Re: Eating and quality of life

[Guest guest]

Hey Pat...you still need to floss...just not because of the stupid popcorn!

Vicki, the dentist's daughter, smile...

In a message dated 07/31/2002 1:31:33 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

JusMakeLemonade@... writes:

> now, i don't have to floss because of all that stupid popcorn

[Guest guest]

How can one enjoy a

good quality of

life while denying onesself the pleasure of eating

24-7-365 days

a year?

Jim,

I agree that eating is one of life's greatest pleasures, but even though I

like movie popcorn, there are other things I like just as well or better

that are not as high in carbs. I love grilled salmon with lemon, mushrooms,

asparagus, and a glass of wine. Yes, I miss some of the sweets and a baked

potato, but I feel so much better that that's a source of pleasure in

itself. Just my point of view...

Sandy

[Guest guest]

I was a Faithful Brusher and flosser twice a day for five minutes for years

but about a year ago got an electric toothbrush and my dentist says the

improvement is amazing. So yes, I'd say go for an electric toothbrush.

Vicki, who doesn't want false teeth, ever...

In a message dated 07/31/2002 3:12:53 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

JusMakeLemonade@... writes:

>

> i also need to get a dental appt. BTW, miss " daughter of dentist " , for a

> diabetic, is just a regular old tooth brush sufficient, or are we better

> off

> using one of the electric goodies or something else.

>

> i do worry about going toothless too pat

>

>

[Guest guest]

done. tomorrow i will grab one. i'm into pampering myself now (and

psyching myself to stop the pity party). tomorrow i will get some fresh

scallops, some bubbly bath junk, and a toothbrush (man, i can remember the

time that this would have been boring). ah, old age is wonderful. pat

> So yes, I'd say go for an electric toothbrush.

> Vicki, who doesn't want false teeth, ever...

>

[Guest guest]

> <<How can one enjoy a

> good quality of

> life while denying onesself the pleasure of eating

> 24-7-365 days

> a year?

>

> I know I can't.>>

>

>

Everything is up to you ;-) It's all a matter of what you feel comfortable

with. I very much enjoy the game of trying to keep my bg's low. This week my

bg's ranged from 89 to 130. My two week meter average is 106. I don't feel

deprived at all. It's as if all the starchy carbs turned to poison. I do not

crave them or miss them. I'm actually enjoying life more without them ;-) My

weakness is berries and whipped cream!

Here's this week's food...

Breakfasts

-------------------

Raspberries and cream

Scallops, bacon, onion, mushrooms

Onion, orange pepper, green pepper, avocado, 2 eggs, cream, pizza cheese

curds. Strawberries, black raspberries, raspberries, cream

Bacon, shrimp, onion, orange pepper

's hot cereal, blueberries, raspberries, cream

I skipped 2 breakfasts

Lunches

------------

Double cheeseburger with 1/4 of the bun (the part with the cheese stuck to it

;-) )

Seafood salad

Raspberries, cream and after a spoon of cashew butter

Leftover scallop stew

Spinach salad with bacon, onion, pepper, shrimp, bleu cheese, bleu cheese

dressing. Blueberries, cream, macadamias

I skipped 2 lunches

Suppers

-------------

Meatloaf, broccoli and cheese, raspberries, cream

2 plates at Chinese buffet

Salad with greens, onion, mushrooms, shrimp, bleu cheese

Cottage cheese, 2 pieces cube steak, raspberries, cream

Scallop stew with onion, mushrooms, green pepper, cream, evaporated milk

Blueberries, macadamias, cream

Swordfish shish kabobs with onion, summer squash, zucchini, cherry tomatoes,

red pepper

Snacks

-----------

1 string cheese

I generally dislike snacks, but was hungry after the blueberry supper ;-)

I sweeten my lemon or lime water with Splenda and the berries with a combo of

stevia and Splenda.

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/

[Guest guest]

I'm with you . I consider this a Big Game...my " body " against " myself " .

