IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - According to a survey from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2.1 billion people - almost 30 percent of Earth's population - are either overweight or obese. America's population includes 78 million obese adults, and nearly 30 percent of U.S. children and teens are either overweight or obese.

"Obesity has become a global epidemic," said Dana VanGilder, General Manager of Fitness Xpress, a locally owned fitness club with locations in Davenport, Moline, and Iowa City. "At Fitness Xpress, we offer the Project 10 Challenge to help people in our communities to develop healthier lifestyles and slim down."

Visitors can register for the Project 10 Challenge at the Fitness Xpress website, www.fx247.com. This fitness and weight-loss program features an effective mix of exercise and eating right. Fitness Xpress has partnered with ViSalus Sciences, developers of Project 10, to provide clients with Vi-Shape, a high-protein shake mix which is integral to the program. ViSalus Sciences is a healthy lifestyle company which has developed a platform for achieving weight-loss and fitness results by encouraging participants to concentrate on losing just 10 pounds at a time.

Fitness Xpress will be part of ViSalus' upcoming World's Largest Simultaneous Group Workout. "We're working on setting a Guinness World Record," VanGilder said. "People in 11 countries will be participating." The event will be held at 11:45 a.m., Saturday, January 3. Local sites for the event will be the three Fitness Xpress locations:

109 East 50th Street, Davenport, IA 52806, 563-386-2348
4200 24th Ave Moline IL 61265, 309-797-3150
1059 Hwy 6 E., Iowa City, IA 52240, 319-351-1729

For every person who participates in the Jan. 3 event, ViSalus will donate 30 kids' meals through their Project 10 Kids program. Locally, the meals will go to the Project 10 In the Schools program, designed to help kids fighting childhood obesity, or the Backpacks for Kids program of the River Bend Foodbank.

"If 500 people participate at each location, that translates into 45,000 meals donated for local kids," VanGilder said. No purchase or membership is required to participate. To find out more or to sign up, visit www.fx247.com.

Helping the Community
According to VanGilder, the Project 10 Challenge has proven to be especially effective - and, it helps the community.

"With every 10 pounds a client loses, he or she receives a month of free membership, if they continue using the Vi-Shape shake mix," VanGilder said. "Another perk of the program is that ViSalus awards participants with ten chances to win $1,000 for every ten pounds they lose."

She noted that ViSalus offers an additional benefit to help others. "ViSalus will send 30 meals to a community charity for every 10 pounds lost by a client through the program. An excellent example of such a charity is the Backpacks for Kids Program of the River Bend Foodbank." The Backpacks for Kids Program, which is funded by John Deere, strives to make sure that children don't go hungry over the weekend when there are no school meals available.

"Fitness Xpress plans to sponsor at least 1,000 kids in the Project 10 In The Schools Program, designed to educate local overweight students and their parents in exercise, proper meal planning, and nutrition," VanGilder  said.  

VanGilder and the Fitness Xpress team invite more community members to take the Project 10 Challenge. "It's a win-win deal," she said. "It helps clients to lose weight, and it helps the community. Our goal is for at least 5,000 new people to try the program in the next six months. We want to become the Quad-Cities' transformation location."

The Fall Fashion and Gun Show
Later this year, Fitness Xpress will host their first Project 10 Fall Fashion & Gun Show. "In this case, the 'guns' are muscular arms!" Van Gilder said. "It will be a fundraising fashion show, and the models will be people who have lost weight through our plan. The models will get free outfits and makeovers. It will be held Sept. 3 at the Clarion Hotel in Davenport and will include dinner, a silent auction, and much more."

VanGilder noted that their plans for the community fit in well with the Fitness Xpress Mission, which reads: "To motivate our community towards a healthy lifestyle; to empower our members with ideas and techniques that produce results; to inspire our fitness family to discover the meaningful parts of life through the happiness of health. We change lives!"

To find out more about Fitness Xpress, visit www.fx247.com.

Eighty Percent of Illinois Enrollees are Eligible for Financial Assistance

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today announced that more than 121,000 people have enrolled or re-enrolled in a healthcare plan in the first month of enrollment for the second year of Get Covered Illinois (GCI). The strong start for year two means that approximately 800,000 people in Illinois have obtained coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) either through the private plans offered through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace or the expanded Medicaid program. Today's announcement is part of Governor Quinn's agenda to ensure that all people have access to quality healthcare and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Illinois.

"In the past 14 months, we have been able to help 800,000 people enroll in health coverage through Get Covered Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "Expanding health coverage to more families has strengthened Illinois' comeback. For all of those who have taken advantage of this historic opportunity, it means better health and financial stability, which are instrumental to a healthy family and a healthy state."

