Frustrated Diabetic

[2big4mysize]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

Sometimes it seems like making it harder is the only way I know. That being said, I went one step too far on the math. 131 g protein... one can of tuna is 26 g protein. So technically, I could eat the equivalent of 5 cans of tuna.

I converted grams to oz and then looked at the can and compared apples to oranges, neither of which is allowed during Induction.

Rush, rush, rush and there still isn't enough to get it done!

LOL I was wondering how small your cans were.

[poobears1972]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

I'm not sure if you know but there is a section for diebetics doing atkins here on the board. Might be worth posting there and getting a lot of advice from people that are going through what you are going through. Not that there's anything wrong with the advice you are getting here but more may help you get things sorted out a little quicker.

[WetBanana]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

LOL I was wondering how small your cans were.

By far the funniest comment I've heard today

[ziggy]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

i know some diabetics need to eat really low carb like only 10 net carbs a day in order to lose weight

www.fitday.com

put in your % there try and eat 79% fat, 19% protein, 2% carbs that should help quite a bit and its not that hard to do i normally eat 77% fat

also have you tried the drug metformin before? i hear its really good and helps alot at reverseing insulin resistance for type 2 diabetics

http://www.biblelife.org/diabetes.htm

( this links down atm but when its back read it )

since your super insulin resistant more than the average type 2 diabetic you really want to eat as low carb as possible so only eat nutrient dense foods so you are able to get all the nutrients your body needs with out eating too many carbohydrates so eat foods like, pasture raised organic grass fed unsalted butter, meat, pasture raised beef fat, liver, cod liver oil,chicken eggs, and other animal organs

i think cheese has to many lactose sugars in it for someone super insulin resistant so eat fish bones to get your calcium instead

if you think your body is up to it you can try some vegetables like broccoli florets and hopefully they won't cause problems

remember to watch your protein and carb intake like a hawk im betting you cannot handle the 58% of protein converted to glucose too well so you may want to spread out that 19% protein through out the day as well

also are you on any meds? meds can ruin weight loss for people who are not even type 2 diabetic so for someone whos super insulin resistant it would be **** you would have to figure out something

also thats good your off caffeine it causes blood sugar problems but also the fact that you were drinking caffeine before makes me wonder if thats all you needed to quit in order for sucess and if you were really super insulin resistant or not

if your on any cholestoral lowering meds i would quit them
Dangers of Statin Drugs: What You Haven?t Been Told About Popular Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines

once your cells reverse insulin resistance you don't have too be soo hardcore in what you eat but it will take along time

here are some vitamins i reccomend that should help you get the nutrients your body needs
Organic Organ Delight - The Ultimate Traditional Superfood

[forbey]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

Thanks, Ziggy:

My comments are in-bedded in your quoted post in red.

i know some diabetics need to eat really low carb like only 10 net carbs a day in order to lose weight

I try to keep my obvious carbs close to zero and get what carbs I need from vegetables.


www.fitday.com

put in your % there try and eat 79% fat, 19% protein, 2% carbs that should help quite a bit and its not that hard to do i normally eat 77% fat

also have you tried the drug metformin before? i hear its really good and helps alot at reverseing insulin resistance for type 2 diabetics


I tried Metformin 10 years ago in the form of Glucophage. It was really rough on my lower digestive tract. Recently, I was re-started on Metformin in a new product call Glumetza, it is Metformin with a different carrier, so far it hasn't caused the same problem. I'm also on Januvia and taking shots of Levemir. The Glumetza and Januvia are to help with the insulin resisstance. Levemir is a non-insulin procut that is supposed to control excessive peaks and lows in my blood glucose.

http://www.biblelife.org/diabetes.htm

( this links down atm but when its back read it )

since your super insulin resistant more than the average type 2 diabetic you really want to eat as low carb as possible so only eat nutrient dense foods so you are able to get all the nutrients your body needs with out eating too many carbohydrates so eat foods like, pasture raised organic grass fed unsalted butter, meat, pasture raised beef fat, liver, cod liver oil,chicken eggs, and other animal organs


I agree, although I still may be eating too much protein


i think cheese has to many lactose sugars in it for someone super insulin resistant so eat fish bones to get your calcium instead

if you think your body is up to it you can try some vegetables like broccoli florets and hopefully they won't cause problems


