[Diabetes-Talk] Questions regarding blood sugar and diet

Tue Aug 6 02:28:15 UTC 2019

Carbs make glucose levels rise. Foods like bread, containing wheat and/or
grains, foods with sugar and processed foods like pretzels and crackers have
a high glicimic index, meaing they make BGs rise higher than carbs like
carrots or peas. Even potatoes and rice have a high glicimic index and will
raise BGs more than other foods.

Fruits and some veggies have carbs but affect BGs differently than
wheat/grain or rice or snakc foods, etc.

Protein is what stabilizes glucose levels. That's why it's recommended to
eat more protein and what they used to refer to as "free" veggies at meals,
because these items don't impact BGs like carbs, especially foods high in
carbs like bread, pasta and sugar.

Before bed, it might be best to avoid carbs, or carbs like bread or
crackers, etc. Focus on proteins and low-carb veggies. FYI, unless using an
all natural peanut butter, peanut butter is high in carbs because of all the
sugar.

I'm a vegetarian who leans towards vegan options and does low-carb. There
are a lot more choices with veggies than you realize. While you don't have
to go full vegetarian, you can try to incorporate more veggies in a meal.

If you bake meat but bread it, the breading has carbs, which will impact
glucose levels. My recommendation would be grilled or baked meats with no
breading or sauce. I like to use home-made dry rubs that don't have carbs,
and usually no sugar. Sauces like BBQ also have a lot of sugar, which means
a lot of carbs; just something to keep in mind.

Instead of bread or potatoes, find different recipes for various veggies.
One veggie side my family likes are carrot fries. I use coconut oil, but you
could also use olive oil. Mix in whatever seasonings into the oil you like.
We do anything from just salt and pepper to garlic, cumin and basil. Toss
raw carrots in the mixture then bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. At the
end, I usually broil them for 1 to 2 minutes to make them crispier.

There are also breadings you can make that are carb free. There's a crumb
recipe I sometimes use that uses almond flour as the base, and it has zero
carbs.

Definitely avoid anything with sugar at night. And a lot of these foods have
no nutritional value. Wheat, processed foods, foods high sugar, trans-fats--
absolutely no nutritional value.

Personally, I only drink about 1 can of diet soda a week. Regardless of what
it does to BGs, it's not healthy. And there are studies indicating sugar
substitutes essentially fool your body, thinking it's consuming sugar and
can potentially raise BGs. Something to keep in mind when drinking soda.
Sweet obviously has sugar, and personally, I can't stand sweet tea, but
would avoid it because of the extra sugar. But maybe once or twice a week as
a treat.

Another thing to consider is using a fast acting insulin like Humalog to
bolus at meals. If your current protocol is not working, it might be time to
consider meal boluses. Insulin is what breaks down the glucose in our body.
Non-diabetics obviously don't require assistance for this. Theoretically,
they can eat anything and maintain stable BGs. But of course, us diabetics
either don't produce enough insulin or none at all. So adding insulin to our
regimen can be beneficial. If you can't get BGs under 200, this is
definitely something to consider. Especially if you have no intention of
changing your meal plan and life style.

Lots of things can impact BGs, including stress, exercise or lack thereof.
But food and nutrition is high on the list of what affects BGs.

Do you get any exercise? Any physical activity? This can also help with BGs.
I do a lot of walking. Some for work/kids, etc. But also for exercise. I do
jog, swim, yoga and elliptical at least 5 times a week too. But you don't
have to have a super rigorous routine. Just walking around the neighborhood
is good.

I hope this all helps and gives you options to consider.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Terri
Stimmel via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Monday, August 5, 2019 6:50 PM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Terri Stimmel <icecreamlover76 at outlook.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Questions regarding blood sugar and diet

Hello everyone,

This is Terri. I have posted here before. But using a different email
address. I have finally updated this list to my now, main email address. 
I always appreciate the help and support I find here.

First of all, a while back I posted that I was now using the Libra 
system. While I have had some struggles with it, I love it! I feel it's 
been a huge game changer for me. The biggest issue I have had, is always 
keeping the sensor on for the fourteen day period.

Also, I posted that I was taking Victoza, and had been taking this for a 
few years. I had stated that I was trying to get my doctor to understand 
how ill it made me feel.

Well he finally did hear me, and he changed my medication. This was done 
at my last visit back in June. I go back to see him again in September. 
He changed my medication to once weekly Ozimpic. I like that I only need 
it once a week. Although, I have had to set a reminder to make sure and 
take it.

I am on what I believe is the beginning dose. I don't really seem to 
have side affects from it.

well now that I have given you all a little update, I do have a few 
questions.

First of all, I live with my boyfriend. He is visually impaired. We eat 
most meals together, and combine our income to purchase groceries. We 
likely don't eat the best. He enjoys more veggies, as where I don't 
really. I like salads sometimes. As well as green beans. But not much 
else really.

So we eat chicken strips and fries, or fish fellets, and tater tots. Or 
we will buy a five meat, cheese stuffed crust pizza, and split it. we 
also sometimes eat ham sandwiches, baked beans, and potato salad. We 
usually have a snack around 8, or 9 in the evening. We do try to eat our 
denner between about 5:00, and 7:00. I don't always eat breakfast.

Anyway, I state all this to give you an idea as to how we can eat. 
Nothing is fried. It's all cooked in the oven. Unless we eat out. Which 
we do at least once a week.

I know I don't eat well, and should change this. But I don't see it 
happening any time soon. My doctor is aware of how I eat. I don't hide 
it, or lie about it. I don't feel that's right.

But here is something I have noticed.

For a few months now, my blood sugar rarely goes under 200. If it does, 
it might be, because I have skipped a meal. But what really concerns me 
is how it seems to stay high over night, and is high in the morning. My 
fasting blood sugar is usually around 230, to 270.

I know this needs to change. I don't eat anything after 9:00 at night. 
So I would think that my blood sugar would be a lot lower by 8 in the 
morning. It's not, and I feel I am the cause.

Is this all likely due to how I choose to eat?

Or could there possibly be more to it than this?

I do eat candy at least once a week. But only a few pieces when I do. I 
usually have an ice cream sandwich, or cone a few times a week. I rarely 
eat fruit.

I do drink 3, to 4 bottles of watter a day. But I also sometimes drink a 
large glass of sweet tea once a day, diet Dr Pepper, or sugar free coolaide.

Again, I know I am likely the cause as to why my blood sugar is like 
this. But I don't know what to do to make necessary changes. I have 
tried in the past. But I can't ever seem to stick to anything for long. 
I used to never drink water. So I feel this is at least a small improvement.

What do you all think?

Does anyone possibly have any suggestions?

Thank you for reading my message. I know it was kind of long. Any 
thoughts are much appreciated.

Thank you,

Terri

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