TACO-STYLE LASAGNA

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

2/3 cup water

1 pkg taco seasoning mix

1 can (15-oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (14 1/2-oz) Mexican-style diced tomatoes, do not drain

6 (8″) flour tortillas

1 can (16-oz) refried beans

3 cups (12-oz pkg) shredded Mexican cheese blend

In a large skillet, cook the beef, pepper, and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain well and rinse with hot water.  Return to skillet, add water and taco seasoning mix; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for two minutes.  Stir in the black beans and tomatoes.  Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish or pan.  Place two tortillas in greased pan and spread half of the refried beans and beef mixture over the tortillas.  Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over beef mixture.  Repeat layers.  Top with remaining tortillas and cheese.  Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.  Before serving, top each serving with some shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes, if desired, to bring some salad into the meal.

9 servings

SOUTHWESTERN SKILLET CORN

1 med red bell pepper, chopped

1 tbsp finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

1 tbsp butter

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 (1 lb) pkg frozen corn, thawed

1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro (parsley may be substituted)

In a large nonstick skillet, saute pepper and jalapeno in butter until they are tender.  Add cumin, cook another half a minute.  Add corn and cilantro; saute another 2 to 3 minutes or until heated through.

3/4 cup = 138 calories, 26 g carbs, 6 g protein

Note:  Be careful when handling jalapenos.  Wear gloves and do not touch your eyes or face.

TANGY LEMONADE PIE

1 pkg (.3 oz) sugar-free lemon gelatin

1 pkg (8 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese, cubed

1 3/4 tsp sugar-free lemonade drink mix

1 (8 oz) reduced fat graham cracker crust

6 tbsp sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare gelatin according to package directions.  Refrigerate until almost set.  Transfer gelatin to a blender or food processor.  Add the cream cheese and lemonade mix; cover and process until smooth.  Pour into the crust.  Refrigerate overnight.  Serve with whipped topping.

Enjoy!

Most diets that offer quick weight loss with little to no effort might work, but they do not work in the long run. If you do your homework, you can beat the odds and retain a healthy weight and live an active life. If you look for diabetes diet information, look for websites that give you strong, factual information. Look for sites that are run by or endorsed by doctors. Though anyone can say they are endorsed by a doctor, you should make sure you have good information just by using common sense. Look through the diebetes diet information that the site is providing and see if it makes any sense to you. If it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is not good information.

The best place to get diet information is to look through the foods you eat. You have to read though the labels of what is in your home and see what is good for you and what you have to throw out as soon as possible. You want to get rid of anything that has trans fats, sugars – especially high fructose corn syrup -, and anything that is processed. Good diabetes diet information will tell you that you want wholesome foods with no sugars and healthy fats in order to lose or maintain your weight. You have to watch portions, but don’t restrict your calories to the point where you will rebel and fall off of your diet plan rather easily. That is the biggest mistake many dieters make.

You should also make sure you get your diabetes diet information from a doctor or a registered nutritionist. They are probably your best sources for good information, and they will also be able to recommended exercise that might be good or someone with a medical condition. You should not just give up because you can’t find any good diabetes diet information. You can find something that works if you keep looking, but make sure you are buying facts, not hype.

A person with diabetes must track the glucose level in the blood several times throughout the day to help establish a normal reading for them at different times. For example, some diabetes diets raise sugar levels immediately after eating and if the level drops after a meal, there may be some cause for concern. Without the diabetes diet information based on that person’s history, it is not possible to know.

Your own country’s diabetes association is a good place to obtain solid diabetes diet information.One point to bear in mind is that there is no fixed diabetes diet. A diabetes diet is based on an individuals medical history.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics must learn to follow a diabetic diet plan in order to stay healthy. When following the right meal plan, such as the American Diabetic Diet, diabetic patients are able to effectively control their blood sugar without the need for medications.

The reason the American Diabetic Diet is so highly effective is because it comprises all food groups. The American Diabetic Diet plan recommends food high in mono unsaturated fats or polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Most of the calories recommended in the American Diabetic Diet come primarily from carbohydrates, second from fats, then from proteins.

