Diabetic Digest - Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Readers:

As 2011 comes to a close I would just like to thank you for reading.

So, enjoy this year-ending edition of the Diabetic Digest, which includes a great recipe for Popcorn Party Mix, and have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Regards,
Steve

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Questions? Comments? Email Steve


*-- Diabetic News --*
Breastfeeding children 'cuts risk of obesity and diabetes in later life'

* Breastfed children follow a different growth pattern than non-breastfed children

* This is likely to have health benefits many years later

By: Jenny Hope

Breastfeeding could help to prevent children developing diabetes and becoming obese later in life, scientists believe.

New research shows that breastfed babies follow a different growth pattern to those who drink formula milk, which is likely to have future health benefits.

Breast milk lowers levels of the growth hormone IGF-1 and insulin in the blood, which slows the rate of growth even after the child has started on solid foods. Slower weight gain is known to encourage healthier eating patterns.

By contrast, formula milk may increase the production of fat cells, which encourages weight gain throughout childhood.

The findings from LIFE â?? the Faculty of Life Sciences at Copenhagen University in Denmark - also suggest that the longer the period of breastfeeding, the lower a child's weight at the age of 18 months.

The results come from analysis of a wider study of diet and wellbeing following 330 children at nine, 18 and 36 months. Anja Lykke Madsen, a member of the research team, said: 'We can see that breastfeeding has a significant, measurable effect on the important growth regulators in the blood, IGF-I and insulin. The more times the child was breastfed, the lower the hormone levels.

'This suggests that the child has a slightly lower risk of becoming overweight later in childhood.' Research shows that breast milk protects babies against stomach bugs, chest infections, asthma, eczema, and allergies, and appears to bring general health advantages in later life.

It can also reduce the risk of pre-menopausal breast and ovarian cancer and osteoporosis in the mother.

And breastfeeding can help new mothers to regain their shape, by burning an extra 500 calories a day. The Department of Health recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

But the UK has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe, with almost one in three new mothers never attempting it.

In Sweden, by contrast, 98 per cent of new mothers breastfeed. By four months old, 75 per cent of babies in Britain drink formula rather than breast milk.

Previous research found babies on formula milk who were weaned on to solids too early â?? before six months â?? were the fastest-growing infants.

Professor Kim Fleischer Michaelsen, of Copenhagen University, said: 'It is well known that children who are breastfed grow slightly more slowly than children who are given formula, and it looks as if this growth pattern is optimal because it reduces the risk of developing lifestyle diseases later in life.

'However, the new results show that breastfeeding also affects levels of IGF-I and insulin at nine months, at a time when the children are well into eating solids. The longer the children were breastfed, the lower their weight at 18 months.'

Original Article: Breastfeeding children 'cuts risk of obesity and diabetes in later life'


*-- Diabetic Recipe --*
Popcorn Party Mix
(Makes about 3 quarts)
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Ingredients
* 3 tablespoons reduced-fat margarine
* 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
* 2 quarts popcorn (however you want to pop it)
* 1 cup fat-free tiny pretzel sticks
* 1 cup golden raisins
* 1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
* 1/2 cup dry roasted sunflower seeds

Directions
1. In a small skillet, combine margarine, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Heat for 1 minute over medium-high heat, stirring constantly.
2. Place remaining ingredients in a large paper bag. Pour on margarine-spice mixture. Close bag tightly and shake vigorously to coat evenly.
3. Pour popcorn mixture into a large bowl and enjoy.

Nutrition Information
Per 1-cup (45 g) serving: 195 calories (42% calories from fat), 5 g protein, 8 g total fat (1.0 g saturated fat), 22 g carbohydrate, 3 g dietary fiber, 0 mg cholesterol, 69 mg sodium
Exchanges: 1 1/2 carbohydrate (1 1/2 bread/starch), 2 fat

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