Book Reviews

Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEWS

by Marilyn Helton

Greetings and Happy New Year to everyone! I trust

you all sailed through the holidays without indulging to bulging. And, if you are guilty,

I have some wonderful reading material guaranteed to get you back on track to tighter

control.

"Straight Talk About Diabetes," by

Peter J. Nebergall, PhD:

In Dr. Nebergall's own words: "The contents

of "Straight Talk About Diabetes" are for purposes of advice, inspiration and

motivation." This writer wholeheartedly supports his description and adds that this

is a terrific book for the newly-diagnosed diabetic, and necessary for those of us who

have become rooted in bad habits requiring tighter control.

This is a very straightforward publication,

giving the reader excellent information about topics such as: How diabetes is diagnosed,

controlling your own diabetes, denial, diet and exercise, diabetes and smoking, diabetes

and alcohol, eating sugar, obesity and weight control, gestational diabetes,

"alternative" medicines, and many, many pages on the various complications of

diabetes. Dr. Nebergall has also very adequately explained the different types of oral

medications (generally prescribed for treatment of type 2 diabetes) and the different

tools for insulin administration, as well as the use and results of the different

strengths and mixtures of insulin. The latter was very informative as I, personally, have

just started a bedtime dose of insulin.

In Dr. Nebergall's three-page discussion on

"Diet and Diabetes," I was able to learn several new facts: 1) How excess fat

directly contributes to the problem of insulin resistance and overworks your pancreas, 2)

How lack of planning and bad meal scheduling (eating whenever you feel like it) are

responsible for a lot of after-meal highs and before-meal lows, 3) The necessity of taking

smaller portions (measured amounts of food at regular times) and, 4) How convenience snack

foods are almost "narcotic" when you're trying to lose weight. Dr. Nebergall

describes these foods as "trigger foods," which means if you eat one, you'll

want another, and another, and another. He recommends removing all trigger foods such as

cookies, candy, peanuts, potato chips, candy bars, etc., from your environment.

If you want an excellent summary of what to

expect from your diagnosis of diabetes, whether newly-diagnosed or long-standing, I highly

recommend "Straight Talk About Diabetes," by Peter J. Nebergall, PhD, published

in 1998, by Zigeuner. It is available in large print, standard (music speed) cassette, or

IBM ASCII 3.5 floppy disk. All formats are $15 each, available from P.J. Nebergall, 307 E.

Ash, #36, Columbia, MO 65201. You can also e-mail at: [email protected].

"Growing Up With Diabetes: What Children

Want Their Parents to Know," by Alicia McAuliffe, is an extraordinary book by an

exceptional young woman. Alicia McAuliffe is a 21-year-old who was diagnosed with type 1

diabetes at age 11. At age 15, she initiated counseling, classroom and faculty education

programs in Albany, NY, following which she became a peer counselor at Control Diabetes

Services, Inc., and Diabetes Workshop, Inc., The Sugar Free Gang, a support group for

young children with diabetes, and Kaleidoscope, an activity group for teens with diabetes.

Alicia's involvement with diabetic children and

teens provides the backdrop for "Growing Up With Diabetes." Her primary message

to parents and caretakers is the importance for a child to feel normal—to be able to

take part in after-school activities, field trips, sports, sleep overs, etc. She also

focuses on and describes the emotions children feel when they're diagnosed, and the

importance of diabetes education.

Alicia definitely speaks with the voice of

experience in "Growing Up With Diabetes." This is a must-have book for all

parents concerned with providing an environment as close to normal as possible for their

diabetic child—one which will foster acceptance of diabetes and produce positive

emotional and social development. "Growing Up With Diabetes," by Alicia

McAuliffe, 1998 ($10.95), from John Wiley and Sons (1-800-225-5945).

Valentine's Day and (formerly taboo) thoughts of

chocolate are just around the corner! What better way to conclude our book reviews than

Kathy Kochan's "Diabetic Goodie Book?"

Having had diabetes since the age of 5, Kathy's

philosophy is that her food must be tasty, nourishing and easy to prepare. She also feels

that healthy people with diabetes can incorporate sugar into recipes as long as

carbohydrates are calculated and worked into their meal plans.

Since Kathy emphatically refused to watch

everyone else enjoy their desserts while she munched on a piece of plain fruit, she

developed the "Diabetic Goodie Book," an absolutely fabulous compendium of

dessert and baked good recipes, using small amounts of sugar and fat. The "Diabetic

Goodie Book" boasts over 150 recipes for a wide selection of delicious desserts and

baked goods. Kathy is so thorough in her step-by-step instructions for each recipe, anyone

can produce delectable masterpieces. Her chocolate desserts are exceptional! Each recipe

includes a complete nutritional analysis, dietary exchanges, and carbohydrate choices per

serving size. In addition to the recipes, the "Diabetic Goodie Book" also

includes information on carbohydrate counting, exchange lists, food labels, healthy hints

for snacking, freezer tips and storage times, a fruit chart, and an excellent glossary.

Kathy manages her diabetes using the insulin

pump. She fills her calendar with lectures and teaching healthy cooking classes, and

writes "Kathy's Kitchen, Good Cooking-Healthy Eating," for "Cinnamon Hearts

~ The Art of Living A Winning Diabetic Lifestyle." The "Diabetic Goodie

Book," by Kathy Kochan, 1996, Appletree Press, Inc., $15.95, (1-800-322-5679).