lots of good info tim. thanks

You are quite right about there being a ton of things that are on our "diet lists".   All I really needed to do when diagnosed was to focus on what I CAN have, and not on what I shouldn't.

I would love to find a website or something that explains the differences in the blood sugar numbers. If I ever walked into my doc's office with an 18 he would hospitalize me!  On our scale if you go below a 70 on waking they panic!

This is a really helpful and informative post. You emphasize what works, what’s  enjoyable, and the practical. Michael is extraordinarily fortunate in having you. 

57 minutes ago, Kitt said:

You are quite right about there being a ton of things that are on our "diet lists".   All I really needed to do when diagnosed was to focus on what I CAN have, and not on what I shouldn't.

 

I would love to find a website or something that explains the differences in the blood sugar numbers. If I ever walked into my doc's office with an 18 he would hospitalize me!  On our scale if you go below a 70 on waking they panic!

Thanks for the reminder... each country has a different way ... i put a note in the blog to check with your own country's Diabetes Association or your doctor.

1 hour ago, mogwhy said:

lots of good info tim. thanks

thank you moggy. i know that you are very good at all of this ... Michael is very open to change and trying things...which is good.

45 minutes ago, Parker Owens said:

This is a really helpful and informative post. You emphasize what works, what’s  enjoyable, and the practical. Michael is extraordinarily fortunate in having you. 

Honestly the support offered, unless you go hunting for it or know people that know is very hard to find here. They sent Michael home with a sample day of meals.. He knew little about carbs or anything else, so in that sense, yes He was lucky that i knew. Thanks for reading, Parker.

16 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

Honestly the support offered, unless you go hunting for it or know people that know is very hard to find here. They sent Michael home with a sample day of meals.. He knew little about carbs or anything else, so in that sense, yes He was lucky that i knew. Thanks for reading, Parker.

it's the same here. i tried going to a "specialist in diabetes" to get educated about good eating habits. handed me a pamphlet and said "follow it". when i pointed i was coming for help because the pamphlet, although had recipes, they basically subbed rice for pasta. i pointed out i was allergic to rice, i was dumb founded when she basically said, sucks to be you. you and Mike have a good handle on things! 

last time i was in the hospital, the diabetic diet allowed 60 carbs each for breakfast, lunch and dinner and two snack of 15 carbs each. that is a total of 210 a day!  most days i have less than half that number

23 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

Honestly the support offered, unless you go hunting for it or know people that know is very hard to find here. They sent Michael home with a sample day of meals.. He knew little about carbs or anything else, so in that sense, yes He was lucky that i knew. Thanks for reading, Parker.

Wasn't any better here.  If I didn't know because it runs in my family I'd have been up the creek.  When Mom was diagnosed they sent her to a "nutritionist" who told her she could have a cup of pasta a week, but only a tablespoon of tomato sauce on it, claiming too much added sugar in the sauce.  We make our own, no added sugar!  Just fresh tomatoes cooked with seasonings till right consistency! So much for "professional" help!

16 minutes ago, mogwhy said:

it's the same here. i tried going to a "specialist in diabetes" to get educated about good eating habits. handed me a pamphlet and said "follow it". when i pointed i was coming for help because the pamphlet, although had recipes, they basically subbed rice for pasta. i pointed out i was allergic to rice, i was dumb founded when she basically said, sucks to be you. you and Mike have a good handle on things! 

 

last time i was in the hospital, the diabetic diet allowed 60 carbs each for breakfast, lunch and dinner and two snack of 15 carbs each. that is a total of 210 a day!  most days i have less than half that number

I think Michael has like 40ish for breakfast.. He rarely eats lunch, but will a have snack of some nuts and fruit and dinner is protein, lots of veg, and pasta (with fibre /not Whole wheat though because we really dont like it), brown rice or potato but we are careful about quantities.  His sugar levels are pretty good and the doc is happy.

8 minutes ago, Kitt said:

Wasn't any better here.  If I didn't know because it runs in my family I'd have been up the creek.  When Mom was diagnosed they sent her to a "nutritionist" who told her she could have a cup of pasta a week, but only a tablespoon of tomato sauce on it, claiming too much added sugar in the sauce.  We make our own, no added sugar!  Just fresh tomatoes cooked with seasonings till right consistency! So much for "professional" help!

Yeah.. cooking your own food is the only way to go. There is so much sugar and starch in so many prepared foods, but not all.

Phil was diagnosed Type 2 about 13 years ago and we didn't get a lot of support then either.  He's lucky in that His employer offers a program through their overall "Wellness Initiative" and we get much more support now.

it's a delicate dance this one, balancing what's good for you nutritionally and those things that are just good to eat!  

He's learned, i've learned, it's not been easy and He wasn't always a good patient and did what He wanted and ate what He wanted.

Michael Sir and you, have it figured out much better than we did at that stage.

48 minutes ago, mollyhousemouse said:

Phil was diagnosed Type 2 about 13 years ago and we didn't get a lot of support then either.  He's lucky in that His employer offers a program through their overall "Wellness Initiative" and we get much more support now.

it's a delicate dance this one, balancing what's good for you nutritionally and those things that are just good to eat!  

He's learned, i've learned, it's not been easy and He wasn't always a good patient and did what He wanted and ate what He wanted.

Michael Sir and you, have it figured out much better than we did at that stage.

 

 

well i have you to thank...you gave lots of advice and frankly, Phil Sir's experiences are one thing that got Michael to the doctor. He realized this was much more than they make this disease or condition sound like.. it's not just diabetes. It can blind you, or worse, as you know molly.  You/ we need to take it seriously. People need to seriously think about what they are eating.

