I was about to grab one of my babes fiber one bars to snack on and I look at ingredients.. guess what? !

Fructose
Maltose
Malt
Syrup

to name a few.. sheeeesh. :eek:

I notice the ingredients on items a lot more these days. My snack bar right now is a slim fast bar, 100 calories. I have a pb one that tastes like a butterfinger and I have a choc one that tastes like a choc brownie. Some other ones I want to check into are the detour bar and a couple protein ones, nature valley and special k. anyone try these or do you eat them and which do you prefer?

and does anyone drink anything like EAS, muscle milk, ensure or any other protein type powder? Right now I'm doing some of the body by visalus shakes but I'll possibly be looking into something similar to try.

I am finding it difficult to watch my food intake when traveling and spending time with all the grandkids. Haven't been near a scale to assess the damage. Still, I wouldn't change this time with them for anything. <insert grandma smiley here>

How are things with everyone?

Hey sylvie (and my fellow healthies)....I so hear you.

I've been struggling for the last 6 weeks or so to stick with my working out schedule and only hitting it about half the time. I've also been struggling with eating and am snacking on unhealthy stuff too much and drinking diet soda, which I know sets me up for all kinds of bad cravings.

I know it's emotional. I know I'll get past it.

But, right now, it's frustrating and discouraging as hell.

I haven't gained, but I haven't lost more either....and I'm in that "trying to make the changes to get back on track without beating myself up" place.

:rrose:

{{{Dee}}} I've been there, and from someone who has struggled with food/control issues her whole life, I can say that the pendulum eventually swings back toward center once your body figures out where it needs to be.

I made food the center of my life for almost two decades. Getting on track and healthy takes time and patience and lots of acceptance. I've learned that when I am hungrier I just need to give in and eat a bit more. It's often related to what season is approaching...for instance, I am always hungrier in the fall whereas in the spring/summer not so much.

It's not always easy, but I'd rather be a few pounds (um, 10 or so at the moment ;) ) heavier and not living in food hell, than where I was at for 20 some years! (f)

Food Hell. Yes. Since i was a child i've had food issues. i won't go into that but just say that i am struggling to find balance with going from one extreme to the other. Both ends are unhealthy that's for sure.

After my hysterectomy i gained lots of weight. i had never been on a diet in my life, other than to try to gain weight maybe. i tried WW, it was ok but it was WAY too much counting and measuring for *me*. i do believe WW has a good plan as far as plans go, but the focus on food all day long with journaling, measuring and weighing was too much for me.

i lost all of my weight on Atkins. It was easy, no bread or starches. i am thinking about doing this again... i tried not long ago and didn't stick with it.
But now i don't think i have a choice, i have to do something.

Hi Pinkie :)

I'm so sorry to hear about D's diagnosis....diabetes sucks, period.

The good news is that, now that you both know, you can start to address it. You should talk to a registered dietitian who specializes in diabetes....and know that all diabetics do not react the exact same way to anything...food, medicine, exercise. It's a very individual thing, so I shy away from hard and fast rules.

Here's what I know about my body after living with this disease for a very long time...and your mileage may vary :)

• processed carbs are the enemy....white flour, white sugar, the baddies
• unrefined, high fiber carbs are my friend....sweet potatoes and apples especially
• fiber helps me tremendously. I can't drink juice, but can eat almost any fruit. I can eat white potatoes if I eat the skin too...otherwise I get a blood sugar spike.
• Beware of unhealthy fats as much as carbs. I use and eat olive oil and avocado with abandon, but fats are just as likely to give me bad lab results as carbs are.
• Junk food, convenience food, and fast food.....I may as well just shoot myself and save time. These are the worst things I can eat....ever.
• Steady is the key...if I go too long without food, I have to drink juice or soda to get a spike to raise me up....and then tend to bottom out again just as fast. I do best if I eat small meals and snacks of healthy food frequently.
• I have to move....even if it's just a 15 minute walk. Regular exercise is critical for me in managing my blood sugar.
• Keep your appointments (and yes, this gets annoying and hard to stick to after a decade) but regular A1c checks, doctor visits - inlcuding a foot check and an opthamologist who specializes in diabetic patients - are critical
• I can use natural sweeteners like agave and stevia....but artifical sweeteners mess me up. That's different than some diabetics...but that's how it plays out for me.
• Low glycemic is a good idea. When I eat a low glycemic index diet, my lab results are better and I feel better.
• Sleep, sleep, sleep....lack of sleep is as bad for me as eating the wrong foods. I try to always get at least 7 hours....and if I'm fatigued during the day, I try to at least lay down and rest my eyes for 20 minutes or so.
• Portion control helps....I've gotten to a point where I can have a nibble of something sweet and I'm satisfied without spiking my blood sugar. Others can't....you have to experiment and see.
• Finger jabs suck...but they're important, especially as you learn how your body reacts. I learned I can eat carrots. Some diabetics get a spike from those. I can also drink red wine and it actually moderates my sugar levels....but white wine and hard liquor make me spike. Other diabetics have a different response. You won't know without lots of finger jabbing in the beginning.

And PM me anytime....I know how hard this disease is to deal with, especially in the beginning.

Hugs to you both! :gimmehug:

Sounds like you're off to a great start....and the full plate method works beautifully. It's also easy to manage because it's so visual. :)

This may be TMI....but Metformin is good stuff. It's been used a long time, has few side effects, has been shown to have a long-term protective effect on the pancreas, it's cheap and generic....and in the beginning it sometimes gives users diarrhea. Tell her to hang in through that stage....it passes as your body gets accustomed to the drug.

hello pinkie. i was told in january that i am type 2 diabetic. not gonna lie, it is really hard for me. potatoes and noodles spike mine. and i love bread so much, crackers, ... hard doing with out. i'd rather have none if it ain't real lol. if i stay away from sodas/potatoes/noodles, my numbers do alright. i use splenda. unsweetened tea. crystal lite pouches. i eat a lot of baked and grilled fish. i love fish. green beans/vegs. it's hard. D can do it.