Showing posts with label diabetic diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diabetic diet. Show all posts

Sunday, December 9, 2012

How do you create a diabetic diet plan?

Q. I am showing signs of being a diabetic. Since most of my family members are diagnosed to be diabetics, I want to be vigilant and create a diabetic diet plan for myself so that it won�t get worse.

A. A low carb diet is in order. Mendosa's Low Glycemic Index Diet is the best you can get . In one week you will know what to eat and what not and how much. http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

This table includes the glycemic index and glycemic load of more than 2,480 individual food items. Not all of them, however, are available in the United States. They represent a true international effort of testing around the world.


The glycemic index (GI) is a numerical system of measuring how much of a rise in circulating blood sugar a carbohydrate triggers�the higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response. So a low GI food will cause a small rise, while a high GI food will trigger a dramatic spike. A list of carbohydrates with their glycemic values is shown below. A GI is 70 or more is high, a GI of 56 to 69 inclusive is medium, and a GI of 55 or less is low.


The glycemic load (GL) is a relatively new way to assess the impact of carbohydrate consumption that takes the glycemic index into account, but gives a fuller picture than does glycemic index alone. A GI value tells you only how rapidly a particular carbohydrate turns into sugar. It doesn't tell you how much of that carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food. You need to know both things to understand a food's effect on blood sugar. That is where glycemic load comes in. The carbohydrate in watermelon, for example, has a high GI. But there isn't a lot of it, so watermelon's glycemic load is relatively low. A GL of 20 or more is high, a GL of 11 to 19 inclusive is medium, and a GL of 10 or less is low.


Foods that have a low GL almost always have a low GI. Foods with an intermediate or high GL range from very low to very high GI.


Both GI and GL are listed here. The GI is of foods based on the glucose index�where glucose is set to equal 100. The other is the glycemic load, which is the glycemic index divided by 100 multiplied by its available carbohydrate content (i.e. carbohydrates minus fiber) in grams. (The "Serve size (g)" column is the serving size in grams for calculating the glycemic load; for simplicity of presentation I have left out an intermediate column that shows the available carbohydrates in the stated serving sizes.) Take, watermelon as an example of calculating glycemic load. Its glycemic index is pretty high, about 72. According to the calculations by the people at the University of Sydney's Human Nutrition Unit, in a serving of 120 grams it has 6 grams of available carbohydrate per serving, so its glycemic load is pretty low, 72/100*6=4.32, rounded to 4.

You can forget the metformin for now.
There are 4 key steps to controlling glucose levels.
Here are the 4 keys:
1) Knowledge- http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.ph� This is a great site for info
2) Meds. Metformin to start. Never , ever take Actos or Avandia. They may kill you. Bone fractures, heart problems and what diabetics really don't need is that they change Bone Stem Cells to Fat Cells.
3)diet- A low carb diet is in order. I can't count carbs so I use Mendosa's Glycemic Index Diet. Great for the whole family. http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm
4) EXERCISE- Walking is fine but Nordic Walking is Great. Exercise also lowers Glucose levels , lowers Cholesterol and lowers Blood Pressure. Google it.
Exercise is very important.

Take care

Tin


Does anybody knows that changing to diabetic diet affect the glucose tolerance test?
Q. I am 32 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My doctor wants me to follow a diabetic diet and will repeat the glucose tolerance test in 2 weeks. Does anybody knows that changing to diabetic diet affect the glucose tolerance test? If yes do you think 2 weeks is enough?

A. The doctor has already determined that you are diabetic at this point. I am thinking that the reason he wants you to follow a diabetic diet then check again in two weeks is to make sure that the diabetes is not getting worse and can be controlled by diet alone. If it appears that it can't, he may make the decision to go ahead and put you on insulin. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby :)


Are fried bananas better for a diabetic diet?
Q. A good friend of mine has type 2 diabetes, and I often hear him say that what he misses most are banana splits. I want to make him a diabetic safe split for Christmas and the bananas are the hard part since they are high in sugar and don't exactly come in sugar free. But I've heard that fried bananas are much better for a diabetic diet then raw. Is this true?

