Category: Health

Health

Back to School Tips

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Leah Berthold, RN, CDE
MassGeneral Hospital for Children Pediatric Endocrine Unit

Blank Chalk Board

Have you begun getting ready to send your child back to school?  As the beginning of the  school year comes closer, here are some important things to remember:

  • Make sure you have a current Diabetes Medical Management plan (school orders) in place before the first day of school.
  • Make an appointment with the school nurse to review the plan and bring all supplies needed to school before school starts. Meeting the nurse before school starts will help build a relationship and confidence for you, your child and the nurse.  Refer to the box below for a list of supplies to keep at school.
  • Be sure your child has a 504 plan in place. Review this plan every year.
  • Give the school a hypoglycemia or “low” box with glucagon/glucose tablets/juice or whatever you prefer to treat low blood sugar
  • Be sure all school personnel, including bus drivers and coaches, are educated about Type 1 Diabetes and know what to do for low blood sugar.

 

School Supplies Box

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Health, Nutrition

Diabetes and A Healthy Microbiome

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Christina Badaracco, Dietetic Intern 

What Is the Microbiome?

The human microbiome includes all the bacteria, both good and bad, that live in our organs. There are actually about 10 times as many bacterial cells in the body as human cells! Bacteria play many important roles in keeping us healthy, such as protecting us from invading bad bacteria and breaking down (or fermenting) the fiber in foods like vegetables that our own bodies can’t digest.

Our microbiome includes many different types of bacteria, and more diversity is typically a sign of good health. Many diseases, such as diabetes, can reduce the diversity in our gut and create environments that are better for bacteria that produce substances that cause inflammation or other harmful effects.  In this figure you can see many of the things that cause the microbiome to become imbalanced (such as taking antibiotics or poor diet) and some of the health problems that might result.  The microbiome is such an important factor in our health that the National Institutes of Health have launched two versions of the Human Microbiome Project, granting hundreds of millions of dollars into research about the connection between changes in the human microbiome and disease.

Is there a Link Between the Microbiome and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can be caused by genetics as well as diet and lifestyle.  Eating a healthy diet (one with lots of fiber-filled fruits and veggies and low in sugar and saturated fat) and exercising regularly can help keep your microbiome healthy and might help reduce the risk of developing diabetes.  The short-chain fatty acids that good gut bacteria produce when breaking down fiber can increase your body’s metabolism and how quickly glucose in the blood is used up, which can help manage blood sugar.  A recent study showed that a diet rich in fiber could improve diabetes management because it produces the short-chain fatty acids the cells of our gut lining need to be healthy.  Fiber also reduces inflammation and keeps you feeling full, which helps with managing portion sizes and keep blood sugar steady after meals. The types of bacteria in the gut also shifted to the species that love a high-fiber diet, promoting health long into the future.

How Can I Feed a Healthy Gut Microbiome?

  • Eating a diet rich in fiber keeps your good bacteria happy. They break down molecules like cellulose found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
  • Limit high-sugar and high-fat meals. Bad bacteria thrive when we eat a high-sugar and high-animal fat diet. Try to limit foods like sodas, candy, large servings of fast foods, sugary baked goods, red and processed meats.
  • Try to eat some foods with probiotics. Foods that are already broken down (or fermented) contain good bacteria that can colonize and thrive in our guts. As a bonus for people with diabetes, these bacteria have already broken down some of the glucose for you! Some examples of fermented foods include:
    • Dairy: cheese or yogurt
    • Bread: sourdough
    • Grains: injera (found in Ethiopian cuisine), idli (found in Indian cuisine), atole (found in Mexican cuisine)
    • Vegetables: sauerkraut, fermented pickles, curtido (found in Salvadoran cuisine) kimchi (found in Korean cuisine) and tempeh and miso (found in Japanese cuisine)
  • Your healthcare provider many suggest taking a probiotic supplement to increase your good gut bacteria, particularly if you have recently taken antibiotics.
Post content reviewed by Melanie Pearsall, RD, CDE
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Health

Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes 2018

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Eileen B. Wyner, NP
Bulfinch Medical Group

Eileen Wyner, NPThe American Diabetes Association (ADA) publishes guidelines each January to educate professionals about the best clinical practice for people with diabetes. Beginning in 2018 the ADA will publish updates online as they become available if new evidence or regulatory changes require immediate incorporation. The new recommendations include the areas of cardiovascular health, health technology, screening , and patient centered care. These standards are meant to provide general treatment goals for people with diabetes. They are not meant to replace clinical judgment. I am going to briefly review some of the changes this year.  A more detailed explanation of the standards can be found here.  Please remember, that these are in no way meant to replace the individual care that you are participating in with your health care team.

