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i recently got back from my endocrinologist and he told me that i am prediabetic. i am on a strict diet and i excercise regularly. i also take diabeties/sugar meds every day. i am 20 years old, and a little bit overweight although it is slowly but surely getting under control. did anyone out there ever struggle with this? if yes, what did you do to change the way you live?
type two i take it? i’m so sorry for your struggles.. it really is hard!! if you can keep diabetes away it’s sure worth it! Please take care!!! i really hope it’ll get easier n in control!!
More protin, no carbs.
come one over to the Diabetes support group thread, i think you can find good advice there from us 😉
Take it seriously and listen to your doctor. Lose the weight and truly watch what you eat. You really have to understand the difference between a lifestyle and a diet. If you think you need to go on a diet you are not going to succeed in beating this. If you understand that you need to change your lifestyle then you can get this thing under control. When you start to avoid carbs you will have less cravings for carbs and it will get easier. When you start avoiding sugars, your body will stop craving sugars and it will get easier. When you make the changes to avoid the foods your body can’t handle and eat the foods your body needs, you will get your “LIFE” under control.
Here: I posted this on the diabetes support group, not sure if you read it..
prediabetes is not necessarily a sentence for diabetes. If one is very careful to keep their sugar level low they can avoid getting diabetes. A proper diet would include none or at least very minimal concentrated sweets, whole grains as opposed to refined grains, fiber, lots of veggies and protein. Also, exercise is a key step in lowering blood sugars! Certain foods are also said to help lower blood sugars in prediabets and Type 2 diabetes..some of them are avoado, cinnamon, and oatmeal (which also lowers cholesterol)
“If you have prediabetes, you are at a 50 percent increased risk for heart disease or stroke, so your doctor may wish to treat or counsel you about cardiovascular risk factors, such as tobacco use, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.”- The reason for this is becuase someone with type 2 diabetes is a @risk for all of the above IF they dont control their sugars..prediabetes is a risk for diabetes so if your at risk for diabetes your also 50% at risk for the complications that come along with diabetes! keeping your blood sugars low is definitely a key step in avoiding diabetes and IT CAN BE DONE! Many people have succeeded in avoiding getting diabetes and having to take meds and insulin.
Hatzlacha!!
In 1997 my doctor told me the same thing. I went out and bought a bike. I started biking to work and being a bit careful about my weight and just generally what I put in my mouth. When I went back to the doctor a month or two later, he told me that if everybody did what I did, he would write 1/2 the prescriptions that he’s writing and he would probably be out of business.
Do yourself a favor, listen to him. Once you get used to eating like a mentch and excersizing a bit, it’s not so bad and you’ll feel really good about yourself. (That in itself can help stave off the diabetes.)
ilovetheholyland, can i ask you how you’re doing…?
I would suggest you read the book “Reversing Diabetes” by Dr. Neal Barnard. He recommends a vegetarian diet. I was diabetic, not PREdiabetic, taking Januvia, etc. My A1C was over 7.0. I made a major lifestyle change and became a vegetarian. I stopped all my meds except for 500 mg metformin for insurance. My last A1C was 5.6. It is not easy, you really need to be determined. You can do it if you make up your mind! You took the first step by asking for help.
I will just make one more point. If you don’t change your lifestyle right now, while you are still healthy, you will be FORCED to change your lifestyle as you will be sick!
If you need any help or info, please feel free to ask.
The Best Life Guide to Managing Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes
by Bob Greene
Easy to read and doable
Hatzlacha
gr82bagrandma and ayc – are you giving advice to ilovetheholyland? She asked this 3 months ago! i just was wondering now how she’s doing..
sounds like you’ve done an amazing job gr82bagrandma to lowering your A1c and making those changes, i know it’s not easy but you did it!
ilovetheholyland, i’m glad that you replied! i can’t tell you how sorry i am to read that post, i know how hard it is and i’m amazed that you managed to make some of those lifestyle changes which just seem so IMPOSSIBLE!! … Just do the best that you can, that is all that G-d wants from you.
Do you care to share what your A1c is? No worries if not.
Try telling me about being a picky eater (sigh) … would a dietitian help? Perhaps we can have a competition 😉
i keep you and all those struggling with this, in mind in prayers..
