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Posted 8/4/2011 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm looking for a bit of advice for my dad, he's 76. He's been diagnosed with type 2, he's not obese by any means as a matter of fact he's under weight for his height. I've asked his doctors for a list of foods he could eat, 2 have said look on the internet for a list. I've done some research and have noticed a pattern that points to type 2 being driven by high carb intake / sugars etc, which is quite true for him as most of the time, I see him eating crackers, potato, bread, lots of rice, which in his mind is safer than meat, as he's afraid of meats, chicken, bacon, pork, steaks.

I do all the cooking for my parents, not because they aren't capable, but for 1 because my mom is just plain lazy, it's not cause she's feeble or can't, she just doesn't want to take the time to cook, so she'll eat whatever is fast, she wasn't always this way, but that's another story. In any event for my dad I'm trying to introduce him to a new way of eating, more fresh salads, tuna fish on whole wheat breads, tuna wraps with lettuce, eating more eggs for protein, as he complains he's weak at times, etc

I'm no doctor but I'd say a great solution would be get him onboard with doing an atkins type diet or atkins itself, of course I'd do it with him as I could stand to lose weight and get into a better way of eating.

Problem is he's really old school, from the time when it was said all red meat is bad and so is really stubborn. Yeah I know many will say atkins isn't healthy. This really isn't so. I have many friends that have beat type 2 with atkins for over 10 years and show no signs of ill health at all.

Comments / Advice

Post Edited (nygeorge457) : 8/4/2011 11:54:47 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/4/2011 6:26 PM (GMT 0)
Do an online search for glycemic index food list. This will help you sort out which foods are best and worst when it comes to effecting blood sugars. Foods with the lowest index ratings are the ones that have the least effect on blood sugar.

Another thing that will help in controlling blood sugar is fiber. The more fiber consumed with the meal the less the effects carbs will have. Some studies have suggested this effect can be as high as a 1-1 ratio meaning for every gram of fiber there is in the meal it is like eating one less gram of carbs.

Exactly how many carbs a diabetic should consume is one that is hotly debated. Currently the ADA says 45-60 grams per meal. While some argue this seems high, it is still generally a lot lower than most people eat. 45 grams of carbs would be the rough equivalent of 3 pieces of bread just to give you an idea. One thing that most agree on though is that a diabetic, regardless of their total daily carb intake, should strive to eat the same amount of carbs every day divided equally among each meal. By doing this it should provide a more consistent glucose level throughout the day, and even if it doesn't it will allow easier identification of problem areas and easier adjustments to the treatment regimen.

When it comes to dealing with your Dad's diet I suggest you take small steps. Make gradual changes to it. This way he is less likely to notice.

As far as those Atkins type diets go, the big problem that so many run into is because they do not understand that it is not a free for all meat/protein fest. You need to make sure your meat is very lean to avoid possible complications with elevated cholesterol levels.
Posted 8/4/2011 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
George, is your dad on diabetes medication?  Do you know what they are and what his blood sugar readings are?  Cutting way back on the carbs (bread, cereal, potatoes, sugar and flour food) will go a long way to bring blood sugar lower.  I would start by simply cutting back on them instead of cutting them out.  More chicken and fish if he doesn't want to eat red meat.  If he doesn't want to follow a specific diet, then he can just eat: protein (meats, fish, eggs, beans), vegetables (not potatoes), salads and salad food.  Use olive oil and vinegar for dressings.  Use spices to liven up tastes.  Add cheese to some of the vegetables and salads.

On our table, I put a plate of "salad food" that we all pick from during the meal: cucumber slices, tomato slices, little broccoli and cauliflower florets, radishes, celery.  Cut up pieces of cheddar and eat as a snack along with nuts and any of the salad food.  Spinach, raw and cooked, is great and full of iron.  Add a hard-boiled egg to that and the meal is less boring.

I understand he might think that bread and crackers are 'safer' but show him how his blood sugar will rise after eating them. 

Good luck.  And read the two stickies at the top of the Diabetes forum here for more information about food.

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