CHRONIC CONDITIONS

Nutrition plays a critical role in the management of illness and diseases like diabetes, cancer, kidney, and other health concerns.

NUTRITION CARE

What Is the Glycemic Index? Understanding Low vs. High Glycemic Carbohydrates

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Understanding Low vs. High Glycemic Foods

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If you have diabetes, you're probably well aware that some foods elevate blood sugar levels more than others after a meal. This is called postprandial glucose response (PPG response), and it's key to effective diabetes management. To understand how certain foods affect your blood sugar, it can be helpful to know where they land on the glycemic index scale. But what is the glycemic index, exactly, and how does it affect PPG response?

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Diabetes: 10 Foods and Drinks to Help Manage Blood Sugar

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If you're living with diabetes, you probably know all about the careful balancing act that is diabetes nutrition. Making good food choices can make a big impact on blood sugar management, but sometimes it’s tricky to know which foods are considered good choices. These 10 picks can help you manage blood sugar levels and keep your numbers in check.

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Diabetes and Immunity: How Prioritizing Nutrition and Muscle Health Can Help

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As we navigate cold and flu season, it’s an important time to consider the best ways to support immune health. Immune system support is even more critical for people with diabetes as viral infections can increase inflammation and contribute to more severe complications.1 While many with diabetes already consider good nutrition a part of overall well-being and blood sugar control, some may be surprised about how their diet and muscle health can impact the immune system.

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Half of Americans Living with Diabetes May Not Get Enough Protein

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Like everyone else, people living with diabetes should strive to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. You don't need to cook one meal for yourself and another for the rest of your family. Well-balanced meals, which include lean protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains, are healthy for everyone and help manage blood sugar.

When preparing those meals, it is important to prioritize protein.  Protein is a nutrient that has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels and has the added benefits of helping satisfy hunger. Try to aim for 20-25 grams of protein at every meal and find snacks with higher protein quantities.

study from Abbott and The Ohio State University, published in Nutrients, found half of adults surveyed in the U.S. living with diabetes did not get enough protein in their diet.

The study highlights protein intake as an essential and often overlooked consideration in meeting the nutritional needs of people living with diabetes and its importance in supporting strength and mobility.

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Nutrition Changes May Lower Blood Sugar | Abbott Nutrition

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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes and another 1 in 5 people don’t know they have the chronic condition. As the rate of diabetes continues to rise, it’s more important than ever to adopt healthy habits and strategies to manage diabetes. Keeping your glucose in check is of the utmost importance when you're managing type 2 diabetes. Often, ensuring your glucose levels stay within a healthy range requires a multifaced approach of a healthy eating plan and exercise along with potential medication.

Managing diabetes doesn't have to feel like work, though. In fact, even slight behavior and eating plan changes may have a significant impact on your glucose management. And according to a new pilot study, diabetes specific nutrition as part of a balanced diet shows promise to help improve glucose management.

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Tips for Reducing Prediabetes Risk in Teens | Abbott Nutrition

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Prediabetes is increasingly affecting children and young adults in the United States. A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that around one in five adolescents (ages 12–18) and one in four young adults (ages 19–34) in the U.S. are now living with prediabetes.

People diagnosed with this condition have an excess of sugar in their blood, but not high enough to be called diabetes, which can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes and nerves over time. They're also at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and the complications associated with diabetes. However, by incorporating good eating and exercise habits, this diagnosis can oftentimes be reversed. 

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10 Tips for Monitoring Blood Sugar During the Holidays

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If you have diabetes, monitoring blood sugar is always top of mind. During the holiday season, however, when cookies, cakes, and indulgent dishes beckon at every turn, it can be even more of a challenge to keep your blood sugar levels steady.

"It can be difficult to maintain a healthy meal plan when holiday get-togethers are often centered around foods we wouldn't normally consume," says Owen Kelly, a diabetes nutrition expert at Abbott. "The good news is that although you should be mindful of what you eat, especially carbohydrates, the right strategy can help you make better choices while still enjoying this time with family and friends."

With these ten planning strategies and food swaps, you'll be able to enjoy the festivities and stay on track with your nutrition.

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4 Tips for Managing a New Prediabetes Diagnosis

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If you've been recently diagnosed with prediabetes, you probably have a million questions running through your mind. What — if anything — can I do to improve my health? Is prediabetes the same as diabetes? Will my life dramatically change? 

But a prediabetes diagnosis shouldn't be a cause for panic. Instead, consider it an opportunity to make some healthy lifestyle changes. While prediabetes is a health condition defined by blood sugar levels that are consistently above average, the risk for diabetes still increases.  

Taking steps to change your diet and lifestyle, may help manage your diagnosis early on. In a Journal of Internal Medicine study found it is possible to go back to a normal blood sugar level with effective weight management and blood pressure control.

Here are four ways in which you can take charge of your health after a prediabetes diagnosis. 

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How to Get Proper Nutrition During Chemotherapy

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Cancer treatment can be a tumultuous experience, and good nutrition during chemotherapy can make a difference. A balanced diet can help you keep up your strength and support your recovery. But getting that nutrition can be tricky since the side effects of chemotherapy can make it difficult and unappealing to eat, so you might not be getting all the nutrients that your body needs.

With the right knowledge in hand and proper planning in place, you can fuel your body with a diet that helps you feel the best you can.

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Nutrition After Cancer Treatment is Important for Recovery

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Now that you've finished treatment, it's time to focus on getting stronger. Each form of cancer is different, and the same is true for the impact on the body from person to person. But one thing is consistent among all cancer survivors: Nutrition is just as important in recovery as it was during treatment.

By understanding proper nutrition after cancer treatment, you can help support your recovery and get back to feeling better.

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10 Foods to Help You Manage Blood Sugar

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Living with diabetes means always keeping nutritional balance in mind. While making strategic dietary choices is crucial for managing blood sugar levels, navigating diabetes nutrition isn't always straightforward. Let this infographic be your roadmap to 10 excellent — and delicious — food choices to help you manage blood sugar.

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