Ryvita Crispbread

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When lunchtime hits in my household, you can probably place your bets on how long I will spend opening and closing the cupboards and fridges looking for something different to have. I take forever to make a decision, because I’m not the kind of person who can just eat the same thing every day.

If you’re looking for some lunchtime inspiration, Ryvita Crispbreads should do the trick. Dense, grainy crackers served with the topping of your choice – mine being Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Smoked Ham and Spinach – should make for a satisfying light lunch or mid afternoon snack.

There are currently three varieties on the supermarket shelf including Original Rye, Sesame Rye and Multigrain, full of wholesome-sounding ingredients such as Wholegrain Rye Flour and a variety of wholegrains and seeds.

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The nutrition information ticks all of the boxes for me. The fat and sugar content is suprisingly low for a processed product. Meanwhile, the dense flours, seeds and grains embedded into the crispbread help beef up the protein and non-carb energy in the product and lower the overall Glycemic Index. The end result is a satisfying snack that will release energy and glucose into the bloodstream slowly and will help you feel fuller for longer.

In the same way that wholegrains and seeds make breads more interesting, the dense, grainy composition of Ryvita gives it a point of difference from most other crackers. Although it doesn’t have a strong flavour, its meant to be had with toppings such as ricotta, cheese, lean meats or fresh vegetables. It also doesn’t leave a salty aftertaste, which I think is a good thing.

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Ryvita can be found in Woolies, Coles, IGA and other major supermarkets. At around $3 for a packet of 22 crispbreads, I’d say its pretty competitive with other products in the cracker/biscuit aisle. Writing this post has made me re-realise the goodness of Ryvita, and I would like to be buying these more often than I currently am. Ryvita is probably one of the best diabetes-friendly products in the cracker aisle of your supermarket.

Nutrition Information

Carbohydrate:

  • 11g to 13g per serving of 2 crispbreads

Sugars:

  • 1g to 2g per serving of 2 crispbreads
  • 3g to 7g per 100g

Fat:

  • 0g to 2g per serving of 2 crispbreads
  • 1g to 8g per 100g

Protein:

  • 2g to 3g per serving of 2 crispbreads
  • 9g to 12g per 100g

Dietary Fibre:

  • 3g to 4g per serving of 2 crispbreads
  • 15g to 18g per 100g

Glycemic Index Estimate:

  • Low (less than 55). NB: While there is no GI data specified for this product, I would estimate a low GI rating based on its ingredient list of wholegrain rye flours, seeds and grains.

Product Overview

Varieties:

Price:

  • Around $3 for a packet of around 22 crispbreads.

Where to buy:

Official Website:

 

Thank You

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Updated: My blog has just been recognised on the DiabetesMine website as one of the highlights of the Diabetes Blogosphere in April 2015! Click here to read more.

I can’t wipe the smile off of my face today (and I cannot believe that its the first of May already!). Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would be able to sustain a blog for a whole month (6 weeks actually, to be exact). And yet here I am. Finally I have a new year’s resolution that I’ve actually achieved.

I started this blog as a way to share some of my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned in the five years that I’ve been living with type 1 diabetes. I wanted an outlet where I could share my passion for writing and digital media. I’ve also been trying to find a career in marketing/communications for quite some time and I figured this would be a good testament for any prospective employer.

I actually began planning this blog back in October last year. I spent a lot of time drafting posts, fiddling with the design and layout of the blog several times and over thinking about how I would make it successful. And to be completely honest, most of it was just wasted time.

I released 3 of my pre drafted posts back in January, but it wasn’t until late March that I decided to make a serious start and just take it as it goes. As much as I wanted to make this a daily blog, I knew that it wouldn’t be realistic and the quality of my work would suffer. As much as I wanted this to be an overnight success, I knew it would take time and hard work.

I just started writing, and more ideas would come to me as I went along. In the beginning, I didn’t even think there was much of a diabetes community, or blogs out there. But I started using Twitter and I quickly discovered plenty of interesting people, and blogs, to follow. I started engaging in the online diabetes community. And people followed me, people discovered my blog and some were even nice enough to give me some promotion.

These are by far the most impressionable online diabetes resources that I have discovered in the past month:

I highly recommend you check them out. And I’m sure there are heaps more out there that I’m yet to discover.

From the bottom of my heart, I just wanted to say thank you to all of you that have visited and read my blog during the past month. To those of you who have followed me on Twitter. To those of you who have left comments on my blog. And to those of you who given my blog a shout out on Twitter.

