Type 2 Diabetes - Looking For Advice

[sam_gordon]

Yeah, not sure of the science, but if I have a glass of wine (4 ounce pour) in the evening, my blood sugar will be 15 to 20 points LOWER in the morning.
Good news though, went to the Eye Doctor yesterday and no sign of Diabetic Retinopathy despite my A1C being 7.3. A year ago, when my A1C was 6.3, there were a couple spots. So a year without diabetes medication caused my A1C to soar but my eyes are healthier......go figure.

I had an eye appointment a couple weeks ago and things are still looking good. But yes, this disease does not make any logical sense. I ate VERY good (for me) yesterday, and while my blood sugar was lower than it had been in weeks yesterday (Thursday) morning, it was elevated (can't say sky high) again this morning. I HATE this. Be freakin' logical.

 

[Travel60]

Best of wishes to you.

DH has type 2, as did his mother. He is mostly in denial as she was. You would think that watching what it did to her and her eventual life/death in a nursing home would "scare him straight". But it has not.

To try to show a good example and for my own health, I live off grilled or baked seafood or chicken with minimal add-ons. A little salt/pepper/lemon for seafood. A little spice on chicken breast (which I cut in half because they are too big). Lots of green, orange, yellow and red vegetables - baked, roasted, broiled. No white carbs - bread, rice, pasta, potatoes. A snack is fresh fruit.

He adds globs of sugary bbq sauce, white rice, potatoes or pasta, bread with lots of butter, mounds of cheese and finishes with ice cream sandwiches.

The point is I can't control what he does. He just wants a pill to fix everything and while there are medications that help, he still needs to change.

All you can do is offer healthy alternatives. The rest is up to him.

 

[leebee]

Best of wishes to you.

DH has type 2, as did his mother. He is mostly in denial as she was. You would think that watching what it did to her and her eventual life/death in a nursing home would "scare him straight". But it has not.

To try to show a good example and for my own health, I live off grilled or baked seafood or chicken with minimal add-ons. A little salt/pepper/lemon for seafood. A little spice on chicken breast (which I cut in half because they are too big). Lots of green, orange, yellow and red vegetables - baked, roasted, broiled. No white carbs - bread, rice, pasta, potatoes. A snack is fresh fruit.

He adds globs of sugary bbq sauce, white rice, potatoes or pasta, bread with lots of butter, mounds of cheese and finishes with ice cream sandwiches.

The point is I can't control what he does. He just wants a pill to fix everything and while there are medications that help, he still needs to change.

All you can do is offer healthy alternatives. The rest is up to him.

My brother is like this. I don't know what his A1C levels are, but he'll post something like "My sugars were in the 400s this morning; is that bad?" He's being facetious- I think he just doesn't care about the outcome of living like this. He's a professional baker and chef. He understands food, components, etc. We have tried being supportive, helpful, etc. He's been on different meds at different levels, or no meds at all, off and on for years. He knows what he is doing to himself and how ugly all of this can become. It's heartbreaking to realize that he is slowly, intentionally killing himself and just doesn't care.

If DH ever became diabetic, I'd make sure none of the foods that he isn't supposed to eat weren't in the house. I do the grocery shopping and 99% of the cooking so I can pretty much control what food is in the house (It's a division of labor; he brings the groceries in and puts them away, so he knows what we have for food, and cleans the kitchen 99% of the time). If he wanted food that is clearly going to kill him, he'd have to buy and prepare it. BUT... I know, this is easy for me to say and could be quite more difficult to institute in real life.

 

[sam_gordon]

The point is I can't control what he does. He just wants a pill to fix everything and while there are medications that help, he still needs to change.

It's easy to sit on the sideline and say "just do 'x'." (and I used to be one) However, for someone who is short of willpower or motivation, "just doing 'x'" is NOT easy. Find a pill that gives you willpower/motivation and you'll make a mint.

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's easy to sit on the sideline and say "just do 'x'." (and I used to be one) However, for someone who is short of willpower or motivation, "just doing 'x'" is NOT easy. Find a pill that gives you willpower/motivation and you'll make a mint.

I highly recommend the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear! You are absolutely right that motivation/willpower is not magic or easy. Here is a quote he posted online:



Basically, he says to structure your environment so you don't have to deplete your willpower all the time (like @leebee said about groceries, but daily routines and stuff too). It's definitely worth the read!

 

[Meriweather]

Finally chiming in slo.
I have been diabetic since 2007. Hearing that broke my heart. But I adapted.

He needs to get settled in and then experiment.
I can eat foods, others have been saying they can't.....like apples, carrots, oatmeal.
My hardest thing was thinking no chocolate since that is something I need often. I can have chocolate, just not as much and dark chocolate (I prefer that now anyway).

I was sent to an endocrinologist when my PC couldn't deal with it anymore. My A1C had gotten to 8.1.
He got me on the right meds.....now it's 5.7.

Right now I am having a hard time.....my numbers are sky high....my body had a trauma and I had surgery, so my body is not cooperating.
Best wishes to him.....and you. He will get used to it and settle in. It just takes a little time.

