Control or lack there of...

[hardingnerd]

So I have decided I have absolutely no control. I am sitting here eating a huge bag of Doritos. It's hard when I can't change my entire eating habit to the cafeteria, so I can't just restict all my carbs at once.

The worst part is I don't have anybody other than ya'll to hold me accountable. I have a feeling another hospital visit is in the near future.

How to I overcome all of this. i have had 2 candy bars today, and other than feeling crappy because my sugar is high I can't shake the addiction to carbs!

[lorilei]

geesh...i hear by hold u accountable...

[rak1978]

You can do it! One day at a time! Or should I say, one bite at a time? The further you are away from the carbs, the less you crave them. I'm speaking to myself as much as I'm speaking to you! I am in a war with the carbs and self control right now as well. I will tell you this, today I was very good and my blood sugars were between 79-137. On a day when I don't eat well, my blood sugars go anywhere between 40-400. Cause and effect! :) Good luck and I wish you a very good controlled day tomorrow! Let me know if you find the cure for carb cravings. :)

Rachel

[lorilei]

btw..candy? what the hey is that?

[ShottleBop]

Try substitution: pork rinds for tortilla strips, unsweetened 100% cacao chocolate for candy bars.

[rak1978]

Trader Joe's has a supposedly low carb chocolate bar (milk and dark chocolate).
ShottleBop, have you ever tried unsweetened chocolate? I like REALLY dark chocolate, but 100% is hard to swallow. Yikes.:eek:

[sumi]

Man... those carbs!!! I am fine all day, don't really even think about them. I can watch dh eat a big bowl of ice cream or a cinnamon bun, and I'm fine. But for some reason, if someone mentions them here, I get an instant 'sympathy craving' So stop!!!

[hardingnerd]

Gawh... nevermind.

[ShottleBop]

Trader Joe's has a supposedly low carb chocolate bar (milk and dark chocolate).
ShottleBop, have you ever tried unsweetened chocolate? I like REALLY dark chocolate, but 100% is hard to swallow. Yikes.:eek:

My current favorite: Kraft's Baker's Chocolate 100%. It's like learning to like beer. When I first tried the Baker's, it tasted bitter, but now I prefer it. 4 grams of carbs--2 of them fiber--and no sugar. Also good: Ghirardelli's 100%. I found some Scharffen Berger 99% in a supermarket on a recent trip to New York, but it has virtually no fiber, and is not as kind to my BGs as the Baker's or Ghirardelli's.

I still have some Ghirardelli's 86% that is sitting in the cupboard--I like the 100% that much better.

[soso]

ok... never mind the carbs. wot are your test results?
it don't matter what you ,eat only the result.. test and report....
sometimes you have to do it all before you realize you prefer calmness....

[hardingnerd]

Hovering just below 200. I have a huge headache and I can blame that on eating the **** doritos.

[rak1978]

okay, okay...
i'll have to try the ghiradelli one for research.;)

[lorilei]

Hovering just below 200. I have a huge headache and I can blame that on eating the **** doritos.

how long post prandial are u? 200 is high especially if you are near end of 2 hrs..

[lorilei]

also...make sure you washed your hands prior to testing...sorry to state the obvious but i am picturing you in a doritoes frenzy and also wondering what caused it to begin with? low bg? did you check before you ate? i realize that you are pre-d...but these are some important pieces to your puzzle..in my opinion.

[hardingnerd]

My hands were clean, umm the "frenzie" got started cause I was at work, bored, and watching Naruto. No I didn't check before. 200 was about 1.5 hours, and I just checked again, and bam it dropped rapidly down to 88. 88 is a good number, I just hope it stays there.

[Ohana]

wow,

You sure sound like you are winding up to have a huge carb hangover. (drink lots, and take care of yourself!)

hang in there. We all freak out and binge (well all except those who are just saints... :D)

Nothing you can do about it now. I find gradually lowering carbs after a binge really helps prevent a relapse. Going cold turkey is a good bet that I will end up with my face in a bag of nasties sooner rather than later.

Get yourself a food scale (like $20 at target) measure everything like chips or chocolate out. That way you can see how many grams you are eating. Allow yourself a treat (for me 13g of dark chocolate chips...(one serving) usually measures out to about 30. it looks like a lot more when you can watch the scale creep back to 0 when you eat them, and well... ok, so I am just weird. but it does help me keep a realistic flexible diet. Thought I would pass the idea along.

