fbpx

Carbohydrates and Diabetes: What You Need to Know | ADS

Carbohydrate Truths

One piece of advice that people with diabetes sometimes hear is to avoid carbohydrates whenever possible. This well-meaning tidbit does come with a kernel of truth – if you have diabetes, eating too many carbohydrates (or the wrong kinds of carbs) can potentially wreak havoc on your blood sugar. However, the truth behind carbohydrates and diabetes is much more complicated than you might expect.

In reality, carbs are an essential part of any diet – even if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes. Still, the amount of carbohydrates you eat matters, and so does the type of carbohydrates you consume. If you want the facts on diabetes and carbohydrates, read on for expert information on this subject from the team at ADS.

What Carbohydrates Do For Your Health

A healthy diet contains balanced amounts of many different nutrients, and that includes carbohydrates. When you eat controlled amounts of healthy carbs, they can have a positive impact on your health.

Carbs Give You Energy

Perhaps the most important reason you need carbohydrates is that they serve as your body’s primary source of fuel. When you eat foods containing carbs, they enter your bloodstream; then, these carbs go into your cells in the form of glucose. You use the energy provided by glucose for everything from intense exercise to less demanding activities, so getting enough carbs is crucial.

Carbs Keep You Healthy

Scientific research suggests that whole grains and fiber can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. Meanwhile, fiber may improve people’s digestive health while reducing their risk of obesity – and even type 2 diabetes.

Exercise A Key Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes

Carbs Help You Lose Weight

While binge-eating simple carbs is hardly a good idea, you’ll want to get a healthy amount of more nutritious foods containing carbohydrates. Fruits, veggies, and whole grains can all help you control your waistline, thanks to the filling effect provided by their fiber content.

The Three Main Types of Carbohydrates

Everyone must know what types of carbohydrates they’re eating, and that’s especially true if you have diabetes. While two of the three main types of carbs (complex carbohydrates or starches, and fiber) can have a positive impact on your health, however the third (sugars) isn’t nearly as beneficial – and if your diet contains too much of it, it can actively harm your health.

1. Complex Carbohydrates

These carbohydrates, also known as “starches,” consist of multiple linked chains of sugars. Foods containing complex carbohydrates can be a healthy part of anyone’s diet, whether you have diabetes or not. Still, they can cause your blood sugar to spike if you don’t control your intake – moderation is key.

2. Fiber

Technically, fiber is a type of complex carbohydrate. That said, it’s important to remember that your body doesn’t digest fiber like it digests other carbs. That means that fiber plays a unique role in regulating your blood sugar levels, along with lowering your cholesterol and helping with digestion.

3. Simple Carbohydrates

This group contains sugars and other carbohydrates less complicated than those included in the other two categories. Unfortunately, this lack of complexity means they don’t offer many of the health benefits that complex carbs and fiber do. However, simple carbs can still help you manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes – when your blood glucose readings are dangerously low, consuming a controlled amount of these carbs can help you get back on track.

Learn How to Count Carbs

When you eat the right amount of carbohydrates and the right types of carbs, they can positively impact your life. But how do you determine the number of carbs you should eat in a day? For many people with diabetes, one technique that helps them get enough carbohydrates while successfully managing their blood sugar is called “carb counting.”

Carb counting is just what it sounds like – the process of keeping track of the carbs you consume as part of your efforts to keep your blood sugar under control. Your carb-counting goal will vary based on all kinds of factors, so it’s essential to work with a professional dietitian to create a strategy that works for you. However, in most cases, people with diabetes should try to get about 50 percent of their daily calories from complex carbohydrates.

Foods to Eat for Healthy Carbohydrates

Are you looking for foods containing carbs that you can safely add to your diabetes diet? These are all great options for people with diabetes:

  • Along with the other health benefits they bring to the table, vegetables are naturally high in fiber. Try non-starchy vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, green beans, salad greens, spinach, mushrooms, onions and peppers. Eat smart by adding fresh, cooked, and steamed frozen veggies to your diet – but steer clear of salty cooked and canned vegetables.
  • Fruits usually have more carbs than vegetables, but they can also be a healthy part of your diet. Your best choices are berries and other fruits packed with fiber.
  • Eating lean protein is part of a healthy meal plan. That said, plant-based proteins like beans and lentils are a great way to get nutritious carbs and fiber at the same time.
  • When you’re picking “traditional” carbs, make sure to emphasize whole grains! You can find these whole grains or 100% whole grains in items like brown rice, oatmeal, breads and countless other dishes.

Avoid These Sources of Unhealthy Carbs

The carbs listed above can enhance your diet, but the same isn’t true for every source of carbohydrates. Make sure not to consume more than a little bit of these foods:

  • Processed grains high fiber carbs
  • White bread
  • Sugar-heavy cereals
  • “Junk food” or fast food
  • Cookies and candy
  • Sweetened canned fruits/applesauce
  • Soft drinks and juices

Control Your Blood Sugar With Supplies From ADS

Whether you’ve been counting carbs for years or you’ve just started keeping track of the carbohydrates you eat, taking carbs seriously is an essential part of diabetes management. Of course, there’s much more to this process than knowing your carbohydrate intake.

To successfully manage diabetes, you’ll need a reliable glucose meter, supplies to go with it, and insulin – just to name a few of the essentials. If you’re looking for a trustworthy diabetes supply company, why not choose ADS? We’ll be able to help you buy the products you’re searching for and get you the support you need. Get started by visiting our online store ASAP!

 

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/diabetes-and-carbohydrates.html 

,

Add The Right Fats To Your Diabetes Diet | ADS

Healthy Fats Key To Diabetic Nutrition

Do you think you need to cut out all fat sources for your diabetes diet to be successful? The truth isn’t that simple. In this article, you’ll find our breakdown of what fats your diet should limit – and which fats you should try to eat while managing diabetes.

A successful diabetes diet can help you control diabetes symptoms while improving your health in other ways. A big part of this involves keeping a close eye on your carbohydrate intake. You should avoid junk food and other sources of processed carbs while continuing to eat reasonable portions of whole grains and fiber. But this isn’t the only step you’ll need to take when designing your diabetes diet. Common sense suggests that you’ll need to avoid fat at all costs, right?

Despite what you might think, the answer to this question isn’t simple. Like carbohydrates, there are good and bad fats – and while some fats can make diabetes management more difficult, others can actually make life easier for you. Here, the team at ADS will fill you in on the fats you should (and shouldn’t) steer clear of while following a diabetes diet.

