Loving Life with Diabetes

Dark Chocolate and Diabetes

I love dark Chocolate, so when I heard it may actually help to lower/control blood sugar I had to try it out. Now I’m not eating the dark chocolate that you see at the check out. I’m eating the 80% stuff. I have 2 pieces about every day depending on if I actually have the chocolate or not. I have found that with some of the diet meals I get having just that tiny bit of carbs available helps me meet my carb amount for the meal.

So here is the question, does it work, well I’ve had a few ups and downs because of other things, but I think it might just help. Also I can deal with my chocolate cravings too! Always a good thing. Real dark chocolate is good for you in other ways too. If you have never tried Dark Chocolate over 60% your in for something different. It’s got a fruit but bitter taste that I actually like. You have to remember when you eat dark chocolate that the cocoa bean is a fruit. That way your not as shocked when you bite into it. The other good thing about this kind of chocolate, you don’t eat as much because of how sweet tasting it is.

KFC to offer Grilled chicken

I love going to KFC, my dad always took me there when I was little and it brings back very happy memories. I use to get a crispy chicken meal as a kid now I get the tender roast in anything I can.

I’m really happy to see that KFC is going to be offering Grilled Chicken starting in 2009. They are testing it in some locations now. I’d love to find one and try it, but I’m sure none of them are anywhere near me. I love how many fast food places are trying to change there ways. No it’s still not as good as something homemade, but on the go it’s great to have a healthier choice. What do you think?

Whole grains may help rid you of belly fat?

Personally I love this idea and if the article on yahoo called Whole grains may curb belly fat is correct then I will be eating a lot more whole grain. I do some already, but I know I need to start looking at more. Unfortunately most things with whole grain in them are expensive and I can’t offered to buy them, but I do eat two things on the list, popcorn and oatmeal. Now I just have to check the nutrition label to see how much whole grain is in the oatmeal.

This does make since to me, whole grain is healthy for you and has been eaten for thousands of years. Until recently obesity was not a widespread problem, maybe lack of whole grain is a reason why? I don’t believe it is the only reason, but it could be a big one. You never know.

Yummy chips

I love crunchy food, but I’m not a huge fan of veggies all the time. Yes I love them but sometimes I just want some good chips. I found a great brand a few months ago, but the local gas station stopped carrying them. I finally visited there website today and found you could buy them on amazon.com! I was excited.

The chips are Pita chips and they are made by Stacy’s chips. There are many different kinds, I have tried the simply naked ones, keep you minds clean! All that means is there is nothing on them. I also have tried the Parmesan garlic and herb. I love both of them and they make a great snack. I am ordering all of the flavors with my first order. I love this because I can buy them in the single serving bag, well a single serving for me that is still in my carb limit.

If your looking for a great snack check out stacys chips on amazon.com and order some for yourself.

Breakfast Bites: Carrot Raisin Mini Muffins

I’m sorry Breakfast Bites is late, but I was out later yesterday then I planned. I didn’t get home until 11pm and I still had to submit homework to my online class. So here it is a day late.

I found this recipe and had to share it with you.

Carrot Raisin Mini Muffins

Makes 30 mini muffins

Ingredients: 

2 eggs
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups coarsely grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.  Line the muffin tins with paper cups or spray them with non-stick spray.

2. Whisk the eggs, oil and sugar together in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the carrots and raisins.

3.  Stir together the remaining ingredients in another bowl. Add the flour mixture to the carrot mixture and stir to combine. (This is a stiff batter.) Spoon the mixture into muffin cups. Bake about 15 to 20 minutes until tester (use a toothpick) comes out clean.

Nutrition

Serving size 1 muffin

92 Calories, 5 g fat, 11 g carbs, 62 mg sodium.

Today will be a test

I have to do outside of my home work today. I will have to eat out for most of the day, this could be fun. I know for dinner I will probably go over my limit. I have found that going to a sit down restaurant is actually harder then going to fast food. Why? Well it’s harder to get the nutrition information. I’m going to try to do well anyway.

The hardest part is I have to be in a movie theater all day. I have to eat a snack at some point so I get to choose something from the concession stand. Not normally a big deal as I usually go with people so I share or just munch on some of there food. This time it’s just me. It’s very sucky. So far I think it’s either a small popcorn, no butter or nachos. The weird thing is I think the candy would be a better route, but I’m sure there is more then one serving in a box and that will make me not pick that up.

