martes, 31 de mayo de 2011

The Happiness Cure for Diabetes

Diabetes Newsletter
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The Happiness Cure for Diabetes

Sure, we all want to be happy. But what does that mean? It's interesting how so many people define happiness in ways that are either unattainable (to live on a tropical island, be a zillionaire, never have to work again) or aren't really all that soul satisfying (a sports car, thousands of Facebook fans, as much cake and ice cream as we wish).

Deep down, we all know a simple truth: Happiness isn't anything more than an attitude. It's finding pleasure in the small things of life. It's reacting to tough situations with calm, not anger. It's waking up feeling hopeful about the day, and going to bed feeling satisfied with what actually transpired.

Why are we talking about this stuff in a newsletter about diabetes? Simple: The benefits of a happy attitude go far beyond emotional and spiritual. They also include many important, life-enhancing physiological benefits. Maintaining a positive outlook reduces stress hormones that raise blood sugar. Also, when you're happier, you crank up your immune system, warding off a whole host of ailments.

Studies have also found that folks who are happy and laugh more are less likely to have heart problems than those who rarely smile. And, remember, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of those with diabetes. But what's even more surprising is that laughing and being in a good mood provides protection against heart attacks even among those with elevated blood pressure or cholesterol.

Not a natural born optimist? No worries. Try just one or two of the following mood-flipping strategies to improve your attitude and keep stress under control. You'll notice right away how it seems much easier to enjoy life and do the right thing for your health.

Arm yourself with humor. Of course, it's never easy to laugh when things aren't going your way. Keep some chortles a fingertip away by having books of cartoon collections handy—oh, that Garfield and his lasagna. Or click on some funny YouTube videos. Just a few minutes of laughing will ease muscle tension and stress.

Keep your eyes on the prize. Think of diabetes as a challenge that can make you better and, eventually, stronger. People who've managed their condition well say they are healthier now than they were before their diagnosis. They have better habits and lead happier lives.

Set moderate, achievable goals. You don't have to drop 100, 50, even 25 pounds to be successful at weight loss. In fact, setting unattainable goals only sets you up for failure. Instead, start with a reasonable goal, like losing 5 pounds. Even that amount will yield noticeable improvements in your health and in your self-confidence! Setting—and meeting—small daily goals (like eating one extra veggie or walking for 5 more minutes a day) provides a sense of accomplishment that keeps you going, too.

Say "no" to your inner skeptic. When a negative thought threatens to drag you down, fight back. When you hear yourself thinking that you'll never be able to lose weight or how unfair it is that you have to worry about your blood sugar, tell yourself "NO!" in your firmest, most commanding voice. Say it out loud if you need to. Sometimes this is all it takes to stop nagging, pessimistic thoughts from snowballing into a defeatist attitude or self-deprecation, both of which can lead to feelings of depression.

Put your marriage first. Unhappy marriages have been linked to high blood pressure, high levels of stress hormones, and depression. It's never too late to begin healthy communication with your spouse. Your do-this-today fix: Say "thank you" to your partner at least once a day and offer to do small kindnesses without being asked. Chances are your spouse will respond in kind.

Give and get massages from your spouse. This is a fabulous way to lower stress hormones and in turn, your blood sugar. And who knows where a massage could lead? We won't dare presume, but keep in mind that sex is not only good exercise, but a wonderful way to nurture your relationship. Money (and a red, convertible sports car) may not buy happiness—but love sure does.

Diabetes Recipes

RecipeGranola Macaroons 
By adding granola, this recipe is a healthy spin on a classic cookie favorite. What's even better: You mix your own granola rather than using commercial cereal, which can have up to 5 grams of fat per ounce!

