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Alcohol, Type 1 and Avoiding Juicy Answers | QoW Rationale

Our March 3rd Question of the week was a question about type 1 and alcohol. Although 66% of respondents chose the correct answer, one third did not. We thought that this was an important topic to discuss further, so we can pass on correct info to people living with diabetes.

Before we start though, if you don’t want any spoilers and haven’t tried the question yet, you can answer below: Answer Question

March 3 Question of the week: SZ has type 1 diabetes and uses an insulin pump. SZ wants to celebrate her 21st birthday with friends and asks about drinking alcohol. Which of the following is a correct statement?

Answer Choices:

  1. Since alcohol causes hyperglycemia, make sure to avoid mixed drinks
  2. Check glucose 1-2 hours post drink to see if extra insulin is needed
  3. 5 ounces of wine is about one serving of alcohol
  4. White wine affects blood glucose more than red wines

As shown above, the most common choice was option 3, the second most common answer was option 2, then option 1, and finally option 4.

The majority of participants chose answer 3, the correct answer. However, if you chose a different answer, read more to learn about the relationship between alcohol and glucose.

Option 1 is incorrect – Since the liver is busy breaking down alcohol, it is not able to release glycogen stores after alcohol consumption, which can lead to hypoglycemia (not hyperglycemia). The sugary carb content of mixed drinks can cause a temporary rise in glucose levels and the alcohol can cause delayed hypoglycemia.

Option 2 is also incorrect. While it is a good idea to check glucose 1-2 hours post drink to see evaluate blood glucose levels, giving extra insulin post alcohol consumption can contribute to hypoglycemia.

Option 3 is correct. One serving of alcohol is 5 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer or 1 ounce of spirits.

Finally, Option 4 is incorrect because one serving of white wine affects blood glucose the same as one serving of red wine. Although alcohol lowers blood glucose, it’s good to remember that it is not calorie-free. A glass of wine can provide about 120 k/cals and beer can provide more than 150 k/cals. Plus, alcohol can raise triglycerides and worsen neuropathy. Moderation is key.

We hope you appreciate this week’s rationale and keep studying hard! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our Question of the Week and participate in this fun learning activity!


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Question of the Week | March 17, 2020

Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. We post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Question of the Week – March 17, 2020


Join us!
DiabetesEd Specialist Course in Sacramento
Earn 38 CEs | May 13 – 15, 2020

Come join us at our, DiabetesEd Specialist Course in historic Sacramento, CA. Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll leave our live seminar with the latest research plus teaching tools you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are interested in taking the CDCES exam or are seeking a state of the art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team of expert faculty has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. In addition to informative lectures, we also use group activities and case studies to highlight the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed in diabetes education today! 


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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Low Levels of NDMA found in a few Metformin Products | Mindful Monday

Recently, metformin was in the news regarding a potential risk of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination during medication production. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested Metformin products to evaluate NDMA levels.

In Metformin’s products, NDMA is not listed under the active pharmaceutical ingredients. However, after some testing, the FDA did find “low levels” of NDMA in a few Metformin products (see chart below).

“Most metformin drug products tested showed no detectable levels of NDMA, while others showed low levels of NDMA,” FDA said, noting that the low levels are similar to what one would be exposed to from grilled or smoked meats.

The FDA advises that “patients should continue taking Metformin to keep their diabetes under control. ”

Of the products tested, both Actavis’ Rx Metformin 1000mg ER and Rx Metformin 500mg ER contained trace amounts of NDMA. The FDA explained that these low levels found (at 0.01-0.02 micrograms-mcg/tablet) are akin to exposure to NDMA through grilled or smoked meats. The daily intake limit for NDMA is 0.096 micrograms, which the FDA regards as “reasonably safe for human ingestion based on lifetime exposure.” 

So far, the FDA has not recommended Metformin recalls in the US. Though other countries, like Singapore, have recalled a few Metformin products containing NDMA “above the internationally acceptable level.” 

Picture courtesy of the U.S. FDA website.

Click here to read more. Download Diabetes Medication PocketCards here.


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Carb Counting Made Easy | Resource Page

Welcome to the Carb Counting Resource Page

We receive so many great questions from our community about carb counting, so we’ve gathered all of our favorite, most trusted carb counting resources in one place for you.

Our goal is to make counting carbs simpler, clearer, and less overwhelming. We hope this collection answers your questions and gives you the confidence to manage carb counting with ease!

