Re: Food Frustration

[Guest guest]

Pam.

From your email here, I am assuming you have been recently diagnosed as a

type 2 diabetic. Is this correct? I am so glad to hear you are in

counseling... my wife is a licensed professional counselor and has her own

practice. I am so glad to see that you are talking about it.

That must have been so frustrating to have a mother who was constantly

wanting you to be perfect. You must have felt so angry at her and probably

still do.

I'm sorry for you having to experience that in your life. Heck, life is hard

enough but to have your own mother pester you all the time over weight and

so forth, feeling like she is rejecting you your own flesh and blood, must

have been extremely painful.

ok, I'll stop since I am certain I am touching raw emotions Pam but please

understand, I have compassion for you and you will be in my

thoughts/prayers.

With you having this in your life, diabetes, let me encourage you that I can

help you, and others on the list can help you, still eat foods that you like

and the life change doesn't have to seem so drastic.

I know that carb counting seems like work but... it has a wonderful reward!

You get to eat the foods you like and feel good about eating them and keep

your bgs under control. Good bgs will help your emotions a lot! Just ask my

wife, she'll tell you how much better of a mood I am in when bgs are good

and when they are not, I am a crab smiles. Read my prior email on the way I

view the word diet... stick around here Pam, we are all going to help you

out the best we can. Carb counting is not that difficult to do. It's

simple... carbs raise blood sugar, just be aware of how many carbs you can

eat per meal and eat those carbs in any food you want then if you are still

hungry, fill up on low carb foods like salads, broccoli, cauliflower, and

yes.... sausage! Sausage and meats have virtually no carbs in them. I know I

know but the fat... who cares. We all gotta eat fat or we'd die LOL. We just

can't eat 9 pounds of sausage every day but eating it twice a week is no

problem in my opinion.

Food Frustration

,

Thanks for that clarification. Cerebrally I know that and do

appreciate it. Let's just say the subject of weight and exercise led

to constant badgering by a very self-centered mother whose response to

anything which didn't go along with her plans for " molding " two

perfect children was constant humiliation. I didn't dare oppose her

in any way, shape, or form till I was in my 20's. That should pretty

well say it without excruciating detail that no one really wants to

hear.

Having said that, it's hard to find joy in Mudville, so to speak.

Counting, reading labels, it all sounds like the old Weight Watchers.

I'm glad I'm still in therapy. Dave is going to be affected by this

as well because either I cook or we go out. I'm not sure because I

don't know enough about the issue yet but I suppose a lot of the

things we like are, in fact, carbohydrates. We enjoy salads. These I

enjoy more than Dave, though he eats them at home and usually chooses

salads rather than soup when we're out, saying he really needs to eat

more of them. I almost always eat the salad. Not only do I like them

better than soup, but the word " straight " when it comes to holding a

utensil, or crossing the street, for that matter, has about as much

meaning for me as a rare double word in a high stakes game of

Scrabble. In other words, the way I have been able to avoid spilling

and staining the front of my blouse or shirt as much as I used to is

because a friend has attached elastic bands to cloth napkins which I

wear like bibs. My lap is on its own. I can go through napkins by

the stack.

We also like some red meats, pork, rice, fish and chicken both broiled

and fried, noodles, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables and

cauliflower, wherever that falls in the scheme of things. Dave likes

some bread and cereal and I eat bread occasionally when we're out. I

eat Cream of Wheat now and then; but cold, wet, milky cereal...Yuck!

I've never been a breakfast eater as a rule. When we go away (and

most of you are going to shudder, I know), I like sausage, fried

potatoes and bacon. But then that's only when I'm away. I eat very

few desserts and not very often.

My doctor knew my issues over diet and exercise before the diabetes

came up. I have almost burst into tears when discussing it with her

and she has said that what I can't do emotionally with diet we can do

with oral meds.

As I've said before, I just hope the changes aren't too drastic.

I can't say anything more now and I am sure some of you are probably

tired of it. I'll get my humor back again. I thank the list for

letting me vent. I'm hoping it isn't all as dismal as it seems.

P.S. For those of you who may be thinking I need counseling, I'm

getting it and heaven knows I'm glad of that right now.

Pam

Hi

I'm not certain what has happened in your childhood concerning diet,

but I

am sorry for whatever the sore spot is with diet. I just wanted to let

you

know that we aren't really discussing diet at all, we are discussing

keeping

blood sugars under control by carb counting.

With carb counting, your really not on a diet in the traditional

sense. You

can eat what you want as long as you keep track of the carbs.

[Guest guest]

Aw , you would have to mention those bad words, salads, broccoli, and

cauliflower. I can eat salads if forced at gunpoint but things like brussels

sprouts, broccoli and the like, well, let's just say we all don't get along

too well. Yes they are good for you, but that doesn't stop me from not

getting along with them. I'll just have to stick to those things I can

tolerate and watch my carbs....

