Health Information ● Sokkiniakia’pi

All foods fit! We believe there are no good or bad foods, but it is important to eat things in a balanced manner as much as you can.

All foods have a role in our bodies. There are protein foods such as meat and dairy products that help keep us full, help repair our muscles, and help to keep our blood sugars in balance. Include animal proteins that are lower in fat and salt such as chicken, lean beef, wild game, eggs, and fish. Nuts, seeds, yogurt, milk and beans are also protein foods.

While things like hot dogs and bologna are delicious it’s important to have them less often than other sources of protein because they have a lot more salt and fat in them that can make our blood pressures go up.

Grains and starches are foods that give our bodies energy. These foods break down into sugar in our body so sometimes we think that they are “bad foods,” but they are really important for our brain and our body to have the energy to live our everyday lives.

Fruits and vegetables are another important part of the foods we eat. Fruits and veggies give our bodies so many important vitamins and minerals that help our body to work as it should. These foods also contain fibre which helps our bodies stay full for longer, help with blood sugar control, and can help keep our bathroom breaks regular.

When planning our meals and snacks it’s important to try and include all three of these pieces if we can. Having the combination of proteins, grains, and our fruits/veggies our body will get all the nutrients and energy it needs to be able to enjoy living our lives.

So while you may be stressed that the donut you want to eat is bad for you-it’s important to not make foods bad and instead pair it with a food that is going to also give some nutrients to your body like some nuts or an apple! If you want to work on your nutrition or make sure you are on the right track contact BTDH Community Health dietitians to book an appointment. No doctor referral is needed.

Resources:

3 quick tips to improve blood sugars

There are so many pieces that play in to the managing of diabetes. Maintaining good blood pressure and medication are some medical approaches. This medication might be pills taken by mouth or through an injection of insulin. Lifestyle pieces could be increasing activity, watching your nutrition, bettering your mental health, etc. There are also pieces of culture that can be used to improve blood sugars. Smudging, participating in ceremony, and connecting with the land can also reduce our stress levels which can help bring down those blood sugar levels. There are also a number of traditional medicines people have found to help maintain their blood sugar levels.

Keeping tobacco for traditional practices can also improve our diabetes. Connecting the spirit to the body through movement and increasing our activity levels can help use our blood sugars and often helps with weight loss. Our creator gave us our bodies to enjoy and live life through. It’s important to do all we can to care for this gift!

If your blood sugars have been stubborn or if you just want to make sure you stay on top of your health, book in with our Kainai Diabetes Program. We have nurses, dietitians, and certified diabetes educators wanting to help out however we can!