[Diabetes-Talk] Reading labels

Mon Jan 18 11:48:28 UTC 2021

Hello again everyone,

First of all, thank you to both Patricia, and Bridget, for your great 
thoughts and advice. I really appreciate it. I appreciate the time, 
effort, and care you put in to your responses. It really helps me out, 
and I am quite sure it helps others as well. It helps me to realize that 
I am truly not the only one who struggles.

Yes, I am working with a diabetes educator. Although, I will be starting 
with a new one in May. I am hoping this will go well. The one I had 
unfortunately moved out of state. I really liked her.

For now, it is recommended that I not have more than 45 carbs per meal, 
and no more than 15 carbs per snack. Also, only one, or two snacks a 
day. But none if this is something I can manage. I am totally fine with 
all this. It's something I want, and something I am most definitely 
trying to do. They did say that treats and such, or ordering out is 
fine. But like you said Bridget, just on the weekends. Something like 
that. Which I like this as well, because then it isn't so much of a 
shock to my system. But also, my boyfriend is being very supportive, and 
tollerant of these changes I am making. I know it hasn't been all that 
easy for him. I have had friends say that I should just worry about 
myself. Just cook for myself, and not worry about him. But that's a lot 
easier said than done. I mean, he is my partner. So for me it isn't just 
that simple. We have worked it out that if he wants to make his own 
choices for breakfast and lunch, that's fine. But since we enjoy having 
dinner together, then I want to mostly be in charge of that. So I 
usually am. This is not to say he doesn't have choices. But he knows 
that I am wanting to have less processed foods and such.

I have been looking for recipes. I feel this is going pretty well. 
Although it does get a bit overwhelming at times. I have also been 
trying to pay attention to if I am really hungry or not. The lady I was 
seeing did talk to me about this. She suggested rating my feelings of 
hunger on a scale. Scales usually don't work for me. But the concept 
makes sense to me, and has actually come in handy a lot. I realized that 
I would snack when I really wasn't hungry at all. For instance, when 
watching TV. Or if my boyfriend wanted a snack, then I thought I did as 
well. When really I didn't. So this has definitely been helpful.

I have tried hard to not beat myself up over making mistakes, or eating 
something I know I really should avoid. This is very difficult for me. 
So it is certainly a work in progress. My one problem is, I will 
sometimes buy a bag of the fun-size packages of M&Ms. But when I want 
one, I find myself eating 2 of them. Which then defeats the purpose of 
having a treat. Also, I tend to think that if I just can manage to eat 
one pack, that I can then do it almost every day. So this is a struggle 
for me, and still needs work. I have quit purchasing things like oreos, 
and peanut butter cups, because I couldn't just eat one at a time. I 
figured if I couldn't do this, then I just don't need them in the house. 
LOL!

So what is the recommended amount of sodium, for diabetics?

Also, how do you know if something is considered low in sodium?

Some of the labels I read are confusing to me. I've been looking at 
some, trying to consider if I want to purchase them or not. For 
instance, some Codiac cakes, frozen pancakes. I don't think I spelled 
that properly. But hopefully you all will know what I meant.

I am also looking at purchasing some tortillas. But I want to watch what 
I get.

Also, should I be concerned with how much fat something has in it?

I mean, with the sagerated fats? That's the ones to be concerned with, yes?

As for another food struggle I have, I struggle with knowing what I 
might want to eat. I get very frustrated at times, when it comes to 
making these decisions. Especially with breakfast, and lunch. So I try 
skipping breakfast. Or for lunch, I will want to turn to junk, or the 
not so healthy stuff. Or I might eat very little. So I totally agree, 
and understand that we all have struggles when it comes to food. And I 
am glad that we are not alone in this.

Isn't it crazy how one of the things we need the most, can be such a 
huge struggle, and stresser?

Thanks again for all the wonderful help and support. I will keep you all 
posted as to how things are going for me.

Terri

On 1/17/2021 4:03 PM, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk wrote:
> Terry,
>
> I know a lot of people will say watch calories, but honestly, if you're
> eating healthy, or healthier choices, calories are not as important. For
> diabetics, carbs and sodium will be the most important nutrition items to
> pay attention too. Plus, don't overwhelm yourself with this either.
>
> BTW, shop where you prefer. You can find healthy foods at Walmart just as
> much as anywhere else. Absolutely no issue shopping where you prefer.
>
> Eating out and having treats can be challenging for a lot of people. It's
> all about moderation. If you want, allow yourself a treat a couple of times
> a week. Order a meal out on the weekend. Still stick to your carb counts and
> meal sizes and all that, but diabetes is not about eliminating food, but
> learning how to adopt healthier ideas about food. Which really, all
> Americans need to do.
>
> A rule of thumb I learned years ago is to consider where my hunger is coming
> from. When you feel hungry, truly get inside your body and think about where
> the feeling is coming from. Does your stomach actually feel hungry? If not,
> it's likely in your head, and you don't really need to eat at that moment.
> But if your stomach actually feels hungry and is grumbling and other signs
> of hunger, then you might need a snack. Also, drinking water can help with
> hunger.
>
> We all have our food struggles. We just need to learn what coping mechanisms
> work for us. I've been super busy and stressed lately and inclined to eat
> very little in a day, which is not healthy either. I go and go and keep
> skipping meals, basically having only coffee and water all day. I'm trying
> to be better, but with so much going on, this is a problem of mine, and I
> need to do better. My point is that we all have unhealthy food habits. Don't
> beat yourself up, just make small adjustments and learn what works for you.
>
> Bridgit
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Terri
> Stimmel via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, January 17, 2021 2:38 PM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Terri Stimmel <icecreamlover76 at outlook.com>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] Reading labels
>
> Hello everyone,
>
>
> I hope all of you are doing well. Things are going pretty well with me.
> I am now off of my meal-time insulin. I am so very happy about this.
>
>
> I am eating better. But I am also still struggling some. I find it difficult
> to not want to order out. I also find it difficult to not want candy. So
> these are things I am working really hard on. But other than that, things
> seem much better. So this makes me feel really good.
>
>
> I was wondering though, what sorts of things should I be watching for, when
> reading labels?
>
> I know I of course need to watch the carbs.
>
> But what other things should I focus on?
>
>
> Any thoughts are appreciated. We shop at Walmart for most things. I would
> consider shopping other places. But Walmart is affordable for us.
> Plus, ours is set up so that we can have stuff delivered. This works quite
> well for us.
>
>
> Again, any thoughts are much appreciated.
>
>
> Thank you,
>
>
> Terri
>
>
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