Type 2 Diabetes and carb counting...HELP!

ReneeJ814

Hey Everybody!

My mom was just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I'm trying to help her figure out a diet that will work for her. I know that counting carbs is essential to managing diabetes. She drinks several sodas a day (mostly diet, but still...) and eats fast food every day for lunch. Cutting back on sodas and fast food is a must, for sure! I think that if she eats the way that I do (minus some of the icecream) she'll be ok. My carb count averages around 150-160 grams per day. Would that be a good goal for her or is that too high? Remember, she is not overweight and doesn't need to lose weight. This new to both of us and I want to help her the best way I can. Thanks!

Ladyhawk44

Hi Renee,
I am also a type 2. I try to take in at the most 110 carbs per day and 1200 calories a day. I have lost 75lbs in 7 months. But due to an medical issue I gained 30lbs back. I am once again on a low carb/calorie diet again. Let your mom know this. 1. I was a fast food junky and 6 pack a coke a day kind of gal. My doctor told me if I didnt get my sugars under control he was going to put me on insulin. I refuse to give myself shots!! That day I promised myself that I would not go on insulin and would get my sugars under control. I went from a A1C of 10 down to a A1C of 6.2. it took me 3 months to do this. Which according to Americian Diabetes Assoc. they have a wonderful website with meals. May I ask you how old is your mom? My mother is a type 2 also and there for a while she didnt care what she ate. She figured she could eat what she wanted because she is old and she would die happy. My mother is 74 going stong and on insulin. She now watches what she eats. Just remember the lower the carb intake the lower the sugar level. her level bepending on age should me in the AM between 90-110. 2 hours after a meal should be no higher than 160. A good sugar level of 120 is great. To get used to what she should eat and not eat she should check her sugar levels as follows: upon waking, before lunch, 2 hours hour after lunch, before dinner and 2 hours after dinner. I know!! its alot of checking. But different foods make your sugars spike. Sorry for the book, but I hope this helps. Any questions let me know. You can add me as a friend if you would like.

Thanks!!

CTcutie

My mom had a nutritionist (or was it a dietician??) to come up with a plan - also type 2 diabetes following gestational diabetes. It was the old food exchange plan, and this was several years ago. There are specialists that work with diabetics to help keep them on the right path and address (food) issues as they arise. You do not need to do it on your own

wibblefps

Have you looked at the published information about reversing type 2, if and I stress "IF" it's caught early enough? I came very close, enough that I started to lose my eye sight, crash after meals etc. It was actually the optician who sent me to the doctor and I was borderline. Afterward I cut sugars, simple carbs from my diet and after a few weeks my eyes went back to normal and the headaches went but it wasn't until after I had been eating properly for a few months (and changing my exercise) that I really started to recover.

I won't state the specific medical advice about the approach to restoration or reversal because I'm not an authority and this would be irresponsible. What I would suggest is speaking to a specialist specifically about the possibility of recovery, if they've not already done so.

218Beth

My mom had a nutritionist (or was it a dietician??) to come up with a plan - also type 2 diabetes following gestational diabetes. It was the old food exchange plan, and this was several years ago. There are specialists that work with diabetics to help keep them on the right path and address (food) issues as they arise. You do not need to do it on your own

+1

My Dad sees a nutritionist every so often. He's borderline diabetic at 75. And he's on blood thinners.

TheCaren

Your mom needs to see a registered dietician or her endocrinologist to get a diet plan set up. Everyone's needs are different. IMHO,

branson101

she needs help that is personalized to her. She needs to know what foods are "trigger" foods. It's rice for me. I know someone that can't eat cereal. They all shoot their blood sugar sky high. She needs to work around her lifestyle. How bad is her blood sugar. I have friends that are strict to their diets and meds and can't control their readings. I can work stuff into my day and be within range with my meds. From talking to other and reading the posts around here, but goals are higher than most. My doc has me at 3 meals @65 carbs each and 2 snack @15 each a day. But I don't know what your Mom's doc says so please don't go by my numbers.

She seriously consider logging her food and exercise here. It is a great thing to be able to show your doctor so they can get an accurate assessment of her health.

Stage14

she needs help that is personalized to her. She needs to know what foods are "trigger" foods. It's rice for me. I know someone that can't eat cereal. They all shoot their blood sugar sky high. She needs to work around her lifestyle. How bad is her blood sugar. I have friends that are strict to their diets and meds and can't control their readings. I can work stuff into my day and be within range with my meds. From talking to other and reading the posts around here, but goals are higher than most. My doc has me at 3 meals @65 carbs each and 2 snack @15 each a day. But I don't know what your Mom's doc says so please don't go by my numbers.

She seriously consider logging her food and exercise here. It is a great thing to be able to show your doctor so they can get an accurate assessment of her health.

Every word of this! My husband was diagnosed with type 2 about 6 weeks ago. He's done a tremendous job of turning his diet around, and he uses MFP for tracking because it's more user friendly than many of the Diabetes apps we found. However, his carb intake was given to him by his doctor and I would never give another person advice on the best diet to combat it. I will say that there are tons of resources online, like American Diabetes Association, Diabetic Living Online, etc for meal plan ideas and recipes, but please please please have her talk to a nutritionist or doctor about her specific nutrition needs.

iquiltoo

Read this thread - lots of good info.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/946167-diabetics-and-daily-calories

camila_scl

She needs to figure out a diet plat with her endocrinologist.

Pearsquared

She needs to figure out a diet plat with her endocrinologist.

Definitely. Certain carbs affect diabetics much more than others - it's not always a matter of the amount. A specialist would know best which foods she she be eating the most and least of.

Azdak

Diabetes education is covered by most health insurance plans. If your mother has been recently diagnosed, it would be helpful to meet with diabetes educator and a registered/licensed dietitian (Note: the terms are often used interchangeably by lay people, but a "nutritionist" is NOT a dietitian--NO dietitian will call themselves a "nutritionist").

This is not something you should try to do yourself.

robert65ferguson

Have a look at the various Diabetic support groups here on MFP where you will find a weath of information and support.