The Fat Solution for Diabetes

Still think chocolate is bad for your heart? Then read this now!
Tuesday March 29, 2011
In This Issue: The Fat Solution for Diabetes New Scientific Breakthroughs Slash Heart Attack Risk in HALF Sauces Made Healthy Lose Weight and Keep it Off - Without Dieting! Featured Recipe: Cherry Cobbler The Fat Solution for Diabetes Not only can you have fat, but you should have fat. Some 30 years after low-fat eating became the "official" approach to a healthy diet, the medical profession is in agreement that they got it largely wrong. As people with diabetes know so well, refined carbs and sugars are the greater cause of damage to our health and weight. On a low-fat diet, you would typically get 20 percent or less of your calories from fat. Today, doctors say getting 30 to 35 percent is more appropriate. But for good health, it does matter what kind of fat you have. Saturated fat from dairy foods, beef, pork, or even chicken is high in calories and low in nutrition and in large quantities is detrimental to your cardiovascular system. Your goal is to eat more of the healthy type of fat. If you haven't heard the phrase monounsaturated fat: Learn it. Know it. Eat it. Monounsaturated fats (also known as MUFAs for short) help reverse insulin resistance and improve cholesterol levels. These fats are found in plants and fish. You can feel good about eating MUFAs in moderation every day—and here are the foods with the highest concentrations. Avocados. A whole avocado might contain as much fat as a fast-food double cheeseburger, but it's mostly in the form of good-for-you MUFAS. Adding avocados to your diet can significantly lower unhealthy LDL cholesterol and other blood fats. Dark chocolate. Who knew? Half the fat in chocolate comes from MUFAs. However, only dark chocolate contains a high concentration of heart-healthy antioxidants, which lower blood pressure and protect the heart in other ways. Choose chocolate that is 70 percent or more cacao. Fish. As you probably know, seafood is the best source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are the best fats of all for your cardiovascular system and all-around health. Two weekly servings of fish (preferably oily varieties like salmon and Atlantic mackerel) can cut the risk of heart attack by up to 36 percent. Olives and olive oil. MUFA-rich olives and olive oil—especially the latter—are cornerstones of the Mediterranean diet, which many studies show protect the heart and fight diabetes. Canola and peanut oils are good choices, too. Peanut butter, nuts, and seeds. A daily serving of peanut butter could cut the risk for type 2 diabetes by 21 percent. Meanwhile, studies have shown that munching on nuts every day may lower the threat of heart attack by an incredible 35 percent! SPECIAL OFFER New Scientific Breakthroughs Slash Heart Attack Risk in HALF The medical community is simply astounded. New research is proving – in study after study – that eating a low-fat diet is completely ineffective in protecting against a heart attack. That's because all the heart-healthy evidence points to the fact that we need to eat fat to lose fat! Splurge on steak for the protective power of protein! Eat shrimp and cool down artery inflammation! Snack on chocolate – it's not just permitted – it's essential. Find out how you can halve your risk of a heart attack by adding the right fats to your diet – click here now. Sauces Made Healthy Many protein dishes are served with a sauce and oftentimes, those sauces are made from butter, cream, or leftover cooking fat, making them calorie bombs that can transform an otherwise healthy protein dish—like a grilled skinless chicken breast—into a caloric and cholesterol nightmare. What to do? Make your own sauce without all the calories. Here are a few easy and tasty ideas. • Use your blender to combine fresh herbs, garlic, and a little chicken broth for lovely green sauces that go well with poultry, pork, or fish. • Use jarred or homemade salsas, which are low cal thanks to their high veggie content. • Make "pesto" out of basil or arugula in your food processor. Combine large handfuls of these greens with a small handful of pine nuts, some olive oil, salt, pepper, and a teeny bit of low-fat Parmesan cheese.       