Eating In General?

ShihtzuBeauty · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:08 PM

I'm pre-diabetic as of last wk. w/my LDL elavated. I have seen a diatician who has put me on a 1300 calorie a day diet which I've started today. My first pre-diabetic group is tomorrow but I have soo many questions already.

I'm to be eating no fat low fat along w/all of the other restrictions but I've noticed on my diet sheet that she gave me for instance it lists peanut butter as a meat substitue so for lunch I had once slice of wheat bread, 1T. peanut butter, 12 pretzles, 1T. fat free itilian salad dressing (drizzled on my pretzles), and one small red apple. I also had 1T. of grape jelly on my sandwich.

I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day w/no skipping (something I've always done) and I only get one snack. I'm also supposed to get 5 servings of fruits and veggies but on my diet sheet the ex. menu plan she wrote out doesn't have all of the desired servings???

I had a question about unsweetened cereals. Hubby had a heck of a time finding one that didn't have sugars in it, Fiber One, well I could Barely choke down a few bites. Even the "unsweetened" cereal has sugars in it so whats safe?

My question is how many pretzles is 3/4 of an oz. and should I have used low fat p.butter? Should my jelly have been low in sugar?

I'm also confused about the veggies. I prefer them in a can. I bought no salt added french style green beans and corn is this ok or should they be raw then cooked?

I'm soo confused w/the diet and can't wait to go into group tomorrow to get some help. I just want to do all of this right.

princesslinda · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:20 PM

Minimizing carbs is very important in good blood sugar control. One way to find which foods work best for you is to eat, then test 2 hrs after your first bite of food. You'll be able to make smarter food choices this way. I was given a goal of 140 or less 2 hrs after the first bite of food.

Most cereals have lots of sugar and carbs, so I basically avoid them for the most part. Some of the Kashi cereals (Go Lean Protein and Heart Smart) have lots of fiber and don't seem to have as bad an effect on my blood sugar as do others.

Personally, I can't tolerate pretzels at all (and they were a favorite for me before diagnosis), i've never found any that don't raise my blood sugar. For crunchy snacks, I eat pork rinds or nuts.

Jelly is full of sugar. Some of the natural no-sugar added fruit spreads may be better for you if you must have this. Sugar-free jello and pudding may take care of the sweet urge.

As for veggies, fresh or frozen are better than canned. Check and see how you tolerate corn. Focus more on green veggies, avoiding corn/peas as they are starches.

Again, the best way to know what works for you is to test your blood sugar after the foods, keep a log of your corresponding blood sugars.

ShihtzuBeauty · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:32 PM

Thank you. It's really frustrating. The nurse gave me my test results but didn't tell me that I needed to see the dr. for advice etc...Thankfully I already had an apt. w/him on the 20th. I'll for sure discuss all of this w/him.

The only thing the nurse told me was to cut out all refined sugar, cookies, candy, ice cream, cakes etc...

My diatician even told me that some sugar is acceptable, how much I don't have Any idea.

About the testing I've never been directed by my dr. to do so. Boy am I going to have a Ton of questions when I see him on the 20th.

As for the jelly I don't have to have it or the cereal it's just one of the acceptable foods on my sheet that the diatician gave me. I'm totally clueless and feel very overwhelmed.

ShottleBop · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:55 PM

Get yourself a copy of Gretchen Becker's book, [u]The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed[/url]

Check out "Blood Sugar 101".

Scrabblechick · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 01:50 PM

Ahh yes, corn. I love it. It doesn't love me. Only in very small portions.

Sugar-free and reduced sugar jam don't bother my BG at all. But you may be different. Always test and see.

Kashi has a seven-grain puffed wheat cereal with just 13 net carbs per serving. I warn you: it is NOT sweet, but Splenda helps. I can eat it OK.

Mich · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 06:54 PM

Hi SB,

Welcome to the forum. I missed welcoming you on the intro post.

I couldn't agree with Linda more, controlling carbs is good for anyone to learn who is having potential blood sugar problems.

Do get the Gretchen Becker book. You can absorb information at your own speed that way. You can get an inexpensive blood sugar meter (your doctor will probably give you one) so that you can test and get an idea how various foods affect you.

It is all so overwhelming at first. Soon it will be second nature to you. Write down the questions you would like to ask your doctor and jot yourself some notes while you are talking with him. I still do this even after many years of diabetes and my doctor laughs and asks where my list is if I forget. It makes it easier for both him and me.

Mich

David_S · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-2008, 11:08 PM

The diet I was taught.. was too overwhelming. I chose to just monitor/ limit the carb portions at each meal.. balance the protein. The no fat low fat doesn't help much with carb control.. low fat is low in fat but read the label.. high in carbs.
Special K protein plus is 9 carbs a cup.. tastes good and has protein.