November is National Diabetes Month – Why I Care

I still remember that day 22 years ago when my mom got the call from the pediatrician. My brother Joe – we called him Joey back then – had diabetes. He was 9, and I was 11. He’d been in for a standard checkup, but they discovered the diabetes in a nonstandard way. His urine sample tested high for levels of sugar. That’s not usually how it gets found out.

I remember my mom getting off the phone and breaking the news to Joe and me. The three of us piled together for a hug, and we all cried. I think my dad was sleeping upstairs, because he worked nights, so he found out later. The next few weeks were a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, diabetes educators, and all sorts of things. We were supposed to take a family trip to Shea Stadium for a Mets game that weekend, but my mom had to stay home with Joe while they got his blood sugar under control by developing a diet and insulin program. My dad took me to the game, and we sold our spare tickets to someone wandering around outside. They were not the people who ended up sitting next to us, and we hoped that the dad didn’t pay too much to the scalpers to take his daughter to the game.

So Joe has had Type I diabetes all this time. He had a really close call a few years back, too – his blood sugar shot up above 800 (normal is 80-120) and the ER doctors said he was probably an hour away from going into a diabetic coma. They also said that he probably wouldn’t have woken up from it. But someone was watching out for him, since job loss and dire financial straits had led to him and his wife Meghan moving in with my parents. If my mom hadn’t been there when he started acting the way he did… Diabetes is a scary thing.

I’m going to be tested for diabetes at every doctor’s appointment I have for the rest of my life, because it’s not just Type I diabetes in my family. We’ve got Type II diabetes here, too. My paternal grandmother had Type II diabetes for years, but she had it pretty well under control. She never had any complications from the disease – it was a stroke that finally got her last year. But if I ever got the diagnosis, I’m not sure I could have the sort of tight control she had over her body. I really hope the genetic lottery is on my side.

How to Fight Type II Diabetes

There’s nothing you can do to prevent Type I diabetes, but Type II can be prevented. Lifestyle factors are often responsible for a Type II diabetes diagnosis – particularly being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle. If your body stores fat in your abdomen – as opposed to your thighs and butt, like mine does – you are also at higher risk. According to the Mayo Clinic, age, race, and family history also play a factor.

If you’ve got several of those risk factors playing against you, your lifestyle is what you have under your control. Diet and exercise are things you can take into your own hands. Better’n Eggs wanted me to help share some tips with you in the fight against diabetes; Better’n Eggs is a fat-free, cholesterol-free egg substitute made from real eggs that is a convenient source of lean, high-quality protein.

Eating better is a big way you can help fight diabetes, but it can be difficult to make big changes in your diet. In a perfect world, we’d all eat only the foods that are truly good for us; in the real world, making small changes that add up to a healthier diet are better than not trying at all! I’m all about making little changes, like using shredded cheese made from 2% milk and buying bread products made with whole grain wheat. I found a few Better’n Eggs recipes that are healthier versions of tasty foods.

Spicy Bacon and Cheese Eggwich Recipe

This recipe from Better’n Eggs has only 226 calories per serving and 6 grams of fat. It also boasts 5 grams of fiber and 17 grams of protein.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (8 ounces) Better’n Eggs®
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 cup  (1 ounce) Crystal Farms® Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 2 slices turkey bacon, cut in half crosswise
• 4 whole wheat English muffins, split

Directions

1. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium heat. Add Better’n Eggs and stir in hot pepper sauce. As Better’n Eggs start to set use spatula to lift edge of eggs, letting uncooked eggs flow to bottom of skillet. Cook until Better’n Eggs are set but still moist. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top and then fold over the Better’n Eggs so cheese melts in the middle.

2. Place turkey bacon on microwave safe plate. Cover with paper towel. Microwave on HIGH 30 to 40 seconds or until warmed.

3. Toast each half English muffin in toaster. Spoon about 1/2 cup Better’n Eggs mixture on top of 4 toasted muffins. Top each with 1 piece cooked bacon. Top with remaining toasted muffins.

Bacon Cheddar Mini Egg Cups Recipe

This Better’n Eggs recipe is one they recommend for diabetics. One serving of two egg cups has only 95 calories and boasts 5 grams of protein.

Ingredients

• 24 wonton wrappers*
• nonstick cooking spray
• 2 strips bacon
• 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil**
• 1 cup AllWhites®
• 1/2 cup fat-free half and half
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Crystal Farms® Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray one side of each wonton wrapper with nonstick cooking spray. Press each wrapper in to cups of miniature muffin pan, spray side down. Once all wrappers are in place; spray inside of each wrapper with additional nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In small nonstick skillet cook bacon until crisp. Drain grease; finely chop bacon. In small bowl stir together cooked bacon, tomatoes and basil. Divide mixture evenly into each wonton cup.

In small bowl stir together AllWhites, fat-free half and half and salt. Carefully pour into each wonton cup. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until eggs are almost set. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Tips:

*Wonton wrappers are usually found in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store. Wrappers are typically 3 1/4 inches square.

**Substitute 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

Join the Better’n Eggs Twitter Party

Join Global Influence, Mamavation, and health & wellness expert Bob Greene for the Fit2Fight Type2 #betterneggs Twitter party on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 8:00-10:00 pm EST. Don’t forget to RSVP to become eligible for all of the great prizes being given away that night…including an elliptical!

Disclosure: I am being financially compensated for participating in this Global Influence blogging campaign, but I did practically beg to get in because diabetes is near and dear to my heart.

Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice and should not be construed as such. I am not a medical expert. Please consult with your physician if you have any questions regarding information contained within this blog post.

Christina Gleason (976 Posts)

That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.