CentraState - Healthy Directions

Spring 2015 Healthy Directions 10 Debunking Food Misconceptions for People Living with Diabetes By Saima Farghani, MD Saima Farghani, MD, board- certified endocrinologist FREE Glucose Screening The Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center 901 W. Main St., Freehold Come join us for a free glucose screening, offered every Monday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except holidays. Call 732-308-0570 for details. Please note, these screenings are for those who have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes. A s an endocrinologist, I have patients of all ages living with diabetes—from the newly diagnosed to those who have lived with it for decades. Many hear or read inaccurate or outdated information related to food and its role in the management of this chronic disease that affects millions of Americans. Medical science is also making significant inroads every day in redefining food and how it can help or hinder the health of people with diabetes. I'd like to shed light on some of the most common misconceptions. • If you take diabetes medications, you don't really have to watch what you eat. This is the most common misconception. The reality is that medication is not a cure-all. It helps manage symptoms but cannot counterbalance eating a poor diet. • Obesity will lead to type 2 diabetes. Small changes can add up to a big difference in your battle to prevent diabetes. By losing just five to seven percent of your weight and exercising 30 minutes daily, you can lower your risk. However, the more overweight you are, the higher the likelihood you may become diabetic. • You need to follow a "diabetic diet." There is actually no such thing as a diabetic diet. The focus is actually on consuming a heart-healthy diet that includes mostly plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits and small quantities of whole grains), lean meats, vegetable oils instead of butter or margarine, and low-fat dairy products. • You have to stop eating starch/carbohydrate-laden foods. Portion size is the key. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables (potatoes, yams, peas and corn) can be included in your meals and snacks, but in moderation. Discuss your personal daily target consumption with your doctor. • Avoiding sugar will help you control diabetes. Sugar is just one key component of the "total carbohydrates" you need to monitor to keep your glucose levels stable. Most doctors target between 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal, depending on your calorie needs. • Eat all the meat and fat you want because they have zero carbs. This is a dangerous misconception because eating less fat from meat and other foods is important for heart health, and people with type 2 diabetes are at a significantly higher risk of heart disease. • Juice is better than soda. Just a small half cup of juice contains the same amount of carbohydrates as a half cup of regular soda. Avoid both and switch to water with a squeeze of citrus, sugar-free flavored seltzers or other zero-calorie drinks. DIABETES DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT SERVICES Finally, like all aspects of life today, there's an app for that. One of my favorite phone applications to help people with diabetes is Fooducate. This iPhone and Android app identifies the sugar, fats and unnecessary ingredients in most foods. You can also use it to scan barcodes on packaged foods, which will reveal valuable nutritional facts. If you need help with meal planning, a registered dietitian, in coordination with your doctor, can give you an individual meal-planning assessment designed with the customized amount of carbohydrates for your needs. Also, connect with other people who are living with diabetes; join a support group where you can share and receive information, education and support. CentraState Medical Center's Novo Nordisk Diabetes Center provides the latest type 1 and type 2 diabetes education, prevention, diagnosis and disease management services. In addition, CentraState's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center offers an ongoing roster of nutrition classes and support groups for individuals and families dealing with many medical conditions, including diabetes. To learn more, visit www.centrastate.com/ diabetes-services or call 866-CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). Dr. Saima Farghani is a board-certified endocrinologist on staff at CentraState. She can be reached at MidAtlantic Diabetes & Endocrinology by calling 732-409-6233. HD

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