Newly diagnosed diabetes

[VandVsmama]

here's why reading labels is important. This is the nutrition label for Cheerios Multi Grain cereal, taken from Walmart's website:
1 serving = 1 1/3 cup
Total carbs = 32 gm


Or instead a breakfast of 2 scrambled/fried eggs & 3 strips of bacon, with 1 TB of heavy cream mixed in with the eggs + 2 TB of shredded cheese (regular cheese, not the weird low-fat shredded stuff) = 2-2.3 gm, depending on what type of cheese you use.

32 gm of carbs for 1 1/3 cup of cereal or 2 gm of carbs for 2 scrambled eggs & 3 pieces of bacon.

Throw in 2 cups of coffee with that and the bacon & eggs & coffee breakfast is still only 5.6-5.9 gm of total carbs. That means that you could 'spend' your total carb count for the day differently.

Spend your carbs on the things you REALLY want the carbs for.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is that you have to, when watching carbs and trying to eat more protein, continue to be cognizant of fats and cholesterol. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, especially in the older population, so you really need to strive for low fat and low cholesterol, as well. Heavy cream, bacon, cheese, etc., may help keep your blood glucose lower, but if it’s clogging up your arteries, that’s not good for long term health, either. Just something to think about.

My suggestions (and this came from a nutritionist/RD) would be to cook a roast or a turkey breast weekly and use that for meals (even breakfast!) and sandwiches. Sandwiches can be on lettuce, or if you like bread, go for whole grains which have a lower glycemic index, more fiber and minerals, and help stabilize blood sugar. Try a half a sandwich instead of a whole one with a pickle. If you use cheese, try to use it sparingly and buy ones that are lower in fat. Greek yogurt is high in protein and good for breakfast or a snack, as are eggs. They make some great flavors of Poland Springs seltzer water now, with no sugar or additives. (Full soda is really overloading a bodily system that’s already struggling trying to break down sugars from foods. ) If you eat late at night you’re likely waking up with a blood sugar higher than it should be and that’s starting your day off already sort of behind the eight ball. Just things to think about when looking at numbers.

This can all be very challenging, for sure, but it can be done, with practice, and as others have said, in baby steps.

Exercise also helps burn off glucose, so, as has also been said, that’s a great way to lower sugars, as well.

Good luck to all facing this challenge! You are certainly not alone! Many people today have diabetes.

 

[cabanafrau]

One thing I haven’t seen mentioned here is that you have to, when watching carbs and trying to eat more protein, continue to be cognizant of fats and cholesterol. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, especially in the older population, so you really need to strive for low fat and low cholesterol, as well. Heavy cream, bacon, cheese, etc., may help keep your blood glucose lower, but if it’s clogging up your arteries, that’s not good for long term health, either. Just something to think about.

My suggestions (and this came from a nutritionist/RD) would be to cook a roast or a turkey breast weekly and use that for meals (even breakfast!) and sandwiches. Sandwiches can be on lettuce, or if you like bread, go for whole grains which have a lower glycemic index, more fiber and minerals, and help stabilize blood sugar. Try a half a sandwich instead of a whole one with a pickle. If you use cheese, try to use it sparingly and buy ones that are lower in fat. Greek yogurt is high in protein and good for breakfast or a snack, as are eggs. They make some great flavors of Poland Springs seltzer water now, with no sugar or additives. (Full soda is really overloading a bodily system that’s already struggling trying to break down sugars from foods. ) If you eat late at night you’re likely waking up with a blood sugar higher than it should be and that’s starting your day off already sort of behind the eight ball. Just things to think about when looking at numbers.

This can all be very challenging, for sure, but it can be done, with practice, and as others have said, in baby steps.

Exercise also helps burn off glucose, so, as has also been said, that’s a great way to lower sugars, as well.

Good luck to all facing this challenge! You are certainly not alone! Many people today have diabetes.

Not being a medical professional or a diabetic I hesitated to say anything about many of the suggestions here completely leaving the rest of the healthy diet guidelines outside of sugar and carb concerns out of consideration, but I'm glad to see you raised the point.

 

[tony67]

As the PP said - not going to give specific advice - I will say that my dad did "cure" his diabetes for a period of time - mostly because my mother completely changed his diet - but its something that is hard to keep up with and he did not. (by cure I mean he got is numbers back to "normal" - not really a cure IMO - just fixing a number)

I do watch a lot of videos from Dr Suneel Dhand about diabetes and I find his take on many things an interesting alternative.

Regardless - changing your diet to a more health one is probably a good thing in most cases - even if you are on the various drugs - but I'm no expert and I did not sleep at a Holiday Inn last night so take my input with a grain of salt - well avoid the salt.

 

[TwoMisfits]

One thing I'll add to ANYONE who is looking to give up full sugar soda and just can't go cold turkey...