My mom is Type 2 also, and diabetes runs in my family. We started by tailoring our diet when mummy came to visit,  to allow for her needs as a diabetic. That later turned into us making more conscious choices all the time, and one that is not too difficult to keep up with. Eliminating sugar and processed foods was huge. 

So much has changed and keeps changing. There’s no real big sacrifice on taste and good food...not really.. 

im still learning. 

I’m glad you and Michael have found a good balance. 

Thanks for posting this.. 

Good info here! Luckily we eat pretty healthy. It helps when your partner is a health freak who doesn’t like sweets.

I try to watch the carbs, my weakness. Have always been aware though. Both 1 and 2 are in my family.

Thankfully Michael Sir was ready to handle the changes. Which can be difficult.

4 minutes ago, BlindAmbition said:

Good info here! Luckily we eat pretty healthy. It helps when your partner is a health freak who doesn’t like sweets.

I try to watch the carbs, my weakness. Have always been aware though. Both 1 and 2 are in my family.

Thankfully Michael Sir was ready to handle the changes. Which can be difficult.

Yes, that would be helpful, jp. Michael loved sweets, i think feels less about them now.  He's stopped having sugar or sweetner in coffee and tea.  When i first met Him, He'd have 3 teaspoons of sugar in tea! But He's stopped now saying things are often too sweet. Amazing what happens when you stop eating sugar, you stop wanting it.

Thank you for your comments, jp!

I found a caramel flavored tea that is almost too sweet with no sugar. Lable claims no additional carb/calories and does great for killing a case of the "I want sweets".

22 minutes ago, Defiance19 said:

My mom is Type 2 also, and diabetes runs in my family. We started by tailoring our diet when mummy came to visit,  to allow for her needs as a diabetic. That later turned into us making more conscious choices all the time, and one that is not too difficult to keep up with. Eliminating sugar and processed foods was huge. 

So much has changed and keeps changing. There’s no real big sacrifice on taste and good food...not really.. 

im still learning. 

 

I’m glad you and Michael have found a good balance. 

Thanks for posting this.. 

Michael gave up sugar and His beloved beer. He did have a beer or two over Christmas, but otherwise He rarely drinks. Today we are having Sheppards Pie with pork and beef and topping of some mash potato and mashed cauliflower.  We had this a while back and forgot the cauliflower was in there. It tasted wonderful.  These small changes can mean a lot.

44 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

well i have you to thank...you gave lots of advice and frankly, Phil Sir's experiences are one thing that got Michael to the doctor. He realized this was much more than they make this disease or condition sound like.. it's not just diabetes. It can blind you, or worse, as you know molly.  You/ we need to take it seriously. People need to seriously think about what they are eating.

i remember the incident well, and W/we are glad that something positive has come from this setback for Him

and that's a good attitude, diabetes affects every system in the body, i wish like hell He would have paid more attention to the doctors and that i had been strong enough to insist that He did

this is a great place to have this discussion and i applaud your efforts

I admit to not knowing a whole lot about diabetes. Prior to chatting with some of you on GA, I wasn't exposed to the facts, and I appreciate the learning. All of the food talk you engage in is funny at times, but I've learned a lot about choosing healthier options, and that's a positive point. 

21 minutes ago, MacGreg said:

I admit to not knowing a whole lot about diabetes. Prior to chatting with some of you on GA, I wasn't exposed to the facts, and I appreciate the learning. All of the food talk you engage in is funny at times, but I've learned a lot about choosing healthier options, and that's a positive point. 

i didn't know much really either, Sir.  i was lucky enough know about complex and simple carbs and well i've done a lot of reading and talking. I know we talk about food a lot. But to most of us.. with HIV, other immune issues and diabetes food is important. It's cool it's helped You choose healthier options!!

43 minutes ago, MacGreg said:

I admit to not knowing a whole lot about diabetes. Prior to chatting with some of you on GA, I wasn't exposed to the facts, and I appreciate the learning. All of the food talk you engage in is funny at times, but I've learned a lot about choosing healthier options, and that's a positive point. 

it's for just that reason, that You thought about healthier options after hearing these conversations, that it's an important discussion

You were already living a healthy lifestyle, but we made You think and that's why it's an important discussion to have

25 minutes ago, Mikiesboy said:

i didn't know much really either, Sir.  i was lucky enough know about complex and simple carbs and well i've done a lot of reading and talking. I know we talk about food a lot. But to most of us.. with HIV, other immune issues and diabetes food is important. It's cool it's helped You choose healthier options!!

and if our conversations about food can make someone like Mac Sir think about His choices

maybe someone else will think about it too 

8 minutes ago, Reader1810 said:

@Mikiesboy

 

I know I do. I did figure out that real food is so much better than the professed “diet” ready made meals or professed foods that are out there. Cheaper too, I think. Just need to learn to plan ahead - not how my mind works, but I’m trying...

 

As for all the food discussions? I’m listening and taking heed of those as well. So, thanks for sharing this knowledge with the rest of us. Because, sometimes, there’s so much to know, all that can be seen is the forest and not the trees. 

You know it is hard and i think harder even, if you are cooking for one. Michael is still buying groceries for 3. Cooking for 2 is somewhat easier.

Cooking real food is so much better for you .. really it is an investment in you. There is nothing wrong with frozen veg if you think you won't use all the cabbage. Or share with a friend? Buy broccoli crowns rather than the whole thing.

Ask molly or me if you need to know something.. i'm sure one of us will know!   xxoo

My Mom, Sister, and Father (before he died due to cancer) were all diagnosed with Diabetes, at one point or another. So, growing up we all ate a low sugar diet. I knock on wood a lot, but so far, I've not tested positive for it, and I get checked all the time. I still eat Ice Cream and drink Coke. My two guilty pleasures. But for me, it's all moderation.

I've given up soda other than seltzer for the most part, but they can take my one Pepsi a day out of my cold dead hands!