Dietary Fats 101 fats-for-the-diabetes-diet

If you have diabetes, your risk of heart disease is higher than average. That’s because this condition can damage your arteries unless your blood sugar control is excellent. In fact, about three out of four people who have diabetes die from some form of heart disease. This elevated risk exists whether you have type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or even gestational diabetes.

Because of this, it’s crucial to do what you can to lower your heart disease risk. Along with controlling your blood sugar, you’ll want to control your overall fat intake. The trick is that while you shouldn’t overeat any fat, some types of fat can be surprisingly helpful in controlled portions. When limited to 30 percent of your calorie intake per day, healthy fats can make it easier to control diabetes – or even play a role in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Monounsaturated Fat

There are two different types of cholesterol you should know about: HDL (or “good”) cholesterol and LDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol can build up along your blood vessels, eventually contributing to health problems. On the other hand, HDL cholesterol can absorb “bad” cholesterol, lowering your stroke and heart disease risk.

When eaten in moderation, monounsaturated fats can help lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in your bloodstream. Some sources of this type of fat include:

  • Avocados
  • Canola oil and olive oil
  • Several nuts (including pecans, cashews, hazelnuts and almonds)
  • Safflower oil
  • Peanuts, peanut butter, and peanut oil
  • Seeds like pumpkin and sesame seeds

Polyunsaturated Fat

The other “good” fat you should know about when putting your diabetes diet together is polyunsaturated fat. These fats have health benefits similar to those of monounsaturated fats. They, too, can help lower your LDL level.

Two subtypes of polyunsaturated fat are significant because the human body can’t produce them independently. These “essential fatty acids” can help to improve your heart health, too. One of these subtypes, Omega-3 fatty acids, is available in:

The Benefits Of Chia Seeds In A Diabetes Diet

  • Walnuts
  • Oily fish (such as tuna, sardines, salmon, tuna, and mackerel)
  • Flaxseeds/flaxseed oil
  • Chia seeds
  • Canola oil

Meanwhile, you can get Omega-6 fatty acids by eating:

  • Walnuts
  • Flaxseeds/flaxseed oil
  • Eggs
  • Canola oil
  • Peanut butter
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Tofu

Saturated Fat

Of course, not all fats come with these health benefits. You should put effort into avoiding or limiting your saturated fat intake. This fat can increase your LDL levels, potentially leading to all kinds of health problems down the line. For most people with diabetes, getting less than 10 percent of your daily calories from these fats is ideal. Be sure to read Nutrition Fact labels on food packages too.

Oils that contain saturated fat include coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil. Saturated fats are also commonly found in animal products, such as:

  • Fatback/salt pork bacon-trans-fats-bad-for-diabetes
  • Lard
  • Fatty meats (bologna, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, etc.)
  • Fatty dairy products (ice cream, whole milk, full-fat cheese, and others)
  • Cream sauces
  • Butter
  • Gravy prepared with meat drippings
  • Poultry skin

Trans Fat

Perhaps the worst type of fat for your health is trans fat. This type of fat is made when liquid oils are turned into solid fats through the process of hydrogenation. Trans fat can easily do damage to your blood cholesterol, it raises bad LDL levels and lowers good HDL levels, so it’s a good idea to avoid it whenever possible.

You’ll want to be aware of trans fats in foods like these:

  • Processed snack foods and baked goods
  • Shortening
  • Margarine
  • Some fast food items, including french fries

Get Healthy Fats With These Tips

Replacing unhealthy fats with healthy alternatives doesn’t have to be complicated! If you need some inspiration, get started with the ideas on this list:

  • Half an avocado topped with sunflower seeds – double items for double nutrition.
  • Add chopped olives to your salad or pizza.
  • Add a tablespoon of ground flax seeds to smoothies, muffins, bread, salads, or oatmeal.
  • Drizzle olive oil on bread or grilled veggies.
  • Make some popcorn on the stove using canola oil.
  • Top cereal, oatmeal, or salad with walnuts.
  • Smear cashew butter on a banana or sliced apples.
  • Dip your carrots and red pepper strips in hummus – the tahini is made from ground sesame seeds.
  • For a change of pace, mix pesto into your pasta instead of tomato sauce. Pine nuts are a type of polyunsaturated fat.
  • Add raw almonds to your smoothie.
  • Snack on some pistachios or almonds (unsalted).
  • Snack on homemade trail mix made with peanuts and raisins.
  • Make your own salad dressing with canola or olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.
  • Add ¼ cup of macadamia nuts to your favorite nonfat Greek yogurt and top with berries.
  • Make your own Greek guacamole: puree avocado, add chopped olives and tomatoes, sprinkle with feta cheese.

Enhance Your Diabetes Management With Supplies From ADS

The best way to make sure your diabetes diet is working for you is regular blood glucose testing. You’ll need constant access to glucose meters and related testing supplies to perform these tests. If you need a trustworthy company to ship you these items and others, look no further than ADS!

,

How Mushrooms Can Add To Your Diabetes Diet | ADS

grilled-Portobello-mushrooms-for-diabetes-health

Almost anyone with diabetes could tell you that eating your veggies is essential. Though they’re a source of carbohydrates, vegetables also come packed with the nutrients and fiber you need for successful diabetes management. And while you should eat balanced amounts of many different foods to keep your diabetes in check, fresh produce is the cornerstone of a healthy diabetes diet.

What you might not know is that one of the best “vegetables” for diabetes technically isn’t a vegetable at all! Though they often get classified as veggies for culinary purposes, mushrooms are actually considered fungi. But don’t let that discourage you – after all, these savory morsels could be just what your diabetes management strategy needs. Read on to learn how mushrooms can help you control diabetes and how you can add them to your diabetes diet.

The Health Benefits of Mushrooms

Do you prefer the meat-like texture of Portabella mushrooms, the relatively small size of white button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms or Asian cuisine made with shiitake mushrooms? No matter what your favorite mushroom is, we have good news: all edible mushrooms offer similar nutritional benefits.

When you eat a cup of raw mushrooms, you’ll get just one gram of sugar and two grams of carbs – not to mention zero grams of fat. At the same time, mushrooms are highly nutritious and a good source of antioxidants.. The serving listed above contains 22 percent of your daily value of vitamin B2, 16 percent of your daily value of vitamin B3, and 12 percent of your daily value of selenium. Mushrooms contain other minerals like potassium, copper, iron and phosphorus.

