Am new to this forum and have been looking at the various sections, so much great information I have found already - came home with meds and told to stick to low carb diet per dr but not a clue as to what I am aiming for carb-wise. Have to wait 7 weeks to see dietician but this site is sure going to be a huge help. Sorry if I am not posting my "hallo" in he right place.
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Hey Jeanann . . . welcome! Your "hallo" is right where it belongs! 
And we're happy to meet you!
Did anyone furnish you with a meter to measure your blood glucose? That's the first thing that'll help you make sense of it all. If you have insurance, see what kind they cover, because test strips for our meters can get pretty expensive. If you aren't covered by insurance, there are Walmart brands which cost about half the price of others. Look for their ReliOn products, if you have to pay out-of-pocket. Another handy helper is a carb counter book like CalorieKing.
The low-carb regimen varies from one to the next, but if you start out avoiding "white" foods, you'll go a long way to getting your numbers lowered quickly - prob'ly even before you see the dietitian! "White" foods refers to pasta, rice, potatoes, breads & anything else made with white flour and/or sugar. Other choices like eggs, cheese, nuts, olives, meat, poultry, fish & vegetables like spaghetti squash, leafy greens, asparagus & broccoli . . . all are good low-carb choices. Even if you like your meat or fish breaded, you'll discover things like almond or pecan meal make just as good breading as cracker crumbs! Amazing, eh?!
So just take a deep breath - it seems like a lot at first, but it gets easier!
And we're happy to meet you! Did anyone furnish you with a meter to measure your blood glucose? That's the first thing that'll help you make sense of it all. If you have insurance, see what kind they cover, because test strips for our meters can get pretty expensive. If you aren't covered by insurance, there are Walmart brands which cost about half the price of others. Look for their ReliOn products, if you have to pay out-of-pocket. Another handy helper is a carb counter book like CalorieKing.
The low-carb regimen varies from one to the next, but if you start out avoiding "white" foods, you'll go a long way to getting your numbers lowered quickly - prob'ly even before you see the dietitian! "White" foods refers to pasta, rice, potatoes, breads & anything else made with white flour and/or sugar. Other choices like eggs, cheese, nuts, olives, meat, poultry, fish & vegetables like spaghetti squash, leafy greens, asparagus & broccoli . . . all are good low-carb choices. Even if you like your meat or fish breaded, you'll discover things like almond or pecan meal make just as good breading as cracker crumbs! Amazing, eh?!
So just take a deep breath - it seems like a lot at first, but it gets easier!
Welcome to the forum sorry you had to join us. But don't worry it will get easier with time and chances are after you get use to the changes you will feel happier and healthier then ever.
Your best friend for a while will be food labels, look at the back of foods and start watching the carbohydrate counts. Also if you eat out a lot I recommend looking at the menus online of your favorite places and starting to put together a few different meal options there.
Generally salads are a great filler for most meals they help you feel more full and are low in Carbs just watch what type of dressing you use. I personally love balsamic Vinaigrette.
Look for alternatives to bread, there are some sprout bread or even tortilla shells that are low in carbs you can make wraps out of those that will reduce your carb count on a sandwich.
Your best friend for a while will be food labels, look at the back of foods and start watching the carbohydrate counts. Also if you eat out a lot I recommend looking at the menus online of your favorite places and starting to put together a few different meal options there.
Generally salads are a great filler for most meals they help you feel more full and are low in Carbs just watch what type of dressing you use. I personally love balsamic Vinaigrette.
Look for alternatives to bread, there are some sprout bread or even tortilla shells that are low in carbs you can make wraps out of those that will reduce your carb count on a sandwich.
Also watch your drink choices, drinks are the quickest way to load up on carbs... a can of regular soda will run about the same amount of carbs as meal should be. I personally would rather enjoy a meal then drink it. So choose drinks like coffee, unsweetened tea, diet sodas, etc
Also when a produce says "sugar free" or "no sugar added" look at the back all that means is there is no more sugar put into it except what was already in it. when reading a food label take the total carbohydrate count... subtract the fiber and any sugar alcohol from the count and that tells you the carbohydrate value of the food...
start with round the neighborhood of 40-50 grams of Carbohydrates per meal and 10-15 per snack.
Your dietitian will work with you to get the numbers right for you but that will get you started for the next 7 weeks.
