The Role of Protein in the Diabetic Diet

There is no such thing as a diabetic diet, however the American Diabetes Association does recommend that you have 50% carbs, 30% fats, and 20% proteins in your daily diet.

The roles of protein include:

* to help stabilize blood sugars
throughout the day
* to provide amino acids to use as
skeletal muscle fuel
* provide a feeling of satiety at meal
times

Protein is required to help the body rebuild, and also provides needed nutrients not found in carbs and fats.

Protein comes from many sources, including:

* meats (also contains fat)
* cheeses (also contains fat)
* nuts (also contains fat)
* soy
* beans and lentils

The type of protein you choose is less important than making sure that you eat some, each day, to support healing and nutrition.

Talk to your doctor, Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian for more information about protein, and how to incorporate adequate supplies of protein into your diet.

Checking Glucometer Controls

Glucometer "controls" are performance tests that you complete on your glucose meter, to ensure that it is functioning properly.



When you first get your meter, you also receive from 1 to 3 bottles of control solution, depending the make and model of your glucometer. Your instruction book details how to complete the control testing, including how frequently you should check your meter.



Ideally, your glucose meter should be checked each time you begin using a new bottle of test strips.



To perform the control test:



1. Shake the control solution bottle to evenly distribute the glucose solution.

2. Turn on your meter or insert the strip, if it turns on automatically.

3. Apply a drop of the control solution to the test strip, just as you would apply a drop of blood.

4. Read the results, and compare them with the acceptable test range identified on the control solution package.

5. If the value is in range, your glucose meter is working properly. If the value is not in range, follow the instructions in your manual to troubleshoot your glucometer.



It is important to confirm the functioning of your glucometer because your treatment is based on your blood sugar readings. If the glucose values are not accurate, then your treatment will not be appropriate, either, putting you at risk for complications.

Carbohydrate Choices on the Diabetic Meal Plan

According to the American Diabetes Association, there is no such thing as a "diabetic diet." Instead, they promote a healthy diet with a combination of 50% carbohydrates, 20% proteins and 30% fats.

In terms of carbohydrates, one fruit exchange is equal to one carbohydrate, such as one small apple, or 1/2 cup of orange juice.

One starch exchange is one carbohydrate, such as one slice of bread, 1/2 cup cooked cereal, or 1/2 of a medium baked potato.

Vegetables are lower in carbohydrates, and 1/2 cup of most non-starchy vegetables will be about 5 grams of carbohydrate, so 1 1/2 cups of broccoli would equal one carbohydrate choice, for example.

Eight ounces of low fat milk or sugar free yogurt is also one carbohydrate choice.

Learning to use "exchanges" allows to you go into any dining setting and make good choices regarding your carbohydrate. Ask your physician for a referral to a Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian, or contact your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association for more information about food exchanges and your diabetic meal plan.

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Medicare Part D

With so much in the news about Medicare Part D, it may be difficult to figure out fact from fiction with the medicare drug plan.



Here are a few tips to help you avoid some of the pitfalls of Medicare Part D:



1. Many insurance companies offering

Medicare Part D are also offering free

informational sessions. It's a good idea to attend these sessions, but also be aware of the sales pitch. You will get information about Medicare Part D that will enhance your own search. Don't stop with the informational session - look for yourself.



2. When choosing a Part D plan, it is not a sure thing that the

Plan your friends and family are on will also be right for you. Medicare Part D is truly individualized based on the medications that you take



3. Some pharmacies are "suggesting" that one of the plans that the pharmacy prefers will be the right one for you, and "recommend" that you just go with one of them. However, pharmacies cannot recommend Medicare Part D plans. Going along with your pharmacy's "suggestion," simply because they like a few specific plans, may end up costing you more than it should.



4. Registering late will cost you. The deadline for registration for a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit Plan is May 15, 2006. If you register late, you are subject to a significant penalty that you will pay for the rest of you life.



5. Don't throw away the letter from your current prescription drug plan. Your prescription drug provider is required to send you a letter indicating whether their drug coverage is equal to or better than the Medicare D Standard Plan. If it is, you do not need to consider a Medicare D Plan, at this time, but HANG ONTO THE LETTER. If your coverage ends, in the future, and you do not have the letter, you will be subject to the late registration penalties.



Choosing a Medicare Part D plan is not something that should be done lightly, as you are bound to the plan you choose for one year.



Be careful and informed about the Plans, and pick the one that provides the best prescription drug coverage for you.

Avoiding Complications with Your Diabetic Test Strips

Like the rest of your diabetic testing supplies, your diabetic test strips have an important role in managing your diabetes.
And like your glucometer, lancets and lancing device, if not used properly, will impair your ability to self-manage your disease.

To avoid unnecessary complications with your test strips:
1. Keep them in their sealed light-proof container. Light degrades the chemicals that coat the strip and bind to glucose to allow your meter to read the glucose level. This can give you an inaccurate reading.
2. Keep them free of moisture. Moisture can alter the chemicals that allow for reading of your blood glucose, giving you an erroneous value.
3. Keep the information about your test strips and other testing supplies, so that you have the information for re-ordering or if you have questions.
4. Always code check your test strips when you start a new vial of strips. This will ensure that your meter is reading based on the code of the strips.
5. Perform your controls using test strips from the vial you are currently utilizing to check your blood sugar. Different vials may be coded differently, and give you disparate values when you do your controls.
6. Insert them into your meter following the manufacturer's instructions. Improper placement of the strips will prevent you from obtaining a proper blood glucose reading and could inadvertantly get blood inside your meter.
Proper handling and management of your diabetic testing strips will improve your ability to obtain accurate blood sugars, to guide your self-care.