Why Make Mushrooms Part of Your Diabetes Diet? diabetes-health-benefits-of-mushroom

No matter who you are, mushrooms can be a delicious, nutritious addition to your diet. That said, they have quite a few diabetes-specific benefits, including:

Low Glycemic Index/Glycemic Load

The glycemic index and glycemic load systems are slightly different. Still, they both have the end goal of helping people understand how foods can affect their blood sugar. No matter which method you prefer, you’ll find that mushrooms will have a minimal impact on your glucose levels. Their glycemic index of 10-15 is considered “low,” while a one-cup serving has a glycemic load of less than 1.

Potential Anti-Diabetic Properties

As if that’s not enough, mushrooms are rich in compounds known as polysaccharides. Early research focusing on animals that have type 2 diabetes suggests that these compounds could possibly fight diabetes by:

  • Reducing blood sugar
  • Limiting damage to pancreatic tissues
  • Cutting down on blood cholesterol
  • Boosting resistance to insulin

Reduced Risk of Dementia

People with diabetes have a heightened dementia risk, as there’s a correlation between high blood sugar and Alzheimer’s disease. Luckily, the B vitamins found in mushrooms like riboflavin, folate, thiamine, pantothenic acid and niacin may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.

Protection from Gestational Diabetes

Maybe you don’t have diabetes right now but are planning to get pregnant and want to avoid gestational diabetes. In that case, mushrooms can still help! A diet rich in mushrooms, other veggies, and more foods packed with vitamins could lower your likelihood of developing gestational diabetes.

Easy Ways to Eat More Mushrooms

Are you wondering how to start eating more mushrooms? Here are a few quick ideas:

  • Try eating them raw! If you truly want to savor the flavor of mushrooms, it’s hard to beat making them the main event.
  • Mix them into other foods! Mushrooms can enhance everything from casseroles to soups, salads, in a stir-fry and much more.
  • Eat them for breakfast! Place sautéed mushrooms on top of your whole grain cheese toast or add them to an omelet.
  • Use them as a topping! Pizza with mushrooms is a classic, but mushrooms also go great with hamburgers and steaks.
  • Go meatless! Instead of topping your next burger with mushrooms, why not cut out the middleman? Portabella mushrooms make a great stand-in for beef patties. This is a great lower calorie, fat and cholesterol option! (One caveat: since mushrooms aren’t very high in protein, be sure to eat other plant-based proteins, too!)
  • Tour the world from your dinner table! Shiitake mushrooms are a vital part of many Asian cuisines. The next time you order Chinese food or make your own, be sure to include these mushrooms in your meal!

Regardless of how you choose to enjoy eating mushrooms, your diabetes management strategy shouldn’t just focus on your diet. You’ll also need to get regular exercise, check your blood sugar regularly, and find a reliable source of diabetes supplies. ADS can help you with the latter point – we offer insulin pumps, glucose meters, and much more!

,

Why You Should Celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month Year-Round | ADS

fresh-fruits-and-veggies-for-diabetes-health

Fruits and vegetables are an indispensable element of any healthy diet – including diabetes diets. While they contain carbohydrates, the positive impact they can have on your overall well-being more than makes up for this. When you eat the right amount of produce and focus on adding the healthiest options to your diet, you’ll get nutrients, fiber, and much more.

In fact, veggies and fruits are so delicious and nutritious that they’re the focus of a month-long celebration – National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, which occurs every June. Of course, this isn’t the only time you can reap the benefits that vegetables and fruits bring to the table. Whether you’ve found this article in June or any other time of year, keep reading for the ADS guide to fresh produce and diabetes.

The Health Benefits of Produce

Fruits and vegetables aren’t just full of nutrients – they’re nutrient-dense, which means they offer lots of minerals and vitamins but low calories. Along with this, the antioxidants they contain can help lower your risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

The USDA has acknowledged the health benefits of produce in its MyPlate program. That program, intended to help people eat a balanced diet, asks people to fill 50 percent of their plates with fruits and vegetables during meals. That’s equivalent to 1.5-2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day!

How Fruits and Veggies Fight Diabetes

If you have diabetes, following the keto diet or other fad diets that heavily restrict your carbohydrate intake might sound like a good idea. But that’s not necessarily the case – while it’s important to count carbs when you have diabetes, you still need to eat a balanced diet just like everyone else. And even though produce contains some carbs, its health benefits can help you keep your overall well-being in check.

fruit-and-vegetables-for-diabetes-health

Along with that, many fruits and veggies are high in fiber. That’s important to know if you have diabetes since fiber can help you control your blood sugar, lose weight, and reduce your levels of LDL (AKA “bad” cholesterol).

However, the way you consume produce matters if you have diabetes. Your best bet is to focus on fresh fruit or raw/cooked vegetables. Salty cooked or canned vegetables, sugar-packed jams and jellies, fruit juice, and other produce-based products can cause health problems if you aren’t careful.

10 Best Vegetables and Fruits for People with Diabetes

While it’s usually a good idea to add fruits and vegetables to your diet, some types of produce are exceptionally healthy for people with diabetes. You can’t go wrong with these options:

  1. Leafy Greens

    Spinach, collard greens, kale, and the like are more than a match for diabetes – they come packed with omega-3 fatty acids and minerals perfectly suited to boost insulin production and keep your blood glucose in check.

  2. Berries

    Despite their sweet taste, berries are relatively low in sugar. They also contain lots of nutrients and fiber, making them an ideal treat for people with diabetes.

  3. Sweet Potatoes

    Don’t let the name fool you – sweet potatoes boast a low glycemic index, meaning they won’t have a severe effect on your blood sugar level. That makes them an even better option than regular potatoes if you have diabetes.

  4. Citrus Fruits

    Oranges and other citrus fruits are full of fiber. Meanwhile, they’re chock-full of vitamin C – just make sure to eat them raw instead of drinking orange juice.

  5. Broccoli

    It’s hard to overstate how healthy broccoli is for people with diabetes. This veggie is low in calories and full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.

  6. Apples

    Eating one of these fruits a day might not keep the doctor away, but it certainly won’t hurt – the anthocyanins that apples contain can help give insulin production a lift. Try to eat smaller apples, and don’t forget to include them when counting carbs. asparagus-lowers-blood-sugar

  7. Asparagus

    Asparagus contains quite a bit of protein, but this vegetable’s health benefits don’t stop there. You’ll also get a heaping helping of fiber and vitamins from a serving, including 18% of your suggested daily amount of vitamins C and E.

