Heart disease is a major health problem in the United States. It is actually the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. Also, diabetes puts us at a higher risk for developing heart disease.

Recently, U.S. News & World Report evaluated 25 different diet plans and provided their own ratings.

The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), a plan to prevent high blood pressure, took the top spot in the Best Diets Overall category.

Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC), a diet that's high in fiber and low in fat, developed by the National Institutes of Health, took second place.

Mayo Clinic Diet, the Mediterranean, and Weight Watchers all tied for third place overall.

• Mayo Clinic Diet includes foods with low energy density, such as fruits and vegetables, and allows dieters to eat more while eating fewer calories.
• The Mediterranean plan includes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats such as olive oil, and red wine in moderation.
• Weight Watchers focuses on portion control and encourages plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

These plans were also rated six other ways, such as best diabetes diet, best commercial plan, and easiest diets to follow. A founding director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, David Katz, MD, MPH, noted that, "The diets near the top of the lists are sensible." "Those on the bottom we wouldn't recommend you choose."

res·o·lu·tion

Noun: A firm decision to do or not do something.

What do you plan to do differently in 2012? Is it bold to say that I think most of us realize where we can improve our health? Am I naive to think that most of the savvy Diabetes Sisters reading this know certain areas they can work at and improve upon? Or do we need someone else to steer us in the right direction?

This time of the year cold weather sneaks under the door and into our lives.  Along with this type of weather seems to be an increase in illnesses such as the common cold and the flu.  These can create quite the roller coaster in blood glucose control for people with diabetes. Thus, we start to think, “How can I possibly avoid a week in bed feeling miserable?  

Diet plays an integral part of overall immunity.  This starts with the food we eat, but also includes our digestive system’s health as well.  Did you know that your gut is a major factor in immune function? Getting enough immune boosting foods in our diet on a daily basis can, for many people, mean the difference between a real winter vacation and one spent with a box of tissues and Julia Roberts movies.