Clemson Extension Rural Health and Nutrition Blog

Fast Food and Diabetes: How to Make Informed Choices

When choosing healthier options at fast-food restaurants, you can enjoy the convenience while continuing to effectively self-manage your blood sugar. Image Credit: Conner Russell Fast food is convenient, affordable, and often part of a busy lifestyle. However, many fast-food meals are high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars and are served in large portion sizes, […]

Diabetes Superstar Foods

Blueberries, yogurt, and whole grains are diabetes superstar foods that deliver fiber, protein, and antioxidants to support overall health and blood sugar management. Image Credit: RHN Team Picture Bank Managing diabetes is often misunderstood as requiring people to give up their favorite foods or follow complicated meal plans. However, many everyday foods, which can be […]

Protein Bars with Diabetes

What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when an individual’s blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. If an individual has diabetes, their body does not make enough insulin or does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose (sugar) enter into an individual’s cells, […]

Protein: For Diabetes, It Is a Balancing Act

A bowl containing two herb-baked chicken thighs served with roasted potatoes

What You Need to Know Protein is one of the three macronutrients considered the foundation of the foods we consume and is a necessary component of a wholesome, well-balanced diet. Good-quality proteins include: Proteins are made of amino acids, which are often called the building blocks of proteins. Within proteins, there are non-essential amino acids […]

Liver Health-From a Different View

Obesity Association Promotion Items

Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver, typically defined as fat comprising more than 5% of the liver’s weight. The development of MASLD is closely linked to underlying cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, hypertension, type […]

La relación entre la glucosa alta en la sangre y el hambre

Fruit, water, and yoga blocks.

Read this article in English Lo que necesita saber La polifagia (o polyphagia en inglés), o hiperfagia (o hyperphagia en inglés), es un término médico que describe un hambre excesivo o insaciable, incluso después de haber comido. Este fenómeno es común entre la gente trabajando a manejar la diagnosis de diabetes y puede presentar una […]

Understanding Starchy and Non-Starchy Vegetables for Diabetes Management

A meal using the Diabetes Plate Method: 1/2 of the plate non-starchy vegetables, 1/4 of the plate lean protein, and 1/4 of the plate carbohydrates and starches.

From the time an individual is in preschool through the elder years, “Eat your vegetables!” is a very common recommendation from health professionals and public health organizations. However, despite ongoing dietary guidelines recommending adults consume at least 2.5-3 servings of vegetables daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 20.3% […]

The Glycemic Index: A Helpful Tool for Blood Glucose Management

Carbohydrates and the Human Body All foods provide the human body with at least one of three macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Of the three macronutrients, the human body prefers carbohydrates as its primary source of fuel for supplying the body’s cells, tissues, and organs with energy. Carbohydrates can come from many different foods, including: […]

A Flavorful Path to Better Health

Flavoring Without Salt Salt has always been known for being a simple, go-to ingredient for boosting flavor in home-cooked meals. However, relying on it consistently can have a negative impact on health. Most Americans consume more than 3,400 milligrams of sodium each day, which is significantly above the recommended daily limit of 2,300 milligrams. This […]

High Blood Sugar and Hunger

Lee en español What You Need to Know Polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia, is a medical term for excessive or insatiable hunger, even after a meal. This phenomenon is commonly experienced among individuals working to manage a diagnosis of diabetes and can present a significant barrier to effective diabetes self-management. Persistent feelings of hunger may […]