Ok, good luck. watch in case you go low! I got to get back to studying. Midterm on Monday.. blech.

[hardingnerd]

Thanks for the advise.

Good luck on your midterm.

[soso]

go with the flow baby.. go with the flow.. so you had a good carb up and your bg is ok now,,,sufficient evil unto the day I say.. just go forward and feel better. I HATE the idea of salad. but quite enjoy the reality...

[sumi]

wow! If my reading was back to 88 so quickly, I'd eat a bag of doritos too! (Back to 88 - I hardly ever get that low!) That sounds like a great idea, Ohana.

[Subby]

Dump the candy and chocolate for treating lows. Find something that doesn't set off cravings or act as a reminder of foods you want to avoid. For me, those small juice boxes are perfect. There are many options for hypo fixes, and I think finding something that's not exactly unpleasant, but is just "ok" and doesn't remind you of carby snack foods, is the ways to go to defuse that particular stress.

[foxl]

So I have decided I have absolutely no control. I am sitting here eating a huge bag of Doritos. It's hard when I can't change my entire eating habit to the cafeteria, so I can't just restict all my carbs at once.

The worst part is I don't have anybody other than ya'll to hold me accountable. I have a feeling another hospital visit is in the near future.

How to I overcome all of this. i have had 2 candy bars today, and other than feeling crappy because my sugar is high I can't shake the addiction to carbs!

Ouch -- sounds like a binge day.

First of all -- this a break from your norm, so you typically DO have good self-control. So view it that way. You had a binge -- forgive yourself, and get back on track.

Now as to next time you feel out of control:

First remember, you FORGAVE yourself. You are a good person with a lot of willpower. Then, remember how you felt about that last time, before you forgave yourself. Was it worth it? Probably not. Try to set a limit on your binge -- based on how you will feel about it.

I agree with Ohana about the scales -- they help me -- and re-calibrate my concept of what a portion is.

Also,be PREPARED for days you do not feel like being "good" -- get yourself some cheat-proofing. One SMALL package of doritos or potato chips. One oz, one bag. Non-sugar chocolate or candy bars. Whatever it is.

PrincessLinda's peanut butter cookies served me well -- I would not make them all the time, because I really cannot have them sitting around! Really, they are that good. But I felt very, very decadent eating maybe 8 -10 (ie up to 50 g of carb???), yesterday, and my BS never went over 120. The calories, well ... like I said not too often. But it was enough for me, I am back on track today! (Thanks, PrincessLinda, again!).

Those big bags would kill me.

The other thing is, I know this is the school of your dreams. You want to go there ... is there any option to live off campus, and might you consider that? I can think of nothing harder than dealing with a dorm where you get the additive effect of seeing EVERYONE's lousy eating habits at once!

[hardingnerd]

The other thing is, I know this is the school of your dreams. You want to go there ... is there any option to live off campus, and might you consider that? I can think of nothing harder than dealing with a dorm where you get the additive effect of seeing EVERYONE's lousy eating habits at once!

I would consider it but here where not allowed to live off campus until were 22 years old, (grumbles), and I doubt I can get a note from my doctor cause other than telling me to test at least 1x a day, that's all I got from her.

[foxl]

I would consider it but here where not allowed to live off campus until were 22 years old, (grumbles), and I doubt I can get a note from my doctor cause other than telling me to test at least 1x a day, that's all I got from her.


Under ordinary circumstances, that would be a reasonable rule (aside from maintaining their steady income, of course). Asto your MD ... SIGH.

Other than that, hang in there -- you are doing great, really.

[yannah]

its like quitting smoking. it like I just can't smoke. or eat carbs. this is why i am relying so heavily on unprotected sex.

[foxl]

its like quitting smoking. it like I just can't smoke. or eat carbs. this is why i am relying so heavily on unprotected sex.

:D We all gotta have an outlet.

[hardingnerd]

its like quitting smoking. it like I just can't smoke. or eat carbs. this is why i am relying so heavily on unprotected sex.

That is way to much information! XD O.O

[hardingnerd]

Agh I did it again!!

