My mom always says everyone has something. No one is perfect. She says of all things to have, diabetes isn’t so bad. It's controllable after all and a lot of people have to deal with a lot worse. I always think about those words when I need an extra boost. Of all things to have, diabetes is manageable.
A conversation I had at work today has left me feeling really down. While everyone has something, some people just really have it rough. This morning I was talking to a girl on the phone whose insurance company has denied thousands of dollars worth of claims to her registered dietitian. This girl told me she is an anorexic. She’s in a wheelchair. She has no steady income. She used to be a lawyer, but has gone through so many surgeries that she can’t move her hands fast enough to write down her thoughts. Can I help her, she wants to know?
I work at the American Dietetic Association where I advocate for coverage of nutrition services. We live in a society that pours money into procedures but won’t spend a dime on preventive medicine. The government will pay for CT scans, MRIs, and surgeries galore, but try to see a registered dietitian for nutrition counseling because you have cancer and throw up everything you try to swallow, and you're on your own.
This particular insurance company is denying an anorexic girl from receiving nutrition counseling. Can you fathom that? They want to her to see an “in-network” provider 15 miles away from her home. Did I mention she’s in a wheelchair? She can’t make it 2 miles down the road to get to her physical therapy appointment. She’s asked me to talk to her dietitian - to help build a case as to why her claims must be paid. Sure, everyone has something, but no one should have to face something like this.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
From day 1 of the DNC
For those of you who’ve been watching the Democratic National Convention hopefully you caught the video tribute to Sen. Edward Kennedy last night. And hopefully you caught one of the most poignant segments of that tribute—the part in which Lauren Stanford, a type 1 diabetic, spoke of being invited by Sen. Kennedy to testify in front of Congress on the promise of stem cell research. In Lauren, I saw myself. She’s a teenager with hopes and dreams including a life without highs and lows. I am a twenty something, with the same hopes and dreams. Sen. Kennedy has been a true champion for stem cell research. We need more like him in Congress.
“In this new century of the life sciences, we see benefits of discovery all around us. Leading scientists agree that the potential of stem cell research is extraordinary. We should stop delaying the hope and the help that stem cell research can bring.” – Sen. Edward Kennedy
“In this new century of the life sciences, we see benefits of discovery all around us. Leading scientists agree that the potential of stem cell research is extraordinary. We should stop delaying the hope and the help that stem cell research can bring.” – Sen. Edward Kennedy
Better for you breakfast?
How many of you buy breakfast on your way to work? Personally, I don’t. Yet, I’ve noticed this push towards healthy, fast-food breakfast lately and I’m tempted to try it out. Most mornings I eat a Dannon Light or a packet of low-sugar oatmeal and some almonds. Maybe I’ll have a cup of Kashi Mighty Bites or Puffins every now and then. Without fail, my morning routine involves a stop at Dunkin Donut’s or Corner Bakery for a cup of hazelnut coffee. And some days I think about how yummy a fresh coffee cake muffin would taste, but I never bite the bullet.
A few weeks ago Dunkin Donuts introduced its “DD Smart” menu which includes “better for you” breakfast items such as egg-white veggie flatbread sandwiches, egg and cheese on an English muffin and reduced fat blueberry muffins. With 9 grams of fat and 290 calories per serving, I would not suggest having the veggie flatbread every day, but I certainly applaud DD for including egg-whites on the menu. It sounds safe, but I would avoid the reduced fat blueberry muffin. Recognizable by its sugar crystal-coated top, this reduced-fat muffin has 4 grams of fat (not bad), 400 calories (ouch), and a whopping 78 carbohydrates (holy cannoli). Talk about a sugar high! Similarly, don’t let the words 'multigrain bagel' fool you. With 6 grams of fat, 380 calories and 68 carbohydrates, this bagel is not the best choice for those, like me, who sit in front of a computer all day. Rather, I’d stick to a whole grain English muffin with egg whites and maybe a slice of low-fat cheese.
