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Posted 1/30/2012 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I have never posted on the diabetes forum although I have been a member of the depression group for a long time.

This is my problem. I saw my PCP for a complete physical last week. All tests were normal with the exception for my blood glucose. It was 105 and I have never had a high reading before. She has scared the daylights out of me. She told me I have to exercise, lose weight and watch my diet very carefully. She said I am at Great Risk for diabetes and am pre diabetic. It is true I do need to lose weight, about 50 lbs. and I don't get enough exercise. I have searched the internet for lists of healthy foods and what I should avoid. I basically know what I can and can't eat but there is no place that gives a complete list of the best and worst things and how many grams of carbos to have a day and also grams of sugar. At this point I am eating nothing that has added sugar or is bad for me. Cut out all white products, pasta, potatoes, white rice, white bread, refined sugar. I am eating healthy veggies and low fat. Does anyone know of a way I can get a really good list of the proper foods? Also, should I be as scared as she has made me feel? I know this is a serious problem but I feel very scared when I even eat a meal. I also am trying to eat 6 small meals to avoid spikes in my sugar level. My dr. did not tell me I need to get a meter and test my sugar every day. She just wants me to come back and get tested again in 3 months. Please let me know if I am over reacting and if I am in imminent danger. By the way I am 66 and have arthritis so I feel I can do moderate exercise but not anything too vigorous.Thanks for any help you can give me.

Aurora

Posted 1/30/2012 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Aurora, welcome to this forum.  Gosh, your doctor sounded maybe a little too harsh about your blood sugar in my opinion.  There's no need to be scared.  Just be "aware" and informed.  First of all, many doctors will say that a blood sugar reading between 100 and 125 is prediabetic; normal would be under 100.  You might be having trouble keeping your blood sugar at normal levels and this could be because: 1. diabetes in your family?; 2. excess weight that you need to lose; 3. a sedentary lifestyle where you don't have any sort of exercise; 3. eating too many carbs; 4. some medication that causes high blood sugar; 5. sickness and or anxiety.  Any or all of these factors may affect your blood sugar, elevating it.

Please read the two stickies at the top of our Forum, Testimonial by TVEditor and Resources.  There is information in both about diet and pointers for controlling blood sugar before you're put on medication.

It's true that as we get older, our metabolism slows down and our body is not operating as it's supposed to or as efficiently as it was when we were younger.  And if we become less active we may put on weight.  All this may contribute to blood sugar rising.  At this point, if you make just two changes in your life, you can bring the blood sugar lower.  You've already started by cutting down on carbs.  The second would be some sort of sustained exercise.  Walking is great if you can do this without pain.  If you have trouble walking, you should speak with your doctor, of course.

I'm sorry the doctor scared you so much.  You are in no way critical in your blood sugar.  It's great that you are aware of it creeping up though.  about having a blood sugar meter, you should ask your doctor.  You might check to see if Medicare covers it.  Some manufacturers give meters out free but then you have to continue buying the test strips. 

Here is a website that has lots of interesting information:  http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

A diet of vegetables, salads, chicken and fish and some beef will help you stay pretty level if you're avoiding "white" food.

yeah

If you have any other questions, come on back.  :-)

Posted 1/30/2012 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Sugar is just another carb. Try to remember "if it's white don't bite". Some fruits are more carby than others. If you want to use a meter, go to a big box chain, they are cheap and accurate. Try to keep your carbs to 45 or less per meal. Sugar free doesn't mean calorie free, they have to make up the taste somewhere. I'd rather have less of the real thing, than the phoney stuff. Look around for a good carb counting book.
Posted 1/30/2012 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your help, Lanie & Smom,

I did read the two articles at the top of the forum. I think I have a good handle on what I should and shouldn't include in my diet. I only eat a small amount of fruit, maybe one apple or some melon a few times a week. I cannot eat any berries or seeds or nuts due to colon resection surgery. You are right that I have led a sedentary lifestyle due to having had 4 surgeries in the past few years. I just haven't gotten back to an exercise plan but the senior center I attend has a health club with a trainer who sets you up on a program specific to one's needs so I am going to do that. I know I have to start out slowly.

Thanks for the idea of a carb counting book. I will get one.

One question, I am wondering if lentils and pearl barley are good fiber and carb sources to have in my diet. I am reading every label when I grocery shop but it is worth it. Luckily I can live easily without chocolate of any kind. I am going to have to get used to no sweets. I guess I have used my surgeries as a poor excuse to be a real couch potato but I know I will be changing that.

Thanks again for your replies.