The American Diabetic Diet is to be followed daily and carries the following recommendations:

-5 portions fresh fruit and vegetables (spinach, broccoli and carrots)

-6 portions whole grains (cereals, bread and pasta)

-2 portions (meat, fish or chicken)

-Dairy products (eggs, skim milk, non-fat cheese, yogurt even low-fat ice cream)

Everyone’s make-up is different, so too are their bodily requirements. Some require high calorie consumption. The American Diabetic Diet accommodates this group of people.

The American Diabetic Diet plan for the people requiring 1200-1600 calorie consumption includes:

-Three portions fruits and vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Three portions of fats

-Six portions of starches

The American Diabetic Diet plan for people requiring 1600-2000 calorie consumption includes:

-Three portions fruits

-Four portions vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Four portions of fats

-Eight portions of starches

The American Diabetic Diet plan for diabetic people requiring 2000-2400 calorie consumption include:

-Three portions fruits

-Four portions vegetables

-Two portions milk, yogurt and meat

-Five portions of fats

-Eleven portions of starches

Popular belief is that diabetic people are not to eat sweets. This is not always the case. The American Diabetic Diet recommends eating sweets but in limited amounts. It is important to eat low-calorie sweets or artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar.

The American Diabetic Diet plan is helpful not only for people suffering from diabetes, but for everyone. People who have diabetes have the same nutritional needs as everyone else. The need for regular exercise is also the same for those with diabetes as it is for those without.

Incorporating exercise and the American Diabetic Diet, along with individually prescribed medications, are essential for managing diabetes. By having a well-balanced diet and choosing the right types of foods, the diabetic can move their blood sugar back towards regular levels. Controlling blood glucose levels is the primary goal of the American Diabetic Diet.

Be healthy and live a longer, happier life through the American Diabetic Diet. Prior to implementing the American Diabetic Diet, please consult your health care physician.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus type II is caused by inadequate nutrition, overconsumption of high-fat foods, lacking exercise standards and a basic misrepresentation of health over years. Diabetes type 2 does not just happen overnight. In most instances, diabetes mellitus type 2 and gestational diabetes are the results of year after year of self-neglect. The facts are that we eat terribly-inefficient foods and we have become a physically inactive society. In fact, over one quarter of all Americans are labeled as completely sedentary.

What are the signs of diabetes?

The signs or symptoms of diabetes are as follows:

Being constantly thirsty; Having to urinate far too often; Never-ending hunger accompanied by unintentional weight loss; Dry skin and/or itchy skin; Tingling extremities; “Velvet-like” skin on your neck or underarms; Weakness and becoming easily fatigued; Being grouchy or irritable for no good reasons; Having difficulties waking from sleep; Bedwetting; Headaches; Nausea and/or vomiting; Blurry vision; Inability to focus mentally; More…

If you ignore the signs of diabetes for long enough and actually develop Type 2 diabetes mellitus, then you are going to need to seek medical assistance and drastically change your lifestyle. It is far better to manage the symptoms of diabetes before you ever have to. Remember that the things that are the causes of diabetes are the same as what you need to reverse the symptoms of diabetes. They are:

A diet that is mainly comprised of water-rich food sources – i.e. plants; Proper eating habits including portion sizes, proper carbohydrate levels and preset eating times; Daily physical activity that gets your heart pumping for at least 20 minutes or so; A stress management program that you employ constantly; Learning to see food as fuel instead of convenient pleasure;

Always remember that the signs of diabetes are able to be spotted, dealt with and reversed – at least in the vast majority of cases. If you feel that you may exhibiting any of the symptoms of diabetes, then schedule a visit with your physician and discuss them with him or her.

Symptoms and signs of diabetes left untreated for extended time periods can lead to:

Blindness; Kidney failure; Amputation of extremities; Nerve damage throughout the body; Heart disease; Strokes; Coma; Premature death;

Take the signs of diabetes seriously and deal with them expeditiously. Your health is your own responsibility and only you can know for sure how you are feeling. A water-rich diet and daily exercise are the keys to the prevention of diabetes mellitus Type 2.

Isn’t this familiar? You probably get this from your relatives and friends.