According to a report released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 121,243 people in Illinois selected plans through the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace leading up to the December 15 deadline for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

About 80 percent of Illinois residents who selected health insurance plans in the first month of open enrollment were determined eligible for financial assistance to lower their monthly premiums, compared to 73 percent who selected plans over a similar period last year. Of the 121,243 Illinoisans who selected a plan, 46 percent re-enrolled in a Marketplace plan in 2015 and 54 percent signed up for the first time.

"We're pleased that in Illinois 121,243 people signed up for Marketplace coverage during the first month of open enrollment. The vast majority were able to lower their costs even further by getting tax credits, making a difference in the bottom lines of so many families," HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said. "Interest in the Marketplace has been strong during the first month of open enrollment. We still have a ways to go and a lot of work to do before February 15, but this is an encouraging start."

In year one of the Marketplace, 217,000 people enrolled in a private healthcare plan. In addition, to date, more than 536,000 have enrolled in the expanded Medicaid program under the ACA.

Get Covered Illinois has a made an aggressive push to start to the second enrollment season with more than 500 enrollment events and extended enrollment hours across the state.

"Year two of Open Enrollment is off to a successful start. These first month's results show that Get Covered Illinois' outreach and education efforts are making an impact," GCI Executive Director Jennifer Koehler said. "In fact, we enrolled more people in the first 30 days of this round of open enrollment than we did in the first 90 days last year. As pleased as we are with our progress, we know there are still tens of thousands of uninsured residents in Illinois, and our goal is to reach and enroll as many of them as possible in the remaining 47 days of the Open Enrollment Period."

There are more than 400 plans offered through the Marketplace in 2015, all of which are quality, private insurance plans available from the top insurance companies in the state to fit consumer needs. All plans cover essential health benefits including doctor visits, emergency care, preventive services and more.

Residents can seek free, in-person help enrolling in coverage from a trained professional near them. To learn more about GCI and how to find free in-person help:

·         Visit our website at GetCoveredIllinois.gov (which includes a Spanish-language version) for more information and to make an appointment for free- in-person help with a trained professional near you.

·         Call the GCI Help Desk at (866) 311-1119. Help desk representatives are available each day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

·         Meet in person with a specially trained Navigator, agent or broker who can help you understand your options and help you enroll. There are hundreds of certified professionals ready to help you that can be located on the GCI website or through the GCI Help Desk.

Twitter: @CoveredIllinois

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FYI: Through Dec. 28th, 2,504 babies had been born at Genesis BirthCenters.

Avery, Olivia and Jackson Top List Of Most Popular Names Of Genesis Babies

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Dec. 30, 2014 - Parents of baby girls born at Genesis BirthCenters broke with the national trend in 2014.

Avery (only No. 15 most popular nationally) and Olivia (No. 3 nationally) shared No. 1 (12 each) as the most popular names for baby girls born at Genesis this year.

Jackson was the No. 1 boys name at Genesis BirthCenters with 19 baby boys going home with that name and was No. 1 nationally in 2014, according to Babycenter.com.

Olivia has become a traditional naming choice in the Quad Cities for baby girls. Olivia was No. 2 last year and No. 1 the previous year.

Avery made the Genesis top 10 previously at No. 8 in 2012.

Jackson has also appeared in the Genesis top 10 lists previously but jumped from not even making the top 10 to No. 1 in one year.

Liam, No. 1 last year as the most popular Genesis boy name, dropped just one spot on the Genesis list and is No. 3 nationally in popularity. Liam may owe some of its continuing popularity to Australian actor Liam Hemsworth and his recurring role as Gale Hawthorne in the film series The Hunger Games. Hemsworth is a star with young fans.

Sophia, which was the most popular girls name three times at Genesis since 2010, fell all the way to a tie for eighth this year but remains the most popular name nationally for baby girls.

The top five most popular girl names at Genesis BirthCenters in 2014 were Avery and Olivia (12 babies); Zoey (11) and Lillian, Evelyn and Mia (10 babies each).

Following Jackson (19) as the five most popular boys name at Genesis in 2014 were Liam (16), Alexander (13) and James and Logan (12 each).

The top five girl names nationally in 2014, according to babycenter.com were Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Ava and Isabella. The top five boy names were a repeat of 2013; Jackson, Aiden, Liam, Lucas, and Noah.