Aurora

Posted 1/30/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I don't count carbs because I just don't eat the out and out carbs, but when you read the labels of food packages, you'll want to have the least carbs per serving.  Lentils have fiber and protein and are good for nutrition.  Barley sends my blood sugar soaring and I never eat it.  When I make soup, I do use lentils.  To bulk up soups or stews, I also use shredded cabbage.  For me that and lentils take the place of noodles or rice.  So often we add potatoes, noodles or rice to soup and if you look at canned soup that's what you'll find.  I never buy canned soup, so I don't have to deal with that, so when I make soup or stew, I use the lentils, cabbage or white beans in addition to the chicken or beef.  Beans, though, have some carbs but like lentils they have fiber and protein and would be a better choice than noodles, rice or potatoes.

That's a great idea to talk to a trainer at the health club.  Starting slowly is the best way so you don't aggravate the arthritis or hurt yourself.  If the club has a pool, swimming is really good exercise.  Ask the trainer about how to use some dumb bells, too, to strengthen your arms.  Women benefit from being stronger all around.

Aurora, your fasting of 105 is not critical.  Maybe it's a wake-up call but don't stress over it.  Making small changes in what you're eating and including some sorts of exercise will help you a lot and if you can stay with it, I think you'll see some difference in weight and your next fasting.

Posted 1/31/2012 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
Actually, 1oz. of dark chocolate is ok to eat. Find the highest % of cocoa you can, at least 65%. I am a carb counter, even before insulin. Read everything, use your meter to test and adjust, you'll be ok!
Posted 1/31/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info. I know I can have a small amount of dark chocolate but right now I feel as if I have to stick to a very strict regimen. My doctor has not asked me to get a meter to check my blood sugar every day. All she said was I need to be very careful and to come back and have a fasting blood test in 3 months. She said that exercise will help me the most. I have good intentions but the arthritis is so bad in my back and right knee it is hard to do the walking for any length of time. She really did scare me and I don't seem to be able to get beyond those feelings. I am watching my diet very carefully. As you said if it is white don't bite so I have cut out all of those things. I did buy some bread made by Brownberry called health nut bread. It is whole wheat bread made with unbleached whole wheat flower. I don't eat much bread, not even every day but I am hoping this bread is OK. Also, I do like barley and it was on the list of the 12 best foods but it is #12. I hope it is OK to eat barley. I don't have a lot and not every day but I like to put it in homemade soup. I am sticking to low fat also but I still don't understand if fats cause sugar spikes. I am still a bit confused even though I have read the info at the top of the forum. Would appreciate answers to my questions. I guess I am sounding a bit too afraid but this is a diagnosis I just never expected. Thanks for any help.

Aurora

Posted 1/31/2012 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Aurora, did you look at the link I put it one of the posts,  Bloodsugar 101?  Fats and oils do not readily raise your blood sugar.  Carboydrates do that: sugar, flour, rice, all grains, potatoes, root vegetables, food that contains sugar and flour, fruit, fruit juice.  There are differences among all these as to how fast and how high they raise your blood sugar.  Since you don't have a blood sugar meter, you will not know how your blood sugar is after eating, but if you stay away from these obvious carbs or at the very least cut down on them compared to what you were eating before, your blood sugar will be lower in general throughout the day.  If you buy bread, look at the label for carbs.  Compare different bread packages and choose bread that has the least.  In general, whole grain and whole berry bread is better than more processed bread.  Don't be fooled by packaging or names:  look at the labels for the carb content.  The label on the barley package will tell you the carb content.  It's a grain and it has carbs.  It's hard to say how it affects your blood sugar because it depends on how much you eat. 
Posted 1/31/2012 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again, Lanie for your help. I guess my dr. must not have been so concerned as she led me to believe if she did not want me to get a meter to test my sugar every day. I have read all the links you have suggested and gotten some very good information. I am reading every thing in the store with labels and being careful to watch the carbs and especially the sugars. I have actually lost my desire for pasta, white rice and potatoes. I know I can do without sweets. I am following a plan of lots of good veggies, some fruits, fish, chicken and a small amount of lean meat. The changes I am making may seem like a lot but actually I am trying to take it fairly slow so I don't burn out. I will keep reading posts here to see what others write about that may be of help.

Aurora

Posted 1/31/2012 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Well, again, 105 fasting is nothing serious at all.  You just don't want it to get higher.  The doctor is concerned about that, which is why she wants to check it in a few months.  Sometimes, just losing weight will bring it down.  In any case, learning as much as you can helps you control your health and this is exactly what you're doing, so that is really great.  And you're right about making changes slowly.  I believe that's the best way.

yeah  

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