(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad today appointed Sherry Bates, of Scranton, Iowa, to the Iowa Board of Regents.  A photo of Bates can be found here.

"I am pleased today to appoint Sherry Bates as a member of the Iowa Board of Regents," said Branstad. "Sherry's work in her community and as a social worker demonstrates her commitment to public service. Her belief in affordable, world-class higher education will serve her well as a Regent."

Bates, 62, is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in child development. She spent her professional career as a social worker, the majority of which was at the Greene County Medical Center. She is a current member of the Greene County Board of Health, the Scranton Telephone Board and the Greene County Foundation Board. She is a past member of the Scranton Library Board.

Created in 1909 by the Iowa General Assembly, the Board of Regents enhances the quality of life in Iowa by maintaining the quality and accessibility of the five state institutions it oversees. The board is comprised of nine citizen members who serve staggered six-year terms.

The Board of Regents oversees The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa School for the Deaf and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School.

Bates will serve the remainder of a vacant term that begins December 22, 2014, and runs through April 30, 2017.  She will be fulfilling the vacancy that was recently announced by former Regent Nicole Carroll. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

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As we approach the end of the year, we are also closing out the 113th Congress.  While this Congress as a whole has left many things to complete, I have been busy working across the aisle to overcome the Washington gridlock and advance legislation to benefit the people of Iowa.  A summary of some of those achievements are below.

Growing Iowa's Economy

SECTORS Act

Large portions of my SECTORS Act were passed as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  The SECTORS Act will ensure workers have the training they need to secure good jobs and employers have access to a workforce with the skills that are needed for them to expand, boost our economy, and out-perform the global competition.

Water Resources Reform and Development Act

The Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) authorizes Corps of Engineers funding for improvements to ports, waterways and projects tied to flood protection, drinking water, dams and levees and environmental restoration.  This bill also contained my legislation to protect Cedar Rapids from future flooding.

Strengthening Rock Island Arsenal

I have continued my efforts to drive more workload to the Rock Island Arsenal, which will help both the Arsenal and the Quad Cities' economy remain strong.

Cleaning Up Congress

There is no doubt that the American people have lost faith in Congress.  That is why I have fought to hold Congress accountable for its actions by fighting for legislation to cut Member's pay for the first time since the Great Depression and permanently ban all Member's from becoming lobbyists.

Fighting for Rural Iowa

Farm Bill

The long-term farm bill that passed Congress this year is essential for farmers and rural communities to be able to invest and plan for the future.  The new farm bill makes important reforms, gives our farmers strong risk management tools, strengthens our rural communities, and creates job well beyond the farm.

Renewable Fuels Standard

We all know the importance of biofuels to Iowa's economy, which is why I have been leading the fight in Congress against the EPA to reverse its announced Renewable Fuels Standard proposal.  The proposal that the EPA announced last fall is flat-out unacceptable and would have dire consequences to Iowa's economy.

Production Tax Credit

The PTC has helped the still growing wind energy industry employ 80,000 Americans, including thousands of Iowans.  Living in Iowa, I understand how important renewable energy is to our state, to our country's future, and to our economy.

On January 6th, when the new Congress is sworn in, I will have the honor of serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee.  This new position will allow me to have a greater say on issues that are important to Iowans, including job creation, growing the economy, making sound investments in renewable energy such as wind, solar and biofuels and growing the Middle Class.  I have been honored to serve as your voice and look forward to continuing that in the New Year.

Congressman Dave Loebsack

Although fruit contains sugar, it's also loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Learn how fruit can be part of a healthy type 2 diabetes diet.

Most people with type 2 diabetes know that they can't indulge in a daily chunk of chocolate cake for dessert or sip sugar-laden drinks. But is all sugar off limits in a type 2 diabetes diet, even the natural sugar found in fruits?

"In general, for most patients, all kinds of fruit are fine," says dietitian Nora Saul, MS, RD, a certified diabetes educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. Fruit is a healthy snack, packed with the fiber, vitamins, and nutrients essential for good health.

But that doesn't mean that people with type 2 diabetes can eat all the fruit they want ? fruit will affect their blood sugar levels. "Every single fruit has carbohydrates," says Lorena Drago, a certified diabetes instructor and consumer adviser for the American Association of Diabetes Educators. Following a few simple guidelines will help you make the right choices.

Diabetes and Fruit: The Glycemic Index

If you have diabetes and fruit is on your preferred menu, you'll need to pay attention to its glycemic index ranking.

The glycemic index is a numerical rating assigned to carbohydrate foods and indicates how quickly a food will affect blood sugar levels. Low-glycemic-index foods raise blood sugar levels at a slower rate than higher glycemic index foods, says Saul. So low-glycemic-index foods will help you keep your blood sugar levels more stable ? the goal for everyone with diabetes.

Apples, oranges, and pears are some of the fruits with a low glycemic index and may be a good choice if you need to limit your carbohydrates on a particular day.

Diabetes and Fruit: Go for the Berries

If you're looking for the most nutritional bang for your carbohydrate buck, opt for berries, says Drago. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and other berries are nutrition powerhouses in terms of nutrients.

But just because they're healthy, remember not to overdo it on the carbohydrates, as carbs will affect blood sugar levels. It's important to stay within your daily carbohydrate budget, which is specific to every individual with diabetes. When you're selecting your fruit, it's also good to go for variety.

"Different fruits provide different vitamins and minerals," says Saul. "You just have to watch the portions and not eat too much at once." If your favorite fruits have a very high glycemic index, eat them in smaller portions or include them in a meal that has an overall low glycemic index, she suggests.

A wide variety of fruits is the best choice for a type 2 diabetes diet, says Saul, but she suggests being sure to include fruits high in vitamin A and C and rich in fiber.

Diabetes and Fruit Juice

Drinking juice doesn't not provide the same nutritional benefits of the whole fruit, Saul says, so tread carefully around fruit juices.

"Most juices don't have any protein, any fiber, or any fat," Saul says. And because they're liquid, they leave the stomach very quickly. With "nothing to slow down absorption, they tend to spike blood sugar levels very quickly," she points out.

Saul explains that fruit juice isn't totally off limits, but moderation is key for any type 2 diabetes diet. If you do choose juice, "it should be small quantities, 4 ounces or less," she says. You'll get the same vitamins that you'd get from eating the whole fruit, but you will miss out on the more complete nutrition provided by whole fruit.

You don't have to skip nature's sweet treats when you have diabetes. You can, and should, enjoy fresh fruit as part of a healthy type 2 diabetes diet. Just remember that moderation rules when you're factoring in these carbs.

TELL US: What's your favorite fruit?

For more diabetes news, follow @diabetesfacts on Twitter from the editors of @EverydayHealth.