Can Pumpkin Help You Control Your Diabetes?

Have you carved your Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween? If you did, surely, it must have been fun, particularly if children were involved. But pumpkins aren't just for making Jack-O-Lanterns. They make an amazing contribution to the diet. Whether you eat pumpkin in soup, as a side dish, in a cake or as pumpkin pie, you're bound to enjoy it and reap a great deal of nutritional benefits as well.

But that's not all.

Pumpkin has been used by indigenous cultures as a treatment for diabetes for centuries. Now, research is confirming what indigenous people have known all along - that pumpkin can help to lower blood glucose levels. 

For example, in one laboratory study, researchers fed a pumpkin extract to diabetic animals and found that the animals fed the extract had higher insulin and lower blood glucose levels than animals that did not receive the extract. 

That's right. The same pumpkin that you are carving to make Jack-O-Lanterns just might turn out to be the medicine you need to control your diabetes.

Once again, these studies remind us that, indeed, "Food is medicine." 

Happy Halloween.

Notice: Please note that nothing in this blog is to be construed as medical advice. The information provided is for education and information purposes only. If you have diabetes, discuss your options regarding with your healthcare provider. Your doctor and registered dietitian can provide appropriate guidance.

Healthy Halloween Treats

You have to wonder if the tradition of filling baskets with candy for kids is the best way to celebrate Halloween. Perhaps you shouldn't be so eager to hand out candy to eager kids when they knock on your door. Maybe you could be just as generous without burdening them with all those excess calories, which not only pose a threat to their weight, but also to their dental health. And for children with diabetes, the risks may be even greater.

So, what's the alternative?

Here are 5 fun that make smart alternatives to sugary treats:

Apples. Apples are wholesome and nutritious. They won't get squashed along the way and they won't ruin the teeth. Besides, they are fun to eat.

Raisins. Raisins are packed with health-promoting nutrients, which kids may not really care about, but parents do. For kids, they are a real treat.

Dark chocolate. Kids will get a thrill when they receive dark chocolate on Halloween. Unlike sugary, milk chocolate, dark chocolate is loaded is actually a healthy treat.

Popcorn. Individually packaged popcorn can be given to kids. They will have a blast popping their own popcorn after an afternoon of trick or treating. Of course, as a parent, you would want to oversee the popping to avoid burns from the hot popcorn.

Nuts. Nuts are another favorite of kids. They can actually have fun combining nuts, raisins and pieces of dark chocolate to make their own homemade trail mix. Walnuts, almonds and pistachios are good choices.

Warning: Avoid giving small kids nuts or anything that may be a choking hazard. Also, it might be wise to avoid giving peanuts, since peanut allergy is a common food allergy.

These are just a few ideas for offering healthier treats on Halloween. I am sure that you can come up with some other ideas to make it a fun day without all the candy that have been associated with Halloween.



  

Keep Kids Safe Trick-or-Treating on Halloween

Trick-or-treating can be a lot of fun for kids on Halloween. But it is not without potential danger. So, what can you do to ensure the safety of your kids on this “scary” night?

Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Let kids travel in groups. Of course, you should know who your kids are traveling with and where they are going. If kids are little, make sure that you or another responsible adult accompanies them.

2. Advise kids of potential dangers that might lurk behind closed doors and in those treats that they collect.

3. kids not to eat any of the treats that they collect before bringing them home. At home, you can inspect the treats and make sure that they are safe to eat. Treats should always be in original packages or wraps, and there should be no sign of tampering.

4. Toss out anything that looks like it may have been tampered with.

5. Inspect apples and wash thoroughly to remove germs that could cause illness.

Happy Halloween!

Source

Halloween Safety Tips for Parents