Diabetes Diet

I was diagnosed with Type 2 last year.  I moved to rural Pennsylvania and do not have access to a diabetes specialist or center and I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out what I can eat.  I only drink diet soda, milk, tomato juice and tea and have cut out cake, ice cream, candy, etc.   I eat low sugar cookies when I need something sweet.  I'm at a loss as to what to eat for breakfast.   My cholesterol is high so eggs are out, bagels, cereal, pancakes and french toast also push my blood sugar over 200.  What's left?  I've read where I can have potatoes, peas or corn with dinner but my nurse practitioner says no.  Is there any web site that has a simple to understand list of what is O.K. and what is not?  I'm taking 850 mg of Metformin once a day in addition to Lipitor and blood pressure meds.

[Anita Ramsetty, MD]

Hi,
It can be very frustrating finding nutritionists which is a shame because they help so much with control of this disease. I do applaud your efforts to change your lifestyle and help yourself. You seem to be a big carbohydrate lover so this will be a bit of a challenge but you can do it!
Basically, you can have some carbohydrates but try to make them complex--wheat bread instead of white etc. If you have carbs, they should not be the major portion of the meal, so three panckaes won't work for breakfast. Eggs are okay but they should be egg whites without the yolks(a yolk now and then is no biggie of you have regular old high cholesterol and not a genetic disease).  Beans or peas are fantastic--they are compplex carbohydrates and protein, wonderful for you. Corn is mostly carb.  You can check out the American Diabetes Association website--they have great nutrition information including meal planning tips you can use.
Also keep an open mind that you may also need additional medication to control your sugars while you eat a balanced diet. Try to get daily exercise as this will also help tremendously. Good luck and take care!

[Pete919usa]

Hi... I'm no doctor, but I am Type 2 and had VERY high cholesterol, but thanks to diet and exercise I currently have my blood sugars under tight control.  I do strongly suggest you find a nutritionist somewhere, if even for one visit if you have to travel far to see one (just call and let them know your situation and most nutritionists are willing to work with you, in my experience.)
In the meantime, here are some suggestions that worked for me, and some web resources I found helpful:

Go low-carb for a while.  You're avoiding extra sugar which is great, but most carbs break down into sugar, so a lower carb diet really helps control blood sugar.  The other two big things are portion control and fiber.  Start looking at nutrional labels and being mindful of how *much* of any food item you are eating.  High fiber diet is great for everyone, especially diabetics and those of us with problems controlling cholesterol. (Build up fiber slowly so your body gets used to it, though, especially if you're on Metformin as both tend to have a side-effect of causing "gas" until your body gets used to them).  They even make fiber supplements as pills now, so it's easy to up your intake.

As for breakfast... try a liquid egg product like Egg Beaters (most grocery stores have generic brands that are cheaper).. they have no cholesterol, no fat, but good protein.  If you're willing, try some soy products, too, like meat-free "sausage" patties.   I also eat some high-fiber cereal (like Bran Buds) with a little fat-free yogurt and fresh fruit.

I found these websites helpful... hope you do too:

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/b/a/257533.htm

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/fiberbenefits.htm

http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/

[bonnieblazer]

Thank you so much for your answer.    I'll try the generic egg beaters and luckily I like yogurt so I'll try that with some Bran Buds.

[peekawho]

Egg Beaters, turkey bacon, low fat cottage cheese, non fat yogurt, vegetarian "meat" products...all are good sources of protein to add to your diet.

[bonnieblazer]

I'm confused about the non-fat yogurt.  I really like yogurt but isn't it high in carbs?  How many grams of carbs can I have at one time?

[healthymi]

    For Breakfast try one wasa cracker or one rice cake with two tablespoons of skippy peanut butter topped with three ounces of banana  total carbs  31 carbs This will keep you full for a long time  Measure the peanut butter exactly and weight the banana on a diet scale.

[bonnieblazer]

Thank you.  That actually seems like something I'll like.

[healthymi]

  Eat no white food but cauliflower   It works to give you a  healthy blood sugar results

[healthymi]

    Measure all food before you eat it.  Very Important.   Buy a diet scale  like the one weight watcher sells

[healthymi]

  I try to keep my daily carbs under  125. This is not easy.   Here is what I do.    Mornings I write down the number 15 eight times.     Each time I eat 15 carps I cross out one 15 on my list.   This way I can have seven or eight 15 carb foods   Works for me.