Do I HAVE to eat three times a day?

[Alia]

I mean, I hate eating breakfast, and always have. I do usually eat lo-carb yogurt, or an egg and two strips of bacon for breakfast these days, but there are some days that I just don't really feel any kind of hunger before noonish.

Of course, not eating makes my sugars stay around 115 (and I feel like c rap) no matter how much Metformin I take, so normally I do eat at least twice a day.

But is it necessary to eat more than twice a day?

[PrettynPurple]

yes and no. some people can get by on 2 meals a day. if you don't like eating in the morning try a nutritional shake or a thing of yogurt, something that doesn't spike your bg. getting something in your stomach will help with the glucose levels and energy.

[genie86333]

Of course, not eating makes my sugars stay around 115 (and I feel like c rap) no matter how much Metformin I take, so normally I do eat at least twice a day.

So, if you only eat twice a day, what do your sugars show throughout the day (and night)? And how do you feel?

[davef]

I eat two meals a day.

I have never eaten breakfast, except on Saturday (and then I tend to skip lunch. How often are you testing? What are your numbers like when you test at night before bed? How long have you been on Met? When do you take your Met?

[Alia]

So, if you only eat twice a day, what do your sugars show throughout the day (and night)? And how do you feel?
When I don't eat breakfast, my sugars tend to stay around 100-115 until the afternoon, even after I eat lunch. I am still trying to figure that one out. And on those days I don't tend to feel great, also.

I eat two meals a day.

I have never eaten breakfast, except on Saturday (and then I tend to skip lunch. How often are you testing? What are your numbers like when you test at night before bed? How long have you been on Met? When do you take your Met?

I test 6-8 times per day right now, since I am still trying to get a handle on what does and doesn't affect my BG. My last test before bed is normally around 100-115. I have only been on Met for a little less than one month. I take it twice a day, with lunch and dinner.

[davef]

Alia,

You are doing well on the testing, it really is the key.

Two thoughts:

1. When you wake with FBG of 110-115, try eating a small amount of carbs. I know it's counter intuitive, but it can help reduce your BG. I believe that what happens is that it encourages an insulin release. I was having that problem with FBGs and a member here suggest that approach and it did help reduce my levels.

2. Check that you Doctor is ok with this: I switched taking my last dose of Met from about 6-7pm (with dinner) to taking it later around 11-11.30pm (works for me) and this helped bring down my FBG. I did discuss it with the Doctor and he was happy as I was still taking the same dose, just at different times. I actually take one 500mg tablet first thing in the morning and the second 500mg before bed.

One other thing to bear in mind, Metformin can take more than a month to reach full effect, you are still in the early days, give the Met and yourself some time. A FBG of 115 after 4 weeks is really very good.

[foxl]

I think breakfast keeps my HUSBAND from overeating later. I have a protein shake, low fat, 5 g carb, and now make him one too.

If you really hate eating it and it makes no difference to your appetite later int he day or night, and you are not on meds that would make you go low, then don't force it. But I used to feel that way, and I tried breakfast for two weeks and it seems to help.

[genie86333]

And on those days I don't tend to feel great, also.


Well, I think that answers your question - if you don't feel great & are unhappy with your blood sugars on days you don't eat breakfast, then you need to eat breakfast. Doesn't have to be a whole bacon, eggs, sausage breakfast, but eat *something.* See how you feel & how your blood sugar does then. If that doesn't help, then yes, eat a full breakfast if that's what it takes.

[Alia]

Alia,

You are doing well on the testing, it really is the key.

Two thoughts:

1. When you wake with FBG of 110-115, try eating a small amount of carbs. I know it's counter intuitive, but it can help reduce your BG. I believe that what happens is that it encourages an insulin release. I was having that problem with FBGs and a member here suggest that approach and it did help reduce my levels.

2. Check that you Doctor is ok with this: I switched taking my last dose of Met from about 6-7pm (with dinner) to taking it later around 11-11.30pm (works for me) and this helped bring down my FBG. I did discuss it with the Doctor and he was happy as I was still taking the same dose, just at different times. I actually take one 500mg tablet first thing in the morning and the second 500mg before bed.

One other thing to bear in mind, Metformin can take more than a month to reach full effect, you are still in the early days, give the Met and yourself some time. A FBG of 115 after 4 weeks is really very good.

Dave,

I have added that question to the list for my next A1c. I hope she will be alright with me taking my Metformin 12 hours apart, because it sounds like a good idea to regulate the sugars and keep more Metformin in my system during sleep. As for the idea of small carbs in the morning, I think that is something I could definitely live with. Something small would be easier than trying to figure out an entire meal.

As far as testing, when I told my dr how often I was testing, she crossed her arms over her size 9 stomach and asked if I thought it might be a little excessive? I said that no, as I was pretty newly diagnosed. I thought it was about perfect seeing as I had NO idea how I was affected by dehydration, exercise, too many carbs, too few carbs, stress, etc. and how could I begin to get a clue if I wasn't poking holes in myself regularly?

And about the Met taking a good month to get into my system? At first, I assumed it would work immediately, so I was worried when I didn't see drastic improvement in a week. Heh. That's me, all or nothing, you know? But I am learning, thanks to you lovely lot on these boards.

Well, I think that answers your question - if you don't feel great & are unhappy with your blood sugars on days you don't eat breakfast, then you need to eat breakfast. Doesn't have to be a whole bacon, eggs, sausage breakfast, but eat *something.* See how you feel & how your blood sugar does then. If that doesn't help, then yes, eat a full breakfast if that's what it takes.

Okay, I think I got it now. :D Imma eat breakfast, even if it is only a small yogurt every morning. You have all convinced me that it is probably the right thing to do. Sorta like exercise--even if I don't really feel like it. ;)

[genie86333]

And about the Met taking a good month to get into my system? At first, I assumed it would work immediately, so I was worried when I didn't see drastic improvement in a week. Heh. That's me, all or nothing, you know? But I am learning, thanks to you lovely lot on these boards.

Okay, I think I got it now. :D Imma eat breakfast, even if it is only a small yogurt every morning. You have all convinced me that it is probably the right thing to do. Sorta like exercise--even if I don't really feel like it. ;)

Alia,

Glad to see you're getting some answers here! It sure is great that we have these boards available. I don't know how my mom coped with this all back in the '70s.