Hi All

[Signmom99]

My name is Sharon. I guess I am considered a type 2 since I was insulin resistant for the last year or so. My last set of labs showed an elevated glucose level (142) and the doctor now has doubled my metformin 500mg to 2x daily and has me using a glucose monitor. Suppose at 47 years old I can deal with that.

My question though is where do you go to find out how to eat correctly to maintain sugar levels? Do you all go by Adkins or is there something else? I have already lost 40 lbs by doing weight watchers and walking on a treadmill, but must admit I have been lazy this winter and slipping here and there. Could someone please list good sites/books/ etc. for information on proper eating habits and what to do vs not do? I live in a small town and my gp does my healthcare. He has assured me that insulin could be 'years' down the road, and I figure if I can undo some of the damage my eating habits have done from years gone by that maybe I can prolong further deterioration a little longer.

Any help/advice is appreciated.

Thank you,
Sharon

[mho357]

Hello Sharon and welcome to the forum.

I think one of the best books for new Type II's is Gretchen Becker's:

Amazon.com: The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The): Books: Gretchen Becker,Allison B. Goldfine (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569242658/ref=s9_asin_title?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2Y0KM198JVDNO&colid=1D3BI92EGZMC5&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-1&pf_rd_r=0XW6M2SQTM1YFWTRNG8R&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=280762101&pf_rd_i=507846)

As for diet, I think that you will have to experiment to find what works for you. We are all different so what works for one might not work for another.

However, I think that you will find that most of us try to limit our carbohydrate intake. Some will go to the extreme such as Dr. Bernstein's - Amazon.com: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars: Books: Richard K. Bernstein (http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316167169/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201469021&sr=1-2).

In general, you should test your BG often to determine how different foods impact your sugar level. You probably want to limit your intake of these foods - potatoes, rice, pasta, bread.

Mark

[mzteacher]

hi sharon,
congratulations on the weight loss!! welcome...i am sure you will find lots of information here!!
susan

[notme]

Hi Sharon and welcome to Diabetes Forums. You have started your learning process in a great place. I am sure you will learn a lot and be helping others in your situation in no time.

Congratulations on your weight loss and Welcome!

[susique333]

Hello and welcome to the forum! Im on Metformin 2 x per day too and my daily diet is to avoid starches such as breads, potatoes, cakes, candies, etc. I eat quite a bit of veggies now, plus meat and cheese. I hear that Weight Watchers now has a low carb version of the diet now. Im under 60 grams of carbs per day.

[xMenace]

Welcome.

I'm sorry to say your GP is a bit behind the times. Nothing major, but you really need to educate yourself.
- he's only giving you a meter now and you've been on metformin for how long? another dumb-***!
- he and you seem to think insulin is a bad thing. Current practice is to not use it as a threat. If you need it, you need it. The needles do not hurt.

High BGs are the evil here. We do what we need to to make them as normal as possible. If diet, exercise, and weight loss don't do it then we go on meds. It is perferable to stabilize BGs first and then attempt to work your way off them if that's your wish. The alternative is a place we don't want to go.

The meter is your best friend. Your morning fasting numbers are a great indicator of progression. Test one or more a week and watch for trends. Post-prandials are your indication of how you handle food. Use the meter to eliminate as much guesswork as possible. You can't eliminate it all.

[Handybear]

Welcome to the group.

I follow Dr. Bernstein's program and am doing quite well with it.
You can read most of the book online.

[Dan Gato]

Sharon,
Welcome :shakehand

Have you had an A1C test? if not, you should get one.

I avoid some fruits, regular sodas & juices, some cereals are also high in carbs so avoid them too.

[Signmom99]

Boy oh boy do I know that I am in need of info, whether it be the crash course or slow & steady ingestion. My morning readings seem to be in the high 80's. After food (2 hrs) I read in the 90's. So I am pretty sure the metformin is doing it's job. I am sorry to say that I have not been doing my job for the last 8-9 mos though. I kind of slacked (ok quit) exercising, I still watch my caloric intake (weight watchers based) for the most part although I had started eating candy again around xmas. I have a horrible monster for a sweet tooth! I am not opposed to insulin, but would rather stay oral and maintain using common sense and self discipline if possible for now.

As for testing frequently, do you know where I can get the strips like cheap? I got the Ascencia Contour meter but my insurance will only give me one test a day since I don't use insulin. So the remainder of the strips is out of my own pocket.

I picked up a couple books today at the local Borders Bookstore and have been reading. I know I can learn to count carbs since I learned to count points in weight watchers, just a matter of retraining AGAIN!!!! Am keeping a positive outlook and will be picking everyones brain here that I can as long as you all will allow it. Better info on forums than anywhere else in my opinion.

Handybear where would I go to read Dr. Bernsteins book online?

Dan, the dr did run the AC1 test and I can't remember but I think it was in the 3's or maybe 4? He said it was excellent as was my triglycerides and cholesterol. (I also take symvestatin for chol.).

Thank you for the warm welcome and I will definitely be "lurking". Have a great week everybody :)

Sharon

[Handybear]

The book is online at the website I posted previously. Good Luck. Remember everyone is different and you have to find what works for you.
There will be trial and error involved, and it is a bit of work, but well worth the results.

[Handybear]

Sorry, just realized the address was edited out. You can google Dr. Bernstein and get the website that way.

[Jill-O]

Hi and welcome here from Virginia, USA http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/aiw/bye.gif

I've done low carb diets in the past several times for weight loss (not realizing I was diabetic).

Now, what I do is just keep an eye on the carbs but I do not "do" low carb. That's just not something I'd ever been able to stick to more than 6 or so months. So, I'm carb aware, I exercise, and test (test test test test).

[princesslinda]

Hi Sharon, welcome. You've been given lots of great advice already.

You mentioned needing to learn what to eat...the best way i've found to do that is to eat, test 2 hrs after 1st bite and see how different foods affect your blood sugar. This will enable you to make smarter food choices. When I was first diagnosed, I kept a food journal writing down EVERYTHING I ate and the corresponding blood sugars...within just a couple of weeks, I had quite a few blood-sugar friendly choices.

Have your doctor write a prescription for strips instructing you to test 4 times a day, this will give you 100/month. My doctor only suggested my testing once a day, but I asked for 100 strips/month (the maximum my insurance allows for diabetics NOT on insulin).

Glad you found the forums...look around, ask lots of questions.

[kgm0612]

Hi Sharon & Welcome! We're glad to have you with us.

Karen