At Diabetes Ed Services, we are passionate about getting the word out on sugar! We even created a “Joy of Six” campaign, to raise awareness on the health risks of added sugar and the benefits of enjoying less. This awareness is not only important to the diabetes community, but for anyone looking to lead a healthy lifestyle. 

A recent study was conducted in Germany that measured the correlation between a parent’s knowledge of sugar count in food and childhood obesity. Findings concluded that parents who underestimated the amount of sugar in common food products, were more likely to have an overweight child.

In the United States 18% of elementary school age children are obese.

It is almost impossible to monitor a child’s diet completely, particularly with cafeteria lunches and sleepovers. The cause of childhood obesity is complex but one thing is clear; too much added sugar and obesity are strongly correlated. 

The study suggests that parents can help children stay at a healthy weight by addressing their sugar consumption.

Start by setting a sugar goal for the family. The World Health Organization and American Heart Association recommend up to 6 teaspoons a day (or 24 gms) of added sugar.
The entire family is encouraged to read labels, to stay on target and reduce added sugar consumption.

One strategy that can help, “parents (can) sweeten foods themselves. “Mix natural yogurt with fruit,” Dallacker says. “Parents who do this would hardly feel compelled to add 11 sugar cubes.”” 

Learn more – “Parents Aren’t Good Judges of Their Kids’ Sugar Intake” by The New York Times

Learn more about sugar intake, ways to avoid sugar and how to spot hidden high sugar offenders with our “The Joy of Six” resource page.

Download the Sugar Rush app from Fooducate to see how much sugar has been added to your food. Just scan the bar-code of any product and instantly see a breakdown of naturally occurring and added sugar. 

Full-fat dairy is typically thought of as being detrimental to health due to the high content of saturated fats. However, a new study begins to question this commonly known ideology.

A recent study conducted by Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian from the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, challenges this popular opinion. The study reveals that whole-fat dairy does not seem to raise cardiovascular risk. Interestingly enough, some of the fats present may actually reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Until recently, governmental organizations such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services have advised people to avoid full-fat dairy in order to steer clear of “bad” cholesterol.

However, after studying the fatty acids contained in full-fat products, “none of the three fatty acids examined correlated with the risk of total mortality. In fact, high circulating levels of heptadecanoic fatty acid were associated with a lower risk of death from heart disease.” In fact, adults with higher levels of fatty acids overall, were 42% less likely to die of stroke.

As consumers we are often fed conflicting opinions about diet, which can make staying knowledgeable about all the options seem overwhelming. However, as diabetes educators, we want to stay aware of the many changes and developments made in the nutrition world and how this new information can benefit our diabetes community. The question now is, should the dietary guidelines be revised?

This research was funded by NIH, read the full article here. “Serial measures of circulating biomarkers of dairy fat and total and cause-specific mortality in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study”

To learn more, enjoy the summary article “Full-fat dairy may actually benefit heart health” by Medical News Today

In healthy individuals, wounds can heal fairly quickly and easily due to our bodies natural ability to continuously produce new cells. Wounds that involve medical intervention, such as decubutis ulcers, require a bit more time and care for optimal healing. Diabetic ulcers are a huge issue for individuals with diabetes who are bedridden or use wheelchairs. They are also known as “pressure sores” or “bed sores” and form where bones are closer to the skin. These ulcers are specifically problematic to the foot area and may take a significant amount of time to heal.

Food and nutrition plays a huge role in wound healing. The vitamins, minerals, and energy that we consume are vital for proper healing. Nutrient intake is especially important due to the great loss of nutrients that are lost in the blood supply exiting the wound.

To increase efficiency of wound healing, it is important to consume a sufficient amount of calories from whole foods. Refer to the My Plate Guidelines, for tips on creating a healthy and balanced meal. Adequate protein intake is also very beneficial.

Encourage people with diabetes and ulcerations to try to consume around 10-20 grams of protein with each meal or snack to ensure recovery. Strategies to increase protein intake could include, adding eggs to breakfast, peanut butter or chia seeds to a morning smoothie. Some herbs or spices, such as turmeric, may aid in fighting inflammation as well.

Assessing vitamin and mineral intake is vital, as many nutrients are lost through the wound. It is recommended to consult with a dietitian to assess specific nutrient needs. A dietitian with a background in diabetes may also be helpful in developing a nutrition plan to help control blood sugar levels and aid in wound healing.

For more information on nutrition and wound healing, visit 5 Nutrition Tips to Promote Wound Healing.

For more information on foot ulcers, be sure to check out our Foot Examination Pocket Chart.

The Mediterranean diet is one of the few diets that has actually shown positive effects in decreasing likelihood of developing diabetes and other health-related issues. New information from the World Health Organization is now revealing that the Mediterranean region has some of the highest rates for childhood obesity in the world.

