[Debbie Sue]

I have been reading about the diabetic Glucerna products and am considering making them a part of my snack/meal plan on days I am on the go. I understand when trying new foods, it affects everyone differently.

Any thoughts on the products or advice on if this is a good thing to add to a meal plan?

My fasting #'s are below 120 now. Yay!

[dar917]

I have tried one of their cereals and the shakes; I didn't notice any difference, but you're type 2 so it may be different.

[slipperyelm]

I have such an aversion to those canned drinks that I don't think I could bring myself to even taste one. For me, it is better to plan ahead and have something simpler and homemade to eat and drink.

At the very least I try to take a bottle of tap water with me when I leave the house, yet admit that I forget to take it all too often. Sometimes I will pack a lunch to take. I found that especially helpful in the first weeks after diagnosis because I was having a hard time with sudden, disabling hunger and with weakness and feelings of being "hypo" if I was at all late with a meal. Taking a lunch with me saved me from caving in and buying something bad for me while out.

After my body became more accustomed to more normal blood glucose levels, it was no longer so crucial to always have a meal ready at specific times.

How much do those Glucerna products cost? Are they comparable to similar products, not intended specifically for diabetics?

[Debbie Sue]

Originally Posted by slipperyelm

How much do those Glucerna products cost? Are they comparable to similar products, not intended specifically for diabetics?

I've priced them at Wally World and they are rather expensive here. My son drinks them and eats the meal bars thinking he's helping himself and told me about them. His bs is up and he really knows he should give them up, but he likes the convenience. Anyway, I was considering giving them a try, but you're right. It's better to make my own meals and prepack them. I've gotten good at making my meal plan now and adjusting where necessary.

[dar917]

They are ridiculously expensive.

[slipperyelm]

If you think they might help lessen the new burden that diabetes is go right ahead and try them. I think that making the changes type 2 can foist on us can be so hard that we should feel free to take take any easy ways that come along. But I doubt if you would want to make those products a daily way of eating and drinking anyway. I mean, did you eat things like that before diabetes? They might fulfill the criterion of convenience you could be looking for right now, but maybe they won't fulfill the taste and mouthfeel you will be wanting. Who knows? --Not me as I don't know your eating habits. But, heck, do what gets you through in a healthy way!


Those products definitely aren't for me, but I am glad they exist for people that they will help.

There is something unrelated to this that I wanted to comment on. Your son. He was already diabetic before you? Type 2? As you learn more about diabetes, you may see things in his life that you wish he would get "fixed," diabetes-wise. My son is only 20, but I see him eating and living a lifestyle that I fear could lead to diabetes. And I know that I am the one who largely set his tastes in food, and I did not do all I could to get him into a really active lifestyle. If he were to become diabetic while I am still alive, I know I would so want to "fix" him, to tell him everything I know, suspect, or can suggest. Parent and child sets who share type 2 must have a special problem between them. Sometimes it probably helps one or the other or both, but sometimes probably it causes conflict...Maybe I'll start a thread about this. I know we have some members here who are in that situation: parent and child type 2s.

[Handybear]

I find that any food or drink that is promoted for "Diabetics" is just a way for company's to give us false hope and take our money. I don't like the taste of any of the Glucerna stuff and it
makes my BS go up. I do much better with regular people food and prepare my own snacks.

[notme]

There was a thread on this subject recently. Here is the link: Glucerna Snack Bars or Meal Bars?

[Aurora96]

I like the cereal. It does great things for my morning numbers and is great for me when I don't have time to prepare a cooked meal.

I also like the snack shakes. I drink one every now and again when I need something chocolate. I like the fact that it doesn't have that iron taste a lot of canned drinks have.

Down side for me is that the stuff is crazy expensive. I do not use them every day.

YMMV - as with anything in this crazy world of the D, you have to test, test, test!!

[Debbie Sue]

Originally Posted by slipperyelm

There is something unrelated to this that I wanted to comment on. Your son. He was already diabetic before you? Type 2?

Yes, he was diagnosed, type 2, eight yeas ago in high school.

[Kim_in_TN]

I've never tried any of that stuff. I look at the prices for the special candy bars and such and think "NO WAY". Try apple slices with peanut butter for a quick snack. You can buy the sliced apples in zipped re-closeable bags in the produce dept. of most grocery stores! I've already gotten a couple other DF members hooked on them!

[princesslinda]

I have tried the Glucerna shakes (got a free coupon) and found their taste to be horrible. I've had a trial of the cereal and didn't care for it either...and they have more carbs than you'd think.

3/4 c of their cereal - 28 carbs, 5 fiber
Glucerna shake 19 carbs, 3 fiber
Snack bars - 25 carbs 1 fiber


a serving of Cocoa Pebbles has only 19 carbs
Quaker oatmeal raisin chewy granola bar has 19 carbs

Carnation inst. b/fast sugar free - 12 carbs, 4 fiber
mix w/Hood Calorie countdown...(4 carbs/8 oz)

My point is, if you check labels, you'll find many more options that are better priced with comparable or better carb content.

[art]

I looked at the carbs on a few of their products and my reactions was " this is for a diabetic??'

I can do lot's better with a lot more foods.

Art

[Debbie Sue]

Originally Posted by art

I looked at the carbs on a few of their products and my reactions was " this is for a diabetic??'

I can do lot's better with a lot more foods.

Art

That's what I'm finding also Art. I just read and evaluate what is in the product. I'd PREFER to make my own meals and know exactly what goes into them. I was mainly thinking of using a product like Glucerna for road trips and on the run times. Others above have some good ideas and they sound like they'd taste better than Glucerna anyway. My son said he likes the Butter Pecan flavored Glucerna drink better than any of the others and he said the BP isn't that great. Says a lot.

[MClark]

Hi Debbie Sue,
I think their products are too expensive. Kashi has some great cereals that are lower in carbs. Glucerna stuff typically makes me spike....go figure.
Good luck with your search and good job with the morning readings.
Cheers.
Mylene