Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JacquiS]

:help: OK, this is it. I've lost control!! :argh: I've gotten to fed up with everything I can't eat, food I miss more than anyone can imagine (things that even in small amounts shoot my numbers to the moon) and for the past three weeks or so I've just said frig it and eaten what I wanted. Boy have I paid for it...expected to....gained three pounds again and my numbers have been all over the place even on Amaryl x3 and Met x1.

What can I do to control the cravings??? They don't just come and go, they're not five minute thoughts that if I keep busy I can push away. I want the food I want. I feel so cheated by getting this ****ed disease. It's so flipping unfair. I know we're all in this thing together here and I know I always have you guys to vent with, but right now I'm just angry again like I was when I was first diagnosed. Simple things like going to my boyfriend's son's football game are a big deal when it comes to dinner (do we eat before we go so I can eat what I'm supposed to? He usually just gets a brat at the game. There's going to be nothing at a high school concession stand that I can eat!!!) WHY can't it just be simple for me to eat?

I'm tired of planning and cooking and packing a bag every day to take to work with my breakfast, snacks and lunch just so I make sure that I don't lean on convenience foods (which are always unhealthy) if I don't have the right food with me.

I'm just tired...frustrated...I need new food ideas (not easy...I've cooked some amazing things since being diagnosed but I'm running out of new ideas that I can low carb-ize)...I need ideas on how I can curb the taste I have for cereal, potatoes, bread (not sandwich bread, but things like crostini, garlic bread, a baguette to go with ham and brie) and pasta. Almost any amount of any of those things seems to bite me in the butt two hours later but I can't see the rest of my life not eating them either.

I'm so sorry I've ranted on here....this is the only place I know I can!!!!

Help me please.....I feel like I'm failing myself...and I don't know how to get out of this slump. I'm depressed, craving, up and down and falling asleep again everywhere because of my lost food control! :bawling:

[JediSkipdogg]

I really don't have much of a suggestion to offer but maybe talk to your doctor about trying out insulin. It will help to bring your numbers down alot faster and allow you to not think as much about what you are eating. Just a thought.

[Cyborg]

It normal to be angry at diabetes. Try not to blame yourself for struggling. None of us wished this upon ourselves. Keeping a positive attitide can be hard, but it does help tremendously.

As far as eating what you want, as a type 2 those days are probably gone spare rare occasions. You need to continue hunting for satisfying alternatives. Nuts seem to work well for me.

Remember you are not alone. When you fall off the wagon, get back on.

[meg]

Poor you, I feel for you. Stick with it, there will be better days.
Meg

[Stewpot]

:help:Help me please.....I feel like I'm failing myself...and I don't know how to get out of this slump. I'm depressed, craving, up and down and falling asleep again everywhere because of my lost food control! :bawling:

I do understand, I had the same problems when I gave up smoking and carbs are addictive I'm afraid.
Did you ever smoke and give up? If so how about thinking if you can apply the same strategy?

The only thing that allowed me to kick the smoking habit was to go cold turkey and I did the same when I knew my potatoes, bread, pasta, rice and grains had to go.

Having said that this is definitely an area, like giving up smoking, where people have to find their own path.

I have heard of hypnosis and self-hypnosis working. Appetite suppressants like hoodia. Self aversion therapy like associating carbs with amputated limbs.

There is a way for you, don't be discouraged and keep experimenting.
(and never tell yourself you've failed - you've had a setback - you can do something about it and you are worth it)
Good luck...
:egg:

[duck]

I guess it would help to know WHAT you are eating, how much and when...Don't give up, sometimes it's just a matter of getting the right strategy in place.

[Funnygrl]

I really don't have much of a suggestion to offer but maybe talk to your doctor about trying out insulin. It will help to bring your numbers down alot faster and allow you to not think as much about what you are eating. Just a thought.
That's exactly what my thoughts were. Don't fear the needle. It could totally improve your life.

[Peter Lee]

It might very well be worth you reviewing your medicaiton with your doctor since at 500mg a day you still on a low dose of Metformin. A higher dose of Metformin may very well give you better control along with the Amaryl and once you are there, the cravings could very well subside. It sounds to me that you are not yet stable.

[Lex4153]

I can definitely relate. It's like, how the heck can you control your diabetes when you can't control the amount of food you're eating?

Before asking about insulin, I'd ask about Byetta. With Byetta, I have a very small appetite and it makes it so much easier to control what I eat.

Good luck, hun! It's okay, I imagine all of us fall off the wagon here and there at some point.

[notme]

JacquiS, I think it is DEFINITELY time for you to talk to your doctor about insulin. I don't think there is anyone on these boards that haven't been frustrated like you are right now. I remember once walking through the grocery store shopping mostly for me and ending up with my cart almost empty. What was in the cart were foods that I didn't really like.

You need more options. Please, go talk to your doctor and a nutritionist. I know the nutritionist sounds dumb right now (I am sure you are aware of what you can eat), but it was the nutritionist that help me figure out portions and options that I DID like.

I really sympathize. You do have options.

[Mich]

Jacquie, I am feeling for you. We all feel that way, but ususally it passes and you get back on the road again.

You do need to find things you can eat to substitute for the things you can't. There have been good suggestions so far--talk to your doc about your medicine dosage or even insulin. Nuts are a good snack if you don't go overboard. I could personally demolish a can of spanish peanuts in about an hour of munching!

Find and print out a copy of the whole glycemic index and keep it with you. You will soon learn to snack on things that don't spike your sugar. At ball games, I get a hot dog or brat with everyone else, but my friends have gotten used to me eating the meat out of the middle and thowing the bun away. At home, I wrap my fish tacos in lettuce leaves or low carb tortillas. You will find a way to not feel like you are eating much differently than anyone else.

