Type 2 Diabetes

I got a call from my Dr yesterday who told me my tests came back saying I am borderline Diabetic. I have an appt with the dietician next thurs but in teh mean time I need to know what kinds of foods I can eat.  I don't eat any meat or fish so that takes a huge quantity of food out. They told me that my test was high enough to be considered diabetic but because it is only the first test, they want to call it borderlien till I have another test in a couple of months. So any of you who have type 2 diabetes, please any advice would be greatly appreciated since I have no idea what I am doing. Thanks

Alannah

Well, the last thing you want to eat in any quanitity are carbs.  Sweets, of course - breads, pastas, rice, any of the starchier veggies are higher in carbs.  Even fruit.   You can't do away with them completely, but you need to limit your intake, and try to spread your carbs out evenly over the day to avoid the highs followed by the crashes.  If you eat your carbs with protein, they won't cause as rapid a spike in your blood sugar. 

Where do you get your protein as a WLS post-op?  It it's from lots of beans and other legumes, they tend to be starchy, therefore higher in carbs.  Cheeses and dairy products are good, because they have protein with lower carbs.  If you won't or can't eat meat, you will have a harder time feeding your engine with lots of carbs off the menu...

Just remember, although no one wants to be diagnosed as diabetic, it's not a death sentence.  It's something you have to learn to manage - with diet, exercise, and perhaps insulin.  I resisted using insulin for a long time, I felt like SUCH a loser!  But one of the nurses in the PNC IDC (International Diabetes Center) said something that made me realize - I shouldn't feel any more guilty than anyone else with a disease.  They happen, and you manage them the best you can. 
Good luck to you -

My whole problem with meat is that if I eat it, I puke for like 4-6 hours from it. I have severe gastriparesis (where the intestine and stomach dont move like they should)  which is why I dont eat anything with a lot of protein in it. I can handle a little bit of protein in cheese and stuff but not any meat or fish. I get my protein from protein shakles that go through my feeding tube. I do eat some beans but it is very sparing. It is just going to be really hard because I lose weight very easily now (15 pounds in two months) and so I was consuming alot of carbs and fat to keep weight on plus using an extra protein shake throught eh tube to help that way also. I love fruits and veges so I can get them that way, jus****ch carb counts in them I guess. What about salad. is that okay with italian dressing. I am jsut lost and that is the soonest I could get into the nutritionist (dietician). It helps she is thruogh my WLS surgeon so at least she will understant that aspect. Thanks for replying, I am jsut sort of lost right now. I am kinda bummed about it cause I have so many other complicatins from the WLS I had 5 years ago (12 surgeries in 5 years) and top that off with polycystic ovarian syndrome and now diabetes and it just gets really hard. Thanks

Alannah

You want to try and stay with lower glycemic index foods.  Here's a link to a website I've used http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/glycemicfoodchart.htm.  High fiber foods also are helpful.  Egg whites, tofu and whole grains are your best bets if you don't eat meat.  There's no shame in diabetes.  It's just another disease.

Thanks, I will definitely check out the site. Its jsut hard to add yet another disease to the mix. I know I will get through it like everything else, jsut hard right now.

Alannah

Alannah-
Having been a type 2  (well 1.5) diabetic for 20 years I can tell you that the best way to tackle this disease is a combination of working with an endocrinologist (wh can help with your PCOS also), a good diabetes educator, and a nutritionist.  It is scary to get the diagnosis- but you will find that you feel better when your blood sugars are under control.  I am sorry to hear that you hve had so many complications with your WLS and hope you are seeing the benefits of the surgery as well.
Reel good and keep on dong your best.
Reenie