Guest posts – Page 3 – Diabetes Diet

Nina’s plea: Would you write to Congress and change USA food guidelines?

Jun 24, 2020Jun 23, 2020 kaitiscotland2 Comments

This is a message from Nina Teicholz, writer and low carb activist:

My highest concern about the existing USA Food Guidelines is for the people who have no choice but to eat the food that they are given, which is based on what is thought of as “a healthy diet”. There are many essentially ‘captive’ populations in schools, hospitals, and prisons. Many of these people are the most disadvantaged among us. Native Americans on reservations have no choice about the food assistance they receive.

I’ve spoken with the Native American woman who for years has been trying to change the USDA food they get, and she cannot get even the tiniest change. They desperately need the food, yet it’s more than 50% carbs, and something like 40% of the kids on these reservations have diabetes.

The same is true for poor people, education programs, and feeding programs for the elderly. These people have no choice. No other food is given to them. Many doctors also say they have no choice, because they are required to teach the guidelines to patients. It is the same thing in most federally funded institutions.

Thus, my hope is, if we have to have Guidelines for the time being, that they do as little harm as possible. The Guideline is coming up for review, but the committee have already decided not to review the evidence on low carb diet studies. We are seeking to change this, and there is already some support for our position, that these studies should be included in the evaluation. Could we get in a low-carb option? Could we force them to consider all the science on saturated fats? This next set of Guidelines will come out by the end of this year, and I think there is still time to try to force change. Our actions now would build awareness around the issue that there is something wrong with the Guidelines. There is so little awareness of the problems. And actually I’m hopeful, because in the last few months, we’ve worked with a number of groups to raise awareness to a level it’s never been before.

Here’s what I would suggest for now.
Both my group, The Nutrition Coalition and the group Low-carb Action Network, have webpages that make it very easy for you (if American) to write/call your Members of Congress. This is super important and I urge everyone to do this. USDA is not budging. Congress is really the only body of power interested in change, and they need to hear from people. So I would urge everyone to contact their members of Congress. It can take just a few min.

Thank you,

Nina

My comment: If the USDA food guidelines are changed, it would make it so much easier for the UK to follow. The photograph shows the breakfast given to a diabetic patient in a US hospital who had just had a heart attack. The UK also dishes out abysmal food to its patients. Wouldn’t it be great if they had a low carb option?

Emma Porter: Cheesy bread pizza base

May 31, 2020May 31, 2020 kaitiscotland5 Comments

Emma has more recipes at http://www.thelowcarbkitchen.co.uk and is the co-author with Dr David Cavans of “Type 2 Diabetes Low Carb Recipes” which is available at bookshops and Amazon.

As promised this is Emma’s recipe for a cheesy bread recipe that can be eaten on its own or used as a pizza base. You can watch her make this on the PHC conference 2020 on You tube. The recipe is at the end of the video and also here.

Ingredients:

180g grated mozzarella (150g for the dough and 30g to put on the top at the end)

3 garlic cloves

75g ground almonds

3 tablespoons Greek Yoghurt

Some fresh parsley

one teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

olive oil

salt

butter

one teaspoon baking powder

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees

Fry the finely chopped garlic cloves in olive oil.

Then add the 150g mozzarella gradually to melt it a bit.

Take it off the heat and start making your dough.

Add a little salt, 3/4 of the parsley, yoghurt, one teaspoon garlic powder (optional for more garlicky tasting base) and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.

Now add in your almonds, and beaten egg and form the dough.

Form a ball then roll this out on a sheet of greaseproof paper or baking parchment or silicone liner.

Form into a rectangle, oval or circle according to your plans.

Bake for only 5 minutes.

Now take out and add the rest of the cheese and parsley for the cheesy bread.

If this is your aim put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes. Then take it out and eat.

If you would like to make a pizza, don’t add the extra cheese topping after 5 minutes. Keep the dough in the oven for the full ten minutes. Once it is fully cooked, add the toppings such as cheese, THEN passata or tomato puree, more cheese and then whatever you fancy/have available such as mushrooms, ham, prawns, or peppers and then put it back in the oven for 5 minutes. Passata directly on the base can make the pizza a bit soggy in the middle.

You are then ready for your pizza or cheesy bread.

