Diabetic eating....

Posts: 160
6/27/12 1:40 P

Unless she feels motivated for herself to change her eating habits, other than gathering information for her and trying to be supportive for when she does come around, there isn't too much you can do for her. I know it's not easy to watch a loved one struggle with this sort of thing. *hugs*

And getting into a deep "funk" can complicate things...makes it even harder to care about caring for yourself. It can put even the most motivated persons off track. Again, not something you can force. Just be supportive and when you can offer up alternatives that would be healthy for her without being pushy. Hopefully she comes out of it enough to become more active in her own health.


I will preface the next bit with the obvious talk to medical professionals for professional advice...results vary...and if she has other health conditions, those need to be taken into account which makes being monitored by a doctor a good idea for her.

For my own experience....
I was on my way to being officially considered pre-diabetic. I've had (and have) diabetics in my family, so family history is not in my favor. My fasting glucose levels had been steadily rising for years and were hovering around 120 at the beginning of this year. After doing some research for myself, I switched to low-carb and (after sticking with it) in 6 months my fasting level is down in the low 80s to mid 70s.

That is what helped me reverse the trend, but going low-carb the way I did may not be for everyone. For me, I switch out eating a bunch of carbs for healthy fats...but if a person is not committed to following through properly and still sneaks in excess carbs/sugars, adding more fat to the diet can be dangerous. Still, it might be something to look into depending on what she eats now.

A more moderate variation (which might cause less disruption in her diet and make it easier to switch out a few of her favorite foods) might be a low-glycemic index diet, which has some of the earmarks of a low-carb, but allows for complex-carb foods. Instead of cutting out pasta or bread entirely, a complex-carb alternative could be used. Again, something to look into for when she's ready.

But that's the sticking point...she has to be ready, whatever she tries, because it will be a lifestyle change...not a "diet" she just does until her numbers improve and then goes back to what she was doing before. And if she's already in a funk, trying something but not being committed to it and falling off after a week, and then not seeing results or gaining could make her even less willing to try again depending on how depressed she is. If it's bad enough, that might be something she looks into dealing with first...but again...only she can do that for herself.


And yeah, regarding the fruit thing you mentioned in an earlier post, I remember one of my diabetic relatives would only eat half a banana at a time. (I was a child and didn't know why at the time.) I've never been a huge fruit eater, myself, but from what I've been doing recently is I'll allow low sugar "fruits" like various berries. I avoid the more sugary fruit, like bananas and grapes, as well as fruit juice (which you get the sugar and just about none of the fiber to counteract it). You also have to beware of dried fruit, like raisins. The sugar is concentrated in those little gems, and it's easy to eat a lot of them.


I hope the situation improves. *hugs* In the meantime, keep gathering information so you can be ready to help her if she ever asks for it.

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6/27/12 11:06 A

I have read some of the articles. She was on SP for a while...almost 2 years ago before she was prediabetic. She has no motivation. Seems like she is in a deep 'funk' or depression. She wants to have energy to play with her grandkids, but she doesnt do anything about it! Ugh...so frustrating!

Posts: 24,617
6/26/12 8:23 P

FYI...we also have a diabetes center here at SP---which would be a great place to get some basic information for yourself.

Becky

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6/26/12 7:48 P

Thanks so much!!! Now just to get her to commit!!!!

Posts: 24,617
6/25/12 5:28 P

You need to check at your local hospital about taking a nutrition class for those with pre-diabetes. At the hospital where I work, folks with pre-diabetes and diabetes take the same class, since nutritional needs are the same. If class is not an option, then be sure to meet with a certified diabetes educator. Usually the client and a guest(s) are invited to attend.

Your mom will find out how many carbohydrates to have at each meal and snack. Yes, she can have sugar, and bananas and grapes...she just needs to count the carbohydrates as part of her meal. She will also learn how to count milk, yogurt, fruit, juice, starchy veggies, candy, pie, cake, cookies, etc---for they all contain carbohydrtes.

And artificial sweeteners like splenda, nutrisweet, sweet and low, (pink, yellow, blue packets) are fine to use.

SP Registered Dietitian Becky

Posts: 2,699
6/25/12 3:52 P

First, you can't make someone change their eating habits, they have to want to do it. Second, maybe she should talk to a diabetic counselor/nutritionist. Third, I do believe that the protein/carb/fat ratio is important at each meal/snack. I had gestational diabetes, and I had specific ratios and numbers I was given to eat for each meal. 2 carbs to 1 protein, 1 food that counted as a "fat", etc. I believe 15 g = 1 carb and 7 g= 1 protein. I would imagine that the American Diabetes Foundation (or whatever it's called) would have some info for a place to start.

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6/25/12 3:06 P

My mom is pre diabetic, along with a few other health issues. I eat fairly clean, and am very active. She is sedentary. I know she has to limit sugar (real and fake) but what other precautions do i need to take when preparing family meals? My uncle said she shouldnt have grapes or bananas because her body wont process them right (he is also diabetic). Please advise! Need to get her healthy and losing weight again!!!