Keep going!!! You can do it!!!! You can do it!!! You can do it!!!!!
ilovetheholyland; Even though, there is, to the best of my (limited) medical knowledge no such thing as Pre type 1 diabetes. The onset of that condition is sudden, not gradual. But due to your age (20 yrs.) I thought it’s type 1. But when you described your weight, it was clear that we’re dealing with type 2. One thing is certain. Do not (as one, well intentioned poster suggested) cut out Carbohydrates completely. It can not be sustained. I personally know a few people who went on Dr. Atkins’ diet and in the beginning they lost a lot of weight. But, since they could not sustain that diet, when they stopped, they gained back all of their weight. Additionally, ingesting too much Protein (As Dr. Atkins advises.) will put a strain on the kidneys. The trick is to eat a balanced diet (with some Carbs.) But to stay away from refined food products like white bread, refined sugar and white rice. Whole wheat bread is very healthy for everyone. The greatest single thing, though, is exercise. That alone, will reduce the numbers of mg./dl in your blood by a large amount.
“Whole wheat bread is very healthy for everyone.”
Not for those with wheat or gluten allergies or sensitivities.
PE: I just came across this thread today.
ilovetheholyland: It is hard to make a change. It takes 1-2 weeks to adapt to a new food. For example, I used to drink regular milk, the red one. I wanted to switch to 99 so I drank ONLY skim milk for 2 weeks. Believe me, the 99 tasted SUPER after that!!
I NEVER thought that a carnivore lover like me could ever give up meat. For a while I was vegan, that means I ate nothing that came from an animal, including milk & eggs. The reason I stopped vegan was I started putting on weight from the egg substitutes. I had lost about 25 lbs in 2 years just by going vegetarian. I don’t limit my portions & I’m never hungry.
Sometimes, it is easier to make a drastic change than a gradual one, especially if you are highly motivated. I would say you have the motivation at this point.
Another trick is visualization. When you’re not eating, visualize yourself going thru the whole meal, from prep to eating and SUCCEEDING in eating properly. It works if you do it often enough.
Someone once said:
If you think you can, you can.
If you think you can’t, you are also right.
You can!
metrodriver: I tried the Atkins diet & did very well on it. I loved it as I love meat. However, I developed gout from all the rich proteins. So now, I can’t even do South Beach as the gout flares up!
gr8, that’s really gr8!
Could you give sample weekly menus? That’s where I get stuck
I usually start my meals with a soup. It fills me up and the meal takes a little longer. Also, a great way to get more veggies. If I’m really hungry, I’ll toss in a small handful (about 1/4 c) of chick peas. I make soup in 8 quart pots & freeze it in individual zip lock bags.
As requested, a sample menu for 1 week. Good Luck!
Midmorning & afternoon snack-same every day but vary your choices
1 sm fruit (frozen grapes are delish!) or veg w/dip or low carb bread with diet jam or diet yogurt
Evening snack
Hot cocoa made with soy milk, cocoa & splenda & Low carb bread w/ diet jam or a fruit or a smoothie or toasted low carb bread w/cottage cheese, splenda & cinnamon or any other snack
You can have a salad with any meal if you like
You can also have diet gelatin, diet ices
* items-recipe available
Sunday
Lunch
*1 c Hungarian red cabbage (An old Weight Watchers recipe)
1 sl 4 carb bread w/2 tsp hi fiber, sugarfree jam
Supper
Split pea soup (I use Tabachniks-it is a little high in carbs but has 13 gr fiber)
Monday
Lunch
Salad w/romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pepper, red onion, cuke, chick peas w/balsamic vinegar dressing
Toasted sprouted grain bread
*Lentil soup
Supper
*Mock asparagus soup
*Vegetarian chili served over cut green beans
cucumber salad
Tuesday
Lunch
*Crustless spinach-mushroom quiche (a real hit in my family, including the nondieters?