Section 1: Improving Care and Promoting Health in Populations

Care for people with diabetes includes assessing for financial resources, access to care, stability of housing situation, ability to access healthy food, and medication use.  Additional support for diabetes self-management can come from community health workers, navigators (who help “navigate” health insurance and claims), and lay health coaches who help with self-management.

Section 2: Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes

Certain medical diagnoses can make A1c test results less accurate. People with conditions that affect red blood cells, such as sickle cell anemia, may get an incorrect result. It is important to use other methods to test for diagnosis and control of diabetes such as fasting and postprandial (after meal) glucose levels.

Section 3: Comprehensive Medical Evaluation and Assessment of Comorbidities

Pancreatitis is now listed as a comorbid condition (another condition a person can have along with diabetes).

Serum testosterone should be checked in men with symptoms of hypogonadism.

Section 4: Lifestyle Management and Section 6: Glycemic Targets

Both sections address the ADA recommendations for using technology to help with diabetes management.  This could include teleconference, text messages, or email. The use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with Type 1 Diabetes should start at age 18.

Section 8: Pharmacologic Approaches to Glycemic Treatment

Recent study data has shown that all patients newly diagnosed with diabetes should be following strict lifestyle changes and start metformin. People with heart disease should consider additional medication(s) that may reduce cardiovascular events/mortality.

Section 9: Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management

People with hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes should monitor their home readings to help to identify white coat hypertension and to improve medication management and following directions for taking medications. The ADA defines hypertension as blood pressure of 140 or greater /90 or greater.

Lipid management recommendations were changed to group risk in two broad categories: with heart disease and without.

Section 11: Older Adults

It is very important to individualize medical therapy in older adults to achieve the best results without any adverse reactions, such as hypoglycemia. A1c target should be adjusted for age and other medical conditio

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Health, Nutrition

Insulin: Get to know me!

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Meredith Kimmish
Dietetic Intern

If you or a loved one is currently living with Type 2 Diabetes, understanding the insulin regimen your healthcare provider has prescribed may be intimidating or difficult to understand. If you sometimes wonder Why am I taking this?; When should I take this?;  or Am I doing this right? you are not alone! Many people living with diabetes use different types of insulin, inject at different times of the day, and have various eating habits. But what does this all mean to you?

First let’s learn the basics on insulin:

  • There are different types of insulin depending on how fast they work, peak times, and how long they last
  • Insulin comes in different strengths and not everyone takes the same dosage
  • Insulin cannot be taken as a pill.  It breaks down before it can be absorbed by the body. That is why it must be injected

Now that we know the basics, let’s look at the 3 features of insulin:

  • Onset– the length of time it takes for insulin to reach the bloodstream and begins its job to lower blood sugars.
  • Peak time– Time during which insulin is working at its full strength to lower blood sugar levels.
  • Duration– How long insulin lasts to lower blood sugar levels.

What Insulin are you currently taking?

  • Rapid acting– Insulins such as Humalog and Novolog have a short onset and are taken with meals (either shortly before, during or right after)
  • Intermediate acting– Insulin such as NPH has a longer onset and duration than rapid acting, so it works between meals
  • Long-Acting- Insulin such as Lantus has the longest onset time and lowers blood glucose evenly throughout the day.
  • Mixed dose– NPH insulin may be mixed with a rapid acting insulin. Mixed dose is usually only used for people with a simple insulin treatment plan.

Check with your healthcare provider and/or CDE if you have any questions about your insulin.  They will work with you on the best time to take your medications.

Checking your Blood Glucose
Insulin needs are based off many factors such as body weight, food intake, physical activity, use of certain drugs, and physical or mental stress. These factors may differ day to day, therefore It is important to check your blood glucose levels regularly. Keeping a log of your blood sugar checks is a great way to help you learn how food, exercise and activity, and stress can affect your blood sugar levels. If you see that your blood sugars are too high or too low for several days, this may be a sign that you need to change your insulin regimen.

