Diabetics and Food Choices

  Diabetics must closely monitor their food choices. Diabetics can eat the same foods as non-diabetics; they must simply be sure to restrict the amount of the foods they eat. Although foods are marketed to individuals who are diabetic, there are no real "diabetes foods."

Diabetes food choices are those that closely follow the rules of the diabetes food pyramid. The diabetes food pyramid is a bit different from the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) food pyramid in that the diabetes food pyramid groups foods according to their glycemic index - the effect that the food has on blood glucose levels. Diabetics must be very aware of how foods will affect their blood glucose levels (otherwise known as blood sugar level, blood sugar, or just sugar). Each item on the diabetes pyramid is grouped according to its effect on blood sugar.

The diabetes pyramid groups starchy vegetables such as corn, potatoes and peas with grains and beans because they have the same effect on blood glucose levels. Cheese is grouped with meats. For some foods, the serving sizes are different in the diabetes food pyramid. Serving sizes of rice and pasta are smaller in the diabetes food pyramid than they are in the USDA food pyramid. Similarly, serving sizes of fruit and fruit juices are smaller in the diabetes food pyramid. The idea is to make the food groups in the diabetes food pyramid relatively equal in carbohydrate content so that they have similar effects on blood sugar levels.

Diabetics need to make smart food choices. Understanding the effects that foods have on blood sugar levels is important to ensuring ongoing health. Diabetics may find that there are many foods marketed to their condition. Foods that are low in sugar and other carbohydrates may or may not be the best choice in the long run. Diabetics may find that foods that are low in carbs may be high in fat. Although diabetics need to cut carbs, they don't want to trade one health condition for another. Making sure that their diets are high in vegetables and low-carb foods, and low in foods that are high in fat and cholesterol is the best course of action for diabetics. As mentioned earlier, there are not actual diabetes foods. Diabetics eat the same foods as everyone else. There is really no need to purchase special foods for a diabetic diet. A diabetic who eats as close to nature as possible is choosing the best diet for him or her.

Diabetes food choices should be as natural as possible. We've all heard the hype about healthy eating. Eating foods that are close to nature makes choosing foods easier for diabetics as well as anyone who wants to follow a healthy eating plan. Diabetes food choices should include many fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains - foods that are natural. Processed foods tend to be high in salt as well as sugar. Purchasing foods and cooking them yourself will ensure the healthiest diet possible.

Ideally, the best way to ensure you are eating a healthful diet is to make as much as your own food as possible. Purchase tomatoes and make your own sauce. Purchase whole grain flour and make your own bread. And be sure to make your own sweet treats. Perhaps take one day a week and cook large quantities of foods and freeze them for use later. Many foods freeze well. For those that don't, or for individuals who cannot find the time to make their own foods, be sure to read those labels!

Rebecca J. Stigall is a full-time freelance writer, author, and editor with a background in psychology, education, and sales. She has written extensively in the areas of self-help, relationships, psychology, health, business, finance, real estate, fitness, academics, and much more! Rebecca is a highly sought after ghostwriter with clients worldwide, and offers her services through her website at

A trip to an amusement park can be an exciting way to spend a summer day. With rising gas prices an amusement park "day-cation" is now a more popular option than ever. That's not to say a trip to the local park is cheap. Most parks charge an admission fee for entrance, parking pass fee, deposit for rentable locker, and charge tokens to play games. The typical amusement park prohibits guests from bringing their own food into the park. Different people have different demands for food. Some people are willing to pay more for food, while others prefer to eat before going and not buy food after they enter the gates. The park sells food at concession stands, but usually charge prices twice as much as restaurants outside the park. How can the park charge outrageously high prices and not lose business? Would the amusement park gain by charging a higher or a lower price for food? The key to profit-maximizing an amusement park is to find the right balance between the price of food and admission.

