you do consult with your doctor and it is alright to have a couple of drinks on occasion, then ensure you only do drink in moderation for your own health's sake.

Discover more about List Of Foods For Diabetic To Eat, Diet For Diabetes and What Are Causes of Diabetes at my dedicated Diabetes Blog.

Dr. Eswararamanan VR is the author of this article. This article can be used for reprint on your website provided all the links in this article must be active and complete.

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The Best Way Of Preventing Diabetes

Diabetes can be prevented or, in some cases, delay the start of diabetes by taking charge before it advances from what is known as the pre-diabetic stage to being a full-blown illness. Pre-diabetes refers to the stage where you have higher-than-normal blood glucose, but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Pre-diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes if nothing is done to overturn the condition. A recent study called the Diabetes Prevention Program indicates that persons with pre-diabetes can stop type 2 diabetes from beginning, by increasing their physical activity and changing their eating habits.

Changing eating habits and beginning an exercise program has been proven to be an effective method of preventing the growth of pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes can be reversed that is, sugar levels can be returned to normal with medication, diet, and exercise, meaning you can do something to ward off imminent, full-blown diabetes. What exactly is pre-diabetes? It is the sign to developing type 2 diabetes and refers to higher than usual glucose in the blood.

It is important to know that pre-diabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes, if left untreated. Fortunately, a recent study has shown that moderate exercise and a change to healthier ways of eating can help prevent pre-diabetes and possibly diabetes itself. Age also plays a role, as the older you are, the more likely you are to develop pre-diabetes

People whose ethic background includes African, Native American, Latino, and Asian are particularly prone to developing diabetes. If you belong to one of these groups and are older than forty-five, it would be a good idea to get tested for pre-diabetes or diabetes.

Doctors can tell if you are pre-diabetic by performing two standard tests, the results of these tests will verify whether you have pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or if you are diabetes-free.

The test is normally done in the morning, and the patient is advised not to consume anything after 10 PM the previous night, you will then have the glucose tolerance test to measure your blood glucose level after an overnight fast, your blood glucose levels are then checked two hours later, if the range is between 140 and 199 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), you will be considered pre-diabetic. These levels are also a sign that you may develop type 2 diabetes soon after.

If your test is positively as having pre-diabetes, it is essential to take annual tests so that you catch developed diabetes in its early stages. Early diagnosis is truly the easiest way to get the disease under control before too much harm has been done to vital organs.

Exercise can return blood sugar levels to normal ranges. Preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes is your responsibility; make the lifestyle changes needed to improve your health today.

Thirty minutes of reasonable activity joined with weight loss is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as the best way of minimizing the risk of becoming pre-diabetic. Even if you are not in the grouping of people that are more subject to pre-diabetes or diabetes itself, appropriate health care and physical activity are very important regardless.

Controlling your health is dependent on the changes you make in your daily way of life. While avoiding serious illness is one motivation to having a physical lifestyle, in general good health and long-lasting mobility are two other good incentives.

Lionel Estridge, publisher of the free "1 Health" newsletter: http://www.lionel1.com/pain_relief/

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Bad Food for Diabetics - Have You Excluded Them From Your Diet?

There's no one diet for diabetes. General guidelines exist, such as "eat less fat and saturated fat" and "eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables." Your diabetes meal plan must be based on your individual needs. When it comes to what to eat and what not to eat for diabetics, advice is abundance. With so much well meaning advice from various sources, it can be difficult to determine what food you should be including as part of your diabetic diet. Instead of what we should eat, why don't we start with the types bad food for diabetics?

Basically, a diet low in saturated fat with well controlled blood glucose levels that incorporates weight control, exercise and fewer refined sugars is recommended. Controlling blood glucose levels with diet, and in some cases medication, is the key. To keep blood sugar levels under control, a diabetic diet strikes a balance among the carbohydrates, fats, and protein you take in. In addition, a 1,500-calorie diabetic diet restricts calories and fat. These fruits helps to control blood sugar, levels. Due to their low glycemic index, they promote a gradual increase in the blood sugar level which is highly beneficial to diabetics.

Carbohydrates encompass a broad range of foods, including table sugar, fruits and vegetables, and grains such as rice and wheat. Carbohydrates (be it potato or table sugar) typically take from five minutes to three hours to digest, whereas protein takes three to six hours and fat can take eight or more hours. That's why different foods have different effects on blood sugar, such as why ice cream (higher in fat) raises blood sugar levels more slowly than potatoes. Carbohydrate choices should come from whole grains breads or cereals, pasta, brown rice, beans, fruits and vegetables. Increasing dietary fiber is a general guideline for the entire population rather than specifically for people with diabetes. Avoid simple, processed, and concentrated carbohydrates. Highly processed carbohydrates in packaged food such as, fast food, white bread, and white flour products, have a high glycemic index that causes spikes in sugar levels. Sugar and refined carbohydrates are undeniably linked to diabetes.

