type 2 diabetes - what am I supposed to eat?????
kimdarren
Posts: 76 Member
:sad: :I have been told so many different things, and I've read different information on different websites. One tells me to eat healthy, another tells me I shouldn't eat bananas, grapes or raisons (funny, I thought they were healthy). I've been told I could have whatever I want as long as it's within reason (who decides that?). I've been told I should have absolutely no sugars, and then I'm told I can have sugar just to watch the amount of carbs I have .......arrgggggghhhhhhhhh!
What's a person to do?
What's a person to do?
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Replies
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Do you have a meter? If so, eat to your meter because everybody is a bit different. Start by keeping your meals simple. Example: First morning have eggs and a vegetable or a slice of tomato (not both). 2 hours later test your blood. If it's over 140 then you know that vegetable/tomato is something you can't eat right now. If it's under 140 then you can eat that. Second morning: Try eggs and a little fruit. Test 2 hours later. Third morning: Try something else.
You can't just randomly eat or snack. You have to eat a meal. Wait 2 hours from the time you started eating and test. Snacks need to be balanced.
Log, log, log your meals. Note how many carbs are in the meal and what affect it had on your blood sugar. You will learn how many carbs a meal your metabolism can handle without raising your blood glucose over 140 2 hours after a meal.
You want to keep your foods low on the glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) is the rate that your body converts food to glucose. The lower the GI the slower the conversion. A good resource for learning and using the glycemic index is "The Gycemic Index for Dummies". There are websites that will tell you what the glycemic index is for any food. Bananas, grapes, raisins are all high GI. Most fruit is. They will shoot your sugar up. Some that you might try, testing 2 hours later, are berries and cantaloupe. Sugar is pure carb. Sugar is very high on the glycemic index. Honey is no different than sugar.
I always recommend a low carb diet for diabetics. A low carb paleo diet is a good framework for diabetics. Try it for 30 days and see if you get better control of your blood glucose levels. Once you have control then you can experiment with adding additional foods.
Again: test test test and log log log.
Don't expect perfection. Work on getting progressively better control. If you have a meal and your blood sugar shoots up. Don't panic. You didn't fail. You just learned.0 -
Yep, laura's advice is spot on. Diabetics can eat whatever they want IF whatever they want doesn't raise blood glucose beyond what a "normal" person would experience.
Carbs aren't your enemy, but carbs do raise blood glucose and you need to find the level of carbs you can eat without an adverse effect. Fruits and grains are quite carb-heavy, although there are better choices. Vegetables are a more carb-smart choice, but you need to be aware of the carb-heavy options (potatoes come to mind) and manage portion sizes more strictly. Nuts and seeds are great, provided you don't eat huge servings.
Easiest way to determine what you can have is to test, test, test until you have an arsenal of foods you can turn to reliably. If your insurance balks at covering the test strips (and many refuse to cover more than 102 test strips per day unless a diabetic is insulin-dependent), you can purchase a ReliOn meter from Walmart without a prescription. 50 test strips are $9 - quite reasonable.0 -
Simple answer: A lower carb diet is beneficial for most diabetices.
When checking foods for carbs I prefer to use the Glycemic Load rather than the Glycemic Index. Glycemic index is a scientific measure of the carbs in a specific amount (50g) of food. Glycemic load factors in a typical serving size for a particular type of food.
Here's an article explaing the difference between Glycemic Load and Glycemic Index.
http://www.realsolutionsmag.com/ezine/83/issue83c.asp
Both are important tools for diabetics.
Here's are some charts that show both values GI/GL of several food groups.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm
http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm
In addition to diet control, regular exercise is also important for controlling blood glucose levels.0 -
Well I learned something today and that's stay away from regular jello had some for lunch. Before lunch reading was 5.8 2 hours later 8.1. So jello is definantly a no no for me. I'm learning. I'll get it right some day.
Good luck all.
Linda C.0 -
What you will find out is that diabetes is a very individual disease. While there are certainly basic principles that we can all benefit to follow, the only way to determine the specific foods that YOU can eat it to eat to your meter. If you eat something and it doesn't cause you to spike to an unacceptable level, eat it. If it does cause you to spike over that line, accept the fact that you need to eliminate it from your diet. What spikes me may not spike you, and vice versa. We all react differently to a food. For example, I had lunch with my father today, who is also a diabetic. He ordered a sweet potato as one of his side dishes. It doesn't cause him to spike. I know from testing that a sweet potato causes me to spike way above a level I am comfortable with. However, I could eat apples all day long without a problem, and he can't go near one. The key is to find out what works for you.0
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Yes, everyone is different. Hence why the advice you have been seeing elsewhere is so confusing.
For example: Laura (2nd poster) who low carbs and myself who tries to keep mine to below 50% of my diet (150g). and Travis's example between him and his father!
This is a useful link about keeping your blood sugar levels controlled.
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/18217337.php
And if you have not seen your diabetic dietician, that can be helpful when first diagnosed.0 -
Thank you so much for all of the advice everyone.
