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Tips for Holiday Eating

Holidays where food takes center stage are especially difficult if you have diabetes. The selection of rich foods present problems with maintaining blood glucose at the proper levels. There are precautions you can take to help keep sugar levels low and still enjoy holiday gatherings.

Keep Your Regular Schedule

Maintaining your normal meal times is important. If you’re attending a gathering where food will be served later than your usual meal time, eat a snack that’s low in calories and carbohydrates. Your blood sugar will stay steady and you can consume a little less during the meal. Choose vegetable dishes whenever possible.

Restrict Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are a staple for many gatherings during the holidays. You have to be especially careful with mixed drinks as they often contain syrups that add sugar to the drink. Limit alcohol, as it’s dehydrating and will significantly affect glucose levels.

Monitor Carbohydrates

Sweet treats and desserts can be particularly tempting. It’s a good idea to stay away from those types of goodies, along with breads and carb-heavy vegetables such as potatoes.

Don’t Starve Yourself

Never starve yourself in anticipation of a gathering. You’re placing yourself at unnecessary risk of low blood sugar. You’ll also be tempted to over eat when the meal is served.

Eat Slow

The slower you eat, the sooner you’ll feel full. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to tell you it feels satiated. It’s a good practice to follow at any time of the year.

Portion Control

Just as you practice portion control throughout the year, it’s especially important during the holidays. Instead of 2 tablespoons of mashed potatoes, take 1. It’s important to consume more low-calorie and low carb vegies rather than those drenched in butter, gravies and sauces.

Don’t Blame Yourself

No matter how good your intensions, the lure of holiday snacks, sweets and treats may be too strong to resist. You’re only human, so forgive yourself. Just make sure you monitor your glucose levels regularly throughout the gathering and administer insulin if needed.

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If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

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Sleep Loss has Serious Implications for Women

You know how important sleep is for your health. It’s during this time that the body repairs itself. It’s also essential for cognitive functions. A new study has found that losing just 1.5 hours of sleep can increase the risk of developing diabetes if you’re a woman.

The Study

Data from Columbia University Irving Medical Center shows that losing 90 minutes of sleep for just 6 weeks increases insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when the body doesn’t respond appropriately to insulin your body produces.

It’s a major risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes in women. The effects of that loss of sleep were even more obvious in post-menopausal women. Previous studies involved groups that were predominantly male, only addressed severe sleep deprivation, and over a very short time period.

Optimal Sleep

Science has long held that the average person requires between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. However, one-third of the adult population receives less than that.

Lifetime Changes

Women undergo more changes in their sleep habits and schedules due to having children, child rearing, and menopause. Women’s sleep habits can also change as a result of caring for elderly parents or a spouse with a health condition. Chronic pain, disease and other factors also affect sleep.

Important Results

Fasting insulin levels increased by more than 12 percent during the study. The rate was 15 percent in post-menopausal women. Insulin resistance also increased. It was 15 percent overall and more than 20 percent in post-menopausal women. Researchers hypothesize that the long-term stress created by lack of sleep can result in a failure of insulin producing cells that can eventually result in diabetes.

The Takeaway

Loss of sleep has serious implications for women. Between work, children and family obligations, getting enough sleep can be difficult. The lesson for women, especially those that are post-menopausal, is to take time to care for yourself. Adjust your sleep schedule in whatever manner you need to ensure you get enough slumber.

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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Grazing vs Regular Meal Times

Many diabetics have an extremely difficult time managing A1C levels. They often think they’re doing well, only to discover at their next doctor’s visit their A1C is out of control. It’s often the result of grazing rather than maintaining stringent meal times.

What is A1C?

Determining A1C is a simple matter of a blood test. It measures your average blood glucose levels over a 3-month period of time. It tells your physician how well or how poorly you’re controlling and managing the disease.

Meal Eaters and Grazers

There are basically 2 types of eaters. Those who have no problem conforming to a regular meal schedule and seldom snack.

Other people are grazers. They typically don’t eat at regular intervals. Instead, they “graze,” essentially eating several mini meals throughout the day. Formerly known as snackers, they have an extremely difficult time keeping their blood glucose levels under control. Those small bites here and there add up over the course of a day and grazers must test far more often than meal time adherents.

Official Recommendations

Physicians and the American Diabetes Association recommend that diabetics eat 3 meals a day at regular intervals. The daily meal plan also includes 2 small snacks to help maintain blood glucose levels from dropping in the afternoon or overnight.

Pros and Cons

Mini meals can keep energy levels and metabolism high, and make you feel fuller longer. Grazers are less likely to overeat if they consume low carb, lean protein vegetable snacks

There are also disadvantages to grazing. People that have this eating pattern add calories to their daily intake, making it harder to lose or maintain a consistent weight.