While popularity is nice, a few babies born at Genesis in 2014 will have names they won't be sharing with anyone in their class. Among the less common names given to babies born at Genesis in 2014 were Daleyza (girl); Dezyare, (girl); Khamiyah (girl); Za'Leihna (girl); Abhivadyua (boy); Acecytho (boy); Scoeteriouz (boy); and, Xzayvian (boy).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2014 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Tie, Avery and Olivia (12); 3. Zoey (11); 4. tie, Lillian, Evelyn and Mia (10); 7. Isabella (9); 8. tie, Nora, Gabriella, Sophia and Harper (8).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2014 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Jackson (19); 2. Liam (16); 3. Alexander (13); 4. tie, James and Logan (12); 6. tie, Gabriel, Dylan, Jacob, Elijah, Henry and David (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2013 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (19); 2. Olivia (14); 3 tie, Ava, Elizabeth, and Emma (10) 6. tie, Addison, Aubrey, and Mia (9); 9. Ella;10. Charlotte

Most Popular Boys BabyNames In 2013 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Liam (21); 2. tie, Isaac and William (16); 4. tie, Carter, David, and Ethan (15); 7. tie, Aiden and Brayden (12); 9. Mason (11); 10. Logan (9)

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Olivia (18); 2. Isabella (17); 3. Sophia (14); 4. tie, Ava and Madison (12); 6. tie, Emma (11) and Zoey (11); 8. tie, Avery and Chloe (10); 10. Lily (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (17); 2. Benjamin (14); 3. tie, William, Alexander and Noah (13); 6. Elijah (12); 7. tie, Henry, Anthony, Jayden and Jackson (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (22); 2. Ava (17); 3. tie, Addison and Isabella (16); 5. Lily (13); 6. tie, Olivia, Emily and Ella (11); 9. Madison (10); 10. Kylee (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Alexander (17); 2. Elijah (15); 3. tie, Noah and Landon (14); 5. Logan (13); 6. tie, Owen, Aiden, Brayden, Liam (12); 10. tie, Gavin and Jackson (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (30); 2. Isabella (23); 3. Emma (22); 4. Ava (20); 5. Addison (18); 6. Ella (17); 7. tie, Madison (14) and Madelyn (14); 9. tie, Lillian (13) and Abigail (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (22); 2. Aiden (17); 3. tie, Alexander (13); Jacob (13); Jayden (13); Luke (13); Zachary (13); 8. tie, Noah, Owen, Caleb, Benjamin, and Carter (12).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Isabella (27); 2. Olivia (20); 3. Addison (17); 4. Abigail (16); 5. Ava (15); 6. Grace (14); 7. tie, Emily; Emma and Madison (12); 10. tie, Alexis and Hailey (11).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Noah (20); 2. tie, Ethan and Carter (19); 4. Alexander (18); 5. Logan (17); 6. tie, Jacob and Aiden (16); 8. Benjamin (15); 9. Jack (14); 10. William (13).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Addison (21); 2. Hailey (20); 3. Madeline (18); 4. tie, Abigail, Emily and Emma (17); 7. tie, Isabella and Olivia (16); 9. Chloe (15); 10. Ava (12).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Center

1. Jaden (25); 2. Aiden (23); 3. tie, Alexander and Noah (21); 5. tie, Kaiden and William (19); 7. tie, Landon and Logan (17); 9. Elijah (16); 10. Benjamin (15).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ava (22); 2. Olivia (21); 3. tie, Addison and Lily (18); 5. Elizabeth (16); 6. tie, Madeline, Alexis, Sophia, Isabella (14); 10. tie, Emma, Madison (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Aiden (29); 2. tie, Noah and Jacob (18); 4. Ethan (17); 5. tie Jackson, Tyler, Landon, Gabriel, Benjamin, William and Alexander (Alex) 15.

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Emma (29); 2. Olivia (20); 3. tie, Ava and Hannah (19); 5. Addison (18); 6. Grace (17); 6. Isabella (16); 7. Abigail (15); 8. tie, Alexis and Lauren (14); 10. Emily (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ethan (28); 2. tie, Aiden and Carter (20); 4. tie, Andrew, Logan, Mason and Noah (17); 8. tie, Alexander and Jacob (16); 10. tie, Hunter and Joseph (15).

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is far from a one-size-fits-all disease. It progresses differently for everyone, and while some people experience only a few symptoms, others must cope with many more. The frequency and severity of MS flares also vary. But one thing is the same for almost everyone with MS: A lot depends on how well you stick with your treatment plan.

"There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of exacerbations", says Jack Burks, MD, a neurologist and the chief medical officer of the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. "And if you're successful in reducing the number of attacks, you may also alter the progression of the disease in the long run," he says.
One way to manage MS attacks is to understand the potential triggers and take steps to keep your symptoms under control.

