DECEMBER
LIVING LIVING The message in this issue was that even
taking it carefully without diabetes, we’re
THE EMOTIONAL SIDE OF DIABETES no angels – a little bit of what you fancy
Feeling glum, a bit low, down in the dumps, got the blues? does you good, but keep your blood test
You’re not alone. Look around and see what’s out there that
can help you. This is what we’ve found. kit handy so you don’t spoil your Christmas
E
arlier this month there
was a National Stress
control, and we don’t like feeling that things
are out of our control. When it comes to
diabetes and we often have to ‘report in’
to our doctor too, which can sometimes
(bottom). Our news section reported on
the link between the flu virus and Type 1
Awareness Day. You diabetes, you can feel simultaneously in make us feel like we’re failing if all our
might not have been control and out of control. You may feel readings aren’t good oens. However, it’s
aware of it – probably too out of control because of how diabetes possible to become too focused on (and
stressed to either notice or care. Feeling affects your body. It is possible to feel therefore stressed about) that level of
stressed is not a depressive state, but
too much stress can lead you to feeling
out of control, and feel
that nothing is in your control anymore.
You can’t eat what you want when you
want. You have to take
control. You can start to feel if you don’t
do everything perfectly every day, then
you will damage yourself.
diabetes, in the kit pages (below) there
was a new 3-in-1 blood test meter from
that for long enough and It is estimated that medications or give To counteract the feeling of ‘too much
you could end up feeling yourself injections. You control’, just as with the out of control
bad. Let that happen
one in six people can start, perhaps, to feel feeling, it’s helpful to take a step back.
for long enough and in the UK will suffer that your body isn’t your Realize that you are doing the best you
you could be in danger
of being depressed. It
from depression in own anymore.
To counteract that
is estimated that one in their lifetime, and they ‘out of control’ feeling
can in managing your diabetes. Release
the expectation to do it ‘perfectly’. If you
are following your doctor’s instructions,
Beurer (below) . Then we had a spread on
celebrating Christmas with a curry courtesy
six people in the UK will won’t necessarily be take a step back and you are doing well and being healthy;
suffer from depression an objective look at the remember that and remind yourself of
in their lifetime, and they
living with diabetes. situation may help. You it when you start to stress about ‘doing
won’t necessarily be can say to yourself, “Yes, more’.
living with diabetes. diabetes makes me do
these things, but diabetes does not run
Even with the knowledge that you
have some control over diabetes, you experience depression succeed at
Reasons to be fearful? of chef Anjum Anand (bottom left).
Taking the long view my life.” A mantra along those lines— will still be emotionally vulnerable to overcoming it. Emotions are a normal Dealing with diabetes puts a lot of attention on blood glucose monitoring and
As we’ve said before, living with diabetes repeated at moments when you’re feeling frustration, anger, and discouragement— part of life -- just as diabetes is now a part insulin and medications—and those are important, of course, but there is an
of your life. If you address the emotions emotional side to diabetes that should be addressed too.
is a marathon not a sprint. You don’t get particularly out of control—can help. and that’s understandable. You may even
a day off, and you still have to get on Also, you can do a mental mind shift: all become depressed. swirling around diabetes as they come o Diabetes interrupts your day when you have to check your blood
with the rest of life just like anyone else – these steps you’re taking to manage your up, you will be taking a healthy step glucose.
commuting, paying the mortgage and so diabetes are actually proactive, healthy Diabetes and Depression toward better managing it.”
o Diabetes means you can’t just grab food whenever you want—you have
See the original article here.
KIT
on, you just do it with diabetes in the mix. steps. You are taking control of your If you think that you may be depressed, to plan around it.
This article first appeared on the condition and life as you learn how to you need to confront it, because studies
Diabetes Lifestyle website and is written thrive with diabetes. have shown that people who battle Forms of treatment o Diabetes frustrates you when you want a pastry not an apple.
by Matt Nilsen and works as a list of depression and diabetes together tend to There is an excellent overview of both
o Diabetes makes you worry about your future.
items that can build up to get you down. Diabetes and ‘being in control’ suffer more from diabetic complications. medical and alternative care on the MIND
By acknowledging them you can also try We’d all like to be in control, especially Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned website, ranging from anti-depressant All these stresses interrupts your emotional stability and introduces emotional
drugs to natural herbs and to behavioural complications, but it’s okay to be frustrated or overwhelmed or scared.
to deal with them. when it comes to having good blood about depression. You’ve got a lot to deal with, and if you need some support, go find it.