Bill

[Guest guest]

yup, but there are other foods that are low carb you can eat such as certain

nuts, celery with cream cheese on it, green peppers, mushrooms, olive oil

and fry up a bag of chinese vegetables, eggplant, squash, pork rines, piece

of lettuce with splenda on it for a nice sweet treat, ricotta cheese with

splenda on it, turkey roll ups made with cheese and lettuce, and lots

others.

Re: Food Frustration

> Aw , you would have to mention those bad words, salads, broccoli,

and

> cauliflower. I can eat salads if forced at gunpoint but things like

brussels

> sprouts, broccoli and the like, well, let's just say we all don't get

along

> too well. Yes they are good for you, but that doesn't stop me from not

> getting along with them. I'll just have to stick to those things I can

> tolerate and watch my carbs....

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

BTW Jistin, what is the story on Splenda? I ask because like anything new, I

wonder if anything is " controversial " about it like we were hearing a couple

of years back about olean.

Thanks,

Bill

[Guest guest]

from what I gather it was derived from a sugar molucule and the labs removes

one carb/part of the entire sugar structure, the part that raises sugar, so

from what I gather, itis pretty good stuff. It appears to be much safer than

nutra sweet since that is an actual chemical. BTW I know several diabetics,

and this is rare, that nutra sweet raises their bgs. To see if it effects

you, prior to a meal, test and if you are like 80 to 120, drink a diet pop

with nutra sweet and wait 30 to 45 mins and test to see if your sugar is

raised.

Re: Food Frustration

> BTW Jistin, what is the story on Splenda? I ask because like anything new,

I

> wonder if anything is " controversial " about it like we were hearing a

couple

> of years back about olean.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

I love Splenda, I think it's one of the most wonderful things to happen to

diabetics in a long time, maybe ever. LaWanda At 05:20 PM 8/22/03 -0400,

you wrote:

>from what I gather it was derived from a sugar molucule and the labs removes

>one carb/part of the entire sugar structure, the part that raises sugar, so

>from what I gather, itis pretty good stuff. It appears to be much safer than

>nutra sweet since that is an actual chemical. BTW I know several diabetics,

>and this is rare, that nutra sweet raises their bgs. To see if it effects

>you, prior to a meal, test and if you are like 80 to 120, drink a diet pop

>with nutra sweet and wait 30 to 45 mins and test to see if your sugar is

>raised.

>

>

>

> Re: Food Frustration

>

>

> > BTW Jistin, what is the story on Splenda? I ask because like anything new,

>I

> > wonder if anything is " controversial " about it like we were hearing a

>couple

> > of years back about olean.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Bill

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also am a type two diabaaetif c and I eat a little git of everything and I do

not use any diet soft frdrink sence it is not good for you. my susgsar is under

control by just being carful of how much I eat. and I am 67 years of agage.

frien;ds wayne

Re: Food Frustration

,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Pam

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Pam

[Guest guest]

By the way, , you are correct. I must have neglected to mention

that tomorrow it will be 3 weeks since I got the news of Type 2

diabetes. I shouldn't have been surprised. My father developed

diabetes in his 60's and my grandfather and two uncles on my mother's

side had it. Of these, one uncle is still living. All deaths were

due to other causes. My one uncle had an interesting issue because he

had heart and kidney problems. He had been on hemolytic dialysis

until there were no more veins left to inject him. From then on he

took peritoneal dialysis, which some may know as home dialysis. Nine

so-called cassettes of sugar water were infused into his bloodstream

and the impurities washed out through a hose feeding into the toilet.

The point of this is that he had to be extra careful with his sugar

because he couldn't afford to stop that treatment. I have no idea how

he maintained his diet except that when Dave and I were visiting I

remember one friend making a plate of sugar-free tarts just for him

when we visited her. I didn't notice him eating anything different

than the rest of the family when we were there but he may have had

something that of course I wouldn't have seen.

By the way, if the spellings of these medical terms are incorrect,

blame the spell checker. <lol>

Pam.

From your email here, I am assuming you have been recently diagnosed

as a

type 2 diabetic. Is this correct? I am so glad to hear you are in

counseling... my wife is a licensed professional counselor and has her

own

practice. I am so glad to see that you are talking about it.

That must have been so frustrating to have a mother who was constantly

wanting you to be perfect. You must have felt so angry at her and

probably

still do.

I'm sorry for you having to experience that in your life. Heck, life

is hard

enough but to have your own mother pester you all the time over weight

and

so forth, feeling like she is rejecting you your own flesh and blood,

must

have been extremely painful.

ok, I'll stop since I am certain I am touching raw emotions Pam but

please

understand, I have compassion for you and you will be in my

thoughts/prayers.

With you having this in your life, diabetes, let me encourage you that

I can

help you, and others on the list can help you, still eat foods that

you like

and the life change doesn't have to seem so drastic.