A. Bananas are not the problem. Fruit is a recommended part of a diabetic diet.

The problem with a banana split is the usual overabundance of ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

You can get sugar free ice cream (but - the carbohydrate count is not much less than standard ice cream since a lot of the carbs come from the milk portion); you can get sugar free chocolate syrup (again, however, the carb count will probably only be slightly less than real syrup); and whipped cream really does not contain much in the way of carbs.

Diabetics can eat everything that a non-diabetic can eat -- they simply have to account for the carbs much more carefully. Does your friend exercise as part of his way of controlling blood sugar levels? Then have a small banana split, and 20 minutes later, go for a half hour walk.


Where can I find a good diabetic diet to go by?
Q. I used to have a diabetic diet chart that I went by but lost it and am getting frustrated trying to find something like it online. I'm overweight and really need to get back on track again eating better for my health. Just wondering if anyone knows of a good site i can visit or give me any input on how they eat right and good tips for me...

A. My favorite is all in a little $10.00 book that you can find right here: http://www.diabetesimprovement.com/

I have followed the diet and other advice in this book and have not only reduced weight, but lowered my average blood sugar. My recent HbA1C was 5.8... read more on my info page here:
http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type_II_Diabetes.html





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Saturday, December 8, 2012

How do I go on a diabetic diet?

Q. Today I found out I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. My doctor prescribed Metformin and told me to go on a diabetic diet, as well as exercise 45 mins daily. Is there a site or book that will help me learn about this type of diet? I know that, generally, there is less sugar, as well as a low amount of breads/pastas..but that's all I have right now.

A. In essence the diabetic diet is the food pyramid. To get the best results for your health, ask your physician for a referral to a dietitian. They'll be able to tailor a meal plan that suits your needs.


Question about diabetic diet and net carbs?
Q. When you are trying to follow a diabetic diet, do you count carbs or NET carbs? For example, steel cut oatmeal has 27 g carbohydrate but 3 grams of fiber, for 24 g of net carbs. Which should I go by?

A. Theoretically you're supposed to subtract the fibre but I find that it doesn't work that way on me. In the example you gave, the oatmeal would affect me as 27g of carbs (verified by testing blood sugar after eating) and I know this is the same for many other foods. So I count the total amount.

You will only find out how YOUR body works by testing your blood sugar.


How can I reduce my fat intake while on a low carb diet?
Q. My doctor recently put me on a low carb diabetic diet. I am not a diabetic - yet. I have a very high insulin resistance in which he wants to treat with diet and exercise and diabetic meds. I have been charting everything I eat, the calories, the fat grams, the carbs, fiber and protein. However, since my carbs have decreased, it seems that my fat intake has increased - at least it seems that way in the pie chart. Is it possible to reduce the fat AND carbs? The doc wants me under 35 carbs a day which is extremely hard to do as it is. It seems like the lower fat foods have a higher carb content and the higher fat foods have a lower carb content. I am concerned about my blood lipids, blood pressure and overall heart health. I would greatly appreciate any tips or advice you may have to offer.

Thanks!
Oh, the reason I am so insulin resistant is due to the PCOS that I was diagnosed with a year ago. It's sypmtoms have started to take over my body very quickly and has deemed me infertile, unless I can drop and control my insulin levels ASAP.

A. I too have PCOS, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. I followed the atkins plan and in 12 months lost 125 pounds, came off all meds and my cycle has been normal ever since. My triglycerides and cholesterol and LDL were normal for the first time in my adult life! While I tend to be aware of the fat sources in my diet, it really isn't necessary to go low fat if you low carb....I've kept the weight off for three years now. But if you still want to lower your fats, choose lean protein sources and use oil/fat free cooking methods. make egg white omelettes and use less cheese. Good luck with your low carbing...it works!


What type of diet is suggested for diabetes?
Q. I was recently diagnosed with pre-diabetes. I understand exercise and a healthy diet can help prevent me from getting diabetes type 2. I would like to know the specifics of a diabetic diet.

A. the best you can do to prevent diabetes is follow a pre-diabetic diet. It's mostly the same diet people with diabetes follow. You should try to avoid carbohydrates as much as possible. A good diet to follow is the glycemic index diet. More information can be found at http://www.diabeticmenu-blog.com/glycemic-menu.html





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Thursday, December 6, 2012

Can following a diabetic diet plan if I'm not diabetic be beneficial?