One game I play with myself (I have an eye on weight all of the time) is when I go back for seconds, I make myself choose something else. If I am truly hungry, I won't care what I eat but if I am potentially pigging out on something that tasted good, it stops me in my tracks. Yes, I mentally whine to myself, but I've learned to live with it. On seconds, I always try to choose salad or some other low-glycemic filler. Remember that those seconds of meat, while not technically carbs, can raise your sugar much later. 3 oz of meat are only as big as a deck of cards or the palm of your hand, anything over that will eventually raise your blood sugar. Sad but true. Is nothing sacred? :s:

Hang in there. It's perfectly normal to feel mad and frustrated. We all do.
Believe it or not, soon it will all become second nature to you. Start by finding things out in the real world that you can eat, instead of packing lunch (unless you have some other dietary restrictions of which I'm unaware.)

My thoughts are with you. Mich

[JacquiS]

You are all so wonderful! I guess I'll get there eventually. I really don't want to go to insulin if I don't have to. My dr doesn't want me to either..he's hoping we'll find the right combination of meds. My biggest thing is the cravings, the need for my starches and carbs. I'm just freaking tired of planning and carrying food or my carb counter with me everywhere. I just wanna be "normal" (whatever that is) again!!

Thank you for the help so far. I'm spending the weekend doing a lot of soul searching...centering myself again...getting myself back in the right place. I've started taking hoodia but it's not doing much yet. I'll increase that and see if it helps to start.

Seeing the doc in two weeks...we'll look at meds again as usual. Till then I'm looking at food again...new recipes..ugh....and praying.

I'll need you guys a lot while I'm getting back on the wagon and straightening myself out. I can't tell you how much I appreciate having the forum!!!!

[slipperyelm]

I think you will most likely get over this and find your motivation again. Your head will clear and you'll find it easier to do the right thing in the way of eating and excercise. However, if your BG levels are not good, I hope you will talk to your doctor about what else you can do. As someone else mentioned, I would want to know what the doctor thinks about increasing your Metformin or adding in another medicine that makes your cells more sensitive to the insulin you are making in your own body.

The Byetta possibility is something to ask about, too, but I think _part_ of its action is to cause your pancreas to make even more insulin. Yet you are already on Amaryl which does stimulate insulin production. Maybe more insulin will help, but maybe more of your insulin sensitizer Metformin or some other would help more appropriately.

I find that success in one area really motivates me to try harder and have successes in other areas. So right now, while you are feeling beleagured about your eating, could you maybe step up your excercise just a little bit? The success of handling that might make you feel more determined to get the eating back to a healthy manner. That often works for me. When one area is harder, I work on the other, easier area and usually pretty quickly I feel happy with myself and can clear my mind and get back on track.

This will pass, especially if you kick start it with some other diabetes control success!

If making meals to carry with you really does help, but you are tired of having to make the effort, is there someone else you could ask to make meals for you? Someone you could just give the recipes to and they'd take care of it? If previously you had the money to eat out for breakfast, lunch and snacks, perhaps you could employ someone to make carry-with meals for you? I'm not a church goer, but I know the pastors at some of my neighborhood churches could put me in touch with stay-at-home parents who were responsible and could use a little extra weekly income. Just an idea.

But remember, each and every carbohydrate crave will pass. It may come back and come back over and over, but each one will end. Resist one and it can give you the confidence to ride it out through the next one. I'm not a superachiever with regard to diabetes, but experience has taught me that I can rise to the challenges one at a time. Me, I might be on a little too much insulin-stimulating Glipizide which makes me feel extremely hungry when there is no reason to be hungry at all. Sometimes that nearly debilitating hunger can occur right after I've had a craving for something that would raise blood glucose too much. That is when it is really hard for me. I just tell my husband about it so he can just acknowlege my struggle...and it puts doing the right thing into a social compact, sort of. I mean, now my husband knows I might fall off the wagon and it reminds me that I want to take care of myself not just for me, but for my family. Fortunately, my husband is compassionate and does not act as though I am just whining.

Good luck.

[Infosec]

JacquiS,

I hear you. You have my total empathy! My wife and I have been on a bunch of diets over the last several years and failed them all after some time. We both always had bad carb cravings. With my current diet, we cut out all high carb and starch stuff like bread, pasta, potatoes etc. We went cold turkey and quit eating them as soon as we changed our diet. I was surprised that the cravings for bread and pasta went away quickly. With those foods, moderation does work for me. Each person's body is different and that may not work for you but you may want to try that and see if it works. It only took my wife and I a few days for those cravings to go away. I found walking our dogs or getting on the treadmill helps when I have chocolate cravings--those have not gone away but are very manageable and are becoming easier to manage.

Also check out "Glycemic load" and "GL diet" on the Internet. The glycemic index is a based on 50 grams of carbs for each food. It does not take into account a normal portion size. So, the GI of carrots compared to a beagle are only a little different. However if you quantify that with portion sizes you would see they are very different. GL is a score of the GI of food BASED on a normal portion sizes.

There are a few good books on the topic. Below are some links to GL food ratings of many common foods. One slice of bread is the baseline at 100 points..
http://www.lowglycemicload.com/glycemic-load/index.shtml
http://www.dietandfitnesstoday.com/glycemicIndex.php

I hope things get better for you soon!!!!

[Petruchio]

JacquiS,

Here are a few steps that would most likely help:
1- Primal Scream (Does wonders for moods)
2- Stomp your feet (usually a picture of your Dr. to stomp on helps)

Dosen't that feel better?

