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My Pyramid

Here is what our Diabetic friends are
saying about AC LaRocco Pizza:

"Your thin crust spinach & artichoke pizza has a great effect on controlling blood sugar. I am borderline diabetic. Pizza has pretty much been off my list as it causes major spikes in my blood glucose. Your thin crust pizza keeps blood sugars stable, releasing glucose into blood stream much slower than normal pizzas. Perhaps it's the chicory fiber in the crust. Besides having that effect, they taste great." John H.

"I have recently found your Spinach & Artichoke Thin Crust Pizza and I love the taste. I am a diabetic and am pregnant and I appreciate the care you've taken to include all natural and delicious ingredients. The wholesome ingredients along with the low carb factor makes this a perfect meal that fits with my diet plan." Athena Y.

"I tried your Quattro Formaggio Vegetarian Thin Crust Pizza and though I was very pleased with the taste and texture, since I have Diabetes, was even more pleased that I was able to eat three of your servings and my blood sugar did not spike. It is really great that I can have such a treat without health consequences." Andrea S.

Diet, Diabetes and AC LaRocco Pizza
   Medical experts believe that the current worldwide diabetes epidemic is largely due to changes in diet and lifestyle. Obesity is also an epidemic and the connection is clear. Low fiber intake, high intake of trans fats or saturated fats and decreasing physical activity play a huge roll in the Diabetes/Obesity cycle.
   The American Diabetes Association stresses that eating well balanced meals in the correct amount can help keep blood sugar levels close to normal, and even a 5-10% reduction in body weight coupled with exercise can reduce the chances of developing Type II diabetes by 58%. Yet in a world filled with fast food temptations and time constraints incompatible with nutritious meal planning, living with diabetes can pose an interesting challenge.
   Two varieties of AC Larocco Pizza are especially diabetic friendly, the Quattro Formaggio and the Spinach & Artichoke. All AC LaRocco gourmet frozen pizzas are made with all-natural ingredients that are high in fiber and low in fat.  An innovative dietary fiber called inulin is now being used to reduce overall fat content while enriching fiber. Found naturally and extracted from the chicory root, this fiber is added to the whole wheat and honey crust in two of the AC LaRocco pizza varieties, the Quattro Formaggio and Spinach & Artichoke, simultaneously lowering carbohydrate content of the crust while maintaining its integrity and consistency. Some of its specific health benefits to people with diabetes can be seen in its transportive abilities within the digestive system. Because inulin carries water to the lower intestine and is not actually absorbed by the digestive tract, it does not lead to an increase in blood glucose levels. At only seven grams of credible carbs per 1/6 of the pizza, these two pizzas mesh well with many diabetic meal plans.
   For more helpful information about Diabetes including recipes and what’s happening in your community, see the American Diabetes Associations website at www.diabetes.org

Information About Diabetes

   Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or does not properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is essential in the conversion of glucose, sugar, starches and other food into energy for the body. Insulin is produced by  the pancreas, an organ located near the stomach. The main function of insulin is to get glucose into the cells of our bodies for energy.
   The exact cause of diabetes is unknown; however there are two major factors in its presence. The first factor is genetics. The second factor is the environmental. This includes obesity and lack of physical activity/exercise.
   According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) there are 14.6 million children and adults in the United States who have been diagnosed as having diabetes. However, many people are unaware that they have this disease. The ADA has estimated that 6.2 million people are unaware that they have diabetes. 
   Diabetes can lead to serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower-extremity amputations. This disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The disease, diabetes is broken into three major types: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes has previously been referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Type I Diabetes may account for 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.
   Type 2 Diabetes has previously been referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult-onset diabetes. This type of diabetes may account for about 90%-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. This type is strongly associated with obesity.
   Gestational diabetes is the third type of the disease. This particular type only affects pregnant women. If gone untreated both mother and baby can experience problems. Gestational Diabetes occurs in 2% to 5% of all pregnancies but usually disappears when a pregnancy is over, according to the CDC.
    Other specific types of diabetes can result from specific genetic syndromes, surgery, drugs, malnutrition, infections and other illnesses may account for 1% to 2% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes.

Test your risk for developing diabetes with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) The majority of diabetics have Type 2 Diabetes. For those people there are some major warning signs and risk factors. Among the risks for Type 2 are: older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of Gestational Diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity and race/ethnicity. African-Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, some Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. The environmental factors, such as obesity and physical inactivity can be changed and can help to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. For most people, simply losing 5-10 pounds can improve health and reduce the risk significantly.

Type 1 Diabetes’ risk factors are much less defined than Type 2. The risk factors are autoimmune, genetic, and environmental are involved in developing this type of diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes occurs more frequently in African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and people with a history of diabetes than other groups. Obese women are associated as having a higher risk also. Women who have Gestational Diabetes have an increased risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Treatment is dependent on the following factors:

  1. age, overall health, and medical history

  2. the type of diabetes

  3. extent of the disease

  4. your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

  5. expectations for the course of the disease

  6. your opinion or preference

Eating healthy, physical activity and insulin injections are the primary therapies of Type 1 Diabetes. There is no set amount of insulin that must be taken at a designated time. Instead the amount of insulin is balanced with food intake and physical activity. Diabetics must closely monitor blood glucose (sugar) levels through frequent blood glucose testing.
   Similar to Type 1, Type 2 Diabetes is treated with healthy eating, physical activity and blood glucose testing. Also, many people with Type 2 Diabetes must take medication orally, or insulin injections or even both to control blood glucose levels.

Diabetics must take responsibility for the day-to-day care and keep blood glucose levels from going too high or too low. A health care provider will monitor diabetes control and help people with diabetes to learn to manage the disease.

According to the CDC “A number of studies have shown that regular physical activity can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes also appears to be associated with obesity. Researchers are making progress in identifying the exact genetics and "triggers" that predispose some individuals to develop Type 1 Diabetes, but prevention remains elusive.”

The US Department of Health and Human Services is exploring the following “cures” for diabetes

  1. Pancreas transplantation

  2. Islet cell transplantation (islet cells produce insulin)

  3. rtificiaAl pancreas development

  4. Genetic manipulation (fat or muscle cells that do not normally make insulin have a human insulin gene inserted – then these “pseudo” islet cells are transplanted into people with Type 1 Diabetes).

Each of the previous approaches must overcome challenges, such as immune rejection, finding an adequate number of insulin cells, keeping cells alive and many other challenges. However, progress is being made in all facets of the cure.

Information and Helpful Resources

For more information about diabetes, we encourage you to visit the following websites:

AC LaRocco Pizza Company
1014 N. Pines, Suite 202
Spokane, WA 99206
509-924-9113
Copyright 2006