A sweet way to deal with diabetes

MANILA, Philippines - When we think of diabetes, the first thing that comes to mind is to eschew everything that is sweet from our diet. Well, not anymore. Since Low Glycemic Index foods came to the fore, life has been sweeter for people who are afflicted with the disease, which is the third leading cause of death among Filipinos.

Glycemic Index ranks foods based on how they affect our blood sugar level. High GI foods like white rice, mashed potatoes, french fries, cakes, chips and crackers, among others, break down carbohydrates quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood glucose level. Low GI foods, on the other hand, release glucose slowly and gradually into the bloodstream, preventing huge swings in blood sugar level, thus minimizing the conversion to fat and making it a healthier choice for people with diabetes, coronary heart disease, and those suffering from obesity. Eating Low GI foods keeps your energy levels balanced, you feel full for a longer period of time, which reduces hunger pangs and cravings in between meals. Naturally, people who consume more low GI foods on a regular basis have lower total body fat levels.

Foods with Low GI are :

• Cereals, oats, oat bran, muesli, porridge, wheat bread, whole grains, brown and red rice, walnuts, and almonds

• Fruits such as cherries, plums, apples, pears, peaches, grapes, and strawberries

• Veggies like broccoli, boiled carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms, beans, and tomatoes, to name a few.

But for people on the go, those busy executives, multi-tasking employees, and even harried housewives, one can always grab a pouch of NutriMeal, USANA Health Sciences’ revolutionary weight management meal available in delicious chocolate, strawberry, and soon, vanilla flavors.

“Each serving of NutriMeal has 15 grams of protein, eight grams of dietary fiber, and a Glycemic Index of 23, making it a well-balanced meal replacement drink for individuals especially those with the said ailments. Of course, your physician’s recommendation is also considered,” says Gen Blasurca, USANA’s resident pharmacist.

As a factor to one’s overall health, USANA has designed a weight management program that will reset, transform, and maintain the desired weight of the person.

By reset, a person breaks the cycle of fluctuating blood sugar by replacing breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Nutrimeal for five continuous days, with two to three snacks of fruits or vegetables in between. The person must drink eight to 10 glasses of water each day and avoid strenuous physical activity during the period.

To transform from the sixth day onwards, one must replace two meals a day with NutriMeal and follow the same pattern as reset, until desired weight is attained.

And to maintain that, simply replace one meal a day with Nutrimeal while drinking eight to10 glasses of water and feeding on Low Glycemic foods and snacks throughout the day.

USANA Health Sciences is America’s leading distributor of top-of-the line health products and nutritionals Filipinos can trust. For more info, visit www.usana.com or call 858-4500/4527