Who should we consult for a diet...

[ElizK]

My mother is a type 2 diabetic, in Stage 4 renal failure, and is obese. She is being told to lose weight, of course. None of the weight loss centers will accept her because of her health issues. She tried Jenny Craig, Medifast, and Nutrisystems. Her doctor told her to look up diabetic diets online, but they all tend to be high-carb. She's talking about trying South Beach, but I wonder if that's too much protein for her kidneys.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[golfgal]

You should contact a nutritionist at her hospital or clinic. In her case it is very likely that her insurance will pay for this. If they don't have one at her clinic, look on the American Diabetes website for a diabetic trained nutritionist in her area. Those fad diets are NOT for people with health issues like this.

 

[momof1princess]

golfgal is right. OP, your mom needs to see a nutritionist, and her doctor should be able to refer her to someone nearby. in her medical condition, insurance should pay for at least some, if not all of it. a nutritionist is best equipped to help your mom work out an eating plan that will not only help her lose weight, but take into account her health issues.

 

[pumba]

I am surprised that her physican didnt sign her up with a diabetic educator and nutritionist...I went to 8 or so meetings...by myself and then with other type 2 diabetics.... I am on a diabetic diet of so many carbs per meal and in between meals for snacks....
Please ask her doctor to get her in touch with a diabetic clinic to start off with.

 

[C.Ann]

You should contact a nutritionist at her hospital or clinic. In her case it is very likely that her insurance will pay for this. If they don't have one at her clinic, look on the American Diabetes website for a diabetic trained nutritionist in her area. Those fad diets are NOT for people with health issues like this.

I agree.. She has too many health issues going on to be trying various diets that may do more harm than good..

I hope you can get her the help she needs.. You're a good daughter..

Good luck!

 

[gawrsh2008]

Try here. If you go to the bottom there's a link to recipes and nutrition. I agree that she needs to see a registered dietician.

http://www.ultracare-dialysis.com/engine/renderpage.asp

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My mother is a type 2 diabetic, in Stage 4 renal failure, and is obese. She is being told to lose weight, of course. None of the weight loss centers will accept her because of her health issues. She tried Jenny Craig, Medifast, and Nutrisystems. Her doctor told her to look up diabetic diets online, but they all tend to be high-carb. She's talking about trying South Beach, but I wonder if that's too much protein for her kidneys.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Absolutely South Beach is way to much protein. FAD diets are for people that are relatively healthy. In no way should she be going on a FAD diet.

Agree with Pumba that you need to go to a diabetic clinic or someone who is specialized in that area of weight loss. Her doctor needs to be called and probed for info.

She needs to be dieting under supervised medical care.

 

[Kellydelly]

She should be consulting with a registered dietician.

Definately!!!!!!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

Absolutely South Beach is way to much protein. FAD diets are for people that are relatively healthy. In no way should she be going on a FAD diet.

Agree with Pumba that you need to go to a diabetic clinic or someone who is specialized in that area of weight loss. Her doctor needs to be called and probed for info.

She needs to be dieting under supervised medical care.

I don't consider SB to be a fad diet - it's very similar to WW - low carb, low fat, portion control.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't consider SB to be a fad diet - it's very similar to WW - low carb, low fat, portion control.

To each his own.

I consider all temporary diets as FAD diets. That is just how I see it.

 

[Magpie]

To each his own.

I consider all temporary diets as FAD diets. That is just how I see it.

SB isn't a temporary diet. There ARE three phases, so if weight loss is your thing then yes, you can do that. But SB is also about making healthy choices for the rest of your life.

SB has worked well for us. The less restrictive "Phase 3" (daily living, not a diet) works to keep my hypoglycemic son's blood sugar level. My husband was able to lose weight and keep it off by eating Phase 1 and 2. Even my very picky diabetic mother-in-law loses a little weight whenever she comes to stay with us. She's never had any trouble eating the way we do, though she grumbles a bit about all the salad.

I cook South Beach. It's about choosing whole grains and lean meats and eating lots of veggies. (And I mean LOTS of veggies.)

As far as meat goes, portion size is key. A deck of playing cards is the usual guide.

 

[Bilberry]

Dr. Richard Feinman, one of our nations leading nutrition researchers, had a very nice radio interview on Bloomberg about diabetes the other day.

"Listen to Dr. Richard Feinman discuss destroy the USDA pyramid on The Hays Advantage"

http://twitter.com/DrEades

 

[ontariomonkey]

I don't know what her socio-economic/insurance issues are but a person that ill needs to be under the care of a multidisciplinary diabetes team that includes a dietitian. She needs to insist on this with her Dr.

