Diabetes and Weigh****chers

I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

What are you eating the night before?

How often are you eating over the course of an average day? What foods are
you eating?

Have you spoken to a dietician who specialises in Diabetic control via diet?

Are you happy with your Dr? If not, get a 2nd opinion or consult an
endocrinologist perhaps?

Do they have nurses who specialise in diabetes control and management issues
you can consult at a community level?


"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James


Many kinds of meat should work as well.

I would think a vegan Boca burger or a chicken breast might work, you can
switch the focus of the meal, maybe eat what you think of as a lunch meal
for breakfast, salad, chicken breast and broccoli, then eat breakfast type
items at a different meal, welcome and good luck, Lee
Michael James wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

There is a good book called: "what makes my blood glucose go up... and
down?" by Jennie brand-miller, PhD. and Kay foster-Powell, M. nutr. & diet
and Rick Mendoza. (isbn number: 1-56924-574-6) *take the isbn number down,
its the easiest way to find a book on amazon.com, or larger chain bookstores
that have the isbn listed, each book has its own number*

and there are a lot of good pointers in there, as well, drink lemon water!!!
it helps metabolize the blood sugars...

I would also recommend talking to a nutritionist as most doctors don't deal
with that aspect too much. I was lucky in the sense that my doctor was
familiar and did the whole menu thing with me as my appt with the
nutritionist was a while yet.

I'm mainly controlled by diet and a pill I take twice a day...

and during hormonal upheaves I take a needle of slower acting insulin... I
haven't had to take that for a while...

also eating protein before bed helps keep the sugar levels lower in the
morning, because its the slowest to digest, it keeps your body working
overnight, and it doesn't add to the sugar levels in the morning. It really
works... also got that info from the book...

a page excerpt that might help you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
pg. 141.

question 82. What are the advantages of eating vinegar, lemon juice, and
sourdough bread?

Physiologists have long known that highly acidic solutions slow down stomach
emptying. The surprise, however, is how little is needed to reduce the
blood glucose levels. Several studies have shown that a realistic amount of
vinegar or lemon juice, in the form of a salad dressing, consumed with a
mixed meal has significant blood glucose lowering effects. for example, 4
teaspoons of vinegar in a vinaigrette dressing, (4 teaspoons vinegar and 8
teaspoons oil) taken with an average meal lowered blood glucose by as much
as 30 percent. These finding have important implications for people with
diabetes or individuals at risk of diabetes, coronary heart disease, or
syndrome X (also known as the metabolic syndrome) (impaired glucose
tolerance, hypertension, and high blood lipid levels).

the effect appears to be related to the acidity, because other organic acids
(such as lactic acid and propionic acid) also have a blood glucose lowering
effect. However, the degree of reduction varies with the type of acid,
Acids that are small molecules work best. Thus hydrochloric acid, the acid
secreted by the cells in your stomach to kick start the digestion process,
is the best. But don't even consider taking the hydrochloric acid by mouth
it will burn the lining of the mouth throat and esophagus beyond repair.

Our studies have shown that lemon juice is just as powerful as vinegar.
Lime juice is likely to work just as well. Acidic fruits such as passion
fruit will also do the trick, but the more sugar they contain the less
likely an effect will be seen, because the two things will cancel each other
out.

Our take home message: A side salad with your meal is a good habit to get
into (the French and Italians do it all the time).

sourdough breads, in which lactic acid and propionic acid are produced by
the natural fermentation of startch and sugars by the yeast starter culture,
also produce levels of blood glucose and insulin 22 percent lower than non
sourdough bread. In addition there was a higher satiety associated with
breads having decreased rates of digestion and absorption. Thus there is a
significant potential to lower blood glucose and insulin and increase
satiety with sourdough bread formulations.
-------------------------------------------------------------

and there you go.... hope this helps a bit throughout your day... I've
definitely noticed the difference in having protien, even a little bit
beforebedtime helps me for my morning numbers... eggs and cottage cheese at
night might be better! or you can make up some low fat ribs with lemon
before going to bed... just a small handful amount to munch on...and lemon
water... very good for all diets... same with vinegar..

hope this helps... its a good book with lots of questions and tips...

Carrie

"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

The problem is your doctor. Find another doctor.


On Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:45:01 GMT, Michael James
wrote:

I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

Michael,

I've been a type 2 diabetic for approx. 6 years and I've been controlling
with orals meds, diet and exercise. My last HbA1c was 5.2 mmol (which is
approx. 94 in US terms). When I was first diagnosed, my BG readings were
averaging between 16 and 25 (288 to 450) !!!.........Here's what I
learned.........IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTROLLING YOUR CARB INTAKE......

I learned from ASD (alt.support.diabetes) that figuring out the number of
carbs your body can handle without spiking is the key to getting your
diabetes under control.

