Diabetes Doesn’t Stop These Folks

If you think living with diabetes means you have to give up your dreams, stop the activities you enjoy, or avoid the activities of daily living, think again! Health Corner® TV’s interviews with just plain folks and celebrities provide the proof you want. Check out these inspiring video clips:

• Reality TV’s Top Chef finalist Sam Talbot says he’s living proof that you can have an exciting, healthy life with diabetes. Watch this video. (Video)
• Health Corner® has a message for women living with diabetes: It’s OK to put yourself first. Learn more. (Video)

Watch Health Corner® Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. CT on Lifetime. Visit healthcorner.walgreens.com (video) to see what’s on this week and find more informative segments on living with diabetes.

Joslin Answers Your Questions

Joslin Diabetes Center experts answer commonly asked questions.

New Year, New Eats
One of the fun things about a new year is the opportunity to turn over a new leaf. For some folks, that means managing their weight or a commitment to eat more healthfully. Or maybe, it’s the time to experiment with new recipes that accomplish those other goals. Try these recipes:

Q. I'm scared of the complications associated with diabetes, but I'm frustrated by all the things I need to do to take care of myself. Where do I begin?
A. Rest assured that you're not alone. Everyone with diabetes feels…. Continue

• Baba Ghanoush (Eggplant Dip)
• Chipotle Mushroom Barley Soup (Video)
• Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
• Eggless Caesar Salad
• No Crust Strawberry Pie

Q. How often should I check my blood glucose?
A. First, it helps to understand why you should check your blood glucose…. Continue

A Conversation on Complications

Of course, living day to day with diabetes means watching your diet, your blood glucose readings, when and how much you exercise, and so much more. But it’s the potential long-term complications of diabetes that are at the root of diligent adherence to proper self-care and management, as well as keeping to your scheduled screenings. Learn more about some of the major complications:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Diabetic nephropathy
• Peripheral vascular disease, also called arteriosclerosis of the extremities

Nutritional Know-How

Weathering Winter

There’s more to food than taste and serving size. And when you are living with diabetes or preparing meals for someone who is, you need to know a lot more—about carbs, fiber, and fat—so that the balanced eating regimen that is needed is adhered to.

Welcome to winter: cold weather in some parts of the country, cold and flu season everywhere, and those holiday and New Year’s eating challenges! Your strategy: Deal with it. Your tactics: Know how to manage your diabetes during this time of year. Here’s help:

Here’s some food for thought:

• Get the 4-1-1 on carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.
• Learn about carbohydrate counting for type 2 diabetes.
• Read how fiber can help in the treatment of diabetes.
• Find out how fat is essential for the body’s proper functioning.
• Food labels have loads of info. Learn more.
• Find out about healthy eating for type 1 diabetes.

• You are at a higher risk for frostbite in your hands and feet if you have diabetes. Learn more about frostbite.
• Cross-country skier and 2006 winter Olympian Kris Freeman talks about training with diabetes. (Video)
• Have you talked to your doctor about getting a flu shot? Get some facts from Joslin Diabetes Center. (pdf)
• Get Joslin Diabetes Center’s tips for managing your diabetes at the holiday season. (pdf)

What’s Your A1C IQ?

One of the key blood tests for folks with diabetes is the hemoglobin A1C test (or HbA1c). To see how much you know about the A1C and what its results can show, take a quiz about the A1C test. Hope you get an A+.

• Test your expertise now.
• Read more about getting the A1C test.

Read It in Diabetes & You®

Read the current issue, check the archives, or find a recipe.

• View current virtual issue.
• View recent issues in pdf format.
• Visit the Diabetes & You Recipe Archive.

The Pharmacy Counter

In the News

Use Up Your Flexible Spending Account
These days, you want to make the most of your money. So, if you have a flexible savings account (FSA) for health care items and there’s some money left, be sure to use it up before the end of the year.

Easy Options for Medicare Part B-Covered Diabetes Supplies
Seniors living with diabetes can now get testing supplies at their neighborhood Walgreens pharmacy or delivered to their home with free shipping! Plus, we bill Medicare and qualified supplemental insurance directly. To sign up, call this toll-free number: 1-888-PARTB-65. Click here for more information.

Some FSA plans have a grace period that extends into the new year; if you are not sure about yours, check with your plan administrator.

View our list of FSA-eligible items.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club
Did you know that insulin and diabetes supplies are included in Walgreens Prescription Savings Club? Check to see if your medications are covered using the Drug Pricing Tool, and enroll online today!

Printing Your Prescription History
Make tax preparation a little easier by printing out your prescription records. You’ll save yourself plenty of time, and you’ll have all that info in one handy record. Get started.

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