I know that carb counting seems like work but... it has a wonderful

reward!

You get to eat the foods you like and feel good about eating them and

keep

your bgs under control. Good bgs will help your emotions a lot! Just

ask my

wife, she'll tell you how much better of a mood I am in when bgs are

good

and when they are not, I am a crab smiles. Read my prior email on the

way I

view the word diet... stick around here Pam, we are all going to help

you

out the best we can. Carb counting is not that difficult to do. It's

simple... carbs raise blood sugar, just be aware of how many carbs you

can

eat per meal and eat those carbs in any food you want then if you are

still

hungry, fill up on low carb foods like salads, broccoli, cauliflower,

and

yes.... sausage! Sausage and meats have virtually no carbs in them. I

know I

know but the fat... who cares. We all gotta eat fat or we'd die LOL.

We just

can't eat 9 pounds of sausage every day but eating it twice a week is

no

problem in my opinion.

Food Frustration

,

Thanks for that clarification. Cerebrally I know that and do

appreciate it. Let's just say the subject of weight and exercise led

to constant badgering by a very self-centered mother whose response to

anything which didn't go along with her plans for " molding " two

perfect children was constant humiliation. I didn't dare oppose her

in any way, shape, or form till I was in my 20's. That should pretty

well say it without excruciating detail that no one really wants to

hear.

Having said that, it's hard to find joy in Mudville, so to speak.

Counting, reading labels, it all sounds like the old Weight Watchers.

I'm glad I'm still in therapy. Dave is going to be affected by this

as well because either I cook or we go out. I'm not sure because I

don't know enough about the issue yet but I suppose a lot of the

things we like are, in fact, carbohydrates. We enjoy salads. These I

enjoy more than Dave, though he eats them at home and usually chooses

salads rather than soup when we're out, saying he really needs to eat

more of them. I almost always eat the salad. Not only do I like them

better than soup, but the word " straight " when it comes to holding a

utensil, or crossing the street, for that matter, has about as much

meaning for me as a rare double word in a high stakes game of

Scrabble. In other words, the way I have been able to avoid spilling

and staining the front of my blouse or shirt as much as I used to is

because a friend has attached elastic bands to cloth napkins which I

wear like bibs. My lap is on its own. I can go through napkins by

the stack.

We also like some red meats, pork, rice, fish and chicken both broiled

and fried, noodles, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables and

cauliflower, wherever that falls in the scheme of things. Dave likes

some bread and cereal and I eat bread occasionally when we're out. I

eat Cream of Wheat now and then; but cold, wet, milky cereal...Yuck!

I've never been a breakfast eater as a rule. When we go away (and

most of you are going to shudder, I know), I like sausage, fried

potatoes and bacon. But then that's only when I'm away. I eat very

few desserts and not very often.

My doctor knew my issues over diet and exercise before the diabetes

came up. I have almost burst into tears when discussing it with her

and she has said that what I can't do emotionally with diet we can do

with oral meds.

As I've said before, I just hope the changes aren't too drastic.

I can't say anything more now and I am sure some of you are probably

tired of it. I'll get my humor back again. I thank the list for

letting me vent. I'm hoping it isn't all as dismal as it seems.

P.S. For those of you who may be thinking I need counseling, I'm

getting it and heaven knows I'm glad of that right now.

Pam

Hi

I'm not certain what has happened in your childhood concerning diet,

but I

am sorry for whatever the sore spot is with diet. I just wanted to let

you

know that we aren't really discussing diet at all, we are discussing

keeping

blood sugars under control by carb counting.

With carb counting, your really not on a diet in the traditional

sense. You

can eat what you want as long as you keep track of the carbs.

[Guest guest]

Hey, no problem Pam. We are all in this diabetes beast together so all of us

need encouraged at times. Your gunna do fine. I got that feeling that your

gunna do fine.

Re: Food Frustration

,

Thanks for the encouraging words.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam.

Your gunna do just fine. Once the initial shock wears off, which may take a

while, I'm certain you'll join the ranks of diabetics who say... your not

going to beat me diabetes! I'm not going to let you control me, I'm going to

control you! That's ultimately the place each diabetic has to get to and

some do, some never do, but many many do and live very productive lives

eating the foods they like.

I just talked to an 81 year old man who had been type 2 diabetic since he

was 40. He is now 81. How did he do it? Even before the trend of carb

counting came out... he carb counted and watched his carbs. I found that

amazing. He told me that he just seen how carbs shot up his sugars and

didn't eat much of them. So, you can live a very productive and fulfilling

life as a diabetic... it's just a matter of working through it Pam and that

is what your counselor will help you do along with all of us on the list. No

matter how much you try to fight it Pam, your one of us now and it's ok to

be mad about it but we will still love you and do our best to help you

smiles.

