Diabetic anyone?

GeekBear · 05-07-2010, 10:53 AM

I'm type II, diagnosed 3 years ago. I control my diabetes with diet, exercise and oral meds. I always knew it was coming because it does run in my family something awful but I try to make healthier food choices and exercise as much as I can. don't get me wrong, I still love my sweets and I'm a mountain dew addict, I just do everything in moderation now and some diet sodas like diet wild cherry pepsi are pretty darn tasty. I think this thread is a great thing and I have a ton of recipes to share if anyone likes a good guilt-free dessert

let's keep each other motivated to live happy and be healthy ya'll!

~geek~

JustJo · 05-07-2010, 11:21 AM

Wow...welcome everyone

I started this thread, went away for a conference call, and came back to a group!

I would love any recipes for healthy but tasty meals and desserts. I love to cook and bake...and also have a 12 year old son at home, so what I make has to work for both of us. And I have a sweet tooth too....I try to do it only in moderation.

Cutting out fast food almost completely, and regular soda completely, has made a big difference - not only in my blood sugar but also in my cholesterol and triglyceride readings as well.

For me, the biggest difference seems to be whether I exercise or not. A 45 minute walk will drop my next day's fasting blood sugar by 10 points.

Right now I'm trying to focus more on the diet and exercise piece, and weaning myself off of some of the oral meds (carefully). They changed our health insurance this year and I have a $2400 deductible for my son and I. That meant that my first 3 month supply of meds was going to run me $1400....with another $1000 to pay out 3 months later. I chose instead to go off of my lipitor (for cholesterol...which the doc and I had been thinking we were ready to discontinue anyway), and the januvia (which made it easier to stick to the diet but didn't seem to have a huge impact on my blood sugar). That brought the bill down from $1400 to about $650...and so far my readings are good.

Andrew...I'm sending you a hug. I live in fear of neuropathy. My grandfather lost a leg to it, and I had heard that the pain was horrible. My retinopathy is not too bad and doesn't impact my vision particularly. It's there...but we appear to have stabilized my blood sugar in time to freeze it in its tracks. It's a huge motivator for me...since reading and writing is what I do most often. I want my eyes to stay healthy for a good long time. That's worth cutting out the candy and fast food and going for a walk for me.

So...another conference call beckons (I work from home)...but I'm all for supporting and encouraging each other in this...and sharing those great recipe ideas. Thanks again to all of you for posting!

JustJo · 05-09-2010, 10:00 AM

Happy Sunday everyone,

I had another little reminder today...on how important it is for diabetics (well, all of us really) to get enough sleep!

I managed to sleep in today...something that almost never happens...and had the best fasting blood sugar reading I've had in ages as a result. I'm gonna have to watch the bedtime

so I get enough rest before

Did a little reading online...and found this:
http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders...-lack-of-sleep

Andrew, Jr. · 05-09-2010, 10:52 AM

I have tried all kinds of diets. The one that I found for me that works best for me is the South Beach. I also use the Calorie King book for counting calories and really comes in handy when eating out. It helps to see what is what. I also drink nothing but water, tea, and coffee. I cut out sodas, and the such.

ruthie14 · 05-09-2010, 10:54 AM

Great thread idea! have type 2 as well. Found out when I was trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant in my 30's. Take care of it with pills diet and excersise. Numbers are great. I am actually down to 2 pills a day. My triglycerides are off the charts however. No matter what we try. The meds for them make me sick, so we have stopped them. I have Celiac as well, which I think actually has a connection. I am trying to cut out more carbs bc that seems to affect me a lot.

Have a great day folks.
Ruthie

Andrew, Jr. · 05-09-2010, 11:11 AM

Ruthie,

Please share with us what is celiac? I never heard of that. Carbs just make my nos. go sky high. I know what you mean.

ruthie14 · 05-09-2010, 11:17 AM

Hey Andrew,

There is a thread here for those of us with celiac, crones etc.

Basically, it is an allergy to wheat (including.. some oats, rye, grahm, spelt, among other things). It is in a TON of stuff. Makes it difficult to go out and eat i tell ya. I also have allergies to preservatives found in meat/fish/ poultry products. So that makes it even harder to go out. On the plus side though, less carbs make my sugar better and if I am eating at home, I am eating better. lol

Andrew, Jr. · 05-09-2010, 11:20 AM

Ruthie,

Thanks for jogging my mind. Now I remember! Yes Yes Yes!

rockybcn · 05-09-2010, 11:25 AM

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art..._diabetes.html

Hi all! I thought I would include an article about a natural sweetener derived from a plant that is safe for diabetics. My ex is an herbalist and this is what she recommended. The best tasting stevia is called Sweet Leaf (IMHO).
Have any of you heard of it or tried it? Its really sweet so you dont have to use much, and its a great alternative to all the other sugar alternatives.
Wishing you all the very best!

