Hidden sugars and a new yummy recipe!

These 7 Foods Hide MASSIVE Sugar

It’s hard to avoid sugar when many common foods secretly contain loads of it.

You know that eating an excess of sugar will derail your fitness progress and quickly lead to an increase in body fat, but recent studies are proving that sugar is much more dangerous than we once thought.

Your risk of heart attack doubles when 20 percent or more of your calories come from sugar, according to a new study published in JAMA International Medicine.

That is no joke! So with obesity and heart disease on the line, let’s uncover the 7 common foods that you didn’t know contain sugar.

1. Fruit Yogurt
Yogurt is packaged and marketed as a diet food for women, which is outrageous. The pretty little packages may be low in fat, but just one serving contains a whopping 19 grams of sugar.

2. Pasta Sauce
This one may come as a surprise, since pasta sauce is considered to be a savory food, but alas, it has loads of sugar hiding in it. For every half a cup of store bought pasta sauce you’re ingesting 12 grams of sugar.

3. Agave Nectar
Many think of agave nectar as a free pass, since it has been so cleverly marketed as a health food, but sadly this sweetener is just as dangerous as white sugar. Agave nectar is 85% fructose.

4. Dried Fruit
Yes, even our fruit isn’t safe anymore. Most companies are adding extra sugar in with their dried fruit, making it as sweet as candy. Just 1/3 of a cup contains 24 grams of sugar.

5. Granola Bars
It may boast wholesome, whole grains on the package, but your favorite granola bar is hiding a sickly sweet secret. The average packaged granola bar contains 12 grams of sugar.

6. Energy Drinks
When you need an afternoon pick-me-up, think twice before reaching for that energy drink. Mega energy drinks contain up to 83 grams of sugar.

7. BBQ Sauce
There’s a reason that those BBQ chicken wings are finger licking good…all that sugar it’s hiding. A 2 Tablespoon serving will set you back 13 grams of sugar. Start eliminating the sugar-packed foods in your diet today. Your body and your heart will both be in better shape for it.

Simple Fruit Dessert

Eat too much refined sugar and you’re headed for obesity and a host of diseases. So what should you do with that sweet tooth of yours? Turn to nature’s candy: fresh fruit. This dessert is very simple, and oh-so-sweet. Use fresh, local, organic fruit for optimal taste and nutrition.

Servings: 4

Here’s what you need…

• 1 small watermelon, chopped
• 1 cantaloupe, seeded and chopped
• 1 mango, pitted and chopped
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, minced

1. Chop the fruit into small, uniform cubes. Combine the ingredients in a large bowl, then scoop into small cups. Enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 127 calories, 1g fat, 33mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, and 3g protein.

Top 3 Foods that can cause inflammation

#1 – Margarine

Man-made trans fats and hydrogenated oils, otherwise known as Franken-Fats, are laden with artificial ingredients and they are the ones to be avoided—not the naturally-occurring fats. They are some of the most chemically altered foods you can consume.

It is these kinds of “Fake” fats that you need to be afraid of because they are the culprits creating chronic inflammation in your body.

Touted as the “healthier” alternative to butter because it is made from vegetable oil instead of animal or dairy products, Margarine has made its way into every grocery store in the country.

Unfortunately, it is comprised of hydrogenated oils and it’s very high in trans fat versus good old fashioned butter which consists of sweet cream and salt. In most varieties of margarine you will find up to 15 ingredients and usually only 2-3 in REAL butter.

#2 – Nondairy Creamers

For coffee lovers and enthusiasts everywhere, nondairy creamers have become an integral part of the day. Over time, however, they will also add a considerable amount of trans fat to your diet.

Don’t be fooled by the “low-fat” and “non-fat” varieties since they still have partially hydrogenated oils as the second or third ingredient listed.

It’s these kind of foods that are the real ‘ninjas’ in the food war that’s inflaming your body on a regular basis. They sneak their way in quietly leaving you susceptible and vulnerable to attack.

If you drink a lot of coffee and typically use products like this to flavor it, you can be contributing to chronic inflammation and pain without even knowing it.