Exam note: If there is a question about carb counts using the exchange list, know that milk contains 12gms of carb.  Thanks, Coach Bev



Handy  Carb Cheat Sheets and Apps

Diabetes Exchange List – a brief summary of serving size and carbohydrate counts for common foods. Excellent study tool for the exam.

Carb Counting Quick Reference English – We created this Carb Counting Quick Reference sheet based on the ADA handbook.

Carb Counting Quick Reference – Spanish – We created this Carb Counting Quick Reference sheet based on the ADA handbook.

Carb Counting Apps

CalorieKing – includes curated food database with nutrition information, including many fast-food chains and restaurants.

Diabetes Tracker –  The American Journal of Preventive Medicine ranked this app, which has no free version, No. 1. It boasts an intensive and easy-to-follow educational component in addition to features for monitoring blood glucose, carbs, net carbs and more. Easy to see the big picture with daily and weekly reports. For some, it may be worth the extra expense.

Undermyfork –  Undermyfork automatically combines glucose data from CGM, FGM, or BGM with the meal pictures and calculates postprandial Time in Range for each meal. Tag  meal photos with keywords to compare your glycemic response to the same meals and situations.

Glucose Buddy(diabetes logbook manager) Simple to navigate, Glucose Buddy helps users manage their blood sugar, insulin dosages, and carb intake. Other features track exercise, blood pressure, and weight. Sync data to print it out or view online.

Hedia – digital diabetes personal assistant, developed with insulin using people with diabetes in mind, to increase time-in-range. Allows tracking data in a personal logbook and gives suggestions on carb amounts and insulin doses with a food database designed by nutrition experts.

Apps that Help Improve Time in Range – see our latest cheat sheet on helpful apps for diabetes self-management.

 

Plant Based and Other Resources (Most Popular) Information 

Nutrition Related CE Content DiabetesEd Online University Collection

If you are seeking to expand your knowledge on the latest in nutrition therapy or preparing for the CDCES or BC-ADM, our New Nutrition CE Collection is perfect for you!

You can choose from a 4-hour MNT CE Toolkit, led by our nutrition expert Christine Craig, MS, RDN, CDCES to exploring more about mindful eating and Health at Every Size approaches.

Just click here to get started >>

Question of the Week | March 10, 2020

Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. We post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Question of the Week – March 10, 2020


Join us!
DiabetesEd Specialist Course in Sacramento
Earn 38 CEs | May 13 – 15, 2020

Come join us at our, DiabetesEd Specialist Course in historic Sacramento, CA. Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll leave our live seminar with the latest research plus teaching tools you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are interested in taking the CDCES exam or are seeking a state of the art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team of expert faculty has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. In addition to informative lectures, we also use group activities and case studies to highlight the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed in diabetes education today! 


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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MedDiet Can Promote Healthier Aging | Mindful Monday

A recent study published by BMJ Journals – Gut indicates that enjoying a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) can promote healthier aging.

The study was conducted over a 12 month period across a large cohort of more than 600 individuals aged 65–79 years, within 5 different European countries (UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, and Poland). The researchers evaluated the differences in the gut microbiota in each individual before and after the year of consuming a MedDiet.

The results indicate that consuming a MedDiet improved cognitive function and the gut microbiome of those in the study. 

The positive effects of these alterations showed that there was an increase in fatty acid production and a decrease in “secondary bile acids, p-cresols, ethanol, and carbon dioxide.” These changes were associated with lower frailty and improved cognitive function and an overall decrease in inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and interleukin-17.

This study shows that changing to a MedDiet can have a positive impact on people as they age.

Read more by clicking here.

Want to learn more about the Mediterranean diet? Click here.


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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National Nutrition Month Plant-Based Eating | Free Resource Friday

March is the National Nutrition Month!

To kick things off, Coach Beverly has collected an entire page of plant-based eating resources. This page includes recipes, instructional videos, reading materials, and more!

We hope this list informs and inspires you!

Click here to read more.


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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Question of the Week | March 3, 2020

Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. We post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

Question of the Week – March 3, 2020


Join us!
DiabetesEd Specialist Course in Sacramento
Earn 38 CEs | May 13 – 15, 2020

Come join us at our, DiabetesEd Specialist Course in historic Sacramento, CA. Whether you are new to diabetes or a seasoned expert, you’ll leave our live seminar with the latest research plus teaching tools you can immediately apply to your clinical practice.

If you are interested in taking the CDCES exam or are seeking a state of the art review of current diabetes care, this course is for you. Our team of expert faculty has been fine-tuning this course for over fifteen years, and we know what you need. In addition to informative lectures, we also use group activities and case studies to highlight the essential knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to succeed in diabetes education today! 


Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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