NOVEMBER is Diabetes Awareness month

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body has trouble using the sugar it gets from food for energy. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream. High blood sugar can have immediate effects, like blurry vision. It can also cause problems over time, like heart disease and blindness.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes (once called juvenile-onset diabetes) and type 2 diabetes (once called adult-onset diabetes). Both are caused by problems making or using insulin, a hormone that makes it possible for cells to use glucose, also known as blood sugar, for energy.

When you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into a simple sugar called glucose. It also produces a hormone called insulin that signals the body’s cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or stops making it altogether. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body’s cells don’t respond to insulin. Either way, since sugar can’t get into cells, it builds up in the bloodstream. 

Too much sugar in the blood can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. These include:

• blurry vision
• intense thirst
• need to urinate often
• fatigue
• numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Type 1 diabetes often comes on suddenly. It usually strikes children and teenagers, but can appear later in life. It is an autoimmune disease, meaning it happens because the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the body’s insulin-making cells. Type 1 diabetes can’t be cured, but it can be managed by taking insulin before eating.

Type 2 diabetes takes longer to develop. It can begin any time from childhood onward. Type 2 diabetes is usually triggered by being overweight or obese and not getting much physical activity. Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes weight loss if needed, daily exercise, a healthy diet, and medications.

No Sugar Added Banana Bread

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Calories: 155 cal

This is a recipe for sugar free banana bread. It can also be made gluten free or lower in carbohydrates.   

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Flour 1 tsp
• Baking Powder 1 tsp
• Baking Soda 1 cup
• Splenda 1/2 cup
• Butter softened
• 2 Eggs Beaten
• 3 Bananas Mashed

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 325 and prep a loaf pan for nonstick. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set this bowl aside. Next, in a mixing bowl, cream together the sugar alternative and the butter. Then stir in the beaten eggs and the vanilla extract. Next, we will add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients. Do so by adding half of the flour mixture at a time, gently mixing between additions. When this is blended, you can fold in the bananas and optional chopped nuts. Bake your bread for 65-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow it to cool for a few minutes before removing from the pan.

Serve and enjoy!!