Re: What does everyone eat?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 01/07/2003 9:59:56 PM Central Standard Time,

ERWachter@... writes:

> Now I am up 20 LBS. I think the

> >drugs and change of diet are making me gain weight. If anyone has any

> >suggestions, I would sincerely appreciate it

>

> Hi,

> After being on meds for about a year, I decided that I really wanted off of

>

> them, so I changed the way I was eating, I started eating smaller amounts.

> I

> would eat my high carb foods for breakfast and lunch when I knew that I

> would

> be exercising after eating. This was in Aug of 2000. In Dec 2002, I went

> for an A1c. I told my doctor that my plans were to come off meds. She

> told

> me that she did not think it would happen, that I would probably have to

> increase them. At that time, my A1c was 7.5%. In Jan, I started getting

> lows every 2 hours, so my doctor cut my pill in half. In Feb 2001, because

> I

> was still getting lows, she discontinued my meds. I had lost about 25 lbs.

>

> I continued to lose weight and lost a total of 54 lbs. I have gained about

> 6

> lbs back, but I'm still off meds. I eat what I want from the food pyramid,

>

> but in moderation. I don't count calories, I don't count carbs. My last

> A1c

> was 5.9%.

>

> Diabetes is not a " one size fits all " . We are all different. We all have

> to

> find the plan that works for us. The way to do that is eat, then test and

> see what happens with bg's.

>

> Eunice

>

>

Do you think portions sizes has a lot to do with this? Maybe I just eat too

much? Before I was diagnosed, I just ate lots of carbs, hardly any protein

or fat and I could control my weight like this. This way of eating is such a

big change for me.

[Guest guest]

The Canadian Diabetes Association has the opinion that Atkins is " dangerous for

diabetics " - because it can cause hypoglycemia, because the high meat/fat

content can lead to liver & kidney damage, because the high fat is a problem for

diabetics who are at a higher risk for coronary disease anyway. The diet they

do recommend is the " Glucose Revolution " which is based on the glycemic index.

I eat using the glycemic index and have been very satisfied with it.

Deanna

Is everyone on Atkins? One day I go on Atkins and don't even

have to take my drugs and my numbers are fine. Then I get tired of not

having carbs and start taking drugs and eating carbs, then I decide the carbs

& drugs are making me gain so then I go back to Atkins. A vicious cycle.

All of this is causing me to GAIN weight. I am so frustrated.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/03 11:44:44 PM Eastern Standard Time, QKATQ@...

writes:

> Do you think portions sizes has a lot to do with this? Maybe I just eat too

>

> much?

Portion size is probably the MOST important element, or at least I have found

it to be so. When I went thru Joslin Diabetes Education, they told us

portion size was as important as watching your carbs because if you

overloaded your body with food, it would shoot up your bg's as much as too

many carbs... and I have found this to be VERY TRUE.

I am doing well again and hope to lose the 20 pounds I have gained... but I

am going to stay off the scales except for once a month. My big problem is

that I am afraid to go back to the doctor because I feel ashamed. The WHOLE

OFFICE staff were so happy that I had lost almost 100 pounds and were very

supportive and I just dread SO MUCH going back and having slipped. However,

I am going to do it anyway... I started thinking last week that this is

going to be a life-long process and that there are always going to be times

that I do BETTER and times that I don't do as well. Hopefully, my

self-discipline will grow and I will see more times of doing well as I go

along than I see rough patches. I think a lot of it has to do with

developing good habits and doing these things over a long period of time so

that they become second-nature. It is amazing though how quickly I got back

into the overeating when I let down my guard.

My food plan is not weighed or measured and isn't very rigid. I do a lot of

what Eunice does and have small portions. My breakfast has more protein and

carbs because I am exercising after it... and it seems to sustain me thru the

day when I start out with a good meal. Then lunch is later in the day, like

2, and it is moderate in size and carbs... and then dinner is usually a light

soup or a nice salad with some protein on top. I have almost no carbs at

night. I also drink a lot of water. My rule of thumb is low-fat, lower

carbs (about 30 gm a meal and 15 for a snack) and HIGH fiber. I don't count

calories but if I am watching my fat and am eating brown rice and sweet

potatoes and 100% whole wheat bread when I have carbs, it is much higher

fiber and it keeps the calories low enough to lose consistently. As I had

said before, I had lost almost 100 pounds and had about 150 more to go.

