Snacking before bedtime - just to re-iterate

[binnieman]

This has been said over and over again but I have to concur with most everyone that snacking on cheese or nuts or whatever I have had thus far, for me anyway, has done wonders to my FBG the next morning. If I eat nothing else after my usual dinner around 7, my FBG is almost invariably between 100 - 105. But if I snack the night before on steamed milk, cheese, nuts etc., my FBG comes out between 87-93. Thanks for the great advice my fellow Pre-D's.

[sorka]

I just discovered this myself. If you see my previous post, I've been waking up in the morning with over 100 BGs for months now. The last 3 nights in a row I've had a small snack of mixed nuts and cheddar cheese with about a half glass of red wine right before going to sleep.

Three mornings in a row since then, my fasting BGs were 70, 86, and 80. I'm stunned that such a small thing could make such a big difference. It totals about 250 calories. I just eat a little less for dinner to make up for the extra calories later.

[sorka]

Note, I normally have a small amount of red wine right before going to bed, so before anyone points out hapatic glucose suppression, just keep that in mind.

[sorka]

4th morning in a row. This morning it was 93 which was edging up there, but since I've been used to over 108 to 110 readings most mornings for several months, it's still good.

[jer.lawrence]

Eesh, I had a small bowl of carb-smart ice cream last night and woke up this morning at 112. I've been in the 95-105 range typically. I guess I need to be careful WHAT I eat at night as well.

I didn't test afterwards because it usually doesn't bother me much.

[foxl]

This is interesting for me, because I tried several kinds of snacks, and from what I can see the earlier my last evening meal is, the lower my morning FBG.

Protein, carb ... does not seem relevant. Just the time.

Which puts me in the position of taking my nighttime met on an empty stomach ... but, so far, so good!

[binnieman]

Well, well, well. I spoke too soon when I started this thread because last three FBG's came out 106, 106, and 103 with some small snacks on the night before. I need to do more experimenting because I read some had also said before that they get mixed results with this approach. I wish there was one formula but more importantly, we can't blame ourselves for being the unfortunate ones because it is unfair when I see some people's eating habits and their optimum numbers.

[Kimbber]

I am new to all this and trying to learn. It seem like most of the Pre-Diabetes on this forum have number for this and that. (which I have no clue what the mean) My doctor is not having me use meter and using a diet. Say it way to early to worry about all this till we get my thyroid corrected. I guess what I am asking, is it normal for a Pre-Diabetes to not have a meter. I am starting to think the dr is trying not to overwhelm me all at once.

thanks
Kimberly

[sumi]

Hi Kimbber
I don't think it unusual not to have a meter as a preD, however, depending on your personality, you might be more comfortable testing and knowing exactly what your numbers are. One big problem with standard medical advice is that different foods affect people differently, so unless you eat something and test your bg, you cannot learn which foods are good choices for you. There is a lot to learn, so you may be right in thinking that your Dr. does not want to overwhelm you. One thing that helps everyone is regular exercise. Depending one your fitness level, as little as 2 10 minutes walks a day will make a big difference. In fact, aside from giving up refined carbs, exercising may be the biggest positive change you can make.

[Kimbber]

Hi Kimbber
I don't think it unusual not to have a meter as a preD, however, depending on your personality, you might be more comfortable testing and knowing exactly what your numbers are. One big problem with standard medical advice is that different foods affect people differently, so unless you eat something and test your bg, you cannot learn which foods are good choices for you. There is a lot to learn, so you may be right in thinking that your Dr. does not want to overwhelm you. One thing that helps everyone is regular exercise. Depending one your fitness level, as little as 2 10 minutes walks a day will make a big difference. In fact, aside from giving up refined carbs, exercising may be the biggest positive change you can make.


I am seeing someone for grief and stress right now at my church and the dr know this and he told me slow down, breath and we will see what November test show.