Eating Patterns and Meal Planning
Studies have shown that having meal plans and preparations ahead of time can help manage your diabetes. Remember, there is not a standard diabetes meal plan, so create one that works best for you and your lifestyle with long term goal setting.  Having scattered meal periods throughout the day can throw your blood sugar out of whack.  Creating a regular schedule for healthy meal and snack times can help manage your blood sugars by coordinating your insulin regimen with meal times.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with a registered dietitian from Massachusetts General Hospital, call the Outpatient Nutrition Counseling at 617-726-2779.

 Post content reviewed by MGH Pharmacist and Melanie Pearsall, RD, CDE
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Guest Post, Health, Nutrition

College Eating- Healthy Lifestyle Living on a Budget

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Ellie

Moving off to college and living on your own for the first time can be a major adjustment. Personally, the biggest adjustment I found was learning how to cook for and feed myself on a regular basis around classes and other activities. Through my experiences in college and living on my own, I’ve acquired a few tips and tricks when it comes to cooking, including tips about cooking for only one person, eating healthy, and eating inexpensively.

Cooking for One

One of the more prominent challenges when it comes to living on your own is adapting recipes – whether they’re from websites, apps or even good ole’ fashioned cook books — that make 4-6 servings for one person. My first tip is embracing freezer meals. By freezing leftovers, you can cook recipes without having to adjust to fit your serving size, and you have future quick and easy meals readily available. All you must do is heat them up! Personally, I’ve found this very helpful with dishes such as lasagna, soups, breakfast sandwiches, muffins, quesadillas, and casseroles.

Another freezer tip you can use is instead of freezing whole meals you can freeze pre-cut ingredients so that they won’t go bad, and they’re ready to use whenever you need them. I’ve found this helpful in: soon to expire fruits that can be used for smoothies; leftover vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery; and even products like cheese or breads. I use this most often when I need to cut a recipe in half (or even quarters) to fit my serving size.  If I’m left with three-quarters of an onion in my fridge, I’ll cut it up, bag it, and freeze it for future recipes.

Eating Healthy and Inexpensively

A common myth is that it’s cheaper to eat unhealthy foods than healthy foods. Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive.  You can save a lot of money by eating out as little as possible and doing more home cooking.   As you do more grocery shopping, you’ll learn that vegetables, grains and beans are much cheaper and more accessible than meat.  I’ve also found that shopping is easier if I plan out what weekly meals I will be cooking at the beginning of the week and decide what ingredients I need before I get to the store.  This way, I’m not making trips to the grocery store every two days or buying things I don’t need that then go to waste. When shopping, be sure to stick to foods that will give you the most nutrients, like brown rice instead of white rice, whole-wheat bread products, and stay away from processed ingredients/foods that are high in sugar. When shopping for produce, you can save a lot of money by buying fruit and vegetables that are in season or on sale in bulk and freezing what you don’t use.

Lastly, many people don’t like to cook at home because they don’t have a lot of cooking experience or confidence. Some would-be cooks don’t know where to find recipes, or they don’t know how to cook for their own food preferences or dietary needs.  There are many great websites, beginner’s cookbooks, and apps with hundreds of delicious recipes and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions for those who are new to the kitchen. These will help you be inspired to eat at home more, which will save you money and help you eat healthier.

Overall, cooking is an individual process. There are going to be ideas that work for you and ideas that don’t.  This will be mostly dictated by personal preferences and needs. The most important thing is to be constant in cooking at home and cooking with quality ingredients.

Post content reviewed by Melanie Pearsall, RD, CDE
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Fitness, Health

Six reasons climbing is a great way to maintain health and wellness

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Ellie

Climbing first caught my eye about a year ago when I started college and discovered my university has a free indoor climbing gym for students. I started climbing and quickly learned to love it!  It’s a sport that has many mental and physical benefits that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Climbing builds mental strength
Mentally, climbing has helped me grow as a person because it’s taught me to trust my body and my push myself out of my comfort zone as I climb harder or more technical routes. It teaches you to develop a strong mindset because you need to be able to fall on the same route repeatedly but tell yourself “this time I’ll get it” each time you try again.