Nikki · 05-09-2010, 11:46 AM

Hello everyone
Although I am not Diabetic,I have quite a few family members that have it and was at risk. I decided to do Gastric Bypass and have lost almost 100 pounds since February 23rd of this year.
I wanted to chime in because I cannot eat any sugar and have to watch the carbs as well.

I have also found a great All Natural Sweetener, in comparison to Sweet Leaf, its called Truvia and it is WONDERFUL. I have also used Purvia, but I like the sweetness of Truvia better. You can also find Stevia(which is the plant's name) in the Raw, which you can use cup for cup in baking.

I no longer drink any soda,so its Sobe Lifewater(which uses Stevia as its sweetener) and no sugar iced teas.

If you have a really good grocery store that carries Bob's Red Mill Products, they have a low carb baking flour that makes AMAZING pancakes,without all the high carbs. You can also go to www.bobsredmill.com to order it.

Grocery shopping used to take me such a short time, but now that I read every label,and am going Organic,it takes me about 2 1/2 hours to grocery shop. Thank Gawd I have an amazing Femme at my side to help.

Thanks for opening this discussion,and it being my first post here :O)

Peace
Nikki

JustJo · 05-09-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockybcn

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art..._diabetes.html

Hi all! I thought I would include an article about a natural sweetener derived from a plant that is safe for diabetics. My ex is an herbalist and this is what she recommended. The best tasting stevia is called Sweet Leaf (IMHO).
Have any of you heard of it or tried it? Its really sweet so you dont have to use much, and its a great alternative to all the other sugar alternatives.
Wishing you all the very best!

Thank you for posting about stevia! Not only is it safe for diabetics, I've found that it seems to help keep my numbers stable.

Before being diagnosed I was drinking an average of 3 cokes a day...switched to diet coke, which certainly helps but when I instead make a pitcher of ice tea with stevia and have that instead my numbers are better than when I'm drinking the diet soda. Bizarre, since there's no sugar involved in either one...but the stevia seems to be a positive thing for me.

I didn't know about Sobe Lifewater using stevia as a sweetener...thanks for that info Nikki!

That gives me a better choice to grab when we're out running around.

Nikki · 05-09-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJo

Thank you for posting about stevia! Not only is it safe for diabetics, I've found that it seems to help keep my numbers stable.

Before being diagnosed I was drinking an average of 3 cokes a day...switched to diet coke, which certainly helps but when I instead make a pitcher of ice tea with stevia and have that instead my numbers are better than when I'm drinking the diet soda. Bizarre, since there's no sugar involved in either one...but the stevia seems to be a positive thing for me.

I didn't know about Sobe Lifewater using stevia as a sweetener...thanks for that info Nikki!

That gives me a better choice to grab when we're out running around.

No problem! I live on Sobe! They have like 8 flavors,all are great

intrigue_in916 · 06-24-2011, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustJo

Thank you for posting about stevia! Not only is it safe for diabetics, I've found that it seems to help keep my numbers stable.

Before being diagnosed I was drinking an average of 3 cokes a day...switched to diet coke, which certainly helps but when I instead make a pitcher of ice tea with stevia and have that instead my numbers are better than when I'm drinking the diet soda. Bizarre, since there's no sugar involved in either one...but the stevia seems to be a positive thing for me.

I didn't know about Sobe Lifewater using stevia as a sweetener...thanks for that info Nikki!

That gives me a better choice to grab when we're out running around.

Just in case FYI, Cafeine raises the b/s, and soda, as much as I love my diet Pepsi is bad for the kidneys. i've been diagnosed with type 2 for 19 yrs.

MsTinkerbelly · 05-10-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthie14

Great thread idea! have type 2 as well. Found out when I was trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant in my 30's. Take care of it with pills diet and excersise. Numbers are great. I am actually down to 2 pills a day. My triglycerides are off the charts however. No matter what we try. The meds for them make me sick, so we have stopped them. I have Celiac as well, which I think actually has a connection. I am trying to cut out more carbs bc that seems to affect me a lot.

