Chronic disease prevention and self management
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Ultra processed foods (UPFs) have made headlines in recent years and are an ongoing hot topic in food policy. It may be easy to identify minimally processed foods – like a banana, a bundle of kale, or snap peas fresh from the garden – but research has shown that even though consumers tend to perceive…
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When diabetes is not well managed, it can lead to poor wound healing and often becomes a problem on the feet. Make sure to regularly check your feet for red spots, cuts, and calluses. Be cautious with sharp objects like toenail clippers and avoid excessive rubbing. Eating foods rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and omega-3s, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, salmon, and nuts, while reducing salt and saturated fat intake, can support healthy…
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Changing your meal patterns to include low-fat, low-sodium foods with limited added sugar can help you better manage blood sugar levels and prevent or delay heart disease – a common complication of diabetes. Making these changes can be a challenge though! Some tips for eating meals to help manage your heart disease risk include using lower-fat cooking methods such as broiling, baking, or poaching; choosing oil instead of…
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Unmanaged blood sugar is linked to several health complications, including heart disease, nerve damage, and foot and skin problems. For someone with diabetes, monitoring blood sugar using a blood glucose meter (finger prick device) or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) like a Dexcom is an important part of diabetes self-management. Monitoring is a tool that allows you to check whether your blood sugar is within a target…
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While changing the recipes you cook at home may seem daunting, you can often make your existing recipes healthier by making small changes to the ingredients and cooking methods. Let’s look at a quick and easy recipe from the Diabetes Food Hub that makes small swaps to minimize fat and sodium while creating a delicious, nutrient-rich meal. In this recipe, instead of using white rice, quinoa…
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Eating out can be a fun and social option. It can also be a fast solution when you don’t have time to cook. However, eating out when you have diabetes can create challenges when trying to find options that fit into your healthy eating plan. The easiest way to eat healthy when out is to make simple swaps…
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Women in midlife experience a sharp rise in their risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This increase occurs alongside the shift in hormonal changes in perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen fluctuations start during perimenopause and drop rapidly during menopause. While younger women are often protected by higher estrogen levels, the decrease in estrogen affects how women process…
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Many Americans are familiar with MyPlate, a visual meal planning tool introduced in 2011 by the USDA to help consumers implement the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. MyPlate replaced the Food Guide Pyramid which was used from 1992-2011. And just this year, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans replaced MyPlate with the New Pyramid. But did…
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The American College of Sports Medicine recently released the first update to strength training guidelines since 2009. The position stand is available online and utilized 137 systematic reviews comprised of over 30,000 participants to make recommendations on resistance training – aka strength or weight training – for muscle function, hypertrophy, and performance in healthy adults.Current…
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March is National Nutrition Month, an annual awareness campaign by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to highlight the importance of healthful eating and activity habits. In the fourth and final week of National Nutrition Month, our weekly message is Feel Good with Healthy Habits. Tips include: