[Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Wed Jul 29 21:12:04 UTC 2020

Even my husband liked it, and he hasn't liked some of the gluten-free that
we havfe tried. It's a bit more costly but it surely keeps the levels down.

Jeanette

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 3:11 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Love the Banza brand of pasta! Frequently purchase this brand. It's vegan,
gluten-free and the carbs are derived from a good source of carbs as you
point out. And you cannot tell the difference between this and wheat-based
pastas.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jeanette
Kutash via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 2:02 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Terri, I have also found some organic tomato sauce, and often I saute onions
and either peppers or sliced zucchini in pam spray or olive or canola oil. I
can then add some cheese and melt it on the plate, (about a quarter of a cup
per serving of shredded), and some days I have half a cup of rice or some
days I have a cup of dreemfield's pasta or banza pasta. The banza is very
low in carbs as it is made of healthy beans (pinto, lentil, etc.) and the
dreamfields is also lower in carbs, which helps with sugar levels.

And while I don't often say use sugar-free products, when I am truly hungry
beyond my ability to cope I make sugar-free jello and have a cup of that and
it is filling.

Bridgit is right--A1C down that much is progress. We keep telling you small
steps, because that is how it is.  
Jeanette

-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:14 PM
To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Terry,

This is all so exciting! You're really making fantastic strides. It begins
by taking small steps and making incrimintal adjustments.

8.2 to 7.5 is a great change in your A1-C. Keep doing what you're doing. The
changes you're incorporating are big but not easy, but you're doing it.

It doesn't sound like your endo is a bad doctor at all, but you have to have
chemistry with your doctors. If you don't, there's nothing wrong looking for
another one. This is a choice you have to make, but you shouldn't feel bad
if you want to find a new endo.

All a diabetic diet is is low-carb and usually low sodium. So, you don't
necessarily need diabetic-specific cookbooks or recipes, but there are
diabetic cookbooks available on BARD if you're signed up with NLS. I just
find recipes online or read various cookbooks and sometimes, I make my own
recipes up. I do what works for me and modify a recipe if I think it's
necessary. A cooking blog I love is Mel's Kitchen. She has a variety of
recipes and many are healthy.

I do think working with a nutritionist is a great idea. This can all be
overwhelming, and working with someone who is a pro might help alleviate
anxiety about food and cooking. Once you understand the foundations of food
and nutrition and how certain foods work in the body, you can start making
better choices for yourself.

On average though, limiting sugar in-take, avoiding junk food and processed
foods and incorporating a variety of fresh veggies and fruits into your diet
will make a big impact.

I highly encourage you to have some resistance when exercising. It doesn't
have to be an intense resistance, but it's that resistance that helps you
achieve a cardio work-out and simultaneously work on muscle tone. Cardio is
what you need to help your cardio vascular system. Toning muscle helps your
body burn fat and helps with glucose levels. When you work-out without any
resistance, you might get your heart rate up a bit, but you aren't achieving
a full work-out. It's better to do a shorter amount of time with some
resistance than a longer period of time without any. Studies have shown that
those who work-out for just 25 minutes with a little more intensity do just
as well, and in some cases, better than those who work-out for an hour.

But you have started exercising, and that's amazing. There are days when I
don't want to exercise at all. I force myself to do it, and I generally feel
better afterwards. Since you did not previously exercise, you're body is
adjusting to this new activity. It takes time. Do just 10 or 15 minutes a
day for a week or two, and then increase the time the following week. Your
body will eventually acclimate. But like anything else, it takes small
steps.

Here's a recipe for avocado toast, one of my favorite meals right now:

2 slices bread (I use the gluten-free Canyon Bakehouse brand, but use
whatever you prefer) Olive oil
1 avacado
Fresh ground black pepper
Garlic powder
Sea salt
1/4 cup mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the bread on a baking sheet. I place baking paper on mine first.
Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on each slice of bread. You can also use
a spray olive oil for better control.
Remove skin of avocado and pit. In a separate bowl, mash up avocado. I
prefer mine a little chunky, but you can mash to the consistency you like.
Add in some freshly ground black pepper, a pinch of salt and some garlic
powder, probably about 1/4 teaspoon or so. Give a stir to mix up.
Evenly spread the mashed avocado between the 2 pieces of bread. Sprinkle the
mozzarella on top.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
On average, this totals 47 grams of carbs. An avocado has about 17 grams,
and each slice of bread has 15 grams roughly.

Avacados are a super food. They are very healthy and a great source of good
fats. I prefer gluten-free foods. Gluten is not great for digestive health,
and gluten can lead to a variety of health concerns, but ultimately, you do
what is best for you.

Most days, this is my lunch.

