Desserts for a Diabetic

Do you have a sweet tooth? If you have just learned you have diabetes and are feeling the doom and gloom over your desserts being lost forever, let us tell you that it doesn’t have to be so. With diabetes, there of course needs to be diligent in your efforts to monitor your diet. Celebrities with this disease such as Randy Jackson, Halle Berry and Patti LaBelle share success stories of how changes in diet improved their health. Maintaining your blood sugar levels doesn’t mean that everything sweet needs to go out the window.

If you are a dessert lover, you can still enjoy foods that your palette will love but you need to plan for them. It is also necessary to keep everything in moderation. Just because sweets don’t need to be off limits doesn’t mean you get to enjoy to your heart’s (or stomach’s) content. Eating sweets will add some extra carbohydrates so plan for this by skipping out on other higher carb foods in the same meal.

Another important sweet fact to remember is that they can do more damage eaten alone. Avoid a spike in blood sugar levels by eating sweets along with a healthy, balanced meal. Healthy fats, such as those found in yogurt, peanut butter and nuts slow down spikes in sugar levels. Opt for sweets that contain these healthy fats. Lastly, be creative in finding ways to satisfy your cravings. There are many alternatives and yummy recipes that taste great and will fulfill your sweet tooth needs. An example would be to blend up some frozen bananas instead of grabbing the tub of ice cream.

If you have diabetes, there are many in the boat with you – around 25.8 million according to the American Diabetes Association – so team up with others for help and ideas. It is also imperative to take great care of your feet. If you have any concerns or notice even the smallest of symptoms, avoid grave consequences and contact foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya. Capital District Podiatry has locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY to serve you. Make an appointment today by calling us at (518) 273-0053.

High Heels: Dangers to Make You Think Twice!

Photo Credit - WalcottImaging

 The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week happening in New York on September 5-12 brings a sneak peek into the top-of-the-line fashion we will see in the spring of 2014. With the celebrities and the clothes themselves, shoes often take the stage, and this year will be no different. High heels are often the shoes of choice to complete the runway looks, but for models and the average high heel fanatic there are some real risks involved.

A recent article from Marie-Claire magazine shared that new 3-D scans are proving just how dangerous this towering shoe is to feet. Wearing these shoes on a regular basis can not only cause achy feet at the end of the day but also lead to permanent damage to feet, knees, hips and the lower back. This type of shoe typically has a pointed toe box that crowds toes together and a high heel that places all of the body weight onto the balls of the feet. This not only impacts balance and stability but forces knees and hips to push forward, which alters your posture. Studies are seeing that these changes in foot structure and posture linger long after the shoes are taken off. Pretty scary!

Have we got your attention yet? If you just can’t seem to imagine your life without high-heels, can we mention the risk of bunions, corns, hammertoes, stress fractures, knee pain, Achilles tendonitis, Morton’s neuroma and ankle sprains as a way to convince you that they aren’t worth the risk?

Your foot health is important and great decisions made early in life make feet happier later on. If this kind of shoe has left you hobbling with pain or given you unsightly feet, make a good decision today and call Dr. Tejas Pandya for help. Our podiatric office has locations in Troy and Clifton Park, NY. Make an appointment today and call us at (518) 273-0053.

Exercise Your Toes!

Do you like to stay in shape? How much of the week do you spend doing some form of exercise? If you make the effort to stay fit and healthy, we want to encourage you to keep it up! We also want to ask you, do you ever focus on your toes?

Feet take a tremendous amount of abuse and endure loads of stress throughout the day. We often underestimate the importance of our feet and that they need attention to stay healthy just like the rest of your body. Keep them in top shape with these fun and easy exercises. Print out this list before heading to your next workout:

·      Toe squeeze – Grip your toes onto a small object such as a wine cork and hold the squeeze for 10 seconds. Repeat five times on each foot.

·      Golf ball massage – Roll your foot over a golf ball to massage your arch and soothe tired feet. A frozen water bottle is great too!

·      Marble madness – Use your toes to pick up marbles one at a time and drop them in a small bowl. This is a great toe exercise if you have a deformity such as hammertoe .

·      Toe stretch – Wrap an elastic band around your toes and stretch them apart. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5 times on each foot.

·      Towel grab – Sit in a chair with a towel on the floor beneath your feet. Using only your toes, scrunch the towel towards you. Add a book on the edge of the towel for extra resistance. This is a good tip for those with ball of foot pain and toe cramps.

Try them out and let us know what you think! If you have any persistent foot or toe pain, please don’t hesitate to seek treatment. There is never a reason to live with foot pain! Contact Capital District Podiatry to make an appointment today (518) 273-0053. 