I know it may not seem like much, but to me it means the world.

I cannot wait to see what May will bring.

The Things I Don’t Tell You About My Diabetes

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Inspiration has struck me at bedtime on this Monday night at the end of a long weekend, after mulling over something to write for much of the day. And I know I won’t be able to get to sleep until I’ve put pen to paper. Or, in this case, fingers to keyboard.

Yesterday on the Coffee and Insulin blog, author Sarah shared her thoughts on diabetes before her diagnosis at age 13 – which was basically vague, unsubstantial ideas about a disease she didn’t need to know about at the time. And over the past week, I’ve been watching Twitter explode with #IWishPeopleKnewThatDiabetes tweets. Inspired by Kelly of the Diabetesaliciousness blog, people have been sharing their thoughts using the hashtag to raise diabetes awareness.

And it got me to thinking about my own very complex diabetic life. There are so many aspects of my daily life that those around me would have absolutely no idea about. Of course most people around me know that I check my blood sugar levels and inject myself with insulin. But what about all those other invisible things that nobody ever sees, the things I choose to keep to myself.

Thoughts. Its been almost five years since I’ve been able go to bed without being plagued with worrying thoughts. What will my blood sugar level be in an hours time? In two hours? Four hours? Tomorrow morning? Do I still have active insulin in my system from dinner? How much more am I likely to drop? Will I go hypo? Or will my blood sugar rise later on because of the fatty food I had earlier?

Hypos. Being woken up at 2am drenched in sweat and shaking like mad. The frustration of having to open my eyes and get up from my comfy position under the covers. I know I’m hypo, but I’ll still reach for my meter just to be sure. Yep. I’ll reach for the bag of jellybeans sitting beside my bed, begrudgingly shoving them into my mouth. I hate them. The dry, sugary taste that will stick to my tongue for hours and leave my throat dry. I’ll be dying for a drink by the time I wake up. And then I’ll have to fall asleep all over again.

Hypers. Waking up in the morning thinking of one number while my meter is showing something ridiculous like 20. I’m so furious, so frustrated at the thought of my blood sugar being that high for that long. Then cue the scary thoughts of diabetes complications and damage I’ve done to my body. Desperate to being my blood sugars down ASAP, I’ll dial up a big dose of insulin. Only to find a few hours later that I’ve overcorrected and am hypo instead.

And then there’s those public situations. Like Work. Having to refuse that spontaneous treat that my workmate has brought in to share, and then being asked why not. Or accepting it and then racing back to the bathroom for a quick jab of insulin while nobody is around. And then waiting for that private moment to test my blood sugar level away from prying eyes. I’m doing myself a favour. Saving myself from that conversation where I’m asked if I can’t eat sugar and told stories about that friend or relative who has diabetes too.

But I take it all in my stride. I don’t complain to my family. I don’t tell those well meaning conversationalists to shut up. I just deal with it. And most of the time, I dont even stop to actually think about what I’m doing. Its just something I have to do. Its a part of being me.

Well, its 11.52pm and I really should go to sleep. If you do want to hear more about me in real time, you can find me on Twitter @FrankSita. I’m always keen to connect with fellow people with diabetes, and bloggers out there. Cheers.

Vitamin D and Diabetes

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As the days are getting shorter and the temperature outside is dropping, I find myself making more of a conscious effort to spend some quality time in the sunshine.

After having a blood test last September, my doctor told me that I was Vitamin D deficient. So deficient that he suggested I start taking a supplement straight away. At first I was really suprised at the news, especially as I had spent some dedicated time out in the sunshine. However, as I began to research the topic, I found some obvious yet mind shattering realisations.

But first –  what exactly is Vitamin D? Its a “vitamin” that you get from sunlight exposure (or UV radiation, to be precise) on the skin and is responsible for stong bones, muscles and overall health.

During Winter the strength of the sun’s UV radiation is much lower, meaning we need more of it to produce sufficient amounts of Vitamin D. During Summer, in comparison, we would get sufficient Vitamin D from routine activities such as walking out to the car. Winter weather brings with it fewer sunlight hours during the day, and unconsciously deters us from spending prolonged time outdoors. The days are also shorter, with many of us waking up and coming home from work in the dark.

Benefits of Vitamin D for Diabetics

In addition to stong bones and muscles, here are some other benefits of Vitamin D in relation to Diabetes, according to diabetes.co.uk.