Q. I'm not diabetic but it seems that following a diabetic diet plan to lose weight might be sensible, as my downfalls are mainly sweets and carbs.
Can following a diabetic diet plan be beneficial to a non-diabetic? Can I possibly lose weight faster that way?
I figure cutting sugars and carbs to a bare minimal could be a good thing, but I'm not sure.
If anyone has any idea, please let me know!

A. Eating healthy is always a step in the right direction to staying healthy. Its great that you are taking this important step be sure to include a good work out plan and you will have a long and healthy life.

Here are a few links that should help:
http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/diet.html
http://www.dietpower.com/dietplanner.php

good luck!


Is it safe for someone whom does not have Diabetes to eat a Diabetic Diet?
Q. My husband has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol. In supporting his "new" Diabetic diet, I have opted to be on a Diabetic Diet with him. Also, my daughter is 10, and she is very thin, I was having her do this diet as well, but allow her to eat "junk" food on occasion. Is it nutritionally safe for my child to do a No Sugar/Low Fat diet as well?

A. A Diabetic Diet is actually a healthy diet, but distributed in a way to allow your body to process nutrients more efficiently. Diabetics are not necessarily barred from particular food products, but must integrate them in their dietary schedule. Diabetes educators work to assist individual diabetics to work their favourite foods into a diet for them. Much of this is focused on portions, eating smaller meals over longer periods of time and maintaining glucose counts.


Is a high Glycemic Index diet essentially the same thing as the diabetic exchange diet?
Q. Been told to go on a strict GI diet, which is low on bad carbs. Is that the same as a diabetic diet?

A. No, they are very different plans. The diabetic exchange diet is an archaic system where various amounts of foods were assigned an "exchange" value. 1 exchange of breads/starches were estimated at 15g of carb (1 small potato, 1 slice of bread, 1 small brownie), etc. The problem is that the foods we eat don't often fit these 15g amounts (most breads are 17-20g of carb per slice), so you ended up with very inaccurate carb estimations.

The glycemic index assigns values to various foods based on how quickly they are metabolized and their impact on blood glucose. Also very inaccurate and highly disputed on it's usefulness.

The best method is to keep your carbs at a moderate level, no more than 30-40g per meal.


How do I go on a diabetic diet?
Q. Today I found out I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. My doctor prescribed Metformin and told me to go on a diabetic diet, as well as exercise 45 mins daily. Is there a site or book that will help me learn about this type of diet? I know that, generally, there is less sugar, as well as a low amount of breads/pastas..but that's all I have right now.

A. In essence the diabetic diet is the food pyramid. To get the best results for your health, ask your physician for a referral to a dietitian. They'll be able to tailor a meal plan that suits your needs.





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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

what is the average cost of a diabetic diet?

Q. I live in Boise, ID, I want to avoid having to take insulin, and I am able to control my diabetes by diet, but need to know what a diabetic diet would cost me.

A. My husband and I are on a diabetic diet. It cost about $125 - $150 per week for both of us together in Mississippi, so I would say for one it would cost $60 - $100 a week.

I also look for sales in the groceries stores and stock up when I run across a good deal. This helps cut down some to. I buy the boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets in the 3lbs bag. This would last one person 2 or 3 weeks. I use Great Value brand from Wal - Mart, which are cheaper than name brands.

During the winter when strawberries are so high I buy a 4lbs bag of frozen strawberries, which are just as good as fresh and cheaper. The name is Frozsun Fruits and Vegetables. I also get these at Wal - Mart in the frozen freezer section.

I hope this will help you and good luck with your diabetes.


How do you create a diabetic diet plan?
Q. I am showing signs of being a diabetic. Since most of my family members are diagnosed to be diabetics, I want to be vigilant and create a diabetic diet plan for myself so that it won�t get worse.

A. A low carb diet is in order. Mendosa's Low Glycemic Index Diet is the best you can get . In one week you will know what to eat and what not and how much. http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm

This table includes the glycemic index and glycemic load of more than 2,480 individual food items. Not all of them, however, are available in the United States. They represent a true international effort of testing around the world.


