From dog sledding in the Arctic Circle to rappelling down a canyon in Oman, the CBS reality-television competition The Amazing Race is no easy challenge for anyone -- especially someone living with diabetes. "Honestly, I figured, 'If I can do this, I can do anything,'" competition winner Nat Strand tells Diabetes Forecast, the consumer magazine of the American Diabetes Association. The May issue features an interview with Strand and her best friend and Race partner, Kat Chang, about their amazing experience on the show, being the first all-female team to win, and managing Strand's type 1 diabetes along the way.

Strand and Chang, who are both physicians, had to take a true team approach to everything they did -- both packed some of Strand's diabetes supplies, both got accustomed to losing sleep to alarms from Strand's insulin pump, and both had to stay on top of the competition's challenges while also keeping an eye out for Strand's symptoms of hypoglycemia (also known as low blood glucose or low blood sugar).

They went around the world in 23 days, facing both extreme challenges and cultural surprises that can have an impact on diabetes management. For example, how much insulin do you take for a meal of boiled sheep's head? That's not something Strand had discussed during her extensive planning sessions with her health care team. "I just gritted my teeth and hoped that since it was protein, it was low-carb," she tells Diabetes Forecast.

The May issue of Diabetes Forecast also includes these features and information-filled articles:

Dreaming of a Healthy Tomorrow: Did you know that people who don't get enough sleep are at a higher risk for many health problems, including type 2 diabetes? Read new evidence on the connections between lack of sleep and type 2 diabetes -- and tips on how to get a better night's rest.

"Kids, I Have Diabetes": It's important to talk to your children about your diabetes, but that doesn't mean that it's easy. Diabetes Forecast offers expert advice for every situation, whether you're newly diagnosed or not, no matter what your "in case of emergency" protocol, or how old your children are. An honest conversation stressing that diabetes is a manageable disease can prevent needless fear in a child.

Treat Yourself Right: Cooking for one may seem like a lot of trouble, but the results are worth it -- and so are you! Learn the techniques, then treat yourself to these recipes for one, including Spinach and Mushroom Frittata, Cherry-Glazed Pork Chop, Cod in Parchment and Mexican Pizza.

Attack and Defend: Diabetes increases the risk of stroke, so it's critical for people with diabetes to learn how to take steps to prevent stroke, recognize its symptoms, and react quickly if one occurs. This primer does the job.

Wine 101: While preliminary research has extolled the virtues of some wines, it's important to know how much to have and how to pick a good wine. This 101 guide is complete with several wine-doused recipes!

Easing the Transition: American Diabetes Association-funded researcher Susan Enguidanos, MPH, PhD, is studying the risks patients face during the transition from hospital to home, and how to smooth that process particularly in the highly affected Latino community.

Winner's Circle: Interviews with the three winners of the American Diabetes Association's Share Your Vision to Stop Diabetes® video contest, with Anna Katherine Tollett, Rachel Wright and Laurie Baslow.

Source:
American Diabetes Association