Care Advocate Newsletter

Dear Valued Customer,

Welcome to the last issue of 2024!

In this month’s Care Advocate Newsletter, we’re sharing helpful wellness tips, expert advice for managing your supplies, and opportunities to connect with Registered Dietitians (RDs) from our sister company, GemCare Wellness.

Managing diabetes isn’t always easy, but remember—you’re never alone. EHCS remains committed to supporting your health journey with resources, guidance, and encouragement. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey to better health!

Tips for Managing your Diabetes in the Winter

Winter brings unique challenges for managing diabetes, from colder weather and festive foods to reduced activity and higher illness risks. Staying proactive and mindful of these factors can help you maintain good blood sugar control and enjoy the season safely!

How Winter Affects Blood Sugar

The winter months can impact blood sugar levels in several ways:

• Stress and Hormones: Cold weather and illness can trigger stress hormones like cortisol, reducing insulin production and raising blood sugar.

• Flu Season: Fighting off illnesses like the flu can elevate blood sugar due to the body’s stress response.

• Holiday Habits: Festive meals and treats, along with disrupted routines, can make managing blood sugar harder.

• Less Activity: Shorter days and colder weather often lead to reduced exercise, which is essential for blood sugar control.

How to Best Manage Diabetes During the Wintertime

1. Monitor Blood Sugar: Check your levels more often and adjust medications if needed. Work with your doctor for a tailored plan.

2. Get Vaccinated: Stay up to date on your flu shot and create a sick-day plan with your doctor.

3. Stay Active: Aim for 150 minutes of exercise weekly. Try indoor options like yoga or Zumba, and track your steps with a pedometer or smartwatch.

4. Eat Balanced Meals: Use the plate method—fill half your plate with non-starchy veggies, a quarter with protein, and a quarter with starch. Enjoy one treat to help stabilize blood sugar.

5. Protect Supplies: Keep insulin and testing tools within safe temperature ranges (avoid extreme heat or cold) to ensure effectiveness.

Stay proactive to keep your health on track this winter!

Our Registered Dietitians are here to help!
Click below to email them your questions.

SEND AN EMAIL!

NEVER RUN OUT OF YOUR SUPPLIES!

At Edwards Health Care Services (EHCS), we provide the best customer experience in diabetes supply delivery. With multiple reorder options, we make it easy to get the supplies you need when you need them.

Regardless of your choice, as an EHCS customer, you will receive refill reminders through email, text, phone call, and/or mail to ensure no delays in receiving your diabetes supplies.

Important Reminder: Be sure to pay any outstanding deductibles and coinsurance to avoid delays in processing your order.

Reorder your supplies today by simply completing our refill form.
Place your reorder directly from the palm of your hand with a quick text message. Don’t wait; sign up today!
Call our 24/7 automated refill line* at 877.476.6060 to reorder your supplies.

*Please note that this service will not work if you are not in your insurance-approved reorder window.

Recipe Corner: Cheddar Cheese and Broccoli Soup
Prep time: 20 min, Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 5 servings, 1 cup

Ingredients:
1 lbs. broccoli
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 can chicken broth, reduced-sodium
1, 12 oz. can milk, evaporated fat-free
1 ¼ cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese (such as Cabot’s 50% reduced-fat cheddar)
½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
¼ tsp nutmeg salt, to taste

Directions:
Trim and peel the stems, then cut 15 small florets for garnish. Coarsely chop the rest to make 2 cups.

Boil the chopped broccoli and florets for 2 minutes until bright green. Drain and set aside.

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Sauté onion and celery until soft (about 5 minutes). Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in broth and milk, cooking until the mixture simmers and thickens (about 5 minutes).

Add chopped broccoli, cheese, pepper, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until the cheese melts and the soup is hot (about 3 minutes).

Ladle soup into bowls and top with the reserved broccoli florets.

Nutrition Facts: 1 cup serving, Amount per serving: Calories 205, Total Fat 8g, Saturated Fat 3.5g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 490mg, Total Carbohydrate 20g, Dietary Fiber 12g, Total Sugars 3g, Protein 17g

Sources:

Managing Diabetes in Cold Weather. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/articles/managing-diabetes-cold-weather.html. Updated December 12, 2022. Accessed September 6, 2024.

How to Manage your Diabetes in Extreme Summer Heat. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-manage-your-diabetes-in-extreme-summer-heat. July 20, 2020. Accessed September 6, 2024.

Diabetes Foot Care Tips. American Diabetes Association website. https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/diabetes-and-your-feet/foot-care-tips. Accessed September 6, 2024.

Cheddar Cheese and Broccoli Soup. American Diabetes Association. https://diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/cheddar-cheese-and-broccoli-soup. Accessed September 6, 2024.

Disclaimer: The information contained here within is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. GemCare Wellness (GCW), a GEMCORE family company, does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned here within. Reliance on any information provided by GCW, GCW employees, contracted writers, or medical professionals presenting content for publication here within is solely at your own risk.