Hi just wanted to ask if anyone knows how often i should get my blood sugar checked as when I spoke to the dr the other day regarding the fact that I was just over the normal limit, she said to cut out sweet stuff and get 're checked in six months time, that seems like a long way off, surely I need to know if cutting down on sweet stuff ( I can't cut it out totally it's just too hard) is making a difference. It's only been a few days and I'm struggling already especially as I'm cutting right down on carbs too, customers keep bringing us mince pies and biscuits and I really have no will power where sweet stuff is concerned 😋
Blood sugar question: Hi just wanted to ask if... - PMRGCAuk
Blood sugar question
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Poppylop
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36 Replies
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Hello, cutting down sweet stuff will most definitely make a difference no doubt about it whether you have PMR or not. Even if you manage to have normal readings now, the chickens come home to roost eventually. For most all carbs need to be cut down of which sweets are the purest form. The trouble is that with sugar and carbs, the more you eat the more you want generally so you have to make a positive decision to advocate for yourself. I just trained myself to regard it as poison which I can only have a tiny amount of. Yes, 6 months is a long way off, but it doesn’t stop there, this is a life choice. I’m sure you’ll hear from other sweet toothers!
Hi poppylop. I just did a long message and it got eaten. So shorter version. Firstly you need to get your hba1c numbers from the gp and then the advice may be different. I probably had 1 or 2 a year.
Re carbs... Get this out of the way (Xmas)... But if you want to really think about it then either ask people to put into a charity or put unopened cakes etc in the local food bank or homeless shelter. That give you a boost. It does me. Have a look at these.... Good luck and at least take tops of the mince pies and put cream in..... Yes cream is low carb.. Take marzipan and icing off cakes.
He obviously trusts you. I have a similar difficulty , it’s the lack of energy and fatigue that drives me towards the chocolate and comfort foods. We can’t wait until we are forced to take action. I have stopped potatoes and bread and after Christmas just won’t buy the stuff. There’s a brief pang and then you get used to it. I have done it before and will do it again. - In the New Year! 😦
Christmas is a difficult time with so many generous people around.
I like to cook most of what I eat myself. One way this helps is that if I am not up to cooking there is none there to eat, especially important with cake!
I have also started using Erythritol as a sugar replacement in baking. OK it's not quite the same, but it is natural and it is sweet. It tastes more like glucose, with a 'cool' mouth feel.
It is considerably more expensive than sugar, but this is your health at stake so it may be worth considering. I get it from Amazon and it comes in all the same forms as sugar.
I must admit I'm quite proud of my sugar free marshmallows!
Hi, my blood sugar has gone up too and the doctor gave me metformin. I had such a terrible reaction to it, that I`m desperate to reduce my blood sugar myself. I haven`t any "treats" for ten days now. The only foods I have eaten containing significant amounts of sugar are my breakfast berries, and the milk I have in my tea. I have reduced my carbs drastically too. It isn`t easy at all, but I have found it does get easier as the days go by, I think what made it easier for me is that I am so desperate to avoid metformin or any other drugs to reduce my blood sugar. Good luck.
PMRproAmbassador
I think it is important to not think of it as "cutting sweets" - it is carbs of all sorts, all simple carbs break down to glucose, and they hide in all processed baked goods and meals. And it is also important to cut down slowly rather than going cold turkey - especially at this time of year. I keep mince pies and the lovely biscuits they make here at this time of year as a very special treat - in diabetes, as in weight loss, it isn't what you eat between Christmas and New Year that is the problem. It is what you eat between New Year and Christmas. Once you deny yourself entirely the foods become even more of a temptation and you miss them more.
If he is going by the Hba1c level being pre-diabetic there is no point at all redoing it in less than 3 months and you are unlikley to see a massive difference until 6 months as it is a reflection of the average BS level over the previous 3 months so the higher level is part of the reading for 3 months so it doesn't fall quickly.
You do have to consider the long term effects of raised BS - they can cause a lot of damage to various parts of the body and a bit of discipline now will save a lot of payback later.
Thank you for all your replies x
Early on , just like with Cholesterol , it's good to request if you can have it checked again 2 months after you have brought in Diet and Life style changes to check they are actually working and you don't need extra help. Waiting longer can delay getting extra assistance if you are unlucky enough to have continuing increase in blood sugar and cholesterol despite the changes ( or a medication).
