November 10, 2009, Georgetown, OH.. November is upon us again, and with it, National Diabetes AwarenessMonth. This month gives us the opportunity to look at what we know about Diabetes currently and what we are doing for ourselves, our friends or our family members to help keep healthy. Most of us know someone who has Diabetes, which gives us all a chance to make it easier on our loved ones when we get together. No one likes choosing between family food favorites and a healthy lifestyle, especially during the holidays, so here are some tips:

• Check your blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) often. No one likes to prick their finger, but this is the first line of defense against the complications of Diabetes. If your Doctor, Dietitian, or Diabetes Educator has given you a goal range, go with that. Otherwise, I recommend 70-110 mg/dL for fasting and under 150 mg/dL two hours or more after a meal to my patients.


• Choose smaller portions! We’ve all heard it before, but somehow that big piece of pie or mountain of potatoes still end up our plate every so often. There are no foods that are not totally off limits, but that does not mean unlimited quantities. When putting together a plate, make sure half of it is non-starchy vegetables, that way you’ll fill up on healthy foods that do not raise your blood glucose.
  

If you’re the one putting together the meal and you’re feeding someone with diabetes or you have diabetes, make sure that there are appropriate foods. What does appropriate mean? That means having enough choices to make a plate that will not send your friends into a diabetic coma. You don’t have to stock up on sugar-free desserts or join the low-carb revolution. It often means looking to fruits and vegetables to take center stage and play a more important role than garnish. Don’t be afraid of breaking into your spice cabinet, they don’t need to be raw and plain, although they can be! Just make sure they’re tasty without being drowned in butter or cheese. If you like it, your friends and family will like it too. We often assume that people won’t like new foods, but how do we know if we don’t try?

This month, make one change to help someone you love keep their Diabetes under better control. One change can make a big difference. For questions, contact your Doctor, or the Registered Dietitians at Brown County General Hospital, 937-378-7892.