Makes 2 ½ dozen

Ingredients:
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup dried apples or raisins
1/3 cup sliced almonds
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:
1    Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray; set aside. Place the oats in a small baking pan and toast, stirring occasionally, for 7 minutes or until lightly golden. Transfer to a large bowl and cool to room temperature.
2    Add the apples, almonds, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt, stirring to combine. Add the egg whites and vanilla, and mix until well combined.
3    With moistened hands, roll walnut-size pieces of dough into rounds and place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly and bake for 18 minutes or until golden brown and slightly firm, but not hard. Cool the cookies for 5 minutes on the pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Per macaroon: 53 cal, 1 g fat, 10 g carbs, 2 g protein, 1 g fiber, 0 mg chol, 34 mg sodium, 7 mg calcium

Tip of the Week

The Candy Bar of Choice for Diabetes

Alongside the checkout aisle, a multitude of candy bars tempt you with the sweet taste of childhood memories. You've recently checked your blood sugar and know that you have a few calories to splurge on a snack. But which bar is best? They all contain lots of sugar and calories. Here, we decode three of the most popular bars so you can evaluate your indulgence:
Snickers (30 g sugar, 280 calories, 4 g protein) scores as the best of the worst. Even though it's slightly higher in calories than other bars, it contains the lowest amount of sugar. Snickers also packs in nuts, a source of fiber and healthy monounsaturated fat. And compared to the non-nutty bars, Snickers will slightly curb the blood-sugar spike you'll experience after munching one.
Milky Way (35 g sugar, 260 calories, 2 g protein) consists mostly of marshmallowy fluff and caramel, so it's digested rapidly—which is what causes those rollercoaster blood-sugar spikes and dips. On the plus side, though, Milky Way offers the most calcium of the three at 6 percent of Recommended Daily Value.
3 Musketeers (40 g sugar, 260 calories, 2 g protein) commercials show the bars floating away because they're so light. But it's high sugar content and negligible amount of fiber—only 1 g—makes it the worst choice of the three.



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This weekly newsletter is from Reverse Diabetes, a multimedia resource from Reader's Digest to help people with diabetes take control of their health. Look for Reverse Diabetes magazines at newsstands everywhere; Reverse Diabetes books wherever books are sold; and daily tips and conversation at www.Facebook.com/ReverseDiabetes.

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Copyright © 2011 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

martes, 24 de mayo de 2011

The Fascinating Truth About Eggs

Diabetes Newsletter
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The Fascinating Truth About Eggs

Do you ever get to the egg section of your supermarket, pause a moment and scratch your head, wondering what in the world all those claims on the cartons are? Or more importantly, why you should invest your money in them?  "Free range", "cage free", "omega-3", "vegetarian"—all of these labels may be stamped on the side of your egg carton, but they don't always mean what they imply.  We've decoded exactly what these claims mean—and if they're worth paying the extra money for. 

"Free range" might evoke images of a happy, healthy chicken roaming freely on a grassy hillside. But the label doesn't guarantee that the hen was actually able to roam around outdoors. The USDA enforces free-range conditions only for birds that are sold for their meat, not for egg-laying chickens. Even then, they only need to have access to the outdoors, meaning a door in the side of the barn qualifies, whether the chicken ever passes through it or not. And the designation doesn't factor in if the door leads to a concrete slab or actual grass or dirt.

"Cage free" simply means that the hens are not confined to a cage. It doesn't always mean that they have real freedom to roam a farm and eat a varied diet, which is vital to the nutrients in the egg.  The size of their space varies greatly from farm to farm.  Some chickens have no more room than a small pet carrier! Almost all cage-free hens are still kept indoors and often, it's in a cramped barn.
 
One of the benefits of cage-free and free-range is that, theoretically, the chickens will be healthier.  When chickens are confined to the indoors, without access to natural light and the ability to stretch their legs, they can become sick more easily, requiring more drugs.  Animals that are allowed to live more naturally in the outdoors require fewer antibiotics—which means YOU ingest fewer antibiotics by proxy.  Because the federal regulations on free-range and cage-free are still a little murky, we consider this an optional investment.  