3- Now is the time to prepare for your next Dr. visit. Think about getting a C-Peptide test done. It will tell you how much insulin your body is producing. Unless you know for sure what this is, everything else is just guessing. If the results are high (like me) then you know it is insulin resistance and your focus should be reducing the IR with higher Metformin or whatever the Dr. thinks will work best. If the results are low, then you know the treatment you and your Dr. go with must bring the insulin production up or supplement it with injections.

Whatever you decide to do, make it an informed decision. Diabetes affects us all differently. If you can learn what is causing the big D, you can then effectively control it.

[judyblue]

Jacqui,

I think those times out are the worst. Everything is white bread and carbs. Hot dogs send me sky high, so I avoid them. But if a hamburger is available, I will usually get that - cut it in half, put all the meat on one side and toss half the bun. I get all the meat and 1/2 the carbs. Sometimes at events like that they may have peanuts and sometimes I'll get just a handful of two of somebodies popcorn. At a concert I had to settle for a slice of pizza, eating all the cheese and pepperoni and leaving most of the crust.

With my diagnosis, I bought a bigger purse. Not great for my shoulders and neck, but I can keep my monitor and a few low carb, high protein snacks with me. I have also learned to really study restaurant menus very carefully. Don't skip the appetizer selections, I have found great meals that were a salad + an appetizer. At a pizza place, I got a fantastic spinach salad and a "pesto bread" appetizer for my entree. They made the pesto bread with a whole wheat bun cut in half, pesto sauce and lots of mozzerella cheese melted on it and a touch of marinara sauce for dipping. The bun was so thin, that cut in half it was like a flat bread - and was dark and hearty to boot, not the white bread of a pizza crust. I took half of it home and had a great snack the next day. I love finding little treasures like that!

At another restaurant, I saw a great sandwich I wanted but I couldn't handle two pieces of bread, so I asked them to make it "open faced" on just one side of bread. They did it happily and it was delicious - with the cheese melted on it I just ate it with a knife and fork.

Keep looking...you are going to find some great foods and tastes out there!

[ADE]

Hi Jacqui,
I understand your feeling very well and believe me, it'll pass away. This disease needs to be managed together with everybody that you involve with. Try to prepare different kinds of low carb snacks such as; nuts, cheese sticks, berries, etc. Try to exercise more daily. When I had to eat some breads in the past, I would get a low carb bread (6 gram of carb per slice). Take care.

[JacquiS]

Thanks Judy!! I totally have the bigger purse!! LOL. I carry stuff with me, but I get bored with the same old same old. We actually ended up going out to eat before the game that night and I had fish!! :-)

I've done the half the bun with my burger thing, and I've eaten toppings off of a pizza before too. I guess I just get tired of not having the ability to just eat whatever, whenever. I think I'd best buck up and just deal with it. I do find great stuff like you have with the flatbread pesto thing and those little things make me ridiculously happy.

I keep looking..keep cooking...keep re-inventing the food wheel. I know I'll get there...I was just so frustrated last week..I hit a wall. I was at the bottom of a very large depression that had been coming on for awhile and I blew. After a weekend of crying, tantrums and being very angry at my having this ****ed disease again I think I'm on the way back up. Everyone here really encouraged me and made me realize once again that I'm not alone. My boyfriend (non-diabetic) was amazing as well. He held me while I cried, let me rant, let me go on and scream and whine all I needed to. He's the one who keeps me from snacking on the bad stuff (will actually physically keep me from picking up something that he knows will hurt me long run) and he reminds me constantly that we're in this together and that he will not let me go through it alone.

Thank you again for the reminder that I have so much to choose from...I just need to look at my options a little differently now that I have to deal with diabetes.

J







Jacqui,

I think those times out are the worst. Everything is white bread and carbs. Hot dogs send me sky high, so I avoid them. But if a hamburger is available, I will usually get that - cut it in half, put all the meat on one side and toss half the bun. I get all the meat and 1/2 the carbs. Sometimes at events like that they may have peanuts and sometimes I'll get just a handful of two of somebodies popcorn. At a concert I had to settle for a slice of pizza, eating all the cheese and pepperoni and leaving most of the crust.

With my diagnosis, I bought a bigger purse. Not great for my shoulders and neck, but I can keep my monitor and a few low carb, high protein snacks with me. I have also learned to really study restaurant menus very carefully. Don't skip the appetizer selections, I have found great meals that were a salad + an appetizer. At a pizza place, I got a fantastic spinach salad and a "pesto bread" appetizer for my entree. They made the pesto bread with a whole wheat bun cut in half, pesto sauce and lots of mozzerella cheese melted on it and a touch of marinara sauce for dipping. The bun was so thin, that cut in half it was like a flat bread - and was dark and hearty to boot, not the white bread of a pizza crust. I took half of it home and had a great snack the next day. I love finding little treasures like that!

At another restaurant, I saw a great sandwich I wanted but I couldn't handle two pieces of bread, so I asked them to make it "open faced" on just one side of bread. They did it happily and it was delicious - with the cheese melted on it I just ate it with a knife and fork.

Keep looking...you are going to find some great foods and tastes out there!

[Brenda A]

:help: OK, this is it. I've lost control!! :argh: I've gotten to fed up with everything I can't eat, food I miss more than anyone can imagine (things that even in small amounts shoot my numbers to the moon) and for the past three weeks or so I've just said frig it and eaten what I wanted. Boy have I paid for it...expected to....gained three pounds again and my numbers have been all over the place even on Amaryl x3 and Met x1.

