FCS3-539: Understanding Diabetes

Anna Cason, Ingrid Adams | January 24, 2025 (Major Revision)

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body changes food into energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, a simple sugar, which is released into our blood. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin in response to rising blood-sugar levels to help glucose get into the cells of the body. Think of insulin as a key to cells: When insulin is around, the glucose can enter. These cells use this glucose as energy. With diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells can’t effectively use the insulin that is made. When there is insufficient insulin, glucose builds up in the blood rather than entering cells, which leads to high blood sugar. Chronically elevated levels of blood sugar have an impact on health. Medication and lifestyle changes are ways to manage blood-glucose levels.

FCS3-571: Fiber: Are You Bulking Up on the Benefits?

Ingrid Adams | November 12, 2024 (Major Revision)

You may have heard you should eat more fiber, but do you know why? Fiber, in adequate amounts, decreases the risk for heart disease, supports blood sugar management, improves digestive health, and contributes to weight management.

FCS3-574: Cholesterol 101

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | October 15, 2024 (Major Revision)

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. Our bodies naturally make cholesterol. Foods we eat can also impact the levels in our blood. Cholesterol is needed for the body to function properly, but too much cholesterol in our blood can have an impact on our health.

FCS3-555: Probiotics: Friendly Bacteria

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | October 14, 2024 (Major Revision)

Probiotics are live microorganisms, mainly bacteria and some yeasts, that may provide some health benefits. They also help to digest the foods we eat. “Probiotic” is a broad term for many different living organisms that can be found in foods, drinks, and supplements. The type and number of bacteria in our guts can change depending on our consumption of these items, in addition to other factors including health status, antibiotic and medication use, where we live, and even stress levels. Many of these probiotics found in food sources and supplements are like the bacteria found naturally in our bodies.

FCS3-590: Seafood: Are You Reeling in the Benefits?

Ingrid Adams, Nellie Buchannan, Brenda Cockerham, Janet Tietyen-Mullins | August 6, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Seafood includes a large group of marine animals that live in the sea, fresh water, lakes, and rivers. Fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, and tilapia, along with shellfish such as shrimp, crab, and oysters, are included in this group.
Seafood is an important part of a balanced diet because it contains high-quality protein, good fats called omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients. However, many of us do not include enough seafood in our diets to get the full range of benefits.

FCS3-562: MyPlate: Tools for Building a Balanced Plate

Ingrid Adams | July 19, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Building a balanced diet is much like building a house: you must begin with a good foundation. A healthy eating foundation means including a variety of foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a mixture of lean proteins into an eating pattern.

FCS3-560: Beverage Breakdown

Ingrid Adams | July 11, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Water, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, and unsweetened beverages like coffee, tea, and sparkling water provide proper hydration. However, we often see sweetened coffee drinks, soda, lemonade, energy drinks, sweet tea, sports drinks, and more sugar-sweetened beverages on the menu or shelves at the grocery store. Often, these drinks contain high amounts of added sugar and little amounts of valuable nutrients that support our health.

FCS3-570: Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Ingrid Adams | June 20, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Vitamin D, also known as calciferol, is important for people of all ages. Vitamin D is unique in that it is a vitamin in foods we eat and is also a hormone that our bodies can make in small amounts. Research shows us that Vitamin D is important in a wide range of body functions, including supporting bone health, managing inflammation, maintaining immune health, and even managing blood sugar.

FCS3-548: Think Your Plate

Ingrid Adams, Heather Norman-Burgdolf | May 31, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Making nutritious food choices is a great way for people with diabetes to manage their blood glucose. Managing blood glucose helps reduce the risk for health complications.

FCS3-554: Family Mealtime: Using MyPlate for Our Plates

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | May 23, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Family mealtime gives us the opportunity to communicate, strengthen relationships, and introduce healthy eating habits. MyPlate gives a guideline for building nutritious meals. Small changes over time add up. Here are some simple steps to begin.