  • Stronger immune system. Our bodies are better equipped to fight off any illnesses, injuries and infections, and blood sugar levels are less likely to go out of control from being unwell.
  • Improved Insulin Sensitivity for Type 2 Diabetics. Type 2 Diabetics can enjoy better blood sugar levels and reduced reliance on diabetes medication and insulin, when combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
  • Mental Wellness and Positivity. Sunlight makes us happy! A positive mindset gives Diabetics more motivation to maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of developing depression.
  • Weight Loss. Vitamin D helps reduce parathyroid levels, which can aid weight loss. Weight loss can lead to greater insulin sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetics, and improved blood glucose control.
  • Increased Satiety. Vitamin D increases the hormone leptin in the body, which triggers the feeling of fullness and reduced hunger. You’ll be less tempted to snack and send your blood sugar levels out of control when you’re feeling satisfied!

Tips for Boosting Vitamin D intake during Winter

Although my doctor proposed taking a supplement, I wanted to first try and boost my Vitamin D intake naturally. The best source of Vitamin D exposure is, after all, sunlight exposure. Living in Australia, there’s really no excuse not to do it naturally. Even during Winter we still have significant hours of daylight compared to some of our counterparts in the northern hemisphere. Here are my personal tips for boosting Vitamin D during those cooler months.

  • Sit out in the sunshine. I drag my chair out into the sunshine while I have my afternoon cup of tea after work. You could also read a book, play with your smartphone or just be with your thoughts.
  • Don’t cover up. Wear light clothing such as a T-Shirt and Shorts and make sure your skin is exposed.
  • Don’t wear sunscreen. Sunscreen blocks the absorbtion of UV radiation on the skin.
  • Avoid prolonged periods in the sun. Prolonged UV radiation can still cause sunburn and skin cancers. The trick is finding some middle ground.
  • 2-3 hours of Winter sunlight exposure spread across the week is recommended by Better Health Channel Victoria, and just a few minutes per day during summer when UV radiation is stronger.

Definitely something to think about as we head into the cooler months of the year. Make the most of the sunshine this ANZAC Day long weekend!

Falling Off The Wagon

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In all honesty I have kind of fallen off the wagon in the past few days, which I could put down to a couple of things.

Temptation. Mine was in the form of 25 cent Malt-Easter chocolate bunnies and Cadbury Marvellous Creations Easter eggs (seriously, if you have not tried these, what are you even doing with your life?) And even though I had the best of intentions to share them around, not all of them made their way to the chocolate basket at home.

Cooler weather. If there’s one thing I do love at the moment, its the cooler nights and being able to get cozy in front of the telly. But sadly, its also the perfect climate for being lazy and comfort eating. On Sunday I settled down in front of Despicable Me (how have I not seen this sooner?) and ended up chowing down a whole bag of Red Rock Deli Chips (Honey Soy Chicken, of course).

Exhaustion. Mostly work related and just feeling run off my feet all day. By the time I get home I’m ready to flop and can’t really be bothered with much else. Cue the lotto Gods (yeah right). But more realistically, I am perservering with my blog and want to make some sort of career from it in the future.

On Sunday morning I woke up to a beautiful blood sugar reading of 21.0. Not really a suprise considering all the fatty junk food I had eaten (fats raise your BGLs several hours later), but still a scare. I knew I’d gone too far. My blood sugar had been sitting at that horrible level for the past 8 hours (probably more) that I’d been sleeping. I absolutely hate when that happens. Nothing annoys me more. Then cue the feelings of guilt, followed by scary thoughts of possible diabetes complications from the damage I’d done to my body. How could I have been so irresponsible, so stupid?

I hastily jabbed myself with some insulin, before heading to the kitchen. My mouth was left dry from all of the sugar and sodium I had consumed the day prior, and I was dying for a refreshing cup of tea. I refused to eat until my levels went down, although I can’t say I was feeling very hungry anyway. Damn shame too, because weekend breakfasts are my favourite time of week. The two days where I can actually take my time and enjoy something better than a hasty bowl of cereal. And I’d ruined it.

There’s not much of a point to this post other than to tell you that I’m not perfect. Nobody is. And I’ve no doubt you’ve found yourself in a similar situation at some point. Which is why I felt it was so important to share this. While I truly regret what I did, I think it was also the perfect wake up call (or in my case, scare) that I needed to start being sensible again.

Please tell me I’m not alone in this – have you been in a similar situation before?