It’s competitive with yourself, not with other people
A problem I’ve found with team sports is people would be more focused on beating an opponent and being the best rather than having fun and developing their skills. When I became involved with the rock climbing community, I discovered a more inward focus.  Everyone is concerned with bettering themselves and improving personally rather than beating anyone else.  As everyone has a different style to their climbing and their own set of strengths and weaknesses, the only climber you can truly compare yourself to is the climber you were yesterday.

It’s a lot of problem solving
When climbing, there are lots of different ways to tackle the various challenges you’re presented with. For example, a shorter person might not be able to reach climbing holds as well as someone who’s taller.  At the same time, if you’re small you don’t require as much strength to keep yourself on the wall. Everyone uses their own skill set and must figure out how to solve problems and tackle hard routes in ways that fit their climbing style. And every route you climb is different, so you’ll get a lot of mental exercise along with physical.

Climbing creates a strong community
Because rock climbing isn’t a very competitive sport, the community is very supportive and welcoming.  It’s a great environment for socializing and making friends.  Climbers are happy to give you advice on how to complete a route, talk about different places you’ve both climbed, share training tips and even teach different styles of climbing.

All skill levels welcome
Both indoor and outdoor climbing offer a variety of challenges for all skill levels.  This can range anywhere from climbing a ladder, to gripping tiny holds or even jumping 4 feet to reach the next move. Because of the variety of challenge options, it’s easy to get started and possible to climb with people with more developed skills.

Can be done alone or with a group
With team sports like football; baseball; basketball or soccer, you need a big group of people to have a game.  Depending on the type of climbing you do, you can go by yourself, with just one other person or with a big group of friends to solve problems and train together.  The different types of climbing are bouldering, top rope and lead climbing.  Bouldering is where you climb without ropes and only go about 10 feet off the ground (there are padded mats to land on if you fall).  Bouldering can be done by yourself or with a group of people. Top rope climbing and lead climbing are done with ropes and require at least two people:  one person acts as a weight as the other person climbs.

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Health

Helpful Hints on OTC Medications

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

By Eileen B. Wyner, NP
Bulfinch Medical Group

Eileen Wyner, NP

It is certainly winter in New England. Who doesn’t love wooly mittens, ice skating on the Frog Pond, or curling up with hot tea and a big book? Unfortunately, there is a flip side to these happy scenes:  people get sick. Illness can occur at any time of year but there seems to be an increase in illness in winter.  People with diabetes have a few more challenges in their self-care, so I want to highlight a few points about over the counter medications to consider as you try to stay healthy this winter and all year long.

Over the counter medications (or OTCs) are available without a prescription, but this doesn’t mean they’re harmless.  Tell your healthcare provider about any OTCs you are taking.  Many medications have a combination of the ingredients listed below, so read the label and follow the directions carefully.  You can always ask your pharmacist for help or to check if any OTCs will interact with other medications you’re taking.

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) are used to lower fever and relieve pain. You may be more familiar with ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).  You should not use these medications if you are allergic to aspirin, have kidney disease, trouble with your stomach or a bleeding disorder.  NSAIDS can raise blood pressure, so check with your healthcare provider before taking.
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is also used to lower fever and relieve pain. If you have liver disease, use with caution or avoid altogether.
  • Antihistamines are used to relieve allergic symptoms and nasal congestion, and may be combined with other medications. They can make you feel sleepy, jittery, and/or have a dry mouth. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking these medications if you have high blood pressure, thyroid disease, glaucoma, or prostate problems.
  • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is a decongestant used to relieve nasal congestion and sinus pain. This medication can make you feel anxious, increase heart rate, and/or interfere with sleep.  It can also interact with many other medications.  Do not use if you take medications for high blood pressure, thyroid medications, or some psychiatric medications until discussing with your healthcare provider.  Pseudoephedrine can also raise blood sugar, so if you have high blood sugar while taking this medicine it’s best to avoid it.
  • Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant and a common ingredient in many cold medications. Cough suppressants help reduce coughing.  It can be taken any time during the day, but it is  best taken at night. The potential side affects are drowsiness, dizziness, anxiety, and upset stomach. Medications with the initials DM at the end of the name have this ingredient.
  • Guaifenesin (Mucinex) is an expectorant found in many cold medications or combined with other medications mentioned above, though it can also be taken by itself. Expectorants help break up mucus so you can cough it out.  This medication may cause upset stomach and dizziness, but it is not known to interact with other medications.