Self caring during illness

May 19, 2020May 10, 2020 kaitiscotland2 Comments

Adapted from online presentation by Beverly Bostock ANP 7 May 2020

If you have diabetes you are more at risk of serious complications from Covid-19 and should seek medical advice early in the illness.

Any febrile illness can raise your blood sugars, including the prodromal phase when you don’t otherwise have symptoms. Once you are aware that you are coming down with something there are some useful ways of remembering how to monitor yourself.

Particularly for insulin users:

S – SUGAR – check your blood sugar more frequently than usual. For instance, if you would normally check your blood sugar every 5 hours during the day, double this to every 2.5 hours.

I – INSULIN – Adjust your insulin according to your blood sugars to keep within your target blood sugar level.

C – CARBOHYDRATE – If your blood sugar is low eat or drink more glucose or sugar/starch food items. If your blood sugar is high, drink plain water or more diet drinks.

K – KETONES – Use blood ketone stix or urine ketone stix to monitor your ketones if you are a type one diabetic every 4 hours or so. This is particularly important if you feel very ill, are nauseated, vomiting or have abdominal pain. If your ketones are high consider extra insulin, keep well hydrated and alert medical staff sooner rather than later.

Particularly for type twos:

It is important to keep well hydrated when you experience any illness but particularly an illness where you are febrile, or have vomiting, limited oral intake, or severe diarrhea.

Some drugs can worsen your response to dehydrating illness and you may need to seek advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about stopping certain drugs and when it is appropriate to restart them.

You can remember what they are with the mnemonic: SADMAN

SGLT2 inhibitors, ACE inhibitors, Diuretics, Metformin, ARBs, and Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Jovina cooks South African: Piri-piri chicken and cucumber sambal

Apr 22, 2020Jan 21, 2020 kaitiscotland1 Comment

Piri-Piri Chicken with Piri-Piri Sauce
Piri-Piri (sometimes spelled peri-peri) is Swahili for ‘pepper pepper’, or ‘strong pepper’ and refers to an African-style chili sauce. Piri-Piri Chicken is marinated in a hot chile pepper marinade, then grilled. This dish evolved in Angola and Mozambique (once Portuguese colonies) after Portuguese explorers and settlers brought American chili peppers to Africa.
The most basic piri-piri marinade recipe calls for just oil, cayenne pepper or minced fresh hot chile peppers, and salt. Many piri-piri recipes add an acidic liquid (usually lemon or lime juice, or vinegar, or possibly wine or liquor) which adds a tang and tenderizes the chicken. More elaborate versions also include additional flavorings and spices.
This recipe makes quite a bit and since I cook for two most days, I cut the recipe in half. This dish is delicious and the chicken turns out quite tender and juicy. The sauce has a bit of a kick but not overly spicy.
6-8 servings
Ingredients
4 lb chicken cut into parts or 4 lbs of your favorite chicken parts, about 8 pieces.
Peri Peri Marinade
3 red chilies (reduce for less heat or remove seeds), finely chopped or use 2 tablespoons red chili paste
1 green chili, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon of sea salt
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley
3 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
Peri Peri Sauce
3 tablespoons reserved marinade
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
Directions
Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl large enough to hold all the chicken parts and blend well.

Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade in a small storage container and the coat the chicken with the remaining marinade. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours to overnight.

Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan.
For the Piri-Piri Sauce
Add reserved marinade, water, and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to boil. Cook for 2 minutes, remove from the heat and keep warm.
To cook the chicken
Place chicken bone side down on the grill. Cook for 10 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook for 25-30 minutes. Turn chicken over once more and grill for another 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle the sauce over the grilled chicken.

African Cucumber Sambal
Ingredients
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 shallot, minced
1/2 green chili (jalapeno pepper), minced
1 teaspoon sugar or natural sweetener (honey, agave nectar, etc.)
1 (2-inch) piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 mint leaves, minced
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, quartered and thinly sliced
Directions
Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir and toss well to cover.

Cover and let sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour before serving.
The Sambal will store up to 4 days refrigerated in a tightly covered container.

