It’s not always easy for people with diabetes to control the food they consume. However, it’s a must.

Actually the easiest thing they can do is simply be a vegan.

By being one, they can avoid consuming meat, egg and milk. They can get the protein their body need from lentils and soybeans.

According to a report of the American Diabetes Association, those who do the vegan diet can lower more blood sugar levels than those who simply follow the standard diabetes diet.

They’re even healthier since the vegan diet helps lower the cholesterol levels and improve their kidney function.

If you wish to taste something yummy yet healthy, the Molasses Oat Bran Cookies recipe from Anna’s blog helps a lot.

Thanks, Anna, for sharing.

Other than soybeans, lentils are legumes with the highest level of protein, 25%. Those who are vegetarians consume lots of lentils to help get the protein.

What are the other things lentils can do to keep you healthy?

• A cup of cooked lentils (100 g) is high in molybdenum that aids in metabolism of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA).
• Also, a cup of cooked lentils is high in folate, 358 mcg. Besides, it is also rich in magnesium. Both help you reduce risk factors for heart disease.
• Lentils are rich in dietary fiber. They can help support bowel regularity, help maintain normal cholesterol and blood sugar levels and help keep unwanted pounds off.
• The rich fiber content in lentils helps lower levels of both plasma glucose (blood sugar) and insulin (the hormone that helps blood sugar get into cells).
• Lentils are high in iron, plus, unlike red meat (another good source of iron), they are low in fat and calories. Iron is needed by your body to transports oxygen from the lungs to all body cells. Besides, it is also part of key enzyme systems for energy production and metabolism.

So, why don’t you get some lentils and prepare them for dinner?

Moose made them into a soup and the soup looks yummy (at least for me, it does, Moose!).

You might be having a peptic ulcer if:

• you feel burning pain from your navel to your breastbone
• the pain you feel is getting worse when your stomach is empty
• you vomit blood which can be red or even black
• you’ve got dark blood in your stools
• you are nauseating
• you feel pain in your chest

Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics and acid blockers or antacids besides some cytoprotective agents to help protect the tissues that line your stomach and small intestine.

Yet, none of those medicines work if you keep smoking, consuming alcohol or spicy and fatty foods.

…yet I was invited to dine in a restaurant.

• I ate fruits before leaving home. So, I never went to a restaurant feeling hungry.
• I walked to the restaurant. If it happened to be far away, I took a bus or a cab half the way, then continued the trip by foot. And, if my dining partner(s) (or my date–ok I admit it) didn’t mind, we went home walking.
• I ordered water. Simply water. No alcoholic beverages since they could contribute more calories and stimulate my appetite.
• I got my appetizer doubled. Doubled salad, most of the time.
• I shared the food with my dining partner(s). Sharing foods means sharing calories, right?
• I chatted a lot while eating. It could make me eat more slowly so it gave more time for my brain to send the ‘full’ signal to my stomach. This was important to make me stop eating even before I consume too much food!

Try! And, if the tips help you, too, let me know!

I know, it’s not easy. Yet, you can try these tips of mine that I tried on my son:

• Replace ice cream with non-fat yoghurt, sorbet or sherbet
• Instead of having canned food, get some water, fruit juices or water with lemon slices
• Leave donuts and cakes, get yourself a slice of bread made of oats with home-made fruit jam
• Don’t buy the sugar coated cereal, grab oat cereal instead
• Say no to french fries, say yes to mashed or stewed potato
• Don’t make instant cream soup, instead, make your own spinach soup

I’m impressed by Lynne’s last two sentences at her blog written on the 19th of October:

If we’re going with this metaphor then I figure that I didn’t come this far only to turn around and go back to where I started. I want to see the view from the top of the mountain!

I believe those should be the words that any dieters must keep in mind.

Many dieters stop their effort and finally end up in frustration just because they find out that they go back to where they started. And, worse, they give up!

Glad to know that Lynne made the best decision and is committed to her goal.

And, that makes Lynne our HEALTHY BLOGGER THIS WEEK!

Not only she managed to be on track but she can also inspire others dieters and weight watchers!

Congrats, Lynne, you deserve it!

The best time to enjoy the freshness of water melon is in a hot day. The liquid fades your thirst away. It even tastes a lot better if you have it cold.

But, you know what…based on a study, the best way to consume water melon is when it’s not cold.

Compared to the one put in the fridge, water melon which is kept in the room temperature contains 139% extra beta-carotene and extra 40% licopene.

After the crop/harvest, nutrition in the water melon keeps increasing until 14-21 days. The cold temperature (around 5°C) stops the nutrition addition process. It even eases the decomposition.

Do you like oatmeal? Are you bored with the way you make this high in fiber food? I think it’s time for you to try my Mom’s recipe on oatmeal.

It’s easy yet yummy!

Oatmeal Pancakes

What to prepare:

• 1 ½ cup of oatmeal
• 2 cups of buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup of flour
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt

What to do:

1. Mix the oats with buttermilk
2. Add eggs and other ingredients
3. Cook in a hot frying pan, flip pancakes when they bubble, to brown the other side

Notes:

If you’re watching your sodium intake, you can make them without salt and baking powder