Travel Smart with Diabetes!
By: Jessica Hrdlicka MS, RD, LD/N, CDCES
Summer traveling is a super fun time of year and a great way to get away from the Florida heat! But along with fun travels can come challenges such as keeping insulin cool, packing medications, time changes and dining out!
Here is some tips to have great blood sugars when traveling:
1. Bring extra medications! During hurricane season you need to be prepared. Make sure when traveling to bring extra medications, test strips, lancets, CGM sensors, pen needles and syringes. If you get stuck and are unable to get home in time you will be happy you have extra supplies.
2. Pack low blood sugar treatments and snacks. Blood sugars can go low during travel do to increased activity, missing meals and time changes, so make sure to bring low blood sugar treatments such as glucose tablets, raisins, glucose gel, honey packets or sugar packets. Also make sure to have easy, balanced snacks in case your meal gets delayed such as protein bars, low sodium turkey jerky, nuts, seeds or peanut butter crackers.
3. Keep medications cool. Injectables medication need to stay under 78 degree Fahrenheit and above 25 degrees Fahrenheit, so have a plan to keep your medications cool through a cooling pack, cooler or insulated bag. Make sure insulin or other injectables do not freeze or get hot because this can damage your medication making it ineffective.
4. Add Activity. Going for a swim, early morning or evening walk or going to the gym can help you lower blood sugar while still enjoying fun foods at your get togethers.
For more information on diabetes management, chronic kidney disease weight loss and nutrition, call 561-659-6336 ext 8012 to schedule an appointment with a certified diabetes care education specialist, registered dietitian or class today. Please enjoy our July 2024 Living Well with Diabetes Newsletter!
Thyroid Disease
By: Charles Chaboude A.R.N.P.
We talk a lot about diabetes, but endocrinology encompasses many more areas. Another common reason to see endocrinology is for thyroid disorders. The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that sits in the base of the neck. The thyroid produces hormones that play major roles in metabolism, bone health, growth and development, and other things like mood, heart, muscle and digestive health.
The pituitary gland helps to regulate thyroid hormone production by secreting either more or less thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The thyroid uses iodine to create thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Most of the T3 is produced when the peripheral tissues in the body convert T4 to T3 through a process called deiodination.
When a person is hypothyroid there is usually a low T3/T4 with an elevated TSH. Conversely, when a person is hyperthyroid there is typically a high T3 and/or T4 with a suppressed TSH. For either of these issues, there are medications to help regulate thyroid function. There is also testing for antibodies to check for autoimmune issues that impact thyroid function. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune issue that causes hypothyroidism. Grave’s disease is the autoimmune disease that causes hyperthyroidism. We will usually monitor for thyroid nodules, which is how we screen for thyroid cancer.
There are many types of thyroid cancer, but they are not easily detected by your blood work. Occasionally, thyroid nodules may cause hyperthyroidism as well. Treatments and diagnostic workups will vary depending on your condition, you can reach out to your provider for more information on thyroid dysfunction.
Intermittent Fasting & Blood Sugars
By: Jessica Hrdlicka, MS, RD, LD/N, CDCES
Intermittent fasting has been very popular recently with recommendations to restrict eating windows to help lower blood sugars, weight and to help reduce cholesterol levels. But if you have diabetes is intermittent fasting right for you?
A NIH-funded research team led by Dr. Krista Varady from the University of Illinois Chicago compared fasting and calorie restriction for weight loss and blood-sugar reduction. They recruited 75 people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three diet groups for six months.
The fasting group could eat anything they wanted between 12- 8 pm. The second group worked with a dietitian to reduce their calories by 25% of the amount needed to maintain their weight. The control group did not change their diet at all. All groups received education on healthy food choices and monitored blood glucose levels closely during the study. The results were published on October 27, 2023, in JAMA Network Open.
After 6 months, participants in the fasting group lost an average of 3.6% of their body weight compared to those in the control group. Both groups had similar decreases in average blood glucose levels. Both groups also had reductions in waist circumference.
While eating during a certain time frame may seem like an easy concept here are a few things to keep in mind with diabetes:
- Hypoglycemia. If you are prone to low blood sugar when waiting too long to eat this may not be the eating style for you. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator before starting intermittent fasting to limit risk of low blood sugars and make sure to carry hypoglycemia treatments such as glucose tablets, raisins or a juice box at all times.
- Consider an eating window that fits your needs. Skipping breakfast may lead to overeating later in the day, so consider an eating time frame of 10am-7pm to limit later snacking at night. Having a high protein breakfast when intermittent fasting also helps lower blood sugars and improves energy levels!
- Add exercise. Intermittent fasting alone typically will not get you to your goals if you’re not moving your body. Consider adding a walking routine, gym sessions 3-4x/ week or try going to the pool during this summer heat.
- Stay Hydrated. Drinking adequate amounts of water can help with digestion, blood sugar, kidney health and weight loss. Make sure to have at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day or talk to your doctor about a recommended intake for you.
- Make sure each meal has protein and fiber! This will ensure you are feeling full and satisfied after meals. Try making sure each meal has a salad or cooked vegetables. Other high fiber foods can include nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, fruit, squash or quinoa. High protein options can be chicken, turkey, eggs, tofu, lean beef, pork chops or fish.
M insurance plans cover meeting with a registered dietitian up to 2 times per year, so if you are desiring to lower your A1c, learn how to start intermittent fasting, lose weight and feel better this year call 561-659-6336 ext 8012 to schedule your appointment today!
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At Healthy Living with Diabetes we want to ensure that you are satisfied with all services received. We also would like your input on educational workshops that you would like us to offer, information you would like to read about in Healthy Living with Diabetes Monthly or feedback on any workshop that you may have attended. You can contact the director of education personally by email jcook@PBDES.COM or leave a message at (561) 659-6336 ext. 8012. We would love to hear from you!
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