My body wants to do its own thing, i.e. have high BGs. If I use my mind

( " myself " ) I can outsmart my body and have good BGs. Whenever I have a BG of

100 I get " bonus points " . And I don't feel deprived either. Well, hardly

ever. There's plenty of variety in my diet....and sweets too. Just not the

same kinds as Before Diabetes, smile. My meter says my average for last 30

days is 102...I'm winning! Vicki

In a message dated 07/31/2002 6:25:39 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

wsm311@... writes:

> I very much enjoy the game of trying to keep my bg's low

[Guest guest]

well, applause, applause Miss Daughter of Dentist. even tho' you said the

insulin makes it easier to manage (i'll take the rougher route), that's

super. mine is averaging 134, but i think if i zap the ice cream (at least

Ben & Jerry and try to make my own maybe), and watch more (and get on that

treadmill), i think i will be ok.

i'm going thru my emails tomorrow or the next day, and find the name of the

scales you recommended, and then see if i can find them (do you have Targets

there? would they have them?).

i know the dietitian is saying that the ADA allows bread, ice cream, and the

like, but i'm just guessing my body will not agree. and i do want to read

those other books. pat

> as Before Diabetes, smile. My meter says my average for last 30

> days is 102...I'm winning! Vicki

>

>

[Guest guest]

> There's plenty of variety in my diet....and sweets too. Just not the

> same kinds as Before Diabetes, smile. My meter says my average for last 30

>

> days is 102...I'm winning! Vicki

>

That's darn good! ;-) Being a type 1 sounds like A LOT of work. I'm

impressed.

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/

[Guest guest]

Jim wrote:

>> How can one enjoy a good quality of life while denying oneself

>> the pleasure of eating 24-7-365 days a year?

> I know I can't.

Hi Jim,

Today I had ice cream. And it really wasn't that good. Not as good as I

remember it being. I asked myself, " Why did I eat the ice

cream? " And the answer was, " Because my kitchen counters were clean and I

didn't want to mess them up. "

Now isn't that the dumbest reason you ever heard? There are many things in

our cupboard that do not need preparation; why didn't I choose something

more healthy for myself? Because I wanted ICE CREAM!

Is that what you mean by " eating and quality of life " , Jim?

I am faced with the same decision you are -- to splurge or not to splurge.

I know I am diabetic and that ice cream raises my blood sugar; yet I ate the

ice cream anyway. Why? Was I splurging, being human, acting on ignorance,

having a down day, popping in and out of denial, medicating myself with

seratonin, following the crowd, practicing moderation, keeping hold of the

quality in my life? What?

I realize now I was craving the fat, the cold, and the melting-on-my-tongue

feeling. In other words, the sensory experiences. Fat quickly satisfies

cravings; looking at my food journal I can see I was low on it when I chose

the ice cream snack. I could as easily have dipped a lettuce wedge in a

nice dressing and gotten the same stomach satisfaction. And I could have

eaten ice afterward for the cold and melting-on-my-tongue feeling. But I

didn't break the craving down to that level. When my mind said " ice cream "

I obeyed mindlessly.

Femininely speaking, (grin) I've been trying to think this diabetes thing

through so I can understand it's essence. For me, understanding the essence

of a thing is the fastest way I know to deal with a conflict or a tension.

Diabetes is a 24-7-365 days a year illness. It doesn't go on vacation, it

doesn't take breaks, it is manageable but incurable. So what is the essence

of a thing like that? Having diabetes is a firm, fixed fact, not a soft,

flexible one. I read (or heard) somewhere that developing diabetes is a

normal part of aging; some however do not develop it until they are in their

90's or even later. What caught my attention first about this fact is the

eventual inevitability of diabetes developing in every human body. What

caught my attention second is that even if that isn't true, it is true for

me. That is the essence I was looking for, the bottom-line of diabetes. As

Popeye the Sailor says, I am what I am and that's all that I am. I am

diabetic.

I want to work with the inevitability issue. Here's how I see it. The ice

cream was good when I didn't know I was diabetic. But I can never take away

the knowledge I am diabetic now. And so knowing I am diabetic actually

changes my relationship with the ice cream. To eat the ice cream now

creates a new type of tension and conflict in me as I move softly back and

forth between loving my life, and living it. .

