Diet Diabetic2

[mr.buffalo]

I spend roughly 4 months ( probably this year 8 months or maybe longer as work for me is about done, I am 57 ) at a time in Thailand enjoying myself, especially the not working part but I have a great deal of trouble with my diet. As the title denotes I am type 2 and take metformin and gliclazide, do swimming and gym work but my diet is appalling. KFC, Burger King etc. I do like beer ( Singha ) and find that it actually does not really send my sugar levels wild. My question is what would a sensible hassle free , by that I mean not cooking, not my strong point, diet be for me to follow. I like fruit so ok on that score but seeing as rice is not good for diabetics I'm a bit stumped. Diet input please.

[tropo]

Your basic formula should be to cut down on carbs and increase proteins and (healthy) fats. With that formula in mind it shouldn't be difficult to work out what you can and can't eat.

Surely as a diabetic aged 57 you've done some research and should have some idea about what you should be eating. This is the problem when people get a diagnosis and start taking doctor's advice without doing their own research. They get lazy and rely on drugs.

[mr.buffalo]

" they get lazy ", indeed. Case in point.

[endure]

I tend to eat stir fries, curries, steamed fish and chicken and just miss out on the rice. Find yourself a few regular places to eat, try a dish and test your BG afterwards. You'll soon find meals that suit you.

[tropo]

" they get lazy ", indeed. Case in point.

The KFC and Burger King gave it away.

KFC without the fries is not health food, but not too bad for blood sugar readings.

When people take diabetic medicine they tend to eat "normally" and rely on the medicine to keep BG on track. This is a mistake. You can probably cut down on medicine if you get stricter with your diet.

Even my 81 year old mother does it. She eats so many carbs with her medicine, but I can't teach here anything.

Edited May 22, 2012 by tropo

[Sheryl]

With Thai food your key problems are white rice and noodles.

If in Bangkok, brown rice is getting more commonly available but still often not found at street stalls and many food courts.

If you can at least cook your own rice -- not at all hard with a rice cooker -- and then buy the dishes ready made you'll do OK. The dishes themselves aren't a big problem usually, it's the rice. And noodles. For the latter, no easy alternative so just avoid.

KFC - the batter is made from flour so a bit of a problem. If you can bring yourself to not eat the skin/batter, the meat itself is fine.

McDonalds: your enemy is the bun, the rest is OK (sugar-wise..fast wise is another matter).

[tutsiwarrior]

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 12 years ago and my diet just sort of naturally gravitated to non-glycemic foods; no rice or noodles, little bread and lots of vegetable stir fries with tofu or chicken breast...when I was diagnosed I was living in the Middle East and feasted on hummous, falafel and loads of arabic bread which I thought was healthy but they are very glycemic...

it is easy to eat a low glycemic diet in Thailand if you can prepare yer own food...make a habit of goin' down the market frequently to see what's on offer...and to admire the lady vendors and etc...

[onionluke]

I try to stay of carbs .I eat salad , greens and look for food with roughage . Papaya salad does me the world of good , just leave out the sprinkle of sugar . I eat more fish and chicken . With the help of metfornin I have brought my BG level from 16+ down to the 4~6 level in the past few months . I had a bit of a bumpy ride but it was worth it as I feel quite good now . I can skip ( forget) the medicine on occasion and if I stay on my diet my BG level falls back down after eating as the day progresses .

I have found flat breads such as japatis and wraps are a good substitute for white . I try and save all my carb intake for my beer after work . I am looking to be off the meds by mid June , at the doctors initiative , and I will keep to my rough diet , although I will have the meds on hand and will take them if my BG starts to rise again .

It is worth saying that I do now take a burger or sandwich every couple of weeks but I cut fast and processed foods(ham , microwavable, snacks etc) altogether when I was trying to lower the BG in the first month and a half .

All the best in finding what works for you .

[tropo]

If you can at least cook your own rice -- not at all hard with a rice cooker -- and then buy the dishes ready made you'll do OK. The dishes themselves aren't a big problem usually, it's the rice. And noodles. For the latter, no easy alternative so just avoid.

For a diabetic brown rice and white rice are virtually an identical problem. The only difference is that brown rice has a higher nutrient value with more fiber so it is a bit healthier.

If I test myself 1 hour after white rice or brown rice the results are the same.

I would suggest if the OP wants to bring his own brown rice (I've done this many times) he eats half as much or less per meal. It's the GI load which is most important i.e. how much he eats.

Edited May 23, 2012 by tropo

[tutsiwarrior]

it's worth mentioning that when you start to experiment with alternative diets that there may be an associated disturbance with bowel movements; constipation and diarrhea and so on and I've had to take laxatives and hesitate to go out if there is a diarrhea problem and it makes travel a real drag (either totally blocked up or here it comes like a freight train with occasional disasters if a toilet is not immediately available)...but keep on moving forward with yer efforts to control the BG with diet and things should work out in the end (sorry for the unintended pun)...

Edited May 23, 2012 by tutsiwarrior

[endure]

The most important thing is to get a meter and test. We're all different and the only way you'll know what's working for you is to prick that finger.

[tutsiwarrior]

The most important thing is to get a meter and test. We're all different and the only way you'll know what's working for you is to prick that finger.

+1

[mr.buffalo]

Pricking it is then and thanks for all the input.

[endure]

A good site (you can also buy the book which is useful to have around) is bloodsugar101.com