3 Penny-Pinching Tips for Controlling Diabetes

We have a fresh new look! What do you think? Tell us here.

	Tuesday August 9, 2011
How to Enjoy an Active, Sporting Life People with diabetes have scaled mountains, trekked across nations, won professional tennis matches, and much, much more. Exercise has oodles of benefits, from controlling blood sugar to trimming your waistline. But what might be a fun, enjoyable activity for one person might seem like drudgery to the next. Is some sort of specific health concern stopping you from stepping out? No worries. There's a sport or activity that will pump you up but still keep you safe. The key is finding one that suits your interest and health needs. Once you click on the court, in the field, or on the links, you'll discover a whole new world. What's even better: When you find a sport you enjoy, you'll be more likely to exercise—and to reap those sweaty benefits. First, be sure to check with your doctor or health-care professional before starting any new physical activity. To get yourself in the game, following these guidelines to find the best sport for you. If You Have Heart Disease Good for you: Moderate, nonstrenuous activity in moderate temperatures. Try mall walking, swimming, or cycling on a stationary bike. Possibly unsafe: Straining and strenuous activity in very hot and humid weather or very cold weather. Avoid push-ups, sit-ups, and walking up steep hills. If You Have Peripheral Artery Disease Good for you: Aquatic exercise, cycling, and walking. Possibly unsafe: Weight-bearing and high-impact exercise such as basketball and tennis. If You Have High Blood Pressure Good for you: Moderate aerobic and strength-training exercise. Walking, jogging, and stair climbing are fine. Possibly unsafe: Straining and strenuous exercise, such as power-lifting with weights. If You Have Neuropathy Good for you: Moderate intensity, low-impact exercises in moderate temperatures. Swimming is a good choice if you have pain or burning in your feet. Possibly unsafe: Strenuous, weight-bearing exercises such as step aerobics or hiking long distances, and working out in extreme temperatures. If You Have Retinopathy Good for you: Moderate, low-impact exercise with no straining during which you keep your head above your waist. Possibly unsafe: Anything that involves straining, jumping, holding your breath during exertion, or exercising with your head below waist level. Examples: basketball, heavy weightlifting, and certain yoga poses. If You Have Kidney Disease Good for you: Light or moderate exercise such as walking or swimming, and high-repetition strength-training using light weights and doing more than 15 repetitions at a time. Possibly unsafe: High-intensity, vigorous sports and lifting heavy weights. Tuscan Bean Crostini Want to be the talk of your next party? Or, at least jazz up your next family dinner? Then, whip up these delicious, colorful snacks that can be enjoyed hot or cold.  Makes 22 Ingredients: 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 thin baguette 3 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced Salt and pepper Sprigs of fresh herbs for garnish Preparation: 1    Heat the oil in a small skillet, add the onion and garlic, and cook gently until softened, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. 2    Meanwhile, place the cannellini beans in a bowl and mash with a potato masher or fork. Remove the pan of onion and garlic from the heat and stir in the mashed beans, yogurt, and thyme. Season lightly with salt and pepper and mix well. Keep warm while preparing the toasts. 3    Preheat the broiler to high. Cut the crusty ends off the baguette and discard, then cut the loaf into 22 equal slices, 1/2-inch thick. Toast the bread slices on both sides under the broiler. (Toasts can be left to cool and then kept in an airtight container; when ready to serve, top with the bean mixture, cooled to room temperature, and garnish.) 4    Thickly spread some bean mixture over each slice of toast, top with a tomato slice, and garnish with fresh herb sprigs. Per serving (one crostini): 45 cal, 1 g fat (0 g sat), 8 g carbs, 2 g protein, 1 g fiber, 0 mg chol, 66 mg sodium 3 Penny-Pinching Tips for Controlling Diabetes   Who doesn't like saving a buck here and there? Especially nowadays, it's more important than ever to watch your dollars and cents. So, here are three tips that'll help keep expenses low while keeping your blood sugar in check. 1. Reducing medication. Can you reduce any of your meds? Perhaps, if you've been eating well and exercising religiously. If you've seen significant improvements in your blood-sugar numbers, check with your doc about a possible decrease, and a savings. 2. Compare test strip prices. Ever buy a really inexpensive computer printer, then discover the ink cartridges were absurdly pricey? Avoid the same sort of sticker shock when buying test strips by pricing them before purchasing a meter. Over time, you'll spend much more money on test strips than you will on a meter. 3. Verify with insurance. Before you buy supplies, find out which ones your insurance covers. Most companies limit the types of brands you can buy that are eligible for reimbursement or coverage. Until next issue, here's to good health! Neil Wertheimer Editor in Chief, Reverse Diabetes	Advertisement Magic Foods Foods, meals & recipes that can balance your blood sugar and change your life. Kitchen Cabinet Cures Find hundreds of the absolute best home remedies. Prevent and even undo cardiovascular disease, while you easily shed dangerous belly fat. -- Healthy Heart Miracle Diet
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.