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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Diabetes / March 2006Newly diagnosed
Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd been seeing for longer than I can remember and who I went to high school with) for a physical shortly after my birthday last fall. I'd been having an "aspecific" symptom of feeling like my head was somehow too full of blood and it would cause my ears to almost close up -- like when you are on an airplane. He ordered lots of bloodwork, a carotid artery ultrasound, a mammogram and a bone scan. The blood tests showed my fasting glucose level to be 53, which he said was low but he wasn't too worried about it. My cholesterol was a little bit high, but my triglycerides were very high at 397. My thyroid was fine and there was no indication of big problems in the carotids. He put me on Tricor and sent me home. For several reasons (not the least of which is that the office staff in his clinic couldn't get something right if their lives depended on it) I decided to follow up with another doctor. Dr. #2 immediately ordered a GTT, which showed my fasting BG at 109 and the 2 hr. BG at 312. The test for long term BG levels was 7.4. So the diagnosis was clear at that point. And it didn't really surprise me since most of the people on my mother's side of the family developed diabetes as they got older, so I guess genetics loaded that gun for me. But my own lifestyle pulled the trigger. (It also made me realize that it was probably long past time for me to find a new doctor!) For years, I've lived on nothing but sweet iced tea, black coffee, and two meals a day -- cereal with sugar and milk in the morning and a large meal around 4 in the afternoon. While I used to exercise by talking long walks (and hiking on the weekend) that all came to a screeching halt in 2000 when my car was hit by a semi and I ended up with back and hip problems that make it very painful for me to walk further than a few blocks at a time with long rests in between. So, my husband and I both got out of the habit and we both gained probably 50 pounds each in the past 6 years. On Feb. 22nd, they sent me home with an Ascensia Contour meter and a bunch of strips and told me to eat normally, keeping a food diary, and testing 5 times a day for two weeks, fasting in the morning, 2 hours after every meal, and once before bedtime. I was shocked and appalled at the numbers. At first, I had trouble even eating as often as I was supposed to. When you cook for as many people as I do, you tend to cook in big pots and use a lot of potatoes, rice, and pasta to stretch the meat and vegetables. I learned very quickly that all of the above were going to shoot my sugar sky high. Bread does the same thing. So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been eating eggs, bacon, salads, steamed or raw veggies, and grilled meats, steaks, skinless chicken breasts, pork loin chops, that sort of thing. Through experimenting, I've learned that I can have fruit if I eat it with a protein and/or a fat. The same goes for a small bowl of oatmeal with Splenda brown sugar and butter. Bread was still off limits, though, even after I was started on glucophage (500mg once a day) a week ago. With the meds, my BG levels are almost always under 100, even 2 hours after a meal. So, I tried eating a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot up to 213. Something's not quite right about that, is it? I was instructed to increase the dosage to twice a day starting today. I'm hoping that will allow me to have bread once in a while, at least. I have been depressed since this diagnosis because to tell you the truth, I feel like I am all about food. I mean, my kids and grandkids love things like Mom's tea, Mom's stuffing, Mom's spaghetti, Mom's potato salad -- not Mom's steamed cauliflower and broccoli and grilled chicken. <g> I still have to prepare stuff like that, though when they all come around and knowing that I can't ever eat it again is getting next to me. It also concerns me that genetics loaded the same gun for THEM as it did for me, so that's probably not the best diet for any of them, either. I know that exercise is crucial to winning the battle I'm trying to fight with diet changes, but I honestly don't know what kind of exercise I can do. The diet change alone has resulted in a 10 pound weight loss in two weeks. Not bad, but with exercise it would be better. I do have two Maltese dogs that I take for walks around the block about 5 times a day, so I'm not a total couch potato, but walking two little dogs and having to stop at every clump of grass for them to sniff it isn't the same as the power walking I did for most of my adult life. BTW, I can't swim and there are no pools available for me to use anyway, so aquatics are out, too. Also, 5 surgeries on my hands (carpal tunnel problems and complications) rather precludes me doing a lot of weight lifting. The doctor suggested that I try dancing for 30 minutes a day. My two teens still at home both have digital cameras that can make short movies, though, and with my luck, I'll wind up on one of those goofy videos that make the email rounds like the Numa Numa kid. I'd be the Funky Chicken Granny or something. LOL I've been lurking in here for nearly two weeks and I think there is some good support to be had here, so I wanted to post (sorry it's so long) to introduce myself. I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have for me. Hello! Jeanie Hi Jeanie Sorry to hear you joined "THE" club. I am by no means an expert on diabetes, but I can tell you the walking your doing is great for you. Personally I don't think you need to kill yourself with some exotic exercise video to get the same benefits you get from walking(cheap, simple & easy). If you can't for 30 minutes, take three 10 minute walks, it all counts. I was Dx in November '05 at the age of 47 and at first I was depressed too, then I got mad and decided diabetes wasn't going to get the best of me. Don't worry, diabetes doesn't have to be the end of the world. Your meter, exercise and your doctor are your best defense, use them. As strange as it may seem, my life is better now, then it was before I was Dx. I enjoy life more and I just plain feel better. I leave the answering of your questions to the veterans of the group. Things will get better you'll see.  SignatureJoe W T2 Nov '05 30mg Actos, 3gr(1/2 tsp or 500mg pill) Cinnamon, Diet(>100 carbs) & 30 minute walk(everyday) & BowFlex 3x/week *****Diabetes, be proactive, not reactive.***** > Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two > teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd [quoted text clipped - 91 lines] > > Jeanie Joe, 3 two minute walks is not the same as one 30 minute walk. Here's why: During the first 20 minutes of exercise (however your particular body deems to define exercise and 20 minutes), the liver begins to produce glucose, as it figures you are now exepnding more energy than usual, so you're gonna need some more fuel. After about 20 minutes, it figures, "that oughtta do it for now, let me wait and see if any more is requested". Well, of course, there's just plenty now thankyouverymuch. So, after 20 minutes, you start to burn it off, which, fortunately, happens very quickly. So after about 30 minutes, you're even, or maybe ahead of the game. At 40-50 minutes, you're usually way ahead of the game. Bottom line is one should not exercise for less than 20 minutes if the goal of the exercise is to reduce BG. This is all very easy to test. About 3 hours after eating, check your BG. Do this every 10 minutes for about 40 minutes, and you should see the pattern. Actually, this could be a really neat experiment. If everyone here did this and reported their numbers, we could have a mini-study. > Hi Jeanie > Sorry to hear you joined "THE" club. I am by no means an expert on diabetes, [quoted text clipped - 109 lines] > > > > Jeanie > Joe, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > usually way ahead of the game. Bottom line is one should not exercise > for less than 20 minutes if the goal of the exercise is to reduce BG. Where did you get this information? About 20,30,40 minutes? > This is all very easy to test. About 3 hours after eating, check your > BG. Do this every 10 minutes for about 40 minutes, and you should see > the pattern. Actually, this could be a really neat experiment. If > everyone here did this and reported their numbers, we could have a > mini-study. I forget, but it was probably in Diabetes Self Management. Anyway, try it for yourself and see how you do. > Joe, > > 3 two minute walks is not the same as one 30 minute walk. Bottom line is > one should not exercise for less than >20 minutes if the goal of the exercise is to reduce BG. If you read what I wrote, I said: If you *can't* for 30 minutes, take three 10 minute walks, it all counts. Exercise is exercise when you first starting out. http://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/article.cfm?aid=292 http://diabetes.org/weightloss-and-exercise/exercise/overcoming-barriers.jsp You need to work up to your goals, not start out at them, unless you want to hurt yourself. SignatureJoe W T2 Nov '05 30mg Actos, 3gr(1/2 tsp or 500mg pill) Cinnamon, Diet(>100 carbs) & 30 minute walk(everyday) & BowFlex 3x/week *****Diabetes, be proactive, not reactive.