Another simple recipe I do for dinner or lunch is grilled or sautéed veggies
in a wrap:

1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1/2 red onion
Baby bella mushrooms or whatever mushrooms you like
1 tablespoon coconut oil, can also be olive oil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Lettuce or Tortilla wrap
Feta cheese

Slice veggies however you like. You can julienne or chunk, whatever you
prefer.
Combine spices in a container and mix up.
In a skillet over medium heat, sautee the veggies in the coconut oil. About
a minute into cooking, sprinkle the spice mixture and mix up with veggies.
Sautee for about a total of 5 minutes or so, or until veggies are at the
consistency you like.
Alternatively, you can also grill the veggies.
Place as many veggies in the wrap of your choice and sprinkle with feta
cheese and enjoy. If opting for a lettuce wrap, romain is great for this,
there will be zero carbs. Most tortilla wraps have about 25 to 35 grams of
carbs. You just have to check the nutrition info. You can also have the
veggies over rice. I make jasmine rice. A cup of jasmine rice has 44 grams
of carbs.

This makes for leftovers too, so you will have more than a single meals
worth of veggies.

I like things spicey, so, you can play around with the spice mixture and
even make your own. You can also use whatever cheese you like, or no cheese
at all.

I also drink a lot of water in a day. Not only is this healthy for you,
especially the digestive system, staying hydrated is very important, but
drinking a lot of water also helps you feel fuller between meals. I drink 48
to 64 ounces a day. I have a 16 ounce water bottle I fill 4 times a day and
drink between meals.

You're really doing a fantastic job, Terry. Truly, keep it up.

Bridgit
-----Original Message-----
From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Terri
Stimmel via Diabetes-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 4:18 AM
To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Terri Stimmel <icecreamlover76 at outlook.com>
Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Latest update from me

Hello everyone,

I hope all of you are well. I just wanted to give you all a quick update on
myself, and my progress.

This past Tuesday I went to see my diabetes specialist. I usually see him
every 3 months.

However, due to the virus, I hadn't seen him since January. I did have a
phone conversation in April. But physically being able to go to the doctor
is so much better in my opinion.

Anyway, my A1C went from 8.2, to 7.6. I'm glad to see it lowered. This
pleases me very much. My doctor said that this is the lowest it's ever been.

However, I didn't think this was accurate. I had thought at one time it had
been even lower. So I looked at my health records online. My thinking was
right. Back in 2016, at one point my A1C was, 5.6. In all honesty, I don't
know what the hell I did to get it that low. But apparently I did it.

I would love to get my A1C that low again. But I don't feel it's possible. I
don't eat well, and I know it. I want to eat better than I do. But there are
several things that keep this from happening. It's a huge struggle for me. I
have cut different things out, which I feel has helped a lot. I am also
trying to eat smaller portions. Which I also feel helps a great deal.

However, when it comes to this area of my life, it's a huge struggle for me.

Also, I am still struggling with rather or not I want to switch doctors. 
I have been with my current doctor for about 6 years. But there are things I
just don't like.

For instance, they can sometimes be difficult to get hold of over the 
phone. I don't know why this is. I've called them at times, and won't 
get a call back. Other times, it's busy for long periods. Or they just 
seem kind of unfriendly, and not so helpful.

But they are really good at making sure I know how to use my insulin 
pens, if something is switched. So that's a plus.

But also it's the doctor. I think he is one of the leading doctors in my 
area. when I speak to other doctors in regards to who my diabetes 
specialist is, everyone seems to know of him. But I find it difficult to 
communicate with him. He usually seems in a good mood, and is pleasant.

However, when I tried telling him that I started exercising every day, 
and that it was going well, I expected more of a response than what I 
got. He just said, ok, and continued typing at the computer. This was 
really a let down for me. while I didn't expect him to get all excited, 
I was maybe hoping he'd say that was great, or good job. Something like 
that anyway. I didn't need the praise from him. I just wanted some 
acknowledgment that he could see I really was trying to make progress. 
So this was a sad moment for me, in a way.

There are other things. But this gives you all an idea as to what I am 
dealing with. I don't know what the right decision might be. I 
definitely need to think on it a bit more, before making a decision. If 
I choose to go through Mercy, then most of my medical records will all 
be in one place. That's something I really like, and that's appealing to me.

As I mentioned earlier, I have started exercising. It's not much at all. 
But I've gone from not exercising at all, to making an effort. I 
purchased one of those peddalers you sit on the floor. I don't know 
exactly what they are called. I've heard different things. Right now, 
it's just set at resistance level 1, and I can only manage to ride it 
for 5 minutes at a time. But that's a start. eventually I want to 
increase this time. But I will have to work up to that. I pedal every 
day, once a day.

Also, I can't remember if I have asked this before. So if I have, I do 
apologize.

But are there some websites, or Apps I could use, to find some yummy, 
but diabetic friendly recipes to try out?

I do want to work on eating better. But I do enjoy food. I can't be 
someone who just eats to eat, because it's what needs to happen. I'm not 
trying to insult anyone who might live this way. To each his own, and I 
try to respect differing views.

But for me, I can't just eat, because it's something that needs to be 
done. But I know even though I really do enjoy food, I need to try to 
find other alternative ways to enjoy food, that's just a bit more healthier.

Well I hope all of this has made some sense. Please ask questions if you 
have them. And thank you to those of you who might take the time to read 
this. It's very much appreciated.

Terri

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