Anyway... this has worked for me until my dad went into the hospital with his

heart and I started eating fast food even though there were healthier

alternatives around me. I just used that as an excuse to eat poorly again.

But no more... at least for today, I am resolved to put in my body what I

need to be as healthy as I can be. When I was eating right before, my

cholesterol came down from the high 300's to about 185 and my triglycerides

went from over 300 to 101... (can't remember the exact numbers)... and my

blood pressure was 220/120 and came down to 122/82. My A1c came down to 6.2

at the lowest and even though I need to get it a little lower, it came down

a lot in a short period of time.

And all of that was without meds. I am like Eunice in that my doc said I

probably could not do it without meds but was blown away when it happened. I

know if I go back now he will want me to go on meds but I am hoping I can get

it back under control and keep it there. I am trying to do this a day at a

time and not live wondering about how long I can keep it up.

So anyway... didn't mean to rattle on this long but generally just wanted to

say that a few good choices where diets are concerned are better than what we

were doing before. Don't try for perfection... just make the NEXT right

decision before you and make some " healthier " choices than you did yesterday

and you may see things start to get better little by little. Pretty soon,

you will be much healthier and eating a very healthy diet. For me, it had to

happen slowly... so I am doing the same thing again and hoping for good

results.

The other thing.. and it is not last because it is least... I ask for God's

grace each day to be able to do this because I know that the best diet in the

world will not work if I don't have His help.

Take care.

Shirley Jean

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/8/2003 9:32:02 AM Eastern Standard Time, sjgrace@...

writes:

> I started thinking last week that this is

> going to be a life-long process and that there are always going to be times

>

> that I do BETTER and times that I don't do as well. Hopefully, my

> self-discipline will grow and I will see more times of doing well as I go

> along than I see rough patches.

Hi Shirley,

As always, your message was very uplifting. I know that you will lose those

extra pounds and the rest of the weight you want to lose. Even though we

know that we need to take care of diabetes every day, at that time, your dad

was more important. Any of us can get side-tracked for one reason or

another. We have to have the strength, the will-power to get back on track.

That is exactly what you are doing and you are doing great.

Your Faith in God and your positive attitude will get you to your goal. Even

if you have to go on meds to help get your diabetes back in control, I'm sure

it will only be for a short period of time. You have a strong will-power.

Hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/2003 11:44:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, QKATQ@...

writes:

> Do you think portions sizes has a lot to do with this? Maybe I just eat too

>

> much?

Hi,

Portion size has everything to do with it. To lose weight, we have to cut

back on the amout we eat. When I was losing weight, I was drinking lots of

water and hot green tea. That would make me feel full so I didn't need to

eat as much.

Eunice

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/8/2003 12:30:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

artemis_rat@... writes:

> Pick a reasonable diet

> (based on a diabetics' requirements) that you think you can stick to

> and you will be less likely to fall off the wagon

Hi Jayd,

I agree with you but should add " pick a reasonable diet " that works (keeps

bg's normal).

Hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

What does everyone eat?

I am so confused. Since being diagnosed last May, I still can't figure out

what I should or should not be eating. Is everyone eating a normal diet and

taking drugs? Is everyone on Atkins? One day I go on Atkins and don't even

have to take my drugs and my numbers are fine. Then I get tired of not

having carbs and start taking drugs and eating carbs, then I decide the carbs

& drugs are making me gain so then I go back to Atkins. A vicious cycle.

All of this is causing me to GAIN weight. I am so frustrated.

Not everyone is on Atkins, but most of us of us are low carbers. Even those

of us who are on medication mostly try to keep the carbs low so as to be able to

take as little as possible.

My primary care physician that I currently see for my diabetes doesn't really

discuss diet. She just gives me more drugs and says to do whatever works.

Get a new PCP.

My dietitian told me to eat more carbs than I was eating before being

diagnosed. geeeeeesh

Get a new dietician. Doe your local hospital or public health department have

a diabetes education center?

I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in March.

Good.

I wasn't overweight when I was diagnosed. Now I am up 20 LBS. I think the

drugs and change of diet are making me gain weight. If anyone has any

suggestions, I would sincerely appreciate it.........

One suggestion. As you probably know, Western allopathic physicians do not

have to take nutrition. However, most alternative health practitioners do. See

if you can find a naturopath, homeopath, or Oriental Medicine practitioner.

