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Need Help From The Diabetics, Low-carb, Or Grain-free Ers


missy'smom

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missy'smom Collaborator

Here's what my diet looks like:

I'm dairy-free.

I've been trying to limit my carbs, one at a time, small portions, spread throughout the day. I don't care for meat much and eat some vegetarian meals but try to have at least a small portion 3 times a day and am trying to increase my intake of the lean meats that I eat. I don't purposely limit my fats but can't eat meat fat-I eat ground surloin, skinless chicken breasts, etc. and I don't like very oily foods for the most part-my salads are very lightly dressed. The limiting of the carbs is because I'm at risk for diabetes, if I don't already have a problem, but that's another topic for another time. Because Im limiting my carbs, I also have only a very small serving of a sugar containing item once a day or less. I drink almost only water.

Here's my problem: I'm loosing too much weight. I was shocked when I stepped on the scale today. For a while I was in a rut and eating mostly carbs and was ok weight wise but then I switched and tried to eat more veg(because blood test showed I needed to get more potassium) and less carbs and now this is where I'm at. I need to figure out a balance. I'm not an active person but I've been feeling good and more energetic so maybe am more active. Are there any calorie filled foods that won't raise blood sugar? Can more veg. help me out in the calorie department? I'm thinking I should add a small salad and soup to every meal but don't know if that'll be enough to get my weight up enough. At least I should do that I guess. I made a roasted tomato soup yesterday from garden veg. VERY good and healthy, but as I was making it I was thinking that I spent more calories making it than I would get from eating it. Several pounds ago I said that I REALLY couldn't afford to loose any more weight!

I really appreciate any advice.

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MyMississippi Enthusiast

To be considered pre- diabetic I think your fasting blood sugars have to be over 100 ----

DId your doctor tell you that you are prediabetic, and to change your diet to low carb???

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ShayFL Enthusiast

Soups and salads are filling but offer little by way of calories and can actually fill you up so you eat less calorie dense foods....and you lose more weight.

Add some nuts and seeds in. Nuts dont raise the BS much at all and they give protein and good fats.

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Juliebove Rising Star

I wish I had your problem. Mine is the opposite. I look at food and gain. I had been losing but my blood sugar was out of control so I was put on insulin and I have been steadily gaining. *sigh* The Dr. said it was likely the insulin causing it.

Can you eat nuts and seeds? Avocados? They have good fat in them. You might also try using some olive oil. I buy extra lean ground beef and cook it with a small amount of olive oil.

As for the carbs... Perhaps you've cut back too much? You might try adding some slower acting carbs back into your diet, like beans.

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Rya Newbie

I've counseled a few diabetics that were not overweight and did not know how they developed the disease. What they all had in common - a low carb diet.

Moderate carb is fantastic, but low carb is rough on the body. Generally speaking, following an actual diabetic diet is great for prevention of diabetes. For women, we generally recommended 2-3 carb choices per meal and at least 1 carb per snack, for 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.

As far as raising blood sugar, if you eat your carbs with some fat and some protein, it curbs the effect. So, a medium baked potato with lite sour cream, margarine, and lite cheese would be a great meal. Total - about 2 carbs. Add a glass of milk to make 3 if you like.

You can also add potatoes or low-fat milk to your soup.

And don't forget exercise. That by itself is such a big help against type 2 dm.

It's great that you are interested in diabetes prevention. Just be careful!!!! I certainly wouldn't want your efforts to go unfulfilled. :(

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missy'smom Collaborator

Thank you all for the replies. I had gestational diabetes and managed it by diet alone but certainly don't know or understand all there is to managing it by diet. I have no idea how many calories are in foods because I've never had to watch my weight. Yesterday I looked up and calculated how many calories were in my meals and I fell very short at breakfast and snack. I've tried to get in two snacks a day but if I eat too late in the eve. it seems I have GI trouble. I can't eat eggs as is, although one in baked goods and one in a meatloaf or the like is OK. I have a milk allergy and can't tolerate soymilk so that doesn't help either. I tried nuts and soymilk in addition to my regular snack but had loose stools this morning. :(

I mentioned low-carb but I'm not following an actual lowcarb diet. I've tried to aim for what I thought was moderate carb but maybe it hasn't been enough. I've felt better switching the balance this way, but still have to achieve a better balance. I'd like to figure out how to get some protein in my snacks.

