Any diabetics using food to get well?

**buffy871** · 04-16-2011, 05:43 PM

I've been trying to add foods that help stabilize blood sugar to my diet. So far my best experiment has been with cactus. I'm thinking about growing some kudzu in my apartment. Is anyone else doing anything like that? I'd love ideas.

**Dancing Lotus** · 04-16-2011, 06:37 PM

I do not have diabetes but I applaud you for exploring a dietary approach to controlling your diabetes. Too many people just want to take a magic pill. While medication is not always avoidable and often necessary sometimes it's not and you will never know until you try.

**pollypurebred39** · 04-16-2011, 07:10 PM

I don't grow anything, but have thought of growing stevia.

Here's some links

How Stevia Could Make Diabetes a Thing of the Past | Stevia Cafe

Stevia - Stevia Helps Pancreas Release Insulin - Helpful for Diabetics

**Ali Lee** · 04-16-2011, 07:41 PM

Cinnamon is suppose to lower your blood sugar. .... Be sure to check in with your Dr. ....

**lparker** · 04-17-2011, 09:39 AM

If you do go the cinnamon route, be SURE you are using Ceylon cinnamon. The stuff you get in the grocery and most capsules has a high percentage of coumarin - a blood thinner. You need teaspoons of cinnamon to have a blood sugar regulation effect.

How to identify Real Cinnamon from Cassia

**CrazyHomemaker** · 04-17-2011, 01:53 PM

Read all you can about controlling your diabetes with diet. DH is diabetic and he does it the backwards way...eat and then shoot up insulin to bring the numbers down. He keeps thinking I'll starve him if he doesn't get his daily round of whatever he wants to eat. It's a mind game. If you have a strong will, you'll win in all ways!

Read all Dr. Stanley Bass has to say about diet. He has an interesting and extensive website. Also, read The Maker's Diet.

Kudzu is a scourge here in SC! It grows wild and chokes out all vegetation. I don't think it would be good to grow in your apartment. It grows about 20' a year. It would be an interesting topic when you have visitors. LOL! I believe you can get kudzu at Asian food stores or health food stores. Or, order it fresh online. You may also be able to scavenge it from the roadside in TX.

Good luck to you.

**Wendy Mack** · 04-17-2011, 03:49 PM

I just found out last month i am diabetic. My first doctor put me on tons of meds and i was sooo sick .. called him about it .. and it took him 24 hours to even get back with me and i was calling them. So got mad and went to another doctor for a 2nd opinion. He put me on minimul meds and had me change what i was eating and how I was eating. I have dropped 18 lbs in a month and my glucose level has dropped from 6.5 to 6.2 in just a month. I am really excited and hope I can keep up the good work! If you find anything that helps keep it at a good level let me know!!! I am still a newbie at this and will take any advice!

**ShadowMom** · 04-18-2011, 05:06 PM

I take one medication, metformin at minimum dosage, rest is done through diet and exercise. I basically stay within my alloted carbs for the day, and include at least 30 minutes minimum of exercise a night. In the last year I have brought my A1c from 6.1 to 5.4 doing this. I also make sure I get my carbs from complex carbs and avoid simple carbs as much as possible.

**savvy_sniper** · 04-18-2011, 05:26 PM

The doctor wanted to put me on diabetes meds. I told him to give me 90 days. I immediately started eating healthier and walking on the treadmill. In 90 days I lost 25 lbs, got my blood sugar back in the normal range and lowered my BP and cholesterol. I have now lost a total of 32 lbs. since then. I am up to walking VERY quickly on the treadmill with a major incline for 40 minutes 5 times a day.

Diet and exercise is the key. There is no magic pill, herb, etc.

Good Luck!

**savvy_sniper** · 04-18-2011, 05:29 PM

I forgot to say that I signed up on Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com and started weighing, measuring, and recording EVERYTHING I ate in the food diary. I also recorded my exercise.

Weighing and measuring your food teaches you portion size and makes you aware of everything you put in your mouth.