#3 – Microwave Popcorn

Popcorn has been around for years and was always considered a healthy snack alternative compared to sugary things like cake, cookies and ice cream. Sure, popcorn or “popped” corn is something natural and by itself can be healthy, however, that’s not how most people consume it anymore.

The only thing scarier than the movie you’re watching is the bowl of popcorn on your lap! Now super convenient microwave popcorn has been loaded with gooey toppings like processed cheese and caramel flavors.

There’s no telling what has been added to what was once a smart decision (and we’re not even talking about toxic bag lining). Microwave popcorn is loaded with sneaky trans-fats which are much thicker and harder for your heart to move through your arteries. These trans-fats are like eating sludge. Your body can’t digest it leaving it to rot in your gut.

How to Recover From a Party or Other Random Events

As many of you know because my life is an open book, I had an anniversary last week and not the good kind.  My sister, Diana had passed away at the age of 46 a year ago and her best friend wanted to throw a get together for friends and family in her memory.  This took place on Saturday just a day after the anniversary of her passing.
 

Sisters: From left Elizabeth, Diana and (me) Janet

It was nice.  Actually it was very good seeing everyone.  I have been hiding a lot in the last year and I know I need to get out there more but it drains me to do so.

Over 50 people showed up and for once I did not have much to do in preparation.  Somehow, years ago, I got appointed my family's party guru.  OK maybe my control freak side got the best of me a few times and my family just went with it but I do love (or should I say I used to love) throwing a good party.

Due to the 8 hours of standing too much, eating too much, trying to drink some beer in my sister's honor (which apparently 1.25 beers was too much), fighting off bugs way too much and the roller coaster of too many emotions leading up to and during that day, my body just rebelled.  I think at this point the bad side is winning but I am hoping for a better tomorrow.

Well, the celebration of Diana's life (as we named the gathering) was 2 days ago. I am just realizing my recovery period is getting longer and longer every time I get myself out there in the real world and people still wonder why I don't go out as much as I used to.  Yesterday I had a lot of shooting pains and fatigue but today on top of those symptoms I have a lot of vertigo and brain fog.  My insomnia is kicking in lately as well so that does not help.  In fact, I am not even sure that I am really awake and writing this so forgive me if it makes no sense.

I have been really good about trying to stay de-stressed before I have something to do outside my normal routine. I also try to do my best to take care of myself during the event by drinking lots of water, staying out of the sun and sitting down as much as possible.

Now I am realizing I need a plan of attack for after the event as well.  Below I am listing just a few things that I will need to remember to do the days following any social gathering I attend:

1) Drink Plenty of Fluids

I know this goes without saying but believe me I tend to forget. 

2) Get Up and Stretch

Links to For Your Health Today

After a long day my pillow and my cat seem to be my best friends. Oh, I should add my husband to that list because he ends up playing the role of butler when I am feeling very ill. (OK, honestly, he ends up playing butler a lot more than he likes and really hates it when I start calling him Jeeves). 

I guess what I am saying is I could stay in bed through the whole day whether I am sleeping or not.  I have even gone as far as not getting up for the bathroom until it is absolutely necessary to make the trip. This especially takes talent if you are following step 1 above.  

Getting up and moving your muscles no matter how much pain you are in is very important for the lymphatic system.  Whether I am sitting at the computer working, watching a movie on TV or just having a stay in bed kind of day, I make it a point to get up at least once an hour for 5 to 10 minutes.

During this time I walk around a little, get myself something to eat or drink and stretch out the muscles that are bothering me the most.  At the very least, do some stretches in the bed.

3) Rest and Avoid Stress

I try to plan to do nothing at least for 1 day after the event.  I make sure I have a couple of good books to read or watch an entire season of a program on Netflix.  I do this all with my Kindle Fire which is probably my most favorite accessory in the whole world.  Who needs a pretty purse when you got all the wonders of the world in a little tiny box?  Though I could do without its horrible autocorrect but that is a story for another time.

Oh and I know you are all shaking your head at the "avoid stress" part of this step. Most of you laugh at people who tell you this.  I understand.  Life goes on, however, you should be able to explain to your family that you need a recovery day after certain things and plan accordingly with them ahead of time.

4) Eat Small Easily Digestible Meals Throughout the Day

If you are like me, no matter what you think going in to it, you are going to indulge on food at a gathering.  Sometimes you may not even realize you are doing it but it is going to happen.  It is inevitable.

