Page 6 - ROOT by Brock November December 22

Seasonal Highlights:

CARBOHYDRATE AND GLUCOSE CONTROL

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. sources for our bodies, we cannot simply
There are three types of diabetes: Type eliminate them. Carbohydrate consumption
1, Type 2, and Gestational. Diabetes is and glucose levels are directly related, so
when the body does not produce insulin managing the intake is essential. A good rule
(or produces very little) or cannot utilize of thumb is to always pair a carbohydrate with
insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone a protein and/or fat to make the meal more
that regulates blood glucose (sugar). balanced. For example, while very nutritious,
Blood sugar is affected by what we eat. eating just an apple as a snack may not be very
Diabetes is an incredibly complex disease, balanced, especially if trying to manage blood
influenced by many factors. Basically, food sugar. Adding cheese or peanut butter to the
gets broken down into sugar, moves into apple makes it more balanced and slows the
the bloodstream, and then enters cells via breaking down of food into sugars. Including
insulin produced by the pancreas. Suppose these three macros in your snacks and meals
the body cannot produce insulin or has can help balance blood sugar better. Properly
insulin resistance. In that case, too much managing blood sugars is important for
sugar stays in the bloodstream, which can leading a healthy life and helping to minimize
cause serious health problems. the risk for diabetes-related complications.
One main component in managing all types of This information is educational and not
diabetes is what we eat. Carbohydrates, protein, medical advice. If you have concerns about
and fats are the macronutrients needed by our blood sugar management or diabetes, please
bodies to carry out all activities (energy, muscle contact your doctor.
growth, and hormone production, to name a Source:
few). However, carbohydrates are also broken https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html
down into sugars to be used by our bodies.
Since carbohydrates are the primary energy https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-
diabetes/Tools-and-Resources/being-active

ALLergen AwareneSS: FISH
A fish allergy is one of the most common markets. Be sure to read all labels, avoiding
allergies in the United States. Fish allergies fish and fish products. Common fish
refer to finned fish and not shellfish. While products include fish sauce, anchovy paste,
one person may experience allergies to fish flavoring, fish gelatin, Worcestershire
shellfish and finned fish, these allergies are sauce, Caesar dressing, and barbecue sauce.
not mutually exclusive. Fish like salmon, If you are unsure if a product contains fish,
tuna, catfish, and cod tend to be the most read labels, ask, or avoid the food product
commonly reported species that cause altogether. Make sure to inform family,
reactions. It is possible to be allergic to more friends, and dining staff of a fish allergy
than one type of fish. The best practice is to to limit the risk of being exposed as best
work with an allergist to determine which as possible. If you are concerned about an
species will trigger a reaction. allergy, contact your primary care provider.
Even the slightest exposure to fish can cause Source:
a reaction. Avoid areas of high cross-contact, https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-
like a seafood restaurant. You may also want allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-
to avoid touching raw fish and visiting fish allergens/fish