July 2010 newsletter: news

Mellow Chello

Chris Cheyette, a Diabetes Specialist Dietitian from London’s Kings College Hospital and his friend photographer Yello Balolia have started Chello Publishing in order to launch a book, Carbs & Cals. Their aim was to simplify way carb and cal info is presented so that people with diabetes (or those who wish to lose weight) assess how much of the two big Cs they are consuming. Containing more than1,200 food photographs, the food shots show different portion sizes, helping people with diabetes to identify how much carbohydrate is on their plate.

Many people already carb-count as it’s a proven method for helping gain diabetes control, but the system can be laborious, especially when you’re a learner, involving  weighing food, looking up reference tables and calculating carbohydrate content. So, although very useful, its complicated and time consuming. However, with Carbs & Cals, Chris and Yello hope to change this.

The book can also be used for people who don’t have diabetes, as each photograph also states the number of calories in each portion – ideal for those trying to lose weight by calorie counting.

www.carbsandcals.com

GI Joe

Joe Fraser was diagnosed in November 1999. “I was on holiday with my family in France and constantly needed to pee on (what turns out to be) the lengthy car journey from Calais to Paris. When I got back from the trip I felt quite tired for a few days, but not bad enough to make me take time off school. I went to the GP the next day who, after a glucose reading off the scale, referred me to the local hospital. Following another blood test and about 10 hours waiting around, I was diagnosed as diabetic and had my first insulin injection.”

He’s the first to admit that he found the first couple of years of the condition ‘quite tough’: “By the time I was about 15 or 16 and moved on to the four-a-day injection routine. With the greater flexibility of this regime I learnt the importance of carbohydrate counting and matching my insulin dosage accurately.  When I was 18 I decided to write a book about how to achieve this level of control, as I knew I would’ve found it incredibly helpful if I had such direction when I was diagnosed.  The book became “Joe’s Rough Guide to Diabetes”, which was published by Wiley in 2006. The second edition is out now!”

www.joes-diabetes.co.uk

Accentuate the positive

“Do you need to lose weight? Exercise more? Eat healthier? Quit a habit th at isn’t helping you, such as smoking or drinking too much? Test your blood glucose more frequently? Or something else that would improve your diabetes health?…………You’re not alone.” So says Dr. Jen Nash, Clinical Psychologist, type 1 diabetic and author of the Positive Diabetes Self-Help Programme.

Having lived with diabetes ssince he was 6 years old, Dr Jen has first-hand experience of the ongoing demands of managing a chronic health problem. She is a Clinical Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and holds a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. She’s also gained a wealth of experience of working one to one with clients in tackling psychological difficulties they are having about living with the condition.

Dr Jen works with private clients at her practice in Harley Street. She teaches on Masters in Psychology programmes at the University of London. She runs seminars on how to overcome psychological difficulties and has a one to one private therapy practice.

She says, “I hear from people every day who are struggling to achieve a much-needed change in their health, break an old habit or develop a new one – but there are a whole range of barriers that stand in the way of making this change. Just knowing what you should be doing isn’t enough – you need to work out the exact, specific and personal barriers that are standing in your way when you try and meet one of these tough health goals, and seemingly always ‘fail’. But the truth is, you don’t fail, it’s just it’s your MINDSET that’s keeping you stuck. That’s where I can help you.”

The programme is delivered by email and starts from just £9.99 including a copy of my 60-page guide, Diabetes De-Stress, which is full of strategies and techniques to help you better cope with the stress that life with diabetes can bring. www.PositiveDiabetes.com

Hey, good cookin’

The Diabetes Cooking Book (£16.99) by Dorling Kindersley will be available from 1st August 2010. Aimed at peole with Type 2 diabetes, it is written by a qualified nutritionist and dietician, Fiona Hunter, and an experienced recipe writer, Heather Whinney, it features more than 250 delicious and easy-to-create recipes, which also contribute to the health and well-being of diabetes sufferers. From tempting curries to comforting puddings, this book offers inspiring and healthy recipes arranged into clear illustrated chapters.

Each recipe has a nutritional breakdown and a simple points system that allows users to track their glucose, saturated fat and cholesterol intake to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. A clear introductory section also advises readers on how to achieve a healthier diet, with tips on food shopping, snacking and dining out that will help them adopt good habits. The book also features a handy list of appetizing alternatives to common ingredients, allowing readers to adapt their favourite recipes.

Desang Diabetes Magazine is our free-to-receive digital journal (see below). We cover diabetes news, diabetes management equipment (diabetes ‘kit’ such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring equipment) and news about food suitable for a diabetic diet including a regular Making Carbs Count column. We just need your email address to subscribe you (it really is free, and you can easily unsubscribe should you wish to).

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