Also when a produce says "sugar free" or "no sugar added" look at the back all that means is there is no more sugar put into it except what was already in it. when reading a food label take the total carbohydrate count... subtract the fiber and any sugar alcohol from the count and that tells you the carbohydrate value of the food...
start with round the neighborhood of 40-50 grams of Carbohydrates per meal and 10-15 per snack.
Your dietitian will work with you to get the numbers right for you but that will get you started for the next 7 weeks.
Hi Shanny,
Good to meet you also and thanks for your input. Yes have bg meter and no problem with that from having diabetic cat I used to test twice a day. Seems insce only pays for the one 30 minute session with dietician so was feeling pretty much on my own.
My pre-diagnosis diet already included wholewheat bread, no sugars in drinks, diet sodas and Crystal Light orange, hardly any potatoes....so not too many changes on that front - except amount of bread! Love pastas so just bought some wholewheat variety to try.
I will try and get the CalorieKing book - sounds like it will be a huge help.
Guess it takes a while to get re-organised and into the "new" swing of things...having to eat breakfasts will take some getting used to.
Feel this dx is partly my fault as have not eaten as I normally do this past year..friend with MS who needs help lives with us and she was down to 98lbs so been cooking extra calorie laden foods to help her gain weight - she is now up to 140lbs and I put on weight also this past year + I guess stress from injury/pain issues has not helped either.
Eye sx due Thursday so am hoping next week to go shopping and actually be able to read the food labels!!!
Sigh, it has to get better - need to do more reading on this site and gain more information...taking oral meds and not seen any real change the past couple of weeks.
Jeanann
Good to meet you also and thanks for your input. Yes have bg meter and no problem with that from having diabetic cat I used to test twice a day. Seems insce only pays for the one 30 minute session with dietician so was feeling pretty much on my own.
My pre-diagnosis diet already included wholewheat bread, no sugars in drinks, diet sodas and Crystal Light orange, hardly any potatoes....so not too many changes on that front - except amount of bread! Love pastas so just bought some wholewheat variety to try.
I will try and get the CalorieKing book - sounds like it will be a huge help.
Guess it takes a while to get re-organised and into the "new" swing of things...having to eat breakfasts will take some getting used to.
Feel this dx is partly my fault as have not eaten as I normally do this past year..friend with MS who needs help lives with us and she was down to 98lbs so been cooking extra calorie laden foods to help her gain weight - she is now up to 140lbs and I put on weight also this past year + I guess stress from injury/pain issues has not helped either.
Eye sx due Thursday so am hoping next week to go shopping and actually be able to read the food labels!!!
Sigh, it has to get better - need to do more reading on this site and gain more information...taking oral meds and not seen any real change the past couple of weeks.
Jeanann
Hey Jeanann . . . welcome! Your "hallo" is right where it belongs!
Did anyone furnish you with a meter to measure your blood glucose? That's the first thing that'll help you make sense of it all. If you have insurance, see what kind they cover, because test strips for our meters can get pretty expensive. If you aren't covered by insurance, there are Walmart brands which cost about half the price of others. Look for their ReliOn products, if you have to pay out-of-pocket. Another handy helper is a carb counter book like CalorieKing.
The low-carb regimen varies from one to the next, but if you start out avoiding "white" foods, you'll go a long way to getting your numbers lowered quickly - prob'ly even before you see the dietitian! "White" foods refers to pasta, rice, potatoes, breads & anything else made with white flour and/or sugar. Other choices like eggs, cheese, nuts, olives, meat, poultry, fish & vegetables like spaghetti squash, leafy greens, asparagus & broccoli . . . all are good low-carb choices. Even if you like your meat or fish breaded, you'll discover things like almond or pecan meal make just as good breading as cracker crumbs! Amazing, eh?!
So just take a deep breath - it seems like a lot at first, but it gets easier!
Thanks for your welcome and advice to get me started on the new way of eating, especially for idea of carbs to shoot for each meal.
Question - are we supposed to eat am and pm snack between meals?
I never eat beakfast and if in the garden and keeping busy am just never feeling hungry until around 2pm. Usually up by 6am, so guess that is not good being up 8 hrs before eating anything! Hum, no wonder I get bg crashes at times and end up with the shakes - when I've checked usually in the 40's. Seems the more I read, the more I realise I am my own worst enemy on the diabetic front and have to make some positive changes. Just hope also I can lose some weight on this diet by eating more...lol
Thanks again for your help, off to hunt around for the CalorieKing counter, seems it will become my diabetic bible.
