THE DIABETIC NEWSLETTER
July 26, 2004 - Volume V; Issue #28- http://diabeticnewsletter.com

Published every other Monday by Diabetic Gourmet Magazine
Visit Diabetic Gourmet Magazine at http://diabeticgourmet.com
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of mouth-watering dishes includes healthy versions of crowd 
pleasers like chocolate chip pancakes, cranberry scones, 
huevos rancheros, potato skins, pot roast, veal piccata, 
peanut butter cookies, banana cream pie, baklava, hazelnut
chocolate cheesecake and pecan winter waffles.

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CONTENTS:
=========================
- In The News
- Feature Recipes:
     -  Arugula and Watercress Salad
     -  Foil-Roasted Herb Potatoes
     -  Chicken with Tri-Colored Peppers
     -  Blueberry Lemon Muffins
- Diabetes 101:
     -  The Best Way to Get Antioxidants
- Food and Cooking:
     -  Chicken Fajitas Bring A Mexican Touch
- Diabetes Q and A:
     -  I know that portion sizes are important,
        but must I measure everything?
- Diabetes Related Explanations & Definitions
- Important Notice to Subscribers
- Information About This Newsletter

This week's feature recipes appear courtesy of The American
Diabetes Association and are excerpted from "The Diabetes Food
and Nutrition Bible" by Hope Warshaw and Robyn Webb. You can
find complete book info at:
http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml

=========================
IN THE NEWS
=========================

New Gene Associated With Type 1 Diabetes
Read at http://thediabeticnews.com/news/635.shtml

Misfiring Proteins Tied To Inflammation
and Sick Feeling Of Type 2 Diabetics
Read at http://thediabeticnews.com/news/634.shtml

Get the news while it's still new!! Subscribe to
THE DIABETIC NEWS for FREE or read our complete Diabetic
Newswire and archive anytime at: http://www.TheDiabeticNews.com


=========================
THIS WEEK'S RECIPES
=========================
More recipes online at http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes
-------------------------------

ARUGULA AND WATERCRESS SALAD
Yield: 4 side dish servings
Source:  "The Diabetes Food and Nutritional Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml

INGREDIENTS

-  2 cups torn, washed arugula leaves
-  2 cups washed watercress leaves, stemmed
-  1 orange, peeled, sectioned, seeded, and chopped
-  2 tablespoons toasted almond slivers

Dressing:
-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  1/4 cup orange juice
-  1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
-  2 teaspoon lemon juice
-  Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS

Combine the arugula, watercress, orange,
and almonds in a large salad bowl.

Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, zest,
and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add salt and
pepper to taste. Pour over the salad and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup):
Calories: 108, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 11 mg,
Carbohydrate: 8 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 5 g, Protein: 2 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat

--------------------------------------

FOIL-ROASTED HERB POTATOES
Yield: 4 side dish servings
Source:  "The Diabetes Food and Nutritional Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml

INGREDIENTS

-  1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
-  2 tablespoons olive oil
-  2 sprigs rosemary
-  2 sprigs oregano
-  2 sprigs thyme
-  Salt and pepper to taste
-  1 teaspoon paprika

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Tear four large sheets of foil.

Divide all ingredients among the four sheets of foil. Wrap
up the potatoes seal tightly. Put all packets on a baking sheet.

Roast the potatoes in the oven for 35 minutes.

Place one packet on each dinner plate and
allow diners to open their packets.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup):
Calories: 146, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 9 mg,
Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 3 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Fat

--------------------------------------

CHICKEN WITH TRI-COLORED PEPPERS
Yield: 4 main dish servings
Source:  "The Diabetes Food and Nutritional Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml

INGREDIENTS

-  2 teaspoons canola oil
-  1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts,
   cut into 2-inch strips
-  1/2 cup diced onion
-  2 cloves garlic, minced
-  1 each small red, yellow, and green bell peppers,
   seeded and sliced into 1-inch strips
-  1/2 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
-  2 tablespoons lite soy sauce
-  1 tablespoons white wine (optional)
-  1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
-  2 teaspoons cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

In a work or heavy skillet over medium-high heat, heat the
canola oil. Add the chicken and saute for 2 minutes. Add
the onion and garlic and saute for 4-5 minutes more.

Remove the chicken and onion from the pan. Add the
peppers and saute for 5 minutes.

Combine the broth, soy sauce, white wine, sesame
oil, and cornstarch in a measuring cup and mix well.

Add the sauce to the peppers. Add the chicken and
onions back to the pan. Stir for 1-2 minutes until
sauce has thickened.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (4 ounces chicken):
Calories: 204, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 68 mg, Sodium: 425 mg,
Carbohydrate: 10 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 5 g, Protein: 27 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Very Lean Meat, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

--------------------------------------

BLUEBERRY LEMON MUFFINS
Yield: 10 muffins
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutritional Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml

INGREDIENTS

-  2 cups all-purpose flour
-  1/4 cup brown sugar
-  1 teaspoon baking powder
-  1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-  Pinch salt
-  1 cup plain, nonfat yogurt
-  1 teaspoon lemon extract
-  1 egg
-  1 egg white
-  3/4 cup fresh blueberries
-  Zest of 1 lemon

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly oil
10 standard-sized muffin cups or use nonstick bakeware.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar,
baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small
bowl, beat together the yogurt, extract, egg, and
egg white. Add the yogurt mixture to the flour
mixture and mix until just combined. Fold in the
blueberries and lemon zest.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups,
two-third full. Bake for 15 minutes until a tester
comes out clean and muffins are slightly browned.

