Employee Health Screening

Are you one of the 1 million Americans diagnosed every year with diabetes, a disease characterized by high blood blood sugar levels? If not, maybe you are one of the 16 million who suffer from impaired glucose tolerance, a condition in which the blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.

If you have either of these conditions (or even if you don’t), keeping blood glucose in balance is often as simple as adjusting your eating habits. While foods high in simple sugars (e.g., candy, soda, peanut butter, canned soup) can increase your glucose levels, research shows that fiber-rich diets that include vegetables, whole grains and fruits can help control it in most people, and may prevent health complications (such as heart disease or kidney disease) in those who already have diabetes. Because of this, choosing  dishes that are high in fiber, such as the healthy recipe below, could make a world of difference to your health.

Garlic-Onion Bean Dip

Scientific studies indicate that members of the onion family, such as garlic and scallions, can help regulate blood sugar levels. This recipe has those magic ingredients, plus an added perk –  A cupof pinto beans has a whopping 12.2 grams of fiber.

Ingredients

o  2 cloves garlic, chopped

o  1 bunch scallions, chopped

o  One can (15-Â. oz) pinto beans, rinsed and drained

o  4-1/2 tsp lemon juice

o  1/4 cup olive oil

o  1/4 tsp salt

o  Dash cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Sauté garlic and onion in one teaspoon of olive oil.

2. Place beans, garlic and onion in a food processor.

3. Add remaining ingredients; process until well blended but not entirely smooth.

4. Serve with wheat crackers or assorted fresh vegetables.

Makes 6-8 servings