Mindful Eating

Few people can afford a chef to provide them with nutritious, diabetes acceptable meals, but there are things you can do to keep blood sugar and A1C readings under control.

  • Take a diabetic cooking class
  • Research low fat, low carb, high protein snacks
  • Avoid fried foods, sweets and junk food
  • Prepare diabetic-friendly meals in batches and freeze them for future consumption
  • Measure to control portion sizes
  • Make food fun with shapes and unique cutting techniques
  • Plan meals and snacks ahead of time instead of waiting until you’re really hungry

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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diabetes exercize

Can Wegovy® Help You Lose Weight?

Developed to aid in diabetes management and control, Wegovy® does result in weight loss. It works by supressing appetite so you’ll eat less. It emulates a hormone called GLP-1 that the body release after you eat. It also slows down the movement of food through the digestive system so you’ll feel fuller longer.

Wegovy® was created by Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company. The drug was successful in its goal and it quickly became known as simply a weight loss medication. It was so popular among those seeking to lose weight that many pharmacies are now encountering shortages. There are a number of things you need to know about Wegovy® before consulting with your physician.

Eligibility Guidelines

The injectable medication is only available by prescription. It’s for adults with

  • Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater

  • Those who are overweight with a BMI of 27 or greater who have weight-related medical conditions

  • Those diagnosed as pre-diabetic

  • People with Type 2 diabetes

It must be used with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

It’s Not Magic

Effects aren’t immediate. If you’re expecting to see pounds “melt off” as many weight loss medications claim, you’re going to be disappointed. Wegovy® weight loss will be evident over time, with most seeing effects at the 3 month mark. You’ll typically be prescribed a low-dose of Wegovy® and monitored to determine how you tolerate the drug.

Side Effects

As with any prescription medication, Wegovy® has the potential for side effects, the most common of which are nausea and stomach pain. It can also result in vomiting – eating too much or drinking too much alcohol can make vomiting worse. Some people taking Wegovy® have lost muscle mass, experienced diarrhea or constipation, headache, dizziness, bloating and belching, and stomach flu-like symptoms. People that stop taking the medication after they’ve attained their weight goal will typically gain the weight back.

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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diabetic diets

What’s New in Medication for Weight Management?

One of the myriads of factors for people with diabetes is losing weight. Diabetes medications can
lead to weight gain, even for people that don’t have a sedentary lifestyle. There are some new
medications on the market designed to help diabetics improve their blood glucose levels, but
they also come with some disadvantages.

Of special interest are the medications Ozempic® and Wegovy™. Both drugs are injectables that
are self-administered at home once per week. The medications vary widely in price. People
taking the medications feel fuller, eat less and have fewer sugar cravings. Both drugs are
manufactured by Novo Nordisk.

Cost and Insurance
The cost of Ozempic® and Wegovy can range from $1,200 to $2,500 per year without insurance.
The drugs aren’t covered by all health insurance plans and there are no generic versions. When
individuals can’t afford to continue the medications due to the cost, they regain the lost weight
within a year of stopping the medication.

Ozempic®
The drug has been highly prescribed for diabetes management. However, in a society that’s
obsessed with attaining the slimmest silhouette possible, promotion as a weight loss drug by
celebrities and social media influencers has resulted in limited supplies for diabetics. Ozempic®
wasn’t designed for cosmetic weight loss.

Wegovy™
Hailed as a major breakthrough in the battle against weight gain, Wegovy™ has been highly
effective. Clinical trials showed an average weight loss of 15 percent by those taking it.

Issues
The cost of the medications places them out of reach for a large portion of the population for
which they were developed and need them most. For individuals that can’t afford the
medications, the manufacturer recommends exercise, and diet control, and suggests individuals
explore other weight loss options with their doctor.

While highly effective, the drugs must be taken indefinitely to maintain weight loss. Side effects
of the medications can include heartburn, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and vomiting. In
tests, rats showed an increase in thyroid cancer on the drug.

 

We Buy Unused Diabetic Test Strips and Supplies

If you would like to find out about earning cash for your unwanted, unused, and boxed test strips, complete our online quote form today.

If you have extra, unopened and unused boxes of diabetic test strips – whether you have switched brands, no longer need to test or test less frequently, or have a loved one who has passed away – don’t let them gather dust until they’ve expired and end up in the trash. We’re the best place to sell diabetic test strips online, and if you want to sell your test strips, we’re here to make the process easy and enjoyable!

Visit us at Sell Your Test Strips and get your free quote today!

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