August 2015- In This Issue: Education & Problem Solving Nutrition & Recipes Education Diabetes and Your MOUTH Taking better care of your teeth and gums as a way to treat your diabetes may not strike you as logical. In fact, a 2014 study at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine uncovered surprising results. When comparing insurance data of 500,000 people with Type 2 diabetes and periodontal (gum) disease, they found that those who treated their periodontal disease saved $2,800 per year in medical costs for diabetes. What's the link? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people with diabetes are twice as likely to get gum disease as those without it. Periodontal (gum) disease involves two stages: GINGIVITIS and PERIODONTITIS. * When bacteria stays on teeth it forms a yellow film called plaque that may harden into tartar IF not removed through brushing. The longer bacteria and sticky plaque stay on teeth, the more damage they can do, leading 1st to Gingivitis in which the gums become red and swollen and may bleed. * Untreated Gingivitis can become Periodontitis, in which the gums begin to pull away from the teeth forming pockets where infection can develop and spread down the roots of the teeth. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that has long-term destructive effects. Untreated, the disease - which affects roughly 50% of all adults and 70% of those over age 65 in the US - can lead to tooth and bone loss and severe infection. The disease can also have a wider impact on health as the periodontal bacteria can enter the bloodstream, raising inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation is the body's protective immune response to invaders: bringing more blood cells to the area, widening blood vessel walls, and rushing healing matter such as cholesterol to the site to help grow new cells. In the short term, inflammation can be necessary and helpful. But when tissues stay inflamed for long periods, tissue damage results that can weaken or block blood vessels. Even apart from periodontal disease, inflammation plays a role in Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Inflammation can lead to insulin resistance, a hallmark of both conditions. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells become less sensitive to insulin and thus less able to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. In response, the pancreas produces more and more insulin to help the body maintain normal blood glucose levels. Blood glucose beings to rise when the pancreas can no longer keep up and produce as much insulin as needed. And high blood glucose levels trigger further inflammation, eventually leading to blood vessel damage. The process becomes cyclical: More inflammation leads to more insulin resistance, and more insulin resistance leads to more inflammation! Reference: Diabetes and Your Mouth by Dorothy Foltz-Gray Diabetes Self Management April 2015 Problem Solving How Can I get Motivated to take care of MYSELF?! Taking care of diabetes and getting through your daily to-do list along with your other responsibilities is demanding. It is easy to understand why motivation comes and goes. Here are a few tips to get started. 1. Move away from all-or-nothing thinking. 2. Don't judge yourself as bad or good. 3. Make one small habit change after another. Experience success, then change another small habit, then another. Small successes contribute to BIG successes. Start with what you want to change, not what you know you should change but don't really want to. Nutrition: pantry picks ready to make a clean sweep of your eating habits? Start with your staple foods and compare them to these guidelines. When hunger hits what's stocked in your pantry is ultimately what ends up on your plate. And if you're like most people, some not-so-good options sneak into your kitchen - maybe because they were on sale or you wanted goodies on hand for guests. In the long run, however, food is a smart buy only if it's good for your body! When selecting groceries, people with diabetes have to look out for their hearts, waistlines, and, of course, blood glucose. That means opting for nutrient-rich foods with fiber, heart-healthy fats, (trans fat-free) and antioxidants, yet reasonable in sodium (less than 10% DV), calories and carbohydrate. Here's help figuring out what to keep in your cupboards. (DV = Daily Value on Nutrition Facts) What to PITCH - A pantry is supposed to help you prepare meals but if it's stocked with empty calorie foods it's not helpful. Search your shelves for these 10 items and toss them in favor of more healthy options. 1. Crumb Pie Crusts - Ready-made graham cracker and cookie crumb pie crusts are often laced with artery-clogging trans fat, and they rank near the top of the list of trans-fat laden foods. 2. Processed Cheese - Whether sold in shelf-stable blocks, jars or spray cans, processed cheese offers 2X the sodium of natural cheese. Plus, it has up to 4 grams of carbohydrate per ounce (up from 1 gram) with only half the protein of natural cheeses. 