Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN, CDN
National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month, and a chance to highlight how to reach a better balance of food and health when navigating the spectrum of diabetes diagnoses.
Prediabetes is an early-stage diagnosis – it shows metabolism is changing and signals a prime time to activate strategies that can reverse that change or delay development of diabetes. Diabetes Prevention Programs ₁ are offered free in many communities and may be available through your health insurance. The information and strategies offered support weight loss, including changing how the body uses and stores carbohydrates. A 5% weight loss can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 58%, and delay onset by about 8 years.
Insight – A recent study ₂ showed the order of eating a meal, meaning eating non-starchy vegetables, protein foods, then carbohydrate foods, can have a significant effect on weight loss and blood glucose levels. The pilot study showed participants with prediabetes lost weight, could make it work consistently in their lifestyles, and increased their vegetable intake – all keys to reducing risk of developing diabetes.
Because weight loss has such an impact on metabolism, the medications for diabetes that have shown they can rapidly lower weight have become popular, and demand is straining supplies for those with diabetes that need them. Those medications, called GLP-1 analogs, (such as Wegovy and Ozempic brands), extend the action of one hormone humans (GLP-1) make to signal satisfaction, lower appetite and slow down eating. But the cost and limited supply means we must prioritize them for those already managing diabetes. The good news is, we can eat foods that help raise GLP-1 hormone production. Foods high in certain types of fiber drive production of GLP-1. Fiber is also a key food component in whole grains and produce that supports weight loss, gut health and heart health. Only 1 out of 10 people eat sufficient fiber or produce, so adding more produce and whole grain fiber is a pathway to move your health forward a few bites at a time. ₃
Where to start? With foods you already enjoy. Double up the amount of veggies on your plate, add eat them first. Start the day with an apple or other whole fruit. Oatmeal and barley also contain the fibers that have the holistic impact of shifting fullness and supplying the preferred type of fiber for optimizing gut hormones and microbiome health.
Learn more about your Price Chopper and Market 32 stores! We have great resources to help you reach your best health. Our Pharmacy teams can assist with accessing supplies, medications and information through the Diabetes AdvantEdge program. The Know Your Colors nutrition guides can assist with choosing well, including Carb Smart, Whole Grain and Heart Smart choices that help make eating well easy and delicious.
Check out these recipes and links to get started on better balance!
- Diabetes Prevention Program
- Shukla AP, Karan A, Hootman KC, Graves M, Steller I, Abel B, Giannita A, Tils J, Hayashi L, O’Connor M, et al. A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study of the Food Order Behavioral Intervention in Prediabetes. Nutrients. 2023; 15(20):4452. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204452
- Martinez TM, Meyer RK, Duca FA. Therapeutic Potential of Various Plant-Based Fibers to Improve Energy Homeostasis via the Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 29;13(10):3470. doi: 10.3390/nu13103470. PMID: 34684471; PMCID: PMC8537956.
Diabetes and Chronic Illness - Fresh Tips on Food Safety
Ellie Wilson
MS, RDN Manager, Lifestyles and Wellness
Living well with a chronic health issue like diabetes is challenging. Prevention is key – enjoying foods that support good blood sugar control and following medication directions enhance long-term health and quality of life. To maximize the benefits of better food choices, be sure good food safety practices are on the menu.
The immune system protects health best when your body is well-nourished. Following food safety and nutrition care guidance should support good diabetes management and healthy immune systems. Diabetes may impact immune function by weakening immune system response, and slowing down digestion, allowing bacteria on food to multiply. Once infection has begun, it can be very difficult to treat. Adults 65 and older with diabetes can be especially vulnerable. Check out the tips and tools you can use to ensure you and your family can navigate successfully prevent food safety concerns.
Know Foodborne Illness Symptoms and Get Medical Care Quickly
Foodborne Illness Symptoms can worsen diabetes/all chronic illness symptoms, including elevating blood sugar and risk of dehydration. If you suspect foodborne illness, call your healthcare provider, or seek emergency care immediately.
Smart Shopping
- Many shoppers use recycled bags for packing groceries. Be sure to wipe these out or wash them each time you unpack them, with antibacterial wipes or spray and clean paper towels.