What can I do to control the cravings??? They don't just come and go, they're not five minute thoughts that if I keep busy I can push away. I want the food I want. I feel so cheated by getting this ****ed disease. It's so flipping unfair. I know we're all in this thing together here and I know I always have you guys to vent with, but right now I'm just angry again like I was when I was first diagnosed. Simple things like going to my boyfriend's son's football game are a big deal when it comes to dinner (do we eat before we go so I can eat what I'm supposed to? He usually just gets a brat at the game. There's going to be nothing at a high school concession stand that I can eat!!!) WHY can't it just be simple for me to eat?

I'm tired of planning and cooking and packing a bag every day to take to work with my breakfast, snacks and lunch just so I make sure that I don't lean on convenience foods (which are always unhealthy) if I don't have the right food with me.

I'm just tired...frustrated...I need new food ideas (not easy...I've cooked some amazing things since being diagnosed but I'm running out of new ideas that I can low carb-ize)...I need ideas on how I can curb the taste I have for cereal, potatoes, bread (not sandwich bread, but things like crostini, garlic bread, a baguette to go with ham and brie) and pasta. Almost any amount of any of those things seems to bite me in the butt two hours later but I can't see the rest of my life not eating them either.

I'm so sorry I've ranted on here....this is the only place I know I can!!!!

Help me please.....I feel like I'm failing myself...and I don't know how to get out of this slump. I'm depressed, craving, up and down and falling asleep again everywhere because of my lost food control! :bawling:

When I was low carbing, I really missed breads. Have you tried Dr atkins omelet that taste like a pancake? I had it when I was bread starved with his sugar free syrup. It really helped me. It had a relief for the diabetes also as I felt like I had a stack of pancakes with syrup. I have the recipe if you would like. I also have recipes that have some carbs like baja lazagna made with beans and corn tortilla it is less carb. Zuchinni pizza crust topped with meat, cheese, black olives bell pepper, what ever your favorite toppings are. I do have all of atkins cook books, so if there is a food you like he has a copy cat for most. How many carbs are you doing daily?

[JacquiS]

Please share the zucchini pizza recipe!!!! I LOVE zucchini!! If you have the recipe for the Atkins omelet I'd love that too. I'm so sick of every day eggs....

I know it's a big range and I need to tighten it up but I'm doing 80 to 100 carbs a day.




When I was low carbing, I really missed breads. Have you tried Dr atkins omelet that taste like a pancake? I had it when I was bread starved with his sugar free syrup. It really helped me. It had a relief for the diabetes also as I felt like I had a stack of pancakes with syrup. I have the recipe if you would like. I also have recipes that have some carbs like baja lazagna made with beans and corn tortilla it is less carb. Zuchinni pizza crust topped with meat, cheese, black olives bell pepper, what ever your favorite toppings are. I do have all of atkins cook books, so if there is a food you like he has a copy cat for most. How many carbs are you doing daily?

[JacquiS]

Jacquie, I am feeling for you. We all feel that way, but ususally it passes and you get back on the road again.

You do need to find things you can eat to substitute for the things you can't. There have been good suggestions so far--talk to your doc about your medicine dosage or even insulin. Nuts are a good snack if you don't go overboard. I could personally demolish a can of spanish peanuts in about an hour of munching!

Find and print out a copy of the whole glycemic index and keep it with you. You will soon learn to snack on things that don't spike your sugar. At ball games, I get a hot dog or brat with everyone else, but my friends have gotten used to me eating the meat out of the middle and thowing the bun away. At home, I wrap my fish tacos in lettuce leaves or low carb tortillas. You will find a way to not feel like you are eating much differently than anyone else.

One game I play with myself (I have an eye on weight all of the time) is when I go back for seconds, I make myself choose something else. If I am truly hungry, I won't care what I eat but if I am potentially pigging out on something that tasted good, it stops me in my tracks. Yes, I mentally whine to myself, but I've learned to live with it. On seconds, I always try to choose salad or some other low-glycemic filler. Remember that those seconds of meat, while not technically carbs, can raise your sugar much later. 3 oz of meat are only as big as a deck of cards or the palm of your hand, anything over that will eventually raise your blood sugar. Sad but true. Is nothing sacred? :s:

Hang in there. It's perfectly normal to feel mad and frustrated. We all do.
Believe it or not, soon it will all become second nature to you. Start by finding things out in the real world that you can eat, instead of packing lunch (unless you have some other dietary restrictions of which I'm unaware.)

My thoughts are with you. Mich
Hey Mich -

Do you have a recipe you can share for the fish tacos? I've always wanted to try them but haven't seen a recipe that I thought I'd like.

Thanks

[judyblue]

Jacqui,

Glad you have such a great boyfriend who is so supportive. Hang on to him!

I have the advantage of perspective. Prior to discovering my advanced blood sugar problems, for 6 months I was under the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. I am in remission thanks to having my bladder distended, and the disease was either an inflammation from diet or it will return in a few months. Talk about a limiting diet! It was easier to tell people what I could eat rather than list the 6,000 foods I couldn't have. In this disease your bladder is oversensitive and anything with the slightest amount of acid sends you in gut wrenching pain. I could only drink water and chamomile tea, and my food diet was all chicken, rice and vanilla whatever. Diabetes seems like a field day compared to that disease! Long live my remission!

But what I think I have learned from this thread and what I think would help you is if we had threads on this board to discuss:

1. low carb recipes
2. good cookbooks for diabetics
3. review low carb food products in the stores and on the web

You can find these out on the web, but no where with a diabetes emphasis that I can find.

Or maybe this thread can be the start of all 3. Sometimes this is hard on a diabetes board because invariably someone says, "oh just take some insulin and eat whatever you want." And then an argument ensues. Is it possible for low carbing diabetics to find support on diet around here, ya think?

