Issue No. 19, Spring 2015 www.regmedctr.org D ABETES NEWSExcellence in healthcare, close to home Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia is what happens when the body’s blood glucose levels sink too low. The initial symptoms – shakiness, sweating, a pounding heart and hunger – are the body’s warning light, and urgent demand for sugar. TRAVELING WITH DIABETES

5 FACTS TO KNOW Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a casual one, living with diabetes can create some [dilemmas] before you hit the road. This doesn’t mean you should be discouraged from ABOUT GOING LOW travel adventures. Your passport to success for traveling with diabetes is obtained by planning the trip, preparing for situations, packing wisely, and focusing on positive solutions Blood glucose is when challenges arise. considered low when it is 70 mg/dl or below. PLAN: Give yourself plenty of time to plan your trip. This will give you a better opportunity to get an 1 adequate stock of your daily diabetes medications, other medications, and testing supplies. Alcohol can cause lows Remember to check the refill timing on your prescriptions so that you don't run out. soon after drinking and for up to 24 hours after PREPARE: that. If you’re drinking The Internet is a great resource as you prepare for some of the decisions you will need 2 to make. You can look up guidelines from the FAA, the airlines, and train and bus lines alcohol, it’s important to do frequent blood regarding baggage, carry-on rules, and ordering special meals or services. glucose checks. If you're traveling by car, you can use online mapping sites to plot a route. You can also explore your restaurant choice, plan stops for bathroom breaks and stretching, and locate Exercise can cause chain pharmacies or healthcare facilities. blood glucose to drop immediately – and up to PACK: 24 hours after work-out. Whether you're looking at a two-hour trip or a 20-hour trip, always take extra water and fluids 3 to stay hydrated, along with hypoglycemia treatment items, medications, blood glucose testing supplies, and snacks for meals. Anyone can dehydrate during a long car ride on a hot If your medications put summer day or walk on the beach, but your diabetes puts you at a higher risk. you at risk for lows – Keep a hypoglycemic treatment item or two with you at all times, whether you're just out for test before you drive. an early morning walk, or wandering through a museum-gels, tablets, and bottled "shots" are 4 If you are running low, convenient choices. be sure to eat before Packing Medications requires special attention. getting behind the • Medications should always be packed in your carry-on bag. wheel. • Keep medications in original containers. POSITIVE SOLUTIONS: Skipping or delaying When you're traveling, you'll inevitably be faced with some challenges for your diabetes. meals can be a trigger Some of the most common situations involve food. If you think you've overeaten for lows. Carry food or on a particular day, try to increase your activity and drink plenty of water to prevent fast acting glucose just hyperglycemia; if you think you didn't eat enough, eat snacks to avoid hypoglycemia. 5 in case. For more travel tips and resources visit: www.regmedctr.org/diabetestravel +++++ - Kathleen Stanley the Diabetes Education Coordinator at Baptist Health Lexinton in Lexington, KY. From diabetes forecast, May/June 2015 563-927-7763 • 709 W. Main St., Manchester D ABETES UPDATE springtime free event ideas freshFOR MANAGING YOUR DIABETES TUESDAY, JUNE 9TH HEALTHY AT ANY SIZE 5:00-6:30PM focus on food and fitness Sheppard Education Center RMC Registered Dietitians RMC - Level 1 MEDITATION effects on diabetes Certified Wellness Coach & Personal Trainer, Kristy Kudrna, RN RECIPES, TIPS, & MORE presented by the RMC

for more information 563-927-7763 • www.regmedctr.org EDUCATORS

Italian Pork Meatball Kebabs SERVES 8 • SERVING SIZE: 1 kebab PREPARATION TIME: 30 min. | CHILLING TIME: 30 min. | COOK TIME: 10 min. INGREDIENTS: 16 (12-inch) wood skewers 1 tsp dried thyme leaves, 48 grape tomatoes 1 lbs. lean ground pork divided 1 large red onion, halved, each ⅔ cup panko bread crumps ½ tsp garlic powder half sliced into 8 wedges 1 egg ¼ tsp mild or hot chili powder 2½ Tbsp olive oil 1 tsp dried oregano flakes, ½ tsp seas salt 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar divided ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS: 1. Soak the wood skewers in a shallow pan of hot water for 1 hour before using. NUTRIENT ANALYSIS 2. Meanwhile, prepare the meatballs. In a large bowl, mix together the pork, bread crumbs, egg, 1/2 PER SERVING tsp each of the oregano and thyme, the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Form Calories: 160 the pork mixture into 24 (1 3/4-inch) meatballs. Place the meatballs on a large plate, cover, and Total Fat: 8g (Sat. Fat 1.6g); refrigerate for 30 minutes. This firms up the meatballs so they will thread easily onto the skewers. Cholesterol 55mg; Sodium 190mg, 3. Remove the wood skewers from the pan and discard the water. Coat an outdoor gas grill with Potassium 340mg; cooking spray; set the grill to medium-high heat. Alternatively, cover a broiler pan with foil. Using Total Carbohydrate 10g (Fiber 1.5g, two skewers per kebab, thread on 2 cherry tomatoes, a meatball, and an onion wedge. Repeat 2 Sugar 3.6g); more times for a total of 3 meatballs, 6 grape tomatoes, and 2 onion wedges per kebab. Protein 14g; Phosphorus 140mg 4. For the basting sauce, combine the olive oil, vinegar, and the remaining 1/2 tsp each of the thyme and oregano. Place the kebabs on the grill or broiler pan. Brush the kebabs with half the basting American Diabetes Association, 1701 N. sauce. Grill or broil the kebabs for 5 to 6 minutes on one side. Use tongs to carefully turn over Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311 the kebabs. Continue to cook them for 5 to 6 minutes more, brushing with the remaining basting Copyright © 2015 sauce, then remove them from the grill, plate, and serve. American Diabetes Association For nutrition tips and recipes from Shop with an RMC Dietitian RMC Registered Dietitians, FREE SHOP HEALTHY. LIVE HEALTHY. visit www.regmedctr.org/nutrition. FAREWAY STORE TOUR Every 4th Tuesday of the month www.facebook.com/regmedctr from 10-11AM. SHOP HEALTHY. Pre-register at 563-927-7763. LIVE HEALTHY.