Know the Warning Signs... Diabetes!

There are nearly six million people in the US with undiagnosed Diabetes. Because the symptoms of the disease can be so subtle, many Americans have no idea that they are suffering from this incredibly dangerous condition. In keeping with our sugar-themed newsletter this month, we wanted to share a list of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes symptoms and warning signs. If you’re suffering from any combination of the symptoms below, contact your general practitioner immediately for a complete screening. Frequent urination Unexplained weight loss Excessive thirst Changes in vision Fatigue Tingling feet and hands Consistently slow healing wounds Even if you aren’t presently displaying any symptoms, there’s a chance you could still be suffering from Diabetes as Type 2 doesn’t always show signs. Talk to your physician about your lifestyle to see if you fit the qualifications for diabetes risk. Above all else, contact your doctor immediately if you recognize any of these symptoms as the disease can be fatal if left unmanaged.

Healthy Recipe: Ricotta and Fig Tart

No matter how good you are, sweet cravings are sure to rear their ugly head during weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. If you feel your sweet tooth kick in, try this quick and easy recipe for a delicious, low sugar treat that with loads of fresh fall flavor. You’ll need 1 store bought pie crust (or homemade) 3 fresh figs 2 tbsp ricotta 1/2 tsp melted butter Pinch cinnamon Pinch nutmeg Pinch coriander Pinch sea salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Thaw pie crust until soft and semi-malleable (it’s ok if breaks a little bit). Spread ricotta around the middle of the crust in a five inch circle. Dust ricotta with seasonings. Slice figs thin and lay them over the ricotta. Fold outer edges of pie crust in so they lay over a most of the filling. Brush with melted butter and dust with seasonings again. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove and let cool for 3 minutes. Serve warm.

With Halloween only a few days behind us and the bevy of pumpkin-flavored treats flooding the horizon, sugar overload is a real risk during the month of November. With that in mind, I’ve put together a few tips for managing sugar intake during the holidays, and finding ways to help cope with the minor (or even major) indulgences that come along with seasonal celebrations. First, and perhaps most importantly, set limits. It seems obvious, but you might be surprised how many adults don’t do it. Simply establishing a strict limit on how much sweet, calorie-laden food you’re willing to allow yourself can have a huge impact on how you perceive eating. It’s certainly still easy to overdo it, but even while it’s happening, you’ll feel the guilt of missing your expectations. Second, make a deal with yourself. Making a deal that goes both ways sets up a system of reward and punishment that can be a very effective motivating tool (this is a common tool used by weight loss experts). For example, allow yourself a moderate indulgence for every week you don’t go over your limit. It may sound a little counterproductive, but it’s actually very helpful. Slipping snowballs into more slipping, but discipline with rewarded allowances works as excellent motivation. Finally, give your body a fighting chance against sugar overload. Even if you follow the suggestions above, you still might find yourself consuming a little more sugar than your body wants to process. To help combat the risks of elevated blood sugar, keep a natural glucose regulator in your medicine cabinet. Taking one of these sugar managing compounds can help your body combat sugar-related disease. Additionally, glucose regulators can also help curb cravings, making it easier to avoid the troubling treats in the first place.