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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 5/13/16 9:34 AM ET
My hubby has, after many years of having high blood sugar, reached the place where his Doc said he now has it. His last test was 140 and he is supposed to go back in 3 months for a recheck. I have been trying to cook the diabetic diet for the most part. It is a learning process for both of us. I can see it is going to be more my problem than his as I am the primary cook. Sigh.... His contribution in the past was desserts.

I want to purchase a meter to test his sugar. I had bought the Walmart brand but my friend told me they were not good enough. Can any of you who know about them, give me some advice on which ones to purchase that will be good. Also something that the test strips are not so expensive?

He is the oldest of 7 and the last one to become diabetic. So I guess I should feel happy about that. For the most part we have always eaten healthy, but he does love sweets. Since we have cut back I have lost 5 pounds and he has lost 10. That is great because in spite of getting a fair amount of exercise, I have not been able to shed many pounds in the past. I weigh 130 and I hope I can get down to at least 125 on this new diet.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
Chris
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Posted on: 5/13/16 10:38 AM ET
Hi Chris - I'm very sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis. I've been type 1 for over 25 years, and though the cause is different the blood sugar testing and diet are the same for the two diseases.

For blood sugar testing, the FDA regulates the at-home monitors so any monitor will be fine. I'd buy a monitor based on the cost of strips (like you said you did) and go from there. It's true you might not have all the bells and whistles, but as far as the results go even the cheapest monitors are required to perform within the same level of accuracy as all the others - which honestly isn't that great but it's what we've got to work with (I'm a former lab tech, too, so the level of accuracy/inaccuracy in the home blood glucose monitor market has always irritated me).

If you get a number you're suspicious of during testing, always do a retest and see if the numbers are somewhat close. You can expect a variance of up to 20% from what the real lab would give you from that same blood specimen. So if his blood glucose is "really" 100, you might get an 80 or a 120 and that's allowable. Getting a good drop of blood (that's not contaminated by lotion or water on the hands) and not "milking" the finger to get the specimen will be most important in getting accurate results. So bottom line, the meter itself isn't that important, but the way you get the specimen and how you treat the test strips are (don't leave them in a hot car for a month and then expect them to be accurate).

For diet, I hope they didn't give you the classic type two diet that I hear some doctors are still recommending (high in carbs, low in fat/protein). My endocrinologist/dietician recommends eating more like the mediterranean diet - so lots of fish, healthy fats/protein, and veggies, not so many processed carbs. I carb count and weigh everything I cook at home because I calculate my insulin dosage that way, but that might help you too as you're helping your husband. I've found any food that is high carb and high fat will affect my blood sugar for days - it seems to make me more insulin resistant. Examples of this includes a lot of pasta dishes (the ones with fatty sauces) and pizza with the thicker crusts, boohoo. I can eat thin crust pizza without any issues, so that's pretty much what I stick with now (I make my own at home using flatbread, italian cheese blend, spinach, red onions, mushrooms, kalamata olives, and a drizzle of seasoned olive oil). I've actually become quite accustomed to having fruit as dessert, so that helps fill the void of sweet stuff. I like pineapple chunks with cream cheese (whipped with the pineapple juice - no sugar added) and toasted walnuts on top, or a couple of Medjool dates stuffed with peanut butter, just as an example of some sweet things I eat.

Best of luck to you and your husband. It sounds like you're really getting a good handle on this early, which is exactly the way to go!
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Michelle
  
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Posted on: 5/13/16 11:44 AM ET
In reply to CrisB
I had a type 2 diabetic family member and an elderly type 1 diabetic labrador, so had the opportunity to cross check the Walmart meters I used with the dog to other brands of human meters: the results from both styles of One Touch meters (Ultra mini, Ultra 2) preferred by the family member and from both styles of Walmart's Relion meters (Prime, and the disposable Sidekick All in one) were within a few points of each other when compared using the same samples, usually 2 or 3 points. Both vet and doctor were amazed at the difference in cost per test.

Diabetic type 2 human's values have come down sharply with his lack of restaurant meals after retirement to the country away from city temptations, and subsequent weight loss, and is now off meds for it.
  
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Posted on: 5/13/16 4:45 PM ET
In reply to CrisB
I have type 2 and the diet is very similiar to the Weight Watcher's points diet you just can't have sugar. If you follow it and exercise you will lose weight. And honestly if you both eat the same thing will be a lot easier on you shopping wise and food prep. At my house 3 of us are on different types of diet and it's heck trying to meal plan etc.
  