Beware of sugar-free cookies and other products made for diabetics. Even though they're sugar-free, they may contain trans fats or have more fats than their sugary counterparts. Sugary foods are fattening. Many foods that have a lot of table sugar are very high in calories and fat. Sugar-free candy as well as as other products using the term "sugar-free" should be evaluated for total carbohydrate content. Sugar alcohols, though listed by their weight content within the food as listed in the Nutrition Facts panel, are not metabolized (broken down and used for energy) the way true sugars are.

If you have alcoholic drinks on an empty stomach, they can make your blood glucose level go too low. Alcoholic drinks also can raise your blood fats. Many people do not realize that milk can raise the blood sugar, because it doesn't taste sweet?, but it does contain lactose, which will turn to glucose. One container of sugar free, fat free yogurt is also equal to one carb choice.

Eating good quality foods that are high in nutrients and fiber can help normalize blood sugars. Working with a doctor and being vigilant about diet can make a difference in the long-term health of a person living with diabetes. Eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables may satisfy sugar cravings without jeopardizing sugar levels; the fiber in fruits, vegetables, and grains can regulate how quickly sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.

The ideal diet for people with diabetes aims to maintain a balance between sugars, fiber, fats and salt. No foods are completely forbidden but some foods, especially sugars, fats and salt need to be consumed in restricted quantities. Learning about Diabetes and making the right lifestyle changes, can help you maintain blood glucose and blood fat levels as close to normal as possible, as well as maintaining a reasonable body weight. All of these factors will help you to reduce the risk of developing the serious complications of Diabetes. Fat should be removed before cooking.

Following diabetic restrictions does not mean boring and mundane diet. Knowing what to eat and how much is the key to a healthy diabetic diet. Visit FreeRecipesForDiabetics.com to get free recipes for diabetic diet, meal plans, diabetic food grocery list as well as diabetic diet tips.

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Sugar Free Recipes For Diabetics

Most people are rather surprised to learn just how many foods have extra sugars added to them. If you notice that some type of sugar is listed as one of the first few ingredients, you then know that this is a food you should steer clear of. Instead of resigning yourself to the diets of yesterday that were outlined for people diagnosed with the condition, substitute sugar free recipes for diabetics for the recipes you regularly use in your meal planning.

With the additional knowledge about diabetes that we have today and the modern views as to what are the best type of foods to eat, using the diabetic food pyramid is deemed to be the best approach for planning healthy meals. The pyramid is arranged with the widest portion, or the base, designated for starches such as whole grains and breads, the vegetable and fruit section is next, and then meat and diary products. The very smallest portion is allocated for both sweets and fats, which don't have a set recommended amount for daily serving sizes as the majority of people who have been diagnosed with diabetes are strongly encouraged to avoid eating foods from this section of the pyramid.

With sugar free recipes for diabetics, you're still able to enjoy the foods you love, but without worrying about your health. On occasion, you can still enjoy a sweet treat like cookies or cakes, as long as you remember to plan the rest of your day's meals accordingly.

Sugar free recipes for diabetics are in abundance as there are numerous resources in place for those who have been diagnosed with the disease, including libraries, cookbooks, the internet, as well as doctor's offices and local community centers. Instead of giving up your favorite foods, simply replace the sugar with any one of the sugar substitutes available on the market today, including aspartame, or maltitol and xylitol.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You'll also find other health related information like Fitness for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Diabetes Foods - You And Sensible Diet

Although there are several kinds of foods lining grocery store shelves that are geared specifically toward people with diabetes, you certainly aren't limited to those choices or those that are in the diet food section if you have recently been diagnosed with the disease yourself. Thankfully, the category of what constitutes "diabetes foods" is a large one that spans many different types of nutritious foods that can be incorporated into a healthy diet.

Instead of trying to lose many pounds all at once, a far healthier alternative that will ensure the weight stays off over the long term is to strive for a steady but gradual loss that combines sensible eating along with a regular physical exercise program. By far the most important aspect of good health is eating well-balanced meals in moderation, and also at regular intervals throughout the day following a consistent schedule.

With diabetes, your meals should consist largely of vegetables, preferably the green, leafy variety or those with a low starch content, as well as plenty of fresh fruits. Make it a point to add fiber to your diet in the form of whole-grain products that use unbleached flour, as well as beans, legumes, and lentils, all of which are perfect choices for protein and fiber but without the fat. Also, opt for eating fish and lean cuts of meat as well as skinless chicken and turkey.