Jeanann
Question - are we supposed to eat am and pm snack between meals?
I never eat beakfast and if in the garden and keeping busy am just never feeling hungry until around 2pm. Usually up by 6am, so guess that is not good being up 8 hrs before eating anything! Hum, no wonder I get bg crashes at times and end up with the shakes - when I've checked usually in the 40's. Seems the more I read, the more I realise I am my own worst enemy on the diabetic front and have to make some positive changes. Just hope also I can lose some weight on this diet by eating more...lol
Thanks again for your help, off to hunt around for the CalorieKing counter, seems it will become my diabetic bible.
Jeanann
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Hi Jeanann, you seem to be off to a good start. I think you should have a small breakfast, maybe a piece of fruit. I don't advise you to eat bananas though, they can raise your BG a lot and rather quickly. I like a cup of sliced strawberries wit some Rediwhip cream from the spray type can. There is almost no carbs in the Rediwhip. I use Sweet 'n Low as a sweetener but some people prefer Splenda or Stevia. Several small meals throughout the day with few carbs is better than 2 or 3 heavier meals. That way you can more easily exercise and burn off the smaller amounts of carbs between meals.
Many diabetics eat frequently and have fewer carbs at each meal. If you had 20 carbs at breakfast, 30 at lunch, 15 as an afternoon snack, 30 at dinner, and 15 in the evening that would give you a total 110 carbs for the day. If you have a lot more carbs than that now, you should work towards the 110 gradually so your body can adjust without getting so hungry. The fewer carbs you eat, the more weight you will lose and the better control you will have with your diabetes. Some diabetics eat as few as 50 carbs er day. I don't advis that, you need enough energy to get through your day and 50 carbs is not enough for many people.
Wheat bread causes me to have high BG's, almost as bad as white bread. Whole grain bread digests more slowly and raises the BG slowly. That is a better plan. Low carb bread is best for me. I buy oatmeal bread, it has 8 carbs per slice. That is my favorite. I buy whole grain pasta rather than wheat pasta. I never eat hot dog or hamburger buns. If I want to eat at McDonalds I take two slices of my low carb bread with me and replace the bun with them. That gives me a low carb meal. You can give them your bread and have them make your hamurger or Big Mac with it.
These are things I do, you may have your own way that suits you better.
Many diabetics eat frequently and have fewer carbs at each meal. If you had 20 carbs at breakfast, 30 at lunch, 15 as an afternoon snack, 30 at dinner, and 15 in the evening that would give you a total 110 carbs for the day. If you have a lot more carbs than that now, you should work towards the 110 gradually so your body can adjust without getting so hungry. The fewer carbs you eat, the more weight you will lose and the better control you will have with your diabetes. Some diabetics eat as few as 50 carbs er day. I don't advis that, you need enough energy to get through your day and 50 carbs is not enough for many people.
Wheat bread causes me to have high BG's, almost as bad as white bread. Whole grain bread digests more slowly and raises the BG slowly. That is a better plan. Low carb bread is best for me. I buy oatmeal bread, it has 8 carbs per slice. That is my favorite. I buy whole grain pasta rather than wheat pasta. I never eat hot dog or hamburger buns. If I want to eat at McDonalds I take two slices of my low carb bread with me and replace the bun with them. That gives me a low carb meal. You can give them your bread and have them make your hamurger or Big Mac with it.
These are things I do, you may have your own way that suits you better.
Thank you Richard for some good pointers - sliced strawberries and cream sure sounds like a wonderful diabetic breakfast to me - there is hope yet
Do you think oatmeal would be OK for me to try for winter breakfasts?
Thanks also for the pointer on using oatmeal bread (which I love!) rather than wholewheat - 8 carbs a slice much better
Now am thinking on what you suggested and see reasons for eating more smaller meals a day - often when out in the garden I get busy on a project and just never feel hungry then I tend to do the bad thing of a big evening meal, lay down with painful back and no exercise until the next morning. Pottering in the garden is usually my only exercise, have to do most work on hands and knees due to neck/back injury so definitely am not a candidate to go off jogging or do anything too energetic.
