Any tips on healthy eating for the Diabetic?

Pinky

Pinky

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Location
Toronto
Just found out today that I am diabetic. My doctor is sending me to a group information class come Spring .. but meanwhile, how difficult is it to eliminate carbs and sugars from one's diet? I don't generally eat a lot of bread. Prefer rice to potatoes, but don't have either very often, nor do I have pasta regularly. I eat chicken a few times a week, eggs a couple of times a week with beans.

Would appreciate any feedback.
 

Hi Pinky. Have you been diagnosed as Tyoe 1or 2 and have been prescribed insulin or tablets? Are you in the USA? Reason im asking is the UK have a different criteria on Diabetes im given to understand but unsure what

I see you are in Canada by your profile
 
It would be extraordinary to develop type 1 as a senior, must be type 2
 

You a diabetic 1 or 2. There is a difference. A Diabetic 1 must take an insulin shot every day, whereas a Diabetic 2, takes a prescription medication called Metformin.

Both, wife and I are Diabetic 2 and take Metformin daily. I also take Glipizide with the Metformin.

We got rid of all granulated sugar we had. I use Splenda in my coffee and a sugar-free creamer. All can fruit is No Sugar Added type. Perhaps a small piece of pie, cake or one cookie. Still drink Bud Light, but not the 12oz can anymore, only the small 8oz can now. Our blood range is around 140, when we test a couple of times a week. My VA doctor and wife's PCP both approve of our blood glucose levels (from testing).
 
If someone is borderline range, then I personally would try out some period of time, hopefully agreed on with the doctor,
at dietary adjustments, and monitoring/rechecking,
to see if it is possible to keep it from worsening, without the script which is powerful in many ways.
Just my view. I am not saying that others shouldn't take the script! Many may need to, for various reasons.
 
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My wife was diagnosed as "borderline" in 2009, but in 2015, she was told she was a Diabetic 2. At that same time, her PCP told her that the word "borderline" no longer exists. He said "either a person is a Diabetic or they're not".
 
Thank you all for the responses.

I was prescribed Metformin. I was described as "borderline" some 10 yrs. ago.

ClassicRockr, did you have side effects from the Metformin? My doctor mentioned diarrhea, and said I could 1/2 the dosage for a month if it's too severe.
 
I beat diabetes by cutting out lots of carbs .( not all )
I used to eat up to 3-4 slices of bread a day now days I’d be lucky if I eat that many in a week
if you eat potato eat sweet potato ( that worked for me ) I used to have toast for breakfast now I only eat plain unflavoured yoghurt and fruit ( homegrown preserved fruit )
I was still allowed 1.1/2 slices of bread a day
I’ve got no signs whatsoever of diabetes now of course my GP is really happy with my efforts
However I have to admit it was hard for a while giving up so much bread ..it’s so easy if your busy to make a price of toast for breakfast / or lunch.
I joined a diet place that made out a diabetic plan for me it worked I lost 26kg in weight no shakes / no special foods just weighing each meal where possible it was a low carb diet which I still eat
 
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Kadee46 said:
I beat diabetes by cutting out lots of carbs .
I used to eat up to 3-4 slices of bread a day now days I’d be lucky if I eat that many in a week
if you eat potato eat sweet potato ( that worked for me ) I used to have toast for breakfast now I only eat plain unflavoured yoghurt and fruit ( homegrown preserved fruit )
I’ve got no signs whatsoever of diabetes now of course my GP is really happy with my efforts
However I have to admit it was hard for a while giving up so much bread ..it’s so easy if your busy to make a price of toast for breakfast / or lunch , I joined a diet place that made out a diabetic plan for me it worked I lost 26kg in weight no shakes / no special foods just weighing each meal where possible
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I will have to get used to plain yoghurt and fruit. Normally, I'm not a big bread eater. I guess I have to cut out cereal, my normal breakfast. I'm looking at recipes online, but not much appeals to me. However, changes need to be made.
 
I’m happy to share my diet plan ( that cost me close to $800 ) that worked for me ,@Pinky at the time I took the plan to the Drs / diabetic nurse for their approval , the diabetic nurse went in the recommend the diet to other patents.
 