Organic indicates that the bird was fed pesticide-free food and wasn't given hormones or antibiotics to help spur their growth and production. The debate is still open as to what effects (if any) these hormones and pesticides have on us.  Some experts believe they contribute to certain types of cancers—so until that debate is put to rest, we think it's a good investment pay the extra few cents for organic eggs.

Omega-3 eggs come from hens raised on feed high in this heart-healthy fat.  These eggs have two to three times the amount of omega 3s as a regular egg—but the total is still only half that of a 3-ounce serving of a fish like salmon.  But if you don't like fish, getting some omega 3s from eggs might be smart.

Vegetarian indicates that the chickens were fed only plants—no animal feed. If you're a lacto-ovo vegetarian (that is, you eat eggs and dairy but no meat), these are a good choice.

Brown eggs are sometimes marketed as being healthier than white, but it's not true; the two are pretty much the same in terms  of healthiness and taste. Brown eggs just come from different breeds of chicken (mostly, those with darker feathers). Several of those breeds eat more feed than chickens that lay white eggs, which is one reason brown eggs might be more expensive. Ultimately, an egg's taste and nutrition levels are most affected by the food the chicken eats, not its breed.

If you want the optimal choice for the best tasting, healthiest eggs, get them from your local farm, greenmarket or CSA. Most small farms practice sustainable farming and treat their chickens ethically.  If you don't have access to a farm or greenmarket, try an egg brand that combines a few of these labels, so you can ensure the maximum benefits.  Many brands now offer cage-free, organic eggs, for example, or omega-3, organic eggs.  That way, you get to reap two benefits in one!

Diabetes Recipes

Halibut and Vegetables Baked in Parchment 
Parchment cooking is just so simple, and yet it makes for a wonderful treat for diners. After, all what fun it is to cut open the packet to discover what's inside! Feel free to vary the vegetables you include. And if you don't have pachment paper, use foil instead.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 halibut steak cut into 4 pieces
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
4 tsp. lemon juice
2 shallots, finely chopped
4 Tbsp butter, cut into bits
2 carrots, peeled and julienned
2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green) cored, seeded, and cut into ¼ -inch wide strips

Preparation:
1.    Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Place each piece of fish parallel to the narrow side of a 12x18 inch piece of parchment paper or foil, about 3 inches from the edge. Top with equal amounts of remaining ingredients.
2.    Bring parchment over the fish, seal edges tightly, and place on a baking sheet. Bake until parchment puffs out, about 15 minutes.
3.    Place each packet on a serving plate, cut an X slit on top, and open carefully.

Per serving: 259 calories, 14 g fat, 67 mg chol, 479 mg sodium, 8 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 25 g protein.

Tip of the Week

Sleep Your Way to Exercise

Think of sleep the same way you do exercise: a beneficial action you need to prepare yourself for.  You can just walk out the door and start sprinting down the street, but better if you stretch and prepare first. Ditto for sleep.  Here's how to get your mind ready for a great night's sleep.

1. Turn off the TV and computer an hour before bed. The light from the screens can reset your whole wake/sleep cycle, postponing the onset of sleepy feelings by three hours! (And you wonder why you lay in bed unable to fall asleep at night!)
2. Write down your to-do list before you hit the sack.  This will eliminate the need to bolt up in the middle of the night reminding yourself to pay a bill tomorrow, or finish a report at work before your 3 pm meeting. 
3. Soothe yourself with quiet music or sounds.  Set-up a CD player in your bedroom and drift off to your favorite relaxing music or audio sounds.  Some people enjoy "ocean" noises or soothing nature sounds—whatever your audio pleasure, this strategy helps lull you to sleep best when it's a quiet, steady beat. 



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This weekly newsletter is from Reverse Diabetes, a multimedia resource from Reader's Digest to help people with diabetes take control of their health. Look for Reverse Diabetes magazines at newsstands everywhere; Reverse Diabetes books wherever books are sold; and daily tips and conversation at www.Facebook.com/ReverseDiabetes.