I had to go to this confrence thing this morning and sitting on a table were many sweet deleicious breakfast foods. I can't help myself... it seems if the thing is accessable I will eat it with no control whats so ever.

I have a cheese danish(w/icying) and OJ.... O.O

I am ultimately going to worsen my diabetes and end up with neuropathy and the such if I don't learn any sliver amount of control.

[princesslinda]

You should start carrying a Fiber-One or South Beach bar in your backpack or purse...then when you see these temptations, you'll have something to eat that's a little sweet, that won't cause all the long-term problems. Also carry a bottled water with your favorite add-in...Crystal-Light has an orange-flavored one if OJ is a particular weakness.

This is just something you're going to have to find a way to take control of. It's hard...we all go through it. I work in a doctor's office, we have drug reps bringing hot Krispy-Kreme donuts or Panera bagels 3-4 times a week. I've learned to keep something on hand for when that craving hits.

The occasional treat is absolutely allowed...and sometimes necessary for your sanity...but more "regular" treats can cause you a lot of problems longterm.

[hardingnerd]

You should start carrying a Fiber-One or South Beach bar in your backpack or purse...then when you see these temptations, you'll have something to eat that's a little sweet, that won't cause all the long-term problems. Also carry a bottled water with your favorite add-in...Crystal-Light has an orange-flavored one if OJ is a particular weakness.

This is just something you're going to have to find a way to take control of. It's hard...we all go through it. I work in a doctor's office, we have drug reps bringing hot Krispy-Kreme donuts or Panera bagels 3-4 times a week. I've learned to keep something on hand for when that craving hits.

The occasional treat is absolutely allowed...and sometimes necessary for your sanity...but more "regular" treats can cause you a lot of problems longterm.

Huh... that's a good idea. Thanks. Wow and good job on battling the sweets and carbs at your work.

[princesslinda]

Thanks. Wow and good job on battling the sweets and carbs at your work.


I always battle...sometimes I win, sometimes I cave...hopefully I win more often.;) Like you, I get those nasty headaches when I go high...I hate them!!! Even more than I love the donuts most days.

[hardingnerd]

I wish I could remember what happens to me before I cave and not after I eat it and regret it. Agh. lol

[foxl]

[QUOTE=princesslinda;461112]You should start carrying a Fiber-One or South Beach bar in your backpack or purse...then when you see these temptations, you'll have something to eat that's a little sweet, that won't cause all the long-term problems. Also carry a bottled water with your favorite add-in...Crystal-Light has an orange-flavored one if OJ is a particular weakness.

QUOTE]

OHO! Very good substitutions and my grocery has got all those!

PrincessLinda, after those PB cookies ... you are really VERY good at this stuff!

[princesslinda]

PrincessLinda, after those PB cookies ... you are really VERY good at this stuff[/I]!

I saw the recipe for the p/butter cookies on Paula Deane's show not long after diagnosis. I was surprised how good they were. They get posted by someone every now and again in the recipe section...so apparently many of us like them.

I'm not "good at this stuff" at all....that's why I have to find substitutions for everything!;) Still no substitute for Twinkies though...:(

[foxl]

Still no substitute for Twinkies though...:(


Hmmm ... we will need to work on that!

[hardingnerd]

So fiber is good carbs?!

[princesslinda]

Fiber helps slow the blood sugar elevation, as opposed to eating straight carbs.

[hardingnerd]

oh.... thats good to know.

[notme]

Someone said something to me one day that made the difference. Please take this in the way that I am meaning it and not the way that it sounds.
They said "at the end of the day, nobody really cares as much as you do how healthy you are". You have to make the choice. It's not that people don't care, because they do.

It is hard sometimes not being able to have cake, candy or doritos. It is frustrating to have to worry about everything that you eat. However, I want to live and I want to live healthy. I want you to WANT to live and live healthy too. You have to make the choice.

When my doctor goes home at night, he doesn't think about me. When you best friend closes the door to her home, her life is her life and she doesn't think about how I am doing at that moment. I live it, so I care the most.

Chew on that for awhile and I pray that you will stop and think about why you are addicted to candy bars and Doritos. Why can't you put them aside and look at them as your enemy instead of your friend? They don't like you and they hurt you. Why do you love them so much?