SPECIAL OFFER Lose Weight and Keep it Off - Without Dieting! The country's leading doctors, nutritionists and weight loss authorities all agree: there really is only one way to lose weight for good. It isn't accomplished by crash dieting. Or fasting. Or exercising like mad. Or popping some "miracle pill". Instead, the only way you can truly begin enjoying long-lasting weight loss in 12 short weeks is with this doctor-approved plan. Best of all, you'll always have dozens of appetizing choices. You'll still be able to enjoy the foods you love. Within just three weeks you'll feel better, look better, and see those pounds dropping away... steadily and safely. Read more here... Cherry Cobbler This batter-on-the bottom cobbler is lower in calories than traditional cobblers. And sour cherries help balance your blood sugar. Ingredients 1/4 cup butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1 pint (2 cups) sour cherries, pitted and halved, if large   Serves 6 Preparation 1    Preheat oven to 350°F. Put the butter in a 9-inch round, deep-dish pie plate or shallow 2-quart baking dish. Put the pan in the oven until the butter melts, about 5 minutes. 2    Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, 1/4 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk and almond extract in a cup, then whisk the buttermilk mixture into the dry ingredients just until moistened, leaving a few lumps. 3    Pour the batter over the melted butter in the pan. Scatter the cherries on top of the batter and sprinkle with the remaining sugar. 4    Bake until browned around the edges and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Per serving: 162 cal, 8 g fat (5 g sat), 22 g carbs, 2 g protein, 1 g fiber, 21 mg chol, 255 mg sodium, 38 mg calcium Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes In the Next Issue: Excuse-Proof Your Workout Routine Scientific Proof That Grandma's Old-Fashioned Remedies Really Work! Instant Fiber Fixes for Diabetes Control Your Blood Sugar – Without Lifting a Finger! Featured Recipe: Goat Cheese Toasts
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Reverse Diabetes is a newsletter that offers trusted advice and information to help you maintain stable, healthy blood sugar levels. You'll also get delicious diabetes-friendly recipes, valuable tips and much more. Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions or comments, email the editors. Reader's Digest Association Reader's Digest Road Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000 Copyright © 2010 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Skim Does a Body Good

What highly effective diabetes treatments can you get without prescription right now? Find out here.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
In This Issue: Skim Does a Body Good Is Your Doctor Out of Date? A Healthy Bedtime Check-in When it Comes to Your Health, Grandma Knows Best Featured Recipe: Salmon with Tarragon Mayo Skim Does a Body Good Once upon a time, milk was milk. It came from a cow, in one type, usually in a glass bottle. But as with every other consumer product today, you have a surprisingly large number of choices when it comes to buying milk. Some variations are recent, such as organic milk, milk with nutrients like omega-3 acids, milk packed in glass, plastic, or paper, even flavored milk. But the most important choice of all is which of the four levels of fat should you get. Is there really that much of a difference between whole and skim milk and the different percentages in between? The answer is a resounding yes—and that difference can have a big impact on your health. Compare the calories and fat in an 8-ounce glass of milk for the four usual suspects you see in your grocer's refrigerator: Whole milk    150 calories    8 g fat 2% milk    120 calories    4.5 g fat 1% milk    100 calories    2.5 g fat Skim milk    80 calories    0 g fat If you think these differences in fat content don't sound like a lot, consider that most fat in milk is saturated fat, the biggest contributor to heart disease and high cholesterol in our diets. American adults tend to think about milk consumption only from the carton to the glass—and most of us don't actually drink a lot of milk. But we do consume a lot of milk in things like ice cream, yogurt, cereal, oatmeal, soups, and the ultimate culprit, cheese. The fat and calories in milk really add up when you factor in all the other milk sources. Let's say you decide to switch to skim milk. If you drink two glasses of whole milk every day, you'd save 140 calories per day. Although that doesn't sound like much, over a year's time those calories are the equivalent of nearly 15 pounds. The extra fat and calories from 1% and 2% add up, too. If you drink two glasses of 1% milk a day, that's 150 grams of fat per month instead of 0 grams of fat from the same amount of skim!  