newly diagnosed and confused
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newly diagnosed and confused
| Mon, 09-10-2007 - 1:08pm |
Hi! I was recently diagnosed, initial numbers were not TOO bad, 240. I am taking Actos, and excersing, and trying to eat right. Thats where I am having trouble. I also was diagnosed with high cholesterol, so I am on medication for that, as well as low fat eating. I have been avoiding sweets, period.......and use splenda in my coffee of tea. It's the food and the carbs and such that have me baffled. I cannot afford to go to a nutrionist. Can anyone help?

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Hi and welcome to the board!
Wow, yeah 240 is pretty high. One thing that was helpful to me was *mentally* changing my framework from "I can't have this" to "I choose not to because it's not my best choice". That leaves space for a very rare, occasional, "Yes, I'm choosing to have this small scoop of sherbet" without feeling like I "blew it" (with all the emotional psychological overtones of 'failure' that come with that).
"Sweets" is not necessarily the issue, carbs are - and while sweets definitely have carbs, not all carbs are sweet - pastas, breads, potatoes, etc are all carbs. Basically what you want is the most nutritional bang for your calorie and carb bucks. As was noted, avoid the white stuff - there's very little nutrition in there for the amount of calories and carbs you get. You might want to browse through some new cookbooks (at the library or browse online for low carb stuff) - look for low carb and/or low glycemic index information.
Try keeping a food journal for several weeks. Write down everything from morning until bedtime. You'll probably find patterns - times you want to eat, foods you regularly eat. Work on finding alternatives - as was mentioned, switch to whole grain bread instead of white, switch to brown rice instead of white, try squash instead of potatoes (good time of year to switch to squash - they're an autumn harvested item). Watch beverages too - I've come to consider OJ and the like as "medicine" rather than a regular food, they are 'medication' for sudden sharp drops in blood sugar. An added bonus is that whole grains have lots of fiber which is helpful in clearing out cholesterol. And too plants contain little or no cholesterol - that is mainly produced by animals - so cutting back on animal based products can reduce cholesterol by simply not adding any to the amount your body is already making. Oats are a good one in that respect but find ways to add that in that don't send your blood sugar reading sky high (what is okay for one person may not be for another, so I may be okay with 1/2 cup oatmeal and someone else is okay with a whole cup and some third person can't have any and keep control).
It's really simple - but not easy
--Deb
Hi Venusmom,
Welcome to the board. We are here to help, to celebrate successes and lament failures.
Here are two articles which will help you alot plus the links that Cheryl gave you.
Hi Susan and welcome to the board!
Hey, I see you live in Norfolk.............I am in Hampton! I am on pills also for my cholesterol. I am taking Zocor. I went shopping today also. Lots of fresh veggies and lean protein. I am pretty active with my job, but I have begun walking also. My currant weight is 192 and I am aiming for about 140..I am only 5'4. I know what you mean about the "hormonal changes"......they have started for me also. Don't you just love having your "own personal summer"?!!
The links that were posted here for me were/are very helpful..so check them out.
Lynn
Hi Venusmom,
You will find recipes here on this board that other members have suggested. Plus there are recommendations for cookbooks, which will be o f great help to you. You can find really good diabetic cookbooks at the ADA website.
You can expect to have improvement in your blood sugar for about 8 weeks after you started the Actos. Do be careful though because the main complaint with the actos is weight gain. So may sure you start your exercise program as that will help prevent you from gaining weight.
I am glad that you are doing better.
Hi Susan,
Welcome to the board. Isn't it fun how your dog can be your weight trainer and it will probably help bith of you. Unfortuately my cat doesn't like to go for walks!!
If your insurance coverage will allow it, ask your doctor for a referral
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