Types of diabetes

There are 3 primary types of diabetes:
1) Type 1 - insulin-dependent diabetes
2) Type 2 - non-insulin-dependent
3) Gestational diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can affect people of any age, and tend to be genetically influenced. When it occurs in persons under the age of 18, it is called Juvenile Diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the body is lacking insulin, either from failure of the insulin-producing cells to produce insulin, or an adequate supply of insulin.

This results in high levels of circulating blood sugar and symptoms of hyperglycemia -- warmth and flushing of the face, dizziness, hunger, thirst and frequent urination. This type of diabetes requires insulin to facilitate the transport of sugar into the cells of the body for use as fuel.

Type 2 diabetes does not require the use of insulin, and can frequently be controlled with weight loss, changes in diet and oral anti-diabetic agents. With Type 2 disease, the insulin-producing cells are not producing enough insulin to aid in the sugar transport into the cells, or the body is unable to use the insulin that is produced. This is called "insulin resistance."

In this case, medications can improve the interaction between the insulin and the receptor sites on the cells to enable transport of sugar into the cells for use as fuel.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is normally limited to the pregnancy period and a few months afterwards. This may be related to the increased stress, changes in hormones, and differences in diet and physical activity associated with pregnancy. This can usually be controlled with dietary interventions and, rarely, insulin.

Ask your doctor for information on the type of diabetes you have and the best way to treat it.

Choosing a Glucose Meter

Different people require different glucose meeters. The type of glucometer that you select should be based on your lifestyle, testing requirements, and your physical abilities.



Some meter screens display smaller numerals, than others, which can be difficult to read if you have impaired vision. Other meters have very small testing strips, which can be hard to handle for persons with arthritis or peripheral neuropathy - one of the many complications of diabetes.



Additionally, some glucose monitors have special functions that allow for computer downloading of the blood glucose information, which is helpful for patients with doctors who can access the information from a distance.



Key factors to consider when selecting a glucose meter, include:



*dexterity - can you manage the testing strips and the meter?

*eye function - can you see and read the glucose meter screen?

*frequency of testing - some meter supplies are most costly than others *special functions - is the ability to computer download important to you? *ease of use - are the instructions easy to understand? Is the meter easy to use?



Look at these areas when deciding on what type of glucose meter you are going to use, and consult your Diabetic Educator or healthcare provider to help you choose the meter that best meets all of your glucose testing needs.

Glucometer Special Features

There are literally dozens of glucometers on the market, each providing the basic function of glucose testing.



But many of these glucometers offer special functions, geared toward improving your ability for self-management of your disease.



Why would these special features be important? Well, it depends on your needs in managing your disease.



1. Rapid results - not long ago meters took 60 seconds to give you results. Now some meters can give you the value in as fast as 5 seconds.

2. Extensive test memory - meters now hold from 75 to 1000 test results.

3. Small sample size - for meters that use larger sample sizes it can be difficult to get enough blood to obtain the reading.

4. Computer download - you can download your blood sugar readings directly into

your computer.

5. Alternate site testing - allows you to get samples from your forearm, thigh, earlobe or base of your thumb.

6. Tracking of blood glucose - shows you your blood sugar readings on a graph, or gives you the average over 7, 14 or 28 days.

7. Automatic calibration - so long calibration key or check strip.

8. Automatic test strip loading - no fumbling with the little test strips.



Take a look at what is important to you and what you need in a glucose meter. Keep in mind your lifestyle and goals will help you make the right choice in glucometers, with the right special features for you.

"Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 has expanded Medicare's covered services in the prevention of chronic disease

This benefit, also referred to as the "Welcome to Medicare" visit, is an excellent way for new Medicare beneficiaries to get information on health screenings and vaccinations, as well as to talk with their health care provider about their medical history and how to stay healthy.

All beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part B with effective dates that begin on or after January 1, 2005, will be covered for this benefit.

You can only take advantage of this one-time visit within your first six months of Medicare Part B coverage, so it is important that you make an appointment with a health care provider right away.

The "Welcome to Medicare" visit enables your health care provider to comprehensively review your health, to identify risk factors that may be associated with various diseases, such as diabetes, and to detect diseases early, when outcomes are best.

Contact your healthcare provider within 6 months of receiving your enrollment confirmation for Medicare B, and plan for a healthier future.

Choosing Your Test Strip By Choosing Your Meter

Most people do not choose their testing strips. Since glucometers come with specific diabetes testing strips, you may not actually have a choice of which testing strips to use.



However, as the glucose meters have gotten smaller and more compact, so have the testing strips. Some strips are as small as 1/4 inch wide by 1 inch long.



For persons with vision impairment (diabetic retinopathy) or nerve damage in the hands (peripheral neuropathy), handling such a small strip can be a insurmountable feat.



This should be part of the consideration when you are choosing your diabetic supplies. Though you cannot choose your strips, by themselves, you CAN choose your meter.



Meters have different types and sizes of testing strips. If you need to perform your own glucose testing, you may wish to consider the type of meter you select, based on the testing strips that come with it.



It will not matter how good the glucometer is, if you can't manage the strips in order to test your blood sugar.



Talk to your doctor about glucose meters, or with the company that provides your diabetic testing supplies, for assistance in choosing the right glucose meter - and testing strips - to meet your individual needs.