Diabetic and need help

I would suggest contacting a dietitian that specializes in diabetes management, I was diagnosed in 2012 with an A1C of nearly 11%. After I learned how to properly fuel my body I was taken off my meds and have a normal A1C as well as insulin level.

There is so much bad info tossed around about disease management that it really takes a professional that is certified in it to best explain and design a plan to help you succeed.

oats are good, as is barley, as both are packed with fiber to slow carb absorption. i make my oats with unsweetened soy milk (plain or vanilla) as this is much lower carb than regular milk, and i sweeten with stevia which has no calories. you could also use splenda or sweet and low. i find that barley is delish with almost any dressing - i use galeo's ginger wasabe or ken's lower fat blue cheese. i also like erewhon unsweetened brown rice cereal with soy milk as a snack.

steamed broccoli is good, even when made in the microwave - it's low in calories and carbs, high in vitamin A and C, and also good with galeo's ginger wasabe mixed with a little daisy light sour cream. lean meats or soy burgers tend to be low in carbs and high in protein - i love sol cusine original burgers myself. i have them on a single slice of lower calorie bread with very little or no sugar in it and use mustard, which i love and has very few calories (i use unsalted mustard). i tend to avoid rice and pasta as they're too calorie heavy and put me over my calorie/carb goal per meal.

egg beaters are yummy and pretty much all protein or you could have regular eggs. you can cut up red bell peppers and mushrooms and make a scramble. i hear on these boards there's reduced carb milk, but i haven't seen it myself yet.

btw, i eat 6 smaller meals per day as the lower calorie meals cause less increase in my blood sugar levels, which due to the lower amount of calories go back down in about 2 1/2 hours from the time i eat.

Don't eat sugar, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes or corn.

Eat meat, eggs, dairy, fish, chicken, veggies (lots of veggies), and fat!

If you're going to eat fruit, eat lower sugar fruit like melons and berries.

Don't drink anything with sugar (e.g. soda, milk, sweetened teas, etc.).

this ^^ but i'll add, LOTS of fat!
look into ketogenic diet. i have PCOS (insulin resistance) and follow a 5% carbs, 75% fat and 20% protein plan (for the day).
if you haven't done anything close to those numbers before, start slow! (for example, if you are eating 50% a day, go to 1/2 or even 1/3 first) it's a shock to the system and you WILL feel like s**t at first! i originally was doing 20% carbs 40%protein and 40% fat, and dipping down was hard at first. but you'll get it.

Eat more vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables.

Choose fresh, frozen, and canned without added salt or fat.
Include a variety of types and colors.

Choose whole grain foods over foods made with refined grains and flours.

Try to make at least half the grains you eat whole grains.
When buying pasta, breads, tortillas, crackers, and cereal, choose those with a whole grain listed as the first ingredient.
Switch from sugary cereals to unsweetened whole grain cereal or oatmeal.

Choose lean protein foods.

Try to include fish twice per week.
Choose vegetarian sources of protein often such as beans and soy-based products.
Eggs and egg substitute are also great sources of protein.
Remove the skin from chicken and turkey.
Choose lean cuts of beef and pork, such as those that end in “loin” (pork loin and sirloin).

Fruit is also a great option and can curb your sweet tooth.

Choose fresh, frozen, or canned fruit without added sugars.

Choose low-fat milk and dairy.

1% or skim milk, or unflavored soy milk are best.
Non-fat or low-fat yogurt (plain or sweetened with artificial sweetener).
Opt for reduced-fat cheeses or cottage cheese.

Choose healthy fats in moderation and limit unhealthy fats.

Healthy fats include vegetable oils, mayonnaise, trans-free margarine, margarine with plant sterols and stanols, avocado, olives, nuts, and seeds.

Some additional guidelines:

Cut back on high calorie snack foods and desserts.
Reduce intake of chips, cookies, cakes, full-fat ice cream, etc.
Watch your portion sizes.
Eating too much of even healthful foods can lead to weight gain.
If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. (Two or less drinks per day for men and one or less drinks per day for women.)

I second the dietitian idea. When I was diagnosed in 2009, my doctor recommended a dietician and my insurance paid for it. It was a great way to figure out what I can and can not eat.

I eat lots of lean protein and veggies. For a sweet treat, I eat fruit. With my weight loss and exercise, my A1C is now within the normal range and I don't have to be quite as careful, but I still watch pretty closely and usually avoid eating high-carb foods very often. When I want pasta, I usually cut my pasta noodle portion in half and bulk up with "Zoodles" which are ribbons of zucchini just blanched to soften a little. You can use a mandolin to cut the zucchini into ribbons and I think they make some other kitchen gadgets out there that do that as well. I then add a nice big salad and skip the garlic bread. I eat a ton of chicken, pork, fish and lean beef. I love the mini babybel cheeses for a snack - protein with low fat and zero to no carbs. I have gotten really creative with salads. One of my favorite quick, go-to lunches is a Jimmy John's Unwich with the meat and cheese wrapped in lettuce instead of bread. I think there are hamburger places out there that do the same with burgers as well.

One of the absolute best things you can do to control your blood glucose is to EXERCISE!!! Exercise, exercise, exercise!!! I know everyone is different, but exercising is the single biggest benefit to my blood glucose - it makes a far bigger difference than anything I eat, good or bad. I can tell immediately with my first fasting test of the day if I exercised the day before or not. There is a 20-point swing in my glucose between days I exercise and days I don't. You don't have to kill yourself exercising either. I get that benefit from a 45-minute walk around my neighborhood! Just move your body. Exercise also makes you feel good about yourself. It makes it easier to move and enjoy life.

go see a dietician and good luck to you!

I'd recommend avoiding MSG wherever possible as well.

Here's why: http://msgtruth.org/diabetes.htm

MSG travels in many different forms and names, so you can check out that site for educational info to help you identify it. It's in nearly ALL processed foods.

Getting off MSG has a very high impact on blood sugar levels as well as appetite.

I also suggest a diabetic dietition.

If you are a picky eater, then keep trying new things! There are so many things out there and so many different recipes. There are a ton of recipe websites. Find one you like and try some of the recipes. If you don't like what you tried, then try something else. There is no reason to be bored. I have never eaten more variety of foods than since I got my diabetes diagnosis! All the diabetes means is that you now have to step out of your comfort zone and get a little creative.

Seriously start with a dietician first though. They'll help you get started and then build on that foundation.

I don't avoid any foods and I don't feel like you completely have to. Eat to your meter. It's best to test at least 6 times a day if you are new to diabetes. You need to know where you are how and how different things effect your blood sugar. There is a great diabetes group here on MFP. Join. You can also friend me and check out my food diary. Exercise!! Just like someone else mentioned. That makes the biggest effect on lowering my blood sugar. Even if it's just a 30 minute walk a day. I like doing as much research, etc. about diabetes as I can. I want to be informed.

I've also I have found you get the most advice from non-diabetics that don't know what they are talking about!