Sorry if this sounds high handed from socialized health care recipient. Good luck! I know she may face many barriers. If the GP does not come through, contact the public health department for resources.

The American Diabetes Association has lots of info on thier website: http://www.diabetes.org/ including eating guidelines and recipes, they even have a section on holiday recipes.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

SB isn't a temporary diet. There ARE three phases, so if weight loss is your thing then yes, you can do that. But SB is also about making healthy choices for the rest of your life.

SB has worked well for us. The less restrictive "Phase 3" (daily living, not a diet) works to keep my hypoglycemic son's blood sugar level. My husband was able to lose weight and keep it off by eating Phase 1 and 2. Even my very picky diabetic mother-in-law loses a little weight whenever she comes to stay with us. She's never had any trouble eating the way we do, though she grumbles a bit about all the salad.

I cook South Beach. It's about choosing whole grains and lean meats and eating lots of veggies. (And I mean LOTS of veggies.)

As far as meat goes, portion size is key. A deck of playing cards is the usual guide.

Well, I don't know much about it. Good to hear it is helping you.

 

[mckryan]

My MIL is in the same boat, although she isn't in stage 4 renal failure. The protein from a South Beach diet is WAY TOO MUCH protein for her kidneys. MIL has to severly limit her protein, fluid intake as well as other things. Please consult a hospital dietician to help her create a meal plan that will not be hard on her kidneys and will not send her blood sugar too high. It's a very delicate balance with these two conditions. I am stunned that her doctor told her to look up diets online. This is the time for a professional that can make sure there is no further damage to her kidneys.

 

[Bilberry]

Here is an article that might be helpful for your mom.

"Why doesn't your doctor try to CURE diabetes?"
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/why-doesnt-your-doctor-try-to-cure.html

Best of luck!

 

[mjkacmom]

Well, I don't know much about it. Good to hear it is helping you.

It's similar to WW as that it teaches you how to eat. Lean protein in moderation, lots of fruits and veggies, little saturated fat, enough fiber, whole grain starches. It starts off in phase one, but phase three is a lifestyle, and if you do it long enough, it just comes natural. It basically shows you how to eat healthy, eating real food, making good choices.

 

[rie'smom]

My mother is a type 2 diabetic, in Stage 4 renal failure, and is obese. She is being told to lose weight, of course. None of the weight loss centers will accept her because of her health issues. She tried Jenny Craig, Medifast, and Nutrisystems. Her doctor told her to look up diabetic diets online, but they all tend to be high-carb. She's talking about trying South Beach, but I wonder if that's too much protein for her kidneys.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I have to say that I'm not impressed with her doctor. He/she is the person who should be giving some guidance or at least pointing her in the right direction. Consult either a dietitian or a nutritionist.

 

[Lisa_M]

My FIL has the same issues and heart disease (quintuple bypass about 8 years ago). He saw a dietician at the hospital who gave him a list of things to eat and not eat. At this point although he needs to lose weight, his diet is not focused towards losing weight, but towards providing the right nutrition for his medical issues. Because of the kidney stuff, he is supposed to eat white bread and rice instead of whole grain, easier to process, even though most diets will focus on whole grains. Starches are very limited. He can eat green vegetables. He eats a popsicle instead of having a drink between meals because of the reduced liquids. I can't remember everything else, but his diet is VERY restrictive and specific. He is also supposed to exercise and was walking on treadmill for a brief time. It was to keep his muscles in shape and from deteriorating. Unfortunately, he doesn't follow the diet or exercise as best as he should and now he is requiring more frequent and longer dialysis treatments and has slowed down quite a bit pretty quickly.

OP, get your mom to a registered dietician and don't focus on the trying to lose weight, but portion control and eating foods that are easy on her medically. Good luck

 

[pumba]

a diabetic diet and weight watchers are two of the most healthy diets ...

I was allowed (at first) 45 carbs for breakfast, for lunch and for supper and 15 carbs for my snack in between the meals....
It really isnt alot of carbs and my body was very unhappy......I mourned for the loss of my carbs...

I am on a 30 carb per meal now......and you should pick up a book called the
CALORIE KING..Its about 7 dollars and has every known food for carbs, fats and calories.....i am only interested in the carbs ...also restaurants and fast food places.....this helped me alot.

Hope you get some answers soon