| |
|
Mission Statement |
The mission of the Tri-County Diabetes Alliance is to raise awareness and improve the health of people with diabetes and those at risk for developing diabetes by creating and sustaining an effort to inform, educate, and assist individuals to improve their health.
|
|
This is from our February 2009 Article
K.N.O.W.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a term used
to describe diseases that affect the heart or
blood vessels, such as heart attack or stroke
and is the leading cause of death for those with
type 2 diabetes. Many people, however, are
unaware of the connection between these two
diseases. In fact, having diabetes damages your
body as much as someone who has already had a
heart attack.
That is why the American
Heart Association and Takeda Pharmaceuticals
North America, Inc., created “The Heart of
Diabetes” to raise awareness of and educate
individuals about the connection between type 2
diabetes and CVD. The program encourages
patients living with type 2 diabetes to get
regular physical activity, eat healthy foods and
work with a healthcare provider to develop an
individualized treatment plan. The program goal
is for every person with diabetes to be in the
‘KNOW’:
-
Keep active and maintain a healthy
weight
-
Normalize your critical health
numbers.
-
Opt for a healthy lifestyle
-
Work
with your health care provider
To enroll
in the free program go to
www.iknowdiabetes.org
Enrolling in the program can help you get one
step closer to setting and reaching treatment
goals and help you better manage your disease.
At the site, you will find interactive tools,
easy-to-follow information, and even testimony
from celebrity Randy Jackson sharing his
personal story of life with type 2 diabetes.
Many of the foods you eat get turned into
glucose, or sugar, for energy. The pancreas
naturally produces a hormone called insulin to
help that glucose enter the cells in your body.
Some people either do not produce enough insulin
and/or do not efficiently use the insulin the
pancreas produces. This leads to the disease
diabetes. Most people have diabetes for years
before they are diagnosed. And during that time,
the disease takes a toll on your body.
February is Heart Month. By being in the KNOW,
you can manage your diabetes and help lower your
risk of heart disease and stroke. Look for ways
to be active. If you are just getting started
add just 5 minutes of additional activity into
your day. Then gradually increase that time
until you are active for at least 30 minutes a
day. The extra activity will help you control
your weight or even help you lose weight. If you
smoke, really try to quit. Contact your local
health department for help. Many offer free or
reduced prices for quit smoking medications and
support programs. Reduce your food portions and
fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar. Check your
blood pressure on a regular basis. And most
importantly, talk to your health care provider.
It’s never too late to make a change. Start
today!
Submitted
by Sharon Johnson
Community Health Educator
Wicomico County Health Dept.
1/28/09Try this version of an old favorite for a hearty winter dinner!
Help Defeat Diabetes With
American
Idol Host Randy
Jackson
Hollywood-
American Idol's own host
Randy Jackson
has announced that he
has Type II Diabetes and has teamed up with the
American Heart Association
to help defeat this dreaded disease. February is not
only when American Idol
starts heating up but
more importantly it is
Heart Month! To
learn more about the American Heart Associations
"the Heart of Diabetes"
campaign
click here.
Be sure to check out some of
Randy Jackson's
Web Cast videos
and
American Idol news story.
Diabetes
ETTIQUETTE
(Submitted by Kathy Wool,
RD, LDN)
Since 1963 February has been proclaimed American
Heart Month. Diabetes has been implicated as a risk factor for
developing heart disease, along with high cholesterol, high blood
pressure, obesity and tobacco use. During February we take notice of
these health concerns and realize the number of people both diabetes
and heart disease affects in our communities.
As we begin
this new year and this month of awareness it is a good chance to
bring attention to “Diabetes Etiquette.” For those who do not live
each day with diabetes they may not have a true understanding of
what happens on a daily basis to manage this disease. All too often
family and friends do not know the right thing to say and therefore
end up saying something that may be hurtful or resentful. So what
you don’t say may really matter.
The Behavioral Diabetes
Institute is devoted to addressing the real-life emotional aspects
of diabetes. They are dedicated to helping people with diabetes live
long, healthy and happy lives. To their credit they developed a
Diabetes Etiquette card which provides ten suggestions to help
address the “What do I say?” to someone with diabetes. The entire
card can be downloaded or viewed on
http://www.behavioraldiabetes.org/downloads/Etiquette-Card.pdf.
Here are the 10 suggestions on the Diabetes Etiquette card:
1. DON’T offer unsolicited advice about my eating or other aspects
of diabetes.
2. DO realize and appreciate that diabetes is hard
work
3. DON’T tell me horror stories about your grandmother or
other people with diabetes you have heard about.
4.
DON’T offer
to join me in making healthy lifestyle changes.
5.
DON’T look so
horrified when I check my blood sugars or give myself an injection.
6. DO ask how you might be helpful.
7. DON’T offer thoughtless
reassurances.
8. DO be supportive of my efforts for self-care.
9. DON’T peek at or comment on my blood glucose numbers without
asking me first.
10.DO offer your love and encouragement.
Making diabetes easier to handle for those
around us can be accomplished just by caring. Remember that all
diabetes management is not the same and may not be like what we see
on TV or in the movies. It is important to know that sometimes we
even bend the rules a little because like most people, we may want
to just live and enjoy our lives. With a little thought and
consideration, we can make a difference in how diabetes affects each
of us.
Here is an easy, delicious and nutritious recipe
to try for a heart healthy meal!CHICKEN FLORENTINE PIZZA
10 ounce precooked thin pizza crust (such as Boboli) (or can use
whole wheat crust)
1 packet (1.6 ounces) Knorr Alfredo pasta
sauce mix
1 cup fat free milk
½ of a 10 ounce package frozen
chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained
4 ounces diced
fully-cooked chicken breast
¾ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/8-1/4 teaspoon
red pepper flakes
Preheat oven to 4000 F. Place pizza crust
on a baking sheet or baking stone and set aside.
In a saucepan,
whisk together Alfredo sauce mix and milk until well blended.
Stirring constantly, cook over medium- high heat until thickened,
about 1-2 minutes.
Spread Alfredo sauce over pizza crust.
Top
evenly with spinach and chicken, then mozzarella and Parmesan
cheeses.
Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Bake 10-12 minutes
or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
(Serving Size- 1/6 of pizza)
Calories: 264
Carbohydrate: 30
gms.
Fat: 8 gms.
Calories from fat: 72
Saturated Fat: 3 gms.
Fiber: 2 gms.
Sodium: 788 mg.
Protein: 18 gms.
EXCHANGES: 2 starch, ½ vegetable, I meat
For more recipes click below
Eating Well & Recipes
To help find a diabetes educator in your area,
contact 1-800-Teamup4 or the American Association of
Diabetes Educators website which is
www.diabeteseducator.org
.
Am I at Risk?
Take Our On-Line Risk Assessment by
clicking here
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
