I've just been diagnosed as diabetic. I'm not upset. But I'm going to be very
cranky and irritable soon if I'm not allowed to eat any of what I call "The
Four C's:" Candy, Cake, Cookies, IceCream.

I was wondering if anyone would like to join me here to discuss foods, recipes,
cheats, etc. Anything regarding diabetes is acceptable. Let's be kind.

For starters, I'll say that my glucose on Monday was 139. Normal range is
70-99. Several months ago it was high, but not so high. I think it was in the
low 120's.

I'm going to go to a class to learn about diet and how to use my glucose meter.
(I think that's what it's called.)

I'm being put on a medication (forgot the name) that isn't insulin, but something
that helps whatever part(s) of the body are supposed to regulate your sugar
intake and output. The medication is being mailed to me. That's why I don't
know the name.

I'll no doubt have a lot of questions, and I will appreciate any of you who
either suffer from diabetes or deal/live with someone who does who will take
time to answer, and who will contribute to this thread.

Of course, this won't just be for me, it'll be for anyone who participates.

---

~Sue~

All I know Suzie-Q is that I was tested for being Diabetic, not a trace, also My Doctor said that My heart was fine, even though My Maternal Grandmother died of hardening of the arteries, it was on Her death certificate, so it was official, plus My Mom died of heart problems, She needed a pacemaker, yet wasn't fit enough, so they let Her die(age 76), My Aunt had(My Moms sister) had a pacemaker and lived until She was 88, My Paternal side is better though.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

My GF got diabetes 2 about 10 years ago.
And like you she was medicated with Metformin that is not insulin.
There are unfortunatly no shortcuts.
Low sugar diet and exercise are also needed.

As you say your glucose content is not so high.
But it's normal that the content goes up and down especially when you're diabetic.
A low content will make you feel shaky and crawing food.
A high content on the other hand dazed and confused and very tired.
Thats why you have to monitor it.

There are posts from diabetics all over the Atkins site. Atkins, (low carb, high fat, moderate protein), Diet Plan is a VERY good plan to be on for diabetics according to the on site nutritionists that post there.

I can say that after six months of being on Plan, my blood sugar dropped nine points!!! :-) This is a fantastic achievement for me, since I'm on Bipolar medication that DOES raise blood sugar.

Prior to Atkins, my blood sugar was 99 and my A1C was 5.8. Now my blood sugar is 90, and my A1C was NOT retested; so, I don't know where that sits; but, since my blood sugar dropped 9 points, my A1C should also have dropped.

The only carbs I get in my diet, now, are from non-starchy veggies.

I would recommend going to Atkins.com and read up on the Plan, and discuss this with your doctor. If he/she agrees, start the Atkins Plan. It's been the greatest decision I've made with the support of my Primary Care Physician, my Psychiatrist, and my family.

Good luck, and God bless, Suzie. :-)


TL

---

TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
Come along K-9!
Join Calm Chaos

My mother was a Type 1 diabetic. She pass on at a young age. My stepmom and dad are type 2. So I know a little bit about what you are facing.

Your medication is probably Metformin. My stepmom also uses Glyburide with it.

Already you know about the biggest thing you have to manage. Your sugar intake. It hides in a lot of stuff. Learn your starchy foods like potatoes, corn, peas and carrots.

Then your blood sugar level can effect you mood.

I always tell my stepmom when she says that she has not eaten anything for most of the day. "If you feel your blood sugar going down hill. Just eat something. Even if it is the wrong thing. It will get calories in you and start making feel a bit better."

---

Suzie, I hope you're doing ok.

My mother is tired all the time, and craves chocolate, but in her case her situation is not diabetes. The body is a weird thing, just like the mind.

---

The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I was diagnosed with diabetes about 15 years ago. My blood sugar way typically in the 250 range. Today it's in the 100-130 range and I do well with that. Below 100 and I feel sick. Over 300 and I am in trouble. I control it with diet and exercise. No meds. My diet for the last 10 years has been a low carb, no sugar diet. But saw this today. I am going to increase my fat intake. Where's the bacon?

Reduce your Carbs can reverse Type 2 diabetes.

---

Suzie part of my being sick and on and off chemo'
for all them years was a bout with type2 diabetes.
I was able to fight it off just by cutting as much
sugar out of my diet as possible. It took me a year,
but now my levels are back to normal. You just have
listen to your doctor, and work, work, work to cut all
of the sugar in your food where ever you find it.
I used metformin for about four months, then when I
was able to get a handle on the sugar thing and I could
stop taking it. Still I needed another half of a
year to get a clean bill of health on that count. Yes
you lose weight. Good luck with it.

---

My husband was a type 2 diabetic. He took metformin. He's a stubborn man, and just stopped taking meds, and pricking his finger. He will not go back to the doctor. Long story short, he eats and drinks what he wants. Lost a ton of weight. I don't think he has diabetes anymore.

God Bless you Suzie, and Good Luck. :)

---

A problem with diabetes is that all persons react different to medication or diet rules.
Some get "cured" and others don't, even if they have the same treatment.

A more big problem is that the food industry use sugar as an additive both in food and beverages more now then they used to do.
Best thing is to do your own cooking and avoid sweet drinks.
Then you can enjoy some "The Four C's:" sometimes without problem.

Thanks to all of you for your comments.

One of the first things that came to mind after the diagnosis was the Atkins
Diet. I tried it once for one week and lost five pounds, so I'm familiar with
it.

I've been eating raisin bran with soy milk for breakfast for a long, long time.
Before that it was Honey-Nut Cheerios. I'm usually hungry when I wake up and
cereal is quick to "prepare." I never skip breakfast. Now I'm going to have to
figure out what's fast and allowed. I know a lot of prepared food has a
lot of extra crap in it, like sugars and sodium, so I know I need to read labels
carefully. I was thinking about those "breakfast bowls" that were made popular,
I think, by the Jimmy Dean people. I also just read a post by a woman who makes
her own sort of omelets in individual portions on the weekend and then she pops
one into the microwave each morning. If any of you have any breakfast shortcuts,
please share!