And, I do not eat fish....hate it. Lots of chicken, beef and pork. I do casseroles.....found a soup that tastes like pizza. Delicious.
I do love the Mission low carb tortillas. They are so good.
And I use Sara Lee's Delightful bread. (whole wheat) 45 calories and 4 grams or carbs. Works well for me. I always make open face sandwiches

 

[sam_gordon]

And I use Sara Lee's Delightful bread. (whole wheat) 45 calories and 4 grams or carbs.

This reminded me... according to the nutrionist I saw, ignore the food displays that say "0 carbs" or "4 carbs" or "low carb". Those are going to be "net carbs". The nutrionist said, read the label for the amount of carbs and go by that. YMMV.

 

[Meriweather]

This reminded me... according to the nutrionist I saw, ignore the food displays that say "0 carbs" or "4 carbs" or "low carb". Those are going to be "net carbs". The nutrionist said, read the label for the

This reminded me... according to the nutrionist I saw, ignore the food displays that say "0 carbs" or "4 carbs" or "low carb". Those are going to be "net carbs". The nutrionist said, read the label for the amount of carbs and go by that. YMMV.

I do read the labels always....been doing this for a lot of years.
You take the carb count and subtract the fiber and there you go.

 

[DL1WDW2]

I am also taking notes .
So much helpful advice .
Thank you .

 

[Southernmiss]

My brother is like this. I don't know what his A1C levels are, but he'll post something like "My sugars were in the 400s this morning; is that bad?" He's being facetious- I think he just doesn't care about the outcome of living like this. He's a professional baker and chef. He understands food, components, etc. We have tried being supportive, helpful, etc. He's been on different meds at different levels, or no meds at all, off and on for years. He knows what he is doing to himself and how ugly all of this can become. It's heartbreaking to realize that he is slowly, intentionally killing himself and just doesn't care.

If DH ever became diabetic, I'd make sure none of the foods that he isn't supposed to eat weren't in the house. I do the grocery shopping and 99% of the cooking so I can pretty much control what food is in the house (It's a division of labor; he brings the groceries in and puts them away, so he knows what we have for food, and cleans the kitchen 99% of the time). If he wanted food that is clearly going to kill him, he'd have to buy and prepare it. BUT... I know, this is easy for me to say and could be quite more difficult to institute in real life.

When dh was first diagnosed with high blood pressure, we tried the DASH diet.

I shopped, prepared, cooked all the meals for 6 of us. Dh did fine for a while. But there came a time when he got tired of it and started eating lunches out.

Meanwhile, me and 4 kids were still on the diet. And some kids were picky eaters.


When I realized what I was doing at home was being counteracted by what he, the one who needed the diet, was doing away from home...oh boy that was not pleasant.

We can encourage, be examples, buy and make healthy food, but it's still up to them.

I made salmon and quinoa this week one of my favorites, nope he didn't touch it.

 

[MrsPete]

That's brilliant about the ketchup packets! I used to always carry a tube of glucose gel when I was with my dad for the same reason.

Yeah, 'cause ketchup packets are easily accessible -- usually free.

My brother is like this. I don't know what his A1C levels are, but he'll post something like "My sugars were in the 400s this morning; is that bad?" He's being facetious- I think he just doesn't care about the outcome of living like this ...

One of my brothers -- I have a ton of 'em -- is like that. I think he figures we've all gotta die of something, so why not have fun until then?

One of my other brothers found a way to motivate him though: He pointed out to Brother #1 that Diabetes isn't just going to up-and-kill-you-one-day; rather, you're going to lose things bit by bit: maybe a toe, maybe your foot, maybe your eyesight. Brother #1 is absolutely terrified of losing his sight, so he started eating better. Was Brother #2 mean? I don't think so.

It's easy to sit on the sideline and say "just do 'x'." (and I used to be one) However, for someone who is short of willpower or motivation, "just doing 'x'" is NOT easy. Find a pill that gives you willpower/motivation and you'll make a mint.

Thing is, it'd be super easy to eat right today. Today and tomorrow, that's do-able too!
But to do it day in, day out ... forever. That's hard.

...found a soup that tastes like pizza ...

That sounds good! Will you share the recipe?

This reminded me... according to the nutrionist I saw, ignore the food displays that say "0 carbs" or "4 carbs" or "low carb". Those are going to be "net carbs". The nutrionist said, read the label for the amount of carbs and go by that. YMMV.

Yeah, you have to - have to - have to read the back of the label. According to my doctor and nutritionist, that "net carb" thing is more of an advertising thing than a real medical rule.

 

[FQLover]

My endo's office dietician counsels otherwise. If the fiber content in a serving of something is 5 or higher, you can subtract the fiber grams from the carb total--going with the net. If the fiber serving is 4 or lower, you can't. Very straightforward and clear, so I follow that.

 

[JLTraveling]

Thing is, it'd be super easy to eat right today. Today and tomorrow, that's do-able too!
But to do it day in, day out ... forever. That's hard.