[JacquiS]

Amen ,Amen!!!! I honestly believe that the road to my health is eating right!!! You're right about the cookbooks. I have several, but none with information or a lean to diabetes. I would love to see a thread start where true low carb cooking and recipes are exchanged. Honest low carb meals, not the kind you "go ahead and eat and bolus for". I know Type 1s can't just rely on diet but I get so frustrated seeing them eat whatever they want and bolusing to make up for it when I watch every bite...every sip....day in, day out and have given up so many foods I love with the goal in mind of doing the right thing and getting healthier.

Long live your remission for sure!!! How did you make it on that diet? I'd have been bonkers before a week was out.

I've created some great low carb recipes. I can take some time on the weekend to post some...I'll start a new thread....if you have some please add once I start. I think maybe we could get a true recipe thread going and really help give each other ideas for new meals. I get so tired of the same old same old!

I'm for bed...have taken to getting out on my bike in the mornings before I get ready for work. Early to bed, early to rise...on the bike...butt hurts, legs are tired and achy but my BG is getting lower. Tonight I'm 96!!

Let's talk more Judy...
Thank you again..your support...perspective...just letting me know I'm not alone

J





Jacqui,

Glad you have such a great boyfriend who is so supportive. Hang on to him!

I have the advantage of perspective. Prior to discovering my advanced blood sugar problems, for 6 months I was under the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. I am in remission thanks to having my bladder distended, and the disease was either an inflammation from diet or it will return in a few months. Talk about a limiting diet! It was easier to tell people what I could eat rather than list the 6,000 foods I couldn't have. In this disease your bladder is oversensitive and anything with the slightest amount of acid sends you in gut wrenching pain. I could only drink water and chamomile tea, and my food diet was all chicken, rice and vanilla whatever. Diabetes seems like a field day compared to that disease! Long live my remission!

But what I think I have learned from this thread and what I think would help you is if we had threads on this board to discuss:

1. low carb recipes
2. good cookbooks for diabetics
3. review low carb food products in the stores and on the web

You can find these out on the web, but no where with a diabetes emphasis that I can find.

Or maybe this thread can be the start of all 3. Sometimes this is hard on a diabetes board because invariably someone says, "oh just take some insulin and eat whatever you want." And then an argument ensues. Is it possible for low carbing diabetics to find support on diet around here, ya think?

[dbc]

I remember once walking through the grocery store shopping mostly for me and ending up with my cart almost empty. What was in the cart were foods that I didn't really like.


Can I relate to this!!! Definitely the worst part of the disease experience for me at the moment......

[judyblue]

hey Jacqui and others who can relate:

I suggest we hide out here in this thread. Seems that none of the "just up your medication" people have found us yet and maybe they will leave us alone in here.

And Jacqui, as far as IC goes, that disease was easy for me with a very supportive forum like this one. My case was mild, there are actually people with interstitial cystitis that are in so much pain they have their bladders removed. Just knowing how much more others suffered made my diet seem not so bad. Misery really does love company.

For me, I have been cooking out of Carlean Johnson's book "Low Carb Cooking/Six Ingredients or Less". I have seen this at Borders and Barnes & Noble. I have already made several entrees from this book that my family has declared winners. There are a couple of dessert recipes I am going to try too. I love simple, delicious dishes and this one has a ton that I will be trying out. I really recommend it.

And I want to clarify, because I think when I say I am on a "low carb" diet that is a misnomer thanks to the Atkins movement. I really am on a "lower carb" diet. I probably take in 100-130 carbs a day. I follow my "one carb serving at a time" rule and do great blood sugar-wise.

[Alicat]

Judy, I'm not even on medication so hearing all your ideas about low carb meals/snacks is very helpful for me too. I'm shooting for 130 carbs (max) a day also, and 1300-1400 calories. Ugh, this is so difficult.

[JacquiS]

Judy -

Thank you again for being here!! I'll hit Barnes and Noble and check out that book. My boyfriend has the Low-Carb Bible (he bought it especially to cook for me!!) and I have Cook's Encycolpedia of Cooking Low Carb, Good Carbs-Better Carbs cookbook and Low-Carb Magic.

When you say one carb at a time do you mean one exchange per meal or were you saying that in a "one day at a time" way? I have been doing about what you are, 100-120 carbs a day, and about 100 calories. If I took in more calories than that I'd blow up again and I'm not taking one pound of that lost 22 back again!! Some days less, some days a little more. I bike in the mornings for half an hour and take a walk after dinner on some nights. I know I need to do more but for now my energy level lets me do this. I get a little stronger again all the time and I increase all the time.

The "up your medication" folks haven't really found us yet but earlier on in the thread I did get a few who said it was time for insulin. I gotta tell you I will not be on insulin until my pancreas won't squeeze out another drop of it on it's own. I'll resist that as long as I can which will hopefully be forever.

Time for me to get out on my bike...5:00 - 5:30 a.m. ....too early...still dark out....but I gotta do it. ugh

Ali is sooooooooooo right...this is so difficult. Thank God we have each other!!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be putting up recipes this weekend. I can't wait to see some of your favorites too! I am always looking for new ideas and something different to eat. Snacks are hard too...I've taken to nuts lately Target has cashews that are seasoned with what they call "salsa" - not sure it tastes like salsa but I like em! A small handful of them has become my fav morning snack.

OK..if I don't get out on that bike now I'm never going...........(mmm bed is sounding awfully good again about now..lol)

[Mich]

Jacquie, Fish tacos are delicious. They can be assembled any way you like to fit your own individual diet. We make them like this:

Grill the fish of your choice. We cut ours into a piece about 1 X 1 X 6 inches before grilling. Some fish falls apart easier than others, so you may have to grill, then cut. An authentic Baja fish taco uses battered and fried fish, but we like ours grilled. We keep it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days after cooking and have tacos a second time from the same grilling.

