[Scrabblechick]

Carbs are certainly the numbers to watch. Dr. Bernstein certainly has some good methods for diet. However, I personally find his recommendations too strict for me. My diabetes educator recommended I stay under 150 carbs per day, but I try to stay under 100, most of the time. I find that number is attainable without being too restrictive for me. I'd go crazy keeping my carbs at 30 per day, although I admire those who have the self-discipline to do it.

Look at other threads here. There is a ton of great advice on diet and exercise, which absolutely go hand in hand. Personally, I started modifying my diet with the glycemic impact method, which is a lower-carb diet, and also focuses on those foods that don't spike your blood glucose (BG). It does mean cleaning out your cabinets and getting rid of white bread, white rice, potatoes, pasta (there is a Dreamfields brand that is low-carb) and starchy vegetables. All the aforementioned foods are high in carbs and will cause a sharp BG spike in many people.

Also, make sure you take a diabetes education class, which will really help you make informed choices about diet, exercise and other aspects of living with this disease.

Until you get a better handle on what foods really affect your BG, you need to test several times a day: when you get up, right before and 2 hours after each meal and before bedtime. It sounds like a lot. However, when you log all these readings, it does help you get a feel for what works and doesn't work for you. It will also help your doctor see how you're getting along.

We've all been where you are. I was just diagnosed in February, although my dad struggled with it for years. We all start out scared, confused, and in my case, angry and disgusted with myself for not getting control of my weight and health before it got this far. I know I have company there. Check out previous threads and you'll see that kind of confusion is a running theme.

But we learn, and you will, too. This forum has helped me so much, in just a week, and I've learned an enormous amount of information.

Keep posting, keep asking questions, and keep making changes to stay on top of your health. We are all pulling for you, I promise!