After you see that the figures are improving , my OH ( Type 1 Diabetic ) and Uncle ( Type 2) are both requested to do the Diabetic blood test every four months and Cholesterol every six.
That’s reminded me to request a cholesterol check . The last one was feb this year. Golly, I think I was meant to consult with gp after result but never got round to it .. oh heck .
Well at least your changes will have had plenty of time to show results!😋
Just try and fit it in before you start sneeking in the odd mince pie !
When you say you are just above the normal limits, are you saying that you are in the pre-diabetes range? I became a nutrition need when I got PMR and got to know the nutrition value of everything. I actually found it quite interesting.
Hi piglette, the dr said anything between 24 and 41 is normal, 42 to 47 is high risk of getting type 2 diabetes, I'm at 42 so just in the high risk bracket
It's hard to avoid sweet and carbon heavy foods when your body craves them. Maybe this will help ... the reason you crave these foods is because your gut microbiome balance is craving them. Rebalance your gut microbiome by being very strict for a while. It may only take a few days. No white carbs of any kind, no sweet foods including only a minimum of fruit. Lots of protein, vegetables and especially leafy greens. Plenty of not sweet fluids. No artificial sweeteners. This is the only way. Once the microbiome is in a more healthy balance you can reintroduce a very few carbs, and cautiously until you can trust yourself not to overdo it. I found seeds and nuts a lifesaver when I went through a similar situation, although I don't think my sugar cravings were as strong as yours. My blood sugar was nearly to diabetes level. It came down with my strict diet but not completely normal until pred dose much reduced. Tested every three months for at least a year.
I thought you might be interested in this as I know you are interested in the broader Diet topic.
Like you mention the gut microbiome balance is important.
It's really important when dealing with Diabetes , and Mental Health issues , and Carb Consumption ( just like with every Chronic Condition ) to think about things far more holistically as well.
It's never just a matter of blanket bans on All Carbs or Certain Carbs, or Restricting Carbs at exactly the same level all the time.
This is based on good Diabetes Care advice . It's not outdated , as many Diet Plan advocates would have you believe either . As most new Low Carb Diet regimes are actually loosely based on hard learnt lessons and changes in Diet and Lifestyle made by Diabetics , like my OH a 20+ years Type 1 and Mum Diet controlled Type 2 after Bowel Cancer, and their Carers , like Me , and then filtered down through the Health Care system over decades from Patients to open minded Doctors.
Carb Consumption and Carb Control under these Diets was never meant to stay at a rigid amount every single day in the long term but to be adapted to a person's Daily Needs to prevent other health issues arising.
The amount of Activity you do in a Day , Infections and Injuries , your Gut Balance and changes in medication are all meant to play a part in your choice of Carbs and amount of Carbs you eat each day (even when losing or maintaining your weight ) . This Self Care Style was to reduce the possibility of Diabetes or to keep it controlled and reduce the need for increased insulin medication .
Weight loss was never meant to be the main consideration but happened naturally and healthily by making flexible Diet changes for the benefit of Diabetes sufferers of all types and sufferers of certain types of Mental Health.
Most people , especially when new to Low Carb / Low Sugar dieting don't realise that your choice of Daily Carb amounts is a also a Seasonal thing .
Carb limits need to be adjusted for both changes in weather , and changes in Activity , or Health Changes in different temperatures as well.
A seasonal increase in Carb Consumption in cold or winter conditions , or changes to when you eat Carbs in a day of greater activity , or if you have Mental Health issues, actually improves both Diabetes Control and other Chronic Health Symptoms and side effects.
And blood sugar test levels also need to be considered carefully , as you say , when on Steroids and certain types of Medication .
The drugs themselves , how much you take and when you take them , can have an impact on your Blood Sugar levels in rapid and temporary ways that can make people make more extreme Diet Choices that , may not be exactly what they need, or aren't always quite the right fit for their Health needs.
Many people with certain types of illness , or types of Diabetes , can follow an adapted LC/ HF or adapted Keto diet plan , but for others ( especially certain types of Type 1 or Medically induced Diabetic Neuropathy sufferers ) going to an extreme and bringing on Ketonosis can be unhealthy and even dangerous. The Ketonosis bringing on a spike of blood sugar levels in the same way as an infection or extreme Stress and Activity can.
Getting advice from forums for various diseases and speaking to a Properly Qualified Nutritionist or Dietitian before making the big Diet Plan Changes then telling your GP can be a sensible choice for us all with our illnesses , especially if Diet has to play a big role in our Health issues.
