5 Choices to Eat for Energy and LIFE:
These choices will give you more daily energy, improve your immune system, prevent or better manage your diabetes/ heart disease/ or cancer....

1. Think Crunchy and High Fiber: Include crunchy, high fiber foods with every meal to help slow digestion and keep your blood sugar stable. Good high fiber options include; Nuts, seeds, whole grain breads and cereals, oatmeal, apples, berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries), pears, broccoli, artichokes, brussels sprouts, and turnip greens.

2. Think WHOLE Foods: Go for foods made with whole grains instead of refined flours. If refined or enriched flour is one of the the top four ingredients, (reduce how often you choose these or skip it). Look for whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice, and bran, whole-oat, or whole wheat cereals.

3. Think FRESH: For both meals and snacks, reach for fresh, whole foods instead of processed foods (cookies, many crackers, donuts, cake, etc). Fresh/ whole foods are from the garden such as Fruits and vegetables, Nuts, seeds, and Whole grains, oats, and soy.

4. Think COLOR: Fill your grocery cart with a variety of brightly colored produce such as apples, tomatoes, spinach, romaine lettuce, green and purple grapes, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, oranges, carrots, celery, bananas, beans, peas, green/ red/ and yellow peppers, peaches, cucumber, squash, the list goes on. Tip: Don't forget to check out the local farmers market in Sioux City or in your area for wonderful fresh produce for your physical bodies health and vitality!!

5. Think SMALL: Be aware of portion sizes. Blood glucose is most quickly affected by the carbohydrates that you eat, so eat small portions of carbohydrate rich fruits, beans, grains, dairy products, and vegetables throughout your day. You can also slow the release of your blood sugar rise by eating healthy protein and fat choices with your carbohydrates at your meals or snacks such as; Nuts (walnut/ almond/ pistachio), sunflower seeds, cheese, chicken, turkey, steak, brats, polish sausage, or lean meats.

Source: Real Age Tip of the Day Thur Aug 9th "Living well with diabetes" Healthy Lifestyle Tips. www.realage.com