3. Vegetable Shortening - Shortening has been trimmed of much of the trans fat it once had but partially hydrogenated oil still hides in the ingredient list. Even small amounts can harm heart health. 4. Canned Pasta - A 1-cup serving of canned ravioli packs 750 mg sodium + 800 mg of potassium chloride, a type of salt. Potassium is a healthful nutrient but getting too much from salt substitutes and processed food additives could pose a problem for those with kidney disease and those taking certain blood pressure medications. 5. Ready-to-Spread Frosting - Rich in sugar and fat, including 1.5-2 grams of trans fat per serving, this creamy stuff is not even worth keeping on hand for a special occasion. Top treats with a sweet sprinkle of powdered sugar, dark chocolate shavings, or colorful berries instead. 6. Boxed Meal Kits - Even health-sounding boxed dishes that instruct you to add chicken or tuna contain a laundry list of questionable ingredients including small amounts of partially hydrogenated oil, artificial colors and flavors and a heavy hit of sodium. Boxed meal helpers could leave you short on fiber and whole grains, too! 7. Salty Salad Dressings - Want a side of salt with your leafy greens? Sodium per 2 Tablespoon serving often hits 300-400 mg. Light versions don't necessarily save on sodium or carbs - just fat and calories. Opt for dressings with less than 240 mg of sodium per serving. 8. Ramen Noodle Soups - These may have been standby meals in college, but it's time to graduate to healthier options. A half package of these noodles with seasoning top 800 mg sodium along with partially hydrogenated oil, saturated fat and hard-to-pronounce chemical flavorings and preservatives. 9. Large Flour Tortillas - Whether makig Mexican dishes or sandwich wraps, skip big, burrito-size flour tortillas. Made with refined white flour they offer little fiber yet pack 200 calories, greater than 30 gm carbohydrate and 600 mg of sodium apiece along with artery hardening vegetable shortening. 10. Too-Tempting Foods - This refers to any calorie-dense foods that entice you, personally, to eat too much or blow your carbohydrate and fat budget. Maybe it's chips, cookies, sugary cereal or ice cream. Try getting it out of the house or at least out of your kitchen. What to Buy - Now that you have more room in your pantry boost flavor and nutrition at mealtime by stocking up on these 10 supermarket purchases. 1.Unsalted Chicken Stock - Chicken stock can pack more than 900 mg sodium per cup so opt for unsalted or low-sodium stock or broth. Homemade chicken soup is the best choice and can be used as a cooking liquid for whole grains and in place of oil to saute vegetables. 2. Low-Fat Corn Tortillas - Soft corn tortillas, typically low in fat and made without vegetable shortening are a smart swap for hard taco shells and flour tortillas. 3. Steel-Cut Oats - Not a fan of flaked oatmeal with its sometimes-pasty consistency? Try steel-cut oats, which are simply whole grain kernels cut into a few pieces. Their nutty, chewy texture shines in your morning cereal bowl and they reheat well, too. 4. Raw Walnuts - There are countless uses for this versatile nut rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fats. Chop finely to coat fish, sprinkle on salads, cereal and yogurt or simply grab a small handful to a snack. Also, try grinding walnuts into small pieces for a nutritious crust for baked goods. 5. Oils Rich in Monounsaturated Fats - Besides supporting healthier cholesterol levels, some studies suggest moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats may help lower blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower average blood glucose (A1C). Top picks include extra virgin olive oil and avocado, which are also rich in natural antioxidants. 6. Low-Fat Powdered Peanut Butter - If you've kissed peanut butter good-bye to cut calories, say hello to powdered peanut butter that's had most of the fat removed. A 2 tablespoon serving averages 45 calories, 1.5 grams of fat and 5 grams of carbohydrate. Mix it with water for a spread or dip or add the powder to recipes such as a smoothie. 7. Canned Salmon - Wild caught salmon tops the list of omega-3-rich fish with low mercury contamination. Swap skinless, boneless canned salmon for most dishes you'd make with tuna. Sneak canned salmon into noodle casserole, or mix it with low-fat mayonnaise, minced celery and pickle relish to use as a sandwich spread. 8. Low-Sodium Beans - Great in soups, salads, dips, main dishes, and even some desserts, fiber-rich beans are as versatile as they are nutritious. Dried legumes are naturally low in sodium, but for convenience stock no-salt-added or reduced-sodium canned beans, too. 9. Balsamic Vinegar - Balsamic vinegar adds zing to meat marinades, vegetable dressings and even strawberries. Plus, preliminary studies suggest that adding about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the vinegar to high-glycemic or high-carb meals may help improve insulin sensitivity and blunt blood glucose spikes after meals. 