Hi All. I've been a member of 3FC off and on for years but I'm new to the diabetes community. I was diagnosed with type 2 over a year ago but have been unable to control my sugar. My doctor would like to up my metformin so I've decided to follow a diabetic diet, as I should have been, to see if I can go without the additional dose.

I'm new to the diabetic diet and am following a 2000 calorie plan:

STARCHES LEAN MEATS VEGETABLES FRUITS LOW FAT MILK FATS
BREAKFAST 2 1 0 1 1 0
LUNCH 2 2 2 1 1 2
SNACK 1 0 0 1 0 0
DINNER 3 4 2 1 0 2
SNACK 1 0 0 0 1 0
TOTAL 9 7 4 4 3 4

The problem I'm having is fitting in the veggies when I'm taking my lunch on the go. I don't always have access to a microwave and carrots are the only vegetable I can think of that's portable and can be eaten cold (without a dip of some sort).

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get my 2 veggies in?

I have found that any of the sweet peppers are great on the go, especially the red, yellow or oranges, then I throw a spear of green in between them since those aren't as sweet. Also you could throw a small amount of peanut butter (natural is best ) on celery and then if you took the stalk and cut it in half it can be pushed one on top the other like a sandwich to keep it all from rubbing off. Radishes are often really good without dip and there is a french breakfast radish that is more mild than the normal ones. Sugar snow peas are awesome plain and you can eat the shell, they are only 14 calories per 10 of the pods, it wouldn't take a ton of calories to fill you up, imagine 100 calories of those! That would be like 140 or something of the pea pods! Once you start eating the veggies raw you begin to get a taste for them and may want to experiment, give it a week or so and see if you don't enjoy them more. Good luck with that

Wow . . . I would think any salad-like veggies would fill the bill . . . lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers . . . are all pretty portable. Personally, I absolutely love cold, raw cauliflower and broccoli.

Hope you'll come and join us on the regular monthly chat thread . . . Dieting with Diabetes. It's wonderful to be able to discuss things with people who can really understand what you are going through. Good luck getting things into control.

Have a great moving and shaking kind of day and we'll hope to see you again soon . . .

Hello. I am having a problem with my husband who is diabetic. I've been trying to help him, but his mind set is very old-fashioned. His mother was diabetic, so he is still thinking along those lines. Anyway, I was going to make spaghetti the other night, and he totally spazzed out. I was using whole wheat spaghetti, I was making my own sauce so I knew what was in it. He said he couldn't have the pasta or the tomato sauce. I also made a salad, and he said he couldn't have any tomatoes on the salad.

Am I totally messed up on MY thinking?

I hope I remember to check back to this board for advice from any of you.

No TAMMY you are not messed up at all.

Your DH is definitely in the dark ages when any sugar was considered a NONO for a diabetic. That is no longer the case.

As a matter of fact . . . as starches go, Pasta (especially Whole Wheat Pasta) has a lower Glycemic Index (and therefore a less drastic impact on Blood Glucose control) than potatoes, rice or bread. Tomatoes are considered a low-carb veggie.

Take a look at some of the "stickies" at the top of this forum and go have a look at the ADA (American Diabetes Association) or CDA (Canadian Diabetes Association) websites for more information.

Think your DH could use an appointment with your local DEC (Diabetes Education Centre) and a chat with a Diabetes Dietician . . . soon.

Good luck . . . drop in to chat anytime, chickie.

Raffaellea - low sodium v-8 juice is an easy carry along veggeie serving. I know you hate to think about taking more meds, but you might go along with your dr. and take the increased med, then work on trying to get off it. I used to be the same way as you about not wanting to take more meds, but I finally "got it" that I was just hurting myself by resisting. Better blood sugar control is SO much more important, especially as you start to get older.

Tammy - I agree with Meowee, hubby definately needs some information that's up to date. 1/2 cup pasta is 1 starch exchange, and whole wheat is the best way to go. Even foods with sugar are now allowed in limited amounts, as long as they are counted. Most insurance companies will pay for diabetes education classes, and most classes will let spouses come along with the patient.

Check in with the monthly thread whenever you can, that's where we all hang out. You can usually get pointed in a direction to find your answers.

Thanks, Soiley. I never thought of V8.

The main reason I'm resistant about taking an extra pill is because I will forget. I've been doing better with my sugar. My fasting sugar used to be 150now its 121.

Thanks for letting me know I'm not totally out of it!! Believe it or not, my hubby attended those classes, but I now know that he really didn't pay attention to them. I'll be checking out the links to get more information. Thanks again!!