The WHO reported that Cyprus, Italy, Malta, Spain, San Marino, and Greece were among the highest out of the 34 countries in the Mediterranean region to see a vast increase in childhood obesity. Boys had higher rates than girls, with nearly one in five boys being obese.These rates are even higher than that of the United States where obesity affects 17% of children.

This increase in obesity is most likely due to the loss of the Mediterranean diet and decreased physical activity.The Mediterranean diet is known to include fish, red meat, and poultry, olive oils, and a high amount of plant-based foods. A study by the American Diabetes Association in 2011 showed that four years of following this diet decreased likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes by 52%.

In recent years, the diet of the people in this region has shifted towards more processed, sugary, and energy dense foods. This shift in dietary habits is most likely due to urbanization of the Mediterranean area. Increased rates of poverty in some of these countries may also be linked to increased intake of processed foods as well with many of the poorest European countries having the highest rates of childhood obesity.

To learn more about this topic, enjoy the: Italy Newsletter and Tots to Teens Webinar, Nutrition and Exercise Webinar

There is plenty of research linking dark chocolate to overall heart health and immunity. However, a recent study from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonia, Texas is now finding that dark chocolate may have an effect on vision quality as well.

The researchers assessed 30 healthy adults in their 20’s. The participants were to either consume 1.5 oz of dark chocolate or rice milk chocolate. Labels were removed from the bars as to not skew any of the collected information. An hour after consumption, the subjects participated in a letter-based eye chart to test for visual acuity. The researchers concluded that those who consumed dark chocolate did experience slightly better vision, however, the effects, “were small and the real life functional relevance is unclear.” 

The reason for this slight visual improvement in the dark chocolate subjects, “may be a result of increased blood flow to the retina, visual pathways, or the brain’s cerebral cortex.” This increased blood flow would increase bioavailability of oxygen and nutrients to the cerebral cortex, allowing it to function properly and efficiently. It was  concluded that, “a single dose of dark chocolate improves visibility of small, low-contrast targets within 2 hours compared with milk chocolate, but the duration of this difference and clinical relevance remains uncertain.” While it is too early for dark chocolate to be recommended by your optometrist, introducing small amounts into your diet may show some positive benefits.

To learn more about dark chocolate and its effects on visual health, visit A bit of dark chocolate might sweeten your vision.

Try out this recipe, Dark Chocolate Covered Grapes, for an easy and delicious summer treat!

We all know someone who has a hard time falling asleep without the TV on or spends at least an hour on their phone before bed.

Studies now find, that the less light and noise pollution the better! 

 A new study from Northwestern University finds that sleeping with the light on increases your risk of developing diabetes. Quality of sleep can have a major impact on health, from emotional to physical.

The researchers had a group of volunteers spend a few nights sleeping in total darkness and a few nights sleeping with bright lights overhead. They then measured multiple vitals such as brain wave activity and any physical movement. Also taking blood samples to measure melatonin and a glucose tolerance test in the morning. 

Results showed that even one night of sleep with the lights on had an effect on insulin resistance. Although this was a short study, they are going to look deeper into long-term effects light exposure can have on metabolic functions. 

Let’s spread the word about the importance of turning off the lights to improve sleep and the health of our communities! 

To learn more check out this article: “Light-on sleeping may increase risk of diabetes” by Xinuhuanet 

Written by: Anne Carter

After a 14 year battle, the time has finally come to say goodbye to artificial trans fat!

“The elimination of artificial trans fat from the food supply represents a historic and long-fought victory for public health,” said CSPI senior scientist and former executive director Michael F. Jacobson, who led CSPI’s efforts to get artificial trans fat out of foods. “Ridding the food supply of partially hydrogenated oils will save tens of thousands of lives each year.”

This new law is all a part of a plan revealed in May by the World Health Organization to completely eliminate artificial trans fats by 2023. The production of processed foods and the rise of fast food restaurants have brought our world many steps back in terms of health. Now, it is our chance to take a large leap forward.

Partially hydrogenated oils were introduced to the processed food industry in the early 1900’s. The idea to hydrogenate vegetable oils, or make liquid vegetable oils solid at room temperature, even won a Nobel Prize in 1912. Further research determined that trans fat increases LDL (“bad cholesterol”) while lowering HDL (“good cholesterol”) levels, increasing risk of heart disease.

The first major study on trans fats and coronary heart disease was released in 1993. Artificial trans fats were shown to contribute to nearly 50,000 deaths a year. As of June 18th, the food industry will no longer be able to include trans fats in their products. Many fast food restaurants have already begun implementing this practice and have shown great success. For example, the Big Catch meal at Long John Silver’s once contained 33 grams of trans fat and now contains none. A lot of consumers have expressed that with this new law, the flavor is not sacrificed. Trans fats will go on to become unmissed and unneeded. 

To read more on this topic, visit A Final Farewell to Artificial Trans Fat.

You can always learn more with our Nutrition and Exercise Webinar – $29