***** If you read what I wrote, you will see that I said that if your goal is to reduce your BG, 3 x 10 is not the same as 30. BTW, this is also why you are not supposed to exercise if your BG > 200 (it will shoot up higher first). : If you read what I wrote, you will see that I said that if your goal is : to reduce your BG, 3 x 10 is not the same as 30. BTW, this is also why : you are not supposed to exercise if your BG > 200 (it will shoot up : higher first). If you carefully read the OPs original post, she is unable to walk for 30 min, and probably, even for 10 mins without stoping and resting becuse of back injuries for a terrible auto crash. I am in the sme spot because of sciatica and it drives me crazy. Still, 10 minuts a few times a day is far better than nothing at all. If you tyr to claim-all or nothing at all, you end up far worse than you need be. I think this woman is doing remarkably well for such a newbie. She has graspled much of the food issues adn aks for help with a few problems. Here are my thoughts: Try to find soem of the low carb breads, tortillas or pita breads if they are availalbe in your area. They may not be perfect but are far better than no bread or sandwiches. When you find them, use them with restraint. With time, you may find that a smll bit of some loved food will satisfy you and keep you from totlly breakign control and pigging out. There may be some fods that you have to just not have in the house. for me, potato chips is one but cokies is not. go ask:-) When my kidw were still at home I would make dinner and serve each of us different amounts of ech food on the plate. I would have a moderate serving of the protein, a little bit of the carb adn a pile of the vegetables. The husband and kids had much more of the strch and protein and fewer(but not none) of the helthy vegetables. If you make stews, etc, just be sure to leave the potatoes for the stew off your plate. I now add extra chunked carrots, which i tolerte well adn eat in place of teh potatos. Don't cook a dish with the rice in it. Have it on the side and serve it tothe kids withthe dish on top adn you just skip the rice. If everyone loves your fried chicken (fortunatly, mine are no into that) cook it up and remove the coating from your portion, either in the kitchen or at the table, dependign on your personal preference and control. If you make cookies, etc for the grandkids, fine, but when they come, send the rest home with them. they will love yu for that. Just don't keep tsting the dough:-) You are doing remarkably well and should just continue much of what you are doing. Keep possting with your achievements and questions adn we will be glad to help as much as we can. Wendy I am not saying not ot exercise, I was simply correcting the statement that 3x10 is the same as 30. I never said don't exercise if you can't do 30 minutes, but one needs to be aware of what is happening if you don't. > : If you read what I wrote, you will see that I said that if your goal is > : to reduce your BG, 3 x 10 is not the same as 30. BTW, this is also why [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Wendy > Here are my thoughts: > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > be some fods that you have to just not have in the house. for me, potato > chips is one but cokies is not. go ask:-) I think you are right. Moderation just doesn't work for some of my favorite foods. I'm finding that tiny portions and combinations seem to be the key. When you haven't had something for a long time, even one bite of it, if you savor it long enough, can satisfy far better than I ever dreamed it would. So far, my will power is strong enough that I can walk right by something I used to eat and not drool. LOL Keeping those numbers on that meter low is giving me the incentive to just say no. > When my kidw were still at home I would make dinner and serve each of us > different amounts of ech food on the plate. I would have a moderate > serving of the protein, a little bit of the carb adn a pile of the > vegetables. The husband and kids had much more of the strch and protein > and fewer(but not none) of the helthy vegetables. Yes, I'm doing that, too. I have only known about this for a couple of weeks now, though, and haven't been cooking the way I used to. No macaroni casseroles or lasagna or anything like that yet. Eventually, the kids are going to want that. When they do, I'm simply going to have to make a completely different meal for myself, I think, and probably eat in the dining room and not the kitchen with the rest of them. I don't think I have enough will power to sit there and watch them eating garlic bread and lasagna and not knock someone out of the way so I can get at it. LOL > If you make cookies, etc for the grandkids, fine, but when they come, send > the rest home with them. they will love yu for that. Just don't keep > tsting the dough:-) No problem with that. I'm not a cookie lover at all, nor cakes or any other dessert, really. I've always sent stuff like that home with them. > You are doing remarkably well and should just continue much of what you > are doing. Keep possting with your achievements and questions adn we will > be glad to help as much as we can. > > Wendy > Thank you. That means a lot to me right now. It's good to have a group like this full of people who know and understand what this entails. I'm afraid my family hasn't got a clue. Jeanie > Hi Jeanie > Sorry to hear you joined "THE" club. I am by no means an expert on diabetes, [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Things will get better you'll see. Thanks, Joe. Nice to meet you. Jeanie <snip> > At first, I had trouble even eating as often as I was supposed to. When > you cook for as many people as I do, you tend to cook in big pots and > use a lot of potatoes, rice, and pasta to stretch the meat and > vegetables. I learned very quickly that all of the above were going to > shoot my sugar sky high. Bread does the same thing. You might try adding green beans to things. Either canned, fresh or frozen. Whatever your family likes and is cheaper. They're low in carbs and can stretch things like casseroles very nicely without affecting the flavor. Wax beans work well too. I also add a lot of things like carrots, celery, onions and often green peppers. > So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been eating eggs, bacon, salads, > steamed or raw veggies, and grilled meats, steaks, skinless chicken [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot > up to 213. Something's not quite right about that, is it? Such is the nature of diabetes. Keep in mind that you are only on a starting dose of Glucophage. The effective dose is usually 1,500 mg daily. But because of the side effects, it is started at a low dose and increased slowly. It's also not a fast acting med. It can take 3 weeks or so to kick in. Another 3 weeks or so after it is adjusted. You may also need something like Starlix that is taken with meals. Some people find they can eat a bit more carbs with this stuff. > I was instructed to increase the dosage to twice a day starting today. > I'm hoping that will allow me to have bread once in a while, at least. Maybe. But you might still need more. And you might find that bread is something you can never eat again. Alas, diabetes is an ever changing thing. I will go through periods of time when I can eat bread and other times when I can't. > I have been depressed since this diagnosis because to tell you the > truth, I feel like I am all about food. I mean, my kids and grandkids [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > THEM as it did for me, so that's probably not the best diet for any of > them, either. I was the same way. I baked all the time. Made hand painted chocolates. All that came to a screeching halt. I still cook for other people but often I don't eat what I cook. > I know that exercise is crucial to winning the battle I'm trying to > fight with diet changes, but I honestly don't know what kind of exercise [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > make the email rounds like the Numa Numa kid. I'd be the Funky Chicken > Granny or something. LOL Any kind of exercise you can do will help. > I've been lurking in here for nearly two weeks and I think there is some > good support to be had here, so I wanted to post (sorry it's so long) to > introduce myself. I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have for > me. Hello! Hope you start feeling better soon! SignatureSee my webpage: http://mysite.verizon.net/juliebove/index.htm > You might try adding green beans to things. Either canned, fresh or frozen. > Whatever your family likes and is cheaper. They're low in carbs and can > stretch things like casseroles very nicely without affecting the flavor. > Wax beans work well too. I also add a lot of things like carrots, celery, > onions and often green peppers. I often add that stuff, too, in addition to the pasta. I've got some experimenting and research to do, that's for sure. So, I >>tried eating a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce >>and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > something like Starlix that is taken with meals. Some people find they can > eat a bit more carbs with this stuff. I've made a note of that and will speak to my doctor about it. >>I was instructed to increase the dosage to twice a day starting today. >>I'm hoping that will allow me to have bread once in a while, at least. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > thing. I will go through periods of time when I can eat bread and other > times when I can't. Sounds like a crap shoot, doesn't it? LOL > I was the same way. I baked all the time. Made hand painted chocolates. > All that came to a screeching halt. I still cook for other people but often > I don't eat what I cook. Well, I've never been a big baker or even a dessert maker, period, except for something like banana pudding once in a while. I'm not a sweet eater and never have been. Every pie, cake and cookie could leave the planet and I'd not miss them. It's the rice, pasta, potatoes and bread that I'm going to have trouble with! I do like a piece of chocolate once in a while, though, and the doctor and nutritionist both told me that there is nothing wrong with eating a Dove chocolate or a Hershey's kiss once in a while, especially if I eat it after a low carb meal. And that one chocolate will be something I can really look forward to and savor. > Hope you start feeling better soon! Thank you, Julie. Jeanie >Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >teens still at home, 8 grandkids). Hi Jeanie Welcome. I've done a lot of snipping, but I did read it all. You've got a good handle on things already. I'll interleave some comments. <snip> >The blood tests showed my fasting glucose level to be 53, which he said >was low but he wasn't too worried about it. Your change of doc was a very wise move. > My cholesterol was a little >bit high, but my triglycerides were very high at 397. You are going to get a very pleasant surprise at your next one. <snip> > Dr. #2 immediately ordered a >GTT, which showed my fasting BG at 109 and the 2 hr. BG at 312. The >test for long term BG levels was 7.4. You are a fully paid up member of this not-so-exclusive club. <snip> >For years, I've lived on nothing but sweet iced tea, black coffee, and >two meals a day -- cereal with sugar and milk in the morning and a large >meal around 4 in the afternoon. Many of us assist in our management by "grazing" - many small meals or snacks, no big meals. I vary that slightly and have a normal dinner but all my other meals are snack size, every two or three hours. <snip> >On Feb. 22nd, they sent me home with an Ascensia Contour meter and a >bunch of strips and told me to eat normally, keeping a food diary, and >testing 5 times a day for two weeks, fasting in the morning, 2 hours >after every meal, and once before bedtime. > >I was shocked and appalled at the numbers. Your new doc sounds like a keeper. That's unusually good advice compared to most of the newbies arriving here. I'm referring to the "after every meal" tests. You will find that many of us recommend that you add an extra test at the on-hour mark while you are in this learning phase. Read this link, which explains that system better: http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm Jennifer will probably be along soon to answer any questions you may have on that. >At first, I had trouble even eating as often as I was supposed to. When >you cook for as many people as I do, you tend to cook in big pots and >use a lot of potatoes, rice, and pasta to stretch the meat and >vegetables. I learned very quickly that all of the above were going to >shoot my sugar sky high. Bread does the same thing. I cook for two, so not quite the same problem that you have. However, our meals are very often quite different when served on the plate but with some common aspects. For example, tonight her serve of potato was the size of a tennis ball - mine was a golf ball. Reverse those proportions for the pumpkin(squash to you) and the peas and cabbage. Often I'll have steamed fish while she has lamb chops and so on. On fettucine bolognaise, she gets a standard serve, I have less than half the pasta I used to - but double the meat-sauce. If it's stew, then I make the potatos large enough so that they don't become part of the gravy and can be served to her and not I. Tricks like that; you'll get used to them. >So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been eating eggs, bacon, salads, >steamed or raw veggies, and grilled meats, steaks, skinless chicken >breasts, pork loin chops, that sort of thing. You're a fast learner! Well done. >Through experimenting, >I've learned that I can have fruit if I eat it with a protein and/or a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot >up to 213. Something's not quite right about that, is it? Nope. Metformin is not meant to act specifically on that meal - it's a longer-acting med. However, that is a bit high two hours later - what else did you eat or drink after that meal? <snip> >I have been depressed since this diagnosis because to tell you the >truth, I feel like I am all about food. I mean, my kids and grandkids [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >all come around and knowing that I can't ever eat it again is getting >next to me. No - you don't. Do it if you wish to - but I think you'll find that they love Mum, not just her to be around a while longer. > It also concerns me that genetics loaded the same gun for >THEM as it did for me, so that's probably not the best diet for any of >them, either. Exactly. No need to preach at them - but also no need to reinforce bad habits. Teaching by example is always better than preaching. If you also subscribe to alt.food.diabetic you'll find a lot of good low-spike recipes there to experiment with. >I know that exercise is crucial to winning the battle I'm trying to >fight with diet changes, but I honestly don't know what kind of exercise >I can do. The diet change alone has resulted in a 10 pound weight loss >in two weeks. Way to go! It won't be as rapid from now on - don't let that discourage you -keep it steady and the results will come. > Not bad, but with exercise it would be better. I do have >two Maltese dogs that I take for walks around the block about 5 times a >day, so I'm not a total couch potato, but walking two little dogs and >having to stop at every clump of grass for them to sniff it isn't the >same as the power walking I did for most of my adult life. It's still a darn sight more than most couch potatos do. When you get back after walkies - go around the block again. > BTW, I can't >swim and there are no pools available for me to use anyway, so aquatics >are out, too. Also, 5 surgeries on my hands (carpal tunnel problems and >complications) rather precludes me doing a lot of weight lifting. The >doctor suggested that I try dancing for 30 minutes a day. Great idea. My sister has never been fitter since she joined a fifties rock'n'rollers club. However, I have two left feet:-) > My two teens >still at home both have digital cameras that can make short movies, >though, and with my luck, I'll wind up on one of those goofy videos that >make the email rounds like the Numa Numa kid. I'd be the Funky Chicken >Granny or something. LOL If they do it, enjoy it - but I doubt they will. Or buy an air-walker. Read that link again: http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm I think you're doing most of it now - but please start looking for your peak spikes by testing at one hour as well for a few days. Welcome again:-) Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. >> My cholesterol was a little >>bit high, but my triglycerides were very high at 397. > > You are going to get a very pleasant surprise at your next > one. When I saw her last week and got the glucophage prescription, the test that was done the day of my GTT showed my triglycerides were down to 104, so I guess the Tricor is working. She said I should stay on it for a while, but that my change of diet might be enough to control that later on. > <snip> > Many of us assist in our management by "grazing" - many > small meals or snacks, no big meals. I vary that slightly > and have a normal dinner but all my other meals are snack > size, every two or three hours. > <snip> Well, I'm up to 3 meals a day and a nighttime snack. So far so good. > Your new doc sounds like a keeper. That's unusually good > advice compared to most of the newbies arriving here. I'm [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Jennifer will probably be along soon to answer any questions > you may have on that. I read that page one day last week. LOL I think the goal of having me do the diary and testing was to have me see with my own eyes exactly what my normal diet was doing to me. It certainly did. It also convinced me that "cheating" wasn't an option. It's not like I'm just trying to lose weight. I'm trying to stay alive, whole and healthy. The incentive is MUCH greater for me. > I cook for two, so not quite the same problem that you have. > However, our meals are very often quite different when [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > be served to her and not I. Tricks like that; you'll get > used to them. Yes, I'm starting to already. Whatever the entree that I make, I always have some steamed veggies on the side so I'll have something to eat. I've noticed that my husband eats them, too, though I still can't get my kids to grab that serving spoon. I have cut the amounts of food that I prepare. Left to their own devices, they'll keep eating till the food's gone, no matter how much I made. Leftovers are exceedingly rare in this household. So I only make 4 servings of anything I cook now. It goes fast and there's usually one or more of them in the kitchen grazing within an hour after the meal, but I'll get them trained yet. So, I >>tried eating a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce >>and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > high two hours later - what else did you eat or drink after > that meal? I ate half a Claussen dill pickle and had Crystal Light peach tea, IIRC. Nothing else. > No - you don't. Do it if you wish to - but I think you'll > find that they love Mum, not just her to be around a while > longer. That's sweet. I hope so! >> It also concerns me that genetics loaded the same gun for >>THEM as it did for me, so that's probably not the best diet for any of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > you'll find a lot of good low-spike recipes there to > experiment with. Thanks, I just went and subscribed to that one, too. >>BTW, I can't >>swim and there are no pools available for me to use anyway, so aquatics [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > a fifties rock'n'rollers club. However, I have two left > feet:-) Oh, I do, too, but the doctor said that didn't matter. The important thing is to get up and move. > Read that link again: > http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/NewlyDiagnosed.htm [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. > d&e, metformin 2x500mg Thanks, Alan! Jeanie Hello, Jeanie, snip > For years, I've lived on nothing but sweet iced tea, black coffee, and two > meals a day -- cereal with sugar and milk in the morning and a large meal [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > time with long rests in between. So, my husband and I both got out of the > habit and we both gained probably 50 pounds each in the past 6 years. I used to do that 2 meals a day thing too. Now, it seems like not such a good idea. > On Feb. 22nd, they sent me home with an Ascensia Contour meter and a bunch > of strips and told me to eat normally, keeping a food diary, and testing 5 > times a day for two weeks, fasting in the morning, 2 hours after every > meal, and once before bedtime. Sounds like much better advice than many people get, which is encouraging. Of course, most people don't follow the advice they do get in the beginning, so, good for you that you are. > I was shocked and appalled at the numbers. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > learned very quickly that all of the above were going to shoot my sugar > sky high. Bread does the same thing. What kind of bread are you trying to eat? At the beginning, I couldn't eat much of anything with carbs in it, so I went to the sugar free whole wheat which is pretty low in in carbs. With a walk after the meal of 20 min, I was able to eat that. Didn't taste great, but it wasn't horrible either. I would dress my lunch sandwiches with olive oil on one slice and balsamic vinegar on the other. I realize that a long walk is not going to work for you, but a shorter one at whatever pace will help. Now I can usually have a slice of Sarah Lee Delightful, either the whole wheat or the multigrain without too many problems, and that's pretty tasty bread. But finding a low carb bread which is whole grain and then watching the portion size is pretty sound. > So, for the past couple of weeks, I've been eating eggs, bacon, salads, > steamed or raw veggies, and grilled meats, steaks, skinless chicken [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot up to 213. > Something's not quite right about that, is it? Several things here. Got to watch out for the saturated fats in bacon, steak, pork loin and grilled meats. Might want to include some oily fish in there somewhere. And olive oil is a pretty good fat as are the ones in almonds and walnuts which have other beneficial effects, as I'm sure you know. And finally, what was the carb count per serving on the bread? All whole wheat is not equal, some is just as high as white breads. And could you walk after the meal at all? That isn't a panacea, but it sure helps most of the time. And as I said above, I would dress that sandwich with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar which would change the results somewhat and do other things as well. Some people have been known to drink a little vinegar every day to help their disease. Seriously. > I was instructed to increase the dosage to twice a day starting today. I'm > hoping that will allow me to have bread once in a while, at least. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > It also concerns me that genetics loaded the same gun for THEM as it did > for me, so that's probably not the best diet for any of them, either. On the depression, that's pretty common and most of us have gone through it, but taking control of the things you can do to make living with disease work will help, and there are those things, also make sure and get enough fish oil (I take three of the standard caplets per day for just that reason, though people who don't have any signs of depression don't need as much), and get 8 hrs sleep per day if you can. > I know that exercise is crucial to winning the battle I'm trying to fight > with diet changes, but I honestly don't know what kind of exercise I can [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > make the email rounds like the Numa Numa kid. I'd be the Funky Chicken > Granny or something. LOL Isometrics. One tenses and relaxes the muscle groups concentrating on isolating the specific areas. There is very little movement involved. And it can be done anywhere. Twelve repetitions of any strength building excercise is sufficient. Though it is important to involve the major large muscle groups in the routine. > I've been lurking in here for nearly two weeks and I think there is some > good support to be had here, so I wanted to post (sorry it's so long) to > introduce myself. I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have for > me. Hello! > > Jeanie The more these guys know about your situation, the better they can suggest the things that have worked for them and appreciate your situation. As you have seen, they have a lot of experience staying alive with this disease. regards, rudy bantista@thuntek.net T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 115 > What kind of bread are you trying to eat? At the beginning, I couldn't eat > much of anything with carbs in it, so I went to the sugar free whole wheat > which is pretty low in in carbs. With a walk after the meal of 20 min, I was > able to eat that. Didn't taste great, but it wasn't horrible either. I would > dress my lunch sandwiches with olive oil on one slice and balsamic vinegar > on the other. That was the only time I tried to eat bread since the Dx. It was a whole wheat hoagie roll from the Kroger deli and didn't have a label on it so I'm not sure of the carb count. It was sugar free, though. Tasted kind of like chewy sawdust, so it must have been good for me, right? ;-) > Several things here. Got to watch out for the saturated fats in bacon, > steak, pork loin and grilled meats. Yes, that's what the nutritionist was telling me yesterday. Might want to include some oily fish in > there somewhere. And olive oil is a pretty good fat as are the ones in > almonds and walnuts which have other beneficial effects, as I'm sure you > know. And finally, what was the carb count per serving on the bread? No idea, as I said above. It came from a bakery and had no label. I know I probably can't eat white bread and that was the only WW hoagie type rolls that I could find at the store. All > whole wheat is not equal, some is just as high as white breads. And could > you walk after the meal at all? That isn't a panacea, but it sure helps most > of the time. Yes, I usually take the dogs out and walk around the block about that time of day, every day. And as I said above, I would dress that sandwich with extra > virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar which would change the results > somewhat and do other things as well. Some people have been known to drink a > little vinegar every day to help their disease. Seriously. Hmmmm.... not me, I think. Unless I'd want to throw up immediately. LOL > On the depression, that's pretty common and most of us have gone through it, > but taking control of the things you can do to make living with disease work > will help, and there are those things, also make sure and get enough fish > oil (I take three of the standard caplets per day for just that reason, > though people who don't have any signs of depression don't need as much), > and get 8 hrs sleep per day if you can. I've been taking three fish oil capsules daily for several months now, along with a calcium supplement. > Isometrics. One tenses and relaxes the muscle groups concentrating on > isolating the specific areas. There is very little movement involved. And it > can be done anywhere. Twelve repetitions of any strength building excercise > is sufficient. Though it is important to involve the major large muscle > groups in the routine. I guess I've never really thought of isometrics as real exercise, or at least not the aerobic kind that I'm supposed to be doing. I do that sometimes, though, just because it feels good to do it. > The more these guys know about your situation, the better they can suggest > the things that have worked for them and appreciate your situation. As you [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > bantista@thuntek.net > T2, last A1c 5.9, current bg 115 Thanks, Rudy. Jeanie >Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >you are on an airplane. He ordered lots of bloodwork, a carotid artery >ultrasound, a mammogram and a bone scan. Illinois, I have family in the Quad Cities area. To bad you had to join us, but you have permanent membership which cannot be revoked. You need to record all the numbers related to this horrible disease. See Sig. _____________________________________________ http://www.healthdiabeticsoftware.com/ Free >>Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >>teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > _____________________________________________ > http://www.healthdiabeticsoftware.com/ Free I'm in the other end of the state, way down south about 50 miles from the tip. Jeanie Jeanie wrote in message ... >Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >teens still at home, 8 grandkids). . . .