Have a great day folks.
Ruthie

It is going to sound a bit strange, but after I had my heart attack one of my nurse's recommended peanut butter as a way to lower my triglycerides. I eat a half a peanut butter sandwich 5 days a week for breakfast, and my levels are normal, and I no longer take pills. I read something about it later when I did some research, but I don't have a copy anymore. You could probably look it up on-line by googling "triglycerides and peanut butter".

It could help, but remember I'm no Doctor!

Andrew, Jr. · 05-10-2010, 03:36 PM

Today Barbara Walters announced that she is having open heart surgery to replace one of her heart valves. I just wonder about why this is being done - if she is pre-diabetic or has another healthcare issue that is causing this. Anyone know?

I have heard about the peanut butter and how is lowers the triglycerides. I am going to have to try that. My level is at 150 now. That is high for me. I am usually about 120.

ruthie14 · 05-10-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

It is going to sound a bit strange, but after I had my heart attack one of my nurse's recommended peanut butter as a way to lower my triglycerides. I eat a half a peanut butter sandwich 5 days a week for breakfast, and my levels are normal, and I no longer take pills. I read something about it later when I did some research, but I don't have a copy anymore. You could probably look it up on-line by googling "triglycerides and peanut butter".

It could help, but remember I'm no Doctor!

I eat a lot of peanuts... I wonder if it has to be peanut butter? I will look it up.. thanks for the tip!

JustJo · 05-10-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruthie14

I eat a lot of peanuts... I wonder if it has to be peanut butter? I will look it up.. thanks for the tip!

Interesting....I did a little searching and did find several references to studies showing that natural peanut butter did reduce triglycerides. Awesome! Of course, that probably means to stay away from the peanut butter that's loaded with yucky fats and sugars...luckily I head towards the natural, organic version for my son anyway!

I also found this interesting article about triglyceride lowering foods....
http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/...e&clicked=true

specifically, it recommends....
Increase omega-3 fats in your diet. Eat fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines or light tuna at least twice a week. Also include walnuts, flaxseed oil, flax meal and dark leafy greens for vegetarian sources of omega-3. Other healthy fats include avocados, olive and canola oil, olives, nuts, seeds and natural peanut butter.

That sounds sensible to me.

GoofyLuvr · 05-09-2010, 01:38 PM

Howdy y'all!

Yup yup yup, type 2 for me. Was diagnosed 2 years ago, day after my birthday, and turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me!I didn't realize this at first, of course, but looking back.....

I've never eaten much, so when they put me on a 1200 calorie diet, I knew I had a lot more eating to do. LOL. But the hardest part was no sugar anymore. Not that I ever ate a lot of sugar. Never drank much soda or sweet tea or anything. Mainly just in my coffee. The problem, though, is that I'm terribly allergic to all sweeteners. They give me instant migraines. So I had a real quandry. Luckily I found something I could use that tastes exactly like sugar, is actually a bit sweeter if you can imagine, and isn't processed by the pancreas, so it doesn't affect the blood sugar. Fructose. Not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup. Just plain old fructose. I'm careful in my use of it, as it can increase your triglycerides, but it allows me to still enjoy my morning cup of coffee. It's hard to find. Basically, you have to go to the "Now Food Ind" website and search stores that carry their products to see if they carry the fructose, too. It can be used for all kinds of cooking and baking. The only thing it doesn't do like sugar does is re-crystalize after being melted. So no making candy with it. But cakes, and stuff? It's fine. Just use less than what the recipe calls for as fructose is literally way sweeter than cane sugar. It's all natural though. So, thought someone might have the same problems I do and might be able to use this info. Of course, talk to your doctor if you have any questions. I'm definitely not a doc! But, my A1C stays in the 4.9 to 5.3 range, and I've been backed down to just my metformin, 800 mg twice/day, so.... Works for me! I am keeping an eye on my triglycerides, though. We'll see what happens with them.

Good luck everyone!