For now I think I'll have sandwiches at breakfast. I've been having a half sand. but maybe I'll up it to a whole sand. Yesterday I added a little more light mayo and an extra slice of ham. Add a banana and I'll have around a 400 calorie meal. My other meals were a little over 400.

I know I need to get in and get tested that way I'll know one way or the other but I'm scared. Having it for 3 months, I knew it would end but I'm still young(I think) and I don't want another diagnosis that I'll have to live with for the rest of my life. Plus the long term possible complications scare me as well. So I've been putting it off until I'm ready to deal with it.

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Rya Newbie
I know I need to get in and get tested that way I'll know one way or the other but I'm scared. Having it for 3 months, I knew it would end but I'm still young(I think) and I don't want another diagnosis that I'll have to live with for the rest of my life. Plus the long term possible complications scare me as well. So I've been putting it off until I'm ready to deal with it.

Whew! I feel better to know you're doing moderate carb. :D

I can completely understand the scare. I keep reading that Type 1 DM, autoimmune thyroid, and Celiac are a classic triad. I'm only missing one. It scares me, too. At the same time, the complications arise from non-management. You're way ahead of the game in that respect.

Plus, if you're eating right and exercising, you're totally minimizing your risks! (btw - Way to go for taking the initiative to look up calories)

Don't go get tested until you're ready. But staying on top of this will be the key.

And...sorry that I missed the milk allergy the first time around!

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Live2BWell Enthusiast

Don't quote me on this, but doesn't gestational diabetes usually go away once you have the baby?

I would certainly get re-tested; Some things that will help you to maintain your weight (or gaining it) is using oil in much of your cooking, eating avacados, or peanut butter (both are 'good fats');

Certainly, though, losing weight at any alarming rate isn't ever a good thing, so if it were me I'd go back to the docs asap.

Take care, and keep us posted :)

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missy'smom Collaborator

Liv2BeWell, yes, it does usually go away as soon as the placenta is delivered. But a person has a higher chance of developing it again. From what I understand, celiac disease increases our risk also and with me, my pregnancy triggered my celiac disease and I was undiagnosed for the next 8 years, so I feel that I have a much greater risk.

On another note, I gained 2 pounds! May not seem like much to some, but on my small frame it makes a difference.

I found a dietician, knowledgeable about celiac disease and diabetes, but insurance doesn't pay for the kind of service I'd like now and our budget is very tight so we'll see if it'll work out to see her. At least I know there's a resource if I need it.

Also possibly found a primary care Doc. but have to wait to see if he's accepting new patients. He comes well recommended and I am told he might be a good match for me in particular. I'm such a scardy cat around doctors.

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Rya Newbie

Yay!! You're making great progress!!!

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Nancym Enthusiast

You might want to check out The Paleo diet, or one of the many variations.

Can you eat avocados, olives, nuts, nut butters that sort of thing?

I can recommend a good forum to get dietary support if you want. Lots of grain/gluten free, low carb dieters there. There's even a low carb support forum for diabetics on the same MB. PM me if you're interested. The recipe forums there are fabulous and keep me satisfied with what would otherwise seem like a very limited diet.

I low carb for health and weight maintenance. Unfortunately I don't have any issues with excessive weight loss. That's a problem I'd almost like to have!

Oh, for blood sugar issues, I recommend this web site. Jenny is also active on the low carb forum.

Open Original Shared Link Wonderful articles there!

And congrats on taking control of your blood sugar issues before you get diabetes!

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  • 1 month later...
Maryruth1035 Newbie
Here's what my diet looks like:

I'm dairy-free.

I've been trying to limit my carbs, one at a time, small portions, spread throughout the day. I don't care for meat much and eat some vegetarian meals but try to have at least a small portion 3 times a day and am trying to increase my intake of the lean meats that I eat. I don't purposely limit my fats but can't eat meat fat-I eat ground surloin, skinless chicken breasts, etc. and I don't like very oily foods for the most part-my salads are very lightly dressed. The limiting of the carbs is because I'm at risk for diabetes, if I don't already have a problem, but that's another topic for another time. Because Im limiting my carbs, I also have only a very small serving of a sugar containing item once a day or less. I drink almost only water.

