Sweet Talk, Hold the Sugar

by April Everett Rowan Public Library

                What do Billie Jean King, Drew Carey, Halle Berry, and Mike Huckabee all have in common?  They are all celebrities who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.  Anyone can be diagnosed with diabetes, even the rich and famous.  November was American Diabetes Month, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association as a time to raise awareness of diabetes prevention and control.  According the US Department of Health and Human Services, more than 25 million Americans are living with diabetes, and almost 80 million more are at risk of developing type 2. 

                There are several types of diabetes, the most common being type 1 and type 2.  Formerly known as “juvenile diabetes”, type 1 diabetes diagnosis typically occurs in people under the age of 30.  With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces little or no insulin.  This requires the person to take insulin, either through injections or an insulin pump.  Type 2 diabetes, previously known as “adult onset diabetes”, occurs when your body either resists insulin or does not produce enough to maintain a regulated blood sugar level.  Healthy diet and exercise are often the key to controlling type 2, however they may need to be supplemented with medication.

                If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, you may find browsing the book shelves at Rowan Public Library to be helpful.  Phyllis Barrier’s Type 2 Diabetes for Beginners covers everything from medications to meal plans.  With checklists, dining guides, and tips for both those with diabetes and those living with the risks, this guide is an excellent resource for the newly diagnosed.  8 Weeks to Maximizing Diabetes Control by Laura Hieronymus and Christine Tobin is a week-by-week guide to help you manage medications, plan meals, improve blood sugar level monitoring, and more.  Real-Life Guide to Diabetes by Hope Warshaw and Joy Pape, will enlighten you on behavior changes, weight management, sleeping problems, insurance woes, and more.  Any library book with the number 616.462 on the spine will cover some aspect of living with diabetes, so feel free to browse this section and find the guide that’s right for you.

                As the holidays approach, think about making some healthy choices in the kitchen.  We carry a wide variety of cookbooks including several with diabetic-friendly recipes.  The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook, Diabetes & Heart Healthy Cookbook (1 & 2), Diabetes Meals for Good Health, and The Diabetes Prevention & Management Cookbook are just a few of the many healthy cookbooks we have that are endorsed by the American Diabetes Association.

People who are overweight, age 45 or older, or who have high blood pressure are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.  Weight control, healthy diet, and exercise will significantly reduce your risks.  Visit your local Rowan Public Library branch to find out more ways to live with--or without--type 2 diabetes.