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Posted on: 5/13/16 5:14 PM ET
In reply to dmh1
dmh1,

I always appreciate the clear information you provide regarding managing diabetes. I am lucky so far not to be diabetic, nor borderline, but Type 2 does run in my family and I know I will be better off if I lose 60 pounds.

I do have two older (over 80) family members who are each suffering from complications after many years of Type 2 diabetes and both of them being very careful regarding their diet and exercise. It makes me more mindful about my own lifestyle and choices.

I too like home made pizza, mine is topped with seafood, goats cheese and vegies. By making my own pizza, I control the quality and quantity of ingredients.
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Posted on: 5/13/16 8:48 PM ET
In reply to Michelle T
Thank you, Michelle! I hope you never have to deal with the disease, but if you do they sure have improved the management techniques and technologies available to those of us who have diabetes. My mom is sort of in the same boat, having had gestational diabetes she is at high risk of Type 2, so she tries to eat healthy now in the hopes of warding of the disease. It's tough to "be good" all the time, though, but she does try.

Your pizza sounds delicious - would you mind expounding upon the recipe a bit? What kind of fish and veggies? I love goat cheese, so that makes this a winner already.
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Michelle
  
Member since 11/13/04
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Posted on: 5/13/16 9:42 PM ET
In reply to CrisB
Our DS was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 11 months old. In those days it wasn't as easy as today,no blood sugar monitor available then.

As far as a special diet is concerned our family always ate the same sugar reduced healthy "diet". I didn't cook a special diabetes diet.

Your local area dietitian can work out a meal plan with food your family likes to eat.There are lots of sites online to help plan sugar reduced healthy menus. We always ate lots of vegetables.I consider fresh cucumber slices,lettuce,radish and more "free" food to nibble on.

When my longtime dear friend was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes she had a difficult time to adjust.She always liked too sweet for my taste cakes and desserts. Most of the time we eat fresh fruit for dessert.When we visited a buffet-style restaurant together she always had to have her dinner buns/rolls and other starchy food.

When the restaurant had turkey she liked to cut a bun in half,fill it with a few thin turkey slices,the bread dressing and cranberry sauce,the way she liked to eat it at home too.To me the bun is unneccessary starch.I prefer a spoon of bread dressing,thin turkey slices and more salad/vegetables on my plate.

She said I eat like a rabbit,my plate is full with green stuff. Now she eats more green stuff too.

-- Edited on 5/14/16 at 6:21 AM --
  
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Posted on: 5/13/16 10:39 PM ET
In reply to dmh1
Hello Michelle,

I did not realise you are a Michelle too.

Friday night is Pizza Night and I just finished my pizza.

I make homemade dough, but add Italian seasoning to the dough. I made a 12 inch pizza and eat the left overs over the weekend. Tonight it had pesto, bout 3 oz of goats cheese (I buy it at Costco for the best price) local shrimp, small scallops, Sockeye Salmon and a small potion of hot Italian sausage. I added sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts and thinly sliced shallots.

I precook the crust on a pizza stone. I hate doughy crust, I like it crisp. Before I add the toppings I turn over the crust, so it is extra crisp.

I tried avocado last week, but as much as I like avocado turns I do not like it on pizza. I sometimes add peppers, but I find that the flavour of them gets stronger on the left over pizza and I would rather eat them as a raw veg with my pizza.

Since I live on my own now, I made a big batch of dough and freeze it in pizza sized portions. Soon it will be too hot to make in the oven. I bought a special stone to use on the BBQ and will try it soon.
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Posted on: 5/13/16 11:14 PM ET
In reply to Michelle T
Thank you for the details on the pizza - this sounds delicious (especially the hot Italian sausage to really add a bit of zip)! I'm adding this to my recipe ideas notebook and will have to try this out. I used to make pizza dough and freeze it like you do but I've been lazy lately (and I need to get a new freezer since my standalone freezer died) and haven't made any in awhile, but you've motivated me to pull out my old recipe. Thanks again!
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Michelle
  
Member since 7/28/04
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Posted on: 5/14/16 0:02 AM ET
Good advice but there is a mis-alignment on focusing on avoiding "sugar". Yes, sugar is a carb that raises glucose....but healthy carbs do this as well. You have to test with meter to see how much a food affects your levels when the makeup is complex with fiber, fats and protein.

Different forms of exercise can either raise or lower numbers.

There really is not a "diabetic diet" although numerous authors have bankrolled the disease. Get solid advice and avoid opportunists. Start with the Mayo books first.
  
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