Amusement parks can charge what they do for food and admission for a number of reasons. They have to pay for maintenance of the park and upkeep of the rides, employees, food, water, electricity, new rides, etc. If visiting guests want a safe, clean, open park that can add some fun rides and additions to the park every season or two, they're the ones who are going to have to pay for it. If an amusement park lowered the price of food then people would have to wait longer between new rides which usually lead guests to start to complain about if it gets too long. Food pricing at amusement parks also need to fit in the supply and demand realm. If a park gets overcrowded then new high capacity rides need to be built in order to service all of those people. To a certain degree, the pricing helps keep the attendance on a controlled growth path while financing expansion. This will not be the same for every park. Including one or two perks like free sunscreen or parking rolled into admission works for some parks. Others make guests feel in that one visit the park is trying to squeeze every penny out of them. It's not good for business when visitors walk out the door feeling like they've been taken advantage of as they will be less likely to return. The most successful amusement parks are the ones that find the equilibrium point between gate and food pricing.

In order to understand how an amusement park can charge high prices and still be successful another question needs to be answered: Why do so many people visit amusement parks every year? In 2006, over 335 million people visited America's theme parks. Generally, people visit parks for the rides. The rides are what the parks are selling to the customer. The ride lineup is probably the single biggest factor in the guest experience for most people through the gate. Most major cities usually only has one large amusement park within a convenient range, the issue is basically one of monopoly too. Still, the rides are the product and everything else is just details.

One of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world, Cedar Fair, owns and operates eleven amusement parks in North America including Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Consistently voted "Best Amusement Park in the World" in Amusement Today polls, Cedar Point is known as the roller coaster capital of the world with a grand total of seventeen coasters, more than any other park. A one day ticket for ages 3-61, 48" and taller during the 2008 season is $42.95. Parking is $10 and admission to Soak City Water Park is NOT included.

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, is a small family-owned and operated park with just four roller coasters. The park has been voted the "World's Friendliest Park" and the "World's Cleanest Park" for five years in a row by the readers of Amusement Today magazine. A general admission one day ticket in 2008 costs $39.95, almost as much as Cedar Point. While Cedar Point has thirteen more roller coasters, Holiday World's admission is only three dollars less. However, Holiday World's admission includes several perks including admission to Splashin' Safari Water Park for no additional charge, free sunscreen, free parking, and the biggie: free unlimited soft drinks. Which park is the better value for the guest and how does the profit-maximizing strategy of each park differ?

Known for some of the best amusement park rides in the world, Cedar Point is also home to some of the highest food prices in the industry. The majority of the food venues are very fast-food oriented, with limited menus, and prices geared for a semi-captive market of visitors unwilling to endure the time-consuming hassle of driving the causeway back to the city just to get a cheaper meal. At Cedar Point during the 2008 season it's $3.29 for a 16oz, $3.79 for a 22oz and $3.93 for a 32oz soda. A 20 oz bottle of coke at any Disney park is $2.00 even, a medium fountain drink is $2.19 and a large is $2.69 (allearsnet.com). A six inch Subway sub sandwich is $7 plus tax at the Point. Outside the park a foot-long Subway sub is only $5. A bottle of soda or water that can be found for a dollar in most vending machines is $3.50 at Cedar Point. Two entrees at Panda Express are $8.99 compared to the local mall price of $6.99. Refills on the $8.95 souvenir cup are $1.99 which means most guests might as well just buy the $4 drink because the break even point is four drinks, not to mention the hassle of carrying the huge cup around all day with the possibility of it being lost or stolen.

Not only is the cost of food at Cedar Point high, but the quality is just as poor. Based on a recent visit, the service at various counter locations can be described as "glacial, not friendly and pathetic." Here's the deal with the food: A good $2 hamburger is a good $2 hamburger. Part of the problem is that a good $2 hamburger is a LOUSY $8 hamburger. And when the park tries to sell that $2 hamburger for $10, it is going to seem even worse. And yet, if a consumer were to pay $2 for it, they would probably think it pretty darned good. That's what value is all about. The prices at Cedar Point are too high when judged in comparison to the quality of the food (with park-specific locations) and when judged against the equivalent choice outside the park (Subway example).

The good news is that even if guests are stuck in the park all day, most of the food items are optional. However, convenience is a big one. The majority of guests hate leaving a park and to go get something to eat as its time lost that could be spent riding the rides, the reason they came to the park in the first place. The whole process is bothersome: finding the way out of the park, getting the hand stamp, walking to the car, driving out of the lot, finding a place to eat, eating, driving back to the park, finding a parking space again, and walking back through the gate. In the end the majority of park guests are actually willing to accept a little more than a reasonable markup to just avoid the whole time and hassle of leaving the park for food.

