Day 5: Why Make Small Changes?
Small changes may not seem like a big deal. And that’s the point.
By not feeling like it’s much of a burden, we tend to accept small changes into our daily lives. When we’ve added
enough of these changes, we can then start to see the benefits.
Divide Your Plate Up Right
A simple way to do this is through the Plate Method. By using this method when you eat, you’re really not making
a major change in your routine. You can still eat the foods you like. You’re simply changing the proportions of what’s
on your plate. But that small change can lead to healthy results and improved blood sugar control.
½ non-starchy vegetables
¼ breads, grains, and starches
¼ meat, fish, eggs, protein, or dairy products
+ An 8 oz. glass of milk or other small carb serving (light yogurt, for example)
+ A piece of fruit or fruit salad
Suggestions for Your Grocery List
Unless you’re a dietitian, some of the foods listed above may not be familiar to you, or you may not know which kinds
to look for. For example, what is a starch? Is whole-wheat bread better than Pumpernickel?
So here are a couple of ideas to help you get started:
Vegetables: Non-starchy and Low Carb
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Cabbage
- Green beans
- Broccoli
|
- Cauliflower
- Mushrooms
- Celery
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
|
- Cucumbers
- Okra
- Peppers
- Turnips
|
Proteins: Meat, Fish, Eggs, or Dairy Products
- Chicken or turkey without the skin
- Fish, such as tuna, salmon, cod, or catfish
|
- Other seafood, such as shrimp, clams, oysters, crab, or mussels
- Lean cuts of beef and pork, such as sirloin or pork loin
|
|
Carbs: Breads, Grains, or Starches
- Whole-grain breads, such as whole wheat or rye
- Whole-grain, high-fiber cereal
- Cooked cereal, such as oatmeal, grits, hominy, or cream of wheat
- Rice
|
- Pasta
- Tortillas
- Cooked beans and peas, such as pinto beans or black-eyed peas
- Potatoes
- Corn
|
- Lima beans
- Sweet potatoes
- Winter squash
- Low-fat crackers and snack chips
- Pretzels
- Fat-free popcorn
|
Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the
inactive ingredients in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless
with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with
others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may
experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision.
Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life-threatening. It may cause harm to your
heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including
itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your
doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin
pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and
follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Click here for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus®.
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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes
only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding
your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions
about your health or treatment.