(snip). . . My cholesterol [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Jeanie The T2 have good advice on the lifestyle. I have a comment on your children and grandchildren. Everything I have read suggests that T2 is a genetic disease. If you have the particular set of genes which bring it on, it will come sooner or later. That could be at age 15, it could be at age 115. As you said, your "lifestyle pulled the trigger". If someone thinks they have the genes, they should start young to arrange their lifestyle so that diabetes at age 115 is the more likely prospect. There are a variety of studies out there which demonstrate that an anti-diabetes lifestyle will delay the onset of the disease. Your children, siblings and grandchildren should be made aware that this isn't just your problem. Sorry you had to join our Club. Regards Old Al > The T2 have good advice on the lifestyle. I have a comment on your > children and grandchildren. [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Regards > Old Al You are so right about that. I really need to ease them into eating healthier meals, at least here at home where I can control part of it. I've already stopped buying a lot of the junk food that used to fill my pantry. No more chips or cookies, no more frozen pizzas or chimichangas, no more pop tarts, no more soda. They'll still eat all that stuff, most likely, but at least they won't eat it here. Jeanie Jeanie wrote in message ... >> The T2 have good advice on the lifestyle. I have a comment on your >> children and grandchildren. [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > >Jeanie That's a good idea. Another one, my favorite one, is a lifestyle which includes lots and lots of exercise. My mid 40's next door neighbor has the T2 genes in the family. No symptoms yet but then her idea of a restful vacation is riding bikes up and down small mountains**. . .with the kids of course. (Only small mountains here in Michigan. Some Western folks might call them hills) Regards Old Al Hi Jeanie, Many here practice portion control in regard to the more "risky" foods and have good luck with it. With your meter, you can learn how much of such foods you can eat and still have good blood sugars. For me the foods that spike my blood sugar are bread, pasta, potatoes, and rice. I do eat a minimal amount of flour in some casseroles, but basically, it was easier for me to eliminate those foods entirely. I find that if I never eat them, I do not miss them. If I indulge, well then, I'm back to missing them. You'll have to decide what works for you. However, like everyone else, I can guarantee you'll find lots of tasty recipes that don't include the problem foods. I kind of view seeking out a new dish as an adventure. :-) I have to reinforce Alan's suggestion: please be sure to test your sugar at one hour after meals. For many of us, this is when our highest reading occurs. Sorry you had to join the club, but it's nice to meet you. Stick around! Michelle > Jeanie wrote in message ... > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > Regards > Old Al Just out of curiosity, since for T2, it's in the genes, is it possible to get diabetes before your parents? Some people are in their 60's & 70's when diagnosed. Can their children or grandchildren get diagnosed before them? Couldn't that put the cart before the horse in some situations? for me, my dad was diagnosed in his 50's which was over 8 years ago. I was diagnosed 2.5 years ago. If he wasn't diagnosed until he was 70, I wouldn't know I had the "genes" if I was still diagnosed at 37. Trinity Signaturetrinitytype2@nospamyahoo.ca remove nospam dx Oct 2003, Type 2, metformin 500mg/2xday low dose aspirin 3x week walking 30 min/day A1C 5.4 40 lbs lost next goal: gain muscle strength > Just out of curiosity, since for T2, it's in the genes, is it possible to > get diabetes before your parents? Some people are in their 60's & 70's > when diagnosed. Can their children or grandchildren get diagnosed before > them? Sure. My half-brother and I have been dx'd; our shared Dad hasn't - yet. My mother's generation died early of heart attacks, strokes, etc - my cousins are being diagnosed with diabetes before they get these final things. Nicky. SignatureA1c 10.5/5.4/<6 T2 DX 05/2004 1g Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine 95/74/72Kg > Just out of curiosity, since for T2, it's in the genes, is it possible > to get diabetes before your parents? Some people are in their 60's & > 70's when diagnosed. Can their children or grandchildren get diagnosed > before them? Couldn't that put the cart before the horse in some > situations? One interesting wrinkle I've discovered, while researching my own situation is that your mother's nutritional status during the pregnancy that produced you, or her own Gestational Diabetes, even if it later resolved, can cause you, the offspring of that pregnancy, to express a diabetes gene much more strongly than your parent. My father's mother was well-nourished during the pregnancy that produced him. But my 98 lb anorexic mom bragged of gaining almost no weight during the pregnancy that produced me. Guess who expressed the diabetes gene dramatically? It's also well worth noting that throughout the 1940s and 1950s women were urged to avoid weight gain during pregnancy and even to diet during pregnancy. This only changed in the 70s and all the books I read during my 1980s pregnancies went on and on about how you should not follow the older advice to keep pregnancy weight gain to 20 lbs as it was harmful to the baby--even if you mom told you that was what she'd done! So if your mom was starving herself during the pregnancy that produced you, any diabetes gene you have would be kicked into earlier expression. Your mom, however would not express it and ironically, her lack of weight gain might postpone the expression of diabetes--for her. --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control > One interesting wrinkle I've discovered, while researching my own > situation is that your mother's nutritional status during the > pregnancy that produced you, or her own Gestational Diabetes, even if > it later resolved, can cause you, the offspring of that pregnancy, to > express a diabetes gene much more strongly than your parent. Is there any research supporting this? >> One interesting wrinkle I've discovered, while researching my own >> situation is that your mother's nutritional status during the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Is there any research supporting this? Yes. The primary study was a long-term study of two Dutch populations of born of women pregnant during WWII. One group of these women were pregnant during a famine caused by the Nazis. The other, which was ethnically similar, ate normally. Over the next decades, the incidence of diabetes in offspring of the starved mothers was much higher than in those who had eaten normally. Glucose metabolism in the Dutch famine birth cohort. http://www.niwi.knaw.nl/en/oi/nod/onderzoek/OND1276958/toon In addition to this, researchers looking at MODY diabetes, an autosomal dominant form of diabetes have found that the expression of the gene is influenced strongly by whether the mother or the father passes the gene on. This is probably because women with MODY develop Gestational Diabetes when they get pregnant, so if they are the carrier, the child is the outcome of a GD pregnancy. If the father is a carrier, the mother is more likely to be normal. Determinants of the Development of Diabetes (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young-3) in Carriers of HNF-1{alpha} Mutations Evidence for parent-of-origin effectTomasz Klupa, MD1, James H. Warram, MD, Anthony Antonellis, Marcus Pezzolesi, Moonsuk Nam, MD, Maciej T. Malecki, MD, PHD, Alessandro Doria, MD, PHD, Stephen S. Rich, PHD and Andrzej S. Krolewski, MD, PHD http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/12/2292 --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control >>> One interesting wrinkle I've discovered, while researching my own >>> situation is that your mother's nutritional status during the [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > of diabetes in offspring of the starved mothers was much higher than in > those who had eaten normally. > Glucose metabolism in the Dutch famine birth cohort. > http://www.niwi.knaw.nl/en/oi/nod/onderzoek/OND1276958/toon > In addition to this, researchers looking at MODY diabetes, an autosomal > dominant form of diabetes have found that the expression of the gene is [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > is the outcome of a GD pregnancy. If the father is a carrier, the > mother is more likely to be normal. > Determinants of the Development of Diabetes (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of > the Young-3) in Carriers of HNF-1{alpha} Mutations > Evidence for parent-of-origin effectTomasz Klupa, MD1, James H. Warram, > MD, Anthony Antonellis, Marcus Pezzolesi, Moonsuk Nam, MD, Maciej T. > Malecki, MD, PHD, Alessandro Doria, MD, PHD, Stephen S. Rich, PHD and > Andrzej S. Krolewski, MD, PHD > http://care.diabetesjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/25/12/2292 It just occurred to me to wonder if a woman who dieted while pregnant or breast feeding in order not to lose her figure might increase the diabetic risk in her child. There's a lot more of such dieting going on now than there was in those days. SignatureChris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205 IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/] > It just occurred to me to wonder if a woman who dieted while pregnant > or breast feeding in order not to lose her figure might increase the > diabetic risk in her child. There's a lot more of such dieting going > on now than there was in those days. I am certain this very factor has something to do with the incidence of diabetes in those of us who were born in the period from the 1930s-1950 when doctors enforced strict diets on pregnant women. My mother was quite proud of having gained almost no weight during the pregnancy that produced me and used to brag about it. I'm sorry to hear that dieting during pregnancy has come back into vogue. When I was pregnant in the 1980s doctors were urging us to gain up to 30 lbs (I think that was the number) as there was data showing that less weight gain in the mother correlated with smaller babies at much higher risk of birth injury and cerebral palsy. --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control >> It just occurred to me to wonder if a woman who dieted while pregnant >> or breast feeding in order not to lose her figure might increase the [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I am certain this very factor has something to do with the incidence > of diabetes in those of us who were born in the period from the > 1930s-1950 when doctors enforced strict diets on pregnant women. My > mother was quite proud of having gained almost no weight during the > pregnancy that produced me and used to brag about it. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > that less weight gain in the mother correlated with smaller babies at > much higher risk of birth injury and cerebral palsy. There are some studies on rats and mice that show under nourished babies (under nourished in the womb) actually have less beta cells or damaged beta cell function (my memory fails me as to which but I have a headache and that's not a good time to search). I have seen quite a few painfully thin young pregnant women recently. : There are some studies on rats and mice that show under : nourished babies (under nourished in the womb) actually have : less beta cells or damaged beta cell function (my memory : fails me as to which but I have a headache and that's not a : good time to search). I have seen quite a few painfully thin : young pregnant women recently. Slightly OT, but when I ws in elemantary schol, back in the 1940'2 we had rats in our clasroom on whom we were doing a nutrition experiment, feeding one rat normally and the other as very restricted diet calorically ( lots less food). Something ws wrong, as our "starvign rat" gained more weight than the wel fed one. Well, it turned out tht we hda not sexed them properly and the starved rat ws pregnant. She had babies adn shorly ater their birth she ate them. We had read tht rats, unlike guinea pigs, did not eat their babies (one reason that teacher had selected rats for our tender 10 year old phyches). Well, we inferred form this that a starve d rat lacking in proper nutirients, would resort to canibalism of her young, not a appy prospect for us kids. As you can see, this little "experiment" had quite a lasting effect on at lest one of those fifth graders. Wendy > : There are some studies on rats and mice that show under > : nourished babies (under nourished in the womb) actually have [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > not a appy prospect for us kids. As you can see, this little "experiment" > had quite a lasting effect on at lest one of those fifth graders. Lol. > One interesting wrinkle I've discovered, while researching my own > situation is that your mother's nutritional status during the pregnancy > that produced you, or her own Gestational Diabetes, even if it later > resolved, can cause you, the offspring of that pregnancy, to express a > diabetes gene much more strongly than your parent. Hi Jenny, I have always heard and believed this to be true, also, and indeed, I am concerned for my own young son whose mother had gestational diabetes. Yet, when someone a while back, I believe Chris J, asked if I had any cites to any studies confirming what is certainly anecdotal information as to me, I was unable to find any cites to any studies. Are you aware of any? If so, I would greatly appreciate your pointing me in the right direction, because I would like to read about this problem some more. Thanks, Will, T2 > Are you aware of any? If so, I > would greatly appreciate your pointing me in the right direction, because > I > would like to read about this problem some more. Sorry Jenny, I should have read on down a little farther... You have apparently already answere the question for Jeanie! Nothing like jumping the gun! Hope you are having a great day! Will, T2 Excuse me again, it was Just for whom you gave the information I was looking for! Will, T2 >Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >you are on an airplane. He ordered lots of bloodwork, a carotid artery >ultrasound, a mammogram and a bone scan. Hi Jeanie, Poor thing. It sounds like you have been on an Odyssey in Hell.... We are to help, and if need be, to commiserate. You very much have my sympathy. I would say the best thing you can do is to keep on doing what you know you must do to maintain tight control over your BG. I would suggest a reasonable and low carb approach does make sense, and I think you already must know that. As far as diet is concerned, you might try re-educating your family by gently suggesting other menu items and fixing really good, but more healthy, foods. There really are very many delicious and healthy meals to be had! On the exercise front, I understand about the pain from your accident. Really, I do. But, if you can walk only a few blocks, that is a start. No one expects you to be an Olympian! As the weight melts off, and as you get more accustomed to walking in the beautiful Sring weather that is surely coming, you may find that you can go farther and enjoy it more and more. A thirty minute walk several times a week does wonders for me.... Good luck, and please keep in touch! Will, T2 >>Hello, I'm Jeanie, 50, and living in Illinois (married, 4 kids -- two >>teens still at home, 8 grandkids). I went to my regular doctor (who I'd [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Will, T2 Thanks, Will. Jeanie > Hello, I'm Jeanie, Hi, Jeanie - nice to meet you! > BG levels are almost always under 100, even 2 hours after a meal. So, I > tried eating a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce > and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot up > to 213. Something's not quite right about that, is it? Shop-bought bread can do a number on me, too. Do you bake? I have a couple of low-carb bread recipes that might be worth trying. The US people can probably recommend shop low-carb breads that are worth eating too. > I have been depressed since this diagnosis because to tell you the truth, > I feel like I am all about food. I mean, my kids and grandkids love > things like Mom's tea, Mom's stuffing, Mom's spaghetti, Mom's potato > salad -- not Mom's steamed cauliflower and broccoli and grilled chicken. > <g> Yeah, I know where you're coming from here. It took me several months to lose weight and get used to rabbit food : ) But my family is now quite happy with Mum's stuffing (made with low-carb bread), Mum's spaghetti (try Dreamfields pasta - some people can use it, some can't), Mum's pureed cauliflower and baked garlic instead of mashed potatoes... they're even happy now with Mum's mixed green salad! There are still some things they eat that I can't, but I've now adjusted all our diets so it's a low-carb base with high-carb stuff on the side. Try the alt.food.diabetic newsgroup, and anything Dana Carpender's ever written - there's still lots and lots of scope for the inner chef : ) > The doctor suggested that I try dancing for 30 minutes a day. Cool idea. I use one of those Dance Revolution mats if the weather's too vile - though I make darn sure no-one's watching : ) Maybe one of those airwalker things would be OK, too - do you have the room/budget? I'd see if you could borrow one first, or see if your local gym do an induction session to see what gadgets would work with your exercise issues. Nicky. SignatureA1c 10.5/5.4/<6 T2 DX 05/2004 1g Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine 95/74/72Kg >>Hello, I'm Jeanie, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > of low-carb bread recipes that might be worth trying. The US people can > probably recommend shop low-carb breads that are worth eating too. I do bake bread. I could try some of the low-carb recipes. > Yeah, I know where you're coming from here. It took me several months to > lose weight and get used to rabbit food : ) But my family is now quite [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > anything Dana Carpender's ever written - there's still lots and lots of > scope for the inner chef : ) I've been lurking in there, too, saving recipes that look like something I'd like. >>The doctor suggested that I try dancing for 30 minutes a day. > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Nicky. There is no room in this house for exercise equipment, I'm afraid. The Dance Revolution mat might be a good idea, though, since I could roll it up and put it away when I'm done with it. Thanks for the suggestion. Jeanie >> Shop-bought bread can do a number on me, too. Do you bake? > I do bake bread. I could try some of the low-carb recipes. Try this lot, then, from the alt.support.diet.low-carb group. I have a nice bread machine recipe somewhere too, if you'd prefer. I tend to make 2 loaves of the walnut bread below, with half the nuts replaced with flax seed meal, and keep it in the freezer. Nicky. SignatureA1c 10.5/5.4/<6 T2 DX 05/2004 1g Metformin, 100ug Thyroxine 95/74/72Kg From: "Jane Lumley" <lumley@purkiss.demon.co.uk> Subject: Jane's LowCarb Substitutes: pro bono publico Date: 02 February 2005 16:16 I've been chuffed by the interest in my low-carb bread, so I thought I'd offer some more ideas. All of us know the times when we lowcarbers long for those things we aren't supposed to have. What to do when the craving strikes? First response should be to eat some Real Protein and try to make it go away. I'll just repeat that: First response should be to eat some Real Protein and try to make the craving go away. Second step, think about WHAT you crave. Is it sweetness? Taste? Texture? If it's the taste of orange, for instance, would you be happy with a sweet omelette made with either orange oil of a little bit of orange zest? Or is it an acid-tasting drink you want and not orange flavour at all? If it is, a citron presse might hit the spot that feels cold and naked. Or is it normality that you crave? Being able to eat like everyone else? If so, the substitutes below may make things look and feel more normal. Finally, often the best solution is to save up the carbs and have a small helping of what you want early in the day right before cardio. You can only do this if you KNOW you can stop, though. I for one find it hard. Most of us do. But if you're being haunted by longings, here are some substitutes, which don't contain any dodgy polyols or additives, though some use Splenda. No need, either, for soy flour, or for those ridiculously expensive low-carb speciality products with there somewhat deceptive carb counts. If you long for chocolate 1. eat one square of dark bittersweet chocolate (the French way). Really savour it. This is actually a good plan, as it teaches PORTION CONTROL. Lowfat went wrong in this area, and lowcarbers are even more at risk because Atkins absolutely encourages portion blowout, as do the dear manufacturers. make hot chocolate with one tsp good Dutched cocoa (I like Valrhona), water, and a dessertspoon of cream, plus half a chilli, unchopped, floated intact in the hot chocolate for ten minutes. Remove chilli. Reheat. Add cream and sweetener. Trust me. Or don't. Substitute a vanilla pod or cinnamon stick. You'll feel very Vianne. 