Anything white is not good for you - sugar, rice, potatoes, etc. and should be eaten in moderation. Look for healthier alternatives. Example - Sweet potatoes are MUCH better for you than white potatoes - baked or sliced and cooked in the oven.

**CrazyHomemaker** · 04-18-2011, 10:45 PM

All of you having A1C's in the 5 and 6 range...how'd you do it? DH can't get his out of the 7 to 8 range. Then, again, he does the insulin thing to bring down what he ate. So he's going to have high A1C's. The doc told him he can't prescribe anything different if he doesn't help himself. I like his doctor!

One thing the doc prescribed is a very low fat and no starch diet. You'd have thought the doc told him to poke his eyes out. He pitched a fit! This brought him down to 7.2 and he got used to it. Then doc said to slowly incorporate starches. Yeah, right! Complex carbs are better. He's hooked on whites. I've got to figure out more meals with some minimal complex carbs and low fat and no whites.

Good luck to all of you.

**savvy_sniper** · 04-19-2011, 08:27 AM

Does your husband exercise? That helps A LOT.

Has your husband's doctor sent him to a nutritionist?

I have seen the long term affects of diabetes and I DON'T want them!

Originally Posted by CrazyHomemaker

All of you having A1C's in the 5 and 6 range...how'd you do it? DH can't get his out of the 7 to 8 range. Then, again, he does the insulin thing to bring down what he ate. So he's going to have high A1C's. The doc told him he can't prescribe anything different if he doesn't help himself. I like his doctor!

One thing the doc prescribed is a very low fat and no starch diet. You'd have thought the doc told him to poke his eyes out. He pitched a fit! This brought him down to 7.2 and he got used to it. Then doc said to slowly incorporate starches. Yeah, right! Complex carbs are better. He's hooked on whites. I've got to figure out more meals with some minimal complex carbs and low fat and no whites.

Good luck to all of you.

**ShadowMom** · 04-20-2011, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by CrazyHomemaker

All of you having A1C's in the 5 and 6 range...how'd you do it? DH can't get his out of the 7 to 8 range. Then, again, he does the insulin thing to bring down what he ate. So he's going to have high A1C's. The doc told him he can't prescribe anything different if he doesn't help himself. I like his doctor!

One thing the doc prescribed is a very low fat and no starch diet. You'd have thought the doc told him to poke his eyes out. He pitched a fit! This brought him down to 7.2 and he got used to it. Then doc said to slowly incorporate starches. Yeah, right! Complex carbs are better. He's hooked on whites. I've got to figure out more meals with some minimal complex carbs and low fat and no whites.

Good luck to all of you.

My Dr. sent me to a Certified Diabetes Educator, I went through some diabetic classes, and also saw a Certified Dietician. This was all paid by my insurance. My husband went with me so he would know what to do to help me, it was a big eye opener for food choices. I read labels on all foods I buy now. Walking is an exercise that helped to bring my blood sugar level down, minimum of 30 minutes a day.
Unfortunately, unless your husband is willing to take this seriously there is only so much you can do to help him. He has to be willing to do what is needed for his health.

Here is a link to an article about the complications of diabetes, maybe this will help him to realize the seriousness of the disease.

Complications - American Diabetes Association

Good Luck,
Andrea

**Wendy Mack** · 04-21-2011, 10:26 PM

I am still trying to fit an exersize in my schedual ughh i work nights and when i come home from work i am just hurting and exhausted. But just changing my diet has helped sooo much! I want to keep working on my diet and losing more weight and see if i can get my glucose under 6! I get weighed in the morning to see if i lost anything this week.. ughh i was bad and had potatoes.. i find potatoes and rice really effect my blood sugar levels... so try to keep them to a minumum. I don't mind eating meats and cheese.. eggs.. mmmm ... but i have to watch fats too .. and i don't mind wheat bread... still learning and working .. keep your fingers crossed for me... and i believe its diet and exercise that is the key too!!!

**lparker** · 04-22-2011, 08:01 AM

If you're buying WW bread, read the label. A lot of them are mostly white flour with whole wheat added. If you're making it at home, make it with 100% whole wheat. If you do it right, it's pretty close to the lightness of home made white bread.