November 13, 2003

Prairie Fare: November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

By Julie Garden-Robinson, Food and Nutrition Specialist
NDSU Extension Service

Most of us have been touched by diabetes. Maybe you have an aunt, uncle, parent, cousin, brother or sister who has it.

Diabetes is a disease where the body does not make or does not properly use insulin, a hormone that helps convert food into energy for daily life. Without insulin, glucose (blood sugar) builds up in the bloodstream with many negative consequences.

Take this quiz and find out what you know about the cost and impact of diabetes.

1. What is the approximate cost for health care per year for each person with diabetes in the U.S.?

1. $2,000
2. $5,000
3. $9,000
4. $13,000

2. About how many people (both diagnosed and undiagnosed) are believed to have diabetes in the U.S.?

1. 2 million
2. 5 million
3. 11 million
4. 17 million

3. Diabetes can cause problems to which of the following?

1. Eyes
2. Heart
3. Feet
4. All of the above

4. Which is the most common type of diabetes?

1. Gestational
2. Pre-diabetes
3. Type 1
4. Type 2

5. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common among:

1. Native American children and adolescents
2. African American children and adolescents
3. Hispanic children and adolescents
4. All of the above

How did you do? The answers are all "d."

Could you have diabetes and not know it? These are some possible signs of diabetes:

• frequent urination
• unusual thirst
• extreme hunger
• unexpected weight loss
• fatigue or irritability
• having cuts or bruises that heal slowly
• tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• blurred vision

Don’t ignore the symptoms. If you notice these signs, visit a healthcare professional soon. Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, amputations, high blood pressure, dental disease, pregnancy complications and stroke.

The good news: Diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise and/or medication. A registered dietitian and/or certified diabetes educator can help plan a healthy diet to help avoid complications.

Here’s a tasty and easy recipe from the Midwest Dairy Association that’s low in fat and a good source of calcium.

Cheddar and Ham Muffins

1/2 c. reduced fat shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 3/4 c. all-purpose baking mix
1 c. low-fat milk
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 c. low-fat ham, chopped fine

Mix first three ingredients together; add pepper and ham. Mix well and spoon into lined muffin pans until half full. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes 9 muffins. Each muffin contains 120 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 18 grams carbohydrate and 20 percent of the daily value for calcium.

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Source: Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu

[Editors: We’ve updated the illustrated column identifier for Julie Garden-Robinson’s Prairie Fare column. If you’re using an older version or if you would like to use the identifier, please download this printable EPS file. Prairie Fare (142 Kb eps file)]