Remove muffins from the oven. Let cool in the pan for
10 minutes. Turn out muffins and cool completely before storage.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 muffin):
Calories: 141, Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 22 mg, Sodium: 109 mg,
Carbohydrate: 28 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 8 g, Protein: 5 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Starch


=========================
DIABETES 101:
=========================

THE BEST WAY TO GET ANTIOXIDANTS

By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN

Nutrition researchers continue to discover how
antioxidants protect our health. These substances
stop, and sometimes even repair, damage to cells that
can occur from highly reactive molecules. Called free
radicals, these molecules are generated naturally by
many life processes (like breathing) and daily exposures
(like sunlight). By preventing this damage, scientists
say antioxidants can help prevent cancer, heart disease
and other health problems, such as age-related eye
diseases, for example, macular degeneration.

But these discoveries should not lead us to focus only
on famous antioxidants, like vitamins C and E. A new
study supports the advice of health organizations,
including the American Institute for Cancer Research,
that vegetables and fruits are preferable to supplements
for harnessing antioxidant power.

In this recent study, participants ate the same basic
diet that excluded all vegetables and fruits. One group,
however, was also given about six servings of fruits
and vegetables a day. A second group received a vitamin
and mineral supplement in place of the vegetables and
fruits. Before and after the 25-day program, researchers
tested the participants for their levels of oxidation
damage, as well as antioxidant nutrients and defense systems.

This study indicates that vegetables and fruits provide
more antioxidant protection than supplements alone.
The group that ate vegetables and fruits showed
significantly less oxidation damage than the others.
The group that took supplements showed a reduction in
oxidation damage, but not as much. Levels of an enzyme
system vital for antioxidant defense increased only in
the group eating fruits and vegetables. The researchers
concluded that vegetables and fruits offer sources of
antioxidant protection not available from vitamin and
mineral supplements alone.

In an earlier study, participants who had been eating
an average of five servings of fruits and vegetables
per day over the previous year were put on a diet that
maintained their starting weight, but increased fruits
and vegetables to a total of ten servings a day. Their
antioxidant intake and antioxidant capacity measured
by blood tests increased substantially. The researchers
believe the increase in antioxidant power probably came
from more antioxidants, like beta-carotene, lycopene
and vitamin C, as well as more flavonoids and other
phytochemicals that act like antioxidants. They also observed
that the body's antioxidant capacity seemed to level off at
about ten to twelve fruit and vegetable servings a day.

While research shows that vegetables and fruits are
vital sources of antioxidants, the plant-based diet
recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research
is the most complete approach to healthy eating. Whole
grains, beans and nuts also contain antioxidant vitamins
and phytochemicals. Spices and herbs add even more.

It cannot be stressed enough that antioxidants are
only part of the health benefits of a plant-based
diet. Nonantioxidant properties of phytochemicals
are another important part. For example, test tube
studies at Cornell University ranked the ability of
different vegetables to control the growth of one type
of cancer cell. The results differed from the vegetables'
antioxidant content, probably reflecting the additional
anti-cancer effects of phytochemicals.

To obtain phytochemicals - hundreds of which are known
to exist - you need to eat a wide variety of vegetables,
fruits, whole grains and beans. This is a major reason
why supplements can't supply the benefits of a plant-based diet.

Source: AICR

=========================
FOOD AND COOKING
=========================

CHICKEN FAJITAS BRING A MEXICAN TOUCH

Not too long ago, Mexican food was considered exotic
in the United States. Today, chips and salsa at parties
are as common as popcorn at the movies. Many other
Mexican-inspired foods are also everyday fare.

One of the most popular Mexican dishes in recent
years is fajitas. The word fajita refers to the
cut of meat - skirt steak - usually used to make
fajitas. It looks like a belt, or fajo in Spanish.

Americans' love affair with fajitas has been going
on for years now and has spun off a number of dishes
prepared the same way and also called fajitas. There
are shrimp fajitas, chicken fajitas and vegetable
fajitas, for example. Fajitas now means anything
marinated, grilled and rolled in a tortilla. Using
a whole-wheat tortilla increases the fiber and,
therefore, healthfulness of the dish.

Mexican cooking is earthy and intensely flavored.
It's a simple cuisine that lends itself well to many
cooking techniques and colorful presentations. Although
Mexican food is attractive year round, fajitas seem
especially appropriate in summer, when the temperature
soars and we crave light as well as well-flavored fare.

