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My father has an upcoming doctors appointment where I know he'll either be diagnosed as pre-diabetic or will be told that he needs to keep an eye on his glucose and to change his diet. I saw his fasting blood results and the glucose was high (over the normal range).
Since I cook for him, I want to make sure he asks the doctor the right questions, so I thought I'd get some info here first.
Would it be better for my father to try to lower his glucose through diet by cutting out "white" foods (potatoes, crackers, pasta, etc.) or to cut back on sugar (in coffee and tea)? I would say he eats an average amount of white foods in that he eats the same thing my mom eats and she's ok. But he consumes a dreadful amount of sugar every day. I would say he consumes at least a 1/2 cup of sugar per day and up to 2 cups of sugar per day. It depends on his activity level.
He adds 1 cup of sugar to 3 quarts (96 oz.) of tea. I'm not sure how much sugar he puts in his coffee, but it's a lot. I've been warning him for well over a year about how I'm not going to cook special for him if he ends up with diabetes because of this.
I tried to be sneaky by making his tea myself and reducing the amount of sugar in it. I had it down to 3/4 cup, but he had caught on and ended up getting angry. It seems better (and easier) to just reduce the sugar in the tea and eat the same foods, then get tested again, later. I don't know why he's such a baby and can't just reduce the sugar in the tea. I cut way back on sugar, butter, and salt years ago due to GERD and while it sucks at first, you get used to it. Now, I can't stand sugary tea or lots of butter in my food.
I'd really like some opinions on what should be done here. Then we can talk to the doctor about it during the appointment.
Use Stevia for a start. It is seriously sweet, I can only use a 1/2 envelope for a cup of tea. Ask the doc for a referral to a diabetic educator - insurance normally pays for it - as they will advice the both of you on how he needs to eat. In short, carbohydrates are to be restricted. Learn to read labels.
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Would it be better for my father to try to lower his glucose through diet by cutting out "white" foods (potatoes, crackers, pasta, etc.) or to cut back on sugar (in coffee and tea)? I would say he eats an average amount of white foods in that he eats the same thing my mom eats and she's ok. ......
Your father and mother may be eating the same things, but their bodies don't digest the foods the same. Your father needs to cut back or look for some alternatives for "white" foods, along with cutting back on sugar. "White" foods become sugar, too. (carbs become sugar) Would your father be open to speak to a nutritionist?
As SouthernBell suggested, use Stevia. Look for pure stevia with nothing else added.
As a type 2 myself, I have had good results with the following:
more greens, fewer meats, burritos, hamburgers.
green drinks and blended fruit drinks from fresh fruits and vegetables (I love my vitamix!)
I eat a lot more salads and soups made of barely, lentils, split peas, vegetable broth, with some chopped up green veggies, and spiced the way I like it
better exercise. walking mostly
Nopal cactus, cinnamon and chromium picolinate
other stuff. good read is The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr Mark Hyman
My own blood sugar has dropped from 402 to 197 last checkup. I've lost 50 pounds. A1C dropped from 12 something to 7.9 All in the last 9 months
Now if I could just be rid of this blasted nerve pain and the related side effects
It is surprising how much can be done with just a few changes to diet and behaviour.
It depends on what you eat.Change your eating habits.Vinegar helps to reduce your glucose level.
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