Even if your insurance won't cover them, you should be able to deduct the cost

from your income taxes as 'unreimbursed medical expense.'

[Guest guest]

<snipped!>

I don't know how many people are in my boat, but I have learned a new

trick (okay, enough of the old dog jokes!). I never used to take

anything in my coffee. No cream or sugar or anything. In my office,

people are ALWAYS bringing in cookies, candies, doughnuts, chocolates,

little boxes of death everywhere you look! I started putting some

splenda in a cup of coffee in the morning and it takes the edge off

and makes it much easier to " just say no " !

Mike

[Guest guest]

> Before I was diagnosed, I just ate lots of carbs, hardly any

protein

> or fat and I could control my weight like this. This way of eating

is such a

> big change for me.

If you used to eat a lot of carbs then perhaps the Aitkins diet is

not for you. A number of people on this list have reduced the carbs

and I think that is a good idea, but you don't have to go nuts with

the carbs if they were your Achilles Heel before. Try adding a little

more protein (chicken, fish, eggs, cheese etc.) as you will feel a

little fuller and are less likely to want as much carbs.

I think that the weight flip-flop is more because you swing from

Aitkins to the old way of eating and back. Pick a reasonable diet

(based on a diabetics' requirements) that you think you can stick to

and you will be less likely to fall off the wagon. Also, try to keep

your meds even too, swinging with taking and not taking meds is also

not great for your body.

My 2 cents (Canadian, of course)

~ Jayd

[Guest guest]

Atkins says 3 oz of meat and only fat in limited.

Re: What does everyone eat?

The Canadian Diabetes Association has the opinion that Atkins is " dangerous for

diabetics " - because it can cause hypoglycemia, because the high meat/fat

content can lead to liver & kidney damage, because the high fat is a problem for

diabetics who are at a higher risk for coronary disease anyway. The diet they

do recommend is the " Glucose Revolution " which is based on the glycemic index.

I eat using the glycemic index and have been very satisfied with it.

Deanna

Is everyone on Atkins? One day I go on Atkins and don't even

have to take my drugs and my numbers are fine. Then I get tired of not

having carbs and start taking drugs and eating carbs, then I decide the carbs

& drugs are making me gain so then I go back to Atkins. A vicious cycle.

All of this is causing me to GAIN weight. I am so frustrated.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/7/2003 10:46:42 PM Eastern Standard Time, QKATQ@...

writes:

> I am so confused. Since being diagnosed last May, I still can't figure out

> what I should or should not be eating. Is everyone eating a normal diet

> and

> taking drugs?

I eat moderately low carb. I also take insulin: 10R/45NPH in the

AM-----20R/5NPH in the PM.

Typical day:

Breakfast 4OZ light yogurt, 16 oz coffee with splenda & a dash of milk I

can't eat first thing in the morning--the light yogurt has about 15 carbs in

it so I can take the insulin for the morning okay.

Lunch Usually it's been a cup of coffee, a veggie berger (9 carbs)

(Morningstar farms garden burger, 2 slices of whole wheat bread (about 18

carbs), lettuce, tomato, mustard or salsa, one ounce of light cheese

Dinner Protein--lean meat, chicken, turkey ect about 4-5 ounces 2 cups of

cooked vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, turnips, green beans, or mixed

frozen vegetables like the Oriental mix, ect. usually salad of lettuce

tomato sometimes with added garbanzo beans, and about 1/4 cup of pasta, half

of a small potato or yam, very small portion of carbs (no more than 15-20)

Snack Apple, 15 wheat thins, cup a soup, maybe occasionally one small

cookie--but i'm losing my taste for them, thank goodness! cottage cheese,

1-2 ounces f hard cheddar cheese with 4 crackers, a sugar free ice pop or

fudge pop, more vegetables, peanut butter on a WASA cracker, broth. Oh and

sugar free jello--it comes in all different flavors now! with a spoon ful of

cool whip on top. Polaner makes a good SF jelly that I use on crackers

sparingly with light cream cheese.

I used to be a real fanatic about food, but you can't live like that. I also

use a food journal to write down what I eat everyday so I can keep track of

my hughs and lows and see what kind o foods set me off. One of them is rice!

I don't eat it anymoire because it just raises my BS levels, Another is

farina, total cereal, and bagels!

wheat and rye bread is okay but white bread makes it go through the roof! I

guess everyone is different.