  8. Red Onion

    These onions come with layers of diabetes-fighting benefits. They’re low in calories, deliver essential vitamins, and have antioxidant properties.

  9. Cherries

    The anthocyanins contained in cherries may help lower your blood sugar, and they’re full of vitamins, calcium, and fiber. Perhaps best of all, it’s easy to add them to all kinds of recipes for a quick health boost!

  10. Zucchini

    The magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B included in zucchini can all help keep your blood glucose levels under control. This veggie can also improve your eye health, which is especially important due to the vision-related complications associated with diabetes.

Fun Ways to Increase Your Produce Intake

Eating right shouldn’t be a chore! Use these tips to have fun while adding more produce to your diet:

  • Find ways to “sneak” vegetables into recipes you already enjoy.
  • Stop by your local farmer’s market and see what they have available.
  • Liven up your breakfast with the addition of a half of a banana or berries.
  • Plant a vegetable garden in your backyard – you’ll get fresh veggies and physical activity!
  • Cut vegetables like broccoli or peppers up ahead of time and package them for use when you need a quick fix.
  • Try new vegetables and fruits regularly. Explore the produce aisle and get creative!

Enjoy National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month with ADS

There’s no better time than the present to balance your diet by eating more fruits and veggies, and that’s true no matter what month it is. That’s why we here at ADS celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month all year long!

To maximize the health benefits associated with fresh produce, you should make sure you have a diabetes strategy that’s working for you. That means you’ll need to check your blood sugar regularly, get the insulin dosage you need, and find a reliable supplier for diabetes supplies.

ADS can ship insulin, glucose meters, and other products directly to you – if you’re interested, take a look at all the diabetes supplies we have available!

How Folic Acid Can Improve Your Diabetes Diet | ADS

folates-for-diabetes-health

Everyone needs to eat right as a critical part of their overall health – but that’s especially true for people with diabetes. Building a diabetes diet can be a challenge however by understanding what makes foods healthy, taking time to learn about various nutrients and what they do can benefit you in so many ways.

One commonly overlooked but crucial nutrient is folic acid. The human body needs this vitamin and its counterpart folate to perform all kinds of different tasks. But while folic acid deficiencies can have serious health consequences, getting enough folic acid can help improve your health in several different ways. In this article, you’ll learn all about folic acid and how it can help you live with diabetes.

The Basics of Folic Acid

A type of B vitamin, folic acid is found in certain foods and supplements. Your body uses folic acid in various functions, such as:

  • Cellular division
  • Helping red blood cells mature
  • Converting homocysteine to methionine
  • Creating, fixing, and adding methyl groups to DNA

Despite the importance of these tasks, your body can’t supply folic acid on its own. That means this vitamin needs to come from your diet. Of course, not everyone gets enough folic acid, but a significant deficiency could have serious consequences. These can include congenital disabilities, increased risks of some diseases, and megaloblastic anemia.

Folic Acid vs. Folate: What’s The Difference?

Folic acid is actually an artificial, man-made product. This vitamin is a synthetic version of folate, a similar B vitamin that occurs naturally in many foods.

Many people assume folic acid and folate are the same thing. Still, folic acid and folate are different nutrients and have minor differences in their effects. That said, their differences are mostly negligible, so you can combine both folic acid and folate when determining your dietary intake of either vitamin.

Folic Acid Benefits For Everyday Health

Getting enough folic acid in your diet has some significant perks. Folic acid supplements and foods with folate are commonly used to prevent congenital disabilities. In fact, concerns about folate deficiency and congenital disabilities have led to policies focusing on folic acid supplementation for pregnant women.

That is just one way folic acid and folate can improve your health. These nutrients may also:

Increase the likelihood of live births in women using assisted reproductive technology

  • Lower inflammatory markers
  • Fight chronic kidney disease
  • Reduce the side effects of some medications, including methotrexate

Foods With Folic Acid and Folate

As a vitamin found in nature, folate appears in many different plant and animal foods – including some that may already be part of your diabetes diet. Look for this vitamin in broccoli, avocado, some leafy greens (including kale and spinach), eggs, citrus fruits, and beef liver. folic-acid-for-diabetes

Meanwhile, folic acid often gets added to foods as part of the manufacturing process. They are prevalent in foods like cereal and bread since countries like the United States require their grain products to get fortified with folic acid to cut down on folate deficiency. You can also consume folic acid in the form of dietary supplements.

Folic Acid Intake Guidelines

Since the body absorbs folic acid and folate differently, any method of measuring these vitamins needs to be flexible enough that it can account for these differences. Enter Dietary Folate Equivalents, or DFEs – a unit of measure developed with this conundrum in mind. One mcg of DFEs equals either 1 mcg of folate, and equaling 0.5 mcg of folic acid supplements consumed on an empty stomach, or 0.6 mcg of folic acid consumed along with food.

Generally speaking, adults need to get roughly 400 mcg of DFEs every day. That amount rises significantly for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, however. Pregnant women should get 600 mcg of DFEs daily while breastfeeding women should get 500 mcg of DFEs.

Cut Down On Diabetes Symptoms and Complications With Folic Acid

Along with the health benefits listed above, folic acid can help you manage and even avoid diabetes. Notably, research suggests that consuming a folic acid supplement every day may lower your likelihood of gestational diabetes. It can also help you with these diabetes symptoms and complications:

High Blood Sugar

One of the most significant steps you can take to manage diabetes is closely monitoring your blood sugar and taking action based on this information. Fortunately, folic acid supplements might enhance people’s ability to control their blood sugar.

Insulin Resistance

Another common concern among many people with diabetes is their bodily resistance to insulin. As it turns out, there’s also evidence that folic acid can possibly lower insulin resistance levels in people with diabetes.

Neuropathy

The term “diabetic neuropathy” refers to a type of nerve damage caused by elevated blood sugar levels. Since folic acid is linked to enhanced blood sugar control, it’s no surprise that it can also lower your neuropathy risk.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Several studies suggest that diabetes comes with a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Low folate levels – or even levels on the low end of “normal” – may further increase your risk. On the other hand, folic acid supplements may enhance brain function in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mental Health Problems

The stress associated with diabetes management can result in issues related to mental health. Though folic acid can’t eliminate this source of stress, it could make it easier for you to deal with it. People who have depression often have lower folate levels than people who don’t have this condition. Research indicates that folic acid supplements can help control depressive symptoms when taken alongside antidepressants.