These chicken fajitas are cooked on the stove rather
than the grill.

CHICKEN FAJITAS
Yield: 4 servings (main dish)

INGREDIENTS

-  1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast,
   cut into very thin strips
-  1 tsp. ground cumin
-  Juice of 1/2 lime
-  1 Tbsp. canola oil, divided
-  1/2 large white onion, thinly sliced
-  1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in 1/2 inch strips
-  1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, cut lengthwise in thin strips
-  1/2 cup well-drained salsa
-  2-4 Tbsp. (according to taste) minced cilantro leaves
-  4 whole-wheat tortillas

DIRECTIONS

Sprinkle cumin over the chicken and rub in. Add chicken
and lime juice to a container with a tight lid, cover
and shake to mix well. Marinate in the refrigerator,
2 to 24 hours, shaking the container occasionally.
About an hour before cooking the chicken, remove it
from the marinade, pat dry with paper towels and set
aside to allow it to come to room temperature.

Add half of the oil to a medium, nonstick skillet
over medium high heat. Stir in the onion, green
and jalapeno peppers. Sauté until onions are lightly
browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a
plate and set aside. Do not clean the pan.

Heat remaining oil in the pan over high heat until
hot. Add chicken and cook until slightly browned,
1 to 4 minutes, depending on thinness. With a slotted
spoon, transfer chicken to a plate.

Place a tortilla on each of 4 plates. Add one-fourth
of the chicken to each in a narrow band, leaving a
1-inch margin at each end of the tortilla. Top chicken
with one-fourth of the vegetables, then one-fourth of
the salsa, then one-fourth of the cilantro. Fold ends
of the tortilla over the filling. Roll up as tightly
as possible. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:
190 calories, 5 g. total fat (less than 1 g. saturated fat),
26 g. carbohydrate, 17 g. protein, 3 g. dietary fiber, 350 mg. sodium
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat, 2 Low-Fat Meat


Source: AICR

=========================
DIABETES RELATED DEFINITIONS
AND EXPLANATIONS
=========================

TEAM MANAGEMENT: Describes a diabetes treatment approach
in which medical care is provided by a physician, diabetes
nurse educator, dietitian, and behavioral scientist working
together with the patient.

EUGLYCEMIA: A normal level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

ENDOCRINOLOGIST: A doctor who treats people who have
problems with their endocrine glands. Diabetes is an
endocrine disorder.

GLAND: A group of special cells that make substances so
that other parts of the body can work. For example, the
pancreas is a gland that releases insulin so that other
body cells can use glucose (sugar) for energy.

HYPERINSULINISM: Too high a level of insulin in the blood.
This term most often refers to a condition in which the
body produces too much insulin. Researchers believe that
this condition may play a role in the development of
noninsulin-dependent diabetes and in hypertension.

=========================
DIABETES Q AND A:
=========================

QUESTION:

I know that portion sizes are important,
but must I measure everything?

ANSWER:

For many people, choosing appropriate portions is one
of the most significant steps they can take to eat more
healthfully. Yet studies show that most of us don't
estimate food portions accurately. Fortunately, with
a little practice, people can improve their accuracy
substantially. It is not necessary to measure all the
food you eat.

One easy trick to help estimate portion size is to compare
your food portions to other objects. For instance, how
does your hand compare to a measuring cup? Since it's
always with you, it can make an excellent guide.

For an average adult, a rounded handful is about a
half-cup and a fist is about one cup. You can also make
comparisons to other things that you're familiar with,
like a deck of cards, a computer mouse or a checkbook.
These all closely represent a three-ounce serving of
meat, poultry or fish. An ounce of cheese looks like
four dice. But see how your thumb or fingers compare
to four dice for an easy, always-with-you guide.

A second way that studies show you can improve your
ability to estimate food portions is practice. Serve
a typical portion you would eat and then measure it.
Then measure out half-cup, one-cup and two-cup portions
of foods and see how they look on a plate, or in a bowl,
glass or mug that you usually use. After a few tries,
you should be able to estimate how much food is in front
of you. Soon you should fall into a habit of thinking
about - and correctly gauging - portion size when you
serve and eat food.

Source: AICR

-----------------------------------------------------
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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS
This is a sponsor supported newsletter. Sponsors are
what keep this dispatch free! Please take a moment to
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---- Advertisement / Sponsorship --------------------

NEW LOWER PRICE ON THE DIABETIC GOURMET COOKBOOK!!!

Our new cookbook is now being offered at 32% off the regular
price at Amazon.com, making it a mere $11.53. This collection
of mouth-watering dishes includes healthy versions of crowd 
pleasers like chocolate chip pancakes, cranberry scones, 
huevos rancheros, potato skins, pot roast, veal piccata, 
peanut butter cookies, banana cream pie, baklava, hazelnut
chocolate cheesecake and pecan winter waffles.

For more info and to learn how to order for yourself 
or as a great gift for someone you love, please visit: 
http://diabeticgourmetcookbook.com

---- End Of Sponsor Message -------------------------

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