View our Privacy Policy.

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Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Email the editors today. Just click here!

Reader's Digest Association
750 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Copyright © 2011 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

martes, 17 de mayo de 2011

Surprising Diabetes Dangers

Diabetes Newsletter
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Twitter facebook Sign-Up Tuesday May 10, 2011

Surprising Diabetes Dangers

In the world of physics, every action is said to have an equal and opposite reaction. But that's not quite true when it comes to diabetes management. Seemingly small actions you take during your day can cause a chain reaction that has a surprisingly significant affect on your blood-sugar levels and your health. Learn the real impact in and on your body when you do these healthy and unhealthy things.

What happens when…I have a cocktail before dinner? When you pour that pre-dinner drink, it's been hours since you ate lunch. After your midday meal, your blood sugar rose, then dropped. To bring your blood sugar back to normal, your liver began releasing glucose into the blood. However, alcohol temporarily shuts down that process. In some cases this could cause you to develop hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar. That's especially true if you inject insulin or take diabetes medications. Bottom line: Never drink on an empty stomach. Hold off on your glass of wine or drink until after you're well into your meal. And limit yourself to just one drink; when consumed with food, one drink is perfectly healthy.

What happens when…I spend the day really happy? When you're feeling chipper, your body settles into a state of calm that has several physiological benefits. First, it keeps stress hormones at bay. And that means your blood sugar, heart rate, and blood pressure all stay mellow. Studies show that a calm, happy mood also can boost your immune system, making you less susceptible to colds and flu. Then there are the psychological benefits. Studies reveal that diabetes patients who are upbeat and optimistic are more likely to eat right and exercise—and have better blood sugar to show for it.
Bottom line: Keeping a sunny attitude directly benefits your blood sugar management, as well as your heart health and overall well-being.

What happens when…I skip breakfast? When you wake up after a long night's rest, your body has gone as much as 12 hours without a meal. That usually means you have a shortage of glucose in your bloodstream. Skip breakfast, and that shortage grows worse, meaning you get that low-blood-sugar jittery feeling, your brain is lacking in fuel, and your entire body chemistry starts the day out of whack. Even worse, skipping breakfast sets you up for bad eating choices later that day—unhealthy snacks, binge eating at lunch.
Bottom line: While it's natural to focus on dinner as the main meal of the day, breakfast plays the greatest role in establishing healthy internal chemistry for the day. Make a commitment: Never skip breakfast.

What happens when…I snack on an apple? Every bite of a juicy apple delivers vital nutrients and other food compounds that keep your metabolism on an even keel, curb your appetite, and nourish your heart. Chief among them is fiber, specifically soluble fiber, which has a talent that's critical for controlling blood sugar: It turns all gooey in your intestines. That slows down digestion, which means the sugar in an apple—and it has plenty—is absorbed slowly. Eating one apple barely causes a blip in your blood sugar!
Bottom line: An apple a day really does keeps the doctor away.

What happens when…I spend all day sitting around? On a day when you don't give your muscles enough work to do, glucose remains in your bloodstream, going unused. Over time, a sit-around lifestyle encourages two major problems. Your body begins to convert that unused sugar to fat, putting hard-to-lose weight on your belly, butt and thighs. And that extra glucose in the blood increases dangerous compounds called AGEs that damage nerve and blood cells.
Bottom line: Sitting all day is a set-up for bad blood sugar, weight gain, and the maladies they both cause. Change your perspective: Think of two hours of sitting as being as bad for you as eating a large candy bar. Sit all day, and that's like eating lots of candy bars. The antidote? As simple as getting up each hour and walking for a few minutes.

Diabetes Recipes

RecipeRaspberry Frozen Yogurt
This frozen yogurt, exotically flavored with rose water, is much lower in sugar than store-bought frozen yogurt. Serve scoops on their own, or pile into sundae glasses with fresh fruit and mint.

