Wednesday, June 1, 2016

WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS: Tomatoes, Diabetes and Alzheimer's

“The idea that your risk for Alzheimer’s is tied to diabetes may seem inconceivable at first.  But it makes sense when you consider the relationships shared between these two ailments.  Diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar.  And elevated blood sugar is toxic to brain cells.”  
                                            --David Perlmutter, MD, author of The Grain Brain

Heirloom tomatoes from my local farmer's market

I love tomatoes in the summertime.  When tomatoes show up at the local farmers markets, it makes my heart sing!   There is nothing is better on a summer day than a sliced tomato with fresh mozzarella, basil and a drizzle of fig-infused vinegar! 

If you read Wellness Wednesdays, then you know about the connection between high blood sugar and Alzheimer’s.  Starting with my first book, Healthy Living with Diabetes: One Small Step at a Time (www.ourlittlebooks.com), raising awareness about the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s has been part of the mission of the Growing Healthy Kids organization.

With the growing incidence of diabetes and prediabetes in the U.S., it is surprising to me that more health care professionals are not actively involved in educating their patients with diabetes about this connection and doing everything in their power to teach their patients how to control and reverse diabetes.  Eat less sugar and wheat; they feed an inflammation that affects the health of our brains. Eat more tomatoes, squash, and broccoli.  Food matters!

Below is a recipe I adapted from The Grain Brain Cookbook by Dr. Perlmutter.  Enjoy!   
GROWING HEALTHY KIDS:  Our Recipe Collection
Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients:
  • ·        4 large ripe but firm tomatoes
  • ·        8 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • ·        2 Tablespoons almond flour
  • ·        1 Tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • ·        2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ·        Pink Himalayan sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions: 
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Cut each tomato in half crosswise.
  • Combine cheese and basil in small bowl.  
  • Spoon equal portions of the mixture on the cut side of each tomato half.  
  • Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. 
  • Place tomatoes, cut-side up, on a baking sheet.  
  • Bake about 10 minutes.  If desired, place under broiler until top is bubbling.

Serve immediately.

In gratitude,
Nancy Heinrich

Founder, Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
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