Yet another way of eliminating the bulk of the fat in your diet is to make the switch to non-dairy and low-fat products. Rather than completely removing your favorite ice cream from your diet, try no-fat or low-fat versions instead. For cooking and baking, use heart-healthy oils or sprays as opposed to the usual butter or vegetable oils. For cutting back on some of the calories you consume by drinking beverages, switch to those that are sweetened with low-calorie artificial sweeteners, or even better yet, plain water.

If you find that it's too difficult for you to actually give up all of the unhealthy snack foods you've been used to eating, simply cut back at first in order to keep yourself from feeling deprived. Once you've gotten your diet on track and are eating better, have a snack or two as a treat for special occasions or to reward yourself for a job well done provided you don't allow yourself to overindulge.

Contrary to popular belief, diabetes foods do not have to be boring and devoid of flavor, nor do they have to be pricey foods that are specially prepared. There are countless recipes and tips for meal planning available to choose from, and dining out doesn't have to be a problem as today, more and more restaurants are providing alterative choices for their diabetic patrons. Look for selections that are listed as either heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, or low-calorie.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You'll also find other health related information like Fitness for those of us over 50.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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Diabetic Diet - Understanding The Value Of Vegetables

Individuals who want to prepare a proper meal for a diabetic need to have an understanding of exactly what a diabetic meal needs to contain. Individuals who suffer from diabetes have a body that is more fragile, and as a result, more care needs to be taken in regards to the types and amounts of food that are eaten. Large meals and meals that contain high-sugar foods should definitely be avoided, especially considering the fact that these foods can increase a diabetic's blood-sugar levels. The key to a diabetic diet rests with everyone's favorite foods: vegetables.

A completely vegetarian diet is not necessary, but diabetics should definitely eat more vegetables. The very nature of a vegetarian diet can make a diabetic's blood-sugar level fluctuate from high to low. Like any diet, a vegetarian diet must be balanced. In this case, it should include nuts, beans, and tofu in order to provide individuals with some source of protein. Those who cannot or do not want to switch to a vegetarian diet should simply consider adding more fruits and vegetables to their diet.

Fruits and vegetables are good for everyone, not just diabetics. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. These nutrients help provide the body with added protection against certain diseases, including stroke, heart disease, hypertension, and even cancer.

With all of these benefits, what foods should people be including as part of a healthy diet? Vegetables, fruits, grains, pasta, rice and cereal, as well as potatoes, and peas can all be a part of a beneficial diabetic diet.

Fruits that are high in fiber are also important for people with Type II diabetes. Soluble fiber is an essential factor in helping control the body's blood-glucose levels. It is actually able to slow down the body's ability to absorb carbohydrates, while at the same time being able to minimize the increase blood-glucose increases and insulin levels after eating. Soluble fiber helps people feel full for a longer period of time, which is a good way to prevent overeating.

Any good diabetic cooking plan will include added fruits and vegetables. The benefits of these diabetic-friendly foods are well-known, and can easily help one person fend off or manage the negative effects associated with diabetes. Not only are fruits and vegetables good for a diabetic, but they are good for all people in general who wish to maintain proper health.

Visit Diabetic Cooking Secrets For more information and a free "Glycemic Index"E-book

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Diabetic - What Does It Mean?

Take a look at what the word "diabetic" means and you'll find that it is basically relating to having diabetes or a person who has diabetes. However, there are many people who have diabetes that would rather not deal with the second part of the word's meaning. Many people don't want to be called a "diabetic" even though they are and must deal with it on a daily basis.

Some people were asked why they were offended by being labeled as a "diabetic." Many felt that it made them feel like they were a condition or a disease instead of a person. They wanted to be known as a person who was dealing with diabetes, since they feel that the disease of diabetes is really only a little part of who they are. They feel that they should be seen as a person first, not a condition.

Of course much of this resentment comes from society's negative attitude against those who deal with diabetes. Many people think that diabetes is a problem that people bring on their lives because of laziness and eating poorly. Of course when people discuss and think of diabetes on these terms, it can be very offensive to be spoken of on the same terms.

Most people who find it irritating that people don't like to be labeled as "diabetics" are people who are not actually suffering from diabetes themselves. Those who do have diabetes want to others to know that they are not defined by their disease, but they simply have the disease. Those who have cancers are not known as "cancerous" and those with other problems are not known by their disease.

Basically, it all comes down to the fact that many people who do have diabetes find the term "diabetic" to be very offensive when it is used in reference to a person. In order to avoid offending the diabetes who live in the world today, it is best to avoid using this word when referring to them. Remember, they are a person who has the disease of diabetes, they are not just a diabetic.

Nick Hurd writes about aging and baby boomer generation and how to not only cope with the changes, but live a very healthy and active life. Information for baby boomers and beyond. More information is available about diabetes and diabetics.

You'll also find other health related information like Hearing Aids for those of us over 50 and not hearing as well as we once did.

Copyright 2008 Nicholas Hurd all rights reserved

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