[fgummett]

If you can not do without the dressing put it on the side, dip your fork into the dressing and then into the salad. You will find you use much less dressing this way.

Good idea but I'm afraid this would back-fire with me and I'd end up using more. I can eat most salads without dressing ( ) but what I usually do if it is a packet of dressing is just drizzle half of it on top and toss the rest in the bin.
Not a big fan of iceberg lettuce as I understand it has practically zero nutritional value... I prefer a mixed greens or a romaine lettuce. Remember also that you are mixing foods... salad greens and veggies are high fibre (?) so should be slower to digest and adding some oil and vinegar will likely slow digestion and release of sugars even more... But only you can find out how these affect your own BS by testing

[matingara]

There is a great thread here on DF where we all shared salad dressings.

I have pasted mine here because i think it is by far the best in the world. (Am i biased??? )

Orleanais Dressing from Rick Stein's French Odyssey series.

take 1 or two cloves of garlic and crush on a board. add a pinch of salt and continue chopping/crushing the garlic until it is a paste. (fresh garlic is mandatory. the crushed stuff in the jar won't work).

put the crushed garlic into a small bowl and add 2 tablespoons of good red wine vinegar. (I use the Maille brand and refuse to use anything else now.)

also add to the bowl 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard. (i prefer "Grey Poupon" but the Maille is also good.)

Whisk together briefly.

Gradually whisk in 8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

Whisk until you have a nice creamy consistency.

I have tried doing this in a blender. It is much better when done by hand.

PS: ALSO, before i toss my salad i always, ALWAYS sprinkle it with a tiny bit of flaky sea salt. This gives it extra bite.

PPS: try this dressing on raw broccoli - the lil heads soak up the dressing and it is HEAVEN!!!



-- Joel.

[BrianSCohen]

Debbie Sue,

Welcome. I know everything is rushing at you. A diagnosis of diabetes, new medications, everyone running around screaming about the end of the world. Well it is not the end of the world, you will be fine. Actually, you may very well have totally ignored your diet before being diagnosed, and any change will be positive. There is plenty to read here and you will learn a great deal from your class and from others here at the forum. In the meantime, just make simple choices. Read the nutrients on the label. If it says carbs per serving are 20 or more grams, that is pretty high carb, best to avoid. Reduce/avoid sugar, starches, bread, rice, pasta, potato. Don't go and make yourself suffer on ice cubes. Find a some carb free choices you can have any time you are driven by hunger, and allow yourself these. You will be fine, even modest actions with your medication will quickly bring things around. As you learn more about diet and exercise you can worry more about the details.

[kgm0612]

Debbie Sue........ here's some food suggestions that are pretty good on the blood sugar.

Breakfast: Toasted light wheat bread; scrambled eggs or an omelet; Special K Protein Plus Cereal; Dannon Carb/Sugar Control Yogurt.

Lunch: You're already eating salad, but I'd add a blend of lettuce because Iceburg has no nutritional value. Top the salad off with some grilled chicken, or slices of lean deli meat; Turkey or Chicken breast, tuna, egg or chicken salad on light wheat bread; Lean Cuisine makes some low carb (8g-15g) meals that are very good; Leftovers (chicken, etc) from dinner the night before.

Dinner: I eat a lot of chicken......grilled, baked, etc. I also grill a steak or a burger once a week. I do eat pasta, but I've switched over to wheat pasta. Mostly every meal consists of a small baked sweet potatoe and lots of veggies.

Snacks: walnuts, almonds, sugar-free pudding (or jello) cup with whip cream, a handful of mini carrots, celery sticks, a small apple or pear.

Hope this helps.

Karen

[Debbie Sue]

Wow! Thanks Karen! I feel like I've got a good place to start now. Also, does caffeine raise bsl?

[MJB]

I'm going against the grain here but screw the "lean" meat and go ahead and enjoy fat meat. Burgers, steak, sausage, bacon etc.

There seems to be very little out there supporting the idea that low fat eating is actually best for you.

When I was doing Atkins I ate a LOT of cheeseburgers, steak, bacon and eggs. My lipid profiles were the best they have ever been since I've been having them checked.

But....you have to find what works best for YOU!

I think natural foods (not processed) and limited carbs work for most.