SPECIAL OFFER Is Your Doctor Out of Date? The biggest complaint about skim milk is that it's bland in flavor. But as with anything, your taste buds can and will adjust to the taste—and afford you better health and better blood sugar in the process! When it comes to the latest breakthroughs, there's a good chance your doctor may not be telling you everything there is to know about diabetes – especially when dramatic new evidence proves you can easily REVERSE your symptoms without using drugs! Fortunately, you don't need to turn to your doctor to benefit from any of these new diabetes-busting breakthroughs. That's because you'll find all the information you need to reverse your diabetes for good right here... A Healthy Bedtime Check-in What is your going-to-bed ritual? Each of us has one. Whether it includes reading, writing in a journal, or just brushing our teeth and getting into our jammies, these are precious moments in which we focus entirely on ourselves. Which makes bedtime the perfect time for self-reflection. An honest assessment of how you did today against your healthy lifestyle goals, done in the quiet of your own bed—and entirely unspoken—will not only help you focus on what's important in your life, but make you far more committed to doing even better tomorrow. Here are some questions you should consider asking yourself each night before closing your eyes. The answers you give can help you focus on what you need to do to control your diabetes. Don't underestimate the power they can have on your health and happiness! Did I… follow the diabetes regimen I agreed to with my doctor? take my medicines as I'm supposed to? walk as much as I could have? make time for a little extra movement? floss my teeth? get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air? take at least 15 minutes to really relax and unwind? avoid sitting for more than an hour at a time? laugh out loud? stay positive? spend quality time with family, friends, or coworkers? get angry or stressed when I shouldn't have? show love or gratitude to someone? accomplish the things I wanted to? watch too much TV? waste time on my laptop, cell phone, or iPad?     SPECIAL OFFER When it Comes to Your Health, Grandma Knows Best That's what I told my doctor when he asked about my asthma medication. And you can bet he was amazed when I told him how Grandma's "Coca-Cola Cure" really worked!  Unbelievable? Think again. You can heal your own everyday health problems and reduce your dependence on pricey medications by just using simple, safe, everyday home remedies like…  keep reading… Salmon with Tarragon Mayo Flavored mayonnaise is a wonderful way to boost the taste of fish. And by using the poaching liquid from the salmon to make couscous, you not only make the side dish harmonious with the fish, but delectable as well. Ingredients 4 (4 ounce) salmon steaks or fillets 1/2 cup dry white wine 1 to 2 bay leaves Strip of pared lemon zest 4 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt Finely grated zest of 1 lemon 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon 1 cup couscous 4 tomatoes, roughly chopped 3 scallions, chopped 2 cups watercress, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil Juice of 1 lemon Salt and pepper Serves 4 Preparation 1    Place the salmon in a deep-sided, nonstick skillet. Pour the wine over it and add the bay leaves, lemon zest, and seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and poach the salmon until just cooked, about 5 to 6 minutes. It should still be very slightly translucent in the center. 2    Meanwhile, stir together the mayonnaise, yogurt, grated lemon zest, and tarragon. Season lightly with salt and pepper and spoon the mixture into a serving bowl. 3    When the fish is cooked, drain off most of the cooking liquid into a measuring cup, and add enough boiling water to make 1 1/2 cups. Cover the pan with a lid to keep the salmon warm, off the heat. 4    Pour the diluted fish broth over the couscous in a bowl and leave for 3 to 4 minutes for the liquid to be absorbed. Fluff up the couscous with a fork and stir in the chopped tomatoes, scallions, and watercress. Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over it, and stir to blend everything together. Season lightly with salt and pepper. 5    Serve the warm salmon with the couscous salad and the tarragon mayonnaise. Per serving: 463 cal, 15 g fat (3 g sat), 46 g carbs, 33 g protein, 4 g fiber, 73 mg chol, 247 mg sodium Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes In the Next Issue: The Fat Solution for Diabetes New Scientific Breakthroughs Slash Heart Attack Risk in HALF Sauces Made Healthy Lose Weight and Keep it Off - Without Dieting! Featured Recipe: Cherry Cobbler
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Reverse Diabetes is a newsletter that offers trusted advice and information to help you maintain stable, healthy blood sugar levels. You'll also get delicious diabetes-friendly recipes, valuable tips and much more. Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions or comments, email the editors. Reader's Digest Association Reader's Digest Road Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000 Copyright © 2010 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pancakes Are Back on the Menu