Read the full article.
Help avoid dangerous diabetes-related complications by discussing these important items with your doctor.

People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for serious health complications, but you can help prevent these by knowing how to recognize problems and learning what to do if one develops. Here are 10 questions to ask your doctor so that you can better understand your own personal risks and take the right steps to address them.

  1. How often should I visit you for checkups in order to stay as healthy as possible and avoid diabetic complications?
  2. I have a family history of heart attack and/or stroke. Will my diabetes put me at greater risk for those problems?
  3. What are the most important warning signs to look out for in terms of diabetic emergencies, and when is calling 911 necessary?
  4. How can I tell if my blood sugar is too high or too low? What should I do about either high or low blood sugar?
  5. Is there anything I should keep with me in my purse or car that could help me treat an unexpected symptom or problem?
  6. Are there any parts of my normal routine that need to change in order to keep myself as healthy as possible?
  7. Do I need to take pills or inject insulin in order to manage my diabetes and prevent further problems?
  8. How often should I have my blood, blood pressure, and urine tested for irregularities?
  9. What are the most important signs to look out for in terms of eye damage or dental problems? Is there anything I can do to keep my eyes and teeth as healthy as possible?
  10. Is there anything in my medical history that concerns you and could be a factor in my type 2 diabetes? What can I do to address this?

Q: Do you have any suggestions for adding fiber to my diet? I've heard a high-fiber diet can help people manage diabetes.

A: You're smart to focus on incorporating more fiber into your diet. Fiber helps slow down the body's absorption of carbohydrates, which keeps blood sugar on a more even keel. In general, starchy beans, lentils, and whole grains (brown or wild rice, whole-grain breads and cereals) tend to pack the most fiber punch, but fruits and vegetables have plenty to offer too. Some good choices of produce for fiber are leafy greens (like spinach, kale, and chard), broccoli, sweet potatoes, artichokes, berries (especially raspberries and blackberries), apples, and pears.

Just keep in mind that even high-fiber foods raise blood sugar to some extent, so you always want to pair them with protein to help stabilize your blood sugar. For example, pair a piece of fruit with some nuts or cottage cheese, serve scrambled egg whites with whole-grain toast, or enjoy a bowl of chili made with beans and lean ground turkey.

4 Nuggets that Will Improve Health during Pregnancy &
Menopause from One of the 'Best Doctors in America'*

We're paying a hefty price on our health for the conventional wisdom we hold to be true - especially women and their children - says Robert Thompson, M.D., an OB/GYN and integrative medicine specialist deemed by his peers to be in the top 5 percent of U.S. physicians.

The conventional wisdom, more accurately described as ignorance, is that we need an abundance of prescription drugs and vitamin supplements, including calcium, to have strong bones and overall good health.

"Bones are composed of at least a dozen minerals and we need all of them in perfect proportions in order to have healthy bones and healthy bodies; osteoporosis is caused by a loss of minerals from the bones, not just calcium, and we cannot possibly replace minerals with calcium alone, which hardens concrete!" says Thompson, author of "The Calcium Lie II: What Your Doctor Still Doesn't Know," (calciumliebook.com), a new book, coauthored by health journalist Kathleen Barnes, that details the roles minerals play in overall health and how to identify and correct deficiencies and imbalances.

Too much calcium, through food sources or by taking supplements, set individuals up for an array of negative health consequences, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, Type 2 hypothyroidism, hypertension, depression, problem pregnancies, dementia, heart disease, kidney stones, gallstones and more.

Mineral deficiencies are responsible for a host of health problems, and trying to compensate with flavor-of-the-month drugs or vitamins compounds the problem. Thompson reviews how this affects women, children and women who are experiencing menopause, and what they can do about it.

•  The mineral cost of pregnancy ... Women become very vigilant, and sometimes hyper-vigilant, about their health during pregnancy, because they know it affects their babies. Depending on a woman's beliefs about health, this could lead her on one of several directions. The bottom line is that pregnant women lose about 10 percent of their total mineral supply to their babies, which means the average woman loses nearly four pounds of minerals to her baby with each pregnancy.

•  Embrace the farmer way. Skilled and experienced farmers know that unrefined sea salt is essential to the health of his animals. For more than 50 years, farmers have known that sea salt, or rock salt, is essential for their stock to remain healthy and to breed without birth defects. This data refers to farm mammals; since we're mammals and all mammals have similar physiology, minerals gained from unrefined salt, which is the best source of sodium and ionic minerals, has similar health benefits for pregnant women and their children.

