Nutrition Effects on Diabetes

Hello all. Not a good day for my numbers. It’s time for dinner and we’re doing the talapia (blackened),

baked potato for husband, broccoli and a couple onion rings apiece. Yum! I don’t think I told you he’s been

put on pills for high blood sugar. Now if ANYONE does not need to lose weight it’s him! But we have to get

very serious about the vegetables and salads to get us both on track. His fasting sugar was only a little over

100 but I guess the doctor wants it under 100 every morning. Too bad the first thing they talk about is medication…blah, blah, blah! Not a word about diet. (Probably because he’s not over weight.) Don’t know, but I’m the cook around here and I want to keep him healthy. I want to keep us BOTH healthy!  Tune in for the updates. I’ll try to do better.

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.

Most people have trouble eating the amount of vegetables needed daily to be healthy. I know I do. I like vegetables but it’s hard to get those servings in consistantly. I’ve been drinking a lot more super greens that I believe are helping my glucose numbers stay under control. Super greens are grasses such as wheat grass, barley grass and kamut grass along with kale, brocolli and other “greens” that provide chlorophyl to our bodies.  I’m not a scientist but from what I’ve read, I’d be hard pressed to find a better source to supplement my diet than super greens. I mix the powder with distilled water, add some ph drops to boost my alkalinity and sip at the drink all day. Now if I could just leave the diet Rockstar alone, I might show more progress! One step at a time…

In my search for alternative treatments for diabetes, I’ve come across some interesting information on hydrogen peroxide as a “cure” for many diseases. Now, I’m talking about food grade hydrogen peroxide 35%, not the 3% in the brown bottle we all get at the local drugstore. There is more research to be done on my part, but it’s an intriguing idea. I’d love to know if anyone has firsthand knowledge of the usages of peroxide. Any testimonials?

The last few days have certainly been a struggle for me. I have had cravings for the traditional foods many of us have at cookouts on a holiday. Potato salad,  chips, baked beans,  cakes and brownies all appear in my mind to torment me! I certainly don’t have to wonder about their nutrition effects on me!

Yes, I am aware that eating small amounts of any of those foods is not the be-all end-all to my healthy eating. However, one bite turns to two, then three, and before I know it, I’ve eaten not one brownie, but two! Just the smell of the charcoal grill is enough to set my mouth watering.  I’ll be sure to try to eat plenty of raw veggies to fill up before temptation comes at me. Wish me luck! And have a great Labor Day weekend!

When I was first diagnosed as diabetic, my doctor gave me names of education programs to look into and to get scheduled for detailed information on delivering insulin injections and nutrition aspects of food, etc. I set up one class, a two day session close to home, and sat back, pleased with myself and my actions. The next day, I received a call from the scheduling company that my insurance would not cover the cost of the class. I was shocked, first, because I hadn’t been told there was a cost. When I was asked for insurance information, I also was asked where I got my testing supplies. I assumed correctly they wanted my business for the supplies, but at no time was a cost for the class mentioned. When insurance would not cover the $346 cost, I cancelled my reservation!

I found it hard to imagine that my insurance wouldn’t cover the cost of this class the doctor wanted me to take. At this time in my life, it would be an economic hardship for me to pay directly for this class. I am currently unemployed and just happy that under the circumstances, (diabetes) that I have insurance coverage at all!

I’ve been receiving email alerts on general health care for diabetics as well as food preparation and  other items of interest. My numbers are doing great so I’m not too concerned at missing the class. We’ll see what my doctor has to say.

Been out of touch…on vacation with my 85 year old mother and 9 year old granddaughter. Just a tad busy but now I’m back and getting into my posting routine.

The trip was hard for me, eating out a lot and snacking when necessary, I’ve got to get back in the swing of things. My numbers are in the hundreds (115…tonight 158, cheesecake’s the culprit). I can do this.

Made a decision to market vitamins for diabetics. On the trip, I had packaged my vitamins and it is SOOOO much easier than getting into all those bottles every morning. Wish me luck!

I’ve been feeling so good today! My sugar has been testing in the double digits again and I’ve developed some plans for the trip coming up in 7 days. No, I still am not telling my mother my health situation. I love my mother, but what she doesn’t know can’t hurt ME! Seriously, I love my mother and she loves me. Well meaning as she is, I’m just not ready for the criticism. Guess I have some issues. Anyhow, I have told my sister the state of events. I really feel I can get things under control and be off ALL medication in the next six months. That’s the plan, anyhow. And if, not…I’ll regroup and go from there!

I found the cutest little refrigerator/warmer that is operated by the cigarette lighter in the car! Most of our time can be broken up by stops. But it’s always nice to have some snacks along that I can enjoy, too. My favorites are veggies, beef or turkey jerky, nuts  and cheese. For Mom and the granddaughter 9 years old, there will also be cut up apples, pretzels and cold water in there as well. The countdown begins!

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!

What a week this has been! Eating healthy while on vacation is difficult for a  “normal” person let alone a diabetic.  At least for this diabetic.  I’ve done fairly well but am so tempted at times, I feel myself losing the battle and just have to have that “no-no”, whatever that may be. Today it was a gooey, lucious brownie.
The key, I am finding, to steady blood sugar, is to space out the “no-nos”. For example, at breakfast the other day, I find I can eat a small serving of hash browns with my omlet if I forego the toast and fruit. For lunch, a sandwich on one slice of bread means no chips or macaroni salad, but lots of veggies and dip. Leave the bread off the sandwich (I use a romaine lettuce leaf and wrap the meat, onion, tomato, etc.), then I can have a helping of baked beans that were slow cooked and sweetened and oh so good!

Desserts have always been tempting, but starches are my greatest weakness. Potatoes of any kind, breads….oh how I love breads! And pizza….well, I won’t even go there. Just the thought ……….