Maintaining a healthy weight is an important part of diabetes management. If you have weight to lose try this easy way to get a jump start on your diet. Vegetables are low in fat, nutritious and filling. Bump up your servings of veggies and you won't have room for unhealthy snacks or high fat foods.

Vegetables don't have to be boring. Explore your produce aisle and find good buys in season. Try out some new recipes. Try sauteing some greens in a little lowfat chicken broth, or roasting some cauliflower. With a little creativity, you can increase your nutrition while decreasing your weight.

Try these great veggie recipes from About.com Guides...

• Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
• Sweet Potato "Fries"
• Old World Cabbage and Pepper Saute

Or if you'd like to get a little exotic, try...

• Thai Stir-fried Vegetables with Garlic, Ginger, and Lime
• Asian Green Beans

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The American Heart Association suggests taking 7 steps towards a healthier heart. When you have type 2 diabetes, your risk of heart related problems increases. Following these 7 steps can help protect your heart.

Life's Simple 7

• Get Active - increase your exercise
• Control Your Cholesterol - with diet, lifestyle changes and meds, if prescribed
• Eat Better - Follow a healthy diet
• Manage Blood Pressure - with diet, lifestyle changes and meds, if prescribed
• Lose Weight - with diet and exercise
• Reduce Blood Sugar - with diet, exercise and meds, if prescribed
• Quit Smoking - no explanation needed. Smoking is bad for your health.

Take control of your health. Your heart will thank you.

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The FDA has issued a warning that counterfeit bottles of Alli, the popular over-the-counter weight loss drug have been found. The counterfeit capsules contain sibutramine, a drug that is also known by the brand name, Meridia, a prescription weight loss drug that is a controlled substance.

Alli contains orlistat, a medication that works by blocking the absorption of fat from food. Sibutramine works by triggering the brain to make a person feel full or satisfied while eating less.

The counterfeit Alli does not contain orlistat. It contains sibutramine, which can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can cause serious problems in people with cardiovascular conditions.

If you have purchased Alli recently, especially from the internet, be aware that the product may contain sibutramine.

According to a press release from the FDA, the counterfeit Alli has these distinct characteristics.

• Outer cardboard packaging missing a "Lot" code
• Expiration date that includes the month, day, and year (e.g., 06162010); authentic Alli expiration date includes only the month and year (e.g., 05/12)
• Packaging in a plastic bottle that has a slightly taller and wider cap with coarser ribbing than the genuine product
• Plain foil inner safety seal under the plastic cap without any printed words; the authentic product seal is printed with "SEALED for YOUR PROTECTION"
• Contains larger capsules with a white powder, instead of small white pellets

Report adverse events that may be related to the use of these counterfeit products to the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, or by mail at: MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787.

One of the complications that can occur with diabetes, is nephropathy or kidney damage. High blood sugar levels over the course of years, can damage delicate structures in the kidneys, causing damage and ultimately kidney failure.

Good blood sugar control can help reduce the risk, but it's good to know the symptoms of kidney failure.

Here's what to look for...

• Symptoms of Kidney Disease in Diabetes

More from your diabetes guide...

• Kidney Disease in Diabetes

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