Food Frustration

,

Thanks for that clarification. Cerebrally I know that and do

appreciate it. Let's just say the subject of weight and exercise led

to constant badgering by a very self-centered mother whose response to

anything which didn't go along with her plans for " molding " two

perfect children was constant humiliation. I didn't dare oppose her

in any way, shape, or form till I was in my 20's. That should pretty

well say it without excruciating detail that no one really wants to

hear.

Having said that, it's hard to find joy in Mudville, so to speak.

Counting, reading labels, it all sounds like the old Weight Watchers.

I'm glad I'm still in therapy. Dave is going to be affected by this

as well because either I cook or we go out. I'm not sure because I

don't know enough about the issue yet but I suppose a lot of the

things we like are, in fact, carbohydrates. We enjoy salads. These I

enjoy more than Dave, though he eats them at home and usually chooses

salads rather than soup when we're out, saying he really needs to eat

more of them. I almost always eat the salad. Not only do I like them

better than soup, but the word " straight " when it comes to holding a

utensil, or crossing the street, for that matter, has about as much

meaning for me as a rare double word in a high stakes game of

Scrabble. In other words, the way I have been able to avoid spilling

and staining the front of my blouse or shirt as much as I used to is

because a friend has attached elastic bands to cloth napkins which I

wear like bibs. My lap is on its own. I can go through napkins by

the stack.

We also like some red meats, pork, rice, fish and chicken both broiled

and fried, noodles, potatoes, and green leafy vegetables and

cauliflower, wherever that falls in the scheme of things. Dave likes

some bread and cereal and I eat bread occasionally when we're out. I

eat Cream of Wheat now and then; but cold, wet, milky cereal...Yuck!

I've never been a breakfast eater as a rule. When we go away (and

most of you are going to shudder, I know), I like sausage, fried

potatoes and bacon. But then that's only when I'm away. I eat very

few desserts and not very often.

My doctor knew my issues over diet and exercise before the diabetes

came up. I have almost burst into tears when discussing it with her

and she has said that what I can't do emotionally with diet we can do

with oral meds.

As I've said before, I just hope the changes aren't too drastic.

I can't say anything more now and I am sure some of you are probably

tired of it. I'll get my humor back again. I thank the list for

letting me vent. I'm hoping it isn't all as dismal as it seems.

P.S. For those of you who may be thinking I need counseling, I'm

getting it and heaven knows I'm glad of that right now.

Pam

Hi

I'm not certain what has happened in your childhood concerning diet,

but I

am sorry for whatever the sore spot is with diet. I just wanted to let

you

know that we aren't really discussing diet at all, we are discussing

keeping

blood sugars under control by carb counting.

With carb counting, your really not on a diet in the traditional

sense. You

can eat what you want as long as you keep track of the carbs.

[Guest guest]

,

You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take on it

is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at least now

I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I can

take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt size so

while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something right for

me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can look at

this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

Bill

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill.

I'm 31 and have been type 1 diabetic for 25 years. I have no problem being a

diabetic. In fact, I find that I am much healthier than the average Joe and

that is one benefit to being diabetic. Another benefit is that I know I am

taking care of my body and many folks that aren't diabetic just don't care.

I plan to live to be 80, all kidding aside, and in order to do that... I

know I must control the diabetes and it is not going to control me.

I was classified as a brittle diabetic for 25 years. This means my sugars

went like this every day:

190

300

63

290

58

175

290

55

....

and my average a1c was 7.0 which is fair. Can you imagine how I felt

physically and emotionally with sugars bouncing all over the place like

this? It was like I was in a boxing match all the time, every day, every

minute! A while back, I was introduced to the concept of carbs breaking down

to sugars and sugars raising bgs. I was taught, by an internet mailing list

of type 2 diabetics with some type 1's, how to carb count and dose insulin.

I was never taught this by and doctor or endo the entier 25 years! I was

taught to follow the ADA exchange diet which is high carb, low meat, high

fruit, high juices, starchy veggies, etc. Once I limited my carbs, in 3

days, all kidding aside, my sugars were totally in range. My sugars run

between 80 to 107 all the time. How? Simple, I carb count and limit my carbs

and if I eat carbs, I know how to calculate my insulin to dose to cover

them.

For 25 years, I was exhausted, required 3 hour naps after work etc. I feel

like I am a new person. All kidding aside, a brand new person! I no longer

need 3 hour naps, my sleep requirements have went from 10 to 12 hours of

sleep to only 7! My insulin requirements were cut in half! I'm telling ya

folks... carb counting works! I'm a living example of it! BTW my !!! is

excitement not me yelling smiles.

Re: Food Frustration

> ,

>

> You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take on

it

> is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at least

now

> I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I can

> take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

> paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt size

so

> while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something right

for

> me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can look at

> this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

> rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

> really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

Now that I have this past week joined the ranks of " the needle users " ,

having been diagnosed with a failing pancreas and out of sight glucose

levels, I am now trying Lantus to establish a basil dose with my type 2

diabetes. I started out with 5 units of Lantus and am now up to 7 units of

Lantus, and my fasting blood sugars are still too high, ranging between 132

and 168 so far. I am still working with the doctor to establish this basil

dose, what ever it may be.