How high can the prices of food go? Until the per-caps (spending per person in the park) actually drops or attendance significantly drops, there's not going to be a change. Would it be better to see the revenue made at the gate? If the park made the $43 admission ticket $50 then they could lower the price of food items inside the park by a dollar or two. The only catch is that people might just complain about the price to get in and not come in the first place.

According to the article "Cheaper to eat at the Point, too" Cedar Point actually lowered prices for the 2006 season. "The price of regular one-day admission (in 2006) is $39.95, down $5 from last year's (2005) $44.95" and a "20-ounce Pepsi soft drink was $2.75, now $2.39." Why did the park lower prices? "Guest comments may have played some role in the decision, but so did the park's lagging attendance the past few years." Run the math: The gate admission dropped 11%. That means an almost 13% increase in attendance is needed to make the same revenue. On top of that they dropped food prices in the park an average of 20%. Even if they make up the 11% price drop at the gate, if in-park food buying remains constant (in terms of volume, not dollars), they're down between 11% and 12% on food revenue. Still assuming the lower gate will drive attendance and knowing food dropped an average of 20% then the guest has to buy 12.5% more food (based on an average) to make up the difference. So with the price drops, just to keep the numbers the same, they need a 13% increase in attendance and on top of that need their guest to buy 12% more food. And that doesn't take into effect the increased costs of putting more people through the gate and selling more volume.

What was the result of lowering prices? Cedar Fair doesn't release per park attendance figures but since the 2006 season the food and ticket prices have gone back up (though the admission ticket price remains below the 2005 level.) The lowered prices did not pull in enough customers to make up the difference. The park is operating on fewer visitors at a higher margin. Cedar Point would've been better off lowering the price of food or gate but not both. Cedar Point might as well charge high prices for food because lower food prices didn't increase attendance to make up the difference. In Cedar Point's case the high food prices are not hurting their business because of the demand for their rides.

Holiday World has an interesting point of view on the food pricing issue. The park made a bold and risky move when president Will Koch decided to give away "free" unlimited soft drinks, included with the price of admission. Holiday World began their free unlimited soft drinks program in 2000, the same year they opened The Legend, a new three million dollar wooden rollercoaster. That year, they raised the ticket prices by $4.00 from the previous year's prices: $1.00 for the new ride, and $3.00 for the new unlimited soft drinks. The park built several "Pepsi Oasis" buildings with self-serve soft drink fountains. Were there guest complaints about the increase in the gate price? No. Were guests thankful for the free soft drinks? Yes.

The article "Liquid Assets for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari" contains some interesting inside information. In 1999, the year before they changed to free soft drinks, Holiday World's annual attendance was 564,373. In 2006 the park surpassed the one million mark for the first time in their history when 1,004,788 guests passed through the turnstiles, a 78% increase in attendance in just seven years. During that period, each year set a new attendance record (with the exception of 2005). But attendance isn't everything, attendance can't be spent, it doesn't exactly translate to more revenue.

The most amazing fact is on average guests have been spending more money inside the park as total per-capita spending has risen over the seven year period by 41%. Guests are spending more money on food. Total per-capita food spending has risen by 20% (according to the park "it took only until 2003 to recover the loss in food per-caps within the food service department not allocating any gate per-cap to foods"). Guests don't feel "cheated" by the food pricing like they would at a park that charges an arm-and-a-leg for it. Also, the self-serve drink locations speed up service at food venues leading to greater capacity and more profits. The park makes money by serving more guests and by not needing the additional employees to serve beverages. The park has also found guests stay longer, as they feel more comfortable, hydrated, and less tired. When visitors stay longer in the park they spend more money and when they leave happy they are much more likely to return.

From the same article, "We intentionally keep our prices lower than most of our competitors. We believe that the irritation we cause guests does not make up for the added revenue we might receive if we charged higher prices for our food. In fact, we try to stay within 20% of the pricing at fast food chains. Thinking about the cost of a meal at Holiday World in comparison with a meal at a fast food location, our total cost may well be lower than it would be outside the park because the food prices are reasonable, and the drinks are free."