Here's my problem: I'm loosing too much weight. I was shocked when I stepped on the scale today. For a while I was in a rut and eating mostly carbs and was ok weight wise but then I switched and tried to eat more veg(because blood test showed I needed to get more potassium) and less carbs and now this is where I'm at. I need to figure out a balance. I'm not an active person but I've been feeling good and more energetic so maybe am more active. Are there any calorie filled foods that won't raise blood sugar? Can more veg. help me out in the calorie department? I'm thinking I should add a small salad and soup to every meal but don't know if that'll be enough to get my weight up enough. At least I should do that I guess. I made a roasted tomato soup yesterday from garden veg. VERY good and healthy, but as I was making it I was thinking that I spent more calories making it than I would get from eating it. Several pounds ago I said that I REALLY couldn't afford to loose any more weight!

I really appreciate any advice.

Have you considered increasing your intake of nuts and nut butters? Nuts give a pretty good calorie bang for the volume buck--walnuts are a good source of omega-3 oils...It seems that there are others too. I like to munch on an organic salted nut blend--but any nuts are going to be fairly high calorically--just a handfull 6-7 times a day can increase you caloric intake by 1000 calories a day and will really help to stabilize your blood sugar as well since they are fairly low carb.

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ShayFL Enthusiast

For me it isnt "carbs" in general that raise my BS, it is the type. Grains make my BS skyrocket. Fruit, squashes and sweet potatoes do not. So I cut out the grains and now keep a nice normal BS curve.

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missy'smom Collaborator

Thank you for the new replys. I got up the courage to face it and was in today for the 3 hour fasting glucose tolerance test and will see the doc. on Wednesday this week for the results, so I should know exactly where I stand with that soon. Knowledge is power. My new doc. was generally ok with me being "tiny" as I often get called(not by him), even though I am still a little uncomfortable with it. He's with me that it's all about health and energy and not about a number. I'm doing better but still have a little work to do. Thanks for all your support.

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lonewolf Collaborator

If you're still trying to figure out calories and carb/fat/protein ratios, try "spark people dot com". (Eliminate the spaces and the "dot", you know). They have a great nutrition tracker that will tell you exactly how many calories and what percentage of each nutrient you're getting. "the daily plate dot com" is another good tool. I love the spark people website - I'm trying to lose weight and it really helps me to see exactly what I'm eating. I try to keep a balance between carbs, fats and protein - 40% carbs, 30% fats and 30% protein. I developed diabetes while I was on a high dose of prednisone and was told that I was at greater risk of developing it later on. The 40-30-30 is a good way to keep your blood sugar balanced.

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missy'smom Collaborator
If you're still trying to figure out calories and carb/fat/protein ratios, try "spark people dot com". (Eliminate the spaces and the "dot", you know). They have a great nutrition tracker that will tell you exactly how many calories and what percentage of each nutrient you're getting. "the daily plate dot com" is another good tool. I love the spark people website - I'm trying to lose weight and it really helps me to see exactly what I'm eating. I try to keep a balance between carbs, fats and protein - 40% carbs, 30% fats and 30% protein. I developed diabetes while I was on a high dose of prednisone and was told that I was at greater risk of developing it later on. The 40-30-30 is a good way to keep your blood sugar balanced.

Thank you lonewolf. I'll check that out, it sounds like the kind of resource that I was thinking I'd like to have. Regardless of the results of the tests, I'll still be tweaking my diet because I feel much better if I keep a certain balance.

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Maryruth1035 Newbie
For me it isnt "carbs" in general that raise my BS, it is the type. Grains make my BS skyrocket. Fruit, squashes and sweet potatoes do not. So I cut out the grains and now keep a nice normal BS curve.

Yes, there has been a lot written about the "good carbs" and "bad carbs". Interesting that you mention squash and sweet potatoes as wellas fruit--they all have a lower glycemic index than grains--that is, per the amont of sugar content in them, the sugar is absorbed more slowly (because of all of the fiber, among other things). As long as you eat lower glycemic index foods, or the "good carbs" you're not going to get as radical a BS rise. And especially so if you eat them with protein & good fats, which also slow the absorption of sugar into the gut and therefore slows the rise in BS.

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Nancym Enthusiast

Have you considered looking into Dr. Bernstein's diet? You probably need to concentrate on getting your calories from fat instead of carbs. I know a lot of diabetics either using Atkins or Bernstein's diet to control their diabetes. Some manage to get off drugs altogether.

