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Diabetic Connect Member Neecigirl

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Frazzled Wife

by Neecigirl
August 12, 2009 2:45 PM
10 Replies
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Last edited 3 months ago


I need help. My husband is a diabetic. I am the main food preparer in the house. The Dr. wants him to change his diet and I have NO earthly idea how to shop for a diabetic. What do I look for? What kids of foods can he or can he not have? They put him on Metformin and that is not helping bring the Blood Sugar down. They told him if we cannot get it down by controlling his diet then he will have to go on insulin. HELP!!!!! Please 8o)


Tags: diet

From Replies
Diabetic Connect Member Crashnot
Crashnot
Crashnot replied August 12, 2009 3:12 PM 

My husband was finally diagnosed last fall, and I (and he!) were saved by a book called "Reversing Diabetes" by Dr. Julian Whitaker. It's not a cure-all, but it's real world advice written so you can use and understand it. With the diet and food advice, he dropped 50 pounds in three months and has kept most of it off. Most of the food is even attractive to our 3 & 5 year old! There is also a great section on using vitamins and supplements to help control sugar levels. It has helped me with some early complications of Type 1, and has helped control husband's sugars as well. Whitaker is VERY anti-drug and explains the long term effects of each of those usually prescribed. You can find it on Amazon.

Diabetic Connect Member Antique-Dave
Antique-Dave
Antique-Dave replied August 12, 2009 3:24 PM 

It took Metformin over 6 weeks to really kick in for me, it has to build up in your system. Metformin alone won't do it for your husband. He has to cut back on the carbs, drop sugary drinks, move more, walk exercize something to help reduce the insulin resistance.

If he just takes his pill and does nothing else he'll have problems.

Diabetic Connect Member Judimar
Judimar
Judimar replied August 12, 2009 3:48 PM 

Hu Neecigirl,

When shopping try to get multigrain cereals, breads, and pastas. I prefer fresh or frozen vegetables to canned. I also try and read lables as much as possible. I try not to buy anything with a lot of sugar in it. I had to stop drinking orange juice which was my favorite morning drink because there is just too much sugar in juices. Instead I eat an orange.

As Dave pointed out it will take the metaformin some time to get to work in his system. If he cuts back on his carb intake and limits the amount of sugar in his diet as well as exercise a little things will start looking up hopefully.

I also started using Splenda or an artifical sweetner in my iced teas. I cook with it in place of sugar now. I found reduced sugar cake mixes/frostings to make in place of the sugary ones. I am the diabetic but my husband and sister end up eating what I prepare.

Hope this helped a little!

*hugs*

Judi

Diabetic Connect Member Deleted User 12427
Deleted User 12427
Deleted User 12427 replied August 12, 2009 5:33 PM 

Look under the discussions list on the list on the left of the site and you will find discussions for diet, weight loss, and recipes. This should be of help to you.

Diabetic Connect Member cyncyn
cyncyn
cyncyn replied August 12, 2009 7:06 PM 

You may want to ask your dr. to refer you to a Registered Dietician. Most insurance companies cover this. This was a great help for me, as to how to help my mother-in-law and my son. They explained what foods to add to diet, what foods to avoid, how much as in portion sizes, etc. Also the dietician set a schedule as to when to eat, along with calorie intake, carbs, proteins, fats etc. As everyone has said, give the meds time to work and exercise! Moving is as important as eating correctly. I hope this helps. Good Luck
Cyndi

Diabetic Connect Member SkipT
SkipT
SkipT replied August 13, 2009 1:45 AM 

Low carb recipes are the way to go. Here is one of my favorite recipe sites:

http://genaw.com/lowcarb/index.html

Diabetic Connect Member lipsie
lipsie
lipsie replied August 13, 2009 1:45 PM 

Hiya there, glad to have you join us here. This is a good place to learn and get support. Yeah, I would ask for a referral to a dietitian or maybe your local hospital has diabetic classes they offer too. And here they have lots of great recipes to check into. I am sure you can get a good start. Learning how to count carbs, read the labels at the stores, etc. is essential too. Good luck hun! Hugs Sheila

Diabetic Connect Member Renees26
Renees26
Renees26 replied August 14, 2009 4:36 PM 

I feel ya, my husand was diagnosed last Wednesday and I feel it is my responsibility to feed him the right things. I signed up for classes at the local Health Department. It was very helpful although I am still learning. My husband is on gluclaphage, and the dietician told me the first month or so is the worst. She also said the medicine takes awhile to work. I will be praying for ya.

renee

Diabetic Connect Member Elrond
Elrond
Elrond replied November 6, 2009 12:14 AM 

One place that helps me is http://www.dlife.com/diabetes/diabetic-recipes/ There are tons of recipes there that are tasty and good for the whole family. I cook for my non-diabetic roommate and myself and she loves the varied foods I serve.

Diabetic Connect Member London
London
London replied November 6, 2009 1:46 AM 

Last edited 15 days ago

I was completely lost to. I seen a Registered diatician and now I know exactly what to and what not to eat. I would recommend this for guidance.