The Eat Clean Diet Trend

Should you jump on board?

There are so many get fit fast and eating trends out there and it can be hard to weed through them all. Which are good? Which ones should I stay away from? Which ones hold great promise but could be bad for my health?

Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY cares about the whole health of his patients. Foot health is often affected by a healthy or unhealthy diet. When it comes to “eating clean,” the rules are simple and pretty straightforward. Here are a few of the basics:

• It is not about counting calories or points, rather a change in lifestyle as you eat the foods your body truly needs to function.
• Stay away from foods that have ingredients you can’t pronounce. This would include all processed, fatty and refined foods.
• This way of eating focuses on lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nonfat dairy and healthy fats.
• Each meal stays between 200-300 calories but focus is on portion control.
• At least 8 cups of water a day is recommended as well as never skipping meals, especially breakfast.
• Regular exercise and strength training three days a week for 30 minutes is encouraged alongside the diet.

All of these are healthy tips and fairly foundational for any good healthy living plan. Some reviews of the Eat Clean Diet find that there are some heavy restrictions throughout the plan as a whole. An extremely structured diet with a lot of rules can be difficult to carry out long term. Some critics find that sample meal plans may not have enough calories for some people, especially those who are ver

y active. There is also caution to be taken in regards to certain supplements that may be mentioned.

When making decisions about your health, stay informed and read the facts. If any kind of foot or ankle problem is hindering your efforts to stay active and healthy, please contact Capital District Podiatry today. To make an appointment, simply call our office at (518) 273-0053.

Manage Your Arthritis with the Food You Eat!

Arthritis affects 50 million adults and is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Arthritis can destroy bones, joints, cartilage and muscles and is a disease for which there is no cure. It doesn’t just affect older people either. There are around 300,000 children with the disease as well. 

Foot specialist Dr. Tejas Pandya, has treated many patients who have arthritis and are living with the complications associated with having the disease. Gout is a painful type of arthritis that can attack the big toe joint. Physical limitations often hinder efforts to stay fit and healthy. Trying to manage a heart condition or obesity can be difficult due to the effects of arthritis, but controlling what you eat is one way to improve the symptoms of arthritis.

Studies show that there are certain foods that can trigger, relieve, or prevent pain altogether. If you suffer with episodes of gout, the chemicals in alcohol can trigger an attack as they stimulate the production of uric acid. Foods rich in purines can also worsen the symptoms of gout. The food additive MSG, wheat and nightshade vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, white potatoes and eggplant can each trigger joint pain as well.

There are some foods known to be helpful for the pain associated with arthritis. To help with pain and inflammation, choose foods made with whole grains and with omega-3 fatty acids. These would include whole oats, brown rice, popcorn, flaxseed, walnuts, tuna and salmon. Fruits and vegetables such as peppers, broccoli, squash, grapes, kiwi and berries are high in antioxidants and also help with pain and inflammation.

If arthritis in your feet or ankles is diminishing your quality of life, let us help. We can provide the treatment you need to get back into the activities that you love. Make an appointment with our Troy, NY podiatric office today. Call (518) 273-0053 or visit us online www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.

It Just Appeared Out of Nowhere! What To Do About Blisters

Have you ever dealt with a tiny sliver that gave you a ton of discomfort? Something small in the right place can really be a pain…literally! A blister can be just that – a small little injury that can cause a lot of pain.

How did my blister happen?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much for a blister to develop. Dr. Tejas Pandya, foot specialist in Troy, NY has heard often from his patients, “The blister just appeared!” Blisters are caused by friction. When poorly fitting shoes or a repetitive activity cause pressure and friction on the same area of skin, the layers of skin break and a pocket of fluid forms.

What should I do if I get a blister?

Right after a blister forms, it can be helpful to use some ice to alleviate some of the pain and swelling. As tempting as it is to want to pop a blister, it is usually best to leave it alone. The fluid inside promotes healing and an open blister puts you at risk for infection. If the blister does get punctured, applying some hydrogen peroxide can help ward off infection. Do not remove the skin over a blister, as the skin underneath is very sensitive and prone to infection. Put a bandage over the blister and use a cushioning pad or a piece of moleskin to protect the area.

What can I do to prevent a blister?

Dr. Pandya offers several easy tips to keep blisters at bay:

• Break new shoes in gradually
• Use petroleum jelly or a bandage on an area that rubs before the blister forms
• Wear socks made out of acrylic and synthetic fiber materials

Keep an eye on your feet. If a blister is painful and showing signs of being infected, come in to our podiatric office for help. This is especially important if you have poor circulation or diabetes. Call us at (518) 273-0053 to request an appointment or visit www.capitaldistrictpodiatry.com.