I thought I just wanted the ice cream and that it would make me feel better.

I should remember being a child learning not to eat houseplants, not to

stick my fingers in electric wall outlets and to look both ways before

crossing a street. I can learn to stay within the limits of this disease

the same way I learned all those other things. I can learn it from other

people. People who care about me.

I admire strong spirits who ask hard questions. Keep it up. If you are

informed and know the possible consequences of ocassional splurge eating,

and still choose that for your life, I support you. I support you because

what I think you are arguing for is the whole picture of your life, as you

want to live it.

As for me, I'd rather re-define the ideas themselves (what a splurge is,

what quality of life is, stuff like that) and hope the new definitions lead

me to some really cool (non-splurging) places.

Thank you, for sharing this conversation with the group.

Sedra

[Guest guest]

We do have a Target here but I've never been in it. I got my food scale at a

" gourmet shop " . And I don't know if my brand is readily available

elsewhere...but probably good chance you could find something similar online.

Try a Google search with " food scale " .

I think the grams / ounce feature is really important.

Vicki

In a message dated 07/31/2002 9:30:24 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

JusMakeLemonade@... writes:

> i'm going thru my emails tomorrow or the next day, and find the name of the

> scales you recommended, and then see if i can find them (do you have

> Targets

> there? would they have them?).

>

[Guest guest]

Yep...it took LOTS of work (and three plus years) to get there...hope I can

stay there. I'm workin' on it. My doc was impressed too..said he'd never

seen a type 1 with that kind of A1C. Vicki, glowing, smile

In a message dated 07/31/2002 9:37:57 PM US Mountain Standard Time,

wsm311@... writes:

> That's darn good! ;-) Being a type 1 sounds like A LOT of work. I'm

> impressed.

[Guest guest]

<<As for me, I'd rather re-define the ideas themselves (what a splurge is,

what quality of life is, stuff like that) and hope the new definitions lead

me to some really cool (non-splurging) places.

Thank you, for sharing this conversation with the group.

Sedra>>

What a fantastic letter ;-) Thank you for sharing ;-)

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/

[Guest guest]

Sedra wrote: Having diabetes is a firm, fixed fact, not a soft, flexible

one.

Well said, Sedra. I really like your outlook and appreciate your wisdom.

Sometimes it's not the " You can do it! " s, but just some solid, honest words

that keep me inspired and motivated. This post of yours belongs in the

diabetes_int hall of fame. Thanks, my day will be a little bit easier.

beth

[Guest guest]

It's all comparative, Sandy...if your BGs used to be 300, 150 is a Large

Improvement. However, keep working on it. Are you taking meds? What kind

and when?

With a BG of 150 at bedtime, your FBG the next morning is bound to be pretty

high. So see what you can do to get it closer to 100 at bedtime. Earlier

dinner? Lower carb meal? Cut bedtime snack?

Vicki

In a message dated 08/01/2002 7:49:57 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

sandypaws5@... writes:

> Vicki,

> That's terrific! Last night, before I went to bed, my blood sugar was

> 150! I did the happy dance over that, so I'm sure you're doing the happy

> dance :-)

>

> Sandy

>

>

[Guest guest]

That's right...and now they're finding out that there's not much of a

correlation between eating lowfat and losing weight either..so we can eat

some of that Good Stuff without seeing a mental picture of us going blimpy,

smile. Of course, calories still count. Vicki

In a message dated 08/01/2002 7:54:26 AM US Mountain Standard Time,

sandypaws5@... writes:

> Vicki,

> Before I went low carb, I almost never had real butter, whipped cream,

> sausage, bacon, or eggs nor did I eat shrimp very often or order salmon &

> lobster, except on very special occasions. Now, though I have to give up

> some treats -- like wonderful home-made cookies and breads -- I can have

> other treats like seafood dipped in real butter and strawberries with real

> whipped cream :-)

>

> Sandy

>

>

[Guest guest]

> <<And if we could buy some low carb foods would help.

>

> I am sadder now, but happy to be alive.>>

>

I see eating as a big adventure ;-) Plenty of real food is low carb food.