There's so much food you CAN eat so concentrate on what you can eat, not what

you shouldn't be eating. We really do have many choices in food as long as

you know your limits and control portion sizes. Portion control is very

important, IMO.

There so many ways to cook lower carb vegetables, you can make a potato like

mash of cauliflower and spice it up, oven cook vegetables for a great tasting

meal and grill vegetables. Use spices, don't be afraid to experiment. make

the food look attractive--set a nice table and arrange the food on the plate!

(Yes I watch the Food Channel!) I made a salad dish for a party with

lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, asparagus, artichoke hearts, peppers from a jar,

like a antipasta plate and I made a pattern with the vegetables and it looked

really nice and people ate it who normally don't eat salad. I also used

fresh basil leaves, mint leaves and used very nice paper plates.

Make triffle with sugar free jello, pound cake, sugar free pudding, fresh

berries. Individual glasses of this are very pretty and fun to serve.

<A HREF= " http://web.kraftfoods.com/diabetic/ " >Kraft Diabetic Choices</A>

<A HREF= " http://www.kraftfoods.com/jello/home.jhtml " >Welcome to Jell-O.com</A>

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed end of Sept'02. And not taking any drugs. I'm

following a modified Protein Power plan.

B'fast: typically leftover dinner, which grosses out my hubby (but

he's gotten used to it, as long as HE doesn't have to eat it! *g*)

Otherwise, maybe a couple eggs, scrambled with a touch of cream, a

bit of butter in the pan, maybe some cheese to top it off, and a

quarter of an apple. 16oz of tea, with a tsp or so of cream, at

work.

Lunch: again, leftover dinner. or a subway salad, with a little

added protein. sometimes eating out, going for the protein and

veggies and salad, leaving the starches.

Dinner: some kind of meat (could be anything from sausage to

chicken to beef) 4-6 oz, lots and various veggies, depending on what

we're having, i'll sometimes allow myself about 10-12 gr CHO in some

kind of bread or whatever. I'm adding more salads at dinner now too

(starting with that).

Snacks: 1oz cheese & 1oz turkey. Only between B'fast/lunch, and

lunch/dinner. By the time i finish dinner, generally no matter how

long to bedtime, i don't get hungry (and other times, depending on

when we eat, it might only be a couple hrs before we go to sleep!)

Sweets: typically fruit, tho sometimes a piece of sugarfree

chocolate, or a sugarfree cookie. Not alot. (excepting Christmas

holiday, when I'd tell my hubby what he was going to order for

dessert when we ate out... just so I could have 2 bites of it *g*

down about 15 lbs in 3.5 months (including Christmas, when i went up

4). My A1c's now 5.5%. Exercise has helped alot too (my New Year's

resolution) to bring my numbers even lower over the past week.

When I was diagnosed, I didn't know if my dr would just

automatically prescribe drugs, but i wanted to try the diet first.

At the time, I was taking too many things as it was (for high BP)

and he was adding Synthroid too. Since then (and because we're also

preparing for pregnancy) we've substituted one drug for 2 I was on

(and reduced the 3rd).

as always, YMMV, but I believe that if you can hold your bg's down

naturally (by diet), that's the best course. If drugs become

necessary, it's by no means a failure, but for me, I want to do it

sans drugs for as long as I can.

A general question to the group: is it a good idea to be switching

back and forth, taking the drugs only when you don't feel like

eating low-carb?

> I am so confused. Since being diagnosed last May, I still can't

figure out

> what I should or should not be eating. Is everyone eating a

normal diet and

> taking drugs? Is everyone on Atkins? One day I go on Atkins and

don't even

> have to take my drugs and my numbers are fine. Then I get tired

of not

> having carbs and start taking drugs and eating carbs, then I

decide the carbs

> & drugs are making me gain so then I go back to Atkins. A vicious

cycle.

> All of this is causing me to GAIN weight. I am so frustrated.

>

> My primary care physician that I currently see for my diabetes

doesn't really

> discuss diet. She just gives me more drugs and says to do

whatever works.

> My dietitian told me to eat more carbs than I was eating before

being

> diagnosed. geeeeeesh

> I have an appointment with an endocrinologist in March.

>

> I wasn't overweight when I was diagnosed. Now I am up 20 LBS. I

think the

> drugs and change of diet are making me gain weight. If anyone has

any

> suggestions, I would sincerely appreciate it.........

>

>

>

>