Heart Disease

One of the most infamous diabetes complications is heart disease, so it’s essential to do everything you can to reduce your heart risk. A review of 30 studies and with over 80,000 people determined that folic acid supplements could reduce heart disease risk by 4 percent and stroke risk by 10 percent.

Manage Diabetes With Folic Acid

Since most adults in the United States already get enough folic acid, you may not need to make any dietary changes or start taking supplements. If you are concerned about your folic acid intake, talk to a Registered Dietitian and your healthcare team before changing your diabetes diet. And whenever you need glucose meters, testing supplies, and other products to manage diabetes, make this easy for yourself by shopping online at ADS!

,

Choose Nutrient Dense Foods Daily

choose-nutrient-dense-foods

When you’re trying to manage diabetes and keep diabetes symptoms under control, one of the most effective steps you can take is following a diabetes diet. Chances are, your healthcare team has already mentioned certain foods you should include in this diet. These recommendations might consist of fruits, vegetables, and certain types of meat.

But have you ever wondered why these food categories could help you fight diabetes? The answer is simple: foods in these groups tend to be “nutrient-dense.” If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of nutrient density, read on for our guide – and a list of nutrient-dense superfoods that can turbocharge your diabetes diet.

What is Nutrient Density?

People can’t eat an infinite amount of food on a given day. That may seem like a fairly obvious statement, but it means that you and everyone else need to make choices about what you eat to get the nutrients you need. Even if two different food items have similar amounts of calories, they could have radically different effects on your overall health. This is the case because they have differing amounts of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. cooking-nutrient-rich-food-for-diabetes-health

The concept of nutrient density refers to a food item’s nutritional content compared to its calorie count. Highly nutrient-dense foods are packed with vitamins and minerals while containing relatively few calories. On the flip side, foods with low nutrient density have lots of calories but limited nutrients. They also tend to be high in saturated fats and sugars.

Some foods with low nutrient density (more commonly known as “junk foods”) include candy, white bread, chips, ice cream, and soda. Excessive amounts of these foods can wreak havoc on anyone’s diet. Still, it’s imperative to avoid them if you have diabetes since they could make your diabetes symptoms worse. The good news is that many foods with higher nutrient density levels can help you keep your diabetes diagnosis under control.

Try These Nutrient-Dense Foods

Are you looking for nutrient-dense foods to add to your diabetes diet? Your healthcare team can help, but it may be a good idea to consider these amazing superfoods:

Beans and Peas

Beans are delicious, affordable, and packed with nutrients. Focus on eating these types of beans to manage your blood sugar while getting lots of fiber, protein, iron, zinc, and folate:

  • Kidney beans
  • Pinto beans
  • Garbanzo beans
  • Lima beans
  • Black beans
  • Black-eyed peas
  • Split peas
  • Lentils

Blueberries

Many items in the produce section are great for your health, but few fruits can match blueberries in terms of nutritional value. Though vegetables can have higher levels of vitamins and minerals, these berries make up for this with the antioxidants they contain. Some of these antioxidants can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to protect your brain – studies show that blueberries may boost memory in older people. Furthermore, in another study blueberries appeared to lower obese individual’s with metabolic syndrome their LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels. These berries could play a role in fighting cancer, too.

Dark Chocolate

Living with diabetes doesn’t have to mean giving up dessert – especially when you treat your sweet tooth to dark chocolate-for-diabetes-nutrition chocolate! When it has a high cocoa percentage and you eat it in moderation, dark chocolate can be much more nutritious than you might think. Studies have shown that dark chocolate is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods! As a result, dark chocolate has health benefits similar to those associated with blueberry consumption. Furthermore, research suggests that eating this chocolate at least five times a week could lower your heart disease risk by 57 percent.

Garlic

Garlic can do much more than add flavor to your meals. When you add garlic to your diet, you’ll benefit from its high amounts of calcium, manganese, selenium, copper, potassium, and vitamins C, B1, and B6. Meanwhile, it contains sulfur compounds like allicin, which could lower your blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. As if that’s not enough, studies show that garlic has various cancer fighting properties too.

Kale

Leafy greens, in general, are great for diabetes management, but nothing beats kale. This veggie is chock-full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and beneficial bioactive compounds. Kale is high in vitamin C, A and vitamin K1. It also contains large amounts of vitamin B6, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and copper. Kale may be even healthier than spinach because of its lower amount of oxalates. These are substances that can bind to certain minerals in your intestines and prevent them from being absorbed by your body.

Salmon

You may have heard that fish are a good source of protein for people with diabetes. But that doesn’t mean that all fish are equally nutritious – and salmon is one of the best options out there. This type of fish is exceptionally high in omega-3 fatty acids, and eating it can reduce your risk of certain serious diseases. Along with essential fatty acids and protein, eating salmon will give you many B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and selenium. It is recommended to eat fatty, omega 3 rich fish at least once or twice a week for good health.

Sardines

Sardines are another type of fish that’s packed with heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They’re also a uniquely Eat Sardines For Good Health nutrient-rich option since they’re customarily eaten whole – including their organs. Because of this, sardines offer small amounts of almost every nutrient you could need. (But be sure to exercise caution when purchasing sardines – canned sardines can be high in sodium. Instead, try to find water-packed sardines with packaging that uses the term “low sodium.”)

Support Your Nutrient-Dense Diet With Diabetes Supplies

Once you’ve built a diabetes diet that focuses on nutrient-dense foods like these, you’ll need to watch your blood sugar levels to make sure it’s working as intended. That means having reliable access to glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, and diabetes testing supplies. If you need a trustworthy supplier of these items and many others, choose ADS to get the job done!

,

How Fiber Can Enhance a Diabetes Diet | ADS

healthy fiber for diabetes

Just about everyone who has diabetes has heard about the dangers associated with carbohydrates – and for a good reason. When you don’t closely monitor your carb intake, it can seriously affect your blood glucose level. In turn, that could eventually make you more likely to experience severe complications of diabetes down the line.

But not all carbs have the same effects on your body. When consumed in reasonable portions, some carbohydrates play a vital role in maintaining your health. Fiber is a crucial carb for people with diabetes since it can actively make it easier to manage this condition. For much more information on fiber and diabetes, read on.