What kinds of low carb foods are you talking about? I have often considered

buying a low carb treat bar, but never have. Too expensive and too fake.

But....my mouth waters when thinking about a spinach salad with bacon ;-)

It's cheaper and waaaaay yummier! Less carbs, too.

If you liked this week's menu, you will like last week's even better ;-) I

ate more real meals. My bg ranged between 88 and 132. This is still part of

the 106 meter average....

BREAKFAST

Big salad with mixed greens, onion, peppers, ham, turkey, shrimp

Shrimp, onions, baby bella mushrooms, orange pepper, cherry tomatoes,

avocado, garlic. Blueberries, macadamias, cream.

Bacon, onion, mushrooms, pepper, pizza cheese curds, 2 eggs

Scallop stew with bacon, onion, mushrooms, cream

Bacon, eggs, avocado, cheese, ketchup, leftover pudding

Salad with mixed greens, alfalfa sprouts, ham, turkey, avocado, asparagus,

cheese. Black raspberries, cream

Shrimp, onion, bacon, mushrooms. Cream, macadamias

LUNCH

Blueberries, macadamias, cream

Salad with mixed greens, pizza cheese curds, ham, turkey, cherry tomatoes.

Chocolate pudding with almonds

Coleslaw and broccoli slaw greens, cube steak, avocado, bleu cheese dressing.

Black raspberries, cream

Tuna salad with mayo, onion, red pepper, celery, avocado, 2 Wasa brod

Shrimp, olive oil, butter, 2 heads garlic, lemon juice

Sea scallops, bacon. Macadamia nuts, cream.

Ground beef, onion, yellow pepper, diced tomatoes, pizza cheese curds

SUPPERS

Community potluck...spinach square, salad greens, coleslaw

Scallops wrapped in bacon

Leftover lunch salad. 1 pint raspberries, cream(the 132 bg)

Scallops, onion, mushrooms, bacon, Italian cheeses

Chicken thighs, onion, mushrooms, red wine, garlic, garlic scapes

Beef, onions, gravy, broccoli, cheese

Meatloaf, cauliflower. Black raspberries, cream

SNACKS

Macadamias, cream

Chocolate pudding with macadamias

I'm still waiting to hear about what other people eat ;-)

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/

[Guest guest]

I realize now I was craving the fat, the cold, and the

melting-on-my-tongue

feeling. In other words, the sensory experiences. Fat quickly satisfies

cravings; looking at my food journal I can see I was low on it when I

chose

the ice cream snack. I could as easily have dipped a lettuce wedge in a

nice dressing and gotten the same stomach satisfaction.

Or... some real whipped cream with Splenda and a few berries :-)

Sandy

[Guest guest]

> as Before Diabetes, smile. My meter says my average for last 30

> days is 102...I'm winning!

Vicki,

That's terrific! Last night, before I went to bed, my blood sugar was

150! I did the happy dance over that, so I'm sure you're doing the happy

dance :-)

Sandy

[Guest guest]

I don't feel deprived either. Well, hardly

ever. There's plenty of variety in my diet....and sweets too. Just not

the

same kinds as Before Diabetes, smile.

Vicki,

Before I went low carb, I almost never had real butter, whipped cream,

sausage, bacon, or eggs nor did I eat shrimp very often or order salmon &

lobster, except on very special occasions. Now, though I have to give up

some treats -- like wonderful home-made cookies and breads -- I can have

other treats like seafood dipped in real butter and strawberries with real

whipped cream :-)

Sandy

[Guest guest]

I agree the quality of my life has greatly diminished since I quit the meds

and went low-carb. I feel I had no choice, it was either that or be in a

wheel chair and in constant pain.

But, I do feel deprived all the time. I am able to eat less than 20 carbs a

day and take no meds about 29 out of 30 days per month. Which I guess is not

too bad.

But, for me I feel that it is life and death. But, the family and friends I

have, everything is about food. I don't even sit with my family at dinner,

which used to be the time we all rejoiced together after a hard day. I

usually just eat my chicken breast and salad in another room.

We used to bake at Christmans and Thanksgiving, no longer, I am so weak that

I can't make fudge and not eat any. So to save my life I just don't do it.

