RE: BORDER LINE DIABETIC

[angelsmom10]

 
Just found out that I m a borderline diabetic.
 
 Anyone have any suggestions for help?
 
 I m a very picky eater.  Love potatoes and pasta, cannot have spicy foods.  Mushrooms upset my stomach.
 
 Just looking for some help -- no meds at this time
 
 Because of my pickiness on eating, I m afraid I won t be able to do this.[]

[brainpause]

 angelsmom10
Go to www.diabetes.org
 They may have dietary suggestions. Also, if you can find a dietician to consult, they are great. I have eavesdropped on them when they are talking to patients.
 
 Larry

[g-whiz]

 angelsmom10
Hi angelsmom,
 
 First you need to change your attitude toward this thing.  Easy for me to say, huh!  But, I truly believe that attitude is everything.  I m sure your doctor gave you a recommended plan for eating (which most likely doesn t include a lot of potatoes or pasta).  Make this your lifestyle and don t even use the word " diet" .  It has to become your lifestyle if you don t want this thing to progress because that can cause all kinds of other problems.  If you are overweight, lose the weight.  A lot of times that simple step can correct the problem.  Add at least 30 minutes of exercise to your daily life.  I know a guy who at age 50 found he was borderline diabetic.  He followed the ADA recommendations for eating, stopped having a nightly cocktail, and started walking.  He dropped 60 pounds and has never had to go on medication and is healthier than he has ever been.  He is also not borderline anymore.  It CAN be turned around and you CAN do it!  You CAN!!!  Think positive because your brain really does believe what you tell it.

[campingboaters]

 angelsmom10
Amen g-whiz...  Just read my quote below.
 
 Stay away from carbs as much as you can -- which will be VERY difficult if your love is potatoes and pasta.  I too thought I could never kill my love of carbs, but I found once I stopped eating them, I no longer craved them.  It s a viscious cycle.  The more carbs you eat, the more you want.  When I wanted to change my life, I chose the Carb-addicts lifestyle because I discovered that I was a carb-addict.  (for more information, go to http://www.carbohydrateaddicts.com/) " Carb-addicts"  are people that do not process carbohydrates properly (they produce too much insulin) and are the type of people that get type 2 diabetes.  It runs in my family and I know I have to stay away from high processed foods such as those made with white flour and sugar.  I like to eat low-fat meats and plenty of veggies.  I stear clear of white potatoes and unless it s whole wheat pasta, I try not to eat it.  If I HAVE to have a potato, I go with a yam or sweet potato because they are PACKED with fiber -- which takes away from the amount of carbs somewhat.
 
 Of course, check with your doctor before starting ANY new lifestyles.  Good luck.  Remember, if you want to do this, you can do it!

[wynot]

 angelsmom10
Both my parents are/were insulin taking diabetics...wonder what my odds are, huh?
 
 Anyhow, as noted, starches are in moderation if not ruled out pretty much entirely.  Extra weight needs to be lost if appropriate.  Alcohol - out or very little.  There is a mentality of eating fresh fruits even with their sugars, but I think that is more of a bulk and substitution.  Moderation is the key, but anything that either has sugar or converts to sugar, needs to be minimized.  It stinks as a lifestyle.
 
 Anything you can do to keep off of insulin, which although very much a part of my parents  lifestyle, I would solidly recommend.  My mother takes 3 doses of insulin a day and 4 blood sugar tests, you run up a minor fortune in needles, lancets, and insulin alone.
 
 For your sake, I hope you re never any closer than you are now.

[Tim5055]

 angelsmom10
In November I was advised that i was in the same boat.  Blood sugar was 111.
 
 I immediately started the Adkins diet, i.e. reduced carbs (sugar).  I am now down 45 pounds and my blood sugar stays in the low 80s.
 
 If you are " boarderline" , you can control it with diet.  You just have to watch waht you eat all the time.
 
 Diabetes quietly does it s damage to your system so start watching what you eat now.

[kathybrj]

 angelsmom10
I m insulin resistant. I started the South Beach Diet about 4 weeks ago. I ve lost weight, but, most importantly, I ve lost the craving for breads, pastas, etc.
 
 Pick up the April issue of Prevention magazine (if you can t find it, let me know and I ll copy the article for you and mail it to you... or try http://www.prevention.com/cda/feature2002/0,4780,5345,00.html). It has the synopsis of the diet. I purchased the book after trying the suggestions in Prevention for a few weeks. I was the absolute worst when it came to carbs, but my brother was diagnosed with diabetes last summer and all 4 of our grandparents had it. I was not going to go down the same road.
 
 If I can change my attitude toward food, anyone can.
 
 Good luck.

[wiininkwe]

 angelsmom10
Try reading the poet in the recipes forum titled " Healthy Choices"  and see how others in this group are doing.   Unfortunately a lot of content was lost with the old archives, but there are still some good tips there.
 T
 []

[SheBantam]

 angelsmom10
Nancy, I have been borderline diabetic since I was 24 years old, I am now 47. I am not a big carb eatter as I am allergic to duram/semolina wheat. Most things are made of that kind of wheat. I buy special bread.
 
 If there is a will, there is a way. Being borderline means moderation. You can still have that pasta, in moderation. Also excersize sometimes stimulates the insulin. I found (back in the day that a diet primarily of protien, and fruits and veggies with limited carbs and fats and a low impact arobics, I felt better, lost weight and inches, my BP went down and my blood sugars went down.
 
 It will be a lifestyle change. I did not keep it up. I started back up a few weeks ago, but due to my sprained foot, I found it hard to do the walking or low impact videos, forget about TaeBo with this foot and a hernia. Once the foot heals (if ever) I am ready.  I am also forced on a low fat diet for a while, hopefully that will help me loose weight.
 
 The whole thing is, is that YOU have to be ready to make the sacrifices and they are not easy. Some are easier than others. Some take a getting used to, or time to adapt to. It is your eyesite, your feet, your kidneys that we are talking about. There are people that need you and love you and want you healthy. Make some minor changes in the carbs and see if that helps. Eliminating them completely is not always good.
 Also contact weight watchers, their older plans, and the Richard Simmons plans (deal a meal) are sensible and restrict carbs and fats somewhat.  Good luck I know you can do it!
 Paula

[Opie431]

 angelsmom10
One of my children became an insulin dependent diabetic at 17 months, the other at 35 years.  Your library should have lots of cookbooks for diabetics and people on low carb diets.