-DIABETES TK

SASSOOL ’ S SWEETPOTATO SALAD

August DIABETES MYTH BUSTERS

NUTRITION TIP 1. Choose foods that will give you the nutrition you need. Focus on a lean source of protein and carbohydrate like grilled chicken and sweet potato skewers or Fruit and cheese kebabs. 2. Place hummus in the bottom of a disposable short cup and add cut vegetables to make individual veggies and dip appetizers. 3. Pack water to keep everyone hydrated. 4. Bring extra nonperishable carb foods in case your blood sugar drops low from the increase in physical activity.

TALKING POINTS y There is a higher volume of information about diabetes through access to social media, online news, and the internet 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. But beware that everything you read or hear may not be science verified researched solutions to managing diabetes. y There are no quick fixes to managing diabetes and there currently is no cure. But following healthy lifestyle guidelines can help manage diabetes and reduce the risk of complications. y Know the facts about the different types of diabetes. Each is managed with healthy lifestyle behaviors and some types of diabetes require medication. y Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. Type 1 happens when the body cannot produce insulin, and the “cause” is unknown. Since people with type 1 don’t produce insulin, they need to take it via an injection or insulin pump. y In the body of a person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, insulin isn’t working effectively to lower blood sugar levels even though the body may be producing enough. This condition is called insulin resistance. There are many factors that may put us at risk for developing type 2 diabetes like ethnicity and excess body weight, and eventually it’s likely that natural insulin production will fall off or stop. y Pre-diabetes is when blood sugar levels are above target range but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. Pre-diabetes may lead to a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes if blood sugar levels are not managed in a timely manner.

Recipe Link

Ingredients

• 2 large NC sweetpotatoes • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil divided • ½ cup baby spinach • ½ cup chopped celery • 1 tsp salt • 3 Tbsp raisins • 3 Tbsp cup red-wine vinegar • ½ red bell pepper • 1 tsp ground cumin • ¼ cup sliced green onion • ¼ cup minced fresh mint leaves • 1 minced jalapeño

SOCIAL POSTS Diabetes Myth Buster Q: Can people with diabetes eat carbs?

A: Carb containing foods can fit into a healthy eating plan for a person with diabetes. Choose carbohydrate foods that are minimally processed and higher in fiber as the best choices. Example of a good choice: One medium sweetpotato contains 26 grams of carb and 4 grams of fiber. Did you know there are approximately 42 factors that affect blood sugar levels? And only 9 of them are related to food. #ncsweetpotatoes #mythbuster #diabetesmanagement #bloodsugarmanagement NEWSLETTER COPY If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true when it comes to diabetes. There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about curing diabetes, but the truth is that diabetes is currently not a curable condition. There are screenings for type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes which help a person possibly stay ahead of complications. Type 2 diabetes can be placed in remission and pre-diabetes can be prevented from leading into type 2 diabetes. If diagnosed with diabetes, following a healthy lifestyle (healthy eating, physical activity, stress reduction, and taking medications as prescribed) are the best ways to manage diabetes.

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. 2. Cut the sweetpotatoes into bite-size pieces. 3. Put them on a baking sheet, drizzle with 2 Tbsp of the oil, and toss to coat. 4. Sprinkle with salt, and roast, turning occasionally, until crisp and brown outside and just tender inside, about 25 minutes. 5. Remove and keep on the pan until ready to dress. Make the Dressing 1. Place the remaining 6 Tbsp of oil in a blender, along with the vinegar, bell pepper, cumin, jalapeño and mint. 2. Purée until smooth. 3. Toss warm sweetpotatoes with green onion and raisins. 4. Add ½ cup of the dressing, and toss to coat, adding more if necessary. 5. Taste and adjust the seasoning. 6. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

TEACHING TOOLS To keep you and your family safe during the holiday grilling season, check our Teaching Tools: • Food Safety Tips for Grilling and Gatherings! • Hydration Facts

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