FANCY FOOTWORK
therapies. Among the more commonly
NEW 3-IN-1
“Let’s face it: most of us like being in glucose control. Control is a big deal in Fortunately, most people who
continued over
BLOOD TEST Actegy’s Revitive circulation booster has made its
METER market debut in the UK. Designed to help people
with circulation disorders, the device uses
electrical stimulation to significantly increase
The new Beurer GL50 blood test the blood flow in the feet and legs. The idea
meter boasts 3-in1 functionality – is to improve leg health and help alleviate the
a lancing device, LCD monitor on symptoms of poor circulation by stimulating
which to read your blood test results, the foot and leg muscles to increase blood flow
plus a plug-in USB from which you and reduce pain and swelling in the lower legs
LIVING MAKING CARBS COUNT LIVING can download them. Included on-
board is software, and all of htis is
and feet. An ongoing advertising campaign features
Sir Steve Redgrave, who’s a well-known diabetic.
housed in a ‘stick’ format. It retails at around £220 but is available with£50 off at the moment from
The meter kit enables safe, www.revitive.com
BEAUTIFUL
easy, regular and timely monitoring.
You can also send info to your
health care professionals using
the meter’s built-in GlucoMemory
software through which you can
take advantage of statistical analysis,
trend analysis and graphics to
BEANS!
improve your therapy in consultation
with your HCP.
It’s code-free and results show
in 5 seconds. Alternative site testing
is also possible (use your upper arm
instead of a finger if you fancy), there’s
F
a large, easy-to-read illuminated
itting into the legume Heinz, which has been selling tinned LCD readout and the whole thing
category, beans are baked haricot beans for more than two Easy options with measures 123 x 28 x 16mm.
considered a food group centuries, have branched out with other tasty outcomes The Beurer GL50 3-in-1 compact
of their own in Brazil. flavours, heading to Mexico and India for device is available from Argos in
Recent research inspiration. Showing the cultural variety of bean January 2013 priced at £39.99.
has linked bean intake to lower risk Back British shores, Christina dishes, the easy bean range includes
of type 2 diabetes and many types of Baskerville, is the managing director of the following dishes. Carb values are
cardiovascular disease. Further research gourmet meal specialists Easy Bean. given per 100g. Some recipes use peas
has shown that black beans provide She points out that beans and legumes “My mission is to show everyone or lentils -- similar to beans in terms of
special support for digestive tract health, come in a wonderful variety of tastes how versatile and healthy a protein and carb profiles.
and particularly colon health. Other than and textures and are one of our most meal made with beans can be.
African Palava: A West African hotpot
in soybeans, the fat in beans is practically important sources of protein, nutrients Beans have more fibre than
non-existent. and vitamins. They are also good for and a colourful profusion of Fairtrade
many wholegrains, are virtually brown beans, free-range chicken,
the environment because they add vital
fat free and are high in protein. peanuts, sweet potatoes and spinach,
Full of beans nitrogen to the soil as they grow.
Besides fibre, protein and other nutrients, Baskerville says, “Beans are eaten Our meals are as tasty as they 8.2g per 100g.
beans are rich in iron (which can help all over the world and are central to are healthy. They are low in salt New Mexican Chilli: Fairtrade red beans
prevent anaemia), magnesium (important traditional recipes in many continents. and are handmade in small with sweet peppers, tomatoes, spiked with
the jalapeño chilli, 8.6g per 100g.
for heart and bone health) and B vitamins They can be used to create really tasty batches.” -- Christina Baskerville
(especially folic acid, which helps prevent meals quickly, easily and deliciously. Moroccan Tagine: A hotpot of slow-
Some people think of beans as a plain cooked chickpeas, Mediterranean
cancer, heart disease and birth defects).
vegetables, apricots and aromatic
So, beans are high in protein, which
(continued over) spices, 7.5g per 100g.
fills you up, as well as being low in
Spanish Puchero (above): Fairtrade
calories. What they are however, if full of
haricot beans, chorizo sausage and an
carbs. First off, there are a lot of beans,
oak-smoked paprika from the Extremadura
the nutritional content of which varies a
region of Spain, 7.5g per 100g.
little, but in the main they average 75%
Indian Sambar: Toor Dhal peas
carbs, 20% protein and 5% fat.
simmered slowly with coconut and
tamarind juice and finished with chunky
Worldwide inspiration
vegetables and mustard seeds, 12.1g
A typical serving (a cup full of cooked
per 100g.
beans) would be – on average – about
French Cuisinées: Green lentil and
40 carbs. Watch out for tinned, baked
sweet chestnut simmered with classic
beans, as they will be higher – Boston
vegetables, rosemary and thyme, 0.1g
baked beans are cooked with molasses
per 100g.
and salt pork, so they’re sugary and
salty. Canadians add maple syrup.
