newly diagnosed and confused

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
newly diagnosed and confused
33
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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Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 3:16pm

Hi and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-03-2003
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 4:44pm

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

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 7:08pm

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.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Mon, 09-10-2007 - 7:24pm
Thanks so much for the replies! I read my post AFTER and saw my mistake. I meant to say my numbers were NOT too good. I do have a meter and I test before or two hours after every meal, and at bedtime. I have been on the actos for 4 weeks now and my doc is happy with what my numbers are when I test. Usually between 80 and 100 before meals and about 160 after. Thansk for the links, I have looked but am going to sit down in a bit and really read at that site. I would like to find a site with low carb/low fat meals. Any ideas?
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2006
Tue, 09-11-2007 - 7:44pm
Hey,,I too found out yesterday about my Diabetes,,,went in today,,and she told me my Cholestrol is high too.Now,I have pills for both..My fasting blood sugar test was 165 last week .Today after 1pm,,she checked it,,I ate at 11am,,it was 130. My scale is off,,I'm 196 pounds by their scale. I went to the store last night,,bought brown rice,,apples,,..No Debbie snack cakes at all. I walked my fat hound dog today,,Plus I am going thru the Hormonal Change..Ugh...I stay hot. Susan
Avatar for cl_coldfingers
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 09-11-2007 - 8:57pm

Hi Susan and welcome to the board!


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-18-2007
Tue, 09-11-2007 - 10:48pm

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

Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 09-11-2007 - 11:09pm

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.





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Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 09-11-2007 - 11:18pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2006
Sat, 09-15-2007 - 6:29am
Hey,,The Dr. took me off the Zocor,,I was having Muscle aches,,I am taking pills for Diabetes,,which I am upset about,,I stayed confused all the time,,The Dr. called me up last night and said to take 2 pills,,instaed of the one.My body wants sugar,,I feel eally bad..Susan Grundel

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