The glycemic index (GI) is a numerical system of measuring how much of a rise in circulating blood sugar a carbohydrate triggers�the higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response. So a low GI food will cause a small rise, while a high GI food will trigger a dramatic spike. A list of carbohydrates with their glycemic values is shown below. A GI is 70 or more is high, a GI of 56 to 69 inclusive is medium, and a GI of 55 or less is low.


The glycemic load (GL) is a relatively new way to assess the impact of carbohydrate consumption that takes the glycemic index into account, but gives a fuller picture than does glycemic index alone. A GI value tells you only how rapidly a particular carbohydrate turns into sugar. It doesn't tell you how much of that carbohydrate is in a serving of a particular food. You need to know both things to understand a food's effect on blood sugar. That is where glycemic load comes in. The carbohydrate in watermelon, for example, has a high GI. But there isn't a lot of it, so watermelon's glycemic load is relatively low. A GL of 20 or more is high, a GL of 11 to 19 inclusive is medium, and a GL of 10 or less is low.


Foods that have a low GL almost always have a low GI. Foods with an intermediate or high GL range from very low to very high GI.


Both GI and GL are listed here. The GI is of foods based on the glucose index�where glucose is set to equal 100. The other is the glycemic load, which is the glycemic index divided by 100 multiplied by its available carbohydrate content (i.e. carbohydrates minus fiber) in grams. (The "Serve size (g)" column is the serving size in grams for calculating the glycemic load; for simplicity of presentation I have left out an intermediate column that shows the available carbohydrates in the stated serving sizes.) Take, watermelon as an example of calculating glycemic load. Its glycemic index is pretty high, about 72. According to the calculations by the people at the University of Sydney's Human Nutrition Unit, in a serving of 120 grams it has 6 grams of available carbohydrate per serving, so its glycemic load is pretty low, 72/100*6=4.32, rounded to 4.

You can forget the metformin for now.
There are 4 key steps to controlling glucose levels.
Here are the 4 keys:
1) Knowledge- http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/index.ph� This is a great site for info
2) Meds. Metformin to start. Never , ever take Actos or Avandia. They may kill you. Bone fractures, heart problems and what diabetics really don't need is that they change Bone Stem Cells to Fat Cells.
3)diet- A low carb diet is in order. I can't count carbs so I use Mendosa's Glycemic Index Diet. Great for the whole family. http://www.mendosa.com/gilists.htm
4) EXERCISE- Walking is fine but Nordic Walking is Great. Exercise also lowers Glucose levels , lowers Cholesterol and lowers Blood Pressure. Google it.
Exercise is very important.

Take care

Tin


Does anybody knows that changing to diabetic diet affect the glucose tolerance test?
Q. I am 32 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with gestational diabetes. My doctor wants me to follow a diabetic diet and will repeat the glucose tolerance test in 2 weeks. Does anybody knows that changing to diabetic diet affect the glucose tolerance test? If yes do you think 2 weeks is enough?

A. The doctor has already determined that you are diabetic at this point. I am thinking that the reason he wants you to follow a diabetic diet then check again in two weeks is to make sure that the diabetes is not getting worse and can be controlled by diet alone. If it appears that it can't, he may make the decision to go ahead and put you on insulin. Good luck and congratulations on your new baby :)


Are fried bananas better for a diabetic diet?
Q. A good friend of mine has type 2 diabetes, and I often hear him say that what he misses most are banana splits. I want to make him a diabetic safe split for Christmas and the bananas are the hard part since they are high in sugar and don't exactly come in sugar free. But I've heard that fried bananas are much better for a diabetic diet then raw. Is this true?

A. Bananas are not the problem. Fruit is a recommended part of a diabetic diet.

The problem with a banana split is the usual overabundance of ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

You can get sugar free ice cream (but - the carbohydrate count is not much less than standard ice cream since a lot of the carbs come from the milk portion); you can get sugar free chocolate syrup (again, however, the carb count will probably only be slightly less than real syrup); and whipped cream really does not contain much in the way of carbs.

Diabetics can eat everything that a non-diabetic can eat -- they simply have to account for the carbs much more carefully. Does your friend exercise as part of his way of controlling blood sugar levels? Then have a small banana split, and 20 minutes later, go for a half hour walk.





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