Diabetes

When you've got diabetes, the most important meal of the day can be the hardest one to figure out.

You know that the grains and sugars in typical breakfast foods -- from cereal to doughnuts and pancakes -- will spike your blood sugar and set you up for a crash later on.

And you may be equally afraid to eat eggs -- because for decades, the mainstream has told us that the cholesterol in eggs can make you a sitting duck (or hen?) for cardiovascular disease.

That's especially worrisome when you've got diabetes, since diabetics and even prediabetics tend to have higher levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol than non-diabetics.

But according to a new study, the mainstream has egg on its face on this one, because you can safely eat eggs without compromising your cardiovascular health -- EVEN if you're diabetic or headed that direction.

This is BIG news!

In the study, Australian researchers assigned a group of diabetic and prediabetic folks to a weight-loss diet that was either high in eggs (12 eggs per week) or low in them (two eggs per week).

After three months, members of the high-egg group didn't show ANY signs of increased cardiovascular risk when compared to the low-egg group.

Whether they ate a couple of eggs or a dozen eggs each week, the participants' cholesterol levels were pretty much equal.

The two groups also had about the same blood sugar and blood pressure levels and lost equivalent amounts of weight.

And that held true even after six months and one year of follow-up!

That means that regularly scrambling up some eggs WON'T impact cholesterol... worsen diabetes... or expand your waistline.

Translation: Eggs definitely aren't the killers they’ve been cracked up to be!

In fact, eggs may actually LOWER your risk of cardiovascular disease.

A recent study showed that eating an egg each day slashes your stroke risk by 12 percent -- likely because the omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolks can tamp down inflammation and help protect your arteries from damage.

Plus, the benefits of eggs don't stop there. They're rich in lutein and zeaxanthin for eye health... selenium to protect your liver... and choline that's been shown to shield your brain from Alzheimer's .

And since they're packed with protein that fills you up and holds your blood sugar steady, eggs are actually the perfect breakfast choice for diabetics and non-diabetics alike.

So, whether you like them scrambled, poached, or sunny-side up, start your day with a wholesome plate of eggs.

You can also hard-boil some eggs to carry as on-the-go snacks, or you could whip up an omelet for a quick and satisfying lunch.

And when you eat eggs as a delicious part of the Paleo (a.k.a. "caveman" diet) -- which eliminates the grains and sugars that make your blood sugar soar -- you can even put your diabetes in reverse.

When you've got to let out yet another notch in your belt, it can feel like you're losing the "battle of the bulge."

As you age, those sneaky extra pounds really like to park themselves around your middle!

And unfortunately, excess belly fat isn't just a drag when you're getting dressed in the morning -- it also ups your odds of developing diabetes.

Of course, shedding a few pounds is your best defense against that "ticking time bomb" in your belly.

But according to a new study, you can slash your risk of diabetes by snacking on something that you may have been told is "forbidden" -- pecans!

In the study, Tufts University researchers divided overweight adults who had excess fat concentrated around their middles into two groups.

Members of each group ate identical diets in terms of calories, protein, carbs, and fats.

But those in the group whose daily diet included a small handful of pecans saw their risk factors for diabetes PLUMMET when compared to the control group.

Their blood sugar, insulin resistance, and beta cell function ALL improved!

And all it took was a month.

What's more, those in the pecan group also lowered their markers for cardiometabolic disease -- which includes factors like hypertension and high cholesterol -- compared to the controls.

The theory is that the "good" fats and active plant compounds in pecans reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which protects your pancreas and heart from damage.

Now, I know that's not what you may have heard. But I'm here to BUST the myth about nuts, whose fat and calorie contents WON'T derail your diet.

Just like other tree nuts such as almonds and walnuts, pecans are full of the fiber that holds blood sugar in check.

Pecans are also rich in manganese, and previous studies have shown that this trace mineral can benefit your blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin that your pancreas secretes.

So, whether you're battling the belly bulge or not, why not add a handful of pecans to your day?

Raw or dry-roasted pecans are delicious as a snack by themselves, or you can toss them into salads, vegetable dishes, or Greek yogurt for a nutty crunch.

Just steer clear of sweet treats like pecan pie and pralines, which will only spike your blood sugar and thicken your waistline.

Enjoying pecans as part of the the Paleo (a.k.a. "caveman") diet -- which eliminates all grains and sugars -- is your best bet for zapping belly fat and putting diabetes in reverse.

And exercising at least twice weekly can also help "flatten" your spare tire.