Since you are a type 1 diabetic, I can guess that you are using Lantus and

Hemulog to dose yourself for a basil line and also for carb intake.

I am still using glyburide and Actos for insulin stimulation with my

pancreas and of course Actos for insulin resistance.

I am also still on a low carbohydrate diet.

Maybe you can teach me what that type 2 diabetic taught you? Also last week

I was also showing the signs of congestive heart failure with a 1 plus edema

of both lower legs and ankles, so I would guess my time here is even more

limited now. No matter how long that may be, I wish to enjoy every minute

of it without those nasty swings in sugar levels.

At this point I would highly recommend one monitor oneself closely day,

because had I been doing so for the past year, I would probably have

discovered this failing pancreas 8 or 9 months ago instead of just

discovering it three weeks ago after purchasing my new glucose monitor, the

One Touch Ultra.

It is amazing how quickly things can change, because a year ago I had

excellent A1C readings and I forgot the rule of thumb that a type 2 diabetic

becomes insulin dependent somewhere between ten and fifteen years after

being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. When I was first diagnosed as a type

2 diabetic 16 years ago, I refused to believe it, and I convinced my doctor

to let me control this diabetes with exercise and diet alone, and he agreed.

After four months of being an exercise nut and a diet freak my fasting

glucose levels steadily rose with biweekly checks in the doctor's office, an

d even then it was hard to swallow that, yes, I was and I am a type 2

diabetic, and it was apparent that diet and exercise alone were not working.

So I succumbed to taking oral medications to control my glucose levels,

which worked with one medication, glyburide, for over ten years, when I

finally had to start taking an additional medication orally for insulin

resistance, which was Rezulin, and a year later it was changed to Actos.

I can frankly say at this point in my life that I have learned more about

controlling my diabetes from fellow diabetics than I have ever learned from

any practicing physician. So any gems of wisdom you can throw my way will

be greatly appreciated.

Re: Food Frustration

>

>

> > ,

> >

> > You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take on

> it

> > is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at least

> now

> > I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I

can

> > take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

> > paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt

size

> so

> > while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something right

> for

> > me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can look

at

> > this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

> > rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

> > really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

> >

> > Bill

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Ah, so I'm not crazy then. By knowing that I'm diabetic and attempting to

take care of myself then I'm actually better off, so really this isn't such

a bad thing after all. It's not like the death sentence some people make it

out to be.

Like I said before, it's been less than 2 months that I was diagnosed with

diabetes and I'm already doing much better with my sugars and with reducing

my spare tire than with anything else I've ever tried so I'm good to go.

Bill

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill.

Well, for some, diabetes management is very very difficult. It seems like

whatever they do doesn't work so they experience burn out and high levels of

frustration. I've found the one thing that type of individual has not tried,

or been instructed to do, is carb count. I've seen that burned out diabetic

go from complete burn out to happiness by carb counting and getting a grip

on their bgs. I guess its not to bad as long as a person has the tools in

place to control it without it controlling them. Many diabetic burn outs

lack the tools to control it so they are being controlled by diabetes. This

is why many give up and adopt the " I don't care attitude " since no matter

what they try, they run high, and if at their best effort, following docs

advice, they keep running high then screw it.

If they only knew about carb counting and using that tool to control

diabetes.

Re: Food Frustration

> ,

>

> Ah, so I'm not crazy then. By knowing that I'm diabetic and attempting to

> take care of myself then I'm actually better off, so really this isn't

such

> a bad thing after all. It's not like the death sentence some people make

it

> out to be.

>

> Like I said before, it's been less than 2 months that I was diagnosed with

> diabetes and I'm already doing much better with my sugars and with

reducing

> my spare tire than with anything else I've ever tried so I'm good to go.

>

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I think more and more physicians and nutritionists will get on the carb

bandwagon soon enough seeing that simple calorie counting is not working for

most people. Using carbs as a guide is a very easy way to work, but it's

only a guide and each person needs to understand they will react differently

than the next guy, but it's more logical a base to start with than calorie

or sodium intake since the carbs you take in will ultimately turn to sugar

which may or may not be used by the body.

Bill

[Guest guest]

very true. It is a great starting point and some, that may be all they need,

others may need to watch fat as well since in some diabetics, both carbs and

fats raise bgs. I'm fortunate that is not the case with me... meaning the

fats. Also, carb counting is only one way to manage diabetes but research is

clearly showing that it has a much higher success rate than does watching

calories/exchanges/portions according to traditional ADA exchange meal

planning etc.