Tortillas: We use Tortilla Factory Whole Wheat Low Carb Low Fat, but almost any whole wheat tortilla will do. We use 8" or smaller. I prefer fresh corn tortillas and will splurge for the carbs occasionally.

To assemble the taco:

Lay a tortilla on a plate. (Warm in oven wrapped in foil, microwave for 20 seconds, or warm in a hot frying pan until limber.) Put a piece of fish on the tortilla. You can warm cold fish and the tortilla at the same time in a microwave.

Add: Cheese (my husband does, not me)
Chopped tomatoes, cilantro and green onions
Thinly sliced cabbage (like cole slaw) to fill tortilla
Topping: Hot sauce. I use Chipotle Tobasco, Cholula, or just salsa.
Topping: Tartar sauce or salad dressing. I like Ken's Steakhouse Ranch.
I add salt and pepper, but some do not.

Now, gently fold it all up and eat! It's a two napkin deal. One fills me up!

Mich :eating:

[JacquiS]

Thank you Mich! They look amazing! I think I'll give these a go this weekend!

[darksheep]

I have some great really low low carb receipes. They include PANCAKES! With flax seed meal. Yup, that flax seed meal has really let me have things I love without raising bg.

[JacquiS]

Cool darksheep. I'm going to start a recipe thing on the weekend....I'll be looking for some good ones from you! :-)

[judyblue]

Jacqui,

When I say one carb at a time, I do mean exchange. That is limiting in that I never have a real "sandwich", but I do well with open faced sandwiches or whole wheat pita pockets.

I am a "grazer". My endo told me to eat this way 14 years ago and I thought "never". Then I watched my blood sugar go 180+ everytime I had two carbs at a time and decided I would give the grazing a go. Now I eat like this:

Wake up - eat one carb (small bowl of cereal)
Get ready ( 1 hour later) - eat one carb + two proteins (by the way - I'm underweight and need calories!)
Mid-day- yogurt + 1/2 exchange fruit + nuts
Lunch - one carb + 2-3 proteins + 1 vegetable
2 hours later - one carb (usually small serving of fruit)
2 hours later - one protein + one carb
supper - one carb + 3 proteins + 1 vegetable
and if I am going to exercise after dinner, I get a "treat" - some low or lower carb dessert.

Ok, I get to eat a lot of food since I am trying to put on weight. I lost 10 pounds when my blood sugar was out of control and thanks to a looney thyroid, I have only been able to put about 5 pounds back on. But we all have our burdens to bear. Mine is my darned bladder, I still have to watch the acids- no coffee, no tea, limited soft drinks, no tomatoes, limited salad dressings, no pickles...etc.

Congratulations on the weight you have lost. Due to my fast metabolism, I have only had to lose weight once in my life - after my first child was born. I thought the 7 pounds I shed was going to kill me.

I'll be looking forward to the recipe thread....

[ProudNanaof5]

Jacqui ,
Before I was tested I was on Metformin. Maxed out at 2500 and also on Actos. I was still having highs in the 300-500+ range. I was tested and was dx as type1. I was scared to death when I had to go on insulin. I remember the first shot I had to give myself. My husband was laughing at me. I sat there with the needle "hovering" over my stomach for a long time before injecting. Even tho that has been since June, I'm feeling so much better. (up to 7 shots daily) I still don't like the needles but I remember how I felt then and how I feel now. You need to discuss this with your Dr. You have to get this in control.

[JacquiS]

I started a new thread in the recipe category. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see in there.

Thanks!

[JacquiS]

Hey guys, I started a new thread in the recipes section. There have been a lot of views but no additions other than my own. :(

Don't know if anyone is really interested...

[JacquiS]

Judy -

I am absolutely GREEN with envy that you actually have to work at gaining weight, however I totally see how that could be a problem with having to keep your carbs down for the diabetes. That's gotta be a real challenge if there ever was one.

I'm ready to scream today! Last night for dinner my daughter and I went out for burgers at Chili's. I had half the burger (i.e. only [B]half[B]the bun and two hours after my BG was 172!!! Meds and all, only 18 grams or so for dinner with nothing else that would have shot me over and there I was....172!!!!

And now for something completely different... (and totally friggin frustrating!!!)

Saturday I had about a 28 gram breakfast - very high for me and very unusual though, historically I've been better in the mornings (BG) than any other time of the day. Within an hour and a half I crashed...only went down to 82, which normally will only make me a slightly shaky, nothing that a Dibb (literally one) or a glass of chocolate milk won't fix. I was shaking uncontrollably, nearly passed out and my boyfriend had to feed me about half a dozen Dibbs before I was able to even respond again! WT*****???? I'm so frustrated sometimes. I've crashed at 59 that didn't feel as bad as that one did.

I'm thinking of giving up eating. It's got to be easier than this....:bawling:


Jacqui,

When I say one carb at a time, I do mean exchange. That is limiting in that I never have a real "sandwich", but I do well with open faced sandwiches or whole wheat pita pockets.

I am a "grazer". My endo told me to eat this way 14 years ago and I thought "never". Then I watched my blood sugar go 180+ everytime I had two carbs at a time and decided I would give the grazing a go. Now I eat like this:

Wake up - eat one carb (small bowl of cereal)
Get ready ( 1 hour later) - eat one carb + two proteins (by the way - I'm underweight and need calories!)
Mid-day- yogurt + 1/2 exchange fruit + nuts
Lunch - one carb + 2-3 proteins + 1 vegetable
2 hours later - one carb (usually small serving of fruit)
2 hours later - one protein + one carb
supper - one carb + 3 proteins + 1 vegetable
and if I am going to exercise after dinner, I get a "treat" - some low or lower carb dessert.

