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Do you think I'm Pre-Diabetic? Suggestions?
Five years ago, I was given a Glucose meter and checked my levels. They were perfect. Fasting was around 80. After a meal, maybe 120. So no worries. Then a couple of years ago, I got out the meter and ordered some strips. Tested Glucose and fasting ranged from 88 to 100. I ate a big old bowl of chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce after dinner one night and after one hour, checked glucose and it was at 155! Went to Doctor and he checked my A1C and it was 4.9. He said that was fine. A years later, A1C was 5.1. Now my A1C is 5.3. If I abuse myself, such as eat something high carb, my glucose goes high. The highest I've ever made it go is 171. That was done by drinking a 20 ounce Coke quickly. So, I'm in my late 50's, 5' 6" tall, spend 4 nights a week at the Gym and have been doing so for the past 13 years. I walk every day at lunch. My weight bounces between 146 and 150 pounds so not really fat. My Doctor ran a really expensive test I had to pay for that checked for insulin resistance - I'm not sure what the test was called? I can find out if anyone wants to know? Anyway, the test showed at least at this time, I am not insulin resistant. So at this time I am trying to eat better. What is odd is we ordered a Pizza the other night and I had 3 pieces. After 2 hours, my glucose was 117. Yet , a bowl of Special "K" protein cereal will shoot me to 150 so I don't get it. Am I pre-diabetic or diabetic or what. The only diabetes in our family is on my Mom's side. Her Sister's Daughter got type one at 6 years old. Very serious condition.
Good question, shaunw84.
What makes you miss the cereal? Is it the crunch? Is it the sweetness? Is it the soggy stuff after absorbing the milk?
There is research showing how sugar triggers area of the brain similar to other addictive substances like cocaine. If your brain is doing this, then I'm not sure if there is something you can take to reduce the addiction. But, if you are craving the crunch, sweet, or milky sponginess, then yes there is something you can do to substitute for this.
For crunch, try crushed nuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds sprinkled over full fat yogurt or full fat kefir or ricotta.
If you crave the sweet, try the combination listed about with addition if a few berries.
If you crave the moist spongy mouthfeel of milk-absorbed cereal, then you can substitute this with a quick 2-minute almond cake. Simple recipe: beat one egg with three tablespoons of almond flour and quarter teaspoon of baking powder. Add any flavouring if your choice (like vanilla extract, or cocoa powder or almond extract or grated lemon rind or a few berries). Add teaspoon or two of stevia sweetener, if desired. Then pour batter in buttered coffee mug or cereal bowl, and microwave for 90 seconds. Remove from microwave, and eat immediately, and if desired add milk, or cream or yogurt on top if your cake. Really delicious and so fast to prepare. enjoy!! :-)
What makes you miss the cereal? Is it the crunch? Is it the sweetness? Is it the soggy stuff after absorbing the milk?
There is research showing how sugar triggers area of the brain similar to other addictive substances like cocaine. If your brain is doing this, then I'm not sure if there is something you can take to reduce the addiction. But, if you are craving the crunch, sweet, or milky sponginess, then yes there is something you can do to substitute for this.
For crunch, try crushed nuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds sprinkled over full fat yogurt or full fat kefir or ricotta.
If you crave the sweet, try the combination listed about with addition if a few berries.
If you crave the moist spongy mouthfeel of milk-absorbed cereal, then you can substitute this with a quick 2-minute almond cake. Simple recipe: beat one egg with three tablespoons of almond flour and quarter teaspoon of baking powder. Add any flavouring if your choice (like vanilla extract, or cocoa powder or almond extract or grated lemon rind or a few berries). Add teaspoon or two of stevia sweetener, if desired. Then pour batter in buttered coffee mug or cereal bowl, and microwave for 90 seconds. Remove from microwave, and eat immediately, and if desired add milk, or cream or yogurt on top if your cake. Really delicious and so fast to prepare. enjoy!! :-)
I really miss cereal. I have good control and could eat it once in a while, but I think it's been 2 years since I've eaten any kind of cereal. What's good kind to have?