Many of the medications discussed here are available in pill and liquid form.  The liquid types are syrups made with sugar.  Sugar free versions may not be easily available, but these medications are taken in small amounts for a short period so the impact on blood sugar may not be too hard to manage.  However, it is best to avoid products that contain sucrose, dextrose, fructose, lactose, and honey whenever possible.

If you are looking for sugar free cough and cold medications, these are ones that are available:

  • Chlor-Trometon tablets
  • Dimetapp Elixir
  • Scot-Tussin DM Liquid
  • Cerose-DM Liquid

I hope this information clarifies the best medications to have in your sick day tool box. Please check with your pharmacist and health care provider with any questions.  I truly hope that you won’t need to use any of these suggestions and your winter remains cozy and healthy.

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Health

Wishing you a Healthy Holiday

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

Thanks to everyone who joined and followed our healthy holiday photo challenge!  Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.

BeFunky Collage

Gratitude – Gratitude can reduce stress/anxiety and improve relationships.

Colors – Quick and healthy holiday appetizer: colorful veggies and hummus.

Evergreen  – Sneak some exercise into your day:  use the season as an excuse to go for a walk and take in the holiday decorations.

Prioritize – Trying to “do it all” is a common cause of holiday stress. Focus on the things that are most important to you – anything else is bonus.

This makes me happy – Taking time to do something you enjoy (any time of year) helps reduce stress.

Relax – Research shows listening to your favorite music can help you relax.

Healthy Swap – Steamed fresh or frozen green beans are a healthy side dish alternative to green bean casserole.

Exercise – Sneak some exercise into your holiday shopping by doing an extra lap around the mall.

Breathe – When the holiday cheer starts getting to be too much, try a mini meditation like this one from the Benson-Henry Institute.

Peace – Remember to take time for activities (yoga, meditation, even a walk outside with family) that help you unwind and find peace.

Hydrate – Keep a water bottle nearby to remind you to sip water through the day.

Moderation – Using a smaller plate at meal time can help with portion control.

Decorate – Multitask to fit in some fitness:  turn up the holiday music and dance while you decorate.

Sports – Winter activities like sledding, skiing, ice skating or making a snow man are great ways to exercise outside with family in winter.

Unplug – Putting away phones and other devices for a time can reduce stress and help you feel more connected with loved ones.

Light – Happy #Hanukkah! Enjoy this sweet potato pancake recipe from MGH Be Fit.

Minimize – Over scheduled? It’s okay to say no! Only take the commitments you want/can do.

Sleep – Stick with your regular sleep routine during the holidays.

Something I enjoy – There’s so much to do during the holidays, but be sure to plan some fun activities too!

Mindfulness – Choose foods you really want to eat and focus on the taste and texture of each bite.

Fun and games – Plan family activities that take the focus away from food.

Fresh – Buying produce in season is a great way to save on fruits and veggies. DYK – Brussels sprouts (in season now) are a source of vitamin C?

Anything you like – Finding a way to laugh (like a surprise visit by a cute puppy) is a great way to relieve holiday stress.

Act of kindness – Research shows simple acts of kindness can reduce stress levels.  These gifts were wrapped as part of a charity toy drive.

Healthy treats – Don’t go to the party hungry! Have a healthy snack (like a handful of nuts) before you leave the house.

Cranberry – DYK cranberries are a good source of vitamin C? Try them in this recipe from the MGH Be Fit program: Parmesan Almond Crusted Chicken Breast Stuffed with Cauliflower and Dried Cranberries.

Positive vibes – A positive outlook will help with coping with challenges you may face during the holidays.

Memories – Remembering loved ones who aren’t there is helpful in bringing the family together. H/t MGH Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds.

Tradition – As you take part in holiday traditions, take a deep breath and savor the moment.

Community – Schedule “together time” with those you most want to see during the holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Health

Healthy Holidays Photo a Day Challenge

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

Join us for a healthy holidays themed photo a day challenge starting November 27!

PhotoADay

 

How to play:  Take a photo each day of the challenge, using the prompt for that day as inspiration.  Post your photo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook (or all three!) with the hashtag #DSMEHealthyHoliday.  Follow along on our  Instagram page for healthy holiday tips.

