(Foreword: This is a continuation of our letter-response to Nick, the Diabetic regarding his concerns on choosing the good habits for diabetics.)

DEAR Nick, the Diabetic,

Here are more habits which you think would help you in your battle with Diabetes, but, the truth is they are really putting you at the end of the rope clinging for your life instead.

2. Trying to swap meals for meal replacement bars

Meal replacement bars seem easy way to cut down weight. As a matter of fact, I have tried them before when I was still in San Francisco, but, as early as then, I knew that these meal replacement bars don’t work at all.

Just remember that many of the meal replacement bars are aimed for athletes. This only means that they are high in calories. And of course, that’s a NO NO should you want to lose weight. Moreover, other has sugar alcohols like sorbitol and mannitol, which can cause stomach trouble.

Sometimes, the stomach trouble may mean wanting for more foods to eat.

Of course, you can always munch them at those times when you are out of time to eat for real good breakfast or lunch, or dinner. But, only on those times, not as often, as three times a day, seven times a week.

The rule of thumb here is you have to read the label. Get to know the nutrition information in there. But, always remember, real meals are better than these meal replacement bars.

3. Filling yourself with vitamins and supplements

When you eat a diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, that should give you all the necessary nutrients. Of course, a multivitamin may help answer for the shortage, but, these multivitamins couldn’t be your short cut to better health. You still need to eat real food.

There are some who are taking supplements like ampalaya, or chromium to keep their blood sugar levels stable. But, I don’t know for sure, if they really work.

Remember, a supplement cannot replace any real medicine for diabetes. And if you are taking any supplement at the moment, be sure to tell your doctor about this, so that he can tell you if this is safe with you and doesn’t interact with any of your medications.

Oh, oh, I would have wanted to talk more, but, again, we are running of space for now, so, let me then, continue this in my next issue. Until then again!

Dr. Fritz

(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” She is also a faculty in a College of Pharmacy. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o SunStar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)