Dining Out? Enjoy every bite with these tips!	4/27/2011
Dining Out tips for diabetes sufferers: Shave 20% off your calorie count with this starter. It's soup! According to a Penn State study, sipping your appetizer can cut the total amount of calories eaten at your meal by up to 20%! The only catch? Shun creamy soups for broth-based varieties that have about 150 calories a cup like chicken, lentil and minestrone. Time-delay your order. Go ahead and order an appetizer, savor it slowly - and wait until you're done to place your entrée order. The wait gives your stomach time to send your brain the "I'm full" signal so you're not as tempted to order - and finish - a big entrée. Ask if the kitchen is on schedule. A delay in service could lead to a drop in your blood sugar, and that could affect when you take your diabetes medication. If the chef is behind, ask if your appetizer could be served immediately. Start your meal with this. A dash of vinegar! As odd as this may sound, Arizona State University research shows that having vinegar before a meal - say, as part of a salad dressing or pickled vegetables - can reduce that spikes in insulin and blood sugar levels that often occur after eating. Remember the two Ts. Want to enjoy a glass of wine or beer (with your doctor's approval, of course)? Consider the timing and the type. A lady learned about the first one the hard way: "Even though my doctor said it was fine to have a glass of wine with dinner, it always made my blood sugar go too high or too low." The problem? The lady didn't have enough food in her stomach before she took the first sip. Now the lady asks the server to bring her drink at the same time as her entrée. And the type? Think clear and white: Drier, lighter-colored drinks, such as dry white wine, champagne, and vodka, have fewer carbs. Good times by Lori Murray Article from Diabetes Health Monitor April/May 2011 edition visit www.healthmonitor.com for more information and articles.