And that's why my dad's doctor strongly holds that a carb is a carb is a carb. We're in New Orleans. It's a food city. The first solid food the hospital gave my dad when he was in the hospital with sepsis was spicy red beans and rice. It would be absolutely insane to expect anyone here to adhere to a super restricted diet forever. But you don't have to. You just have to get the majority of your intake from nutritionally balanced foods. Then you can have anything you want for the remainder of your carbs. It's a lifetime dietary modification, and far more sustainable with treats factored in.

 

[luvthatduke]

Finally chiming in slo.
I have been diabetic since 2007. Hearing that broke my heart. But I adapted.

He needs to get settled in and then experiment.
I can eat foods, others have been saying they can't.....like apples, carrots, oatmeal.
My hardest thing was thinking no chocolate since that is something I need often. I can have chocolate, just not as much and dark chocolate (I prefer that now anyway).

I was sent to an endocrinologist when my PC couldn't deal with it anymore. My A1C had gotten to 8.1.
He got me on the right meds.....now it's 5.7.

Right now I am having a hard time.....my numbers are sky high....my body had a trauma and I had surgery, so my body is not cooperating.
Best wishes to him.....and you. He will get used to it and settle in. It just takes a little time.

And, I do not eat fish....hate it. Lots of chicken, beef and pork. I do casseroles.....found a soup that tastes like pizza. Delicious.
I do love the Mission low carb tortillas. They are so good.
And I use Sara Lee's Delightful bread. (whole wheat) 45 calories and 4 grams or carbs. Works well for me. I always make open face sandwiches

When I went through the hospital's ABC program the nutritionist said,
Look to your left, now look to your right.
Some of you will be able to eat things (in moderation & measured)
that those people cannot.

I can eat any type of bread product (measured/counted) but pasta??
Forget it - no matter if I weigh it ,count the noodles, etc.
it's like eating birthday cake (and I'd much rather eat the cake for the carbs!).

And your physical trauma affecting your numbers?
I hear you!
My endo knows & agrees that my body knows before I do if I'm sick.
If my sugars are going up for 3+ days for no reason (I keep a daily carb/calorie diary),
I know there's something going on.

One of my other brothers found a way to motivate him though: He pointed out to Brother #1 that Diabetes isn't just going to up-and-kill-you-one-day; rather, you're going to lose things bit by bit: maybe a toe, maybe your foot, maybe your eyesight. Brother #1 is absolutely terrified of losing his sight, so he started eating better. Was Brother #2 mean? I don't think so.

IMHO your brother was not mean - he was loving.
Loss of vision and amputation are frequent consequences w/Diabetes.
Sometimes we need a "Come to Jesus" talk or a kick in the pants!

 

[Meriweather]

I will post pizza soup as soon as I can......not sure how long I'll be laid up. I am up and walking around now but it's very tiring.
I have to go find it.

 

[slo]

I am also taking notes .
So much helpful advice .
Thank you .

Thank you to everyone continuing to have a discussion and advice on this thread. It’s helping me and now others

 

[kymom99]

When I went through the hospital's ABC program the nutritionist said,
Look to your left, now look to your right.
Some of you will be able to eat things (in moderation & measured)
that those people cannot.

I can eat any type of bread product (measured/counted) but pasta??
Forget it - no matter if I weigh it ,count the noodles, etc.
it's like eating birthday cake (and I'd much rather eat the cake for the carbs!).

And your physical trauma affecting your numbers?
I hear you!
My endo knows & agrees that my body knows before I do if I'm sick.
If my sugars are going up for 3+ days for no reason (I keep a daily carb/calorie diary),
I know there's something going on.



IMHO your brother was not mean - he was loving.
Loss of vision and amputation are frequent consequences w/Diabetes.
Sometimes we need a "Come to Jesus" talk or a kick in the pants!

Yes and your family suffers along with you when that happens.

 

[FQLover]

@PollyannaMom Based on your recommendation and synopsis, I bought that book tonight from Amazon. It should arrive on Tuesday. I am hoping that reading it and doing the thinking, homework, etc. can help me get a more consistent (and persistent) health plan going for myself. Thanks for sharing that!

 

[luvthatduke]

Yes and your family suffers along with you when that happens.

WHY would you say that?
I'm curious: Are you the person w/limits or are you the person who "suffers?"

Any disease or illness that requires a lifestyle change affects
the patient's entire household.
I would hope their family would show love & understanding.

FYI: My family is not impacted much at all by my food limits.
DH refuses to eat what I eat so I cook for him separately.
DS has many food allergies so I cook for him separately, also.

 

[kymom99]

WHY would you say that?
I'm curious: Are you the person w/limits or are you the person who "suffers?"

Any disease or illness that requires a lifestyle change affects
the patient's entire household.
I would hope their family would show love & understanding.

FYI: My family is not impacted much at all by my food limits.
DH refuses to eat what I eat so I cook for him separately.
DS has many food allergies so I cook for him separately, also.

Did you read the post I quoted? I was responding to the last statement. If the diabetic doesn’t take care of themselves and they lose their legs, etc. the family has to suffer the consequences with them.

Relax. My husband has food allergies. I don’t say that I suffer because of his limits in what he can eat. If he refused to follow doctors orders, that could affect me and my family as much as it affects him.