*Mock Caesar salad w/ homemade dressing
Supper
Veg soup
*Broccoli tofu stir fry
Wednesday
Lunch
omelet – eggbeaters, 1 sl. lite cheese (Emek), tomato or Israeli salad
1 sl toasted low carb bread
Supper
Tomato soup w/ a little brown rice
Thursday
Lunch
Greek salad w/ sliced egg whites, lite Feta cheese cubes (Bulgarian cheese), a couple of sliced olives with a balsamic vinegar dressing
1 sl toasted low carb bread
Supper
Cabbage soup
With sugar free relish, low carb ketchup pickle, lettuce & sliced tomatoes
Friday
Lunch
Veg soup w/1/4 c chick peas
Salad
Supper
Slice ww challa
Slice gefilte fish
Soup
*Soy lukshen kugel
Baked sweet potato
*Cauliflower popcorn
Shabbos
Lunch
Slice ww challa
Slice gefilte fish
Egg white salad with Israeli salad
*Vegetarian chili
*quinoa salad
Supper
Slice low carb bread
Salad
*Sweet soy lukshen kugel
Thank you, gr8!
Now how would you modify this week’s menu when also eliminating gluten and oats?
And could you provide some of the recipes for your menu?
TIA
AYC: Eliminating oats is easy. Just change the breakfast to a gluten free cereal. I know that Shoprite on Ave I has one & I’m sure you can find one in a health food store.
As I don’t know too much about gluten, I cannot do a good job of adapting the rest of the menu. I don’t know if soy crumbles or veggie patties have gluten. I don’t know which low carb breads are gluten free.
Most of the recipes are fairly simple. It usually takes longer to read & assemble the ingredients than the actual prep time.
Recipe for MARINARA SAUCE (adapted from simple pleasures cookbook}
2 28 oz cans tomato sauce
1 lg onion, chopped
2 tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt & pepper to taste
Brown beef or in a large skillet with no oil. Break up any large chunks. Drain off accumulated fat.
In a VERY large stockpot, brown onions in a little oil. Add crushed garlic. Add browned meat and stir well. Add tomato sauce, oregano, salt & pepper and mix. Bring to a boil, then simmer, uncovered for about 1/2 to 1 hour, stirring often.
QUINOA SALAD
1 c. raw quinoa
1/2 15 oz can of baby corn, sliced thinly
red & green peppers, diced
some tomatoes, diced
Rinse quinoa several times to remoce soapy taste. Cook like pasta until the half moon like strands separate & balls are soft. Drain.
dressing
1/4 c. lemon juice (either freshly squeezed or Minute Maid frozen juice)
1-2 Tbs oil 1/4 c. fresh dill, chopped (I use frozen dill cubes)
1/4 c. parsly, chopped (I use frozen parsley cubes or dried parsley flakes)
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 c splenda
1/2 tsp garlic powder
dash of pepper
Mix very well & pour over cooked quinoa. (I usually make it up to this point & freeze it in zip lock bags in individual servings)
Add vegetables & toss.
This is a complete meal nutritionally.
CAULIFLOWER POPCORN (or sweet potatoes or butternut squash)
From Susie Fishbein’s cookbook
2 bag of frozen cauliflower or sweet potatoes cut in spears or squash in cubes
1 tsp salt
6-8 T olive oil or water
Preheat oven to 450. Combine next 7 ingredients in a zip-lock bag. Add cauliflower (I usually prepare it till this point & freeze till needed, but only with frozen cauliflower) or sweet potato and toss. Place in a single layer in cookie sheet. Roast uncovered 30-35 minutes until starts turning a little brown. Turn during baking.
Broccoli and Stir-Fried Chicken
1/2 cup chicken stock or water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or lemon juice
1 tbs splenda or to taste
1 bunch broccoli, broken into small florets, I use 1 lb. frozen florets
2 tablespoons canola or peanut oil
3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into 1/2- by 2-inch strips
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger (I use frozen ginger cubes)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts, sliced, optional
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water, optional, as it is only for thickening the glaze
1. In a small bowl, stir together the chicken stock or water, the soy sauce, vinegar and sugar.
2. Place the broccoli in a steamer basket above one inch of boiling water, cover and steam three minutes. Refresh under cold water, and set aside.
3. Heat one tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it ripples. Add the chicken. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is cooked through, about four minutes. Remove from the heat, and place in a bowl.
