[PandyCat]

Hi ladies I figured this would be the best forum to post this in, you all seem like a helpful bunch.

Last week I had a talk with my doctor about the results of my last blood work. I had high liver enzymes and high blood sugar. When I went to get an abdomen ultrasound, it showed some fat in the liver. She told me I would have to change my diet and exercize, which of course I already have She was very proud of me for that. Anyway, last Friday I had a glucose tolerance level test done because of the blood sugar thing. She gave me a bunch of packets about the GI index and and food logs and all sorts of stuff, but to be honest I'm kind of overwhelmed. I won't know if I'm pre-diabetic/diabetic/whatever until I go back next Friday, but it scares me all the same. I'm only 21, I don't want to be a diabetic . I do have a family history of it, so I'm hoping by eating right and exercizing I can counteract all this bad stuff.

If anyone could give me some pointers on better foods for me, that would be lovely. All I see is this big long list of no-nos and it's depressing. I also have acid reflux, so I don't allow myself any fried foods, citrus, overly spicy foods, or carbonated drinks. I'm a college student, so a lot of the food I eat is typically on the go. Carb control yogurt smoothies, quaker oats breakfast cookies, subway sandwiches, bananas, applesauce, are all staples in my diet right now. I am able to cook dinner with my fiance (ok, he cooks, I eat ) where I try to have a salad or at least one green vegetable. I'm just really hoping between reflux and GI diet there's something left I can eat. Thanks!

[MlleOdile]

I'd be scared too with all that stuff. You can eat very well on a low GI diet - sounds like your diet contains a lot of processed foods. Whole foods are good - eg apples, veggies, chicken, whole grains - you'll get the hang of it. South Beach Diet, Sugar Busters are based on low GI concept. Check out the forums - you won't believe how well you can eat this way.

[kathyhegg]

Wow Pandycat,

This was like reading my own story. I am a type 2 diabetic. You could be prediabetic, which seems to be generally more about insulin resistance than not enough insulin. Your body could very well be producing heaps and heaps of insulin and not using it. Thats what happened with me.

Fatty liver is caused by high blood sugars, I've come across that in my own research, so the best thing for you to do is reduce the amount of sugars in your diet. IE bread, sugary fruit, I think berries are fine, I know bananas are not. My dr has taken me off all fruit, bread, rice, pasta and starchy veges, cause I wasn't losing weight, and none of it was doing my diabetes any good.

So I'm a lowcarb diet (not that I'm pushing it) with a list of nono's as long as my arm. Its either follow that or go on medication. Medication doesnt agree with my liver, so its the lowcarb life for me. Check out Dr Birnstein (sp) google it, he is a diabetes dr, with a good site that may give you some answers.

[PandyCat]

Thanks Rhonda and Kathy. I know I eat a lot of processed foods, and I guess ultimately it's the result of my own laziness. I'm on campus from 7:30-5 every day and the night before I feel so tired/consumed with school work that packing a lunch the night before completely slips my mind. Next semester I'm going to set a goal for myself to work harder at packing better foods to take with me. That should be easier, since next fall my earliest class is at 11 am. Thanks for your tips, I'll start poking around the forums and watching my refined carbs.

[Sassy_Chick]

Well I am a type II diabetic as well, your dr should set you up with some Diabetic Education classes. They are very helpful. You get to meet with a nutrionist and they will help you with what to eat, how much to eat, etc. It was very helpful to me! They also sent me home with lots of literture so your not empty handed! I know it is very overwhelming at first!

Good Luck!

*Flady*

[telemetrynurse]

Hi,

Here is a link to the American Diabetes Association which is an excellent source of information
http://www.diabetes.org/nutrition-an...oodchoices.jsp

I hope this helps answer some of your questions

Good luck!

[DixieAmazon]

PandyCat, I have the same problem as you and was diagnosed toward the end of April. My doctor said my symptoms where all part of Metabolic Syndrome (AKA Syndrome X). He recommend a whole food plan like this one by Katherine Chauncey, Ph.D., R.D. http://www.ttuhsc.edu/som/fammed/syndromeX.html which also has information on Metabolic Syndrome.

I go back in July and if my enzymes are still elevated after losing some weight I will have a liver biopsy. Talk about motivation!

[lilybelle]

I have some of the same problems. I am insulin resistant and take glucophage for it. The damage to my liver is now irreversible and I will need a liver transplant. I was diagnosed with auto-immune hepatitis, basically where my immune system has destroyed my liver. I never did alcohol or drugs and my mother died of liver failure also. My liver specialist put me on a low-carb diet and after the first 30 lbs. were gone, my liver enzymes were down 4-fold. I still eat low-carb and the weight has came off great. I think due to the diet and weight loss that I am a lot healthier now than I was a year ago. My specialist did say that for my liver enzymes to go down that much that I had to of had fatty liver disease as well.My blood sugars are stable now with no giant swings like what used to happen. I'd go from a sugar of 500 sometimes to passing out with a sugar of 30. Please use whatever type diet your doctor recommends for your health condition and keep us posted on how you are doing. Good luck and know that even with health problems that weight loss is totally possible and will improve your health so much.

[Sunnigummi]

Hi Pandycat, to me the changes you have made are positive. I think the only thing lacking in your new lifestyle is exercise. I know you are busy as a college student (I'm a graduate student, so I can totally sympathize ), but you can try walking as briskly as you can for 30 minutes. That in addition to your changed eating habits, will lower your blood sugar. Remember, these changes will not produce instantaneous results. It will take time, but you CAN do it!!!