05-07-2010, 11:21 AM	#2
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,404 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Wow...welcome everyone I started this thread, went away for a conference call, and came back to a group! I would love any recipes for healthy but tasty meals and desserts. I love to cook and bake...and also have a 12 year old son at home, so what I make has to work for both of us. And I have a sweet tooth too....I try to do it only in moderation. Cutting out fast food almost completely, and regular soda completely, has made a big difference - not only in my blood sugar but also in my cholesterol and triglyceride readings as well. For me, the biggest difference seems to be whether I exercise or not. A 45 minute walk will drop my next day's fasting blood sugar by 10 points. Right now I'm trying to focus more on the diet and exercise piece, and weaning myself off of some of the oral meds (carefully). They changed our health insurance this year and I have a $2400 deductible for my son and I. That meant that my first 3 month supply of meds was going to run me $1400....with another $1000 to pay out 3 months later. I chose instead to go off of my lipitor (for cholesterol...which the doc and I had been thinking we were ready to discontinue anyway), and the januvia (which made it easier to stick to the diet but didn't seem to have a huge impact on my blood sugar). That brought the bill down from $1400 to about $650...and so far my readings are good. Andrew...I'm sending you a hug. I live in fear of neuropathy. My grandfather lost a leg to it, and I had heard that the pain was horrible. My retinopathy is not too bad and doesn't impact my vision particularly. It's there...but we appear to have stabilized my blood sugar in time to freeze it in its tracks. It's a huge motivator for me...since reading and writing is what I do most often. I want my eyes to stay healthy for a good long time. That's worth cutting out the candy and fast food and going for a walk for me. So...another conference call beckons (I work from home)...but I'm all for supporting and encouraging each other in this...and sharing those great recipe ideas. Thanks again to all of you for posting! __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters

05-09-2010, 10:00 AM	#3
JustJo Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: pushy broad Preferred Pronoun?: she Relationship Status: Follow your heart; it knows things your mind cannot explain. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southeast corner Posts: 5,633 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 24,417 Thanked 25,404 Times in 4,660 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	Happy Sunday everyone, I had another little reminder today...on how important it is for diabetics (well, all of us really) to get enough sleep! I managed to sleep in today...something that almost never happens...and had the best fasting blood sugar reading I've had in ages as a result. I'm gonna have to watch the bedtime so I get enough rest before Did a little reading online...and found this: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders...-lack-of-sleep __________________ I'm not tall enough to ride emotional roller coasters

05-09-2010, 11:20 AM	#8
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	OOPS! Ruthie, Thanks for jogging my mind. Now I remember! Yes Yes Yes!

05-07-2010, 10:53 AM	#1
GeekBear Member How Do You Identify?: transgender menace Preferred Pronoun?: he, him, his Relationship Status: Married to the RyRy! Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 124 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 70 Thanked 227 Times in 64 Posts Rep Power: 1775741	I'm type II, diagnosed 3 years ago. I control my diabetes with diet, exercise and oral meds. I always knew it was coming because it does run in my family something awful but I try to make healthier food choices and exercise as much as I can. don't get me wrong, I still love my sweets and I'm a mountain dew addict, I just do everything in moderation now and some diet sodas like diet wild cherry pepsi are pretty darn tasty. I think this thread is a great thing and I have a ton of recipes to share if anyone likes a good guilt-free dessert let's keep each other motivated to live happy and be healthy ya'll! ~geek~

05-09-2010, 10:52 AM	#4
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I have tried all kinds of diets. The one that I found for me that works best for me is the South Beach. I also use the Calorie King book for counting calories and really comes in handy when eating out. It helps to see what is what. I also drink nothing but water, tea, and coffee. I cut out sodas, and the such.

05-09-2010, 10:54 AM	#5
ruthie14 Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 844 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,904 Thanked 1,245 Times in 461 Posts Rep Power: 5946335	Great thread idea! have type 2 as well. Found out when I was trying, unsuccessfully, to get pregnant in my 30's. Take care of it with pills diet and excersise. Numbers are great. I am actually down to 2 pills a day. My triglycerides are off the charts however. No matter what we try. The meds for them make me sick, so we have stopped them. I have Celiac as well, which I think actually has a connection. I am trying to cut out more carbs bc that seems to affect me a lot. Have a great day folks. Ruthie

05-09-2010, 11:11 AM	#6
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Ruthie, Please share with us what is celiac? I never heard of that. Carbs just make my nos. go sky high. I know what you mean.