Ok, I get to eat a lot of food since I am trying to put on weight. I lost 10 pounds when my blood sugar was out of control and thanks to a looney thyroid, I have only been able to put about 5 pounds back on. But we all have our burdens to bear. Mine is my darned bladder, I still have to watch the acids- no coffee, no tea, limited soft drinks, no tomatoes, limited salad dressings, no pickles...etc.

Congratulations on the weight you have lost. Due to my fast metabolism, I have only had to lose weight once in my life - after my first child was born. I thought the 7 pounds I shed was going to kill me.

I'll be looking forward to the recipe thread....

[Stuboy]

i must admit i was naughty while i was in canada, but i didn't really see much of a difference in my levels... maybe because i upped my insulin a little bit and im all over the place still anyway (newly diagnosed).

I guess the only way to control cravings is a bit of will power and to find something new that you really really like to crave instead?

[JacquiS]

Oh yes...finding a new craving for something that's better for us is good. My current kick is nuts. I've made my own seasoning mixes, re-roast them for a short bit with the seasonings on them and yummmmmmmmmmmm

I watch how much I eat but it's definitely a new treat that I'm loving. I've lost three more pounds with the nuts as a snack!! BG is still not stable though...

:banghead:

i must admit i was naughty while i was in canada, but i didn't really see much of a difference in my levels... maybe because i upped my insulin a little bit and im all over the place still anyway (newly diagnosed).

I guess the only way to control cravings is a bit of will power and to find something new that you really really like to crave instead?

[Stuboy]

i snack on cherry tomatos :D and fruit:)

[jjordie]

Hi JacquiS
This is my first visit to this forum, and guess what, you are exactly why I have become a member. Feel just the way you do, can't seem to control my BS. I am Type2, still on diet alone to control, but obviously it isn't working,or rather I am not doing something right.

I wake in the morning- BS is usually about 9.5/10.5mmol and after a very small breakfast I don't eat anything until lunchtime. Sometimes I feel so hungry I feel absolutely nauseus but if I check BS it is still often 11.0/12.0mmol. even though I feel so hungry. Why?

Exercise not very helpful as I am awaiting knee replacement surgery.

I do eat a reasonable lunch. Often visit supermarket during the afternoon.
but couldn't really call walking round with a trolley enough exercise.
BS before evening meal still 11.0/12.0mmol.

Evenings are my worst time. A piece of chocolate, well 2 or 3 pieces, and sometimes a yogurt. Then bedtime/late evening BS 12.0, or even 13 mmol.

Doctor says I should go on Metformin - blood test due imminently. I am worried that I will feel hypo and so unable to drive my car which I rely on to get about. - anyone got any suggestions re this?


Diet Controlled Type 2 - 11 years
Thyroxine
Sotalol
Asprin 300 mg daily

[JacquiS]

Hi Jordie

You're right..pushing a trolley round Tesco's isn't enough exercise but you'll be limited until you have the new knee. Then you should be able to get out and do more. I donl't get out on my bike enough but I'm working on that.

Chocolate!!! ???? :eek: No no no....at least not until you have your numbers under control.

My typical day is about 90-100 carbs. How many carbs are you taking in through out the day? Everything counts..the chocolate, the cream in your coffee, the sauces and condiments you use, all of it counts. What is your typical meal plan for a day?

Met shouldn't make you go hypo - my hypo comes from the Amaryl I think. Met is actually very good - controls for a lot of people. It's a matter of finding the right dose and sometimes adding other meds as I had to. I wouldn't be afraid to give it a go since the diet alone doesn't seem to be working for you.

My next appt with the dr is on the 18th. I am putting together a list of new questions for him...trying to set new goals with him and then talking about how to reach them. I'm hoping not to have to increase my meds - I really want my diet to be the driving factor in my control of it. It's all ****e but we all do the best we can and keep trying.



Hi JacquiS
This is my first visit to this forum, and guess what, you are exactly why I have become a member. Feel just the way you do, can't seem to control my BS. I am Type2, still on diet alone to control, but obviously it isn't working,or rather I am not doing something right.

I wake in the morning- BS is usually about 9.5/10.5mmol and after a very small breakfast I don't eat anything until lunchtime. Sometimes I feel so hungry I feel absolutely nauseus but if I check BS it is still often 11.0/12.0mmol. even though I feel so hungry. Why?

Exercise not very helpful as I am awaiting knee replacement surgery.

I do eat a reasonable lunch. Often visit supermarket during the afternoon.
but couldn't really call walking round with a trolley enough exercise.
BS before evening meal still 11.0/12.0mmol.

Evenings are my worst time. A piece of chocolate, well 2 or 3 pieces, and sometimes a yogurt. Then bedtime/late evening BS 12.0, or even 13 mmol.

Doctor says I should go on Metformin - blood test due imminently. I am worried that I will feel hypo and so unable to drive my car which I rely on to get about. - anyone got any suggestions re this?


Diet Controlled Type 2 - 11 years
Thyroxine
Sotalol
Asprin 300 mg daily

[jjordie]

Thanks for such a quick reply Jacqui.
It helps to talk to somebody who has had the same probs as myself.
I know I am not really keeping to a good diet.
I keep telling myself I must do much better!

You ask how many carbs I have per day - well don't do carbs or even count calories -
doctor says it's not necessary-just keep to a healthy low fat diet.
I am wondering if I should start counting perhaps that would help might also help me to lose some weight :rolleyes:

Typical sort of day is:

8.00 a.m.
30g oats with approx 1/4 pint semi-skimmed milk
-to make porridge.
Cup tea.