- Meat, seafood and fresh produce should be bagged before placing in a cart or shopping bag, so they don’t become cross-contaminated. If your grocery store limits plastic bags, bring your own clean bags to place foods in – clear bags allow for scanning prices and safe handling.
- Purchase pasteurized eggs and dairy products and use best-by and sell-by dates to ensure food purchases are fresh.
- Read labels to be sure foods will meet your needs for enjoyment and diabetes management.
Smart Storage and Prep
- Go directly home – if travel time is extended, use insulated bags and/or coolers to maintain food temperatures.
As soon as possible after shopping or grocery delivery, get chilled and frozen foods put away safely.
Cool tools available in the grocery store to keep food safe:
- Clean shopping bags, reusable ice packs, insulated shopping bags, and coolers.
- Appliance thermometer for the refrigerator – store food at 40 degrees F or lower.
- Cooking thermometer – find temperature charts to ensure foods are cooked to safe serving temps.
- Easy-clean plastic cutting boards (some are color-coded for meat, seafood, produce). Use clean knives and utensils while preparing foods, and do not reuse utensils, bowls or plates that have had raw food contact.
- Hot, soapy water, bleach and antibacterial wipes assist with cleaning cutting boards, utensils, and shopping bags.
- Moisturizing hand soap – keeping hands clean and skin in good condition are both important to diabetes management. BONUS – Good handwashing reduces risk of of flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, and other high-risk infections for those with chronic health conditions.
- Store raw and cooked foods safely in regularly cleaned designated refrigerator sections. If any items are damaged or have any indication of spoilage, don’t hesitate to discard. Follow the food safety mantra of “When in doubt, throw it out!”
Stay up to date on food safety issues by checking the webpage, and downloading the food safety app. Find more resources there and at the Partnership for Food Safety website.
References
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/food-safety-persons-diabetes
https://www.fda.gov/food/people-risk-foodborne-illness/food-safety-older-adults-and-people-cancer-diabetes-hivaids-organ-transplants-and-autoimmune
Diabetes - Shopping Well On A Budget
Ellie Wilson
MS, RD Senior Nutritionist
Everyone is on a budget, which impacts most purchases, including the food we buy. For those managing diabetes, smart food choices are recognized as key to overall wellness. Balancing the budget and balancing health is possible, with a few insights and a little planning.
Planning is the first hurdle – everyone is so busy; we find it easy to ignore the concept. However, most of us plan “accidentally” – we have a set routine for meals/foods we eat throughout the week, as well as typical items we buy or prepare for lunch, dinner and snacks. It changes seasonally – salads in summer, with meat on the grill, soup in the fall and winter, as well as air fryer/Instant Pot or slow cooker meals. The first step to planning is just putting your “usuals’ down on paper, with dollar amounts you usually spend (or the budget amount you are trying to stick to!) Then, determine if there are a few tweaks you can make to put better-for-you in the basket on your budget.
It may be tough to find a good starting place. If you have diabetes, or are at risk, personalized nutrition care from a Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist (RDN) is the gold standard. If you haven’t seen a dietitian in the last year, consider getting a referral from your healthcare provider. Your health needs change over time, along with research and food items available, medications – make it personal “policy” to meet with the RDN at least once per year. Check your grocery store for nutrition information and resources – like the Know Your Colors nutrition guides at Price Chopper/Market 32, and the Diabetes AdvantEdge program Diabetes AdvantEdge program at the store pharmacies. Food and medications are increasingly important to health and care, and you may be pleasantly surprised by the resources your grocery store offers.
Tips and Hacks
Hate to cook on Monday? A Price Chopper Rotisserie Chicken could be a problem-solver. Serve with a scoop of frozen broccoli microwaved with a small potato – done, healthy, fast, and cheap. Both the frozen broccoli (as well as any other frozen vegetable or fruit) and the potato are smart/budget-buster choices for eating well.
Breakfast is essential to blood sugar management. Eggs are an inexpensive source of good protein, and easy to mix up with leftover/frozen vegetables for an omelet. Like toast with that? Check the shelf tag or online for Carb Smart choices and read labels to be sure they meet your needs. Carb Smart, Low Sodium, Heart Smart and more tags can be found on the shelf and online – you can plan your smart shopping in a snap. Enjoy eating well when you shop at Price Chopper and Market 32!