Mission Statement

This is from our December 2009 Article

You have diabetes!!!

How to reduce your risk for going blind.

by: Juan C. Zelaya PA-C 

Diabetic Retinopathy

Normal Vision	Diabetic Retinopathy Vision

In diabetic retinopathy the blood vessels on the back of the eyes(Retina) may rupture and leak. This causes part of the retina to die, and as a result, patients lose vision where the leaking occurs.

Here are some instructions to prevent blindness in diabetics.

1. Control your diabetes: controlling your blood sugars can prevent retinopathy.
2.  Follow your provider’s recommendations for diet, exercise, insulin and other sugar-lowering medications.
   
3.  If you have developed retinopathy, tighter control of your sugars can slow its progress.
4. Get an annual eye exam. Demand that you get one. Have an ophthalmologist perform the examination.
5. Get the necessary treatment. A laser surgery called photocoagulation can be used to eliminate any hemorrhages or abnormal blood vessels on the retina. Obviously this is done by an ophthalmologist.

Let’s understand the risk. Both insulin and non insulin dependent diabetics can develop retinopathy. Early stages of the disease can appear as soon as five years after diabetes is diagnosed. Usually patients do not have symptoms early in the disease as small leakages are painless and don’t affect sight. Later, large leakages can cause spider-web like structures to appear in the field of vision. Over the years, if not treated, the retina becomes increasingly damaged, and blindness may be the end result.
by Juan C. Zelaya PA-C
Juan C Zelaya is a Physician Assistant working at TLC in Princess Anne, Maryland.

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The Holiday Agenda:

Stay Healthy, Active and Fit Through the Holidays

Submitted by Kathy Wool, RD, LDN

Enjoying the holidays is something we should all expect to do. Spending time with family and friends is a tradition to treasure. Going to holiday parties and having fun, enjoying a few “decadent” meals and tasting some of those fancy desserts are all possible with just a little planning to help you make your way through the holiday season without putting on the pounds and sending your blood sugar off the scale.

Here are a few suggestions to help you enjoy your meals and stay in good shape. Be one of the few whose New Year’s Resolution does not include losing weight you have gained or trying to regain the level of fitness you had before the holidays hit. Begin and end the holiday season with a healthy plan and your blood sugar levels will thank you for it!

• Expect to stay on your program throughout the holidays. Plan to be successful and have a positive expectation of yourself. Make the decision now.
• Plan your exercise and activity in advance. Schedules get hectic so schedule your workout and meal times in your calendar just like any other event.
• Set new goals over the holidays. Don’t wait until January 1st! Do it now so you can start working on them and have made great progress by the first of the year!
• Go ahead and give yourself permission for a “Cheat Day or Meal”- then schedule it in. A planned cheat can help you stay on your program better as it helps you avoid those intense cravings. And when you allow that cheat, Enjoy It!
• If you fall off the wagon, climb back on. Avoid feeling guilty. One mistake doesn’t mean it is all ruined- just get right back on your program.
• Maintain a consistent eating schedule. Skipping meals to “save up” for that big dinner is not a good idea for blood sugar control. Count the holiday meals as one of your regular meals and keep those portions within reason.
• Control those portions! You can have your cake and eat it too- you just can’t eat the entire cake! Do not deprive yourself of those foods you enjoy> just don’t overindulge. Moderation for even your favorite foods is the key to good diabetes management.
• Don’t let others influence your good decisions. When you are offered more or seconds, a polite “No thank you” will do. Holiday foods can be delicious but being full and having enough is ok too and it is ok to tell that to someone.

The holidays are a special time of the year, and even if you have diabetes, you can and should enjoy it. Enjoy your healthy eating and activity program right along with family, friends, parties and all the good foods.

Here are a few holiday recipes for you to enjoy- all year long!

Easy Sticky Buns

10 servings

INGREDIENTS
1 packet Butter Buds Mix, dry
¼ cup hot water
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 ½ tablespoons ground walnuts
1 package (7.5 ounces) refrigerated biscuits

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray an 8-inch round baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, combine the Butter Buds, water, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour into the prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. Arrange the biscuits in a single layer on top of the nuts.
3. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until well browned. Immediately invert onto a serving plate.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (per serving)
Calories: 80 Total Fat- 2 grams Saturated Fat- 1 gram Calories from fat- 18 Carbohydrates- 16 grams Sodium- 240 mg.
EXCHANGES- 1 carbohydrate/ starch

Fresh Dill Dip (makes 1 quart)

2 cups plain low- fat yogurt
1 container (16 ounce) small curd, low fat cottage cheese
½ cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon grated onion
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, cottage cheese, dill and onion.
Season with salt (if using) and pepper.
Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Transfer to serving bowl and serve alongside fresh vegetable arrangement.

Nutrition Information (per 2 tablespoon serving)
Calories: 20
Total fat: trace
Carbohydrates: 2 grams
Sodium: 68 mg.

Sweet Potato Pie

Serves 8

Ingredients
3 tbsp margarine ¼ tsp cinnamon ¼ cup sugar 3 large sweet potatoes, cooked, mash ¼ tsp salt 1 cup skim milk 1 egg yolk 3 egg whites, beaten stiff 3 tbsp lemon juice 1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell 1 tsp lemon peel
Directions
1. Use about 1 ½ pounds sweet potato.
2. Heat oven to 350F. Beat together margarine, sugar, and salt. Add egg yolk, lemon juice, lemon peel and cinnamon. Stir in sweet potatoes and milk. Mix well.
3. Fold in egg whites; pour into pie shell. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. To reduce saturated fat, use a homemade pie shell made with vegetable oil.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 263
Fat: 13 grams
Calories from fat: 117
Carbohydrates: 32 grams
Sodium: 296 mg.
Exchanges: 2 starch/bread, 2 fats

November 14th

Step Out For Diabetes November 7th Ocean City Boardwalk 10am