ClassicRockr said:
My wife was diagnosed as "borderline" in 2009, but in 2015, she was told she was a Diabetic 2. At that same time, her PCP told her that the word "borderline" no longer exists. He said "either a person is a Diabetic or they're not".
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My thoughts about borderline diabetes. You are either diabetic or not.
Ime diabetes 2 on Metformin Vildagliptin tablets twice a day after meals breakfast snd main. Wqs diagnosed in about 2004 and manage it okay. Cut down on carbs white bread and sugar and dairy products as the latter is bad for cholestetol.
 
CrackerJack. It will take a bit to drink coffee/tea without milk .. sugar, not so difficult. However, I must change my eating habits, so, will have to bite the bullet.
 
Kadee46 said:
I’m happy to share my diet plan ( that cost me close to $800 ) that worked for me ,@Pinky at the time I took the plan to the Drs / diabetic nurse for their approval , the diabetic nurse went in the recommend the diet to other patents.
Click to expand...
Kadee, I would so appreciate it, as I'm floundering, looking for recipes.
 
The best thing is to go to the group sessions and also ask if they include some one on one time with a registered dietitian.

I've found in my own case that not all carbs are created equal.

I try to read the labels and find foods that have zero grams of added sugar.

I look for slow carbs or carbs that are high in fiber, things like beans, oatmeal, and the new low-calorie high fiber brands of bread with 40-45 calories per slice. Combining these foods with higher carb foods in the same meal also helps to slow the absorption of the carbs.

If you are overweight losing 10% or more of your body weight can help to improve your numbers.

Listen to what everyone has to say and read everything that you can get your hands on then create a plan that works for you and your specific situation.

The frustrating part of having diabetes for me is that it changes so the things that work this month or this year don't seem to work as well next month or next year.

Good luck!
 
Aunt Bea said:
The best thing is to go to the group sessions and also ask if they include some one on one time with a registered dietitian.

I've found in my own case that not all carbs are created equal.

I try to read the labels and find foods that have zero grams of added sugar.

I look for slow carbs or carbs that are high in fiber, things like beans, oatmeal, and the new low-calorie high fiber brands of bread with 40-45 calories per slice. Combining these foods with higher carb foods in the same meal also helps to slow the absorption of the carbs.

If you are overweight losing 10% or more of your body weight can help to improve your numbers.

Listen to what everyone has to say and read everything that you can get your hands on then create a plan that works for you and your specific situation.

The frustrating part of having diabetes for me is that it changes so the things that work this month or this year don't seem to work as well next month or next year.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you for the great advice. I am sort of lost in the woods right now, but I'm listening!
 
Last summer, my husband was working everyday outdoors in the sun, drinking a lot of gator aid. They sent him to a company doctor for a random drug test. He was told he was a borderline diabetic and needed to check in with his regular doctor. He stopped all sugar and most carbohydrates, beer too. Then his doctor also told him he was borderline diabetic. He refused drugs and got serious about his diet.

I've been doing a low carb, low sugar, gluten free diet for almost 4 years to lose weight/get healthier. I'm already cooking that way and we don't have many forbidden foods in the house.

He went back to his doctor after a few months on his own restricted diet {20 pounds lighter} and was told no blood sugar problems were present. He's doing really well with his eating.

Keto, Paleo {caveman diet}, Atkins, & Wheat Belly are all low carb, low sugar ways of eating. Healthy fats are encouraged in moderation.
Simply prepared meats, vegetables, a few fruits, nuts, dairy, and eggs are allowed. Carbs like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans/legumes are allowed in small quantities.
 
Duster said:
Last summer, my husband was working everyday outdoors in the sun, drinking a lot of gator aid. They sent him to a company doctor for a random drug test. He was told he was a borderline diabetic and needed to check in with his regular doctor. He stopped all sugar and most carbohydrates, beer too. Then his doctor also told him he was borderline diabetic. He refused drugs and got serious about his diet.

I've been doing a low carb, low sugar, gluten free diet for almost 4 years to lose weight/get healthier. I'm already cooking that way and we don't have many forbidden foods in the house.

He went back to his doctor after a few months on his own restricted diet {20 pounds lighter} and was told no blood sugar problems were present. He's doing really well with his eating.

Keto, Paleo {caveman diet}, Atkins, & Wheat Belly are all low carb, low sugar ways of eating. Healthy fats are encouraged in moderation.
Simply prepared meats, vegetables, a few fruits, nuts, dairy, and eggs are allowed. Carbs like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans/legumes are allowed in small quantities.
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Sounds good to me, Duster. If only I had someone else to cook the right foods for me .. I'll have to learn! I don't want to be on meds forever. My goal is to not need the Metformin one day.
 