The first four ingredients of Special K protein cereal are Whole grain wheat, wheat gluten, sugar and rice. For one serving, there are 19 grams carbo, including 7 grams sugar. Yikes!! Even a slice of bread typically has same amount of carbo and much less sugar. From what I see, Special K protein cereal is kryptonite...my recommendation is to not ingest it. It will spike your blood sugar and make your diabetes worse. There are Much healthier alternatives for breakfast, and they typically involve non-processed food with fewer ingredients and resemble the shape they came from mother nature. Special K is mutant atrocity from manufacturing. Best macronutrient proportion for diabetics is low carb, moderate protein and high fat, also known as LCHF.
Well since your A1C is going up, you should be cautious and get a OGTT - Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. And since you've noticed a change in how your body handles glucose.
If you haven't done it, yet, you want a 4 hr test measuring both the glucose and the insulin. You want a 5 point test: fasting, 1/2 hr, 1hr, 2hr, 3hr, and 4hr.
Many doctors still don't realize the importance of tracking insulin during this test. Once it was explained to me, I realize how dumb it is not to do this.
In the future it doesn't have to be this long or involved, but as a base line it's good to have all the data.
Based on this a "good" doctor should be able to advise you.
The good news right now is that you have good control of your glucose -- based on your A1C.
Be well
If you haven't done it, yet, you want a 4 hr test measuring both the glucose and the insulin. You want a 5 point test: fasting, 1/2 hr, 1hr, 2hr, 3hr, and 4hr.
Many doctors still don't realize the importance of tracking insulin during this test. Once it was explained to me, I realize how dumb it is not to do this.
In the future it doesn't have to be this long or involved, but as a base line it's good to have all the data.
Based on this a "good" doctor should be able to advise you.
The good news right now is that you have good control of your glucose -- based on your A1C.
Be well
Thanks for the comments/advice. I was recommended Special K Protein as a diabetic preferred breakfast cereal. Well that was bad information. I do quite well eating nitrite-free bacon or ham (I'm allergic to nitrates), a couple of eggs, and 1/2 of an english muffin. Almost every day I eat this for breakfast. BG never seems to move with this combination. Oh. it might hit 110 - maybe?
Kellogg's cereal does have a ton of carbs in it, which makes me cringe seeing the adverts regarding the alleged "healthy" qualities. One needs to be careful with front of the box disclaimers, and instead one must read the nutritional info and ingredients at the back of the box.
Another thing to consider is what happens when the body receives a whopping amount of carbs or protein without fat. Did you know that protein is insulinogenic? This means if you eat a ultra rich protein meal without fat and little carbs, the body can respond by injecting insulin into blood, driving the blood sugar super low, and then this is followed by your body converting some of the protein to glucose, via a process called gluconeogenesis. Kind of a bummer if someone goes intentionally low carb to control their blood sugar. Better to have a low carb, moderate protein and high fat meal (like non starchy veg sautéed in butter with steak), as this fills you up cancelling hunger quickly, while delivering great nutrition without blood sugar spikes.
Another thing to consider is what happens when the body receives a whopping amount of carbs or protein without fat. Did you know that protein is insulinogenic? This means if you eat a ultra rich protein meal without fat and little carbs, the body can respond by injecting insulin into blood, driving the blood sugar super low, and then this is followed by your body converting some of the protein to glucose, via a process called gluconeogenesis. Kind of a bummer if someone goes intentionally low carb to control their blood sugar. Better to have a low carb, moderate protein and high fat meal (like non starchy veg sautéed in butter with steak), as this fills you up cancelling hunger quickly, while delivering great nutrition without blood sugar spikes.
that is what diabetes is your bodies in ability to manage BG with high carbs
Pizza is natoreus for having a delayed BG spike 3 or 4 hours (from all the fat in pizza)
Special "K" protein cereal has a LOT of carbs and your BG goes high (too high)
normal person never goes over 140.
and your rising A1c is also indicating that things are starting to slip.
Ask for a GTT (Glucose tolerance Test) and make sure he tests every 15 minutes to see how your body handles the Carbs.
Pizza is natoreus for having a delayed BG spike 3 or 4 hours (from all the fat in pizza)
Special "K" protein cereal has a LOT of carbs and your BG goes high (too high)
normal person never goes over 140.
and your rising A1c is also indicating that things are starting to slip.
Ask for a GTT (Glucose tolerance Test) and make sure he tests every 15 minutes to see how your body handles the Carbs.
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