Re: Food Frustration

> ,

>

> I think more and more physicians and nutritionists will get on the carb

> bandwagon soon enough seeing that simple calorie counting is not working

for

> most people. Using carbs as a guide is a very easy way to work, but it's

> only a guide and each person needs to understand they will react

differently

> than the next guy, but it's more logical a base to start with than calorie

> or sodium intake since the carbs you take in will ultimately turn to sugar

> which may or may not be used by the body.

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

I agree about the Splenda. I just returned from Montana visiting my

daughter. She had made a anana bread using Splenda-and it was excellant! I

tried to keep donw the amount of it I ate as it has it's own calories, but

it sure was good!

Re: Food Frustration

I love Splenda, I think it's one of the most wonderful things to happen to

diabetics in a long time, maybe ever. LaWanda At 05:20 PM 8/22/03 -0400,

you wrote:

>from what I gather it was derived from a sugar molucule and the labs

removes

>one carb/part of the entire sugar structure, the part that raises sugar,

so

>from what I gather, itis pretty good stuff. It appears to be much safer

than

>nutra sweet since that is an actual chemical. BTW I know several diabetics,

>and this is rare, that nutra sweet raises their bgs. To see if it effects

>you, prior to a meal, test and if you are like 80 to 120, drink a diet pop

>with nutra sweet and wait 30 to 45 mins and test to see if your sugar is

>raised.

>

>

>

> Re: Food Frustration

>

>

> > BTW Jistin, what is the story on Splenda? I ask because like anything

new,

>I

> > wonder if anything is " controversial " about it like we were hearing a

>couple

> > of years back about olean.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Bill

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

BTW on the note of high blood pressure and cholesterol it should be noted

that a low carb diet, like 45 to 60 grams per day, reduces those levels in

most patients to normal to below normal levels. It's amazing what low carb

and near perfect bgs control can do to all other body systems. Since the

pancreas is so in charge of regulating so many other regulatory systems, if

your bgs are under control and you are on low carb, the other systems line

up and you get wonderful results.

Re: Food Frustration

> >

> >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take

on

> > it

> > > is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at

least

> > now

> > > I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I

> can

> > > take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

> > > paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt

> size

> > so

> > > while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something

right

> > for

> > > me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can

look

> at

> > > this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

> > > rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

> > > really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

> > >

> > > Bill

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hello, Harry

is correct with the carb counting-and it is important for all

diabetics to control athe amount of carbs taken in-insulin dependent or not.

I am diabetic 59 years next month and use the humalog in my pump, but still

have to cntrol the carbs. As an insulin dependent diabetic, you can take

the extra insulin to control the BS levels with extra carbs-but then you

gain weight, and that is not good for the diabetic either. Diabetes is not

only controlling the BS, buta also the wight and high blood pressure and

cholestrol levels. The swelling you have i your ankles can be caused from

congestive heart failure, but it can also be caused from decreased

circulation in your legs due to blocked vessels-or due to decreased kidney

function. Hopefully, your doctor is keeping track of those things too. How

is your blood pressure? It is very importatnt to keep that down. More

people in the USA have to go on dialysis due to high blood pressure problems

than due to diabetes.

Re: Food Frustration

Hey ,

Now that I have this past week joined the ranks of " the needle users " ,

having been diagnosed with a failing pancreas and out of sight glucose

levels, I am now trying Lantus to establish a basil dose with my type 2

diabetes. I started out with 5 units of Lantus and am now up to 7 units of

Lantus, and my fasting blood sugars are still too high, ranging between 132

and 168 so far. I am still working with the doctor to establish this basil

dose, what ever it may be.

Since you are a type 1 diabetic, I can guess that you are using Lantus and

Hemulog to dose yourself for a basil line and also for carb intake.

I am still using glyburide and Actos for insulin stimulation with my

pancreas and of course Actos for insulin resistance.

I am also still on a low carbohydrate diet.

Maybe you can teach me what that type 2 diabetic taught you? Also last week

I was also showing the signs of congestive heart failure with a 1 plus edema

of both lower legs and ankles, so I would guess my time here is even more

limited now. No matter how long that may be, I wish to enjoy every minute

of it without those nasty swings in sugar levels.

At this point I would highly recommend one monitor oneself closely day,

because had I been doing so for the past year, I would probably have

discovered this failing pancreas 8 or 9 months ago instead of just

discovering it three weeks ago after purchasing my new glucose monitor, the

One Touch Ultra.

It is amazing how quickly things can change, because a year ago I had

excellent A1C readings and I forgot the rule of thumb that a type 2 diabetic

becomes insulin dependent somewhere between ten and fifteen years after

being diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. When I was first diagnosed as a type

2 diabetic 16 years ago, I refused to believe it, and I convinced my doctor

to let me control this diabetes with exercise and diet alone, and he agreed.

After four months of being an exercise nut and a diet freak my fasting

glucose levels steadily rose with biweekly checks in the doctor's office, an

d even then it was hard to swallow that, yes, I was and I am a type 2

diabetic, and it was apparent that diet and exercise alone were not working.

