-DIABETES TK

NEWSLETTER COPY Sweetpotato is a starchy vegetable that contains carbohy drate and comes in all sizes. The best way to calculate how many grams of carbohydrate in a sweetpotato is to weigh the potato after cooking. A medium sweetpotato is equal to 3.5 ounces and 23 grams of carbohydrate. Or if you are preparing a potato that is chopped or mashed, ½ cup is equal to 15 grams of carbohydrate.

NUTRITION TIP Remember that healthy eating, being physically active and reducing stress are some of the components of a healthy lifestyle. Try to incorporate all these healthy behaviors every day. Here’s an idea for achieving more physical activity and reducing your stress. Have you ever tried Forest Bathing? It’s not really taking a bath in the forest. Forest Bathing is taking a walk amongst the trees and using all of your senses, which helps you relax. Smell, taste, feel and see. As you take a walk through the forest, you will also achieve more physical activity!

April 3 NATIONAL MONTH CELEBRATIONS

Roasted sweetpotato and poblano salad

Recipe Link

TALKING POINTS y During the month of April, we can celebrate three national months that fit together -- National Stress Awareness, Move More, and National Garden month. Why? Being more active can help reduce stress. Planting and pruning a garden can offer a good workout and help reduce stress by being outside enjoying the growth of food or flowers. y Reducing stress and being physically active are two key lifestyle behaviors to help with balancing blood sugar and blood pressure. Finding ways to reduce any of your stressors should be top of your to do list and finding a fun way to move your body more can help reduce stress too. y Exercise, physical activity, body movement have something in common… moving your muscles. Moving your muscles can help you use the glucose in your bloodstream more efficiently . y If you aren’t a gardener, you can also get some exercise and fresh produce by visiting your local farmer’s market. Make sure to take time to talk with the farmers and enjoy the outdoors.

Ingredients

• 2 large poblano peppers • 2 large sweetpotatoes ( about 2-½ pounds, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks ) • 3 Tbsp olive oil • 2 tsp cumin • ½ tsp salt

• • • • •

1 bunch cilantro chopped

1 14-oz. can black beans rinsed and drained

SOCIAL POSTS In honor of National Garden Month, let’s get planting. Here is a fun video on how sweetpotatoes are grown in North Carolina! Feel the joy in body movement as we celebrate National Move More Month. How? Why not dance? It’s a full body workout. Studies have found that dance significantly improved body composition, cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life. And don’t forget to eat some higher fiber carbs like sweetpotatoes (1 medium sweet potato = 23 grams carbohydrate, 4 grams fiber) to give you the energy to dance. #Nationalmovemoremonth #ncsweetpotatoes #diabetesmanagement #carbohydrate #fiberfoods

1 cup frozen corn kernels thawed

¼ cup diced red onion

3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions 1. Preheat broiler to high; line baking sheet with foil. Spray peppers with non-stick spray; place on baking sheet 4 inches below broiler. Roast until skins are blistered and black, about 15 minutes on one side and 5 minutes on the other side. Remove peppers to a bowl; cover with plastic wrap; set aside to cool. Set oven to bake at 400°F. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine sweetpotatoes, olive oil, cumin, salt and half of the cilantro; mix well. Spread sweetpotatoes onto baking sheet; roast in oven until tender, about 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. 3. Meanwhile, peel peppers, cut off their stems and remove the seeds. Cut flesh into 1/2–inch squares. 4. Remove sweetpotatoes from oven, set aside until cool, about 10 minutes. 5. In a bowl, combine sweetpotatoes, peppers, beans, corn, onion, lime juice and remaining cilantro; toss gently. Serve warm or cold.

10

11