So it is pretty sad.

This is where the medical community has failed us. We are given the

impression if we eat according to the ADA diet and take out meds we will be

fine. But, for alot of us the meds just don't work and cause damage to our

bodies. So diabetes is a very long way from being controlled or cured. And,

I don't even see any new drugs coming out. After Rezulin, there hasn't been

much.

And if we could buy some low carb foods would help.

I am sadder now, but happy to be alive.

>>

>

> How can one enjoy a

> good quality of

> life while denying onesself the pleasure of eating

> 24-7-365 days

> a year?

>

> Jim,

> I agree that eating is one of life's greatest pleasures, but even though

>I

>like movie popcorn, there are other things I like just as well or better

>that are not as high in carbs. I love grilled salmon with lemon,

>mushrooms,

>asparagus, and a glass of wine. Yes, I miss some of the sweets and a baked

>potato, but I feel so much better that that's a source of pleasure in

>itself. Just my point of view...

>

> Sandy

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We used to bake at Christmans and Thanksgiving, no longer, I am so weak that

I can't make fudge and not eat any

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

That's not weak, that's human:-)

Who in the hell could be expected to make fudge and NOT eat some (or all) of

it.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

We are given the

impression if we eat according to the ADA diet

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If we eat according to the ADA diet we will get fatter and sicker. . .

..gotta do the low carb.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

And if we could buy some low carb foods would help.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

There are tons of low carb foods out there. You just have to find them in

the meat and fat dept:-)

Art

Art Mc

moseart@...

" A person who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world "

[Guest guest]

That's right...and now they're finding out that there's not much of a

correlation between eating lowfat and losing weight either..

Vicki,

Actually, I have to disagree here. Before I was diagnosed, I went on a

low fat diet -- it worked great to help me lose weight! I lost weight very

quickly. One problem... all the low fat products seemed to have more sugar!

Sandy

[Guest guest]

It's all comparative, Sandy...if your BGs used to be 300, 150 is a Large

Improvement. However, keep working on it.

Vicki,

That's the plan :-)

Are you taking meds? What kind

and when?

Nope... threw the bottle away, and I feel much better for it. I was having

horrible headaches, and I feel that I'm doing much better on a low carb diet

than with the pills and what the doctor suggested I eat.

With a BG of 150 at bedtime, your FBG the next morning is bound to be

pretty

high.

Actually, it usually is higher the next morning, but this time, it was

lower in the morning. I think it was 143... I was very happy to see that

:-) I'm pleased with my progress, and another thing... I'm still losing

weight -- not as quickly as when I went on the low fat diet, but steadily.

I've lost 18 lbs. now. Still walking everyday....

Sandy

[Guest guest]

> <<What's making my mouth water is seeing " black raspberries and cream " ....

> yum! I'm going to have to hit the farmer's market and see if they have

> any.

> I haven't seen any in the grocery store. I've actually been going everyday

> to be there the day they put fresh produce out.>>

>

Hmmmm....black raspberries are one of those elusive things you rarely see for

sale.....unless you happen by a kid on the side of the road. Soon it will be

blackberry season and right now is raspberry season. The raspberries we grow

are a very tender variety...nothing you could ever buy in a store. They are

also EXTRA yummy ;-) Drop by and pick some ;-)

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/

[Guest guest]

> <<What's making my mouth water is seeing " black raspberries and cream " ....

> yum! I'm going to have to hit the farmer's market and see if they have

> any.

> I haven't seen any in the grocery store. I've actually been going everyday

> to be there the day they put fresh produce out.>>

>

Hmmmm....black raspberries are one of those elusive things you rarely see for

sale.....unless you happen by a kid on the side of the road. Soon it will be

blackberry season and right now is raspberry season. The raspberries we grow

are a very tender variety...nothing you could ever buy in a store. They are

also EXTRA yummy ;-) Drop by and pick some ;-)

(wsm311@...)

Peace and Carrots Farm

Vermont

http://www.homestead.com/peaceandcarrots/

http://www.heathershikinghiatus.netfirms.com/