Serves 8

Ingredients:
1 pound raspberries
4 tablespoons seedless raspberry jam
2 tablespoons rose water (optional)
1 pound plain nonfat yogurt
3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, or to taste
Raspberries for garnish
Fresh mint for garnish

Preparation:
1    Put the raspberries into a saucepan and add the raspberry jam. Warm over a low heat until the raspberries are pulpy, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
2    Press the raspberries and their juice through a sieve into a bowl; discard the seeds in the sieve. Stir in the rose water, if using. Whisk in the yogurt until smoothly blended. Taste the mixture and sweeten with sugar.
3    Pour into an ice-cream machine and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. When you have a smooth and creamy frozen mixture, spoon it into a rigid freezer proof container. Freeze for at least 1 hour. If you do not have an ice-cream machine, pour the mixture straight into a large freezer proof container and freeze until set around the edges, about 1 hour. Beat until the mixture is smooth, then return to the freezer. Freeze for 30 minutes, then beat again. Repeat the freezing and beating several times more until the frozen yogurt has a smooth consistency, then leave it to freeze for at least an hour.
4    If storing in the freezer for longer than 1 hour, transfer the frozen yogurt to the fridge 20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Decorate with raspberries and mint, if desired.

Per serving: 80 cal, 0 g fat (0 g sat), 18 g carbs, 3 g protein, 4 g fiber, 1 mg chol, 36 mg sodium, 104 mg calcium

Tip of the Week

Eat the Three Bs

Among the healthiest foods on the planet, these grains are high in the fiber and nutrients that are perfect for healthy blood sugar and metabolism. Not to mention, they're hearty and delicious. Here's how to cook with them.
Barley. Use it as an alternative for pasta or rice, or sauté it with veggies for a side dish. Chill it and make a barley salad with herbs, dressing, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Bran. Use it to replace half the flour in muffin recipes. Mix it into meat loaf or sprinkle bran flakes on casseroles.
Bulgur. (also called kasha) Make bulgur pilaf as a side dish or use the grain cold to make a salad such as tabbouleh. Cook hot bulgur cereal in salted water as you would oatmeal.



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This weekly newsletter is from Reverse Diabetes, a multimedia resource from Reader's Digest to help people with diabetes take control of their health. Look for Reverse Diabetes magazines at newsstands everywhere; Reverse Diabetes books wherever books are sold; and daily tips and conversation at www.Facebook.com/ReverseDiabetes.

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Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Email the editors today. Just click here!

Reader's Digest Association
750 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Copyright © 2011 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

martes, 10 de mayo de 2011

Lies and Truths About Grapefruit

Diabetes Newsletter
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Lies and Truths About Grapefruit

Few foods have had as many misconceptions about them as the grapefruit. It's been touted as the cure for heart disease, a detoxifier, the subject of fad diets, a weight loss miracle agent, a "magic food" for stable blood sugar, and a prescription drug interferer—the poor grapefruit has certainly been through the rumor mill! It's time to set the record straight on this citrus.

• Weight loss miracle? The Grapefruit Diet has been around since the 1930s, and tends to regain popularity every few decades—you might remember the resurgence of it during the 1980s. The theory is that some "magical" ingredient in grapefruits burns fat and causes weight loss. Alas, there's no evidence of any such miracle nutrient in grapefruit. In fact, the grapefruit diet works short-term for one simple reason: it is extremely low-calorie, usually 800 to 1,000 calories per day. Eat that little (most people need about 1,800-2,000 calories a day to maintain their weight), and yes, you'll shed pounds. But it's a short-term loss; resume your ordinary eating patterns, and the weight will come right back (hence the word "fad").

Now, that doesn't mean that grapefruit isn't good for you—or that it won't help you lose weight. In fact, a recent study looked at 100 obese people and found that those who ate half a grapefruit or drank grapefruit juice before each meal lost between three and four pounds over a three-month period! This is probably because the fiber in grapefruit fills you up (which means you eat less), all for a measly 41 calories! No need to adhere to some severe regimen. Simply add grapefruit to an already healthy diet to reap its benefits.