4. If the pan looks dry, add the second tablespoon of oil. Add the ginger, garlic and scallions, then stir-fry for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the broccoli and stir-fry for one minute, then return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir together. Pour in the sauce and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds to a minute. Stir the dissolved cornstarch or arrowroot, add to the pan, and stir until the chicken and vegetables are glazed. Remove from the heat, and serve with rice or noodles.
Yield: Serves four to six
Advance preparation: You can steam the broccoli several hours ahead and have all of the ingredients prepped. The stir-frying can be done at the last minute.
For Tofu:
In the recipe above, substitute 3/4 pound tofu, cut into 1/2- by 1-inch pieces, then follow the cooking instructions. In step three, cook the tofu for two to three minutes, until it begins to color.
If you would like more recipes, let me know.
Good Luck!
Thank you, gr8! Really appreciate it. And I’m taking you up on your kind offer for more recipes…and if these need to be prepared last minute or can they be prepared in advance.
gr82bagrandma – hey, this all looks amazing! Ayc – good luck 😉
ilovetheholyland – i truly understand all too well!!!!!! I know how hard it is …… it is worth it though and we just HAVE to manage somehow even when got no clue how it’s poss. Keep strong, keep going!!!
Here are some more recipes:
The marinara sauce can be made ahead. I just freeze it in individual ziplock bags.
The cauliflower popcorn is prepared in advance and put in the freezer but needs to be baked fresh.
The broccoli stir fry can be made ahead until you put it all together.
The quinoa can be made ahead and frozen WITHOUT putting in the veggies.
Spaghetti squash lukshen kugel can be made a few days ahead but NOT frozen
Soy lukshen kugel can be made a few days ahead but NOT frozen
Mock asparagus soup can be made ahead. It freezes beautifully.
Spinach mushroom quiche can be frozen but may be a bit runny if spinach was not squeezed out enough.
Soy lukshen kugel can be made a few days ahead but not frozen
It is only 40 calories & 6 grams carbs for 2 portions, a whole bag.
2 bags tofu fettuccine
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
4 oz unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbs lemon juice
Splenda to taste
Rinse tofu pasta and chop into small pieces. Boil for about 2-3 minutes. Drain and let sit in water with about 2 tbs lemon juice (to get rid of the tofu odor)
Mix the egg whites, egg, applesauce, cinnamon, lemon juice vanilla & splenda until blended.
Add the well drained pasta & mix well. Add peaches & mix.
Bake in a pan sprayed with Pam at 350 for about 1 hour. This is delicious cold.
Sweet spaghetti squash kugel also good for Pesach
Spaghetti squash
3 egg whites
1 whole egg
4 oz unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon juice
Splenda to taste
Mix the egg whites, egg, applesauce, cinnamon, lemon juice vanilla & splenda until blended.
Add the well drained pasta & mix well.
Bake in a pan sprayed with Pam at 350 for about 1 hour.
Mock asparagus soup Freezes like a dream with a lovely green color
1 lg onion, chopped (I use one 10 oz pkg frozen onions)
5 stalks celery, strings removed & cut
2 lg zucchinis, washed well & chunked, DO NOT PEEL
1 lb frozen cauliflower
Consomme soup mix
Milchig crustless spinach mushroom quiche
1 lg onion, chopped or 1 10 oz bag frozen, chopped onions
1 15 can mushrooms, well drained & chopped
1 lb frozen chopped spinach, cooked & very well drained
1 lb fat free cottage cheese
1 whole egg
Salt & pepper to taste
Mix together cottage cheese, egg, bread crumbs and add spinach mixture. Mix well & check for salt & pepper.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.
Stuffed cabbage is excellent when made with turkey & brown rice. Also, you can bulk it up by cooking it with lots of shredded cabbage.
gr8, absolutely thank you!
If you have any more, would love to try them out this yo”t
TIA
ilovetheholyland
That leaves you with the carbs-g’luck!
The good part is that you could retrain your taste buds in a few times
looks like you are left with water…
can you try mixing spices till you get a flavor you like and then add that to your dreaded proteins and veggies???
ilovetheholyland, i truly send my sympathy, i KNOW its impossibly hard and i really feel for you!!! i’m also very fussy and trying to diet feels impossible!!
Can you take the veggies you do like and try using it in different ways? Would you eat veg kugel or cooked veg. with just the ones you like? Soup? You didn’t mention meat? Limited popcorn (it still has carbs, could you eat that though?) sugarfree sweets, gum?