And being Holistic and thinking about individual needs has to be the first consideration.
Haven't read whole essay, sorry, will later. But the reason I suggest all carbs, and note I don't recommend giving up root veggies other than potatoes, and not for good, and you should still eat vegetables which include carbs, the grains and sugars are the real culprits, is because that's the best way to get rid of the cravings which undermine the best intentions.
I was agreeing with your Carb choices and your reply on the whole.
Once you get your balance , the no processed sugars and no artificial sweeteners especially , and reduction of white carbs .
The only main difference between our diets is likely to be in more flexibility in the amount of fruits and certain Carb groups we eat.
I just thought , you , like Me might be interested in discussing the wider reasons why as I know you like this topic , sorry for disturbing you if your busy , Heron x
I just lost my reply. Damn tablet. Just returned from dinner out, too many carbs and feel headache and burpy, but it's worth it to spend time with the family, especially the 4.5 month old granddaughter who is still very portable and comes out to the restaurants with us. Two more days then back home.
And Hidden I believe it can be harder to cut back than to cut out. Cutting all the grain and anything with added sugar, and potatoes, doesn't need to be forever but it will get a person to a place where it's no longer difficult to resist these potentially harmful foods. I've been there and after a few months of virtually no white carbs I found myself craving kale (it was midwinter). My blood sugar was finally normal having been close to diabetic. I was terrified of diabetes, felt that PMR was quite enough to deal with. I ate plenty of vegetables, including carrots, parsnips, beets and the above ground veggies. I always ate fruit, but not a lot, usually an orange and one other fresh fruit a day. Instead of grains I ate nuts and seeds. I was not denying myself a balanced and satisfying diet, in fact I've felt better for the changes ever since.
I think that was the point , we were definitely agreeing , like you say after an initial strict change to sort of wipe the slate clean , the Carb reduction does not need to be as extreme in ranges of foods or amounts. There's no need to take out all pulses and grains , cut out root vegetables , cut out most fruit to be able to keep clear of Diabetes or lose weight , it's finding the individual balance that counts.
Like Poops was also saying , it's the extremes , even to cutting out green leafy vegetables and nutritious Carbs , and very low amounts that rather than helping you have a Healthy Diet for Life can be unsustainable and can cause a swing towards certain illness changes or issues that the person was originally cutting the Carbs to avoid.
It's very different for Individuals with no other Health issues to choose Diet Plans. They can do it as set down in a black and white because they don't have to use them for long and weight loss or weight gain is often all they are trying to do. It's more complicated when you have a Chronic Illness or illnesses , especially if Diabetic concerns or Drug choices add in the equation , often they just don't suit for Medical reasons.
It's why it makes my blood boil that GPs and Specialists don't do more to learn about the role of Diet in the Diseases they Care for , and have proper food and activity plans and suggestions available to give to their Patients from the beginning.
It's hard enough having to adapt and accept and get used to a New Illness or Syndrome as it is without being left confused about how to make changes because you get no Disease Specific Advice.
I'm also remembering that at the beginning of this journey I would every few days eat a scone or similar small wheat treat thinking that way my gut would still remember how to digest it. I really can't manage much wheat now, but sourdough bread is good, and I eat Mary's Crackers every day. But I'm currently mildly regretting tonight's linguine, after carbs at the b&b for breakfast, a restaurant sandwich for lunch, a homemade muffin for tea....
Ouch! Yes been there done that , it's the overload of everything in one go , plus extra portions . I usually treat myself more on Holidays but on those days I go , go on just a bit more , that is exactly what happens.
Interesting what you say on the wheat thing too , I kept to having mainly wheat , gluten free but because I haven't tested as full coeliac or Crohn's , keep one or two small treats in now . At first , I tried nothing at all and regretted it not only because when I did submit it caused my stomach to overreact to it as it had become intolerant ' like '. I also noticed the odd Intolerance reaction to certain medications , supplements and even the odd food that should have been wheat free but had been near coatings . As I didn't need to be 100% gluten wheat free I thought it better to keep up my tolerance to its use occasionally , and it has seemed to work , like you and your scone.