Alex the Crafted Kitchen: 4 ingredient Tomato soup

Apr 10, 2020Jan 21, 2020 kaitiscotland1 Comment

4 Ingredient Tomato Soup
September 10, 2019 by trained chef, Alex Wojciak.

This tomato soup recipe couldn’t get any easier. If you don’t count the garnishes there are only four ingredients. I had an abundance of tomatoes – so many I had to pick a recipe that used up many of them. Soup seemed like a great idea.
Ingredients:
Tomato, 8 cups, fresh with the core removed, cut in half
Onion, 1 diced
Garlic, 6 cloves, minced
Chicken Stock, 3 cups
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 2tbl

Method:
Begin by roasting tossing your tomatoes with the olive oil, and season with salt. Roast your tomatoes at 400 for about 20 minutes. Roast them long enough so you can peel off the skins with ease.
Meanwhile, heat a large sauce pot over medium heat and cook your onions until nicely browned and caramelized, about 7-8 minutes. If you season them with salt when you throw them in the pan, they will wilt and break down more quickly.

When the onions are nice and cooked, add in the garlic and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Then, add the peeled tomatoes to the pot, along with the chicken stock, and bring to a boil. Purée the soup with an immersion blender (or a standing blender in batches). This might take longer with an immersion blender, but check the consistency to ensure it is smooth and velvety.

Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Ladle into a bowl, and garnish with anything you’d like. I’ve garnished my soup with a dollop of crème fraiche and parsley.

Dr Ivor Cummings: Interview with Dr William Davis

Apr 4, 2020Jan 21, 2020 kaitiscotland1 Comment

In the last of our three part exploration of the cardiovascular disease epidemic, Irish doctor Ivor Cummings interviews Dr William Davis consultant cardiologist about what really prevents and reduces coronary artery atheroma. Also discussed is the most effective way to increase your magnesium intake which relaxes smooth muscle thereby reducing blood pressure.

Dr Cummings’s runs his blog known as the Fat Emperor.

https://thefatemperor.com/ep37-william-davis-md-cardiologist-reveals-the-solutions-to-modern-chronic-disease/

Dr Aseem Malhotra: What is wrong with how we try to prevent cardiovascular disease

Mar 29, 2020Jan 21, 2020 kaitiscotland2 Comments

In part two of this series on cardiovascular disease Dr Aseem Malhotra, consultant cardiologist explains why putting faith in statins to resolve the cardiovascular disease epidemic is misguided. He explains that they only extend life by a matter of a few days yet need to be prescribed for years at considerable cost to the health service. Furthermore, he thinks that their side effects are not being explained to patients.

This is a medium length article which contains information on statins not readily seen in a single document.

https://www.europeanscientist.com/en/features/do-statins-really-work-who-benefits-who-has-the-power-to-cover-up-the-side-effects/

Natural and low carb kitchen: Coconut and lemon cake

Feb 10, 2020Sep 15, 2023 kaitiscotland10 Comments

NB: One of our readers Jane had a very poor result with this cake due to a lack of liquid in the cake mix, and no raising agents and poor ingredient listing. Perhaps one to miss!

Ingredients
Coconut & Lemon Cake

90g coconut flour
5 eggs
40g inulin powder or a tablespoon of granulated sugar substitute
125g butter, melted
Zest & juice from 1 lemon
30g desiccated coconut (unsweetened)
Pinch of salt
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
180g full fat cream cheese
30g inulin powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp coconut flakes (optional decoration)

Create It
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.
2. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and add the egg whites to a bowl.
3. Whisk the egg whites to form stiff peaks.
4. In a separate bowl combine all the other cake ingredients apart from the inulin.
5. Mix the inulin into the cake mix gently until well combined.
6. Fold in the whipped egg whites.
7. Pour into a pre-prepared cake tin and place in the centre of the oven for 45 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool whilst you prepare the frosting.
9. To create the frosting combine the cream cheese, vanilla, lemon zest and lemon juice in a bowl.
10. Slowly and gradually stir in the inulin.
11. When the cake has cooled, remove from the tin and spread over the frosting.
12. Sprinkle with the coconut chips if using.

Nutrition Coalition: Type Two rates are down in the USA

Feb 4, 2020Jan 17, 2020 kaitiscotland6 Comments

RATES OF TYPE 2 DIABETES ARE DOWN…!
The CDC reports that “New cases of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. decreased by 35 percent since a peak in 2009 – the first sign that efforts to stop the nation’s diabetes epidemic are working…”

What are the reasons? One major change that we can see is that two nutritional approaches have been established by clinical trials to reverse T2 diabetes: (1) the keto diet or (2) a very-low calorie formula diet. Perhaps people are finding out about these options.

A third evidence-based option for reversing T2 diabetes is bariatric surgery.