by Lani Muelrath M.A., the Fitness Dream Maker
Need to get clear about planning a nutritious eating plan? There is some breakthrough software that completely simplifies the process for you!
We know – or we SHOULD all know by now – that we build our health – and dig our graves – with our eating utensils. As a holistic fitness coach, I find that my clients come to me with a broad spectrum of understanding regarding what does constitute a healthy and balanced diet.
At the same time, they can have been so inundated with conflicting information that they don't know where to begin – so they just throw up their hands (and forks!) and eat what I call "chaotically".
And more often than not, chaotic eating delivers chaotic results.
I have just reviewed some very simple software that is designed for in-home (as well as professional) use. Meal Plans 101 is easily down loadable upon purchase or can be bought as a hard copy CD as well.
Here's how it works, once you've down loaded the software.
1) Enter your personal data: height, weight, weight goals (lose, maintain, or gain?)
2) Select what ratio of macro nutrients to which you wish to aspire with your dietary balance
3) Select from the food lists provided desired options for each exchange. In other words, you are building a daily balanced diet from foods that YOU like!
4) Click "enter", and a printable page with your day's selection and appropriate quantities to your weight goals is produced.
There you have it! You can also go in and change preferences at any time, if your goals need adjusting. It thus becomes an organic tool that grows with you as your weight loss, health, and dietary needs change. Simple!
For anyone who desires to get back on track with balanced structure to their eating day, this may be just the ticket. This provides convenience and support for anyone considering improving their dietary intake – whether for weight, allergy, or preventative diabetes, for example.
Lots more details – and easy online ordering – at Meal Plans 101.
Claim your FR*EE "7 Surefire Solutions for Fitness, Energy, and Weight Loss That LASTS!" Special Report AND weekly Lani's FitDream eZine, with fitness info, insights, motivation, and inspiration!
Filed under Allergies, Blog, Diabetes, Healthy Foods, Men's Health, Menopause, Motivation, Weight Loss by on Aug 19th, 2008. 
There are three million more diabetics in The United States in the last two years. It's now estimated there are 24 million American diabetics – that's the 8% of the population.
The vast majority of these are Type 2 diabetics.
Diabetes is now the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, but that does not count how it contributes to more common causes of death, such as those linked to cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes now affects nearly 24 million people in the United States, an increase of more than 3 million in approximately two years, according to new 2007 prevalence data estimates released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that nearly 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes.
In addition to the 24 million with diabetes, another 57 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts people at increased risk for diabetes. Among people with diabetes, those who do not know they have the disease decreased from 30 percent to 25 percent over a two-year period.
Have You Read the Diabetes Report?
Filed under Diabetes by on Jun 25th, 2008.
What are the Right Blood Glucose Numbers?
Depending on where you look, recommended blood glucose levels can vary. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) numbers differ from the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) guidelines. The ACE recommendations are more strict than the ADA's. How do you know which to follow? Ask your healthcare provider which goals are right for you. The table below compares the two sets of guidelines for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol.
How many times a day should you check your blood glucose levels?
Checking your blood glucose levels often through out the day will help you to figure out how to keep good control. First thing in the morning before breakfast, two hours after a meal and before bed are good times to test. Other recommended times include before, during and after an exercise session, especially if it is strenuous or if you are feeling like your blood sugar may be low or high.
What is the A1C?
It's a blood test that helps you and your doctor monitor your overall glucose control.
It gives an average of the amount of glucose in your blood over a few months' time. It is usually ordered 2 to 4 times a year. If you are newly diagnosed or having trouble maintaining good day-to-day control, it may be ordered more often.
Sources:
"Checking Your Blood Glucose." American Diabetes Association. ADA. 15 Dec 2006
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology, "The AACE System of Intensive Diabetes Self-Management – 2002 Update." The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus. Endocrine Practice Vol. 8. 2002.
For more information visit: This Diabetes Health Website
Filed under Diabetes by on Jun 23rd, 2008.
BERLIN—Barley beta-glucan reduces serum lipid levels, according to research presented in April at the First International Congress on Pre-Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.
In the six-week study, 76 men and 79 women with hypercholesterolemia, aged
25 to 73, completed a four-week lowfat diet prior to baseline. At the beginning of the trial, test subjects were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups or a control group and assayed for blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers. During the course of the study, test groups were administered 3 g and 5 g doses of low molecular weight (LMW) or high molecular weight (HMW) barley beta-glucan (from Cargill) twice daily, in cereal and juice.
Posttreatment assessment of blood lipids and other CVD biomarkers revealed improvements in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, markers of glycemic control
(glycosylated hemoglobin, HOMA model) and a key marker of inflammation
(hs-CRP).
The researchers concluded both doses of LMW and HMW barley beta-glucan improved blood lipids over a six-week treatment period.
For more information visit: This Diabetes Health Site
Filed under Diabetes by on Jun 23rd, 2008.