Buy one 2LT of regular and one of no sugar in the same type (cola, lemon/lime, ginger ale, etc) - this is about 67 oz of soda in each bottle.

On your 1st day, pour 3/4 of your normal regular pour and 1/4 diet in the same cup - drink it.
The next day, do the same, but drop an ounce of reg and add an ounce of diet.
Keep doing this til you finish the bottle of regular OR convert to all diet in the glass.

So, day 1 - a 12 oz glass (the normal can size most folks drink) would be 9oz reg, 3 ox diet
Day 2 would be 8oz reg/4 diet
Day 3 would be 7oz reg and 5 diet
And so on.
By day 10, you're on all diet (with about 20oz of regular soda to give to your partner or pour down the drain b/c it's flat anyway)...

Once you are on diet soda, you'll find it easier to then switch to waters or other non-soda options if needed b/c you won't be craving that sugar hit - just the caffeine one (which you can do the same experiment by getting the diet caffeine free soda and its caffeine-full diet equivalent).

 

[Dznypal]

Very frustrated this morning
Actually I woke up with number of 122 which I felt pretty good about
Had my usual breakfast of half muffin and peanut butter toast 2 hrs later it was 180
Not happy.
Yesterday I had the same thing at approximately the same time and at 2 hrs it was 140
so yesterday it was ok to eat but today it isn’t.
Feeling a bit down already and it’s not even lunch yet. Don’t even feel like eating now. Thanks for listening

 

[TippyThomas]

Very frustrated this morning
Actually I woke up with number of 122 which I felt pretty good about
Had my usual breakfast of half muffin and peanut butter toast 2 hrs later it was 180
Not happy.
Yesterday I had the same thing at approximately the same time and at 2 hrs it was 140
so yesterday it was ok to eat but today it isn’t.
Feeling a bit down already and it’s not even lunch yet. Don’t even feel like eating now. Thanks for listening

Not saying this is the problem, but it is for me. Research "Dawn Phenomenon". It can happen in some diabetics and it's apparently happening enough that it has a name and is medically researched. I have the problem myself. My glucose goes up the first 3 or so hours after I wake up. Food is not the issue for me as I don't eat in the mornings.

 

[firefly_ris]

How about seltzer water to replace soda... still some light flavoring, and that carbonation like soda has. I usually keep a lot of Polar or Wegmans brand seltzers on hand. Real soda is just for a couple times per year at a restaurant or something. This is coming from someone who drank a lot of soda as a child. I don't miss it at all. Now all my carbonated beverages are seltzer waters or an occasional glass of dry prosecco.

 

[Dznypal]

actually I did do a bit of reading on DP and I was actually I was rather content with the 122
it was the 180 after 2 hrs of eating the same breakfast I had the same breakfast I had yesterday and it was 140 then
as far as sparkling or selzer water tears up my stomach

 

[EACarlson]

actually I did do a bit of reading on DP and I was actually I was rather content with the 122
it was the 180 after 2 hrs of eating the same breakfast I had the same breakfast I had yesterday and it was 140 then
as far as sparkling or selzer water tears up my stomach

That is a frustration shared with many diabetics. There are so many factors in what causes the exact numbers to change that you need to look at trends, not single instances. It's impossible to get to the point of your body reacting exactly the same to every instance. Try again tomorrow and see what it does. How far out of your target range is the 180? A meter is allowed to be up to 20% off of the actual number so you can't take the exact number displayed as gospel. Minor differences in where you stick can make a difference. I would get different numbers on one side of my finger compared to the other. Exercise can make a difference even days later.

 

[VandVsmama]

I think you need to be patient with yourself. Expect to adjust things as you learn more while you move forward through this. Instead of looking it it with a perspective of "My blood sugar was 180 this morning. I've totally failed," look at it from a point of view of "Ok, that was different from yesterday morning's number. Did I do anything differently from the day before that could have resulted in this morning's # being higher? Is there something I can/should consider changing today or going forward to help?"

Look at it with an attitude of "continuous improvement" instead of an "all or nothing" thing.

Exercise & cutting out non-diet soda will help your blood sugar a lot.

It sounds like soda is possibly a big thing. Hey, everybody has their favorite thing. AND you've already tried diet soda and, as you said, it 'tears up your stomach.' You've also tried seltzer water and have the same upset stomach challenges.

Ok, so replacing full sugar soda with diet soda or seltzer water won't work for you. Is there something else flavored that you could consider drinking instead? For example, if you don't like plain water, there's non-sugar water additive/flavor packets (like non-sugar Gatorade type of stuff) that you could try. Try SOMETHING other than regular soda.

I bet you $$ that if you cut out soda, your a.m. blood sugar #s will drop.

Keep trying. You can do it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is why sometimes they don’t always start people out using glucose meters. I’ve seen doctors say let’s just see how your A1c is in three months. For some, that may be the better way, but that’s up for each team to judge, based on what they know about the patient. OP try not to get discouraged, just do what you’re doing and keep making positive changes. Hopefully your A1c will be improved next time it’s checked. Try not to slip back into old habits and do remember to keep your follow up appts!