The most important impact that the free soft drinks scheme has had on the park is in the free advertising that it generates for them. What's the most powerful word in advertising? FREE. President Will Koch had this to say about the unlimited drinks program: "I regard it as one of the best business decisions that our company ever made. It symbolizes a number of other value messages about our park, and gives our target market something extra to talk about after their visit. This word-of-mouth advertising is more effective than TV, radio and outdoor combined. It has been a big contributor to our attendance growth. Implemented well, it could work in other parks as well as it has in ours."

Is Holiday World's approach better than Cedar Point's pricing strategy? According to "Summer Fun!" the park served 380,000 gallons of free soft drinks last year (2007). Holiday World recently broke the 1,000,000 mark in attendance so for the sake of simplicity just round that down to an even one million and run the math. The result is surprising: 380,000 gallons = 48,640,000 ounces. 48,640,000 ounces divided by 1,000,000 guests = between 48 to 49 ounces per guest. That is just one and a half large drinks at a park like Cedar Point that charges almost $4.00 a cup for that large drink (32 oz). Is the average guest really drinking less than two large cups worth of soft drinks? It's no wonder Holiday World has seen revenue grow since adding free drinks - they're only giving away an average of $6 of soft drink (at the "highway robbery" Cedar Point pricing) to each guest on average. Holiday World has found the perfect niche in terms of how to price their park as can be seen in their attendance growth and guest satisfaction.

Another small park recently converted to Holiday World's pricing formula. Magic Springs, in Arkansas, went to free drinks and sunscreen last year. They increased the gate by $7 (now $45.99 + tax in 2008)and parking by $2 (now $9). The park is home to six roller coasters. The free drinks and sunscreen costs a family of four $30 extra (four tickets plus one parking pass). Even if drinks were $3 each - that's ten drinks. How many families of four were buying ten drinks before the change? It doesn't matter because now they're being forced to have ten drinks in order to break even.

Who does this "free" soft drink strategy benefit and who does it hurt? First off, this strategy really benefits the park. The real value that you can't put a cost on is being able to tell people they get free drinks. This translates to free advertising because it generates a lot of interest by word-of-mouth. In terms of the guests, those who drink a lot of beverages at the parks really benefit from this type of pricing but it also really hurts the guests that don't stay in the park very long. If an amusement park includes parking in the ticket price what happens to the people that get dropped off or take public transportation to the park? They're paying for an option they won't even use. For some guests this pricing scheme ends up costing them more, but for the park it is the best option.

Here's an interesting experiment: Gate price of $129 - everything included (parking, drinks, three meals, free lockers, even a game or two on the house). Rolling the entire visit into admission would probably make people balk at the ticket price. To guests who stay an entire day, park their own vehicle, and make use of the lockers, this would be a great option, to others it would end up costing them much more.

There is a sweet spot between the price of food and admission that every amusement park must find in order to maximize profits. The best option for most parks in America to end up with greater profit would be to raise each admission ticket $5-7 and include drinks and sunscreen. Looking at the revenue generated by those items, parks might make a little bit less than selling those individually, but the increased customer happiness would result in more than enough additional profit spread throughout the park to make it worthwhile https://www.teraviva.com.co/. Even if parks ended up making a little less per guest per visit, happy customers are much more likely to return, causing profits and attendance to grow. Rather than super sizing the drink and charging an arm and a leg for it, add a few dollars to the entry ticket and include unlimited soft drinks with nice small twelve or sixteen ounce cups. Someone who gets four free drinks in a day still has only taken forty-eight ounces of soda. If the gate price were right, the park could actually end up ahead thanks to the psychology of the cup size. Even though the opposite may be true, this type of pricing strategy makes guests feel they are getting a great value for their money. Happy guests are much more likely to spend money and make frequent return visits in which they will spend more money thus maximizing the park's profit.

The Importance Of Men's Style

Women like a well-dressed man as much as we like them in a little black dress and heels. Taking care of your appearance tells them something about who you are and they respect that. It portrays the standards you set for yourself in life. A well-dressed man is more confident, appealing and if not already so, more likely to be successful. Let's not kid ourselves. Women are attracted to confident, successful men. That's no secret.

