Polycystic Ovary Syndrome & Type 2 Diabetes, Treatment

Do you or anyone you know have PCOS, otherwise known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?  Or do you have or know anyone who has Type 2 diabetes?  You maybe surprised to learn that the treatments for both diseases are remarkably similar.  Both can be managed with lifestyle changes.  Both have the similar drug    treatments recommended.  If you or someone you know has this drugs aren't necessary,  if they make significant changes in their lifestyles through diet and exercise.

Getting 5 days of exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes is very important. The exercise needs to raise your heart rate to get maximum benefit.  Walking, biking, running, swimming, dancing, single's tennis, rowing, kayaking are some of the vigorous exercises that will help with changing your conditions.

The diet part is the other big piece of the picture.  Eating a balance of lean protein (fish, soy, eggs, or egg whites, low fat diary products, white meat chicken & turkey, bison, or very lean cuts of beef) (approximately palm size and thickness), low glycemic, high fiber carbohydrates, and some monounsaturated fats at each meal will help change your conditions.  Staying away from sugar and sweetened drinks will help you reach your health goals.

For a list of the top high fiber foods with recipes, go to http://www.chefgloriab.com/high-fiber-foods.html
If your looking to improve your health and confused about how to get healthy see www.balancednutritionallifestyles.com  We can help make it easy, simple, and delicious.  Try some of our free recipes to help you get started with your new lifestyle. We can teach you how to make them or do it for you with our personal chef services.

Gatorade VS Coconut Water

Gatorade is a drink used to replenish electrolytes and potassium when people exert themselves and dehydrate.  When the weather is extremely hot or doing intense exercise the body needs to rehydrate and replenish minerals that get lost.  It is often used when someone has diarrhea.  Have you noticed the nutritional label on Gatorade?  It is loaded with sugar, blue & red dye, there is
nothing natural about it.  It does work, but how about using Coconut water next time?  It is all natural, there is nothing added but the water from a young, tender, green coconut.  It has more potassium, electrolytes and it has a high concentration of amino acids, enzymes, minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc and a good source of B complex vitamins.
If you feel light headed after a workout, reach for a cup of Coconut water, you will feel the difference immediately.

When people go through Chemotherapy the doctors recommend patients to keep well hydrated, Coconut water is the best remedy. Next time you reach for the Gatorade, try Coconut water instead. Serve it well chilled or with ice. 
Gatorade label                                                                                            Coconut Water label

  
   
                                                            www.balancednutritionallifestyles.com

What is Dysphagia and How to Cook

Dysphagia affects mostly the elder population.  It is when food is unable to be chewed because of swallowing issues.  Swallowing becomes painful or difficult.  Eating becomes a problem and often people lose a great deal of weight.  I have been working with patients with dysphagia for five years now and have learned how to prepare the food so that it tastes delicious and patients can begin to eat better.

How Does Dysphagia Occur?

“Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem with any part of the swallowing process. Weak tongue or cheek muscles may make it hard to move food around in the mouth for chewing. Food pieces that are too large for swallowing may enter the throat and block the passage of air.

Other problems include not being able to start the swallowing reflex (a stimulus that allows food and liquids to move safely through the pharynx) because of a stroke or other nervous system disorder. People with these kinds of problems are unable to begin the muscle movements that allow food to move from the mouth to the stomach. Another difficulty can occur when weak throat muscles cannot move all of the food toward the stomach. Bits of food can fall or be pulled into the windpipe (trachea), which may result in lung infection.” By ORALFLO.com

I have several recipes on my website: www.ChefGloriaB.com that have been converted to patients with Dysphagia.  For example the Chicken Avocado Salad

I find that a food processor with a chopping blade is indispensable in cooking for people with dysphagia.  If you are interested in more recipes please contact me at Gloria@ChefGloriab.com

The one important understanding if you are cooking for people with Dysphagia is don't just cook the meal and put it in the food processor.  For something like steamed vegetables that is fine.  However, if you are doing a recipe such as the chicken avocado salad, it is important to process in steps so the food has the most flavor.