Daily Prompts:

Gratitude
What does gratitude look like for you?

Colors
Post a picture of something colorful you saw today.

Evergreen
Go outside sometime today and take a picture of an evergreen (or anything green).

Prioritize
What is most important to you during the holidays?

This makes me happy
What makes you happy during the holidays?

Relax
The holidays can be stressful. What’s something you do to relax?

Healthy Swap
What’s something you do to make a recipe healthier?

Exercise
There’s always so much to do during the holidays.  How do you fit in exercise?

Breathe
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, stop and take a breath.  What does that look like?

Peace
What does peace look like to you?

Hydrate
Enjoy your holiday drinks, but don’t forget water! How do you remember to drink water through the day?

Moderation
The holidays are full of treats and feasts. How do you practice moderation?

Decorating
Share how you incorporate physical activity in your holiday decorating.

Sports
Do you enjoy winter sports? Share an outdoor activity you did today.

Unplug
Power down your devices for at least an hour today. Show us what you did!

Light
How is light used in your holiday celebrations?

Minimize
Trying to do EVERYTHING is a big source of stress. Show us how you keep your “to do” list from becoming too overwhelming.

Sleep
Getting enough enough sleep helps keep the immune system healthy which can protect against colds and flu.  How do you make sure you get in your 8 hours of sleep during the holidays?

Something I enjoy
What do you enjoy most about the holidays?

Mindfulness
How do you practice mindfulness during the holidays?

Fun and Games
Fun activities with friends/loved ones can help reduce stress. What did you do today?

Fresh
Post a picture of something new or fresh you saw or did today.

Anything you like
Wildcard! Post a picture of anything holiday related today

Acts of Kindness
Small things mean a lot. Share an act of kindness you experienced today.

Healthy treats
Do you have a go-to healthy holiday treat? Show us!

Cranberry
Cranberries are a good source of vitamin C. Show us how you use cranberries in your holiday meals.  Or, take a picture of something cranberry colored.

Positive vibes
How do you stay positive in times of stress?

Memories
The holidays can be difficult for some. Post a picture of something that brings back a happy memory.

Tradition
What are some holiday traditions in your family?

Community
How does your community come together for the holidays?

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Health

Understanding Emotional Eating

Posted on by mghdiabeteseducation

Have you ever come home after a stressful day and ended up eating a pint of Chunky Monkey?  Or maybe you’ve mindlessly eaten a bag of chips at your desk willing the workday to go by faster?  Both of these examples are types of emotional eating:  eating for reasons other than hunger.  While eating when you’re  hungry addresses a physical need (providing the body with food in order to function), emotional eating uses food to satisfy an emotional need.  Some common causes of emotional eating include stress, anger, boredom and loneliness.    Emotional eating can affect your diabetes management because often the foods eaten are high in sugar, fat and calories.  This can raise blood sugar and make it hard to lose weight.

So how can you tell if you’re eating because you’re hungry or because you’re stressed out?  Physical hunger comes on gradually and can be satisfied by any type of food. You stop feeling hunger when you have eaten enough to feel full.  Emotional “hunger” comes on very quickly and is focused on a strong craving for a particular food, taste or texture. Emotional eating is also often mindless and can lead to feelings of guilt afterward.

Now that we know the difference between physical and emotional hunger, here are some strategies to help manage emotional eating:

  • Know your triggers – If you know what it is that causes you to eat (e.g. boredom, stress), you can take action to prevent mindless munching before it begins. Use another activity to distract yourself from wanting to eat. Try going for a walk, talking to a friend or loved one, or listening to music.
  • Pause – Before reaching for the bag of chips, stop and think: am I hungry, or am I bored? Wait 10 minutes and see if you are still truly hungry.
  • Eat smaller portions –   If you wait 10 minutes and still can’t stop thinking about those chips, have a smaller, individual portion to keep you from overeating.
  • Practice mindful eating – Slow down and take the time to really enjoy the smell, tastes and textures of your favorite foods. Try not to multi task – make eating your only activity.
  • Seek help if you need it – Emotional eating can sometimes be a symptom of depression or anxiety.  If you feel this may be the case, talk to your healthcare provider, a diabetes educator or a mental health specialist.

Post content reviewed by Jen Searl, MLS, CHWC

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