Here's a message forum you might be interested in: Open Original Shared Link

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missy'smom Collaborator

Well, I got the results today and while it doesn't come as a shock, I'm sad. My fasting glucose was around 86 but the other numbers were HIGH around 250-280 even at 3 hours they showed no sign of going down. I was shaking uncontollably the first half hour of the test. So doc. sent me home with a meter and is having me check at 1 hr. and 2 hrs. after 2 meals a day and come back in 4 weeks with more data for him to ponder. He was surprized as I don't have any of the symptoms, markers that he's used to seeing or looks for. So I don't have an official diagnosis yet. He's still trying to figure it out. Is hesitant to say type 2 and leaning towards insulin resistant. But it's not good and it's not going to go away. :( He did say what I already knew, that I need to get enough protein with every meal/snack. Sigh... Now I have to get used to testing again and suck up the courage to do it the first time. The first few times are the hardest. I'm such a chicken and have a big fear of needles and blood. But I got used to it last time. I'm such a worrier though and will freak out a bit if it's high and worry about it all the time, at least for a while. I managed it well during pregnancy but lived meal to meal to meal. I want a different experience this time.

Doc says I'm very healthy and just small. So I'm just accepting my new weight for now and going to give in and buy some new clothes in my new size(thankfully my tops still fit!) My weight will be what it will be. I have bigger fish to fry now.

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Maryruth1035 Newbie

[i've counseled a few diabetics that were not overweight and did not know how they developed the disease. What they all had in common - a low carb diet.

Moderate carb is fantastic, but low carb is rough on the body. ]

Hey Rya--My name is Maryruth. I'm curious when you speak of low carb being hard on the body--can you talk about that a bit more? And when you say you've 'counseled' have you done so in a professional capacity? Are you a nutritionist or other health care professional? I know that no diet will work for everyone, and that different peoples' bodies will have different nutritional requirements, but I really am curious about your comment. I've been on a low-carb diet for about 4 years now, and have never felt better--my energy levels are up, I'm less depressed, I sleep better, etc. One of the reasons I chose this diet is because of the way it helps to level off blood sugar levels and because my Mom was diabetic (II) and I'd prefer not to join that 'club' if I can avoid it....So what do you consider a low-carb diet to be in terms of carb intake per meal or total carbs per day? In what ways would lowering your carb intake put a strain on the body, (assuming normal kidney function)?

I'm curious because you're the first person I've ever heard make this claim--that it might be linked with diabetes--all the literature I've read suggests it is a great way to control your blood sugar levels and to ward off type II diabetes. Do you have any reference you can site that discuss this topic that I could read?

I've actually spoken to many nutritionists that have insinuated that it is not a good diet choice, but they can never give me any specifics. The physicians I've spoken with think it is a pretty healthy way to loose weight and lower cholesterol...So I'm very curious to know what data supports the idea a good choice. And are we talking about NO carb or low carb--because there is a big difference. On a low carb diet you still get plenty of colorful veggies and some fruit--up to several servings a day, depending on the fruit choice--what else is missing that the body needs, I'm wondering? (I frequently will have berries in the morning and an apple or plums or some other low glycemic load fruit for afternoon snack with nuts). I even have 'forbiddden fruits once in a while when they are in season--I just eat smaller servings than most people)

Anyway, I'd really like to hear more on this topic since you are the first person who's actually suggested to me that a low carb diet might actually be related to diabetes...

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ShayFL Enthusiast

I have a Phd in Nutrition and had my own practice for a little over 5 years. Getting ready to start up again. I took a 5 year break and focused on my painting. I am also an artist.

At any rate, my research and personal experience is that humans were not designed to be eating all of the "starch" that we currently do. And grains are not necessary for your health! Our early ancestors survived for millions of years without them. They have become a mainstay of the modern diet primarily because they are inexpensive to manufacture, ship and store, whereas fresh vegetables spoil in a short time. We eat grains because we have become used to them and because we like them, not because we need them.

If we eat grains every day, it exposes us to potential long-term health problems. When we eat grains, they turn quickly into sugar and send our leptin and insulin levels soaring. This can eventually create a hormonal roller coaster that is the root cause of many addictions and cravings and a wide range of other health problems. Remember that within a short time of eating them, a bowl of cereal has become a bowl of sugar, a slice of toast has become a slice of sugar, and a potato has become a big lump of sugar.

