Diabetes

In its 2017 update to the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association included a new recommendation to assess the amount of fat and protein in meals, in addition to carbohydrate counting, to determine insulin dosing for people with type 1 diabetes on flexible insulin schedules.

One of the biggest challenges many people face when they find out they have diabetes is figuring out what they can eat and when. Fortunately, healthy eating when you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes (or prediabetes) isn't substantially different from how we all should eat. Diabetes-friendly meals feature the same healthy foods - whole grains, colorful non-starchy vegetables, whole fruits, lean protein, fish, low-fat dairy, nuts and healthy fats - recommended for everyone.

You may begrudge belly fat because it makes it tougher to fit into your clothes, but a bigger reason to whittle your waistline is for your health.

There's a lot to like about spuds. They're super-versatile, satisfying, affordable and store well. Yet, there's concern this dietary staple may be bad for your blood sugar, heart and weight.

For every 30 minutes you spend in sedentary activity, such as watching TV or doing computer work, take a break for 3 to 5 minutes to do light activity, say new physical activity guidelines from the American Diabetes Association published in Diabetes Care.

According to a recent analysis, 97% of studies that were independently funded (not sponsored by beverage makers) have reported that drinking sugary sodas is linked with obesity and diabetes.

Swapping healthy unsaturated fats for carbohydrates or saturated fats may reduce your risk of diabetes, according to a new analysis of 102 randomized trials totaling 4,660 participants.

Contrary to some advice to limit the omega-6 fats found in vegetable oil, a new Finnish study finds that high blood levels are associated with a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, at least in men. The study looked primarily at linoleic acid, an essential omega-6 fat not formed by the body, which must be obtained from the diet. It's the primary fatty acid found in oils high in polyunsaturated fats as well as nuts and seeds.

Two recent studies suggest egg lovers aren't at higher risk of type 2 diabetes or coronary artery disease. In a new meta-analysis, egg consumption was largely unrelated to risk of type 2 diabetes. And in a population study, egg consumption was not associated with increased incidence of coronary artery disease among men, even those with a genetic risk factor.

You already know to avoid added sugars, but now the evidence is mounting that another type of carbohydrate may also be implicated in weight gain and diabetes risk - starch. That's tricky, because identifying high-starch foods requires doing a little arithmetic on the Nutrition Facts label. But the health rewards may be worth breaking out the calculator.