Diet and Diabetes

It is well established that diet is helpful in diabetes.

For those with type 1 diabetes balancing the amount of  carbohydrate with the insulin injected is important

For those with type 2 diabetes watching the amount of calories if overweight is helpful

Further information can be found at the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust


http://www.iddt.org/news/newsletters/

http://www.iddt.org/news/type-2-and-you/

CAKES

Cakes can make a lovely treat especially if home made. They can also incorporate fruit and vegetables.

Hereis my recipe for Beetroot cake

Chocolate beetroot cake per portion NB provides extra vegetables

Makes 12 slices

Energy kcal 329 per slice

Ingredients

3oz (75g) cocoa or chocolate drink powder

6oz (180g ) plain flour –can use 5oz white and 1 oz wholemeal

8 oz (225g) sugar

2tsp baking powder

250g cooked and cooled beetroot

3 large eggs

200ml sunflower oil

1tsp vanilla extract

Icing sugar for dusting

Method

Pre-heat oven to 180 C/335F/gas4

Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl

Puree the beetroot

In a separate bowl mix the eggs one at a time with the oil and vanilla essence when smooth add the sugar. Add the puree beetroot

Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the beetroot and oil and sugar mixture

Mix well

Pour into a greased and lined 9inch cake tin

Bake 30-40 mins or until firm and a skewer inserted in the cake leaves it cleanly

Cool on a rack

Dust with icing sugar

The cake can be split and filled with cream if desired or iced

Book

Books on nutrition abound and mine on "Nutrition and Health" is designed to provide information on nutrition to both students of the subject and a wider audience.

I have been pleased to have a 4th edition of this book published.

It has been reviewd by Azimina Govindji the Award -winning dietitian and Media Nutritionist seen on the One Show www.azminanutrition.com/

Title: Intermediate Nutrition & Health

Author: Dr Mabel Blades

Pages: 138

ISBN: 978-1-1906404-24-6

Illustrations: Two colour

Format: B5 firmback, gloss finish

Published: 2012, 4th Edition

Sports drinks

Hydration is vital for anyone especially those involved in sport and activity.

Water is excellent but isotonic drinks are really useful to replenish.

Isotonic means in balance with the body fluids. So these drinks replace nutrients lost during activity.

While there are lots on the market here are my simple home made ones. Both very cheap to make.

Mabel's isotonic drink 1

400g glucose ( very cheap from a chemist or supermarket)
1 litre water
splash of low calorie squash for flavour
pinch of salt

Mabel's isotonic drink 2

500 ml fruit juice such as apple or orange
500ml water
pinch of salt

For rapid absorption both are better taken un-chilled

TRAINING

TRAINING IN NUTRITION AND FOOD SAFETY

An understanding of nutrition and its impact on health is vital for catering staff and indeed anyone! Therefore training in Healthier Foods and Special Diets has a beneficial role.

This accredited qualification from the RSPH is aimed at those involved in catering, food and health-related occupations. I was delighted to be asked by the Catering Services Manager at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to train some of her staff.

We had a brilliant days training with lots of involvement and questions, which demonstrated how keen the group were to deliver good nutritious food, which was appropriate for patients. Indeed all passed the examination with flying colours and certificates were awarded.

For information on training that I run in food safety, nutrition and health promotion go to the RSPH site.

 http://www.rsph.org.uk/en/qualifications/index.cfm

Milk Intolerances

An intolerance to milk can be due to either the lactose the sugar in milk or the milk protein.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include: a bloated stomach, flatulence (wind) and diarrhoea

The body digests lactose by using an enzyme called lactase to break down lactose into two simpler sugars which can then be easily absorbed into the bloodstream.

In lactose intolerance, the body does not produce enough of the lactase enzyme so lactose stays in the digestive system, where it is fermented by bacteria (in the same way that yeast is fermented to produce beer). It’s this fermentation process that causes the symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.

Sometimes if people have been ill with food poisoning or other conditions the lactase enzyme is reduced. They may then have a period of  intolerance.

If you suspect that you may be lactose intolerant, it is important to make an appointment to get a diagnosis confirmed (or ruled out) by a doctor.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/lactose-intolerance/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet was the topic of a confrence I went to this week near Towcester.

The word diet is derived from the Greek for way of living--so not just about food.

Much of it links with what I said previously on diet and happiness. The Mediterranean Diet in the traditional form is associated with longevity.

It ties in with many of the other ideas on healthy eating --which means lots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, pulses and some olive oil.

Lots of information on www.oldwayspt.org