Diabetes HealthLink
 
How Do I Know My Blood Sugar Is Accurate?

Having accurate blood sugar readings are extremely important for proper and safe treatment.  Accuracy depends on good technique, proper care of the test strips and meter function.  
  
Technique:
  • Always wash your hands or use alcohol preps.  Dry them well. 
  • Squeeze or massage the finger gently until a drop of blood forms that is adequate for the meter.
  • Let the meter wick the blood into the strip.

Care of test strips:

  • Store test strips as directed--strips are sensitive to light, moisture and extreme temperatures.
  • Don't use expired strips!
  • Periodically run control tests, especially if the blood sugar seems to be way off from normal or the strips were not stored properly.
  • 

Meter Function:

  • Test the blood glucose meter by doing a finger stick when having a fasting glucose test at the lab and compare the results. 

It's important to know that blood glucose result of a meter lab test, meter to meter test or a finger to finger test will never be the same.  The results, however, should be within +/-15-20 % of each other to verify accuracy of the blood sugar.

 

Recipe of the Week: Veggie Burritos

 

 

 

 

 

     Trying to eat more vegetables? These burritos are a great place to start! This meal is full of flavor and fiber!

    Prep Time: 15 minutes.   This Recipe Serves 4

     

    Ingredients

    2 teaspoons canola oil
    3 large carrots, small dice
    1 cup broccoli, small dice
    1 cup cauliflower, small dice
    1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
    1 tablespoon chili powder
    1 teaspoon cumin
    � teaspoon black pepper
    � teaspoon garlic powder
    4 large low-carb whole wheat tortillas
    8 tablespoons reduced-fat shredded, cheddar cheese
    1 cup shredded lettuce
    1 large tomato, diced
    � avocado, sliced (into 8 slices)

    Instructions

    1. Heat oil in saut� pan over medium high heat. Add the carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, and saut� for 5-7 minutes. Add the beans, chili powder, cumin, pepper, and garlic powder, and stir to incorporate. Cook for 5 more minutes.
    2. Scoop � of the veggie mixture into a tortilla. Top with 2 tablespoons of cheese, � cup lettuce, diced tomatoes, and 2 avocado slices. Fold into a burrito. Repeat the procedure
      for the remaining 3 burritos.

    Serving Size: 1 burrito

    • Calories305
    • Carbohydrate46 g
    • Protein20 g
    • Fat12.0 g
    • Saturated Fat2.7 g

    Print Recipe

 

 

 
March 6, 2014
Diabetes Group Classes
The Aspirus Diabetes Education Center offers weekly group classes. Morning, afternoon and evening sessions are available. The class topics are:
  • Diabetes Overview/ Prevention of Complications/Health Care Maintenance
  • Nutrition
  • Exercise and Lifestyle Adjustment
If it's been a while since you've had formal diabetes education, ask your doctor for a referral for these helpful classes. For more information, give us a call.
Free Heart Healthy
Grocery Store Tours
Join a registered dietitian for a free guided tour of the Trigs grocery store in Wausau. Explore how you can make choices that will help you lead a healthier life style. See link for the lastest tour schedule. Trig's grocery store tour schedule.  Be sure to call and sign-up for the tour if you are interested.
Contact Us
If you have any questions related to diabetes or this newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact the Aspirus Diabetes
Education Center at:
715.847.2070  |  [email protected]
  
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