in reply to Blearyeyed
Quite a few type 2s on a forum I go on are going total keto.... Never a green passes their lips. I can't live without my veg and some fruit. And lchf doesn't suit everyone. That why I alway suggest working on some change then see how you get on then drop carbs again. Lc is usually seen as below 100g. Some have to go to 20g I seem fine on 60g to 80g. And yes an infection or temperature can have far more impact as can stress. Sadly I never know which way stress will send me. Anyway I was supposed to be abed tonight.. 😘😴😴😴😴
P. S. Got my 12ft u pillow on order.
Blearyeyed in reply to
Hence the need to not just put the same limit on carbs everyday but adapt to your Health needs that I was discussing , sometimes an infection or stress can make anybody's sugar levels sky high as the body starts pumping out all those sugars to deal with a crisis , other times the drugs can change the insulin balance , especially if you get closer to being Diabetic and leave your sugars down on the floor.
And then Activity and Seasons do all sorts of things to make our bodies react which might need more Carbs than usual , that Proteins at that point can't be substituted for , other times you might need to restrict them more than usual . We all suffer these blood sugar changes to an extent even if we aren't stuck to suffer the extremes or problems of adjusting the levels of Diabetes sufferers.
I bet , like Me, would agree with Heron and you would totally want to hit home the advice to lay off artificial sweeteners though.
Those flipping awful Diabetic food / Sugar Free substitutes have been the bane if most Newbies lives , and cause of much stomach and kidney upset over the years.
Small , balanced amounts , with meals, of sweet carb foods or fruit is always a better recommendation , especially with Sufferers of Full Diabetic Types.
in reply to Blearyeyed
Yes the specialised foods are dreadful. If I am going to have a biscuit it sure as..... Isn't going to be sugar and fat free!
Blearyeyed in reply to
Especially if you don't want to be on the loo all night!
Find yourself a good pharmacist and they will advise and monitor freely. It comes within the nhs umbrella for them. They will also do cholesterol checks and medication reviews
Hi
I am type 2 diabetic.
I eat a LCHF diet with no medication
Fortunately I love salads and don’t eat potatoes very often and never pasta or rice. I do eat one slice of Hilo bread for breakfast. Since I started to miss my lunch most days my hba1c has gone down to 35. I have had 2 Christmas meals out in the last 2 days and my blood sugar has not gone up a lot. I test my sugars every morning and have a hba1c blood test every 6 months.
I have found that drinking a fair bit of water helps my sugars and have learnt through testing which foods spike my sugar. Some people can eat a bit of bread and it not cause a problem for example as we are all different.
Good luck to you with this
Just want to say thanks for all the tips and advice provided by many on this topic. I gathered a lot of useful information.
Personally, I’m doing quite well with my weight and blood sugar. While I haven’t cut carbs as drastically as some, I reduced them significantly when diagnosed with PMR almost six years ago. However, my weight went up by 30 lbs over the first two years of taking prednisone and didn’t change significantly until I got to about 15 mg (I started at 40 mg). I seemed to lose 2 pounds with every 1 mg drop in prednisone. Then, a little over a year ago I was diagnosed celiac and although I went gluten free, I still ate gluten free bread. About six months ago I gave up that as well as it tastes like crap! I have now not only lost all the weight gained with PMR but have also lost and additional 15 pounds and am the lowest weight I’ve been in over 30 years.
My diet is sort of a modified KETO. However, I’m in a bit of a dilemma because my husband, who is significantly overweight is not only predictable, but was also recently diagnosed with fatty liver disease. He’s addicted to sugar and I’ve given up trying to control the high carb treats he continues to consume. However, I’m wondering if my modified KETO menu planning and cooking, with a high fat content, will contribute to his problems. The research I’ve done presents evidence both pro and con.
This
links a high calorie diet to fatty liver, doesn't matter if it is high fat or high carb, high calories is what does it.
How do you make your diet high fat? Mine probably is pretty high in fat but added fat as opposed to fat in cooking which gives you the Jack Spratt effect ...
Once again, the fountain of knowledge has come through for me. I’ve saved the full article and will absorb it later. Thanks so much!
When I say high fat diet, all it really means is that I use butter, full fat yogurt and other dairy, avocados, bacon (not necessarily good I know), and I love pork rinds for a salty snack, but can’t get decent ones here in Panama. I’m kind of fortunate because I actually have to eat salt to maintain my sodium levels.
You should team up with OH!!! The amount of salt he packs away is mind-boggling! I bet your diet isn't THAT high in fat - I eat all the fat on meat, himself cuts it all off and I take it ...
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