So I succumbed to taking oral medications to control my glucose levels,

which worked with one medication, glyburide, for over ten years, when I

finally had to start taking an additional medication orally for insulin

resistance, which was Rezulin, and a year later it was changed to Actos.

I can frankly say at this point in my life that I have learned more about

controlling my diabetes from fellow diabetics than I have ever learned from

any practicing physician. So any gems of wisdom you can throw my way will

be greatly appreciated.

Re: Food Frustration

>

>

> > ,

> >

> > You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take on

> it

> > is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at least

> now

> > I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I

can

> > take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

> > paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt

size

> so

> > while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something right

> for

> > me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can look

at

> > this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

> > rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

> > really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

> >

> > Bill

> >

> >

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I think it was yesterday when you advised Harry about not eating cereal or

oatmeal for breakfast but rather eggs and bacon, and I'm wondering how this

would play in terms of cholesterol vs. carbs? For example, Cheerios claims

to be very low in cholesterol but obviously as with any cereal it must be

high in carbs. On the other hand, eggs and bacon are low carb but how about

cholesterol? The reason I'm so curious is that for our weekday breasts, we

usually have a bowl of Cheerios, a small glass of OJ and I have one cup of

black coffee. Now mind you I take my bgs readings fasting, then again before

supper time and then before bedtime since this is what the doc is most

interested in. I'm wondering if I would be better with eggs and maybe a

piece of toast for the carbs I need for moderate exercise, or if that might

be creating other problems?

I once did very well on a low-carb diet 20 years ago (almost a no-carb diet)

and lost a significant amount of weight, and this was eating eggs and

hamburger every day for breakfast. Of course we can't go on no-carb diets

because we can get heart damage from that.

So I'm just curious for your thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Bill

[Guest guest]

,

I have had some slight edema in both legs and ankles for over a year, but

recently when I discovered my pancreas was no longer working like it use to

do after testing regularly with my new glucose monitor, I took the results

to the doctor. He confirmed that I had 1+ edema in both legs and stated

that it could be a result of high blood sugar, such the heart could not work

properly. I have had this edema, which worsened recently, for over a year

just prior to my second heart bypass surgery last August. I have ischemic

heart disease, which runs in my family.

I am about half way through the initial stages of intravenous chelation

therapy, and hope to complete it within the next two months.

My doctor, who happens to be doing my chelation therapy, said we would have

to run some tests to rule out congestive heart failure, liver failure and

kidney failure, which he did, and the results came back negative for all

three of the preceeding problems. So I guess the very high sugar in the

blood was the problem. We are scheduled to go over all the test results

next week to discuss options which are available. We will continue

treating, also, for nanobacterium sanguinium infection, which scientists

discovered recently is the primary cause of heart trouble, especially

atherosclerosis and heart blockages.

Before starting chelation therapy my blood pressure ran some where in the

125/85 range. After several treatments my blood pressure is now running in

the 110/60 range, so I guess the chelation treatments are clearing out those

clogged arteries and veins.

The other medical doctors, namely my cardiologist and heart surgeon look

upon chelation therapy as quackery, but all they could offer me was a pill

and maybe five more years of life. I hope to be the second male in my

family geneology to reach the age of 70 and the first to reach that age with

full mental faculties. I am the second male to reach age 60+, wheareas the

others usually die in their 40's and 50's, so wish this 63 year old luck and

good fortune as well as good guidance.

Re: Food Frustration

> >

> >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > You are right in what you said to Pam about beating diabetes. My take

on

> > it

> > > is that even though it's not the coolest thing to happen to me, at

least

> > now

> > > I _KNOW_ what has been a problem with me since I was a teenager. Now I

> can

> > > take the control I need to take so I can be healthier and it's already

> > > paying off. I just noticed today that I went down into the next belt

> size

> > so

> > > while I'm not taking any weight off yet I must be doing something

right

> > for

> > > me, my clothes are looser and I feel much better. That's why I can

look

> at

> > > this as a godsend and even with the inconvenience of fingersticks, I'd

> > > rather do that than go back to the way I was feeling, not knowing if I

> > > really had diabetes or if I was justa victim of being in my 50's.

> > >

> > > Bill

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Bill.

I'm heavy into reading Dr. Bernstein's latest book entitled diabetes

solution revised. He is a type 1 diabetic for nearly 60 years and eats no

carbs at all. He eats nothing but meets and vegetables and his cholesterol

levels, without medication, is half of what normal should be on the ldl and

his hdl is in a good solid normal range. The reason for this is carbs

increase cholesterol much much more than fats do. He gives a medical reason

for this but can't recall it. I'm learning as I go by reading this docs

book. He is an expert in the field practises out of New York and is diabetic

himself.