05-09-2010, 11:17 AM	#7
ruthie14 Member How Do You Identify?: femme Preferred Pronoun?: she Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 844 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,904 Thanked 1,245 Times in 461 Posts Rep Power: 5946335	Hey Andrew, There is a thread here for those of us with celiac, crones etc. Basically, it is an allergy to wheat (including.. some oats, rye, grahm, spelt, among other things). It is in a TON of stuff. Makes it difficult to go out and eat i tell ya. I also have allergies to preservatives found in meat/fish/ poultry products. So that makes it even harder to go out. On the plus side though, less carbs make my sugar better and if I am eating at home, I am eating better. lol

05-09-2010, 11:25 AM	#9
rockybcn Member How Do You Identify?: a well blended yin yang butch Preferred Pronoun?: I'll take "sweetheart" for 500 Alex! Relationship Status: to be...or not to be...that is the question! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 269 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 694 Thanked 315 Times in 132 Posts Rep Power: 4141647	http://www.associatedcontent.com/art..._diabetes.html Hi all! I thought I would include an article about a natural sweetener derived from a plant that is safe for diabetics. My ex is an herbalist and this is what she recommended. The best tasting stevia is called Sweet Leaf (IMHO). Have any of you heard of it or tried it? Its really sweet so you dont have to use much, and its a great alternative to all the other sugar alternatives. Wishing you all the very best!

05-09-2010, 11:46 AM	#10
Nikki Junior Member How Do You Identify?: Butch Preferred Pronoun?: Doesn't Matter Relationship Status: very attached Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 10 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 6 Posts Rep Power: 3861	Hello everyone Although I am not Diabetic,I have quite a few family members that have it and was at risk. I decided to do Gastric Bypass and have lost almost 100 pounds since February 23rd of this year. I wanted to chime in because I cannot eat any sugar and have to watch the carbs as well. I have also found a great All Natural Sweetener, in comparison to Sweet Leaf, its called Truvia and it is WONDERFUL. I have also used Purvia, but I like the sweetness of Truvia better. You can also find Stevia(which is the plant's name) in the Raw, which you can use cup for cup in baking. I no longer drink any soda,so its Sobe Lifewater(which uses Stevia as its sweetener) and no sugar iced teas. If you have a really good grocery store that carries Bob's Red Mill Products, they have a low carb baking flour that makes AMAZING pancakes,without all the high carbs. You can also go to www.bobsredmill.com to order it. Grocery shopping used to take me such a short time, but now that I read every label,and am going Organic,it takes me about 2 1/2 hours to grocery shop. Thank Gawd I have an amazing Femme at my side to help. Thanks for opening this discussion,and it being my first post here :O) Peace Nikki

05-10-2010, 03:36 PM	#15
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	Today Barbara Walters announced that she is having open heart surgery to replace one of her heart valves. I just wonder about why this is being done - if she is pre-diabetic or has another healthcare issue that is causing this. Anyone know? I have heard about the peanut butter and how is lowers the triglycerides. I am going to have to try that. My level is at 150 now. That is high for me. I am usually about 120.

05-09-2010, 01:38 PM	#18
GoofyLuvr Member How Do You Identify?: queer femme :) Preferred Pronoun?: Well golly gee whiz, I bet she would do it! Relationship Status: completely, totally, head over heels in love :) Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Maine!!! Posts: 122 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 139 Thanked 162 Times in 53 Posts Rep Power: 164	Howdy y'all! Yup yup yup, type 2 for me. Was diagnosed 2 years ago, day after my birthday, and turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me!I didn't realize this at first, of course, but looking back..... I've never eaten much, so when they put me on a 1200 calorie diet, I knew I had a lot more eating to do. LOL. But the hardest part was no sugar anymore. Not that I ever ate a lot of sugar. Never drank much soda or sweet tea or anything. Mainly just in my coffee. The problem, though, is that I'm terribly allergic to all sweeteners. They give me instant migraines. So I had a real quandry. Luckily I found something I could use that tastes exactly like sugar, is actually a bit sweeter if you can imagine, and isn't processed by the pancreas, so it doesn't affect the blood sugar. Fructose. Not to be confused with high fructose corn syrup. Just plain old fructose. I'm careful in my use of it, as it can increase your triglycerides, but it allows me to still enjoy my morning cup of coffee. It's hard to find. Basically, you have to go to the "Now Food Ind" website and search stores that carry their products to see if they carry the fructose, too. It can be used for all kinds of cooking and baking. The only thing it doesn't do like sugar does is re-crystalize after being melted. So no making candy with it. But cakes, and stuff? It's fine. Just use less than what the recipe calls for as fructose is literally way sweeter than cane sugar. It's all natural though. So, thought someone might have the same problems I do and might be able to use this info. Of course, talk to your doctor if you have any questions. I'm definitely not a doc! But, my A1C stays in the 4.9 to 5.3 range, and I've been backed down to just my metformin, 800 mg twice/day, so.... Works for me! I am keeping an eye on my triglycerides, though. We'll see what happens with them. Good luck everyone!