Just this morning I read that Starbucks is trying to reinvent its breakfast menu yet again. Let’s not forget it was only a few months ago that Starbuckers complained how the smell of their morning coffee experience was being ruined by eggs. Thus, out went the stinky egg sandwiches and now Starbucks is back with more of an aroma-free menu. Starbucks doesn’t provide us with the carbohydrate count of its items so I can’t do my full analysis, but at first glance I think there are some decent options—especially the oatmeal. I have absolutely no clue what a Baked Berry Stella is. I’m guessing some sort of berry muffin created by a nice lady named Stella. Here’s the menu at a glance:
To put things in perspective, nutritionists suggest that Type 1 diabetics eat approximately 40 carbs at breakfast to keep blood sugar levels in check. That means taking that scrumptious blueberry muffin and dividing it in less than half. How sad.
A few weeks ago Dunkin Donuts introduced its “DD Smart” menu which includes “better for you” breakfast items such as egg-white veggie flatbread sandwiches, egg and cheese on an English muffin and reduced fat blueberry muffins. With 9 grams of fat and 290 calories per serving, I would not suggest having the veggie flatbread every day, but I certainly applaud DD for including egg-whites on the menu. It sounds safe, but I would avoid the reduced fat blueberry muffin. Recognizable by its sugar crystal-coated top, this reduced-fat muffin has 4 grams of fat (not bad), 400 calories (ouch), and a whopping 78 carbohydrates (holy cannoli). Talk about a sugar high! Similarly, don’t let the words 'multigrain bagel' fool you. With 6 grams of fat, 380 calories and 68 carbohydrates, this bagel is not the best choice for those, like me, who sit in front of a computer all day. Rather, I’d stick to a whole grain English muffin with egg whites and maybe a slice of low-fat cheese.
Just this morning I read that Starbucks is trying to reinvent its breakfast menu yet again. Let’s not forget it was only a few months ago that Starbuckers complained how the smell of their morning coffee experience was being ruined by eggs. Thus, out went the stinky egg sandwiches and now Starbucks is back with more of an aroma-free menu. Starbucks doesn’t provide us with the carbohydrate count of its items so I can’t do my full analysis, but at first glance I think there are some decent options—especially the oatmeal. I have absolutely no clue what a Baked Berry Stella is. I’m guessing some sort of berry muffin created by a nice lady named Stella. Here’s the menu at a glance:
To put things in perspective, nutritionists suggest that Type 1 diabetics eat approximately 40 carbs at breakfast to keep blood sugar levels in check. That means taking that scrumptious blueberry muffin and dividing it in less than half. How sad.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Burritoville
Chicago’s obsession with Chipotle baffles me to no end. Come 12:00pm the lines go out the door, down the block, around the corner. And this is consistent from location to location. Do people realize what they’re waiting for? Well, I’ll you what they’re waiting for and it ain’t pretty…
I love, love Mexican food—chips, salsa, quesadillas, beans (both black and refried), the whole enchilada. I just have a really hard time when I have no idea how many carbs are in my tortilla. A 13” tortilla shell alone can have 50 carbs. 50 carbs equals about 3 pieces of fruit…So, last night my husband and I made grilled mushroom and onion burritos with yellow rice, black beans, a sprinkle of low-fat cheese and non-fat shells (as usual I played the role of menu-planner/sous chef and cleaner-uper). Knowing exactly what I was eating, where it came from, and the nutritionals, made it all the more delicioso. And three hours post dinner my blood sugars rocked.
A quick visit to http://www.chipotlefan.com/ allows me to see what I would have subjected myself to had I opted not to cook at home and decided to fast-food it instead. I enter my ingredients into the calculator: tortilla shell, rice, beans, veggies, cheese, salsa. Holy guacamole! Check this out…
I’d have to swim for 2.3 hours to burn that off (we’re talking leisurely pace, not like Michael Phelps). Or, if I were my father, vacuum the house for 3.9 hours straight. Now there’s some perspective for you.
I love, love Mexican food—chips, salsa, quesadillas, beans (both black and refried), the whole enchilada. I just have a really hard time when I have no idea how many carbs are in my tortilla. A 13” tortilla shell alone can have 50 carbs. 50 carbs equals about 3 pieces of fruit…So, last night my husband and I made grilled mushroom and onion burritos with yellow rice, black beans, a sprinkle of low-fat cheese and non-fat shells (as usual I played the role of menu-planner/sous chef and cleaner-uper). Knowing exactly what I was eating, where it came from, and the nutritionals, made it all the more delicioso. And three hours post dinner my blood sugars rocked.