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Tuesday March 15, 2011
In This Issue: Your Total Diabetes Team How to Lower Your Blood Sugar up to 25% by Eating the Foods you Love! Pancakes Are Back on the Menu Healing Secrets Your Doctor May Be Afraid to Mention Featured Recipe: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Your Total Diabetes Team For small jobs around our homes, many of us hire a single "I-can-do-it-all" handyman. But when that really big project comes along—like adding a room or redoing the kitchen—we hire experts for the separate tasks: plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, flooring installers, and often a contractor to coordinate the work. It's the best way to make sure the job is done right, on time, and on budget. Health is much the same way. For smaller issues, like a bout of the flu, you can rely on your primary doctor to help get you better. But for an important chronic disease like diabetes, you need a team of specialists if you want to manage the condition effectively. How come? Diabetes is a many-faceted disease. To manage it, you need to not only deal with weight, diet, and exercise. You also have complex body chemistry to monitor and adjust, secondary issues to watch out for (from heart disease to foot health), and even emotional issues to overcome. Many of us can't afford having a full medical team standing by to help manage the condition. But if you are insured, you may be surprised at what is covered. Don't make assumptions: Call your provider and find out what they will pay for, and under what situations. And if you aren't insured, at minimum, you need to be aware of the different areas of focus you need to manage. You may find free counseling or checkups available in several of the categories as well. Here then are the key players available to you for diabetes management. The more you can engage, the better the chances you'll keep your condition under control for a long time to come. Your Primary Care Provider is your regular doctor, the person you see for general checkups and when you get sick. Most health insurers mandate that you have one; they are the gatekeepers of your healthcare, choosing when you need to move on to other doctors for more specialized cared. For people with diabetes, they are NOT an option; like the primary contractor on a home project, primary care providers should be the hub of all your healthcare needs and services. Look for a primary doctor (aka family practice doctor or an internist) who has cared for many people with diabetes. You should feel comfortable asking your primary doctor about his level of experience with diabetes management, as well as for referrals. A registered dietician helps determine your food needs based on your weight, lifestyle, and health goals (such as lowering blood pressure). Even if you've had diabetes for many years, seeing a dietitian is invaluable because food needs and blood-sugar patterns change as you age. A Diabetes Specialist is a nurse trained and certified to work specifically with diabetes patients, both in terms of educating them about their condition and providing care. If you want to really understand your condition and figure out the best lifestyle choices you can make to manage it, then working with a Diabetes Specialist makes huge sense. An endocrinologist is a specialist in diseases related to hormones, metabolism, and body chemistry, and is helpful for anyone having trouble getting his or her diabetes under control. An ophthalmologist monitors any changes in your eyes and vision. The American Diabetes Association suggests you see your eye doctor at least once a year, since diabetes often affects the blood vessels in the eye. See a dentist at least twice a year, as people with diabetes are at somewhat greater risk for gum disease. Be sure to tell your dentist that you have diabetes. A podiatrist is the one you should see if you have ongoing problems with your feet and lower legs, specifically sores and wounds that won't heal.  