People who have diabetes -- a disorder of the metabolism, in which their body has trouble converting food in to energy -- must pay close attention to everything they eat. Their bodies do not have the mechanisms necessary to properly regulate their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes affects about 17 million Americans so chances are nice anyone who has the illness will attend your next party. Since you don’t require somebody to feel left out, here are some tips to help you plan a party every guest will enjoy:
* For the main meal, offer your guests variety. Have fish, poultry and lean cuts of beef, veal or pork obtainable so there will be something for everyone. Remove the skin -- which is high in fat -- from poultry. This will benefit not only diabetics, but everyone at your party.
* In lieu of creamy mashed potatoes, which are high in carbohydrates, offer a variety of grains and fresh vegetables for side dishes. Those items are all on the Diabetic Food Pyramid and nice for everyone. Keep in mind, basic foods are always the safest. Avoid sauces, and casseroles, those with cheese and cream sauces.
* For dessert, provide your guests with healthy, low-carb options to the sweet holiday treats. Put out platters with bagel chips, pretzels, low fat crackers, raw fruits and vegetables.
“People with diabetes must avoid foods high in carbohydrates because they send the body’s blood sugar levels soaring,” says Gary Janson, president of American Medical Supply, a Florida-based diabetic supplies company that serves clients in all 50 states. “When you eat, your body breaks down all carbohydrates, and some portion of proteins, in to a sugar substance called glucose. The hormone, insulin, directs glucose to enter the cells, generating energy.”
People who have diabetes should regularly check their blood sugar levels. The cost of testing supplies can exceed $1,200 a year for anyone who tests their blood sugar five time a day. While Medicare and most third party insurers cover a number of the cost, patients can incur substantial out-of-pocket expenses while waiting for insurance reimbursement.
In a regular, healthy person, the body carefully monitors the amount of sugar which is circulated in the blood and removes it when high levels are detected. Diabetics’ bodies either produce inadequate levels of insulin or none at all, so their blood sugar level is chronically high. Over time, patients with diabetes can create such complications as blindness, kidney illness, nerve damage, heart illness, stroke, increased risk of infections or even amputations.
To help patients avoid this expense, companies such as American Medical Supplies specialize in taking the hassle out of ordering and paying for supplies by billing insurance providers and Medicare directly, with no upfront cost to the patient.
No comments:
Post a Comment