I should've mentioned I'm in the UK and initially, my diabetic nurse hasn't given me anything to monitor my blood. I'm supposed to go for a blood test every 3 months and apparently they can get an average of my sugars through that. So really, I haven't any way of knowing what affects my sugar levels at the moment. The nurse did send me to a course that was 2 afternoons long but I came away from that even more confused than when I went in there.
It sounds as though it's basically impossible to know what affects me unless I monitor my blood on a daily basis.
I'll definately look into the GI thing though.
Thanks
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Then I suggest that you look over this support group and read threads started by people who have successfully controlled their diabetes. See the kind of diets they have chosen. Explore those diets to see which one you think will fit the best for you. Stick to the diet you choose until your next blood work is done to see if you are improving.Thank you so much for all of the advice everyone.
I should've mentioned I'm in the UK and initially, my diabetic nurse hasn't given me anything to monitor my blood. I'm supposed to go for a blood test every 3 months and apparently they can get an average of my sugars through that. So really, I haven't any way of knowing what affects my sugar levels at the moment. The nurse did send me to a course that was 2 afternoons long but I came away from that even more confused than when I went in there.
It sounds as though it's basically impossible to know what affects me unless I monitor my blood on a daily basis.
I'll definately look into the GI thing though.
Thanks0 -
Thank you for the advice on the test strips. My insurance just changed Jan. 1st and they don't cover any test strips now. I can not afford $110.00 for a box of 100 strips. I got 2 boxes before end of year, but am worried what I would do when they run out. I have the Ultra touch slim. I will have to check into that meter and strips (for 100 is only $18.00. Even when my insurance was BC/BS it would cost me almost $11.00 for the 100 strips (I had to pay 10 percent of cost.. work in hospital). Thanks again for the advice on strips/tester0
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was it regular Jello or Sugar Free? I use the single serve sugar free and it does ok with my numbers.0
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I'm UK based too, this is exactly how things went for me and mirrors my view of the advice. So I did a lot of reading.I should've mentioned I'm in the UK and initially, my diabetic nurse hasn't given me anything to monitor my blood. I'm supposed to go for a blood test every 3 months and apparently they can get an average of my sugars through that. So really, I haven't any way of knowing what affects my sugar levels at the moment.
Thanks
There is an excellent book that really helped me. I've recommended it before on here, I'm not on commission, honest. Its called "The first Year Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. I also found Diabetes for Dummies good too.
I bought a cheap meter, the main cost is the pins and strips. I think you only get them for free if you are prescribed insulin.
The three months test they talked about is the HbA1c, called an A1C on this board. For an overview of that look here:
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/what_is_the_hba1c.htm0 -
you can get a meter on ebay for $20 and the strips are about 20 there too. I sugest you get a meter asap. It will teach you soo much! I keep my carbs at 15% which is around 20 per meal and try to make half of them fiber carbs. It will be difficult at first, I actually had withdrawls from carbs when I started out. a few weeks in and it does get easier.0
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Hi Kimdarren, many of us on this site can empathise with your feeling of confusion and frustration at apparently conflicting information. Previous posters have given some sound information and Travis, as usual makes a number of really good points about Diabetes being a very personal condition which needs lots of trial and error before settling on what works for us as individuals. The encouraging thing for you to grasp is that you've made an excellent decision in joining this support group. We're a pretty diverse group with a wide range of experience. My experience of the group is a very positive one and I'm greatful for all the help I've been given. There are a number of people on here who are from the UK and even further afield like across the water in Northern Ireland. Sadly NICE policy is that only those who are Type 1 or Type 2s who are on insulin are issued with meters. The rest of us have to make do or else buy meters privately if circumstances allow. The big problem is the cost of strips rather than the meters themselves. Have a look at Diabetes.co.uk as a great information source. There is a current petition on the go to lobby for meters to be issued to all diabetics. I'm sorry you had a poor experience of the Diabetes education course. The tests you should be having are an A1C every three months, at least a six monthly podiatry check, an annual retinopathy check and an annual review to consider your progress and review all aspects of your care. You should also have a written care plan. If this is not happening you should follow up with your GP and refer him/her to the NICE recommendations. Signing up to the weekly newsheet from Diabetes.co.uk will keep you abreast of the latest news and research.
You need to realise that MFP, while excellent, is not specifically geared to diabetics in that the carb levels are a little too high for us. As a rule of thumb try to aim for about 45 gms net carbs per main meal with ablout 20 net carbs for snacks if required. One of the best pieces of advice I was given in this group was to try and pre-plan my meals so that my meal targets are achieved. The most important thing is to take a deep breath and start from wherever you are. Don't try to do too many things at once. Gain control in one area before moving on to the next. Pateince and persistence are essential. Take your time and read over the various boards on this group which will give you sound information. When you're ready to ask questions you will find the people in this group to be helpful and willing to help. Feel free to add me as friend if you think I may be able to help.0 -
I don't have much to add, as all that's already been said is so valuable. I just want to say... I'm sorry. It's hard, overwhelming and life-altering even with the very best information and resources... and you're struggling with both. Hang in there... you will get your hands on what you need, somehow, and you will get the knowledge you need. It's incredible work/effort, and it'll take time, but you'll get there. Please be gentle, patient, and kind to yourself.0
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Another fine website is diabetes.org. It's got much good information that is easy to understand.0
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Another fine website is diabetes.org. It's got much good information that is easy to understand.