The Basics of Fiber

It’s easy to assume that all carbohydrates are basically the same thing. Still, there’s more to know about this nutrient category than this implies. First, it’s necessary to understand that there are three basic types of carbs – sugar, starches, and fiber. Unlike sugars and most starches, the body doesn’t digest dietary fiber. Still, this carb comes with many benefits, including improvements to your digestive health.

Because of this, it might be surprising to learn that most people don’t get enough fiber each day. In fact, most adults in the United States only get half their daily recommended fiber intake. Do you suspect you might fall into this category? In that case, it’s time to talk to your healthcare team about adding more fiber to your diabetes diet.

high-fiber-carbs Know These Types of Fiber

There are two basic subgroups of fiber, both of which come with unique benefits. Soluble fiber can dissolve in water, creating a gel-like material in the process. This type of fiber is most closely associated with reduced blood glucose and cholesterol. You can find soluble fiber in legumes, certain fruits (including apples and citrus fruits), carrots, barley, oats, and psyllium.

On the other hand, insoluble fiber does not dissolve in liquid. You need this form of fiber to help waste travel smoothly through your digestive system. Many foods include insoluble fiber, such as beans, nuts, some vegetables, wheat bran, and whole-wheat flour.

Fighting Diabetes with Fiber

Though fiber is a crucial part of anyone’s diet, people with diabetes should put extra emphasis on eating enough fiber daily. That’s because fiber can assist in handling diabetes in several ways. Fiber can help you:

  • Control your blood sugar. While other carbohydrates can cause blood sugar to spike, that’s not the case for fiber – after all, your body doesn’t absorb it. Fiber can slow the rate at which you absorb other carbohydrates, making it easier to stay in range.
  • Feel full throughout the day. Weight management plays an essential role in handling diabetes. Since fiber goes through the stomach slowly, it can help you stay full for longer, making it easier to avoid overeating.
  • Keep your heart healthy. Some of the worst complications of diabetes are related to heart disease. Fiber can cut down on the amount of cholesterol and fats you absorb, which can lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Adding More Fiber to Your Diabetes Diet

Chances are, you’ve heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But to get the fiber you need, you’d have to add five more apples to your everyday diet. Six apples contain about 30 grams of fiber, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025 encourage adults to get 22 to 34 grams of fiber daily.

Obviously, you don’t need to eat half a dozen apples each day to reach your fiber requirements. Instead, keep these tips in mind:

Focus on Whole Grains Fiber & Diabetes Health

When shopping for bread, rice, pasta, and other grains, look for products that list whole grains as the first or second ingredient. Two slices of whole-wheat bread and a cup of cooked brown rice both contain four grams of fiber. (A word of warning: if an item is advertised as “multigrain” or “100-percent wheat,” it probably isn’t whole-grain.)

Get The Day Started Right

Not all cereals are good sources of whole grains, and even some whole-grain cereals are full of unneeded sugars. Instead, try cereals like Fiber One (which has 14 grams of fiber per half-cup) and Raisin Bran (which has 7.5 grams of fiber per cup). Otherwise, consider eating oatmeal with berries and nuts or avocado toast with chickpeas.

Load Up on Legumes

Beans aren’t just a fantastic source of fiber – they also come with a ton of nutritious plant-based protein. Add a quarter-cup of kidney beans to a green salad for three grams of fiber, or eat a cup of canned minestrone soup for five grams of this nutrient. Other legumes, like peas and lentils, are also great for adding fiber to your diet.

Eat Fruits and Vegetables

A good diabetes diet should include lots of produce, and the fiber found in many fruits and veggies is a big reason for that. You’ll get five grams of fiber in a cup of cooked carrots and four grams in a cup of strawberries. fruit-for-diabetes-health

Consider Chia Seeds

Chia seeds and flaxseed make it easy to add fiber to almost anything. A tablespoon of flaxseed contains three grams of fiber, while an identically-sized serving of chia seeds comes with five grams. Just mix them into smoothies, soups, cereals, and other dishes for a quick dose of fiber!

Take It Slow

If your current diet doesn’t include much fiber, getting more of this nutrient is wise. However, you should make a point of introducing fiber gradually and drinking lots of water while you do! You could run into digestive issues like gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation if you don’t.

Enhance Your Diabetes Management With Fiber – And ADS

With our advice, you’ll be ready to add fiber to your diabetes diet the smart way and reap the health benefits associated with this nutrient. While you’re making improvements to your diabetes management strategy, why not take a moment to think about how you’re getting diabetes supplies? If you could use a reliable supplier of insulin, glucose meters, and any other diabetes-related products, you can’t go wrong ordering from ADS.

,

Eating Right for Diabetes | Modified Meal Plans

Eating Right for Diabetes

Eating a healthy diet is a massive part of any effective diabetes management strategy. If you have diabetes, your research into dietary health may have led you to the idea that eating more small meals over the course of the day is healthier than the “standard” three large meals.

That sounds logical enough on the surface – after all, many people with diabetes need to eat snacks to keep their blood sugar in check. However, the truth is more complicated than this may suggest. In this article, you’ll find a complete explanation of scheduling your diabetes diet, along with the foods you should make sure to include as part of your everyday meals.

what-to-eat-for-diabetes-health What the Research Says About Meal Scheduling

It’s “common knowledge” that eating a larger number of smaller meals can help you lose weight, but that doesn’t mean it’s true. A University of Ottawa study determined that dividing calories between six meals instead of three doesn’t have any notable impact on weight loss. Instead, it seems like this can make people more likely to overeat.

Another study, published by the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on the relationship between meal frequency and type 2 diabetes. This study found that eating three meals a day is the best option for blood glucose management. When you consider both studies, it’s clear that making significant changes to your dietary schedule probably isn’t the best idea.

Healthy Snacks Can Still Help

While it’s best to stick to the three main meals when managing diabetes, that doesn’t mean you should only eat at these times. Quite a few people with diabetes have found that small snacks help keep their blood sugar in range throughout the day. When you put some thought into your snacking plan, snacks can even lower your likelihood of overeating during meals.

The key to successful snacking is to avoid overindulging in carbohydrates. Your exact needs may vary, but for most people, the ideal diabetes snack contains no more than 15 grams of carbs. That way, you’ll get a quick energy boost without putting yourself at risk of binge-eating.