Does it make sense to suggest a way “out” of food altogether, or is that not the issue here?
i really wish i could make it easier for you!! i’ll keep you in prayers and thought 😉
I was also a 20 yr old prediabetic and on meds but all that changed after i got down to a normal weight- off meds for 5 years now and the numbers are bh normal
good luck
ilovetheholyland – how are you? Been thinkin’ of you and hoping you doing okay! How is it all going?
What i meant is that sometimes the problem of losing weight is the want to eat, perhaps as a release for emotions. .
So much luck i wish you!!!!!! Lmk how you’re doing.
hey ilovetheholyland,
i’m really so very sorry to hear that. i can only imagine how extremely difficult that surely is and i’m truly sorry you have to go through this. May hashem give you a nechama.
Shidduchim – may this relative go to heaven and STORM IT DOWN!!! Remember, shidduchim is from Above, it can literally happen in a very short amount of time. If you’re doing everything that you can that just keeping praying and HOPING. i KNOW it’s difficult, shidduchim can be such a tough parsha, for the best of people!
i haven’t heard of the liquid diet.. sounds interesting but very annoying! Glad you don’t eat through emotions, it’s not easy to do so ;).
Once again i’m sorry!! Please keep me posted how you’re doing!
I use the soy pasta from Pomegranate. It is called “Tofu Shirataki”. It has 40 calories & 6 gr carbs for the bag. Rinse tofu pasta and chop into small pieces. Boil for about 2-3 minutes. Drain and let sit in water with about 2 tbs lemon juice (to get rid of the tofu odor)
It is great as baked ziti or macaroni & cheese. Best of all, it needs minimum prep.
Would you consider eating vegetable soups? They’re really low calorie & fill you up.
Don’t lose the weight for shidduchim, lose it for yourself, YOU’RE worth it!
gr8, I just read your recipes, and they are GREAT! My husband is a diabetic, and we are both always battling the weight. These recipes sound very good and I can’t wait to try all of them. Thank you so much!
ilovetheholyland, i’ve been thinkin’ of you here and there …. how are you doing? How’s the dieting – did you have to do the liquid one? How’s everything else going? I really do hope you are okay.
ilovetheholyland, hi, i haven’t seen this thread in a while. Did you check in with a nutritionist? If you hadn’t yet, one can really help you read labels and figure out what is the best options for you. Labels can be very confusing especially trying to figure out what are good carbs and bad carbs and how “no sugar” items still turn into sugar because of the flour/carbs in it. So don’t be fooled by sugarless or sugar free items. She can also teach you how to substitute didn’t choices for your favorite foods.
One more thing, it is important to have protein within an hour of waking up, to fuel your metabolism. It is also important NOT to skip meals and to be careful not to eat to little. If you do, you will weaken your metabolism and keep if from burning fat. So you need to learn how to eat the right foods and in the correct portions. You also have to be careful with fruit. Many fruits are very high sugar content such as grapes, apples and oranges.
Green apples have less sugar content than red ones.
That was my problem too! Now since I am not machmir on cholov yisroel I drink a slimfast low carb chocolate shake (2 net carbs) every morning. It has 20 grams of protein. That is more than eggs, yogurt or any other breakfast and it is filling for me. I get it online and have it shipped. You can’t get it in stores. I don’t know the sugar content but I can check for you if you are interested. It really helped me. So far this go round, working with my endocrinologist I have lost 40 lbs of fat. I could not have done it without his guidance and help.
I too have been on this journey for two yrs now (fixing it) suffering much longer . i can offer you so much advice. wonder if you can get my email from the mods. but my biggest tips are these. Excercise by building muscle not necc cardio. weight training, it does wonders for the insulin probs. and cut out bread products of any kind. i dont care how healthy they are (and yes that means challah) a bread or a refined carb is your worst enemy. NOT SUGAR. also remember fruit is sugar too. Eat lots of protein beef chicken liver fish etc, and lots of non starchy veggies. once the sugar and carbs are out of your diet you will feel much better. the goal is to get off meds (what r u taking>) and solve this prob with diet and excercise. which are far more successful… please contact me if you want more advice.
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