and if you venture into the forums, there are two very frequent posters with wonderfully easy to understand, informative blogs .... Alan and Lizzie0 -
I have struggled with what to eat as well. Today I spent some time on the computer looking for some answers. I found the diabeteslivingonline.com website and found it very helpful. They have actual recipes that look delicious and I intent to try them out. They also had some slide shows that helped me understand how to build a decent breakfast and snacks. I just wish I could find one for brown bag lunches as well.0
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a lot of small pharmacies will give you a free meter, strips for it will run you about 25$ for 50, I just purchased a reli on meter from walmart for $10 and strips are 50/$9. My husbands insurance will only pay for them if they are billed as durable medical equipment but the copay is higher than the cheap strips at Walmart. Good luck! I honestly thing its dumb for insurance not to cover them, it is disease management, if people cant afford to monitor it correctly it will cost them a lot more in medical bills and medicines later on0
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Hi!!! I'm new to the group. My name is Christine and I live in Tampa, FL. I am 47 years old, married with a 10 year old boy.
I was diagnosed last week with type 2 diabetes (my level is a 6.). (I also have high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.)
Obviously, I am over weight (approximately about 80 lbs). My physician put me on a once per day medication to regulate my blood sugar. I went to see a dietician who has given me a low carb (1200 calorie and 135 carbs per day) diet and recommended this website for tracking and encouragement. So far, I love this site and the phone app and feel encouraged just by reading some of the posts within this support group. I have lost 7 lbs so far this week (which makes me feel great.
My goal is 50 lbs by Christmas 2013, and 25 lbs by June 25, 2014 <
I wan't to look great and feel great by my 50th birthday in September 2015. :O)
I find that eating healthy is not difficult, but I really have trouble finding snack items. Everything either is a carb, is high in salt, or sugar.
I've purchased: strawberries, rice cakes, wheat crackers with hummas, tangerines, but I'm getting really bored with them.
Can anyone recommend other things?
Thanks!!! ----Christine0 -
Hi!!! I'm new to the group. My name is Christine and I live in Tampa, FL. I am 47 years old, married with a 10 year old boy.
I was diagnosed last week with type 2 diabetes (my level is a 6.). (I also have high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.)
Obviously, I am over weight (approximately about 80 lbs). My physician put me on a once per day medication to regulate my blood sugar. I went to see a dietician who has given me a low carb (1200 calorie and 135 carbs per day) diet and recommended this website for tracking and encouragement. So far, I love this site and the phone app and feel encouraged just by reading some of the posts within this support group. I have lost 7 lbs so far this week (which makes me feel great.
My goal is 50 lbs by Christmas 2013, and 25 lbs by June 25, 2014 <
I wan't to look great and feel great by my 50th birthday in September 2015. :O)
I find that eating healthy is not difficult, but I really have trouble finding snack items. Everything either is a carb, is high in salt, or sugar.
I've purchased: strawberries, rice cakes, wheat crackers with hummas, tangerines, but I'm getting really bored with them.
Can anyone recommend other things?
Thanks!!! ----Christine
Welcome!
My current favorite snack is Dannon Light and Fit Greek yogurt. It is high in protein and you get a bit of fruit at the bottom...lots of flavors available. I also put it in my protein shake every morning. I don't snack a lot but it is always in my refrigerator. I buy tons of it every time I go to the grocery, ha! I also keep fat free cottage cheese on hand. One thing to remember, a little protein with every meal and snack. It will allow you to have a bit of fruit without raising your blood sugar too much. I used to eat apples and natural peanut butter too, but I had lap band surgery and no longer eat those. Sure is good together though!
I've been a type 2 diabetic for over 20 yrs and just came off of my insulin last week. If I could go back I would change my diet and exercised and kept myself off of it. Live and learn.0 -
I find that eating healthy is not difficult, but I really have trouble finding snack items. Everything either is a carb, is high in salt, or sugar.
I've purchased: strawberries, rice cakes, wheat crackers with hummas, tangerines, but I'm getting really bored with them.
Can anyone recommend other things?
Thanks!!! ----Christine
Fruit, rice cakes and crackers would definitely not work for me as snacks! I turn to
1. dill pickles
2. small amounts of cheese
3. small amounts of nuts
4. a square or two of dark (85%) chocolate
5. crudite, usually with tzatziki
6. pepperoni chips - a few slices of pepperoni microwaved for 20-30 seconds or until crispy
7. sugar-free Jello
8. protein ice cream - a protein shake poured into an ice cream maker. Just watch for the sugars - some of the protein shakes might as well be milkshakes!0 -
Ohhh!!! Thanks for the snack ideas. They sound awesome!0
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I struggled with this as well. I found a wonderful website diabeteslivingonline.com that has some good recipes and suggestions on what to eat. You may also want to consult a nutritionist to get an idea of what and how much of various foods you can eat. You are not alone, we all go through this, especially at the beginning.0