Putting Your Diabetes Diet Together

Now that you know when to eat, the follow-up question is obvious: what foods should your diabetes diet include, and what foods should it omit? The easiest way to start planning a diabetes diet is to look at foods in terms of the categories they fall into:

Focus on Fruits and Veggies

Though they count as a source of carbs, fresh fruits and raw/cooked vegetables contain lots of fiber and nutrients that can help keep your diabetes in check. Just be sure to include them while counting carbs, and look for options that are high in fiber.

Get the Protein You Need

Most protein sources are fine for people with diabetes, but lean protein understand-which-food-are best-for-diabetes s (including meat, fish, poultry, tofu, and dairy) are ideal. Meanwhile, plant-based protein sources contain nutrients and fiber, so add some of these proteins to your diet.

Make Sure to Eat Nutritious Complex Carbs

Instead of avoiding carbohydrates entirely, your best option is to focus on eating controlled portions of carbs that are high in nutritious value. These are often found in whole-grain foods like brown rice and oatmeal.

Steer Clear of These Foods

When you’re planning a diabetes diet, knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what you should eat. Unhealthy fats, oils, and sweets are at the top of the list when it comes to foods you shouldn’t normally bother with, but processed grains aren’t far behind. And while produce is usually a great option, salty canned vegetables, fruit juice, fast food and other products in this vein can cause more trouble than you might expect.

Some Good Snack Ideas from the American Diabetes Association

(Include about 15-20 grams of carbohydrates)

  • ⅓ cup of hummus and 1 cup raw fresh cut vegetables
  • 1 small apple and 1 slice reduced fat cheese
  • 3 cups light popcorn
  • ½ turkey sandwich made with 1 slice whole wheat bread and 2 slices of lean turkey
  • ¼ cup of low fat cottage cheese and ½ cup light canned fruit or fresh fruit

ADS Can Help You Manage Diabetes

The process of planning a diabetes diet can be overwhelming, but you don’t need to follow fad diets or make massive changes to your meal schedule to stay healthy. Instead, eat three balanced meals a day, along with small, healthy snacks when you need them. Finally, don’t make any significant changes to your diet without talking to your healthcare team first! You can also contact Halle Elbling, ADS’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist with any questions.

Creating a healthy diet is an essential part of diabetes management, but it isn’t enough to control diabetes on its own. You’ll also need reliable access to high-quality diabetes supplies like insulin, glucose meters, and testing supplies. Advanced Diabetes Supply is a leading national supplier of all diabetes testing supplies – take a look at everything we can send to you today!

 

Cooking With Herbs

Herbs and diabetes

Plants of all shapes and sizes are a cornerstone of any successful diabetes diet. That includes vegetables, fruits, and plant-based protein sources – but have you ever thought about the role herbs can play in diabetes management? While you may not eat these plants on their own, they can still add health benefits to other foods you eat.

However, it’s important not to go overboard. Some herbs can help with diabetes, but they shouldn’t be the sole step people take to treat this condition. Whether you’re curious about the possibility of treating diabetes naturally or just want to add some flavor to your diabetes diet, here’s what you need to know about diabetes and herbs.

Don’t Rely on Herbs Alone

In any discussion of herbs and diabetes, the topic of natural medicine is never far behind. There’s a good reason for that: herbs can have notable health benefits when added carefully to a diabetes treatment plan. As part of this, they can reduce diabetes side effects, replace nutrients a patient lacks, and even lower glucose levels and insulin resistance.

That said, it’s crucial to remember that the use of herbs for diabetes management has its limits. While herbs can lower some people’s reliance on insulin, trustworthy naturopathic doctors and herbalists will never ask their patients to take herbal products instead of insulin. If your pancreas cannot produce the insulin you need, regular insulin therapy is the only way you can keep living a healthy life. Be sure to work with your healthcare team and discuss any herbs or natural remedies you are taking along with your diabetes medications. And remember the best way to manage your diabetes is to take your prescribed medications, and make healthy lifestyle changes like losing weight, increasing exercise and sticking to a healthy and balanced diet.

The Best Herbs for Diabetes

Here are some herbs and natural remedies that may help in the treatment of type 2 diabetes:

Cinnamon. Several scientific studies have supported links between cinnamon and improved diabetes management. Consuming half a teaspoon of this spice each day can possibly help your blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels.

Aloe Vera. You most likely are aware of the uses of this plant for the skin however it may help lower levels of both fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1C levels. Aloe vera is used as a juice and can even be added to smoothies.

Bitter melon. While this plant may sound like a bitter pill to swallow, its health benefits are worth the trouble. Bitter melon extract was found to help reduce fasting blood glucose levels.

Ginger. This herb has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicines. It has been found that ginger may reduce insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. Use it fresh in cooking, or brew it in a tea.

Psyllium. Fiber is excellent for people with diabetes – including this plant fiber, often found in fiber supplements and bulk laxatives. It can lower your blood sugar and your cholesterol.

Keep These Cooking Tips In Mind

Follow these tips when buying and using herbs in the kitchen:

cooking-with-herbs

  • Herbs should always be fresh when you purchase them. Steer clear of herbs that are wilted or discolored.
  • Store herbs on the top shelf of your refrigerator – since heat rises, this is usually the warmest part of the fridge. To keep them moist, wrap them in a damp paper towel.
  • Don’t wash herbs before storing them. Instead, wash them right before using them.
  • When recipes call for dry herbs, it’s easy to use fresh herbs instead. In most cases, you can swap 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs.
  • Tender herbs (including basil and cilantro) should be added just before a meal is done cooking. On the other hand, robust herbs (like rosemary and thyme) can stand up to longer cooking times.
  • While freezing herbs can damage their quality, you can still use frozen herbs in cooked dishes. Try freezing rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, parsley, tarragon, dill, and chives.

Know Which Herbs to Use

If you haven’t used herbs and spices while cooking before, it can be hard to determine which herbs go best with which foods. To make this easier, use our “cheat sheet” while you get started.