A mental health professional—be it a marriage counselor, psychiatrist, or social worker—can be very helpful in dealing with the emotional side of diabetes. Last but not least, you are the most important member of your health care team. Only you know how you feel. Your health care team is only as good as the information you give them. Talk to them honestly and tell them how you feel. SPECIAL OFFER How to Lower Your Blood Sugar up to 25% by Eating the Foods you Love! The country's leading doctors, nutritionists and weight loss authorities all agree that real, long-lasting weight loss is not accomplished by crash dieting. Or fasting. Or exercising like mad. Or popping some "miracle pill". Instead, the only way you can truly enjoy long-lasting weight loss is with a doctor-approved plan that guarantees BIG results in as little as 3 short weeks! What's more, what you need is an easy plan that offers you dozens of appetizing choices, and lets you enjoy all the foods you love. Find out what this sure-fire plan is – and how fast you can make it work for you – click here now. Pancakes Are Back on the Menu! Even for people without diabetes, the amount of refined carbohydrates and lack of protein in traditional pancakes and waffles can make blood-sugar levels go sky high and then come crashing down. But you don't have to swear off these delicious breakfast foods—here's how to make them diabetes friendly. 1.    Switch to buckwheat pancakes. 2.    Make homemade whole-wheat pancakes (or waffles) with a few teaspoons of wheat germ. 3.    Add fiber-rich foods to the batter. Great choices include raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, apples, or granola. 4.    Beware of butter and maple syrup. You can double the calories and send carb levels surging by smothering your pancakes with them. Want a topping? Again, use fresh berries or a small dollop of fresh whipped cream. 5.    Balance with protein. Add walnuts or almonds atop your hotcakes and waffles for blood-sugar stabilizing healthy fats and protein.    SPECIAL OFFER Healing Secrets Your Doctor May Be Afraid to Mention Hundreds of thousands of doctors across the country would love to stop writing prescriptions for expensive drugs, and instead send you home with a list of foods that can ease arthritis... lower blood pressure ... improve cholesterol... fight diabetes and more -- but they're afraid.  Why?  Because big pharmaceutical companies and insurance giants pressure your doctor to do everything "by the book."  So no matter how much they may want to tell you to fight disease with foods -- their hands are tied.  But the reality is, somewhere in the world, the health problem you're suffering from today has been solved.  Not by drugs. Not by surgery.  But with FOOD!  Read more... Cinnamon-Raisin Bread Each slice of this easy-to-make bread delivers a whole lot of goodness, including a whopping 6 grams of fiber and 7 grams of protein. Have a slice with a piece of fruit and a little yogurt for the perfect everyday breakfast. Ingredients 5 cups whole-wheat flour 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 package instant dry yeast 2/3 cup raisins 3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 cup fat-free milk, plus 1 tablespoon to glaze 1 egg, lightly beaten Makes 1 loaf (16 slices) Preparation 1    Lightly coat a 2-pound loaf pan with cooking spray and flour. Sift the flour, salt, and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the yeast, raisins, and sugar, and make a well in the center. 2    Gently heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan until the butter has melted and the mixture is just warm. Pour into the well in the dry ingredients and add the beaten egg. Mix together to make a soft dough. 3    Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Shape the dough into a loaf and place in the prepared pan. Cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap that has been coated with cooking spray and leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour. 4    Toward the end of the rising time, preheat the oven to 425°F. Uncover the loaf and brush with the milk to glaze. Bake until it sounds hollow when removed from the pan and tapped on the bottom, about 30 minutes. Cover the loaf with foil toward the end of the cooking time if the top is browning too much. 5    Turn out onto a wire rack and cool. The bread can be kept, wrapped in foil, for 2 to 3 days.  Per slice: 198 cal, 3 g fat (1 g sat), 38 g carbs, 7 g protein, 6 g fiber, 19 mg chol, 234 mg sodium Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes In the Next Issue: Skim Does a Body Good Is Your Doctor Out of Date? A Healthy Bedtime Check-in When it Comes to Your Health, Grandma Knows Best Featured Recipe: Salmon with Tarragon Mayo
Become a Fan: Reverse Diabetes on Facebook      | Reverse Diabetes on Twitter
Reverse Diabetes is a newsletter that offers trusted advice and information to help you maintain stable, healthy blood sugar levels. You'll also get delicious diabetes-friendly recipes, valuable tips and much more. Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions or comments, email the editors. Reader's Digest Association Reader's Digest Road Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000 Copyright © 2010 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Ultimate Diabetes-Fighting Fruit