2. make a sweet chocolate omelette or souffle. Beat four eggs for five minutes on maximum speed in a mixer. Add 2 tsp cocoa and Splenda to taste (don't use syrup, it won't work). either bake for 12 minutes at 350 in a china dish inside a water bath, or cook in a buttered frypan for ten minutes. Top with whipped cream. If you long for toast and Marmite, vegemite.. Brits and Aussies only. Others look away now. Smear a plate with a thin layer of chosen spread. Now make juicy scrambled eggs with two eggs and a splash of cream. Dump eggs on vegemite. It's actually really lovely, and oddly Eastern-tasting. Made me see that vegemite is actually akin to Pacific rim cuisine. Thanks, Henry Hill, my lowcarb god. If you long for cake 1. Make a cake from a genoise recipe, using Splenda. You can substitute 1/3 cup ground hazelnuts for 1/3 cup flour. Eat a VERY small piece (the French way). It will have about 10 g carbs. A good time to do this is just before cardio. NB: obviously, if you do this often, your diet will be over. 2. Make a walnut cake (recipe below) 3. If still in induction: make a souffle and flavour it with whatever cake flavouring you crave - lemon, orange, maple flavour etc. Top with cream cheese frosting made with Splenda (either use the sachets, or pulverise the granular stuff in a blender). 4. Cheesecake. Rose Levy Beranbaum's gorgeous recipe adapts perfectly to lowcarb. If you split it into 12 servings, each has around 4-5 g of carbs, all form Spelnda and sour cream/cheese. Remember to count the cheese! If you long for crusty bread 1. Make Jane's Acceptable Low Carb Bread or Jane's Walnut Bread (recipes below). 2. If out of induction, a piece of pumpernickel won't kill you. Eat it for breakfast, and go very low the rest of the day. If you long for pizza 1. Make Jane's Acceptable LowCarb Bread, and use as pizza dough 2. Make Jane's totally Authentic Italian Meatza, ripped off from the brilliant Nonna's recipes, by Carol Field 3. top grilled chicken fillets with salami, one spoonful homemade tomato sauce, olives, anchovies, and thinly sliced mozzarella. Grill. Dump on salad. This is ok even on induction. If you long for cream puffs or profiteroles or puff pastry or phyllo Make the Eades' Magic Rolls (in their book Low Carb Comfort Food - and fill with goodness of whatever kind you crave - whipped cream flavoured with coffee or cocoa, for instance. Or make the rolls, fill one with ripe camembert, and microwave quickly till camembert oozes. If you still feel deprived, you're insane. If you crave potatoes I never do, so I'm less inventive here. ? Cauliflower, turnip, mashed swede, modicums of pumpkin If you crave pasta 1. Spaghetti squash (but this doesn't work for most of us). 2. Mostly it's the sauce people actually love. Any pasta sauce is also good on chicken or white fish. 3. Naked ravioli - see below. If you crave rice See above on sauces. if you just want something bland and soothing to eat with curry, see above on potatoes. If you crave cookies Macaroons - almond or coconut Other nut-based biscuits - biscotti, brutti mar buoni. All these recipes work with no change but Splenda instead of sugar. Jane's Recipes Do send these out, but PLEASE be kind and acknowledge that they're mine, and that they are based on those of others (see below). Walnut Bread This is a fairly radical adaptation of a recipe in Dana Carpender's first book, 500 Low-Carb recipes. Hers is pretty leaden and uses far less yeast and no walnuts, but I borrowed her hydration ratios. 2.25 cups vital wheat gluten (get it from www.flourbin.co.uk) 3.5 cups oat bran (Holland and Barrett) 1 cup ground almonds 1 cup vanilla whey protein powder 1 cup ground walnuts (grind yourself in food processor, or more ground almonds, or use ground seeds) 3 Tb flaxseeds 4 envelopes easy-blend yeast 3Tb walnut oil 1 Tb salt - add a bit more if you like 3 eggs 4.5 cups double cream 5.5 cups warmish water Mix dry ingredients, then add liquids, including eggs and oil. Mix - it's too wet to knead, more like cake mix, but a dough hook in a mixmaster will do it if you have one - until well blended. It will be very sloppy. Oil two 2 lb loaf tins thoroughly. divide mixture between them Let rise in tins in a warmish place for around 1.5 hours, till dough crests top of tins (don't cover with clingwrap for this reason - I use an upturned plastic box. Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes, then lower temp to 180 and bake for another 15-20 minutes. Rest in tins for 10 minutes after baking, then cool on racks. Flaxseed Bread My adaptation - again, pretty radical - of Bernard Clayton's Gluten Bread - again, what I've lifted is the hydration levels. 3 cups Vital Wheat Gluten 1/2 cup whey protein powder 1/4 cup coarse wheat bran 1/4 cup oat bran 2 envelopes Easy-Blend Yeast 2 Tb salt, or 2 Tb of Vegemite and 1 tsp salt 1 cup ground flaxseeds - best done in coffee grinder 3 Tb any oil - I use walnut, but it's an extravagance 1-1 1/2 cups water - depends on day. Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ones. Knead on Speed 2 for around 3-4 minutes - dough will be scarily rubbery, and you mustn't overdo it. repress misgivings and place it to rise in an oiled bowl. In around an hour it will look like a pregnant football. Pat it out on the bench, divide in half. Oil tow loaf tins and roll dough into loaves. Bung it in tins. let rise again for one-one and a half hours. Bake at 180 for 20 minutes, then turn the loaves around in the oven. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out, remove at once from tins and cool on a rack. Makes lovely chewy bread, much nicer than you will think from dough. Jane's Pancake Mix Jenny does a mean pancake mixture too. 1/2 cup Vital Wheat gluten 1/2 cup very finely ground flaxseed. 3 Tb flaxseed 5 Tb soy protein isolate (or you can substitute ground nuts of any kind) 1 tsp baking powder To make, add one egg and 3/4 cup water. if it looks too gloopy, add more water. Makes small pancakes, not giant 8" jobbies. Walnut Cake Lifted pretty much intact from Emily Luchetti's book A Passion for Desserts. I made adjustments for Splenda. 11 oz toasted walnuts 1.5 cups Splenda 6 large eggs, separated 1 tsp baking powder 1 Tb instant espresso powder 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp cream of tartar Grind walnuts in food processor with 1/2 cup splenda. With a mixer, on medium, whip egg yolks and remaining Splenda until pale cream in colour, 3-4 minutes, add the walnuts on low speed, together with the baking powder, espresso powder, and salt. Then beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form, fold whites into nut mixture, spread in buttered, parchment-lined 9-in springform tin, bake at 350 F for 35-40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Top with cream cheese icing made with Splenda, or simply with a light skim of whipped cream. Remember, nuts have carbs. And calories. Meatza - Pizza di carne 10 oz ground pork 2 Tb fine lowcarb bread crumbs 2 Tb cream 2 pinches sea salt 1/4 tsp black pepper OR 1 Tb dried oregano (the latter is MUCH nicer) 1 tsp olive oil Toppings of choice - I use good garlic salami in paper-thin slices, anchovies, mushrooms preserved in olive oil, flat-leaf parsley, basil, a few slices of tomato, 125 g mozzarella, and a sprinkle of parmesan, sometimes arugula/rocket or spinach Mix the first five ingredients. Brush a heavy 12-in skillet with the olil, and then spread the meat mixture over the bottom; it will be about half an inch thick. (NB: this won't work in a much smaller pan). Then pretend it's a pizza and put all your toppings on it. Put the pan over medium heat and cook till he eat fizzles. Pour off the fat, then turn down the flame to very low, clap on a lid, and cook for 7-10 minutes, or until the meat is pale fawn. Tip off the fat again. YUM! Serves four. From Carol Field, In Nonna's Kitchen, p. 278. Adapted by Jane Lumley Naked ravioli 1 lb fresh spinach 2 tsp unsalted butter 1 tsp sea salt 1 2/3 cups ricotta 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan (freshly grated - not the soapy stuff) 1 egg yolk Wash spinach, drain, place in 4 qt pot. Cook until wilted, 4-5 mins. Drain well, and press out all water. Yield will be 1 1/3 cups. Warm butter in 10-in pan, add spinach and salt, cook until no water is left. Chop finely. Cool. Stir in ricotta, parmesan, egg yolk. If it holds together, good. If not, add 2 Tb flour. Shape into walnut-sized balls. Roll in Atkins Bake Mix - very lightly - but then, we have to use up the stuff somehow - and bring a large pot of water to the boil. Poach in small batches of 2-3 minutes. If the first ones fall apart, add a tad more flour. It won't hurt you in these quantities. Make a sauce of 4 TB melted butter and 10 fresh sage leaves. Grate an additional ounce of Parmesan. Place poached ignudi (that's the little lumps you just made) in a buttered baking dish. Drizzle with sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 10 mins at 375 F. From Carol Field, In Nonna's Kitchen, p. 178. Adapted by Jane Lumley. Happy lowcarbing all! -- Jane Lumley > I've been lurking in here for nearly two weeks and I think there is some > good support to be had here, so I wanted to post (sorry it's so long) to > introduce myself. I'd appreciate any suggestions you all might have for > me. Hello! Welcome to the club nobody wants to join! A couple things in your message reminded me a lot of my situation. 