Many people do much better on a low carb diet (i.e. low starch). Eating lots of fresh veggies (including squashes), moderate fruits, moderate nuts & seeds gives you MORE than enough carbohydrates. And is VERY HEALTHY. :)

I have discovered for my own bio-individuality that low carb is best for me. Grains make my blood sugar spike. This is not healthy. Even a small amount like 1/2 cup of oatmeal will spike me more than a piece of fruit drizzled with honey. They just dont work for my body.

So if you are eating low carb and feeling healthy, you are on the right track!!

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Maryruth1035 Newbie

***Many people do much better on a low carb diet (i.e. low starch). Eating lots of fresh veggies (including squashes), moderate fruits, moderate nuts & seeds gives you MORE than enough carbohydrates. And is VERY HEALTHY. :) ***

Thanks for the info Shay--this is also what I've read repeatedly and have experienced in person.

***I have discovered for my own bio-individuality that low carb is best for me. Grains make my blood sugar spike. This is not healthy. Even a small amount like 1/2 cup of oatmeal will spike me more than a piece of fruit drizzled with honey. ***

Yup--Although I still really do enjoy a 10 carb homemade tortilla at breakfast or lunch once in a while (I grind my own old world or other 'safe' grains--teff, amaranth, buckwheat (I know it isn't really a grain, but still-), quinoa...whatever else I can find and mix my 'flour" with either olive oil (If going for salty) or Coconut Oil (if going for 'sweet') and, well--yum...along with my protein portion and maybe an apricot or a couple of slices of an apple it sure makes for a tasty breakfast once in a while!!! [i always use Organic groats because I'm still thinking Jesus ate bread all of the time-, and he fed it to a lot of people, and it seems he wouldn't have necessarily wanted to poisen them...so -I wonder if our grain problem may have arisen over time as some grain genetics altered in response to pesticides, etc. or if perhaps some grains (like gluten containing grains) were more sensitive to toxins in the environment and absorb more of the pollutants in the ground, etc--and have only recently--last 1000 years or so--become our enemy due to the way we have been destroying our environment? ...Of course that's just me pondering based on my philisophical beliefs...]

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ShayFL Enthusiast

Your thinking is on the right track.....over the years farmers have purposely modified wheat working toward a grain with the MOST GLUTEN. It was discovered that gluten is desirable in cooking and baking so farmers found ways to make their grain have more gluten and therefore be more in demand.

The grains Jesus was eating are nothing like what we eat today. And wheat would have only been a small part of his bread or not at all.

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celiac-mommy Collaborator

Is there a special # of carbs for the moderate low carber? I gained a few lbs this summer, as I always do <_< And I've found if I want to lose a few, I decrease the amount of carbs significantly for 2 weeks or so and then gradually add in the good carbs--fruits, berries whole grains etc...For those first 2 weeks, I just increase my vegetables to about 3cups per meal and in a lot of lean proteins-egg whites, nuts, fish, chicken and allow 2 pieces of fruit, usually with lunch-but no grains. It works really well for me, but am concerned that it's too low carb.... Any opinions?

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Juliebove Rising Star

I am diabetic. I don't do low carb, but certainly lower carb than before. I used to eat a vegetarian diet with mainly beans and rice or beans and pasta. No more!

I do have to fix food for my family so I try most of the time to make something we will all eat. Tonight it is chicken and rice in the crockpot. But I am using a mix of brown and wild rice and I added a lot of chopped celery and mushrooms to help lower the overall carb count.

If I am making a soup, I will sometimes cook the pasta or rice separately and then add it to our bowls so we can all get the amount we want/need.

Green beans and wax beans make a great substitute for pasta. They can be used instead of or mixed into casseroles to lower the carb count.

Dried beans, while containing carbs do have a lot of fiber and protein so they are a great lower carb choice. You can make "chips" out of chunks of bell pepper and make a dip of refried or mashed canned beans. Soy beans are especially good, if you can eat them. Many diabetics eat soy pasta. I am not sure if this is gluten-free or not because we don't do soy.

For your snacks you want to eat things that are higher in fat if you are losing too much weight. Nuts, seeds, olives and avocados are all good things. I can't personally stand avocados but if you like them, by all means eat them. You can also try adding a bit of olive oil to your foods. I buy very lean ground beef and add a bit of olive oil.

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