If you read my intro blog, you saw that fear was my most prevalent emotion upon being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 13. Though I found a way to keep smiling (pictured right), I also felt anxiety, stress, confusion, sadness, and anger.

It was February and I was finishing up my 8^th grade basketball season.  Within two weeks leading up to my diagnosis I began to have a number of symptoms. It started with an extreme thirst. I felt I could chug water all day and never quench my thirst. In response, I was going to the bathroom more, which later became uncontrollable. I wet the bed and peed my pants more than once and was mortified. I’m 13 years old, why am I wetting the bed? One day at school I found myself extremely exhausted. My mother being the school counselor, I went in her office to lie down. I fell asleep almost instantly and it took her physically shaking me to wake me after hours of sleeping. I stayed home the next day where I slept almost all day.  The biggest red flag was that I had lost 15 pounds in a week’s time. With symptoms accumulating, we knew a doctor’s visit was necessary.

Having no idea why I felt the way I did, I was anxious to hear the test results. When the doctor walked in and said, “You have type 1 diabetes,” all I could think was: diabetes? I don’t even know what that is! Fear is what drove me to learn what I know about the disease today. Just know if you have felt these emotions in response to a diagnosis; you aren’t alone and it’s the  normal response! sy

Summer is around the corner and grilling season is upon us. It’s important to look at your grill as an extension of your kitchen.  Proper safety and sanitation is important when grilling outside.  Here are a few tips to keep your family safe from food-borne illnesses this summer:

Start Clean

• Always scrub the grill with hot, soapy water before each use.
• Wash your hands before, during and after food preparation. This is especially important when handling raw meat.

Safely Thaw and Marinate Meat

• Thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator or microwave, not on the counter.
• Always marinate meat in the refrigerator.
• Never use the same brush to baste raw and cooked meat.

Don’t Share Ware

• Cross contamination can be avoided by using separate cutting boards, knives, grilling tongs, and forks for your raw meats and ready-to-eat foods.

Know Your Temperatures

• Grilled foods can be harmful if not fully cooked. The only reliable way to ensure meat is safe and ready to eat is by using a meat thermometer.
• Follow this temperature guide to ensure you are cooking to proper temperatures:
  • Steak: 145° F
  • Hamburgers: 160° F
  • Chicken: 165° F

Enjoy clean and safe grilling! sy

Hi everyone! My name is Sabetha Young, the new intern at Banister Nutrition. I am a senior at the University of Central Oklahoma and I am majoring in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Management while working on a Business Administration minor. I was thrilled to be selected as the new intern at Banister Nutrition for the next year. I will be learning many things I could never learn in a classroom.

You might be wondering why the title of this blog says, “Let’s Talk Diabetes”.  I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on February, 13^th 2007 at the age of 13. I had all of the reactions you would expect a 13 year old to have. What is diabetes? Why is this happening to me? How will this affect my activities? The major feeling I experienced was fear. Fear of not understanding what was happening to my body.

Through doctor’s visits and my parents, we slowly learned. I say “we” because anyone who has diabetes knows the support of your family is helpful and they too, sometimes have to make adjustments. I was fortunate to have parents tell me that we weren’t going to let diabetes get in the way of pursuing my dreams.  They would say, “You control it, it does not control you.”

I will continue this blog by sharing my diabetes experiences. I am sure all of you with diabetes will be able to relate. More to come with “Let’s Talk Diabetes”! sy

We all know making healthy choices can be a hard at times. Here are a few tips that can help you make better choices when choosing either the healthy or unhealthy option.

• Prepare more of your own meals. Cooking more meals at home can help you take charge of what you’re eating and better monitor exactly what goes into your food.
• Make the right changes. When cutting back on unhealthy foods in your diet, it’s important to replace them with healthy alternatives. Replacing animal fats with vegetables fats (such as switching butter for olive oil) will make a positive difference to your health. Switching animal fats for refined carbohydrates, though (such as switching your breakfast bacon for a donut), won’t lower your risk for heart disease or improve your mood.
• Simplify. Instead of being overly concerned with counting calories, think of your diet in terms of color, variety, and freshness. Focus on avoiding packaged and processed foods and opting for more fresh ingredients.
• Read the labels. It’s important to be aware of what’s in your food as manufacturers often hide large amounts of sugar and salt in packaged food, even food claiming to be healthy.
• Focus on how you feel after eating. This will help foster healthy new habits and tastes. The more healthy food you eat, the better you’ll feel after a meal. The more junk food you eat, the more likely you are to feel uncomfortable, nauseous, or drained of energy.
• Drink plenty of water. Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many people go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices. sg

Reference: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-eating/healthy-eating.htm

Do you ever have cravings that are so hard to resist? When your mind keeps yelling, eat me! eat me! eat me! Some dieters may believe a craving is an intense desire for a certain food, but it is actually a signal for their bodies needing the nutrients that food provides. Overindulging on cravings can quickly add up your calories for the day. Eating your cravings in moderation is the key, but sometimes it’s hard. Here are a few extra tips to beat your cravings!

• Put your craving off. Tell yourself you’ll deal with the craving in 20 minutes. Food cravings are typically short-lived, and while the desire for chips, chocolate or cake feels overwhelming now, it will wane, especially if you can find a healthier food substitute or distract yourself.

• Choose alternatives for your cravings. Yearn for potato chips? Buy a brand that
  ‘s low-fat or fat-free. Desire something crunchy? Skip the chips: try fruit or a salad packed with crisp greens and veggies. Want something sweet? How about baking an apple or even roasting some veggies? Roasting brings out the sweetness in many foods.

•  Buy single servings of foods you crave. Instead of buying a whole box of cookies, buy just one cookie from a specialty bakeshop.

•  Schedule your snacks. Plan for nutritious snacks to prevent between-meal hunger. Keep portable, healthy snacks in your desk, backpack or car.

• Take a walk, work on a hobby or call a friend. A brisk walk outside or at work can get your mind off the craving. A chat with a sympathetic friend that will help you talk through your craving may also help.

sg

Reference:http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/weight-loss/tips-for-weight-loss/stop-the-cravings-eat-right