Beans (dried) cumin, cayenne, chili, parsley, pepper, sage, savory, thyme
Beef basil, bay, chili, cilantro, curry, cumin, garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme
Breads anise, basil, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, oregano, poppy seeds, rosemary, saffron, sage, thyme
Cheese basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chili, chives, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, horseradish, lemon peel, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon, thyme
Chicken allspice, basil, bay, cinnamon, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger lemongrass, mustard, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme
Corn chili, curry, dill, marjoram, parsley, savory, thyme
Eggs basil, chervil, chili, chives, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon, thyme
Fish anise, basil, bay, cayenne, celery seed, chives, curry, dill fennel, garlic, ginger, lemon peel, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, marjoram
Fruits allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, ginger, mint
Lamb basil, bay, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, garlic, marjoram, mint, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme
Potatoes basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, poppy seed, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Salad Dressings basil, celery seed, chives, dill, fennel, garlic, horseradish, marjoram, mustard, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, saffron, tarragon, thyme
Salads basil, caraway, chives, dill, garlic, lemon peel, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Soups basil, bay, chervil, chili, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme
Sweets allspice, angelica, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, mace, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, rosemary
Tomatoes basil, bay , celery seed, cinnamon, chili, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, gumbo file, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme

Manage Diabetes with Herbs – And Supplies from ADS

When you combine the health benefits of natural herbs with the diabetes supplies you already rely on every day, it’s easy to take your diabetes management efforts to the next level. Along with increasing your herb intake, you can make it simpler to live with diabetes by ordering your supplies right here at ADS. We sell insulin, diabetes testing supplies, glucose meters, and more – get started by placing your first order today!

,

Asparagus Is Good for Diabetes: Find Out Why | ADS

Asparagus-Diabetes-Health

It’s a good idea for people with diabetes to eat lots of vegetables, and one of the best veggies for diabetes is asparagus! Learn why asparagus is a diabetes superfood and how you can add it to your diabetes diet.

Did your parents constantly tell you to “eat your veggies” when you were younger? You might not have enjoyed hearing this as a child, especially if you were a picky eater – but there’s a good reason why it’s such a classic piece of advice. Increased vegetable intake can improve just about anyone’s health, and that’s especially true for people living with diabetes. Veggies are a nutritious source of carbohydrates, and they often come packed with valuable fiber, nutrients, and vitamins.

There’s no denying that asparagus is one of the healthiest vegetables out there, whether you have diabetes or not. And if you are living with diabetes or are trying to reduce your diabetes risk, there’s reason to believe this delicious vegetable can help! Read on to find out what makes asparagus so amazing.

asparagus-lowers-blood-sugar

Asparagus May Help Fight Diabetes

According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, adding asparagus to your diet might help you keep diabetes symptoms under control. This study, performed at Pakistan’s Karachi University, looked at rats with diabetes. Half of the rat population received asparagus extract for a month, while the other half received glibenclamide, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. The result: Small amounts of the asparagus extract appeared to help with blood sugar control. More significant amounts had the same effect – and the benefit of increased insulin production.

Better yet, this study supports previous research done on the topic of asparagus and diabetes. Another study, which appeared in the British Medical Journal in 2006, found that asparagus consumption was linked to an 81-percent increase in the body’s ability to use glucose.

Even More Asparagus Health Benefits

On its own, the link between asparagus and improved diabetes control would be enough of a reason to put this vegetable on your plate. But the health perks of asparagus don’t stop there! When you make a point of eating asparagus regularly, you’ll also get:

  • High levels of folate. One 5.3-ounce serving of asparagus delivers 60 percent of your recommended daily allowance of folacin. The vitamin folate is important for making red blood cells and for cell division.
  • Low in calories and with countless nutrients. Asparagus boasts fiber, thiamin, vitamins A, B6, and K – just to name a few.
  • Good source of antioxidants. Asparagus is rich in Vitamins C and E, and the antioxidants called flavonoids and polyphenols.
  • Antioxidants have been shown to prevent the accumulation of free radicals and may reduce chronic disease.
  • Can improve digestive health. Asparagus is high in insoluble fiber which adds bulk to stool and supports regular bowel movements. It also contains small amounts of soluble fiber, which dissolves in water and forms a gel like substance in the digestive tract.
  • Lots of minerals. While asparagus is known for its iron and copper content, you’ll also get a bit of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese from this vegetable. Since it can help lower blood pressure, potassium is vital for treating diabetes.

Asparagus Nutritional Values

Are you looking for the nutritional values for asparagus? Here they are:

Serving size 1 cup
Calories 27
Protein 3 grams
Carbohydrates 5 grams
Fat 0 grams
Cholesterol 0 milligrams
Sodium 3 milligrams
Potassium 271 milligrams
Dietary Fiber 3 grams
Protein 6 percent DV
Vitamin A 20 percent DV
Vitamin C 12 percent DV
Iron 16 percent DV
Vitamin B6 5 percent DV

Adding Asparagus to Your Diabetes Diet is Easy

If you’re like many people, eating more vegetables is easier said than done – especially if you have bad memories of eating asparagus as a kid. Still, if you take the time to prepare it right, asparagus can be as delicious as it is nutritious.

Give one of these ideas a try: asparagus-is-healthy-for-diabetes

  • Add asparagus spears to soups, omelets, casseroles, and pasta.
  • Serve steamed asparagus with some parmesan and olive oil drizzled on top.
  • For extra protein and a unique flavor, eat asparagus along with pistachios or other nuts.
  • Make a healthy, delicious appetizer by grilling asparagus stalks with onions and macadamia nut oil.
  • Try stir-frying asparagus, along with sesame seeds, pepper, ginger, and garlic for added flavor.

Control Diabetes with Asparagus – And ADS

Whether asparagus is already one of your favorite vegetables or you haven’t eaten it in years, it’s always a bright idea to use this veggie the next time you cook dinner. When you do, you’ll be able to appreciate how it’s helping you manage your diabetes!

Along with eating a healthy diet, a crucial part of diabetes management is ensuring you have the diabetes supplies you need. Whether you use insulin, glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, or other supplies, you can count on ADS to ship them to you as quickly and reliably as possible!

 

Products & Partners

Continuous Glucose Monitors

Insulin Pumps 

Diabetes Testing Supplies

Pharmacy Partnerships

ExpressMed.com

FSAMarket.com


Digital Pharmacy

Customer Care

Order/Reorder Supplies 

Connect with a CDCES

Connect With Customer Care

Make A Payment

Disposal Safety Guide

Disposal of Medications

Digital Pharmacy Digital Pharmacy

Contact Information

2544 Campbell Place
Suite 150
Carlsbad, CA 92009

1-866-422-4866
Contact Customer Care

Hours of Operation

Customer Care:
Mon-Fri: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Holiday Closures

You have the right to a consultation by a pharmacist.

Pharmacist is available for consultations by telephone only, at no extra cost at 1-800-730-9887 as follows:

Pharmacy Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Sat: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
Sun: Closed