I've always used sweet and low plus don't use non-diet sodas etc nor any alcohol so on the beverage front am in good shape and no changes to make
Sigh, just that craving for home style baked bread - can smell a bakery even typing this - definitely my weakness!
Another question - sorry - I keep reading that cinnamon helps good glucose metabolism - do you have any thoughts on that please?
Thank you again Richard, am off to the kitchen with magnifying glass to try and read a few labels!
ave a good day - Jeanann
Do you think oatmeal would be OK for me to try for winter breakfasts?
Thanks also for the pointer on using oatmeal bread (which I love!) rather than wholewheat - 8 carbs a slice much better
Now am thinking on what you suggested and see reasons for eating more smaller meals a day - often when out in the garden I get busy on a project and just never feel hungry then I tend to do the bad thing of a big evening meal, lay down with painful back and no exercise until the next morning. Pottering in the garden is usually my only exercise, have to do most work on hands and knees due to neck/back injury so definitely am not a candidate to go off jogging or do anything too energetic.
I've always used sweet and low plus don't use non-diet sodas etc nor any alcohol so on the beverage front am in good shape and no changes to make
Sigh, just that craving for home style baked bread - can smell a bakery even typing this - definitely my weakness!
Another question - sorry - I keep reading that cinnamon helps good glucose metabolism - do you have any thoughts on that please?
Thank you again Richard, am off to the kitchen with magnifying glass to try and read a few labels!
ave a good day - Jeanann
Wishing you wonderful success with your eye procedure this week, Jeanann . . . I'm next in line, just as soon as my Medicare kicks in in March - I'll be having cataract surgery & may finally be able to see straight again! It's horrible not being able to read!
Thanks for the good wishes Shanny - sure is frustrating not being able to read clearly - eyes always tired by mid afternoon and makes me feel a bit grumpy lol - let me know when your sx is and will say one for you. I will be glad when Thursday is behind me and excited to see what difference there is. Like yourself I had to wait for this surgery for disability medical to kick in.
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I have trouble with oatmeal, even the plain unsweetened one. I have heard of "steel cut oats" that are much better for diabetics but I have never looked for them at my grocery store. Maybe Shanny knows something about them. There are also whole grain cereals but I have not tried them.
My oatmeal bread is made by Country Kitchen, that is the brand name here in NY. That brand might not appear in CA. There are oatmeal breads that are high carb so look carefully at the labels.
Some Type 2 diabetics have said that cinnamon helped a little. One person said she sprinkled a little on a slice of toast and on something else. I think she puts a little in her coffee. She has a half teaspoon of it per day.
My oatmeal bread is made by Country Kitchen, that is the brand name here in NY. That brand might not appear in CA. There are oatmeal breads that are high carb so look carefully at the labels.
Some Type 2 diabetics have said that cinnamon helped a little. One person said she sprinkled a little on a slice of toast and on something else. I think she puts a little in her coffee. She has a half teaspoon of it per day.
With respect to the more smaller meals, from what I have heard it will help you lose weight too by keeping your metabolism running. The reason we tend to gain weight in our older age is because our metabolism slows down, among other things. Consistent exercise can also help because it boosts your metabolism too.
Encouraging news...
Please to report 1 month dr check-up went well, bg numbers now under control and added bonus was losing 10lbs! Thanks everyone for input and all the great information on this site. Have also registered for 2 day diabetic classes later this month which should be interesting.
Am not missing my tortillas and bread with the substituions of The Tortilla Factory wholewheat tortillas at 3 carbs each and they do make wonderful tasty wraps as suggested. Also the Flax Seed Wholegrain bread at 6 carbs a slice is a real tasty substitute for my usual wholewheat bread. Sigh, now if only some genius could come up with a low carb potato!
Thank you everyone!
...Please to report 1 month dr check-up went well, bg numbers now under control and added bonus was losing 10lbs! Thanks everyone for input and all the great information on this site. Have also registered for 2 day diabetic classes later this month which should be interesting.
Am not missing my tortillas and bread with the substituions of The Tortilla Factory wholewheat tortillas at 3 carbs each and they do make wonderful tasty wraps as suggested. Also the Flax Seed Wholegrain bread at 6 carbs a slice is a real tasty substitute for my usual wholewheat bread. Sigh, now if only some genius could come up with a low carb potato!