•  The problems women experience with menopause. It's estimated that up to 40 percent of perimenopausal (nearly menopausal) women have low thyroid function that adds to their symptoms when their hormones begin to fluctuate, "but I believe this is far too conservative of a figure," Thompson says. "More realistically, it's near 90 percent or more, and hypothyroidism is probably near 95 percent, especially if a woman is more than 20 percent above her ideal body weight. Excessive calcium contributes to this and other menopausal problems."

•  Consider bioidentical hormones for treatment. There is overwhelming biological evidence that bioidentical hormone replacement is not only natural and safe, but it also improves the quality of life and reduces breast cancer incidence, heart disease, stroke, dementia, osteoporosis, high cholesterol and nearly all known chronic illness associated with aging. Balanced physiologic transmucosal bioidentical hormone replacement is the specific method to consider.

*Robert Thompson, M.D., was added to the peer-reviewed directory, "Best Doctors in America," in 1996.

About Robert Thompson, M.D.

Dr. Robert Thompson is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist, and a nutrition specialist who helps patients get long-term relief from chronic disease, including obesity, diabetes, hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue. His newest book, "The Calcium Lie II," is available for free at calciumliebook.com. Dr. Thompson received his medical training at the University of Kentucky and has been a leader in medical advances for more than 30 years.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of serious complications, so it's important to understand what can happen and how to recognize the symptoms.

Right now, you might be experiencing some of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, which include :

  • Frequent urination
  • Unusual thirst
  • Extreme hunger
  • Unusual weight loss
  • Extreme fatigue and irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
  • Tingling/numbness in the hands and feet
  • Skin, gum, or bladder infections

As you bring your blood-glucose levels under control, these symptoms will begin to abate. However, like many people with type 2 diabetes, you might not have any symptoms at all ? which can sometimes make it harder to grasp the seriousness of your diagnosis.

Whether you have symptoms or not, over time uncontrolled levels of high blood sugar can lead to tissue damage throughout your body, from your eyes to your toes. When you have diabetes, you will be seeing your physician on a regular basis to monitor your progress. And it will become more important than ever to get regular dental and eye exams. That's because diabetes can lead to a range of complications, which you need to know about and be on the lookout for because they are so serious. Fortunately, controlling your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems.

Diabetic Complications

  • Gum disease and infections
  • Vision problems, including a risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and eye infections; a condition called diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss or blindness
  • Neuropathy, or nerve damage, that can cause pain or numbness in your hands and feet
  • Circulatory problems that can eventually lead to amputations (feet, legs)
  • Heart disease
  • Kidney problems
  • High blood pressure

Remember: Taking control of your blood-glucose levels can help prevent many of these secondary problems. Work closely with your care team to maintain a proper diabetes management plan and to watch carefully for troubling symptoms or signs of a developing problem.

Next step: Type 2 Diabetes: A Race for Cure

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.

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Dec. 19, 2014 - Genesis Health System has become the first Iowa health system to earn a Gold Achievement, the highest level of recognition from the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence.

Genesis Health System, which had previously earned Bronze and Silver recognition, is one of just three health care organizations to earn Gold Achievement since the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence began recognition of performance excellence in Iowa organizations in 2000.

Only six Iowa organizations have earned the Gold Achievement level in the history of the state awards.

Genesis is progressing toward a goal of recognition as a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award winner. Baldrige Awards are the highest national recognition for performance excellence and management for organizations.

"We are proud of everyone within Genesis Health System; not because they earned Gold recognition, but because they deserved to earn Gold recognition,'' said Doug Cropper, President and CEO, Genesis Health System. "Genesis has become a better, more patient-focused organization than ever before because of the processes put into place to earn this recognition. It is patients who benefit from this rigorous examination of our processes and efficiency.''

The purpose of the Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence process is to recognize role-model organizations completing a rigorous organizational assessment leading to sustainability and maintaining a future focus on performance excellence.

"The leaders of these organizations have made a commitment to attaining higher levels of performance by receiving feedback from volunteer examiners willing to spend more than 140 hours of assessment time to help build quality and competitiveness in Iowa-based organizations,'' said Gary Nesteby, Executive Director, Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence.

IRPE achievement winners this year were:

Gold - Genesis Health System, Davenport; Mary Greely Medical Center, Ames, Iowa

Silver - Firestone Farm Tires, Des Moines.

Bronze -- Iowa Donor Network, North Liberty, Iowa; Urbandale Community School District, Urbandale, Iowa.

For more information about Iowa Recognition for Performance Excellence, go to www.iowaqc.org.

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