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Wednesday, March 9, 2011
In This Issue: The Ultimate Diabetes-Fighting Fruit "Why Are You Rubbing CHOCOLATE on Your Face?" Move for Your Mood Food that Makes Women 30% Less Likely to Get Diabetes Featured Recipe: Chickpea and Pita Salad The Ultimate Diabetes-Fighting Fruit It doesn't matter if you say "tom-ay-to" or "tom-ah-to," so long as you say, "yes" to eating them. These juicy fruits (yes, tomatoes are fruits) are incredibly low in calories (just 22 per tomato!) and carbs (less than 5 grams each). What's more, they're rich in vitamin C, which helps protect the body from blood-sugar damage. They're also rich in lycopene, a nutrient that's a member of the beta-carotene family that has proven blood-sugar stabilizing effects. Lycopene is also a powerful antioxidant. Men who eat tomatoes and tomato products such as tomato paste and tomato sauce at least twice a week lower their risk of prostate cancer by 24 to 36 percent! There are also studies that have linked tomatoes to reduced risk of osteoporosis, asthma, and inflammation. Tomatoes are so versatile, the opportunities to eat them are endless. Of all the veggies and fruits to incorporate into your diet, they are some of the easiest to use. Because lycopene is fat-soluble, it needs a little healthy fat to be absorbed into the body. That's an easy fix—tomatoes and olive oil go together famously. You can also serve them with nuts or avocados (other healthy fats). Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste all count, too! Ketchup and tomato juice are rich in lycopene, but they're high in sugar and sodium, so try to limit your intake. Want more ways to get tomatoes into your diet? • Eat a tomato whole. Like an apple, a whole tomato makes a great snack. Just keep extra napkins on hand. Or opt for cherry or grape tomatoes, which are every bit as healthy but minus the mess. • Add sliced tomatoes not only to your salads and sandwiches, but on fish, chicken breasts, or pork entrées as well. • Whip up a fresh salsa, and use as a sauce on everything—meats, vegetables or carbs! • Serve sliced tomatoes with low-fat mozzarella, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil as a snack or appetizer. • Sneak a can of diced tomatoes in soups and stews. • Make homemade pizza on whole-wheat dough with low-fat cheese—and extra tomato sauce. SPECIAL OFFER "Why Are You Rubbing CHOCOLATE on Your Face?" As you can imagine my sister was shocked to see me rubbing chocolate on my face recently – and you can't blame her really! You see, my poor sister was still under the impression that you need a lot of expensive, store-bought products to keep your home, your yard and your life in tip-top shape. She didn't yet know that chocolate just happens to be one of the best skin softeners around... that you can restore scratched furniture with coffee... catch garden pests with beer... and save yourself hundreds of dollars with all these extraordinary uses for everyday things... Move for Your Mood When you're in a bad or sad mood, sometimes just getting out of bed can be a major achievement. But that's precisely when you should do the opposite—move! Exercise boosts your mood by triggering the release of mood-enhancing brain chemicals. It also provides a chance to think through your issues—or forget them! And of course, exercise forces your cells to take up more blood sugar, a wonderful thing for people with diabetes. Here are some tips to stop you from thinking up excuses for not exercising when you're feeling low. 1. Plan to exercise in the morning. You'll have less of a chance to find reasons to skip it during the day. 2. Invest in a good MP3 player. Load it up with your favorite music and use it to get energized and motivated. 3. Just do anything. If the thought of exercising for an hour seems daunting, exercise for 10 minutes, then see how you feel. Usually getting up off the couch—or getting to the gym—is the hardest part. 4. Find an exercise buddy. They'll motivate you—and you'll motivate them. Plus, it makes the experience more fun! 5. Walk it off. Few workouts are as simple as throwing on sweats and sneakers and going outdoors for a neighborhood stroll. A morning and/or evening stroll are good for body, mind, and soul.   SPECIAL OFFER Food that Makes Women 30% Less Likely to Get Diabetes According to a recent study women who eat this one food just five times a week can block their risk of diabetes by 30%.  And that's not all.  Studies also showed that one-tablespoon of lemon juice dropped the blood-sugar impact of a meal by 30%.  And if you use vinegar this way you can actually lower your blood sugar up to 55%. And avocado lowers your blood sugar and your cholesterol even though it's loaded with fat.  