Re: My lifestyle change

[Guest guest]

Hi Terri,

Congratulations for your assertiveness! Keep in mind that the vast majority of

diabetics don't recognize the importance of the lines in your subject line--life

style!

Just a few thoughts: First, the diabetic educator will not necessarily tell you

the right information. that's right, and note, I said not necessarily. The fact

that he/she said you need to count carbs is a good sign, but that's no big thing

since it's been around for a good while now. You say he/she wants you to limit

your meals to 2-3 carbs, which means 30-45 grams of carbohydrate. If you were

younger and of normal body weight, and very active, this would be fine, but

since carbohydrates are primarily meant to provide instant energy, the standard

text book recommendation is woefully incorrect since most diabetics, and type 2

diabetics in particular, are neither young or of normal body weight.

So, speaking from experience and what many on this list have noted over the

years, even though you crave those carbs, and you feel hungry, a life style

change is indeed the only way to combat this. Fill up with vegetables and lean

meat, such as chicken, turkey, fish (preferably fish high in omega 3), and other

foods like nuts and certain fruits. Incidentally, carrots, while a vegetable,

are higher in carbohydrates and natural sugar than other vegetables. Peas, lima

beans and a few other vegetables are also considered high carb vegetables. But

most veggies are not high in carbs, and they are also good sources of minerals

and vitamins, as well as fiber in some cases.

I've been rambling, and I'll end with mentioning that someone on the list does

have the list you had asked for, but I do not. Hopefully that individual will

send it your way.

Dave

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My lifestyle change

Hello everyone,

I realize I don't post too much. I just am never too sure what to say. But I

wanted to welcome all the new people, and also give you all an update on myself.

Well first of all, yesterday was my birthday. I turned 34. I had a pretty good

day! *smile*

About a month ago I moved to a different city in Michigan. I am getting

established with a new doctor. He is doing all my bloodwork over again. I knew

that my diabetes wasn't as under control as it had been. The A1c test

unfortunately confirmed this. My A1C was an 8.4. I am not at all happy about

this. It's the highest it's ever been. Just 6 months ago, it was 5.9.

Anyway, a couple of days ago I went to see a diabetes educator. I will be

getting 10 hours with a nutritionist, which I am hoping will be plenty for me. I

am starting a new lifestyle change, which is very, very hard on me right now. I

am hoping though that I can get used to it.

The nurse my fiancé and I spoke to, told us to count carbs, and she said that

she didn't want me to have more than 3 carbs per meal. We decided that sense I

like to eat so much, that I will have 2 carbs per meal, and 3 snacks a day, with

2 carbs per snack.

Has anyone else ever heard of doing it like this? Or has anyone else done this

before?

I have been trying to do this for a few days. I swear, I feel like I am

starving! I want to eat so much! It's just amazing to me how much carbs food

really can have.

We had some mac and cheese last night, and I could only eat such a small

portion of it. So then I ate a whole can of green beans, because they are a free

food. I think I did this right.

Does anyone have a list of foods, and the carb count? Or can anyone tell me

where to find such info?

Also, I want to know what is considered free foods? I know some that the nurse

told me. Like, carrots, and peppers, and green beans. Things of that nature. But

I want more. *smile*

Also, what are some good sites out there, for finding only recipes for people

with diabetes?

Well this is all I have for now. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Terri