[binnieman]

Hi Kimbber,

I am new to this forum as well and I have been asking these wonderful folks a lot of commonplace questions. I am learning a great deal but I have not quite yet managed to lower my morning BG levels but I am trying out a variety of approaches. In any case, it will be to your best advantage to understand what your blood regulatory system is doing as soon as possible. First thing in the morning, two hours after meals, and check out the foods you eat most. If you like fruits as well, test as many of them as you can so you avoid the ones that overwhelm your system The best way to do that is to have your own meter although there is a slight danger of getting obsessed with checking your BG and that could lead to some undue stress. Needless to say, the fact that you are a pre-D means your sugar regulation is not optimal if not abnormal. So get on top of it now by engaging in this forum, exercising as much as your time and inclination permits, and avoid empty carbs. In my case, my diet was generally quite balanced to begin with but I lowered my carb in take and increased my protein in take by about the same amount. I have never felt better.

As almost everyone would suggest here as well, you should do your HbA1c. My doctor was very reluctant for me to do that so I went out and bought a kit from Walmart for $9. Most folks here have a pretty good review of that. HbA1c will give you a weighted average of your BG levels over an 8 - 12 week period. It is very instructive because ultimately your goal is to keep that around 5% and that would indicate on how well you are managing you BG regulation. In fact, I read recently that there is a debate to use A1c only as a diagnostic tool for T2 and Pre-D.

In a nutshell, you are in charge so take all the precautions now because you do not want to regret anything later on.

Hang on tight. Some of the good folks here will give you very pinpoint advice unlike my gibberish.

Good luck!

[tbach]

I am new to all this and trying to learn. It seem like most of the Pre-Diabetes on this forum have number for this and that. (which I have no clue what the mean) My doctor is not having me use meter and using a diet. Say it way to early to worry about all this till we get my thyroid corrected. I guess what I am asking, is it normal for a Pre-Diabetes to not have a meter. I am starting to think the dr is trying not to overwhelm me all at once.

thanks
Kimberly

My endo did not start me with a meter either - just a tentative diagnosis of pre-d and a prescription for MetforminER. Other medical people I work with (rehab/pt) were aghast that I could be prescribed Met. without a regular schedule of glucose checks . . . my daughter is diabetic, and shared the same concern. I called the endo and got an Rx for meter and test-strips.

Without testing, I would have never known that (1) I apparently have "dawn phenomenon" (lower waking levels than before bed levels (2) Exercise often spikes my glucose . . . when my body runs out of onboard glucose, it sends a message to my liver, which is more than willing to dump a bunch into my system (3) my worrysome afternoon sleepiness - bordering on coma - has been caused by higher mid-afternoon glucose levels (4) lowering my carbs too much encourages my liver to kick in (like it does with exercise), and the testing has helped me find the carb level that my body is comfortable with . . . today. It's imperfect, but the only way to learn the glucose/body connection.

The downside is that, for me, it became a quest to keep those numbers down . . . and I have finally had to realize that glucose has a life of its own, and at times is comletely unpredictable. The worst problem I have had was about a month ago when my readings were consistently 20-30 points higher than usual for almost two weeks. It freaked me out, because nothing had changed . . . same diet (almost identical every day), same exercise (lots of it . . . but absolutely everyday) When my container of test strips was empty, I started a new one and guess what . . . suddenly my levels were consistently where I expected them to be. Apparently, there are bad test strips. And another problem is the margin of error that is considered acceptable for glucometers . . . +/-20 points is "okay" according to the industry. I say it stinks!

I encourage you to get your doctor to prescribe a glucometer and start testing. Without it, you haven't a chance to find out which foods spike you and which don't - no chance to discover your body's exercise tolerance. Your pre-d quest will be much more successful if it includes glucose testing.

By the way, his explanation for not having me use a meter from the onset what that he didn't want to overwhelm me.

Good luck to you - I am in a pretty good place right now. I have a pretty good idea what foods have to be eliminated from my diet, and how long I can prolong intense exercise before breaking for a little carb consumption. And my morning fasting levels have been great . . . as long as I have that low carb piece of toast with a couple of tablespoons of crunchy peanut butter and no-carb jelly. One of the best finds I have come across is the Walden Farms line of salad dressings, maranades, syrups and jellies . . . no sugar, no carbs, no cholesterol, no gluten, no lactose, zero calories . . . and full of flavor!! They have rocked my diet world!!