However, this is a common misconception among people that eating candy, foods high in sugars and other “unhealthy” foods is the cause of diabetes. Having a sweet tooth does not mean that you will end up with diabetes. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you can go gorging on desserts and sweet things. Too much of anything is probably not healthy in the long run. If you are eating only sweet stuff day in and day out and not getting nutritional food, this sort of a bad diet can probably lead to diabetes eventually.

So what are the true causes of diabetes?

To learn about the cause of diabetes, we need to understand diabetes. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Each sub-type has diverse causes and affect people of varied ages. Doctors and researchers all over the world still have not found out the real cause of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile diabetes, diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, sugar diabetes or brittle diabetes. This type of diabetes is usually found in children and young adults, characteristically those below the age of thirty are found to have this type of the bad health.

It is believed that genetics play a major part of why some people are predisposed to growing type 1 diabetes. Another suspected cause of type 1 diabetes is when the body begin to attack the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This results in the body not producing insulin anymore. Researchers and doctors are not sure why this occurs.

There is nothing that can be done to prevent type 1 diabetes, it is an autoimmune sickness.

A person who has type 2 diabetes still produces insulin but develops a resistance to insulin. Tissues in the body, such as muscles, do not respond to insulin and cannot use insulin to utilise glucose properly in the blood. Other organs such as the liver, along given the usual insulin-producing organ: the pancreas will increase insulin production. Finally the pancreas is unable to produce any more insulin and the tissues become even more insulin resistant.

How to lower your risk of growing Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes are usually casued by unhealthy lifestyle and eating habits. Those who are fat and physically inactive are at risk of this sickness. Especially those who have fat that is concentrated on the tummy. This type of diabetes usually affects people later in life usually around 52 and is often called late-onset diabetes. Recent statistics however, indicates that the average age of diagnosis is becoming lower as lifestyle habits change. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, there is an increased chance of developing this disease.

To lower your risk, you really need to maintain a nutritious diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables including a regular exercise.

Keep in mind that there are two reasons for anyone to have type 2 diabetes.

1. Their pancreas simply does not produce enough insulin anymore.

2. The cells have become insulin resistant.

Different diabetes medications are used for one of these two categories based on simple blood tests that tell the doctor which category you belong to.

Sulfonylureas

Oral medications such as Amaryl, DiaBeta, Glucotrol, Glynase, Micronase and others are all drugs that help lower blood glucose levels by causing the pancreas to produce and release more insulin.

Biguanides

These types of diabetic medications aid the insulin in moving glucose into different cells. This type of medicine is not for everyone though. If you have kidney problems or a history of heart problems you could be at risk of serious medical issues. Glucophage, Fortament, Glumetza and Riomet are all examples of Biguanides.

Thiazolidnediones

Drugs in this class such as Actos and Avandia work in making your body’s insulin more effective. They block the liver from releasing too much insulin, while making it more effective in muscle and fat.

Although Thiazolidinediones are excellent in type 2 diabetics, your doctor will do periodic blood tests to be sure they are not damaging your liver.

Alpha – Glucosidase Inhibitors

These diabetes medications slow down the increase in blood glucose levels by blocking out enzymes that aid in digesting starches.

A major side effect from these drugs such as Precose and Glyset are gas and diarrhea.

Meglitinides

Meglitinides, including Prandin and Starlix, work by helping the pancreas release additional insulin. This in turn will reduce blood glucose levels.

There are also several different combinations of these medications available that combine two different types into one pill.

This is only a brief overview and only your doctor can help determine the course of treatment that is right for you.

One of the most common treatment of diabetes medications taken in tablet form is sulfonamides, taken once or twice a day. It works by increasing the natural production of insulin in the body, so insulin injections are not necessary. The types of sulphonylureas available glibenclamide, glimepiride, and chlorpropamide, and they can cause various side effects. Sulfonamides work over a long period of time so that they can cause levels of blood sugar to drop too low, causing hypoglycemia. They are also known to cause nausea, stomach pain and weight gain excessive. On rare occasions, diabetics can take sulfonamides experience lumpy red rash on their skin.

Biguanide, otherwise known as metformin, a diabetes drug taken two to three times a day. It prevents the liver to produce new glucose and insulin also assists in the exercise of glucose to cells of the body. Side effects of this treatment are mild and include a stomach ache, nausea or diarrhea. Side effects decrease over time, and may be limited by taking tablets biguanide with food.