 

[NC Belle]

I hope that you listen to a lot of good advice here plus everyone reacts differently. For example, my mom eats the same food, some extra treats, smaller portions and her numbers are lower plus she has different medicine. I was officially diagnosed Jan. from being pre-diabetic to diabetic with some issues that relates to it.
My A1C from changing portions, eliminating full sugar sodas to mostly water, water enhancers like True Lime, and cracking down on the carb situation:
Jan. 7 8.6 % (prior years under 6%)
March 7 7.8% lost 6 pounds (diet changes, water, metformin...plus this week added Jardiance)
I am having auto immune issues plus U/S shows fatty liver disease (not a drinker), stress, and almost confirmed metabolic issue---more testing soon. The primary doctor and her staff are being active in sending me for consults to find what will get my numbers go to down to normal range and stop any more damage.
Having a positive attitude helps a lot in the first weeks and make allowances to my self to set goals and forgive myself for bumps on the road to get healthy again.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Feeling a bit down already and it’s not even lunch yet. Don’t even feel like eating now. Thanks for listening

Stress and sleep mess with my DH's numbers almost as much as what he eats, so it's not all about food when the same things seem to produce different numbers. But I get that it is frustrating.

There is also a period of grief when a diagnosis happens, because it can feel like you're losing old routines. So take it slow - cut back gradually on things instead of going cold turkey, and remember you can still have most favorites once in a while by watching portion sizes and adjusting what you eat them with.

One of the biggest things in any diet change is concentrating on adding to the "good list" rather than just looking sadly at the "bad list". There are probably so many healthy foods out there you've just never come across. - So seek them out, try them, even make a point of "rating" them in different categories (taste, texture, etc.) if that makes it more interesting.

Also, keep a list handy of "free" (zero points, or whatever system you're using) foods that you can have more of when you still feel hungry. It's tough to make decisions when you're feeling crappy, so pre-planning when you're feeling good helps.

 

[QueenIsabella]

Another point--if you tend to eat out fairly often, check the menu online before you go. It's a lot easier to find healthy options when you're not starving and feeling pressured to decide quickly. Even Cracker Barrel--not a place known for healthy eating--has grilled chicken and fish options, and lots of vegetable choices. (BTW, I agree with the OP on the chicken and dumplings there--yuck!). We don't eat out much, except when we travel, and Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden are two favorites with my kids, so those will be ones we hit while traveling. But, at Olive Garden, I'll get the minestrone soup and take some salad (they generally bring a large bowl tot he table, and refill it, so I can take some). I'll allow myself one breadstick. Then, I typically get spaghetti and meatballs and eat half the entree--I'm pretty full from the soup and salad, so I'm not just inhaling carbs. This is still a treat, but not overwhelming to my system.

My oldest is getting married in August--I'm already thinking about what I can and can't eat among her choices of apps, entrees, etc. I plan to splurge that day, of course, but I'm also going to order a wrap platter for the bridal suite, where I'll be, so none of us will be desperately starving and grabbing the fried ravioli appetizers (which I don't even like! But., might look tempting if I'm hungry.)

 

[Dznypal]

is this even possible

first check this morning was 123 I was content with that
2 hrs after my usual breakfast was 145 I know a little high but its what I ate and Im under the 180
Then came lunch ham sandwich on white bread with few cheetos this was 2.5 hrs after eating and it was

96 I think I needed to be picked up off the floor after seeing that number
I just hope its not too good to be true
but is this number even possible
Hubby is so impressed with what the metformin has done so far hes actually thinking of talking to the dr about going on it..Theyve talked about it before..
Ive only started on it Mon and started out at 1 500mg at dinner for 2 weeks so a week from tomorrow Ill start on the next one so 2x a day.
Sorry for so many questions but I still need a lot of advice and tips

 

[dizneegirl]

You'll be lucky if you continue eating white bread and Cheetos and see decent numbers. Those are just empty carbs, which equals sugar in your system. Same with muffins and white bread toast.

You really need more complex carbs that will digest more slowly, and not raise your blood sugar so quickly.

 

[Dznypal]

I did see a dietician a week ago and she said I could just in moderation
she was ok with what I told her I ate

she asked me how many cans of soda in a day
I told about her maybe 2 or 3 a week not day

so if I cant have normal bread what can I make a sandwich with then Im not a fan of wheat bread however

 

[dizneegirl]

Look for a low glycemic, low carb or even keto bread. They'll have more complex carbs that won't convert immediately to sugars. Or use low carb tortillas to make a wrap. Or use lettuce leaves. Or just make roll ups with meat and cheese on the outside. Consider white flour equal to sugar... it's just nutritionally empty.

 

[Dznypal]

What do those breads taste like and what are they made from