1. I, too, was "all about food" before diagnosis. I was an accomplished cook and baker, and my kids grew up eating restaurant quality food at home (especially since we didn't have the money for babysitters so if I was going to eat it, I'd have to cook it.) I taught both kids how to cook when they were very young as a fun thing to do together and both have cooked professionally since leaving home and my son currently makes his living managing a small privately-owned restaurant. So my diabetes diagnosis was similarly difficult. I used a low carb diet alone to control for many years and put all my training as a cook into trying to come up with low carb foods that would satisfy my needs. I came up with some and eventually concluded that for me, nothing would really work in the pastry and bread department. I've also found that the obsession with what we eat to control our health is impossible to get away from. If I am not obsessed, very bad things happen to my blood sugar, blood pressure, etc. But with all that, I've still done it, and I'm in my 8th year of doing it now. My A1c has not gone over 6.3% in those 8 years and almost all the time it has been in the 5% range. I've written up my thoughts about how to make eating for diabetes work on my web page (linked below) click on the "Diabetes, Food, and Drugs" tab on the main page. 2. I wrecked my back a year before my diagnosis and for most of this 8 years I have not been able to exercise at all. The year I did exercise I the only exercise that didn't leave me in pain was treadmilling. I did a lot of it, and ended up with permanent damage to one foot. The good news is that by keeping my carbs and calories low and adding metformin to my regimen, I was able to lose all the near-30 lbs I packed on and keep it off. I weigh what I weighed 10 years ago, right now. I do what I can in my garden, and stroll around the downtown of our tiny county town a couple times a week, but that's about it for exertion. So while exercise is wonderful for people with diabetes, if you can't do it, don't despair. You can accomplish an enormous amount with dietary control and medications. --Jenny http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes Diabetes Info http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood Sugar Under Control > Welcome to the club nobody wants to join! > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > how to make eating for diabetes work on my web page (linked below) click > on the "Diabetes, Food, and Drugs" tab on the main page. Yes, obsession is a good word for it. Can't let my guard down for a second, I think. I rather like the commercial I see on TV, though, where Patti LaBelle says, "I have diabetes. It doesn't have me." I think that's a great way to look at it and I'm trying hard to think like that, too. > 2. I wrecked my back a year before my diagnosis and for most of this 8 > years I have not been able to exercise at all. So, you truly do understand where I'm coming from! Many people don't. They think that I could do it if only I tried a little harder or worked up to it. Walking was such a huge part of our lives for me and my husband. Of course I've tried to get back into it! We loved our long walks, especially out in the country. I simply cannot go further than about 4 or 5 blocks without at least an hour's rest. It's not that it wears me out, it just HURTS. I'm that way even if we have gone shopping at the mall and I've had to walk the length of the mall and back to get to the car again. By the time I get there, I can barely lift my left leg off the ground to get in! Usually, Frank has to go get the car and come pick me up if we didn't park close enough. I can get all the way around the walking track at the park -- once. And then I am truly down for the rest of the afternoon. It will be all I can do to get back up the steps and into the house. I have had physical therapy out the wazoo, taken muscle relaxers and pain pills galore in the past 6 years, and I've just had to come to the realization that I will never be able to do some of the things I used to love. > The good news is that by keeping my carbs and calories low and adding > metformin to my regimen, I was able to lose all the near-30 lbs I packed [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/newlydiagnosed.htm Get Your Blood > Sugar Under Control Thanks, Jenny. Jeanie "Jeanie" <snip> > So, I > tried eating a ham and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce > and tomato for lunch the other day, and 2 hrs. later, my sugar had shot > up to 213. Something's not quite right about that, is it? Jeanie, I am new to this disease as well but am learning. The first thing to note is that the meter/testing setup can have as much as a 20% error. I usually figure that it might be closer to 10% to keep things in perspective a bit. On your sandwich.... for me, the tomato is one deadly veggie. I was on a trip and had chili for lunch and a burger with 3 big slices of tomato for dinner (along with some fresh salsa. Buns, the kind with the burger not the ones you are sitting on presently, are bad news. Many have sugars in them along with the carb hit. But I was looking on McDonalds web site and saw that the tomatos in their "side salad" are worth 4 grams of sugar! Now, those tomatoes are small, small, small. They are no more than 1" in diameter. So, I figure that the large slices I ate were way to much carb load for me. Pizza also sets me off, so does tomato sauce. For some reason, cooked tomato items seem to have less sugar than the raw items. I now stay away from tomatos. Maybe others have found the same? Good luck, test often, graph the results! -Sax > "Jeanie" > <snip> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > Good luck, test often, graph the results! > -Sax Hi, Sax, nice to meet you. I don't think it was the tomato because I've been eating tomatoes at least every other day with no spikes. I sometimes eat a whole tomato and a green pepper, cut into wedges, as an alternative to steamed veggies and I've not had any trouble so far. I'm pretty sure it had to be the roll. Jeanie <snip old stuff> > Hi, Sax, nice to meet you. I don't think it was the tomato because I've > been eating tomatoes at least every other day with no spikes. I sometimes [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Jeanie I am second guessing it myself a bit. I see that the cherry tomatoes at McD's have a lot of sugar bit at B.K. the tomatoes don't seem to carry the sugar load. It could be that some types of tomatoes are a problem while others are not. I have noticed that some salsa seems to have sugars and some tomatoe sauses as well. Other's have very little. It is just hard for me to tell. I know that I am successful with throwing out the tomato.... maybe I'll just have to try a different experiment.... -Sax >"Jeanie" ><snip> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > Good luck, test often, graph the results! >-Sax Hi Sax You may be right about tomatoes, but you'll never know unless you test them alone, without all the other carbs. For example: "a burger with 3 big slices of tomato for dinner (along with some fresh salsa." The burger bun and probably the salsa would have had far more effect than the tomatoes. The pizza base carbs would swamp any effect from the tomato/onion/garlic sauce on it. Tomato sauces and ketchups are usually loaded with added sugar - read the labels. Try a test between meals. Take one large, raw tomato and eat it like a fruit. I like them that way, with a little salt and pepper. Test before and an hour after. That's the only way you'll know for sure - and you may be depriving yourself of a very useful fruit/vegetable without cause. Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia. d&e, metformin 2x500mg SignatureEverything in Moderation - Except Laughter. I say before you start mixing and matching advice it might be a good idea to give a doctor you trust to help treat you a chance. and do your own research don't only ask people to tell you what you can and can not do. SignatureTom Exercise Today = Life Tomorrow Information you can trust from the diabetes experts... Your American Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp the American Diabetes Association's Message Boards http://community.diabetes.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?webtag=amdiabetesz&nav=index ADA's Diabetes Learning Center http://diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp Joslin Center Beginner's Guide. http://www.joslin.org/Beginners_guide.asp Pictures of My motorcycle and I think 2 of my doggies. http://www.adventurseofvtx1300c.com.50megs.com/photo.html Jeanie, you seem to be doing well under these terrible circumstances. I understand how it is all about the food, In my house when I was a kid, grandma always cooked and food was love so we grow up with that mentality. As to the ham sandwich. If you havent tried low carb bread, you might enjoy it. You will be able to have two slices of it. If you dont, you will probably only be able to have one slice of regular bread. It takes a while to get up to the optimum dose of metformin and it isnt a quick fix. It takes time to work itself into your system. Basically I want to welcome you to our group and hope we can help and support you. Loretta -- In tribute to the United States of America and the State of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and terrorism. > Jeanie, you seem to be doing well under these terrible circumstances. I > understand how it is all about the food, In my house when I was a kid, [quoted text clipped - 12 li |
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