Read more ways to fight blood sugar problems... Chickpea and Pita Salad It's important to grill the pita bread until it's really crisp and golden or it will quickly become soggy when mixed with the other ingredients. The dressing adds the distinctive flavors of olives, anchovy, and garlic.  Ingredients Salad 4 whole-wheat pita breads 2 cans (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 cucumber, diced 4 large beefsteak tomatoes 6 scallions, chopped 1/2 cup pitted black olives, preferably kalamata Sprigs of fresh mint for garnish Dressing 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons olive tapenade 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint Freshly-ground pepper Serves 8 Preparation 1    Preheat the oven broiler. Split the pita breads in half by carefully cutting them open with a sharp knife. Place them on a baking sheet. Toast under the broiler until golden brown and crisp, turning once, then allow to cool. Tear into bite-size pieces. 2    Put the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, scallions, and olives in a serving bowl. For the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, tapenade, mint, and pepper to taste. Drizzle over the vegetables and toss together. 3    Just before serving, add the pieces of pita bread and mix well. Serve garnished with sprigs of fresh mint. Per serving: 269 cal, 6 g fat (1 g sat), 44 g carbs, 11 g protein, 8 g fiber, 0 mg chol, 365 mg sodium Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes In the Next Issue: Your Total Diabetes Team How to Lower Your Blood Sugar up to 25% by Eating the Foods you Love! Pancakes Are Back on the Menu Healing Secrets Your Doctor May Be Afraid to Mention Featured Recipe: Cinnamon-Raisin Bread
Become a Fan: Reverse Diabetes on Facebook      | Reverse Diabetes on Twitter
Reverse Diabetes is a newsletter, sent three times a week, that offers trusted advice and information to help you maintain stable, healthy blood sugar levels. You'll also get delicious diabetes-friendly recipes, valuable tips and much more. Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy Policy Please do not reply to this email. If you have questions or comments, email the editors. Reader's Digest Association Reader's Digest Road Pleasantville, NY 10570-7000 Copyright © 2010 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

Is Diabetes Affecting Your Hearing?

Tame blood sugar swings - in front of the TV! Find out how.
Thursday March 03, 2011
In This Issue: Is Diabetes Affecting Your Hearing? Scientific Proof That Grandma's Old-Fashioned Remedies Really Work! Jazz Up Your Chicken Massage Diabetes Away! Featured Recipe: Chicken and Sweet Potato Salad with Pineapple Salsa Is Diabetes Affecting Your Hearing? It's long been known that diabetes can cause serious damage to your blood vessels. This is why diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease in America. But did you know that the same type of diabetes-related blood-vessel damage can affect your ears, diminishing your ability to hear? Diabetes can cause nerve damage that diminishes hearing. And some research suggests that diabetes can cause a shortage of a type of protein important to ear health. Add it up and people with diabetes are about twice as likely to experience hearing loss as people of the same age and background who don't have the disease. "Hearing loss may be an under-recognized complication of diabetes," the National Institutes of Health declared in a 2008 report. Chances are, you are reading this thinking, "My hearing is just fine." But is it? Believe it or not, it's rarely obvious to you if you're losing your hearing. For most people, hearing loss happens very gradually; to them, the sounds of the world still seem plentiful and relatively clear, even if their hearing is in decline. Loved ones and friends are often the first ones to notice your hearing loss, not you. There are a lot of myths surrounding hearing loss. The biggest is that you have to be "older" to have it. But most people with hearing loss are under 65 years old. And the percentage of younger people with hearing issues is getting larger, as modern audio technology and headphone use continues to increase. Do you frequently ask others to repeat themselves? Are you constantly turning up the TV or radio volume? Do you have trouble following conversations in loud restaurants or big groups? Do you think that people are always mumbling? If you answer "yes" to more than one of these questions, you might want be screened for hearing loss. People with diabetes should be diligent about getting routine hearing tests. At your next physical, ask your doctor to screen your hearing and even if you pass, share any concerns you may have. It can be easy to pass a hearing test in a quiet room but your day-to-day experiences are the real test.  