Why is the candy better. Well I like snow caps so I will use those. in a 1/4 cup serving there are only 180 cal 8 grams of fat and  30 carb where the popcorn, no butter has 450 calories 27 Grams of fat and 30 carbs. Yes you get to eat more with the popcorn, but I don’t’ have the option of taking it home. The nachos my really be the best bet if I’m hungry, they only have 200 calories 8 grams of fat and 29 grams of carb.

Well wish me luck with this decision. This isn’t a special day so I do feel bad for splurging, I have a feeling my weight loss is going to suck this week. I haven’t been able to exercise much either!

Get some help when eating out.

With going to school and the mystery shopping I do I sometimes have to eat out a lot. I have found a great book that is very helpful in giving me information on the foods I eat at restaurants. I don’t have the newest version, but I will be getting that soon. The book is called Calorie King and it’s the best book ever made. Not only does it have the carbohydrates in most restaurant foods it also has some great advice on keeping healthy.

This type of information is so important as many restaurants don’t want you to know what your eating. I hate this and hated it even before I was diabetic. I should have this information so that I know how much I am eating and can make that choice. Before I started mystery shopping and driving a distance to school, I didn’t eat out much mostly because I just didn’t have the extra money to do so. I usually went out for special occasions like my birthday or a friends birthday. Am I going to splurge and have that chocolate lava cake with 105 carbs? Yep! Any other time though I might not. The good news is even when I did splurge I split it with someone. The sad part is it still equaled a meal in itself according to my diet plan now.

I like choice, I think restaurants should be required to put calorie and carb information on there menu. It’s a health issue for many people right now. If I ate that cake all by myself there is a good chance I could have hurt someone or ended up in the hospital because of a high sugar.

Anyway the point of this post is to let you know there are things out there that can give you this information. Check my sidebar out for books you can get to help you out. Calorie King is in there.

Breakfast Bites. Breakfast balls and eggs

This is a spin on meatballs and spaghetti. I hope you like it!

This is a great idea for kids!

Breakfast balls and eggs

1 lb ground turkey

1/2 lb  sausage

Salt and pepper to taste, you can also add any herb you would like

1/2 lb of shredded cheddar cheese.

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup bread crumbs.

Combine all ingredients into a large bowl.  mix together well.

Roll mixture into balls and place on baking sheet, Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until brown.

While this is baking make yourself some good scrambled eggs. Any way you like.

Once the meat balls are done, add them on top of your eggs and your done.

I made this up so I don’t have nutrition info. I eat this and then add 2 slices of bread to it to get my needed carbs.

Breakfast Bites: Bacon N’ Egg Pockets

Makes 4 servings

Need

2 Eggs

4 Egg whites

3 onces Canadian style bacon, chopped

3 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons green onion chopped (optional

Nonstick cooking spray

2 large whole wheat Peta brad rounds, halved

1/2 cup shredded cheese. (optional, use any kind you like)

Combine Eggs, egg whites, Canadian bacon, water and green onion. Beat with wire whisk until mixed.

Lightly coat unheated large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Preheat over medium heat.

Add egg mixture, cook without stirring, until moisture begins to set on the bottom and around the edge

Using a spatula lift and fold the partly cooked eggs so the uncooked eggs flow underneath the cooked eggs.

Continue cooking about 2 minutes or more or until the egg moisture is cooked through.

Fill pita half’s with eggs and sprinkle with cheese.

Nutrition:

162 cal, 4 grams fat, 188mg chol. 18 g carbohydrates. 2 g fiber

I found this recipe in The better Homes and Gardens Diabetic cookbook. I have modified it a little to reduce the salt.

Breakfast stinks

I am in this huge rut when it comes to breakfast. I have been eating oatmeal or bagels and yogurt for the last 4 months. Sometimes I add in eggs to the mix, but I still have to find the carbs to add to it.

I love fruit, but I buy it and I can’t eat it quick enough. I can’t afford to buy just a few at a time and I usually can’t get to the store to do that anyway. I’m thinking I’m going to search the Internet for breakfast ideas. I’m going to try to post a new one every Saturday for you all to try on Sunday, I may even come up with some recipes of my own. Yes I can cook very well.