Pinky said:
Thank you all for the responses.

I was prescribed Metformin. I was described as "borderline" some 10 yrs. ago.

ClassicRockr, did you have side effects from the Metformin? My doctor mentioned diarrhea, and said I could 1/2 the dosage for a month if it's too severe.
Click to expand...
Neither of us have any affects from Metformin. And, I take 1000mg daily (two 500mg tablets- 1-AM, 1-PM) and the Glipizide.
 
@Pinky it might all sound like a huge change in lifestyle now however once you get used to it your food choices become a way of eating and it’s as simple as preparing any meals .

previously my lunch as a example was a sandwich ...now it’s more likely to be a few cooked veggies ( leftovers from the night before) Or salad maybe a few chick peas/ eggs / cheese or meat / fish of some sort and or some of your bread allowance ...and my diet included an apple a day as well as some olive oil
I simply can’t eat much in the way of Carbs now ..no rice / pasta / I eat a small serve of natural muesli one a week or so 1/3 cup is all I can eat
 
Pinky said:
I will have to get used to plain yoghurt and fruit. Normally, I'm not a big bread eater. I guess I have to cut out cereal, my normal breakfast. I'm looking at recipes online, but not much appeals to me. However, changes need to be made.
Click to expand...
My wife eats a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios each morning during the week and her blood glucose still stays at 140 or so. On weekends, sometimes, we will go out for breakfast and she will have pancakes with Sugar Free Syrup and does fine again. If we have some kind of sugar or even a good margarita, we won't test our blood the next morning. We know it will be high, so don't test.
 
Pinky said:
Sounds good to me, Duster. If only I had someone else to cook the right foods for me .. I'll have to learn! I don't want to be on meds forever. My goal is to not need the Metformin one day.
Click to expand...
You might just find out that you won't like the total changes you'll have to make and take the Metformin forever. We changed our diet, but not to the point we have to cut out to many things that we enjoy eating. Heck, we'll even enjoy a good glazed donut once in a while.
 
I have type 2 diabetes in my immediate family, my parents (RIP) and sister. My fasting glucose level was rising over the years, but was never diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I have to say, I only see the doctor every several years when I feel like I need to go, so I don't have annual testing to see numbers often. I am overweight, but not obese.

My mother died of a diabetic stroke which damaged her brain stem and put her in a coma, she was on insulin injections for years before that. My sister is on meds for years now, not sure which one she's taking now. I'm not a big fan of prescription drugs, so I take the alternative route with a lot of things.

For years I've been taking the supplements Chromium Picolinate and Bitter Melon to keep a check on blood sugar levels. I in no way am very knowledgeable about the body or drugs, but I research the supplements I want to use for something and go with my gut....so far so good. Years back my A1C was 6.1 if I recall, and I think it was last year that I got a free blood test from Costco which showed my levels at 5.6, so I must be doing something right.

I know I would benefit from cutting out carbs like breads, potatoes, pizza, etc. and sweets. I have cut down on these things, but have not eliminated them from my diet. We are all different and something that may work for one, may not for another. Also, good to note that any supplement side effects should be researched first, expecially if someone is already under doctor's care and on prescription meds.

I've heard a lot of positive stories of folks getting their diabetes under control just with weight loss, exercise and limited diet changes. Pinky, I'm sorry to hear you have that diagnosis, but I know you can take hold of it and possibly get it under control even without prescriptions. Talk with your doctor. If they are open-minded, they will let you try and control it on your own and just monitor your progress.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck.....hugs. 🧡
 
Pinky said:
Thank you for the great advice. I am sort of lost in the woods right now, but I'm listening!
Click to expand...
It's really not a big deal if you start with your current eating habits and then clean them up a little to bring the numbers into line.

Keep a food journal for a couple of weeks and see where you need to make a few changes.

Slow gradual but sustainable changes are better than a drastic change that you can't support for the long haul.

You'll be fine!
 
Pinky said:
Just found out today that I am diabetic. My doctor is sending me to a group information class come Spring .. but meanwhile, how difficult is it to eliminate carbs and sugars from one's diet? I don't generally eat a lot of bread. Prefer rice to potatoes, but don't have either very often, nor do I have pasta regularly. I eat chicken a few times a week, eggs a couple of times a week with beans.

Would appreciate any feedback.
Click to expand...
@Marie5656 recommended this link in an older thread here, it may be helpful for you Pinky.

https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/
 

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