I've read the first 4 chapters and the first one was testimonies of at least

20 extreme case diabetics, both type 1 and type 2, who followed his program

and they showed their before and after blood work results. All people's

cholesterol were high prior to cutting out carbs and went to a normal range

cutting them out. Not only that, their a1c's are what a normal person's

should be, diabetic complications like nuropathy, eye conditions, kidneys,

etc. totally reversed, etc. all from keeping bgs in the range of 80 to 105.

His main point is bgs are the main killer of diabetics, not the other

complications and if you keep bgs in range, you will live a productive and

fulfilling life. He is proof of this, he had every diabetic complication

prior to figuring out his system to control the disease and they all

reversed and he has been type 1 diabetic for 60 years. I'm agressively

reading his book and am sharing bits and pieces that I read that can help

all of us.

When I get to the part that talks about eating meats and fats in place of

carbs, I'll see what he suggests. I'm certain it is healthy meats and good

fats and not bad fats etc. ya know, fish, turkey, good nuts to eat, etc.

Re: Food Frustration

> ,

>

> I think it was yesterday when you advised Harry about not eating cereal or

> oatmeal for breakfast but rather eggs and bacon, and I'm wondering how

this

> would play in terms of cholesterol vs. carbs? For example, Cheerios claims

> to be very low in cholesterol but obviously as with any cereal it must be

> high in carbs. On the other hand, eggs and bacon are low carb but how

about

> cholesterol? The reason I'm so curious is that for our weekday breasts, we

> usually have a bowl of Cheerios, a small glass of OJ and I have one cup of

> black coffee. Now mind you I take my bgs readings fasting, then again

before

> supper time and then before bedtime since this is what the doc is most

> interested in. I'm wondering if I would be better with eggs and maybe a

> piece of toast for the carbs I need for moderate exercise, or if that

might

> be creating other problems?

>

> I once did very well on a low-carb diet 20 years ago (almost a no-carb

diet)

> and lost a significant amount of weight, and this was eating eggs and

> hamburger every day for breakfast. Of course we can't go on no-carb diets

> because we can get heart damage from that.

>

> So I'm just curious for your thoughts on this.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Bill

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again Bill.

A few more comments starting with * after yours...

The reason I'm so curious is that for our weekday breasts, we

usually have a bowl of Cheerios, a small glass of OJ and I have one cup of

black coffee.

* of course, like you stated, the bowl of cereal is probably about 20 to 25

carbs, the milk is 11 carbs, and the OJ is probably 15 carbs.

Now mind you I take my bgs readings fasting, then again before

supper time and then before bedtime since this is what the doc is most

interested in.

* I say this tongue and cheek so not being a smart butt here... The doc?

Shouldn't you be the one interested in your readings more than the doc since

it is your body? I've seen it over and over again docs say check 3 or 4

times a day and that is good enough. The old practise of do what the doc

says and don't use your own noodle to work out your diabetes. Yes, docs are

important we'd be dead without them but it is also important to learn on

your own and do what you got to do to keep in control of the diabetes. With

regards to the doc only wanting you to check 3 to 4 times... Do you realize

that your pancreas constantly checks your blood sugar to know when to

excrete insulin? If our body isn't doing that, the only way we will know

what our bgs is running to inject insulin, or as a type 2, do exercise or

drop off carbs at next meal is to check our bgs using a meter. So the body

does it all day and we are only to do it 3 to 4 times a day because our

doctors tell us that is good enough? So, some docs take a passive stance on

bgs testing like it is important, but not extremely important. However, your

bgs monitor is the best friend you could ever have in this fight and can

help you regulate your bgs. Like I've explained before, not that you have to

do this just explaining, with regards to testing bgs it should be prior to

meal, 2 hours past should be 120 or less, and if desired, 3 hours past to

see if you are coming down rather than up.

I'm wondering if I would be better with eggs and maybe a

piece of toast for the carbs I need for moderate exercise, or if that might

be creating other problems?

* That sounds like a really good start. The eggs and 1 piece of toast, 15

grams, totals 16 carbs... is much lower than eating the cereal, 25 carbs,

and the milk onit, 11 carbs, and the oj 15 carbs, totaling 51 carbs for

breakfast. BTW it is your body, try the test... eat the cereal/oj and 2

hours later get a bgs reading. Next morning, assuming at same starting bgs

like 90, eat the 2 eggs/toast and 2 hours later get a check. I'll put money

on it that your bgs will be much lower.

I once did very well on a low-carb diet 20 years ago (almost a no-carb diet)

and lost a significant amount of weight,

* in the fight of diabetes, low carb is not to lose weight but rather to

keep bgs in range to prevent diabetic complications. Losing weight is

secondary to the bgs control.

Finally, all this I am sharing with you is just my opinion/suggestions.

Never take what I am saying as you are wrong or you gotta do this etc. I

know that electronic communication can portray a person incorrectly often

times. So, Just know that I am just giving you food for thought and not

trying to tell you what to do and pointing my finger at you etc.

cheers