[CountYourselfIn]

I am sitting here eating a huge bag of Doritos.

I ate a huge bag of Ruffles last night. <3 They were awesome. And it was worth bolus'ing all to **** for the next 5 hours.

Welp, rather than trying to change your food or control your portions, *I* think it's best to attack it at the roots.

I was watching this show about why north americans eat so much. It's becaus we're mindless eaters. Normally we're doing soemthing else (sitting in front of the TV, at the computer, driving?) while eating, are are putting no thought into it outside of "god this is yummy".

Also, since we're otherwise distracted, we're not paying attention to portion sizes - the perfect example is a bag of chips. It's a bag. You don't see it, and you don't see how much you've eaten. It's not registering as I just ate 200g of chips - just whether or not you're full.

So they suggest always laying food out in front of you so you can see it. As well, using smaller plates, cuz a huge plate w/ a normal portion will look kinda sad n pathetic, but a smaller plate w/ the same portion will look huge. Cheap trick, but it works.

And don't do anything else while eating... shut off the TV... don't eat at the computer. Go sit at the table and stare out window in silence... learn to make eating just about recharging your body, and less about a passive activity.

I say have some Doritos, but take em out of the bag, figure out how much you want, and take a break from your entertainment or work to eat.

When I apply this to own life... I'll have it made. = D

I'm eating yogurt right now. I ate the whole thing while typing away. = (

lol

[hardingnerd]

Thanks for all the great advice ya'll. :)

[jwags]

I think a lot of us consider ourselves "Carb addicts" If we take one bite, we'll eat the whole bad. The only way I can stop is not to take that first bite. Find a substitute. If you like candy bars find a low carb energy bar like EXTEND BAR, or ATKINS. At least you know you are limiting your carbs. Have healthy snacks available all the time. I always have greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese cubes, almond butter and WASA crackers. If you are out of the house bring your own food. Never rely on a vending machine or cafeteria. I found sprouted bread at Trader Joes and make my own almond butter sandwiches and carry them with me.

[Nitz]

Hi there,

I just signed onto this site tonight. I did so because I'm feeling just like you. There is something in this - I know about Diabetes 2, I know what needs to be done, I know the consequences and yet I can't make myself put down the food. My doctor osscilates between saying I am a bad patient and laughing at me but the problem is serious - a complete lack of discipline - I go through bouts of 'being good' but it all get's thrown to the wind when my life changes (which it does continually).

I really feel Doctors should recognise that some of us can't just turn the self-discipline on. There needs to be some nurturing into being shown the way. Does anyone agree with this? It's not easy.

[foxl]

I really feel Doctors should recognise that some of us can't just turn the self-discipline on. There needs to be some nurturing into being shown the way. Does anyone agree with this? It's not easy.

YES. Unfortunately, most are corporate-owned and restricted in how much time they can spend with you. So we go to support groups or online forums to get that instead ... so, WELCOME!

There is a nice element of self-management and feistiness in gaining knowledge here, instead of in some MD office setting, anyway! I hope you enjoy it.

[sumi]

Those PB cookies are great!! I got 21 very small cookies. But at about 80 calories apiece and 3.5g carbs , I figure 1-2 per day are my limit. So far yesterday..4. On the bright side, I haven't eaten them all yet.:o

[GayleM]

"The worst part is I don't have anybody other than ya'll to hold me accountable."

Sure you do...your body will hold you accountable. You are chosing not to change your eating habits, m'dear...and when you lose a toe, or foot or leg and your neuropathy gets so bad you can't sleep or your heart gives out, that will be your body giving back to you just what you gave it.

If you are not so far gone with diabetes that you can still change the path a bit and don't because you just can't put down that candy bar, get psychiatric help to understand why you have no self-love or respect that will help you want to get healthier.

Sure, you'll get sympathizers here that have the same problem you do, but that isn't helping you or them.

If the consequences of uncontrolled eating don't register with you then no one can help you. You are making a conscience choice.

Someone mentioned being "nurtured" into stopping the overeating....baloney. You are looking for excuses not to take responsability for your own choices.

I know this is harsh talk, but I was once using those same pathetic excuses myself and only after someone really held a mirror to me did I have to admit (at least to myself) that I did have a choice.

Good luck...