Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 An elderly friend of mine got Meals on Wheels after her hip replacement. She does not have diabetes. But she too complained that the meals were starchy and full of fat. It makes sense, as mashed potatoes are a " comfort food " and it's a lot cheaper to provide a bit of meat, a lot of mashed potatoes and frozen peas, and a piece of cake than it is to provide more meat, fresh greens, and fruit. The " town suppers " often put on around here as fund raisers are the same. Starchy and buttery. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 <snip answers to questions> Hi Laurel This is looong, for anyone who wants to skip to " next " . OK, let me see if I can put it in a nutshell. Correct me where I go wrong. You are an insulin-using type 2 also on BP meds. You have a meter, and when you use it you see 250-500 mg/dl. You have a serious back/spinal problem and cannot stand or sit in one place to cook, but you are mobile enough to go to the bathroom. You are also overweight. You have a microwave and a Foreman grill reachable from bed. Your daughters are willing to assist, either personally or by paying a helper. I am wary of suggesting you cut carbs too quickly or too drastically, because I don't use insulin. So, whatever I say, if an insulin user disagrees – listen to them, not me. Make your changes in small increments – eat a few less carbs each day. The others have all given you some good advice. You may not like mine, but what I say is said to help, not criticise. Usually, I put my sig last, but this time I'm including it here to stress that I am not medically qualified in any way: dx May 2002 , A1C 8.2=>5.7, wt 117kg(257)=>95kg(209), Diet and not enough exercise. I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience. Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an expensive teacher. OK, next:-) First you have to make some decisions. The most important one is whether you are ready to do what you can to help yourself. I don't mean the physical problems, I mean the decision to lose the weight and control the BGs whilst not aggravating your other conditions. Because, if you don't do those two things, eventually the other conditions will be the least of your problems. If you have made that decision, then you will need to make some more: what sort of diet, how to prepare and cook it, how to exercise (yes, that's right, exercise); how to check on your weight and BGs progress; whether you will need assistance. I'll deal with the last first. Your daughters are willing to help. You are very fortunate there. Let them. If that feels selfish be honest with yourself (I told you that you wouldn't like me). Which will be a greater burden for them: helping you look after yourself as you are, or looking after you when you add neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy or stroke (pick any or all) to your other conditions? On food – get a good microwave cookbook and use it, preferably using fresh ingredients – as wide a variety as possible. I'll put some ideas in separate posts in a day or two. If that's not physically possible, the others have given you lots of ideas on prepared foods you can get in your area. Just as an example, your daughters could cook up casseroles and stews at home, freeze them in single serve microwaveable containers, and store them in your freezer. On BGs – test, test, test. Start by testing 90 minutes after each meal or snack. If it was high, cut some carbs from that meal next time you eat it. As simple as that – test, review, adjust, repeat. At every meal until you know what will happen with everyhing you eat, then you can relax the testing a bit. And I'll repeat here - do everything a little bit at a time - no extremes. On weight – don't replace the carbs you cut. Don't increase any protein portions, but change some things, like less red meats and more fish, less saturated fats and more unsaturated fats etc. If that means a meal disappears (breakfast might) then move something from another meal. For example, instead of a full serve of chicken for dinner, have a half serve and have an egg with a small piece of smoked fish - or ham - or bacon - or hamburger - in the morning to replace the cereal, toast and milk that I suspect you'll no longer eat then. That was " an egg " , not " eggs " . Not because of cholesterol, but to lose weight. These are just ideas. Pick from them what you wish. But first you have to make that decision. Oops - I forgot exercise. Move anything you can, that doesn't cause you pain, as often as you can, with resistance. Push the flat of your hand against the wall, hold hands and try to pull them apart, lift a book in each hand with your arm extended, raise your legs one at a time - think of ideas. But don't just lie there (It's alright - I already upset you so there's nothing to lose:-) Good luck, Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. -- dx May 2002 , A1C 8.2=>5.7, wt 117kg(257)=>95kg(209), Diet and not enough exercise. I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience. Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an expensive teacher. Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 <snip answers to questions> Hi Laurel This is looong, for anyone who wants to skip to " next " . OK, let me see if I can put it in a nutshell. Correct me where I go wrong. You are an insulin-using type 2 also on BP meds. You have a meter, and when you use it you see 250-500 mg/dl. You have a serious back/spinal problem and cannot stand or sit in one place to cook, but you are mobile enough to go to the bathroom. You are also overweight. You have a microwave and a Foreman grill reachable from bed. Your daughters are willing to assist, either personally or by paying a helper. I am wary of suggesting you cut carbs too quickly or too drastically, because I don't use insulin. So, whatever I say, if an insulin user disagrees – listen to them, not me. Make your changes in small increments – eat a few less carbs each day. The others have all given you some good advice. You may not like mine, but what I say is said to help, not criticise. Usually, I put my sig last, but this time I'm including it here to stress that I am not medically qualified in any way: dx May 2002 , A1C 8.2=>5.7, wt 117kg(257)=>95kg(209), Diet and not enough exercise. I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience. Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an expensive teacher. OK, next:-) First you have to make some decisions. The most important one is whether you are ready to do what you can to help yourself. I don't mean the physical problems, I mean the decision to lose the weight and control the BGs whilst not aggravating your other conditions. Because, if you don't do those two things, eventually the other conditions will be the least of your problems. If you have made that decision, then you will need to make some more: what sort of diet, how to prepare and cook it, how to exercise (yes, that's right, exercise); how to check on your weight and BGs progress; whether you will need assistance. I'll deal with the last first. Your daughters are willing to help. You are very fortunate there. Let them. If that feels selfish be honest with yourself (I told you that you wouldn't like me). Which will be a greater burden for them: helping you look after yourself as you are, or looking after you when you add neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy or stroke (pick any or all) to your other conditions? On food – get a good microwave cookbook and use it, preferably using fresh ingredients – as wide a variety as possible. I'll put some ideas in separate posts in a day or two. If that's not physically possible, the others have given you lots of ideas on prepared foods you can get in your area. Just as an example, your daughters could cook up casseroles and stews at home, freeze them in single serve microwaveable containers, and store them in your freezer. On BGs – test, test, test. Start by testing 90 minutes after each meal or snack. If it was high, cut some carbs from that meal next time you eat it. As simple as that – test, review, adjust, repeat. At every meal until you know what will happen with everyhing you eat, then you can relax the testing a bit. And I'll repeat here - do everything a little bit at a time - no extremes. On weight – don't replace the carbs you cut. Don't increase any protein portions, but change some things, like less red meats and more fish, less saturated fats and more unsaturated fats etc. If that means a meal disappears (breakfast might) then move something from another meal. For example, instead of a full serve of chicken for dinner, have a half serve and have an egg with a small piece of smoked fish - or ham - or bacon - or hamburger - in the morning to replace the cereal, toast and milk that I suspect you'll no longer eat then. That was " an egg " , not " eggs " . Not because of cholesterol, but to lose weight. These are just ideas. Pick from them what you wish. But first you have to make that decision. Oops - I forgot exercise. Move anything you can, that doesn't cause you pain, as often as you can, with resistance. Push the flat of your hand against the wall, hold hands and try to pull them apart, lift a book in each hand with your arm extended, raise your legs one at a time - think of ideas. But don't just lie there (It's alright - I already upset you so there's nothing to lose:-) Good luck, Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. -- dx May 2002 , A1C 8.2=>5.7, wt 117kg(257)=>95kg(209), Diet and not enough exercise. I have no medical qualifications beyond my own experience. Choose your advisers carefully, because experience can be an expensive teacher. Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 I have not seen the Life Choice meals here, but hubby & I often use Swanson's Carb Meter " Bowls " A Tasty meal in a dish - only 5 minutes in the microwave! CJ ---------------------------------- Original Message: Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:08:03 -0800 Subject: Re: food help needed I have used several varieties of the Life choice meals which are basically meat/chicken and a veggie or two in a sauce. If I cook up an ounce, dry, of Dreamfields and mix it with a dinner, I have two lunches from one box. OTOH, I don't like a big lunch. Yet, I found the low carb Lean Quisine and WW skimpy. I have had a couple of Dr. Atkins's meals, yuck. However, I do like those little pizzas for lunch. Laurel, does your daughter have time to do any cooking for you? Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 I have not seen the Life Choice meals here, but hubby & I often use Swanson's Carb Meter " Bowls " A Tasty meal in a dish - only 5 minutes in the microwave! CJ ---------------------------------- Original Message: Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:08:03 -0800 Subject: Re: food help needed I have used several varieties of the Life choice meals which are basically meat/chicken and a veggie or two in a sauce. If I cook up an ounce, dry, of Dreamfields and mix it with a dinner, I have two lunches from one box. OTOH, I don't like a big lunch. Yet, I found the low carb Lean Quisine and WW skimpy. I have had a couple of Dr. Atkins's meals, yuck. However, I do like those little pizzas for lunch. Laurel, does your daughter have time to do any cooking for you? Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 I have not seen the Life Choice meals here, but hubby & I often use Swanson's Carb Meter " Bowls " A Tasty meal in a dish - only 5 minutes in the microwave! CJ ---------------------------------- Original Message: Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:08:03 -0800 Subject: Re: food help needed I have used several varieties of the Life choice meals which are basically meat/chicken and a veggie or two in a sauce. If I cook up an ounce, dry, of Dreamfields and mix it with a dinner, I have two lunches from one box. OTOH, I don't like a big lunch. Yet, I found the low carb Lean Quisine and WW skimpy. I have had a couple of Dr. Atkins's meals, yuck. However, I do like those little pizzas for lunch. Laurel, does your daughter have time to do any cooking for you? Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Alan, I totally agree with you. In Sacramento Calf there are 3 different organizations that a senior can choose from. There is Meals on Wheels a federal program, Senior Nutrition, a county program and Senior Gleaners a non profit program. Senior Nutrition will not deliver door to door but will deliver to Senior housing establishments. My daughter is the property manager of one of those places. She will let me know every once in awhile if there is something I might want to go to and sometimes my husband and I sign up. It costs $2. Cheap lunch. Due to the cost of gas we wont be going any more as this place is about an hours drive. But the food was good most of the time and really outstanding some times and really bad once in awhile. For shut ins there is meals on wheels. I personally know of 3 people that are diabetics that receive these meals. They can request a low carb meal. I have n ot seen one of t hese meals but these are old farts with pretty good control. They do their little exercises and the complex provides for a bp day and some other health oriented days. My daughter's manager calls around and sets up meetins with different organizations for them. It is cute. Senior Gleaners is mostly an organization that provides shut ins with free groceries and for sure free holiday food. Maybe Calif takes care of its own better than m ost other states. I dont know have only had to deal with Calif senior programs Jan Haney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Alan, I totally agree with you. In Sacramento Calf there are 3 different organizations that a senior can choose from. There is Meals on Wheels a federal program, Senior Nutrition, a county program and Senior Gleaners a non profit program. Senior Nutrition will not deliver door to door but will deliver to Senior housing establishments. My daughter is the property manager of one of those places. She will let me know every once in awhile if there is something I might want to go to and sometimes my husband and I sign up. It costs $2. Cheap lunch. Due to the cost of gas we wont be going any more as this place is about an hours drive. But the food was good most of the time and really outstanding some times and really bad once in awhile. For shut ins there is meals on wheels. I personally know of 3 people that are diabetics that receive these meals. They can request a low carb meal. I have n ot seen one of t hese meals but these are old farts with pretty good control. They do their little exercises and the complex provides for a bp day and some other health oriented days. My daughter's manager calls around and sets up meetins with different organizations for them. It is cute. Senior Gleaners is mostly an organization that provides shut ins with free groceries and for sure free holiday food. Maybe Calif takes care of its own better than m ost other states. I dont know have only had to deal with Calif senior programs Jan Haney Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Jan: state programs are state programs onot every state has any. I cannot say what they are lke & may be good for al I know. Meals on wheels is however, as you say, Federal & is basically the same everywhere & I would not wish that starchy food on my worst enemy. Lots of overcooked pasta or potatoes in various guises. Most everything else that is not an outright starch is usually drowned in some kind of gooey gravy that tastes like wallpaper paste. The veggies usuallly consist of canned peas & /or carrots or beets or sometimes canned greenbeans. It often includes cake or cookies or some kind of junky dessert but only very rarely have I seen fresh fruit such as an apple. Most of the time dessert is just canned fruit in heavy syrup. Always includes a slice of white " wonder " type bread or rarely a soft squishy roll with a transfat full oleo on the side. As a special treat on holidays the Sr ctr will add ice cream (out of its own pocket) to put the canned fruit on. All this is fine I suppose if one is a skinny frail elder without diabetes but anyone else shd beware. cappie Greater Boston Area T-2 10/02 1/05 A1c: 5.4 = 115 mean glu 50-100 carb diet, walking, Metformin ALA/EPO, Coq10, B12, ALC, Vit C Cal/mag, low dose Biotin, full spectrum E, Chromium P, Policosanol, fish oil cap, fresh flax seed, multi vitamin, Lovastatin 20 mg, Enalapril 10 mg 3/05:140 lbs (highest weight 309), 5' tall /age 67, cappie@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 <snip> They still think corn is a vegetable. <snip> Err...what is corn if it's not a vegetable? Do you guys have different definitions across the Pacific? I always thought " starches " are just part of the vegetable group, as are greens, legumes, grains etc. My definition, learnt as a child, is pretty basic. If it's got roots it's a vegetable, if it's got feet it's an animal. Unless you're eating Ents. Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. -- Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 <snip> They still think corn is a vegetable. <snip> Err...what is corn if it's not a vegetable? Do you guys have different definitions across the Pacific? I always thought " starches " are just part of the vegetable group, as are greens, legumes, grains etc. My definition, learnt as a child, is pretty basic. If it's got roots it's a vegetable, if it's got feet it's an animal. Unless you're eating Ents. Cheers Alan, T2, Australia. -- Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2005 Report Share Posted March 19, 2005 Hi Cappie, No, I have never eaten a Meals on Wheels plate. I have been fortunate enough to have someone here with me when my back goes out. It was just a suggestion because some food is better than no food. Sometimes we just need an extra hand. Best not to bite the hand offering the help. > in NC: have you ever seen or eaten a meal from " Meals on Wheels " ? > I have & I call them " carbs on wheels " . They are full of starchy, > overcooked, tasteless food that is absolutely terrible for a diabetic. > > This food is usually prepared from surplus food from the Agriculture > Dept of the government. It is worse than hospital food, & meant to keep > poor people from starvation not control a diabetic's disease. > > > cappie > Greater Boston Area > T-2 10/02 1/05 A1c: 5.4 = 115 mean glu > 50-100 carb diet, walking, Metformin > > ALA/EPO, Coq10, B12, ALC, Vit C > Cal/mag, low dose Biotin, full spectrum E, > Chromium P, Policosanol, fish oil cap, > fresh flax seed, multi vitamin, > Lovastatin 20 mg, Enalapril 10 mg > > 3/05:140 lbs (highest weight 309), > 5' tall /age 67, > cappie@w... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 At 12:32 AM 3/20/05, R C Glaze wrote: >I learned that corn is a grain, and that grains are not vegetables. >Just a few years ago, in my DM education. I guess it depends on whether you want to call everything either " animal " , " vegetable " , or " mineral " (as in the 20 questions game) or start to further define things. Then I start to ask, why is a tomato a fruit and a zucchini not? I'm so good at getting off-topic.... sky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 At 12:32 AM 3/20/05, R C Glaze wrote: >I learned that corn is a grain, and that grains are not vegetables. >Just a few years ago, in my DM education. I guess it depends on whether you want to call everything either " animal " , " vegetable " , or " mineral " (as in the 20 questions game) or start to further define things. Then I start to ask, why is a tomato a fruit and a zucchini not? I'm so good at getting off-topic.... sky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 I personally don't care what they are called. I happen to like tomatoes and zucchini. All of you have a good day and hope I am not sending gibberish. ml Sky wrote: > > At 12:32 AM 3/20/05, R C Glaze wrote: > > >I learned that corn is a grain, and that grains are not vegetables. > >Just a few years ago, in my DM education. > > I guess it depends on whether you want to call everything either " animal " , > " vegetable " , or " mineral " (as in the 20 questions game) or start to further > define things. > > Then I start to ask, why is a tomato a fruit and a zucchini not? > > I'm so good at getting off-topic.... > > sky > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 I personally don't care what they are called. I happen to like tomatoes and zucchini. All of you have a good day and hope I am not sending gibberish. ml Sky wrote: > > At 12:32 AM 3/20/05, R C Glaze wrote: > > >I learned that corn is a grain, and that grains are not vegetables. > >Just a few years ago, in my DM education. > > I guess it depends on whether you want to call everything either " animal " , > " vegetable " , or " mineral " (as in the 20 questions game) or start to further > define things. > > Then I start to ask, why is a tomato a fruit and a zucchini not? > > I'm so good at getting off-topic.... > > sky > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2005 Report Share Posted March 20, 2005 I personally don't care what they are called. I happen to like tomatoes and zucchini. All of you have a good day and hope I am not sending gibberish. ml Sky wrote: > > At 12:32 AM 3/20/05, R C Glaze wrote: > > >I learned that corn is a grain, and that grains are not vegetables. > >Just a few years ago, in my DM education. > > I guess it depends on whether you want to call everything either " animal " , > " vegetable " , or " mineral " (as in the 20 questions game) or start to further > define things. > > Then I start to ask, why is a tomato a fruit and a zucchini not? > > I'm so good at getting off-topic.... > > sky > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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