Newbie

March 9, 2003

In a message dated 3/9/2003 5:22:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dougn200@... writes:

> I have

> started to watch what I eat and from looking at the store sheleves

> and the labels there is not many options everthing has sugar in it.

>

Hi Doug,

Welcome to the group.

I know how overwhelmed you must be, but I promise it will not take long for

you to find out what you can and cannot eat.

Until you meet with your educator and start testing, I would recommend

cutting back on the starchy foods - white rice, white potatoes, pasta, white

bread, etc and of course, soft drinks and desserts. Most other foods can be

eaten in moderation.

If you are not already exercising, you may want to ask your doctor about an

exercise program. Sometimes, even a 10 minute walk after eating will help to

lower blood glucose (bg's).

Please ask any questions you may have.

Eunice

March 9, 2003

A good start is to try to eat food that is as unrefined as possible - for

instance, multigrain bread rather than white, real fruit rather than fruit

juice. Try to add more vegetables to your meals. Go out for a walk every day

for 1/2 hour or more. Be good to yourself and get enough sleep!

Take care,

Deanna

I guess my question is should I be doing anything now?

Doug

March 10, 2003

>I have

started to watch what I eat and from looking at the store sheleves

and the labels there is not many options everthing has sugar in it.

any suggestions ,I can use all the help i can get.<

I was were you are at 5 weeks back. I changed my diet to chicken thighs,

skinless, set on top a bed of spinach and broccoli with sugar free red wine

vinaigrette dressing. I bought low carb bread and had tuna fish sandwiches with

minced garlic and celery held together with a tablespoon of fat free mayo.

Mornings consisted of oatmeal or egg, now I use egg-free stuff, on a piece of

toast. And last of all EXERCISE. Face it, this thing really woke me up.

What I have found in the 5 weeks, I was eating less than I should, but I did

lose weight. I did get my blood glucose under control and have expanded my

meals, but it's a day to day thing. I have discovered rice brings my bg's up,

but a small red potato, no real problems. 1/2 Apple or 1/2 Banana with each

meal are ok for me, Strawberries, another baddie, so I guess each body is

different.

What I have learned in the diabetes class, eat each meal with roughage,

(spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, anything with fiber), cut your protein

portion down to 2oz maybe 3oz per meal, eggs count as 1oz so does cheese. Have

some carbs with each meal also, I usually have a slice of low carb bread or

tortilla (low card also), 1/2 glass, 4oz - 5oz, of non-fat milk and 1/2 fruit.

Each item you eat does break down to glucose in your body, some faster than

others, but fiber slows the glucose breakdown. Carbohydrates are bad for you for

they break down to glucose real fast. You are doing the correct thing by

getting reading the labels. Just remember also look at the serving numbers and

divide the numbers by the serving numbers, i.e.. 3 servings equal 15

carbohydrates, that means 1 serving equals 5 carbohydrates.

Welcome aboard.

Steve L.

Sails Call M25

Southern California

Newbie

Hi All,

Just wanted to a second and introduce myself. I was just newly

diagnosed at a physical I finally had after several years. Boy was i

surprized. My reading was at 224 which I guess is high because he

was telling me that normal was under 110. I have not yet met with my

nutritionist or diebetic nurse can't get into them for another week,

I guess my question is should I be doing anything now? I have

started to watch what I eat and from looking at the store sheleves

and the labels there is not many options everthing has sugar in it.

any suggestions ,I can use all the help i can get.

Thanks,

Doug

March 10, 2003

Hi Doug, I am a newbie too. I was diagnosed 3 months ago. I was

scared about what to eat, when, how. My doctor put me on Avandia and

Glucophage. I have lost 22 pounds since with help of my husband and

my 2 boys. The boys always walk with me. My first reading at the

doc's office was 264. I try to vary my diet with vegies and whole

grain bread I like rye my boys don't. My advise to you is get

support from family, friends and online groups, eat wisely,

exercise, and see your doctor. God bless and good control.

purekoolkat

March 10, 2003

In a message dated 3/10/03 8:45:20 AM Eastern Standard Time,

brucewilson@... writes:

> 2. Eat lots of lean meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy.

>

You are right. Every person is different and what works for one will not

necessarily work for another. My doctor told me that diabetes isn't like the

flu where the symptoms and problems are all pretty much predictable. He said

diabetes is an indication that many things are going wrong in your body and

depending on how severe your diabetes is and how long it has gone untreated,

the diet you need to be on can vary greatly from person to person.

My diabetes educator said a lot of the same things as the person who said no

juice... whole foods instead of processed foods, no white rice, potatoes or

bread... and try to eat whole grains and brown rice and sweet potatoes. The

one thing they REALLY emphasized though was to eat very small meals. For me,

that is the key. If I will eat a small amount and then exercise, I do so

much better. Even a large amount of veggies and protein without any carbs

can spike my numbers... so I keep my proteinat about 1-2 oz at a meal... and

try to work in 3 snacks. If I am doing fine, I have a fruit but if my bg's

drop or I am feeling VERY hungry or weak, I will have a little protein even

with that snack... like peanut butter.

So we are all different. My doctor and diabetes educator both are against a

high protein, low carb diet for diabetics because they feel it will cause

long term kidney damage down the road. However, I have learned from this

list that diabetes cannot be put in a box so easily and that we sometimes

have to try many things out to see what works for us individually. I used to

be adamantly against the Atkins Diet but the longer I go as a diabetic, the

more I see that I don't have all the answers and am learning that we need to

be supportive of each other as we make our own personal decisions about how

to get better.

Shirley

March 10, 2003

Each person is unique, and I would listen to what the educator and/or nurse

says, BUT this has worked for me:

1. Cut out white bread, potatoes, white pasta, and white rice. Eat some whole

wheat bread and pasta and brown rice.

2. Eat lots of lean meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy.

3. Eat lots of vegetables, but go sparingly on root vegetables and winter

squash.

4. Avoid processed fruit and fruit juice, but eat some whole fruit, especially

berries.

5. Get as much exercise as you can. Try working it into your daily routine.

(For example, when going on an errand ask yourself if you could walk or ride

your bicycle; if it is possible, do so.)