Nutrition Effects on Diabetes

What a night tonight! We seldom eat red meat in my quest to win the cholesterol game. I have to say, I was hungry for a good steak and knew my husband would really appreciate one too! I skipped the baked potato but made stuffed zucchini for the vegetable. YUM! Has zucchini, bread stuffing, cheese, onions, butter and spinach. Not all bad nutrition, right? Had a cocktail before dinner as well…bad move but will be extra good tomorrow. Walked 30 minutes.

Just what IS nutrition all about? I’ve read so much about the good foods…I KNOW that vegetables are the best thing for me. I KNOW that limited fruits (I’m diabetic) can be just fine. I KNOW that whole grains are what I should eat… if I eat them. But what I am discovering is that THE MIND has a whole lot to do with the health of the body.
If I don’t believe that what I eat is important, if I don’t believe that exercise is important, then what I truly need is nutrition for my mind. My THOUGHTS are what I believe. My THOUGHTS are  guiding me to good nutrition for both the mind and the body. Most important, my thoughts acknowledge that I am blessed.

Have a blessed night.

Exercise is becoming a demon to me. I fully realize how much it helps to steady the blood sugar. But do you think I can keep myself on a regular schedule? NO! Almost anything can cause me to lose sight of getting on that treadmill. I find any excuse and am not proud of it.

Something has got to change. Any suggestions out there?

I told my daughter about my diabetes diagnosis and she wasn’t shocked or extremely upset. I am so glad. I know family history is important in health maintainance, so will advise both my children in the hopes knowledge will keep them safe.

One thing I know all too well is the food we eat here in the greatest country in the world, is often not fit for animals! With all the additives and preservatives, hormones and antibiotics fed to the livestock, how can we expect to live and age “normally”? My little granddaughter, who I love dearly, is already on her way to an unhealthy life. I don’t believe it is her fault…or her mother’s. Everything she loves to eat is not sustaining to her body type.

I’ll get off my soapbox for tonight. Before I sign off, isn’t it interesting how relieved I am that my daughter knows I’m diabetic? Why should I feel guilty? Til next time…..

P.S. My numbers are great. Exercise is great. I feel great!

It was a pretty good day today. When I tested this morning my blood sugar was 92. I had to do some errands and work with a client until 2:30. For lunch I ate several strawberries and some beef jerky since I was out and took what I could use. Once I got home, I had more work to do but grabbed a couple pieces of ham with some swiss cheese and two dill pickles. Yum!! I was set for dinner. I walked for 30 minutes on the treadmill and when I tested before dinner, it read 74. Guess I’ll adjust insulin tonight if needed. I feel GOOD!

I really have to get back to pre-vacation eating. Last night, I was up late and got a case of the munchies. I helped myself to salted nuts…but the lateness of the hour and how many I ate worked against me. This morning, my blood tested 158 before breakfast. It never did come down past 121, which is ok. But I was getting used to the double digits prior to going on vacation. Getting serious about regular exercise will help as well. I’ve got another two week trip coming up and I need to adjust my intake for optimum nutrition during that time with the healthiest foods. Just 12 days to get ready!

I haven’t had much time to post lately or research more on foods. I have, however, been adding some different carbs and documenting their effects on my blood sugar.  The carbs aren’t elevating my glucose all that much and they don’t stay in my system  unduly long. Of course, the insulin should take care of that. I’m maintaining the status quo.

The weather is beginning to get hotter (93 degrees today) so that means my days of walking outdoors are numbered! Well, unless I can go early in the mornings, I walk on the treadmill. Crank up the music! 

I am still struggling with weight loss. Certainly not because I’m eating too much! But I’m not going hungry and my blood sugar is well under control. I believe the insulin does prevent weight loss, perhaps, even encourages weight gain. I must admit, it’s discouraging as I know getting rid of extra pounds would aid in my goal to reduce the insulin. For now, I must continue adjusting the meals and exercise and want to begin meditation.

I am an admirer of Dr. Wayne Dyer and have several of his audio programs for personal development. He offers guidance on meditation that I’ll have to check out.

I really should have started this blog on day one of being diagnosed diabetic. The fact is, I did think about it, but my mind was still trying to wrap around the fact that I was taking insulin for diabetes! You see, not six months ago my husband had been told by his doctor that he is prediabetic. My husband is not a big man, no weight to lose there. So I had been watching our diet better, cutting down on the sweets and carbs in general. He was testing his blood sugar every so often which was always in the safe parameters, and on his last trip back to the doctor was told “tell your wife to keep up the good work”. How’s that for ironic?

I’m the one who needed to lose weight and in spite of the healthy food I’m eating, it’s just not coming off. Do I owe that to the insulin? I’m walking at least 30 minutes a day and think I’ll kick that up to an hour. I can do the second 30 minutes on the treadmill if I have to. I love to get outdoors to walk if possible but sometimes it is just too darn hot so the treadmill will work.

I had done a lot of reading on the effects of food on diabetes when I wanted to cook differently for my husband and help him maintain his good health. Now I am my own guinea pig, so to speak. I am going much further toward a vegan diet. Not true vegan but several steps closer. I’ve also added some serious green drink to my daily consumption. I had used 1/2 to 1 liter of green drink a day for about a year now. But I’ve stepped that up to 3 liters a day and will get to 4 in a week or so. My glucose numbers are consistently in the acceptable range when I test, highest one time being 163 after a full meal. Most times after a meal is never higher than 115 or 120. Fasting rate is running from 80 to 90. Is this normal? The doctor started me on 40 units at bedtime. Is this the way diabetes goes?