Thank you everyone!
Been waiting to hear from you again, Jeanann, and what a great report! I'm guessing the eye surgery went well too?
Yer not gonna b'lieve this, but there IS a substitute for potato and it's GREEN BANANAS! The deepest green you can find. "Green" as in so green you can't pull the peels off - you have to score the peel & gently lift it off with the paring knife. If used before they ripen, green bananas have resistant starch, which often doesn't bother our BG.
Serious! I used these last week diced up in corned beef hash, and I STILL haven't told my everlovin' husband that those were bananas, not diced taters. He thought it was delicious. 'Course they aren't gonna hold up for a baked potato, but you can cut 'em like french fries & deep fry 'em - they compare well as fries. Try 'em - you won't believe it 'til you see it & taste it. Just be sure to fry 'em nice & golden brown.
Yer not gonna b'lieve this, but there IS a substitute for potato and it's GREEN BANANAS! The deepest green you can find. "Green" as in so green you can't pull the peels off - you have to score the peel & gently lift it off with the paring knife. If used before they ripen, green bananas have resistant starch, which often doesn't bother our BG.
Serious! I used these last week diced up in corned beef hash, and I STILL haven't told my everlovin' husband that those were bananas, not diced taters. He thought it was delicious. 'Course they aren't gonna hold up for a baked potato, but you can cut 'em like french fries & deep fry 'em - they compare well as fries. Try 'em - you won't believe it 'til you see it & taste it. Just be sure to fry 'em nice & golden brown.
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My goodness gracious Shanny. What won't they think of next??? lol!
Hi Jean, welcome to our friendly forum.
CalorieKing is right on the internet. You can find out how many carbs in fruits and vegatables. They are hard to guess and know.
I eat whole wheat bread and rice. One sclice of bread with your filling and folded in half makes a good lunch for me. I also have an apple with lunch.
I check my BG 2 hours after I finish eating. If it is to high, I know that I have eaten a food that is not good for my diabetes. Then I eliminate that food. Also, I exercise if it is to high. It will bring it down. You need to exercise everyday.
Do not miss meals. That will drop your BG to low. When mine is below 90, I can go into seizures. I have epilepsy as well. Take a ReliOn glucose tablet if it gets to low. You can get them at WalMart.
Welcome
Ruth
CalorieKing is right on the internet. You can find out how many carbs in fruits and vegatables. They are hard to guess and know.
I eat whole wheat bread and rice. One sclice of bread with your filling and folded in half makes a good lunch for me. I also have an apple with lunch.
I check my BG 2 hours after I finish eating. If it is to high, I know that I have eaten a food that is not good for my diabetes. Then I eliminate that food. Also, I exercise if it is to high. It will bring it down. You need to exercise everyday.
Do not miss meals. That will drop your BG to low. When mine is below 90, I can go into seizures. I have epilepsy as well. Take a ReliOn glucose tablet if it gets to low. You can get them at WalMart.
Welcome
Ruth
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I thank GOD for all the good things including this website that is so helpful for people on diabetes.I myself was suffered six months ago when unknowingly my blood sugar was shoot up to 354 mg and the effect to me is so painful and it leads me into anxiety but i didn't lose hope since it was just begun and i undergo an anti diabetic medication for two weeks and thanks GOD my BG were goes back to 156mg in two weeks of supervised low calorie an high fiber diet,and now i still watching my food intake and i maintain a capsule made of bitter melon and yellow ginger and it really helps a lot to me,but my serious concern is my mom who're diabetic and it affects her vision badly i hope someone can provide me a good advise to at least help my mom stays in good sight.Thank you.
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Welcome 888pongsky, we are pleased to have you with us. I had the beginning stages of retinopathy in both eyes a few years ago. I worked very hard to get my blood sugar under better control and the problem disappeared. I have not had any more retinopathy for almost 3 years now. It is continual high blood sugar that causes diabetes complications. If your mom can get good control and have a very low A1c, preferably below 6.5, then her eyes may improve very much. Of course this assumes that the damage already done is not too extensive.
Good luck to you and your mom. Ask all the questions you want. We are here to help!
Richard
Good luck to you and your mom. Ask all the questions you want. We are here to help!
Richard
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