A quick visit to http://www.chipotlefan.com/ allows me to see what I would have subjected myself to had I opted not to cook at home and decided to fast-food it instead. I enter my ingredients into the calculator: tortilla shell, rice, beans, veggies, cheese, salsa. Holy guacamole! Check this out…
| Nutrition Facts | |||||||||||
| Amount Per Serving | |||||||||||
| Calories 815 | Cal from Fat 269 | ||||||||||
| % Daily Value* | |||||||||||
| Total Fat 31g | 48% | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Cholesterol 30mg | 10% | ||||||||||
| Sodium 2628mg | 110% | ||||||||||
| Total Carbs 105g | 35% | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Protein 29g | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| INGREDIENTS: 13" Tortilla,Rice,Black Beans,Fajita Veggies,Cheese,Tomato Salsa,Lettuce | |||||||||||
I’d have to swim for 2.3 hours to burn that off (we’re talking leisurely pace, not like Michael Phelps). Or, if I were my father, vacuum the house for 3.9 hours straight. Now there’s some perspective for you.
Friday, August 8, 2008
An apology
I would like to sincerely apologize to Allison of Lemonade Life. It was wrong of me to criticize her publically without getting a chance to know her. I am really a nice person, just unfortunately a frustrated diabetic. In response to Allison’s comment on my first blog entry, I’d like to applaud her for the success she has had to date. Perhaps it was out of jealousy, frustration, and need for some “drama” that I wrote such negative words. I am in no way a perfect diabetic, each day is a battle, which is why I am constantly seeking all the tips I can to improve my health. So, Allison, cheers to you for being in Sunday Styles. Cheers to you for having thousands of page views. You clearly are dedicated to your work and I have a lot to learn. I hope there will come a day when neither of us have to blog about Type 1 diabetes.
And for those of you wondering about Lollapalooza, it was a blast. There is no better way to keep your blood sugars in control and your spirits high than two straight days of dancing.
And for those of you wondering about Lollapalooza, it was a blast. There is no better way to keep your blood sugars in control and your spirits high than two straight days of dancing.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Barack-N-Roll!
Today kick's off Lollapalooza here in Chicago. It’s a massive 3 day music festival featuring some really awesome acts like Radiohead, Wilco, G Love and Kanye. Rumor has it that Senator Obama is scheduled to introduce Wilco on Saturday night!!
Like most festival goers, I’ve been sorting through the lineup and planning out what stages I’m going to visit at what times. But unlike most festival goers, I'm actually nervous about what I'm going to eat. Sounds funny, I know. You see, festival food is notoriously bad for you and the last thing I want is for a low or high blood sugar to ruin my festival experience. Knowing how serious I am about staying on the healthy track, and how crabby I get when I feel sick, my wonderful husband emailed me the Lollapalooza menu earlier in the week. What a guy!
Now, my culinary expectations aren't too high. I’m just looking for something fairly low-carb, fairly low-fat and something that won’t leave me with stomach pains. And it looks to me like i'll have some options. There's grilled chicken, portabello wraps (assuming not too oily), veggie chilli (assuming it's not too hot out), chicken sauage, watermelon...I won't go hungry after all. And my husband won't have to listen to me complain. It's a win-win.
Gotta run, Matt is calling me live from Grant Park...Jeff Tweedy is playing an acoustic version of Heavy Metal Drummer on the kiddy stage!
Like most festival goers, I’ve been sorting through the lineup and planning out what stages I’m going to visit at what times. But unlike most festival goers, I'm actually nervous about what I'm going to eat. Sounds funny, I know. You see, festival food is notoriously bad for you and the last thing I want is for a low or high blood sugar to ruin my festival experience. Knowing how serious I am about staying on the healthy track, and how crabby I get when I feel sick, my wonderful husband emailed me the Lollapalooza menu earlier in the week. What a guy!
Now, my culinary expectations aren't too high. I’m just looking for something fairly low-carb, fairly low-fat and something that won’t leave me with stomach pains. And it looks to me like i'll have some options. There's grilled chicken, portabello wraps (assuming not too oily), veggie chilli (assuming it's not too hot out), chicken sauage, watermelon...I won't go hungry after all. And my husband won't have to listen to me complain. It's a win-win.
Gotta run, Matt is calling me live from Grant Park...Jeff Tweedy is playing an acoustic version of Heavy Metal Drummer on the kiddy stage!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
