So I had to go read about beans and diabetes. First, I imagine that those of you who live with this stuff understand that the Glycemic Index is not the end all/be all when dealing with diabetes. Here is a very interesting article titled "9 Reasons Why The Glycemic Index Is Not Accurate." It does not say to ignore the G.I. of foods, but the (brief) article discusses its shortfalls and nuances. But to my main point...this is what Livestrong says about beans and diabetes (keeping in mind that "Low" on the Glycemic Index is under 55): The GI score of beans ranges from 10 to 40 for a serving of about a 1/2-cup. Dried chickpeas come in the lowest at 10, while kidney beans and lentils score 29. Black beans have a GI of 30, canned chickpeas are at 38 and baked beans come in at 40. Here's an added bonus: Eating beans with foods higher on the GI scale will even out the effect of the less nutritious foods on your blood sugar, according to the American Diabetes Association. To further that position, here is a link to the "Superstar Foods" page on the American Diabetes Association website. The heading is "What Superstar Foods are good for diabetes?" The very first Superstar Food the American Diabetes Association lists is beans! I think beans (and white pasta) have been thrown under the "All carbs are bad" bus.
Most diabetics should be aware that they should "eat to the meter." Everyone is different in how their body reacts to foods and how well their body produces insulin. The best way to know how your own body reacts to different foods is to learn how and when to test. Sounds like Samual is already aware of this since his OP says he tested at appropriate times after his Thanksgiving meal. Also, I should amend my earlier statement about "white foods." I mistakenly said ALL white foods should be avoided, which is not correct. I don't think a turnip is going to hurt anyone unless it falls off the truck.
On eliminating White Foods, a friend I met about 4 yrs ago, had just TAKEN OFF 80 lbs as she was flirting with diabetes...Whites meaning: breads, cookies, donuts, bagels, cearals all the refined carbs .. It's a job keeping out of diabetes, but from the stories I hear. I got rid of bread in my house about 11 yrs ago will NOT bring bread into this house. And last year my glucose levels were on the higher side so my doc and I agreed to take Berberine and I'm doing that and will labs done in May of this year....have good feelings that the Berberine works.
I am having problems keeping my sugar down this past month. Have dov=ctors appt to day to see about maybe getting insulin, I am not on any meds nor have been since first diagnosed about 12 years ago. I used exercise but I'm finding out that dance, walking is not working anymore, so I need to use weightlifting. I have a weight bar and 2 small weights I didn't give to the grandkid. 25lb.s may a good start. I'll also dance and walk to warmup of course. I now have developed Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet, left foot is number than right. I've been using the 5lb. hand bars but need to go to the bar. I'm hoping my A1C is not real high, I'll find out today .doc did lots of bloodwork last appt. This being old along with illness is no fun.I get real tired of it all but keep on pushing [ @Beth Gallagher , another song].
Well, I'm now 73 and my wife is 74 and we are both Diabetic 2. We are both on Metformin. I'm on 1000mg twice a day and she is on 500mg twice a day. I'm also on Glipizide 5mg twice a day taken the same time my Metformin is taken. Neither my VA doctor or her PCP doctor are concerned with our glucose numbers, which are generally around 50, depending on what we eat. We don't do nearly as much exercise as we should, but that's just the way it is. My wife is still working a 40 hour/5-day a week job (Mon-Fri) at home. I was diagnosed in 2008, as a Diabetic 2 and have been on Metformin since. Actually, from working for a senior healthcare company for 4 1/2 years, exercise can only do so much for keeping sugar levels at the right level for the age. There are simply times where a medication is the only answer, whether people want to hear that or not.
You Rock Lady !! I know that we have a couple of seniors that are in a weight training program at the gym to control their blood glucose levels. Resistance training is great in any case but learning to lift weights takes things to a whole different level of some potentially great things to happen. I’m anxious to hear what your doctor says about it and if your glucose levels are low enough to work with weights. Note: My understanding is that if the levels are too high then lifting weights can actually do more harm than good but my prayers are that you can do this thing in rare fashion!
That metformin hurt my stomach when I tried it 12yr ago. I tried it again last month and it still hurts me and I'll soon be 73 too Cody. Gallstone caused severe almost fatal pancreatitis in 1984,even called in preacher for my last rights, in a coma for 12 days, so when that area of my stomach hurts I get scared.It was a very painful thing too for months before and afterwards. 3 old fashioned C-sections was nothing in comparison. No bikini cuts back then. It was just grab your knees and don't move, then slice you from navel to pelvic. I agree that I am old and may not be able to exercise enough for long. This is why I'm going to see about insulin today. So I've had some ilness trama. Anyone have any advice on insulin?
Thanks Bobby, I'm hoping to try weights but like you say, 'it may do more harm than good'. I have a problem trusting doctors and most meds don't agree with me.but neither do more illnesses or worse. Ultra sounds, cat scans proved my heart was good and aspirin regimen is all I needed but they put in stents without my permission. Univerity of 'guess' students sent me to drug store to lower my BP that was really high and 30 minutes later I had a stroke and lost part of vision. Er said its wonder it didn't kill me and I should have been hospitalized to bring it down slow. I'll admit I should have not let it get so high, but that shouldn't be a reason for their action.
You did do a thread about quitting smoking. You still smoking? Even if your smoking is light, it can still increase blood sugar.
Yes and since I've smoked for over 60 years doc says to taper down slow so I'm trying to do that. He said quitting to fast can be dangerous. My SIL quit cold turkey at 69 4 yr ago and she is doing fine. She takes meds for lungs. I don't take anything but 1/4 aspirin a day for heart stents. Its cheaper to take adult aspirin than baby aspirin. I just cut them into 1/4's.
My best friend is a Type 1.5 diabetic (yes, that's a thing). She is insulin-dependent and has an insulin pump. I believe she still has to calculate carbs or whatever and enter the estimated amount of insulin required for whatever she eats, though it is much easier than when she used to have to give herself insulin injections into her stomach. Remaining compliant as a T-2 by regulating diet and exercise is a cakewalk compared to insulin-dependent, at least from what I've seen. My brother was diabetic and took metformin. He was one of those who "assumed" that since he took the medicine he could eat whatever he wanted. I worried about him constantly since he loved pasta and didn't use a meter at all. I hope you get some good advice from your doctor today, Marie.
Two things we monitor often, but not often enough............blood glucose (w/a meter) and blood pressure (with a monitor). We have an Excel Sheet Information for each of us that we write the results on.
The one great thing about lifting weights other than building muscle strength is the fact that it increases your sensitivity to insulin thereby giving your more control over your glucose levels for a longer period of time. It’s going to be a juggling act though and you’re going to have to do a lot of studying. For me, I already know that some of the supplements I take could build up a resistance to insulin but knowing that came with cracking the books.