Archive for June, 2009

Diabetic Meal and a Healthy Diet

A diabetic meal is aimed at complementing the medication for controlling the glucose levels in the blood. With a strict diabetic meal plan, the amount of medication can be reduced and eventually eliminated. In addition to this intended benefit, a diabetic meal can become a healthy diet that the entire family can adapt.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of insulin, a hormone which helps in controlling the metabolism of sugar in our body. This consequently results in an abnormally high amount of sugar in the blood. High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is a critical condition as it silently yet steadily harms a variety of internal organs. Kidneys, Eyes, Nervous system all fall prey to this silent killer. There are a variety of reasons why one would end up in a diabetic condition. However, therapeutic application of drugs will invariably be a indispensible part of the approach. The very important other part of any approach is a healthy lifestyle including a Diabetic meal.

The diabetic meal should be balanced with the insulin that is administered. It is important to couple the diet plan with an exercise regime for the best results. There is a lot of free diet plans tailored for diabetic patients available online. One can choose the plan that accommodates his/her personal preferences. Typically the meal should contain one third of fruits and vegetables, one third of dairy products and fish, and one third of cereals and breads. Even occasional sweets are permitted.

A healthy diabetic meal plan would not only help in maintaining the permitted blood sugar level, but also can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. The key is to watch the size or potion of the intake. Choose the food items that would provide the highest quantity of nutrients while minimizing the fat and sugar content. A diabetic meal will be a well thought over menu, consisting of just the right kind of ingredients to make a filling yet conservative diet. High fiber content vegetables and some permitted fruits are also very important parts of the meal.

Being diabetic need not eliminate fun food times. Healthy eating doesn’t restrict one’s food choices completely, as long the quantity of intake is restricted. It requires some planning, but the benefits can compensate for the trouble taken. Diabetic meal can be started at any time, whether one is a newly diagnosed patient or a long suffering one. The earlier the plan starts, easier it would be bring the blood sugar level to normal.

The first step towards preparing a meal plan is to list the food items that should be avoided under normal circumstances. Take a note of the food supplements that are good and items that has to be included in each meal. The best bet would be to consult a dietician for a personalized plan. Buying a bestselling diabetic recipe book can give some fun and variety food ideas. Once the initial few days are past, it can be easier to stick to the plan. Getting accustomed to the diet can have added benefits as well. 

Tags: diabetic meal, healthy diet, diabetes

Don’t fear wisdom teeth removal

I have a complaint about teeth. And no it’s not the fact that the dentist’s drill makes me cringe with horror. Even though that is a good point. My complaint concerns the way teeth come in. Or, should I say don’t come in. Let’s face it folks, teeth hardly ever come in the right way anymore. I used to assume as a child that most people’s teeth naturally came in straight. Mine did, and I think that’s the way it should be. What was there, a screw-up in the blue print? It seems like everyone’s arms are on straight, and their heads come out the right end. So what’s going on with choppers?

Far too many people require braces to straighten-out their situation. This stinks! And don’t even get me started on wisdom teeth. These irksome, out-of-the-way four hardly ever make it. So if you’re approaching adulthood, you’d probably better prepare for some routine wisdom teeth removal.

I was 20 years old at the time. My mother was speaking to me about a standard dental check-up. I guess I was slacking-off, because she was telling me that I hadn’t been in over a year. So I made an appointment for a routine cleaning, and off I went to the drill man. I can’t help but call him this. I always know in the back of my mind that he just may pull out that dreadful drill. Anyway, the check-up went fine and I didn’t appear to have any cavities. This was the "good news."

Then there was the not so good news. Although my top two wisdom teeth had dropped into place perfectly, the bottom two were impacted. YIKES! It was time for some wisdom teeth removal. I set up the appointment and feared the date as it drew near. Finally I was sitting in the office of an oral surgeon. The next thing I knew, I had an IV in my arm and was counting backwards. What seemed like a split second later, I was being helped up. There was gauze packed in my mouth and the wisdom teeth removal surgery was complete. It didn’t even hurt! I had the bottom two impacted teeth cut out and the top two pulled. Apparently you can’t have two without the other two. The top ones would have nothing to bite down on.

Don’t fear the wisdom teeth removal routine. I did, but found out it was as easy as pie. Generally there is no room in our mouths for these teeth anymore. This is why you may as well count on some wisdom teeth removal in your future. 

Tags: wisdom teeth removal, wisdom teeth, dental care