My biggest problem is with freshness. I don't go grocery shopping very often, and
I buy things that will last until my next expected trip. For that reason I don't
buy fruits and vegetables, usually. It's the reason I switched to soy milk - it
lasts longer. I like to drink a cup or two of coffee in the morning but I like
mine with a lot of "cream" (powdered creamer). That has added sugar, so I'm
going to have to figure out some way to get cream into my coffee. Fresh won't
work because it will go bad before I get to the bottom of the bottle/carton.
Do you folks have any secrets? I thought about freezing cream in an ice cube
tray, but I don't want to turn my coffee cold by adding ice cubes.

Tips, anyone? Thank you.

---

~Sue~

Bread - I can still eat bread, I think, but now it has to be whole grain
something or other. Right? What sort of bread (if any) do you eat?

---

~Sue~

No Grains!
Bread only if it's made from coconut flower or some other non-grain flower. Real 1/2 is what I use. But they do make sugar free creamer. I have not see it powdered, just in liquid. But it has a long shelf life. As for breakfast I always make a smoothy, frozen fruit (strawberries, blue berries, banana, mango or whatever I have) and either orange of apple juice. Filling, sweet but it's an ok sweet that digest slowly.

---

No Grains!
Bread only if it's made from coconut flower or some other non-grain flower. Real 1/2 is what I use. But they do make sugar free creamer. I have not see it powdered, just in liquid. But it has a long shelf life. As for breakfast I always make a smoothy, frozen fruit (strawberries, blue berries, banana, mango or whatever I have) and either orange of apple juice. Filling, sweet but it's an ok sweet that digest slowly.

After I posted I went and watched that video that you recommended. No Grains!
Okay, I get it!

I used to have smoothies for breakfast but they never seemed to satisfy me. I
made them with yogurt, orange juice, frozen fruit, a banana, and protein powder.

---

~Sue~

Lets see I switched to real whole wheat bread(Natures Own) cause the calorie count was lower by half and the bread had a mostly good side effect too, but enough of that, I also stopped drinking coffee since the powdered creamer has some sugar in it, I'd love to find a powdered creamer that doesn't and is better for Me without breaking the bank so to speak.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

In the past, before we were afraid of fat and before there were modern medicines to lower blood sugar, then other advices was given then today.
Then they had only diet rules to take in order to help diabetics.
Here are images from a diabetic cookbook from 1917.
Absolutely forbidden food.

Particularly valuable food



https://archive.org/details/diabeticcookeryr00oppeiala

Looks very much to where we are today.

I do take Vitamin C and D pills with breakfast(1 each), of course I'm running low on Vitamin C, hopefully they will last until I can buy more in June.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

I do take Vitamin C and D pills with breakfast(1 each), of course I'm running low on Vitamin C, hopefully they will last until I can buy more in June.

A bit off topic but I have to ask you why you need to take Vitamin C and D pills in southern California?

Diabetes is not a disease that is nutritional deficiency related.

I do take Vitamin C and D pills with breakfast(1 each), of course I'm running low on Vitamin C, hopefully they will last until I can buy more in June.

A bit off topic but I have to ask you why you need to take Vitamin C and D pills in southern California?

Diabetes is not a disease that is nutritional deficiency related.

My diet and location, prohibits fruits unless canned, I can't tolerate citrus and My windows don't let in as much UV as older ones do, most of the time I'm inside. When I started taking Vitamin C or D, My skin cleared up, so there.

---

The T1 Trust, PRR T1 Class 4-4-4-4 #5550, 1 of America's First HST's

Suzie

Let me point you to http://cdiabetes.com/ If you join the mail list they have some cookbooks you can download.

Your numbers sound much more in the pre-diabetic range that the full blown problem, but it is your A1C that counts. If you actually can train yourself, I'd bet you can control yours with diet and exercise.

I'm not going to quote the number I was diagnosed at, but my Dr. is surprised I'm not taking insulin. If you stick to a diet where you limit your carbs to what your body burns before your next meal, you can do it easily. It helps to lose some weight too.

Yes, once in a while you will bust your diet. We are human. Just know when you do to adjust and do a bit more exercise and cut back on carbs the next meal.

I see someone suggested Atkins. Can be okay, but long term that diet for a diabetic may not be good. The issue is if you have too much protein your kidneys can work overtime. As you will need to be on a diet for the rest of your life, don't overdo the protein, make sure you get vegies. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urine-color/expert-answers/foamy-urine/faq-20057871

Take the class and learn how small a "serving" is. Limit all "white" food, bread, rice, potato, starch ... Listen to your doctor, and your nutritionist. Take any classes you can until you feel you know. Test often enough to know how you respond to different foods. Yes you will be high after you eat. That is expected. The goal is to not eat so much you don't get back into normal in a reasonable time, or binge on a item so you go so high as to get into the danger region.

Finally, you can still eat anything, but now you really have to practice moderation. No more binges and realize a little of a "bad" thing means you must reduce other things to compensate. So toss that oversize ice cream scoop and use a melon baller.

Finally do go to the doctor regularly. You are now much more prone to hypertension and kidney issues. If caught early those can be dealt with.

P.S., just got back from a week out of town. Eating restaurant food, is not good because you don't always know how much carbs is in it. Just tested myself and I'm in the normal range. I'll go up when I hit the sack. Oh, yes, some people will test higher in the morning when they wake-up than before they go to bed. The liver can release sugars if it thinks we need food so don't be surprised by it.

---