A recent addition to the list of medicines for treating diabetes is thiazolidinediones, which has two types, pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. This type 2 diabetes treatment is to reduce the body’s resistance to insulin, allowing diabetics to use insulin produced naturally more efficiently. There are side effects associated with thiazolidinediones, which include weight gain, increased incidence of pain, headaches, and some water retention. On rare occasions, May diabetics develop respiratory tract infections when taking the thiazolidinediones.

If you are at high risk of hypos when taking sulphonylureas, your doctor recommend May prandial glucose regulators who also increase production of insulin in the pancreas, but only over a short period of time. These can cause side effects such as nausea and stomach pain, but they are minimal when tablets are taken with meals. Diabetics taking prandial glucose regulation May also experience weight gain, but a flexible dosage can usually solve this problem.

A different approach in the fight against hyperglycemia associated with type 2 diabetes, is to take an inhibitor of alpha glucose. These reduce the speed at which carbohydrates are taken in the bloodstream so that your blood sugar levels do not increase too rapidly. The usual dose for alpha inhibitors glucose, such as acarbose is three tablets per day. However, your doctor May suggest a low dose to begin to minimize side effects as diarrhea, bloating and wind.

The human body naturally produces a hormone called incretin, which regulates the amount of insulin that we make, and limits manufacture of glucose in the liver. DPP-4 inhibitors are a type of diabetes treatment drug that increases incretin levels, helping to control diabetes type 2. These tablets can be taken alongside other drugs treating diabetes, such as thiazolidinediones, but should not be taken by patients who are also using insulin.

At some point most Type 2 diabetics is that they need to switch to insulin to treat their condition. This is often because, after many years of treating diabetes drugs pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Although the idea of insulin injections can be terrifying for some, needles used are very small that the injection occurs just under the skin. Insulin is injected into the stomach, buttocks or thighs, and injection sites are varied to reduce insulin build. For those who can not cope injections, the passage form of diabetes drugs to insulin can be facilitated by the use of an inhaler or insulin pump.

Genetics

Obesity/potbelly

Stress

Physical inactivity

Pancreatic infections

Elevated Serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels

You will find that most risk factors responsible for diabetes, also are factors that exist for heart disease.

Diabetes is due to insulin that is either insufficient or ineffective leading to increased blood glucose levels. This leads to symptoms of polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst).  Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas.  When glucose levels are elevated, insulin changes glucose into energy that the body can use for fuel.

Inefficient insulin and it’s affect on the body:

When insulin is produced but the body fails to use it appropriately,  it is said the body is resistant to insulin.  A second reaction is when the body does not produce enough insulin to change glucose into energy.  In both cases the insulin is inefficient and causes blood glucose levels to rise in the blood.

Is it curable?

Presently no, but there are several exciting and experimental procedures being performed that are showing high success rates. these procedure include;

Pancreatic Transplant: For those with uncontrolled Type 1 DM, but have a functioning kidney.  Thankfully, these patients no longer need insulin injections to keep them alive.  Additionally, their risks for developing complications associated with diabetes is greatly decreased.

Kidney/Pancreas Transplant: Reserved for patients who have substantial kidney failure, as well as uncontrolled Type 1 diabetes.  This surgical procedure allows the patient to be free of dialysis treatments and insulin injections.  Patients who avoid rejecting their organs in the first year after surgery, have a greater likelihood of non-rejection for 10 years and more.

Islet Transplants:  This procedure is currently in clinical trials and involves replacing the bad Islets Of Langerhans with good islets from a deceased donor.  Islets of Langerhans are the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas.  The islets are extracted from the donor pancreas and injected into the liver of the receiver. The cells start manufacturing insulin which works to regulate blood sugar levels.

All of these procedures are currently experimental and are not yet approved by the FDA.  In a study of 36 patient who received islet transplant, only five remain free of the need for insulin 2 years after their transplant.

The search for better treatments and a cure for diabetes is on-going, and it is hoped that a cure will present itself in the very near future.  But until then, lifestyle changes will help those who are living with diabetes to live a long and productive life in spite of having the disease.