SPECIAL OFFER Scientific Proof That Grandma's Old-Fashioned Remedies Really Work! The results are IN and they're astounding! In study after study, practical old-fashioned remedies are proving to be as safe and effective as today's prescription and over the counter drugs. For example, try taking GINGER the next time you're feeling dizzy. The right dose promises proven, side-effect-free relief. And, for minor burns, reach for HONEY, not new-fangled ointments. Recent studies show that honey heals burns quicker with less pain and scarring than many of today's popular burn creams. And that's not all... Find out how you can literally cure it all with 1,001 home remedies by clicking here now. Jazz Up Your Chicken Have some leftover grilled chicken? Don't succumb to food boredom by having the same thing for lunch tomorrow that you have for dinner tonight. Get creative! Here are three things you can do with that leftover chicken to keep you satisfied at lunch—for less than 500 calories. • Cut the chicken into strips, and combine with sautéed bell peppers, onions, and black beans in a whole-wheat pita or wrap for a southwestern-style sandwich. Add a little salsa or some avocado slices for even more healthy flavor. • Dice chicken and toss with 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise, chopped apple, walnuts, diced onion, and a few generous shakes of curry and turmeric for a diabetes-friendly chicken curry salad. Serve with romaine lettuce for crunch. • Toss with whole-wheat penne pasta, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and the sautéed veggies of your choice.    SPECIAL OFFER Massage Diabetes Away! One of the best ways to relieve tension and fight depression – both of which affect your blood sugar control – is to enjoy a relaxing massage at least 3 times a week. And, HERE is the easiest way to treat yourself to this ultra-relaxing, diabetes-fighting 'prescription'. You'll find it's much more affordable than fancy, high priced massage chairs and beds. Plus, once you have it, you'll be able to enjoy the healing benefits of a soothing massage as often as you want, wherever you want - even in front of the TV! What kind is this special 'massager' called – and how can you use to it to massage your diabetes away? Find out here. Chicken and Sweet Potato Salad with Pineapple Salsa This salad is a wonderful mélange of tastes. Slices of chicken and sweet potatoes are served on a bed of leafy greens and vegetables, with a chunky pineapple salsa spooned over the top. Ingredients Potato Salad 2 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed and cut into 1-inch slices 4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts Pinch each of ground cinnamon and cumin 4 cups mixed salad leaves 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 4 tomatoes, cut into thin wedges 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon toasted sunflower seeds 2 scallions, finely shredded Salsa 1 medium ripe pineapple, peeled and chopped 1 small red onion, chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 1/2 teaspoon mild chili powder Pinch each of ground cinnamon and cumin Juice of 1 lime Dressing 1 teaspoon sugar Juice of 1/2 lime 1 tablespoon canola oil Dash soy sauce Serves 4 Preparation 1    Cook the sweet potato slices in a saucepan of boiling water until just tender, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and leave to cool. 2    Poach the chicken breasts in simmering water (use the water from the sweet potatoes, if desired) until cooked through, about 4 to 6 minutes. Drain and leave to cool, then cut into 1/2-inch slices. 3    Put the chicken and sweet potato slices in a bowl and sprinkle with the cinnamon and cumin. 4    To make the salsa, combine the pineapple, red onion, red bell pepper, mint, chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, and lime juice in a mixing bowl. 5    To make the dressing, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a large, shallow salad bowl. Add the salad leaves to the bowl, and toss to coat with the dressing. Arrange the chicken and sweet potato slices, the cucumber slices, and tomato wedges on top of the leaves, and scatter over the chopped cilantro, sunflower seeds, and scallions. Serve with the pineapple salsa, to taste.  Per serving: 479 cal, 9 g fat (1 g sat), 72 g carbs, 32 g protein, 9 g fiber, 67 mg chol, 107 mg sodium Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes In the Next Issue: The Ultimate Diabetes-Fighting Fruit "Why Are You Rubbing CHOCOLATE on Your Face?" Move for Your Mood Food that Makes Women 30% Less Likely to Get Diabetes Featured Recipe: Chickpea and Pita Salad
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