VMG Diabetes, Nutrition and Endocrine Care

Diabetes changes naturally over time and as it changes, so do your care plan needs.

During our final Diabetes 101 class we learned how Diabetes changes over time and how our health care needs will change over time as well.

It's important to try to keep your glucose level in target and to delay or prevent complications.  Here at Valley Medical Group, we offer several comprehensive services to help you prevent or treat complications from Diabetes.

Some of the complications that someone with Diabetes might experience and should be monitored both as preventative screening and treated if diagnosed are the following:

EYE DISEASE: It's recommended to see an eye doctor at least once a year to prevent vision loss or damage. 

KIDNEY DISEASE: Routine lab testing is recommended at least once a year.  Your provider may request additional tests to get a more detailed report on the function of your kidneys and may recommend you to a specialist.

HEART AND BLOOD VESSEL DISEASES: Such as heart attack or stroke.  Routine lab testing is recommended at least once a year.  Your provider may request additional tests to get a more detailed report on the function of your cardiovascular system.  More tests may need to be performed and your provider may recommend you to a specialist.

FOOT PROBLEMS: Such as infections and sores, and sometimes more severe complications.  Your primary care provider will examine your feet routinely during your annual Wellness Visit and your Medical Management visits for any possible problems and will recommend you see a podiatrist if needed.  Podiatrists will also help patients custom fit orthotics for those who may have pain or difficulties with walking or standing in shoes without correct support.  Routine care of the feet to prevent cuts or wounds and good blood glucose control can prevent foot related complications and prevent or delay nerve damage to the feet.

NERVE DAMAGE: Numbness, tingling, or pain in the arms, hands, legs and feet. Your primary care provider will examine, discuss, and possibly order tests to determine if you have any nerve damage and may recommend further testing or refer you to specialists depending on your severity and location of nerve damage during your annual Wellness Visit and your Medical Management appointments.

ENDOCRINOLOGY:  Your provider may recommend that you see an Endocrinologist in addition to the care you receive from the primary care provider.  Diabetes is an endocrine disorder and your Endocrinologist will do a thorough examination with you and come up with a plan and treatment that will work best for you and your Diabetes.

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT EDUCATION (DSME):  Can give you the knowledge and skills to help you take the best care of yourself when you have diabetes.  One on one visits with an educator and small group classes are both offered at Valley Medical Group.

MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY (MNT):  Can help you with creating healthy meal plans to support and improve blood glucose control, heart healthy eating, and weight control.  DSME and MNT is provided in all four Valley Medical Group Health Centers.


Our final recipe of the Diabetes 101 class was a delicious soup.  Great to warm you up during these cold months!

6 AM Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 1 large onion
• 2 large cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 carrot
• 1 parsnip
• 1-2 stalks celery
• 1 can tomatoes (stewed/chopped)
• 1 can black beans or other beans of choice
• Herbs and spices: up to 1/2 teaspoon each, as desired: rosemary, oregano, thyme, sage, basil; 1 tablespoon parsley, salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cumin (optional)
• 1/2 package chopped frozen spinach

Directions

1. Chop onion, mince garlic and saute in the olive oil.
2. When these begin to soften, chop and add the carrots, celery and parsnip.
3. Cook on low, add 1-2 tablespoons water if vegetables stick to pan - approximately 5-8 minutes.
4. Add enough water to cover (about 3 cups); add herbs.
5. Simmer with cover on for about 10 minutes.
6. Rinse and drain black beans; add beans and canned tomatoes to soup.

Notes: 

      -  We added about 1 cup of leftover brown rice.  

      -  The frozen spinach, canned tomatoes, rice and black beans helped cool the soup

         quickly so we could put it in the refrigerator immediately.

      -  Sodium: Rinsing the beans reduced the sodium.  1/2 cup serving contained about

         400 mg sodium (1600 mg for the can).  Rinsing may have reduced the sodium by

         half.  The canned tomatoes were 180 mg per serving (540 mg/can).Overall

         sodium for the entire recipe is about 1400 mg, or under 200 mg per serving.

     -  Calories per serving: less than 100.

Yield:  8-10 Servings

Our next Diabetes 101 class will be starting April 18th in our Greenfield office.  If you are interested in participating, call Sara at 413-772-3330 for more information.