10. Grainy Mustard - This coarsely ground mustard is a lowfat, virtually carbohydrate-free way to liven up sandwiches and recipes. The process of making spreadable mustard releases the seeds' cancer-fighting compunds, making even small amounts potent in helping reduce cancer risk. Recipes: Teriyaki Salmon with Asian Slaw • • • • • • • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce, divided 2 salmon fillets with skin (about 4 to 5 ounces each and 1 inch thick) 2 1/2 cups coleslaw mix 1 cup snow peas, cut into thin strips 1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes 2 tablespoons orange marmalade 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil Directions Preheat broiler or prepare grill for direct cooking. Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce over fleshy sides of salmon. Let stand while preparing vegetable mixture. Combine coleslaw mix, snow peas, and radishes in large bowl. Combine remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, marmalade, and sesame oil in small bowl. Add to coleslaw mixture; toss well. Broil salmon 4 to 5 inches from heat source, or grill, flesh side down, over medium coals, without turning, 6 to 10 minutes or until center is opaque and fish just begins to flake when tested with a fork. Transfer coleslaw mixture to serving plates; serve with salmon. Yield: 2 servings. Serving size: 1 salmon fillet with about 2 cups slaw. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 373, Carbohydrates: 27 g, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 18 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 62 mg, Sodium: 615 mg, Fiber: 4 g Exchanges per serving: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat, 3 Vegetable, 3 Meat Lean. Brown Rice with Cranberries: • • • • • • • 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) fat-free reduced-sodium vegetable or chicken broth 3/4 cup uncooked brown rice or brown basmati rice 1/4 cup water 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup dried cranberries 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional) 1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted* Directions Combine broth, rice, water, and salt in large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in cranberries and cinnamon, if desired; cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Sprinkle with walnuts before serving. *Note. To toast walnuts, spread in single layer on baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8-10 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Gluten-free variation. To make this dish gluten free, be sure to read ingredient labels carefully and purchase gluten-free vegetable broth. Yield: 5 1/3-cup servings. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 172, Carbohydrates: 29 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 162 mg, Fiber: 2 g. Carbohydrate choices: 2 1/2 bread/starch, 1 fat. Veggie Chili • • • • • • • • • • 1 medium onion, finely diced 1 clove (or 1 teaspoon) minced garlic 6 ounces (1/2 package) meatless ground beef crumbles 1 cup frozen corn, thawed 1 small zucchini (approximately 7 inches long), diced 1 can (8 ounces) no-salt-added tomato sauce 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained 1 can (27 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 envelope (1.75 ounces) chili seasoning mix Directions Combine all ingredients in a large pot and stir to mix well. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes; stir frequently to prevent sticking. Leftovers reheat well or may be frozen. Yield: 9 cups. Serving size: 1 cup. Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 153, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 10 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: less than 1 g, Sodium: 770 mg, Fiber: 7 g. Exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 2 1/2 non starchy vegetable. Carbohydrate choices: 2. Strawberries and Honeyed Yogurt Sauce • 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt • • • • 1 tablespoon orange juice 1 to 2 teaspoons honey Ground cinnamon 1 quart fresh strawberries, stems removed Directions Combine yogurt, juice, honey, and cinnamon to taste in small bowl; mix well. Serve sauce over strawberries. Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: about 1/4 cup dip with about 7 strawberries (1 cup). Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 88, Carbohydrates: 16 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 1 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 4 mg, Sodium: 41 mg, Fiber: 4 g. Exchanges per serving: 1 Fruit, 1/2 Milk. We hope you have found this newsletter helpful. Send us educational topics of interest that you may have regarding the management of diabetes. Please feel free to discuss with your provider a referral to Outpatient Diabetes Resource Institute at Catholic Medical Center. Share your thoughts. Contact us at: [email protected] Catholic Medical Center Outpatient Diabetes Resource Institute 603-663-6431 Contact us. 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