Chubbykins: Thank you for the encouragement. We are definitely working on weight loss as well, and I think that should help a lot. We're doing pretty well at controling his blood sugar so far, and tonight before dinner we saw the lowest number yet (136), and he'd not had any insulin since the morning. Still not "normal" blood sugar, but it definitely felt like a victory... and like we may eventually be able to control this without the insulin.

John: Thank you for the suggestions. Ground turkey, chicken, and lean beef are definitely staples already (I don't eat much beef, but he prefers it over poultry) and I will work on adding more eggs (he doesn't like tuna or cottage cheese). I have been targeting 100g of protein for myself, but usually fall short (more like 75-80g), and his has been at about 90 the past several days. I'll work to increase it further. We did actually go to the gym tonight (first time he has gone with me), and we did about 40 minutes of strength training (took it slow) and then just 20 minutes of cardio. Since his blood sugar was lowish before dinner and we were going to the gym afterward he didn't get any insulin, and when we checked his blood sugar after the gym it was at 155 - despite a highish carb dinner (61g). The past few days, with insulin and a similar dinner in terms of carbs, his blood sugar has been spiking to 230-250 about 2 hours after dinner. His blood sugar being that reasonable tonight after that kind of dinner was definitely due to the exercise. I'm hoping that will help motivate him to keep going to the gym with me.

synger: Thank you very much for the book and website recommendations - I will definitely check those out. And you're right about the diabetes forums; I could surely use a place to ask all my questions.


Thank you again, everyone, for your feedback. I really needed to talk some of this out.

Wow what a difference a short period of eating and exercise can make!

If a life threatening disease like diabetes doesn't grab his attention and cause major life changes ... nothing will.

Tell your husband that no one likes tuna and cottage cheese and to suck it up.

LOL!! "Suck it up" is his least favorite phrase of mine.

If you're looking for low-carb recipes, my best resources are at lowcarbfriends.

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/recipereview/

You want some new way to make chicken? It's here. Want to introduce a new food in a familiar spice way. It's probably here.

Even if you're not "very low carb" (I'm not super low carb, but lower than the standard American diet) there are some great ideas for basic meats and veggies that can fit into almost any food plan. Many of them are by no means low-fat, though, so keep that in mind when you look at them.

You need to listen to the diabetes educator not his general/primary doctor. The diabetes educator has specific education and training for diabetes patients while your other doctor probably does not. You don't have to cut out all those things but change them up. Instead of white potato eat sweet potato. Instead of white bread eat whole wheat, eat brown rice, wild rice, or quinoa. Sugar I'd eliminate things like candy bars and most sweets (they do make sugar free sweets) but not eliminate fruits.

Remember that's the nutrionist YOU saw- for YOU. Your husband's body chemistry is very different from yours. I eat lower carb and typically eat 30-40% fat but I'm very healthy

I wouldn't worry about net carbs and all that, just worry about picking the right carbs and getting in enough fiber.

115 grams of carbs is not high by any means- the average American eats 55-60% carbs which is easily over 200 grams of carbs a day. I eat around 100 grams a day and that is considered low carb

It's great you have your spreadsheet and all that but it sounds like you are starting to overwhelm yourself and that your tool is hurting you because you are eating less and less calories which is not a good thing for you or for hubby!

As long as you are making healthy choices, eating enough fiber (25 grams a day), then I wouldn't worry about exact percentages- you might also overwhelm your husband since he's new to this- you don't want him to be frustrated cuz he did 36% fat one day and not 35%- know what I'm saying? In all of this making sure he doesn't get overwhelmed and making slow changes that last is the best thing for you and him

Good luck!