You do not want to avoid eating all together the days that follow.  You need sustenance to get better.

If you know one thing about me (besides my hatred towards steroids), you know I am a HUGE fan of soup but that is not always an option especially in the month of July in New England or where ever you are from in the Northern hemisphere.  For the Southern hemisphere, there probably aren't many months that you want a big bowl of hot soup but you get my point.

So, soup aside, what are some other easily digestible edibles:

What to avoid:

Breading, frying, red meat, raw veggies or greasy foods.  Basically all the things I normally want to eat when I am tired and feeling crappy.

What's On the Menu (by Food Group)

Meats:
Plain, skinless, broiled chicken
Scrambled eggs
Canned tuna in water but avoid the mayo (you can try with mashed avocado instead)

Grains:
Rice
Breads
Crackers

Fruits:
Go with non-citrus
Banana
Peaches
Cranberry Juice

Vegetables:
Make sure they are well cooked
Avoid corn (at all time)

Dairy:
If you can have dairy, yogurt is the way to go but try coconut yogurt which contains no dairy and is pretty yummy.

I know I am just spouting common sense but even the best of us forget to take care of ourselves.  Don't worry about how sick you are going to feel and just get out there every once and awhile and try to enjoy life while you can.

Gentle hugs my DD friends!

Petition to Add Dercum's to SSDI List

There has been some talk for years on this and finally our fellow DDer, Christine McGrath, decided to take action.  We need as many as 100,000 signatures to make this happen so all family and friends should be asked to forward on.  This will help many Americans that suffer from this disease traverse the already very difficult journey on getting monetary assistance from their disability.

The signatures need to come from United States residents but everyone can help by forwarding a message to any of your relatives or friends in America.

Please note:  To build a stronger case for SSDI, make sure that you have other ailments well documented with your doctor.  These ailments can include but are not limited to:  diabetes; fibromyalgia; depression; anxiety and other autoimmune disorders.

Good luck!

A yummy recipe for the summer!

Mediterranean Lettuce Wrap

This wrap is savory and refreshing, and is the perfect meal to get you beach ready. I recommend roasting your own bell pepper, since most store bought roasted bell peppers are packaged in oil. To do so simply throw it on the grill until soft and then peel the skin after it cools. Servings: 1

Here's what you need...

• 1 large leaf of lettuce
• 2 slices lean turkey
• 1 roasted red bell pepper, cut into 4 segments
• 2 tablespoons garlic hummus
• 1 tablespoon olive tapenade

1. Lay the lettuce leaf flat and spread with 1 tablespoon of hummus. Place the turkey slices on the lettuce and spread with remaining hummus. Sprinkle the olive tapenade over the turkey and top with the roasted bell pepper.
2. Wrap the lettuce, use a tooth pick to hold it together.

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 170 calories, 6g fat, 15g carbohydrate, 5g fiber, and 15g protein.

South-Of-The-Border Chicken & Rice Soup

Another yummy, healthy recipe from Dr. Dan!

South-Of-The-Border Chicken & Rice Soup

A bowl of this homemade soup is a wonderful meal to enjoy during the holidays. It's low carb and filled with protein and veggies to power your day and curb your cravings. Best of all it's made in the slow cooker, so preparation is quick and easy. Servings: 8

Here's what you need...

• 2 organic, free range chicken breasts
• 1 (28oz) can diced, fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 (4oz) can green chiles, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 head cauliflower, shredded
• 32 oz organic, free range chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• dash of sea salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 avocados
• Tajin seasoning for garnish

1. Combine all of the ingredients, except the cilantro, avocado and tajin, in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours.
2. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Shred with a fork and then return to the slow cooker.
3. Garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of cilantro, a few slices of avocado and a dash of tajin. Enjoy!

Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 153 calories, 6g fat, 321mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate, 7g fiber, and 10g protein.

A Thanksgiving Message from NORD

NORD has put together a wonderful short video giving thanks for everyone involved with rare diseases - including us patients. Check it out - it's nice to know they are there for us!

http://rarediseases.org/news-events/message-of-thanks

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

We also are very grateful to know each and every one of you!