The dawn of a new year is the perfect opportunity to revitalise health and lifestyle choices for the better. For many Malaysians, health tops the list of resolutions, yet remains among the most challenging to maintain amidst an increasingly hectic lifestyle. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 revealed that 3.6 million adults in the country are living with diabetes, with many more unaware they have the chronic condition.
“Good nutrition is the foundation to living your best and combining with exercise can help improve glucose management,” said Dr. Nina Mazera Mohd Said, Abbott’s nutrition medical director in Malaysia. “That is why Abbott initiated the Glucerna® #StartsWithYou campaign to encourage Malaysians to make simple lifestyle and nutrition changes to optimise their health and live better, fuller lives. Even slight behaviour and dietary plan changes, consistently, can help you maintain steady glucose levels and make you feel satiated, energised, and focused.”
Start 2025 with Better Health and Confidence
Take small, manageable steps that you can commit to throughout the year to ensure your glucose level stays within a healthy range. Follow these tips and recipe guides to stay true to the purpose:
1. Keep Fit, Stay Active
Exercise is more than a calorie-burning activity; it is a vital part of managing blood glucose levels. Begin with small steps – with daily walks or gentle stretching exercises – and gradually work toward 30 minutes of moderate activity three to four times a week.
Mind-body exercises like yoga or tai chi can also help manage stress, another factor that affects glucose levels. Remember, every step counts toward becoming a healthier you.
2. Get on Top of Your Glucose Levels
When it comes to diabetes management, people often think about avoiding blood sugar highs and lows, but equally – if not more – important is avoiding constant fluctuations of blood sugar levels over time, as these can lead to serious health complications and impact quality of life. Monitoring blood glucose is at the heart of effective diabetes management. Regularly checking your levels helps you understand how your body responds to different foods and activities. For meal-time blood glucose monitoring, it is recommended to measure right before a meal and two hours after a meal. Use tools like continuous glucose monitors or blood glucose meters as advised by your healthcare provider.
For those with busy lifestyles, incorporating diabetes-specific nutritional supplements like Glucerna® can help manage blood glucose and close nutritional gaps, resulting in improved health outcomes for people with diabetes. According to studies, diabetes specific formulas can help support glycemic control, improve blood pressure, reduce or maintain body weight and, in critically ill patients with diabetes, lower mortality.
3. Eat Healthy with Simple Yet Nutritious Choices
Healthy living begins with a choice. When choosing snacks, opt for those that are low in sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats to avoid blood sugar spikes and weight gain. Food affects glucose levels, and paying attention to good nutrition can make a significant difference.
Dietitian Indra Balaratnam, who collaborates with Abbott on nutrition initiatives, shares, “People with diabetes need to be aware of their eating habits and make informed choices that incorporate a variety of foods in moderation. Whether through meal planning, smart snacking or cooking at home with natural ingredients, it is important to follow a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean proteins.”
To help you take better control of your glucose levels, Indra shares two nutritious recipes to kickstart your health journey this new year:
NO-BAKE GLUCERNA® DOUBLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE BALLS
Makes: 8 fudge balls
Ingredients:
• 10 scoops Glucerna® chocolate powder
• ½ cup pure natural pure peanut butter (sugar-free, oil-free)
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons semi-sweet OR dark chocolate chips
Method:
● Mix the Glucerna® chocolate powder together with the natural peanut butter
● Then combine in the rolled oats
● Lastly, gently fold in the chocolate chips
● Using your hands, shape the mixture into round balls
● Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving
Tip: Keeps well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days
Nutrition Information (per fudge ball):
• Calories: 225 calories
• Protein: 9 grams
• Carbohydrates: 17 grams
• Dietary fiber: 3 grams
• Total fat:13 grams
• Sodium: 62 milligrams
CREAMY GLUCERNA® CHICKEN & VEGETABLE PASTA
Makes: 2 servings
Ingredients:
• 100 grams boneless chicken fillet – sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup (107 grams) cooked fusilli pasta
• ½ cup (85 grams) yellow capsicum – thinly sliced
• 6 cherry tomatoes – quartered
• 6 brown button mushrooms – thinly sliced
• 1 cup (30 grams) baby spinach
• 2 cloves garlic – finely minced
• ½ teaspoon dried Italian Mixed herbs
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• ½ cup (125ml) chicken stock
• 5 scoops Glucerna® wheat powder mixed with 100 ml room-temperature water
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Chopped coriander and grated parmesan cheese to garnish (optional)
Method:
• Marinate the chicken with salt, black pepper and paprika. Mix well and set aside
• Gently heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the minced garlic till fragrant
• Toss in the chicken filet and sliced capsicum and cook for 5 minutes
• Add in the cherry tomatoes and button mushrooms. Cook for another 3 minutes
• Pour in the chicken stock and Italian herbs and braise the chicken and vegetables for about 1 minute
• Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool down slightly
• Pour in the Glucerna® mixture, the cooked pasta and baby spinach gently stir to heat it through. Be careful not to overheat the Glucerna®.
• Season with ground black pepper, dash of salt (if necessary) and top with chopped coriander and parmesan cheese (optional).
Nutrition Information (per serving):
• Calories: 350 calories
• Protein: 22 grams
• Carbohydrates: 39 grams
• Dietary fiber: 5 grams
• Total fat: 12 grams
• Sodium: 247 milligrams