You should read the following note for the NEWLY diagnosed from
diabetic-talk.org.....click this link and follow Jennifer's advice - it will
truly give you a great understanding of your diabetes and how to control it
http://www.diabetic-talk.org/jennifer.htm

1) Control your carb intake - find out how much you can handle per meal by
testing. As your BG improves, you will be able to handle more carbs than
normal. Most diabetics can handle more later in the day rather than first
thing in the morning.
2) Exercise - exercising after a high carb meal with help reduce any spike
in BG.
3) Lose weight - this will help with your insulin resistance - joining WW
was probably the best thing you ever did
4) Build Muscle - building lean muscle helps your diabetes tremendously.
Since I started weight training a year ago, my morning BG has dropped one
full point from 6.4 to 5.4 !!! (115 to 97)

As for some breakfast ideas? - my morning FBG is always my highest of the
day - no doubt about it! If I wake up higher than 7 (126) (very rarely now)
then I cut out the carbs or try to walk for 30 minutes immediately after my
breakfast.

Here are some of my choices in the morning........

1) light or low carb bread or light English Muffins - such as Arnold or
Wegman's or WW white bread - I make toast with it and put some sugar free
jam or reduced fat peanut butter on it - 6 carbs per slice - 5 carbs for the
jam - 1 point for 2 slices
2) 4 oz. fat free or extra lean ham slices or 97% fat free ham steak - 0
carbs 2 points
3) egg omelet with green and red peppers, fat free ham, onions - minimal
carbs - 6 points
4) one glass of skim milk - 13 carbs - 2 points
5) one glass of 1/2 calorie orange juice - 13 carbs - 1 point
6) Here in Ontario, Canada, I love to eat peameal bacon which is lean pork
loin with cornmeal on the outside - the one sold by Costco is only 2 points
for 4 oz.
7) couple of fried eggs over easy - 0 carbs - 4 points
8) French Toast using one beat up egg and 2 slice of low car bread - sugar
free maple syrup - 6 carbs per slice - 3 points.
9) I know this sounds weird, but I personally like to eat olives in the
morning and kosher deli pickles with my Fat free ham slices - 0 carbs - 1
point for 6 olives, none for the pickles.
10)You can always consider any leftovers such as cold chicken or turkey - as
another posted - any meat, fish or poultry protein won't raise your BG when
you eat it.
11) I also love to eat DreamFields Pasta - we can't get it here in Canada
anymore, but I buy it in the US and it's great for most diabetics - I've
heard it affects some diabetics, but I'm one of the lucky ones - it doesn't
affect my BG at all and it tastes just like regular pasta - you would never
know the difference - I promise you!
12) Another thing I like to eat in the morning is fat free cheese
sandwiches - 2 fat free American cheese slices on 2 slices of low carb
bread - 3 points - 12 carbs.

Be creative.......but watch those carbs - test and get to know how many you
can handle at each meal. Try to exercise after supper if possible and try
to get into a weight lifting routine - you will see the difference in within
a few days. I'll bet you already see a difference just when you walk up and
down a few flights of stairs?

Good luck - you can do this.

Eddie
Weight June05-359.0lbs
Current Weight-284.0lbs
Loss to date=75.0lbs
Goal Weight-180.0lbs


"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James

On Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:45:01 GMT, Michael James
wrote:
Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

You need Alan S for breakfast ideas, he has a great list, but I think
he's still on walkabout - you could google him, or try "recipe low
carb breakfast" as a google term - this was the first link I got, some
of these look good!
http://www.mrbreakfast.com/low_carb.asp

I eat linseed porridge in the winter, or a low carb granola in the
summer, with the occasional pancake made with the same mix. Eggs
require too much thought, and cottage cheese is too carby, for
breakfast for me!

Nicky.
T2 DX 05/2004
A1c 5.5% BMI 25 D&E
100ug Thyroxine

"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

My sister is pre-diabetic. Her doctor has her on an appropriate diet
consisting of protein, veggies, healthy oils, selective carbs (brown rice,
whole wheat pasta) and selective fruit to help stabilize her blood sugar as
well as to lose some weight. Her doctor felt this was a better way for her
to lose weight than the classic WW flex plan. Her typical breakfast these
days is chicken and brocolli or an omlette.

Google for diabetic diet or better yet, see a nutritionist who can design an
appropriate diet based on your likes and dislikes. Use the WW points as a
way of controlling portion sizes otherwise the diet sounds like a
eat-all-you-want aka Atkins type of plan.

http://www.fabulousfoods.com/feature...ic/brkfst.html

Googled this website that might give you ideas.

Lynne

"Michael James" wrote in message
...
I am a diabetic who needs to loose weight. I've chosen Weigh****chers to
help me in the fight against the fat. However, I'm having trouble,
especially in the morning, with what to eat. My sugar reading is usually
high in the morning (175 or higher) and I know that once it gets above 220
I become groggy with my head in a fog, so to speak. My doctor has me on
oral medication for diabetes, but it doesn't seem to bring my sugar levels
down fast enough. He has refused upping my dosage, or changing me to
different medication (including insulin). I have pills to take in the
morning that require food in the stomach, so skipping breakfast is NOT an
option.

Any ideas on what I might be able to eat that wouldn't affect my sugar
levels too much in the morning? I'm getting tired of eggs and cottage
cheese for breakfast.

Thanks!

Michael James