Blog Post

Why the kids aren't alright

  • By J SULLIVAN
  • 10 Oct, 2016

Burgers, sodas, & the shocking stats on Type 2 Diabetes

BBC Panorama - Diabetes: The Hidden Killer
http://bbc.in/2dM1TAn
Up until the year 2000, there were NO children in the UK with Type 2 Diabetes. None, Zero, Nil. The first recorded case was seen at Birmingham Hospital in 2000, and as one of the consultant's in the recent BBC Panorama  programme Diabetes: The Hidden Killer  said, "We'd never seen it before. We weren't trained in it at medical school. We thought it was an American problem."
Historically, Type 2 Diabetes has been an illness of middle-aged and older people. But in the last 16 years the number of under-16's affected by it has risen from 0 to 500. That may not sound like many, but of course it's the tip of the iceberg and there are many many more children who just haven't yet been diagnosed.
The programme puts the blame firmly on lack of exercise, high-sugar drinks and fast-food diets, and it seems clear these must be huge factors in the rising numbers of children developing the illness. Yet, how to deal with the problem isn't so clear-cut. It's easy to say "eat healthy, do regular exercise, lose weight"; as any of us who've tried it know, doing it is another matter, and getting your children to do it is something else again. It's a huge challenge and no surprise that many people just ignore it and hope it'll go away.
Of course it won't, and that's why here at Beta Health Clinic in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, we're working with children and adults to help you take charge and change your health for the better,  We offer a range of complementary therapies to enhance your overall health, and a dedicated Podiatry team to assess and advise on Diabetes and footcare. We also offer a unique individual Diabetes: Change programme, to help you tackle the challenges of Type 2 Diabetes step by step in ways that bring lasting results. Just get in touch to find out more;
Tel: 01442 249080
www.betahealth.co.uk
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At this festive time of year, there are many people who feel stressed at the thought of over indulging in rich foods, drink and chocolates. Perhaps they are trying to control their weight or very importantly, control their blood sugars due to concerns with diabetes. What can you do to ensure your blood sugar levels remain as calm as possible, especially if you are going to eat at someone else's home? The key is to control your intake of sugars and carbohydrates, which are just molecular chains of sugars.

Firstly, ensure you have a good breakfast on the big day. Don't skip breakfast thinking that you will eat a lot later, this will only lead to snacking on inappropriate, high carbohydrate foods because you are hungry. A lovely, cheesy omelette or even a treat of bacon, mushrooms and eggs will set you up for your day.

Secondly, think carefully about what you are drinking. Drinks slip down very smoothly, so it's easy to raise your blood sugar levels on drinks alone. Fruit juices, fizzy sweet drinks, beer and wine all raise your blood sugars at an alarming rate, as well as adding to dehydration, which will cause you to reach for more. What drinks are relatively low carb? Well, you will be pleased to hear that spirits, champagne or dry red wine are the best of your choices. Of course water is your great friend, be it in still, fizzy, ice or soda form and can be added to you spirits instead of other high carb mixers. It's a good idea to have a glass of water to hand throughout the day to keep you hydrated. Tea and coffee (without sugar) are fine. 

Christmas dinner is a time for indulgence and of course you don't want to feel left out. That doesn't mean you can't make a few careful choices and do away with the worry. The items that raise your blood sugars are the carbohydrates, so they are the things to control. Potatoes, parsnips, carrots, bread sauce and stuffing are the things to avoid or cut down on. If your joy on Christmas day is a roast potato, then have two small pieces and forgo the other starchy vegetables. Load up on above ground vegetables such as sprouts and the meats or nut roast instead. Cauliflower mash with lashings of butter makes a great alternative to mashed potatoes.

Afterwards you could always skip the Christmas pudding and move on to the cheese board instead (no crackers though). If you feel cheated without pudding, have the thinnest slice possible, with a good cover of double cream to satisfy that craving. 

A great tip is to take dark chocolate, the richer the better, with you. That way if you are tempted by the sweets and candy surrounding you, you can treat yourself without worrying too much. It also stops people from nagging you into indulging because they want to feel you are having a good time.

Wishing you a very happy, healthy festive season. A wise person once said: It's what you eat between New Year and Christmas that makes the difference to your health, rather than Christmas to New Year. If you slip up in the next few weeks, bear that in mind and be kind to yourself.

Christine Gaskill, Hemel Hempstead Ambassador for the Public Health Collaboration
https://phcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PHC-Sugar-A5-Flyer-Front.pdf
 
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