Diabetes magic food? We'll be honest: We're the ones who called it this, by putting it on our list of 57 foods featured in our book, Magic Foods for Better Blood Sugar. Grapefruit has a super-low glycemic load—meaning it has little effect on blood sugar. And grapefruit and oranges are at the top of the list of fruits and vegetables with the most soluble fiber, which also helps prevent blood sugar spikes.

• Detox agent? Many people believe grapefruit can detox their dietary sins. This is somewhat true. Grapefruit juice significantly increases the production and activity of liver detoxification enzymes responsible for preparing toxic compounds for elimination from the body. However, no amount of fruit juice will erase an unhealthy lifestyle.

Lowers cholesterol? Yes, that's true as well! All types of grapefruit can reduce blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and red grapefruit lowers triglycerides as well.

The health benefits don't stop there. Of course, grapefruit like all citrus fruits is renowned for its vitamin C content, an antioxidant that can help fight heart disease and complications of diabetes such as nerve damage. You'll get more than 75 per cent of a whole day's vitamin C requirement in a half a grapefruit! Pink and red grapefruits also contain lycopene, which studies show may help reduce the risk of developing breast and prostate cancer.

Now, there is one instance when grapefruit might be problematic. Natural compounds in grapefruit can interfere with the action of some prescription drugs, making them either stronger or weaker than they're supposed to be. This is especially true for cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. Grapefruits actually increase the action of statins and cause an increased risk of developing toxic side effects from the medication. If you take prescription medication, have a discussion about consuming grapefruits with your doctor before you integrate them into your diet.

Remember: One serving is 1/2 a grapefruit. It may not sound like much, but the pectin and fiber in grapefruit will keep you feeling full and satisfied for hours!

Diabetes Recipes

RecipeNew Irish Stew
This classic celebratory dish gets a nutrition update—the proportion of vegetables to meat has been raised considerably. And that makes it healthy, hearty, and delicious!

Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch chunks
4 red or Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled and coarsely chopped
3 carrots, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
2 onions, coarsely chopped
2 leeks, rinsed and white pale green parts coarsely chopped
1 large turnip, peeled and coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen 

Preparation:
1    In a large nonstick pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Working in batches, add meat and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to medium bowl as it browns.
2    Add potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, and turnips to the pot. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in flour until blended. Add 3 cups of water, bay leaf, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Add meat. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender, 50 to 60 minutes. Add peas. Simmer 5 minutes, and serve.

Per serving: 263 cal, 6 g fat (2 g sat), 36 g carbs, 21 g protein, 6 g fiber, 49 mg chol, 486 mg sodium, 72 mg calcium

Tip of the Week

Take the "Good Sleep" Mini-Quiz

Sleep is as critical as water or air. Yet most of us assume sleep is a luxury, something that we can sacrifice to meet life's demands. It's not! If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, you're probably not getting enough zzzzs, and owe it to your health to get a full eight hours tonight.

1. Does your morning alarm typically awaken you from a deep sleep?
2. Are you groggy or grumpy for the first 30 minutes of being awake?
3. Do you feel sleepy right after lunch, or struggle to get through the day without a nap or caffeine?
4. Do you accidentally nod off while watching television in the evening?



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This weekly newsletter is from Reverse Diabetes, a multimedia resource from Reader's Digest to help people with diabetes take control of their health. Look for Reverse Diabetes magazines at newsstands everywhere; Reverse Diabetes books wherever books are sold; and daily tips and conversation at www.Facebook.com/ReverseDiabetes.

View our Privacy Policy.

Unsubscribe | Subscribe | Privacy Policy

Have questions, comments, or suggestions? Email the editors today. Just click here!

Reader's Digest Association
750 Third Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10017
Copyright © 2011 Reader's Digest Association, Inc. All rights reserved.

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