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  • With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators

    Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

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  • Nov. 10, 2009

    Don't let grocery store sidetrack a healthy diabetes diet

    By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.

8 comments posted

What's Nancy talking about this week? If you haven't noticed, I have kind of a quirky sense of humor. I'm talking about the grocery store this week. This is good advice for anyone.

Individuals that design grocery stores are highly skilled manipulators. Ever notice that the bakery is in the back of all grocery stores? The scent of the bakery draws you to the back of the store and away from your intended goal.

The dairy products are also in the back. Again, you have to trudge through the store to get to your dairy purchase and on the way you can easily be diverted. Remember, the perimeter of a grocery store usually contains all the basic necessities of your healthy diabetes diet.

It would be better for all of us if we never entered into the center core of the grocery store. It contains all the foods you never knew you could live without. Did you know you can buy a mix to make green bean casserole? It contains a can of green beans, a can of fried onion rings, a can of cream of mushroom soup (for real) and costs three times as much as buying the items separately. But you get the instructions so it's a wash, right?

Another thing to stay clear of in groceries stores is the dietetics section. The food tastes awful, is expensive, and often contains more carbohydrate/calories then the regular products, and the sorbitol products give you gas. In my opinion, there's no real necessity for a dietetics section in the grocery store.

I think we've all heard the old adage, don't go to the grocery store when you're hungry. This is still good advice. When I go to the store hungry, everything looks divine and my bill shows it.

I do feel as a consumer and person with diabetes that it's important to read labels and know what you're buying. The Nutrition Facts label contains a wealth of information and it's to everyone's benefit to know how to use it.

What are your pet peeves about the grocery store?

Have a good week.

Regards,
Nancy

8 comments posted

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  • November 2, 2010 12:37 p.m.

    My pet peeve with grocery stores is the lack of low sodium foods. While going through the store all that can be seen, in every direction, is sodium enriched(?) junk. Even food that would normally be good for one has a ton of sodium. So, scratch that one. But, there is a way to combat that bug-a-bear. And, that is, sticking with fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, minimal meat, whole grains such as bulgur, whole wheat, brown rice and eating more fish and poultry. Grocery stores really could help by stocking more healthy food, but, they really do not seem to care that they are contributing to the demise of their patrons. Oh well, such is life in this world.

    - Brenda

  • January 8, 2010 5:43 p.m.

    Pet peeve about grocery store other than trying to find the things you need is the crowds of parents with little kids. I love children and that is why I do not shop during lunch or dinner hours. I go later in the evening or early morning to be able to take my time to purchase the items that I need to help control my diabetes.

    - Karen

  • December 19, 2009 4:17 p.m.

    High protein, high fiber snacks are great for keeping blood sugar levels steady, and new research shows that pistachio nuts are a great match if you’re looking for healthy snacks, in recipes or out of the package. http://thegreennut.org/news/index.html Celebrity chefs cooking heart healthy, low-fat, high protein recipes with pistachio nuts are really putting some interesting things together for people who want to eat well, and for people dealing with weight management, chronic disease prevention, and heart disease: http://thegreennut.org/recipes/index.html This is an awesome pistachio and salmon lunch or dinner recipe from celebrity chef Jesse Brune. It’s yummy and heart healthy, with lots of protein, fiber, and good fats http://thegreennut.org/recipes/07-pistachio-dusted-roast-salmon.html

    - patty

  • November 12, 2009 10:29 a.m.

    Hi Myriam, I discussed your question with one of my fellow dietitians. Colas and pepper type drinks do contain significant phosphorous which can be an issue if you have kidney damage from diabetes or high blood pressure.

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • November 12, 2009 5:38 a.m.

    My biggest peeve is the meat counter. They have changed the names and types of cuts in order to charge more for less! One example is the beef shank. This is meat on the bone and makes the best beef stock. The stores that I shop at are now calling it beef stew, they still include the bone, and charge 2.5 X more. This is only one example that peeves me. I have in most cases reverted to shopping at the old fashioned butcher store. They may charge more but you know what you are getting. The meat is better aged, too.

    - Barbara

  • November 11, 2009 6:40 p.m.

    Yours is a great source of information; I heard that drinking diet sodas for a long time can affect the kidneys is this true?

    - Myriam

  • November 11, 2009 7:21 a.m.

    Wonderful idea Margaret!

    - Nancy and Peggy

  • November 10, 2009 11:28 p.m.

    Buying groceries on line is even better. You save the environment because they deliver for several households at a time, you don't see the things you shouldn't buy, you bill is consequently lower, and you have a cupboard and refrigerator full of things you really need. invite the friends over for coffee instead of meeting them at the shops, and you have the whole experience without thedisadvantages.

    - Margaret

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