LIVING LIVING
UNIQUELY
TAILORED THE SPICEY CABINET
Part of the many Christmas traditions is turkey curry, made
An imagined match of the Spice Tailor’s curries to a selection of
from the remains of the Christmas day meal. What is also
peppery people of politics
regularly quoted these days is that chicken tikka masala
is one of the nations favourite dishes. So we thought we’d
Delicate Korma Curry...Vince Cable on the table.
take a look at a new range of Indian sauces that can pep Mild mannered and liked by all, but with Mangalore Herb Curry...Theresa May
up any dish. the punch and class to grace any table Never less than fragrant but always
this classic dish is - like it’s political alter packing a powerful punch, this dish was
ego - a true British gem. a bit of a local secret before exploding
onto the international scene. Not afraid to
Rogan Josh...Boris Johnson make a statement and stand out from the
A
Bold and distinctive, this rich sauce loves crowd, this is something a little different
njum Anand’s range goes on. For protein, meat and pulses like to take centre stage - a popular choice and would turn heads at any table.
of Indian sauces are chickpeas and lentils are great additions that has made itself a household name up
rather fun, as the too. My range is a versatile base to cook and down the country. Keralan Coconut Curry....George
spices are packed up your preferred ingredients.” Osbourne Smooth, rich and an acquired
separately to prepare, Spiced Spinach Curry....Nick Clegg taste, this luxurious creamy curry has
so you have a small amount of actual Often thought of a side dish, this curry been known to cause quite a stir in the
cooking to do -- the aromatic bit! is fuelled by an injection of exotic spice fine dining world, but is able to stand up
Anjum says: “Spices have been and has the unique ability to take on to many different ingredients and can
used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine subtly different notes depending on which present itself beautifully at any table.
as a way of combating illness, fighting Britain’s favourite foods, ingredient you add to it...At its best when
fitness and maintaining good health and according to Spice Tailor combined with powerful flavours. Original Tikka Massala...Winston
modern medicine is reflecting this -- research carried out in Churchill Born into riches, this truly is the
researchers in the US have indicated that September 2012 Punjab tomato curry....Ed Milliband king of the curries - the original and the
curcurmin, found in turmeric, may help True to its colour, this dish is not an obvious best. Loved by people of all ages around
in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes. It choice and is sometimes overshadowed, the world, this British hero dish has seen
1. Tikka Masala
has also been suggested that cinnamon, but behind its plain façade is a sauce that it all and is perfectly balanced to win out
2. Korma can work with many different ingredients
which adds sweet warmth to Indian food, any battle of flavours - never has so much
3. Beef Wellington and is prepared to fight hard for its place been owed by so many to so few...
may improve blood glucose levels and
blood fats in people with Type 2 diabetes.
4. Cottage Pie
Curries can therefore be delicious and 5. Toad in the hole
good for you too as part of a balanced 6. Steak and Ale Pie Spice Tailor carb info: Carbohydrates vary depending on the sauce:
diet. Punjabi Tomato Curry: 7.7g
Vegetable curries are a great way to Anjum’s Indian Vegetarian Feast (Quadrille, Spiced Spinach Curry: 6.3g Food enthusiasts who are short of time
help you to meet your five-a-day as so www.quadrille.co.uk) was launched in Rustic Rogan Josh: 10.2g can cooking authentic meals at home
many vegetables are delicious in a curry. September. The Spice Tailor range is Delicate Korma Curry: 8.4g in minutes: A pack of whole spices are
Mushrooms, peas, tomatoes, courgettes available from Waitrose, Booths, Ocado Keralan Coconut Curry: 11.9g added to oil to release their essential oils,
can be included in a curry, and the list and www.thespicetailor.com Mangalore Herb Curry: 6.6g adding a intense depth of flavour. The
Original Tikka Masala: 8.9g finished curry is ready in 10 minutes.
continued over