1.00 p.m
2 small bread rolls with reduced fat spread or butter
with small portion cheese or ham or HB egg
Small banana with sugar free custard
Cup tea


4.00 p.m.
Cup tea and sometimes
biscuit or maybe 2


6.00p.m.
Chicken or steamed fish (or something similar)
Small portion potatoes
Carrots, cabbage, peas, beans
Fruit and plain yogurt or icecream
Cup of tea and sometimes sneak a bit of chocolate
(but I know that's naughty)

10.30 p.m.
(I have to eat before I take Asprin)
Sugar Free Yogurt
or biscuits


Well, that's not a very impressive diet - it must be ages since I have actually
written it all down.

It has made me more determined to be aware of the total amount that I
am eating.

The fact that you say Metformin is good and shouldn't make me hypo is very re-assuring.

Great to talk to you and will do so again?

jjordie

Type 2 - 11 years
175mg Thyroxine
300 mg Asprin
40 mg Sotalol

also take
400 mg Ibuprofen x 3
500 mg Vit C x 2
500 mg Cinnamon x 3 (supposed to reduce blood
sugar levels)
Plant sterols to reduce cholesterol


.

[JacquiS]

Hey Jjordie

I answered this in an email ....




Thanks for such a quick reply Jacqui.
It helps to talk to somebody who has had the same probs as myself.
I know I am not really keeping to a good diet.
I keep telling myself I must do much better!

You ask how many carbs I have per day - well don't do carbs or even count calories -
doctor says it's not necessary-just keep to a healthy low fat diet.
I am wondering if I should start counting perhaps that would help might also help me to lose some weight :rolleyes:

Typical sort of day is:

8.00 a.m.
30g oats with approx 1/4 pint semi-skimmed milk
-to make porridge.
Cup tea.

1.00 p.m
2 small bread rolls with reduced fat spread or butter
with small portion cheese or ham or HB egg
Small banana with sugar free custard
Cup tea


4.00 p.m.
Cup tea and sometimes
biscuit or maybe 2


6.00p.m.
Chicken or steamed fish (or something similar)
Small portion potatoes
Carrots, cabbage, peas, beans
Fruit and plain yogurt or icecream
Cup of tea and sometimes sneak a bit of chocolate
(but I know that's naughty)

10.30 p.m.
(I have to eat before I take Asprin)
Sugar Free Yogurt
or biscuits


Well, that's not a very impressive diet - it must be ages since I have actually
written it all down.

It has made me more determined to be aware of the total amount that I
am eating.

The fact that you say Metformin is good and shouldn't make me hypo is very re-assuring.

Great to talk to you and will do so again?

jjordie

Type 2 - 11 years
175mg Thyroxine
300 mg Asprin
40 mg Sotalol

also take
400 mg Ibuprofen x 3
500 mg Vit C x 2
500 mg Cinnamon x 3 (supposed to reduce blood
sugar levels)
Plant sterols to reduce cholesterol


.

[jjordie]

PM received Jacqui.
Think I sent a reply - not sure how this system works yet. Hope you got it.

[JacquiS]

Your reply didn't come Jjordie

Try emailing to my yahoo if you want.

Jacqui_s59@yahoo.com



PM received Jacqui.
Think I sent a reply - not sure how this system works yet. Hope you got it.

[lesley]

Hi Jacqui,

I know just how you feel, every now and then just when I think I have things under control, readings run amuk. For me, I find that I can't have any type of cereal, bread, potato without the readings skyrocketing. So I am sticking to the low carb diet just adding enough carbs to stop the cravings.

I find that pumpkin, sweet potato mashed together will help satisfy carb cravings for spuds. I also use whey smoothies to help, they are very very filling. There are some good recipes for some here;
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarbmenus1/

I'll have a look for some of the more "satisfying" low carb recipes in my books and post in your recipes post.

HTH

[JacquiS]

Thank you Lesley!

[jjordie]

I tried another PM Jacqui. Did you receive that one?
If not I will email if I need to. Just trying to get the PMs sorted!


I feel very pleased with myself today because first time for
ages my BS was 9.0 mmol when I got up.
That's 0.5 better than it has been and now I am motivated by
all the encouragement I am feeling much more optimistic about
getting BS down to a reasonable level.


jjordie

[JacquiS]

Hi Jjordie

Nothing has come. Go ahead and try my email at yahoo.

Thanks
J

I tried another PM Jacqui. Did you receive that one?
If not I will email if I need to. Just trying to get the PMs sorted!


I feel very pleased with myself today because first time for
ages my BS was 9.0 mmol when I got up.
That's 0.5 better than it has been and now I am motivated by
all the encouragement I am feeling much more optimistic about
getting BS down to a reasonable level.


jjordie

[artemisia]

I empathize with the anger and not being able to control my food intake. Been there, done that for sure.

I was diagnosed a year ago. A1C test revealed 6.3 then jumped to 6.5, then 6.7 then 7.7. Now I am on meds and just began testing BSL a week ago (2 times a day). Between the 6.7 and the 7.7 testing, which was a period of 6 months, I ate everything in huge quantities. My eating was really out of control, my stress level was high and I was fighting back as hard as I could to deny I had this disease. Anyway, I switched doctors and signed up for basic diabetes classes. That’s when I started testing, following a meal plan and doing some exercise. I wish I could eat anything I wanted in the quantity I wanted to eat them. But I can’t and that’s just the way it is. Finally, I have accepted this disease and I am willing to do what’s best for me.

Good Luck with getting back on track. It’s not easy, however, find a way that works for you and don’t give up.

[shockme]

hi jaquis!we've all been there!byetta or insulin definitely!i see your in elgin-i worked at elgin mental health center years ago.i'm in the cesspool of aurora...hang in there!take care,trish:)