Clothes are not just a superficial shell covering the character within but an extension of that character. Style is a way of saying who you are without having to open your mouth. There is little we can easily control when it comes to our appearance but with style we can choose the appearance we wish to give to put our best foot forward. Why would you not choose to give the best impression and be the best version of yourself? Having high standards is a lifestyle philosophy, something you bring to your wardrobe choices, your professional life and how you treat your family. Why settle for anything other than great? Clothes give you a confidence that breeds into areas of your life other than your physical attractiveness. When you look good you feel good; when you dress well you act well. Act well and you are treated well in return. It's a virtuous cycle of wellness. And it's time to put those wheels in motion.

A knight wouldn't go into battle without his steel plate or chain mail. His modern equivalent shouldn't go into his battles underdressed either.

Rarely do you see a well dressed but ill mannered man. (I hesitate to say never). There's a reason you never found Ol' blue eyes looking anything less than sharp. He knew what he was worth and went out to get it. He dressed for the success he wanted before he ever got there.

Well-cut, quality clothing is the modern day suit of armour for the modern day knight. We may now travel in trains, planes and automobiles instead of a trusty steed and, though they have undoubtedly changed, we are all still fighting our own battles in life. A knight wouldn't go into battle without his steel plate or chain mail. His modern equivalent shouldn't go into his battles underdressed either.

The experience and true benefit of great clothing is not external. The art is in how it makes you feel on the inside, inspiring confidence and success in pursuits of both business and pleasure.

When you walk into the room, at a bar, at a restaurant or at work, you can imagine the difference in how you feel when you know you are well dressed - that the clothes are cut to fit and suit you. You stand out in a good way.

Dress like a man. Enter your battles with confidence and go and get what you want out of life.

Do you often find yourself saying to your partner "that tie doesn't go with that shirt, try this one instead" or maybe "why are you wearing those shoes with those trousers?" Or perhaps you are left wondering why he still dresses as a student now that he's 40+!

Many women say to me "I wish my husband could put a shirt & tie together properly!. They tell me that one of their tasks is to ensure their partner's or son's or brother's outfit is appropriate as he's walking out of the door in the morning.

It seems that we wives, sisters, mothers, girlfriends are the stylists (and often, the shoppers) behind our men's wardrobes. Some love this responsibility but more and more of us wish their men could think for themselves on the style front.

So, when they learn that their men can be taught how to style themselves, they jump at the chance of booking him in for an Image Consultation.

At his Image Consultation, your man will learn a number of key rules which will give him the tools to organise his wardrobe to suit his style at home and at work. He will be able to easily put together his outfits for business and social occasions.

Colour Analysis

We women can use make-up to make our complexion flawless; an advantage which men do not have. Therefore, it's crucial that they wear a colour near to their face which compliments their natural skin tone. Wearing the right colour shirt will make a man appear younger, healthier and make his eyes sparkle. Everyone can wear every colour but his colouring (hair, eyes, skin tone) will determine whether he should opt for lighter or darker shades, warm or cool undertones and how strong (clear to muted) his colours should ideally be. During an Image Consultation, your man will be shown how to assemble his wardrobe with coordinated clothing which provides maximum versatility.

Style Personality

It is important for our men to know and understand their Style Personality because it will provide them with the knowledge of why a certain style of dressing suits their personality and their lifestyle. A well dressed man will have an image which expresses his personality while also being appropriate for his workplace and social life. Whether he has a Creative, Dramatic, Romantic, Classic, Natural or International personality, understanding his Style Personality will be the catalyst in bringing his whole wardrobe together.

Build

So, now that he understands which colours are best for him and which image suits his personality, adding the finishing touches are crucial to perfecting your man's image https://topnewsreview.com/. An Image Consultant will help him analyse his build (body shape, scale and proportions) and offer guidelines for clothes shopping for his build. For example, the fabric he chooses needs to be in balance with his build and the style of suit which will suit him best will depend on his body shape. Whether he should wear his casual shirts tucked in or left loose will be determined by his proportions.

Appropriateness

Being appropriately dressed for every occasion creates the best first impression he can give. An Image Consultation will show your man how to look the part, whatever the occasion while still following all his rules of colours, build and style.