Diabetes specialists all agree that the right intake of nutrients contributes significantly to controlling both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Choosing the right foods will help you manage your blood sugar level.
To help you be better informed about food choices that are right for you, London Drugs has produced a new Living with Diabetes nutritional information kit. This kit is available free of charge from our pharmacies.
The kit consists of 12 informative cards, a handy pasta portion measurer, and a number of price-saving coupons for diabetes-related products.
Here’s what is covered:
Card 1: Meal Plans
Achieving the right balance between protein, carbohydrates and fats.
Card 2: Portion Size
A convenient guide to serving sizes.
Card 3: Glycemic Index
What it is and how specific foods rank.
Card 4: Carb Counting
Setting carbohydrate goals and calculating intake.
Card 5: Fibre Facts
The different types of fibre and their effect on your system.
Card 6: Artificial Sweeteners
Categories of sweetener and types of artificial sweetener explained.
Card 7: Treating Hypoglycemia
Symptoms of mild to moderate hypoglycemia and of severe hypoglycemia. How to treat both, including emergencies.
Card 8: Healthy Snacking
Planning your snacks, what to eat and when.
Card 9: Eating Out
Following your meal plan when eating out.
Card 10: Recipe:
Ten minute carbonara. A delicious pasta dish that’s perfectly balanced and quickly made.
Card 11: Recipe:
Crispy potato skins with tomato and yogurt dips. Another tasty dish that's also great for entertaining.
Card 12: Recipe:
Carrot and banana cake. A pretty two-layer cake that tastes as good as it looks. May also be made in a large baking pan and cut into squares that are ideal for picnics.
Also included in the London Drugs Living with Diabetes nutritional information kit are a number of price-saving incentives to help you keep your diabetes well managed. These include a London Drugs Diabetes Loyalty Program card, and coupons for the Salter Aquatronic™ Glass Scale for accurate measurement of portion sizes; for the Taylor Body Fat Analyzer Deluxe Scale, and for the Accu-Chek® Aviva or Accu-Chek® Compact Plus blood glucose monitor (free with the purchase of 100/102 testing strips).
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the nerves. Between 60 and 70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage¹. This damage usually causes impaired sensation or pain in the feet or hands, and other nerve problems that increase with age.
Keeping your blood glucose level under strict control will help prevent diabetic neuropathy. If you are experiencing symptoms such as numbness, tingling or pain, you should discuss these with your doctor or diabetes professional and take the following precautions to help prevent complications:
- Examine feet and legs daily. Apply lotion if your feet are dry to prevent cracking.
- Care for your toenails regularly. (Visit a podiatrist, if necessary.)
- Wear properly fitting footwear all the time to prevent foot injury.
Treat neuropaty and other nerve-related pain with Neuragen® RL topical oil or Neuragel® topical gel, available from London Drugs.
National diabetes fact sheet: General information and national estimates on diabetes in the United States, 2005. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.