I absolutely love broccoli, and it doesn't cause any problems. There is also an article claiming broccoli helps repair damage caused by diabetes.


remember to watch your protein and carb intake like a hawk im betting you cannot handle the 58% of protein converted to glucose too well so you may want to spread out that 19% protein through out the day as well

also are you on any meds? meds can ruin weight loss for people who are not even type 2 diabetic so for someone whos super insulin resistant it would be **** you would have to figure out something


I'm on lots of meds, where would I find a list of meds that are counterproductive with Atkins?


also thats good your off caffeine it causes blood sugar problems but also the fact that you were drinking caffeine before makes me wonder if thats all you needed to quit in order for sucess and if you were really super insulin resistant or not

if your on any cholestoral lowering meds i would quit them
Dangers of Statin Drugs: What You Haven?t Been Told About Popular Cholesterol-Lowering Medicines

once your cells reverse insulin resistance you don't have too be soo hardcore in what you eat but it will take along time

here are some vitamins i reccomend that should help you get the nutrients your body needs
Organic Organ Delight - The Ultimate Traditional Superfood

Thanks, for the other advice and links!

forbey

[atkinsgal08]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

>>where would I find a list of meds that are counterproductive with Atkins?>>

Well, there's somewhat of a list in your copy of Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution.

And since the book is now 8 years old, that list isn't all-inclusive.

Also, different meds affect people differently, so there is no real list of meds that are "counterproductive" with Atkins, since the same med may affect people differently, just as foods do.

[2big4mysize]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

did you make any dietary changes yet? and if so how did your blood sugar react?

[forbey]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

did you make any dietary changes yet? and if so how did your blood sugar react?

The effects of modifications will take time, this morning the glucose readings were, in fact lower. As I look into the meds, the only real threat appears to be the insulin. The one shot and two pills are non-insulin products developed to reduce insulin resistance. over the next few days and weeks, I hope to see the blood glucose levels continue to drop. With any luck getting closer to normal levels.

No "cheats since Thursday lunch!

[ziggy]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

I'm also on Januvia and taking shots of Levemir. The Glumetza and Januvia are to help with the insulin resisstance. Levemir is a non-insulin procut that is supposed to control excessive peaks and lows in my blood glucose.

have you tried controling blood glucose with just atkins diet and metformin? or have you been on Levemir The Glumetza and Januvia since the beginning of atkins?

it sounds to me if its ment to control exessive peaks and lows then it would have some blood glucose raiseing effect but also if you did come off it give your body time to adapt before judging if it helps you or not


I'm on lots of meds, where would I find a list of meds that are counterproductive with Atkins?

some meds are worse than others but i think you should try your best to be drug free cause most drugs are bad

the only drugs i know soo far that are useful are thyriod meds for people with thyriod problems and metformin for type 2 diabetics

[2big4mysize]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

The effects of modifications will take time, this morning the glucose readings were, in fact lower. As I look into the meds, the only real threat appears to be the insulin. The one shot and two pills are non-insulin products developed to reduce insulin resistance. over the next few days and weeks, I hope to see the blood glucose levels continue to drop. With any luck getting closer to normal levels.

No "cheats since Thursday lunch!

good for you.
I would strongly suggest you change one thing and only one thing at a time so you can see if it will help you or not.

So either get a med change or work your atkins with slightly lower protein intake matching your minimum needed proteins. You will need higher fats to provide the cals you need to keep your body fueled.


if you lower your protein intak and keep your carbs induction you should see a blood sugar lowering very rapidly

[Peytonn]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

this probably isn't even important.. but I thought I'd stick it in...

a guy I know was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 2 years ago.. I see him when softball season is going... saw him recently and I was stunned...

he's about 6'4... probably was close to 300 pounds... and now.. he's fit and healthy.. and very slim... I'd guess 210 or less... I asked him what the heck he was doing..

he said... eating so much chicken I think I'm growing feathers.....

it was funny... ... chicken... baked... broiled.. grilled chicken... has been his tranformation (and his diabetes is under control to the point that he may get to go off meds altogether )

so.. I'm not much help.. except that medical stuff is the pits... I've recently started synthroid... and the stix do NOT turn purple for me at all.. so I've just given up on them...

good luck.... (and maybe you could try more chicken... it worked for Stan )

[IrishIrish]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

Save yourself some of your valuable time and money. The ketostix aren't necessary. If you follow the plan as written and DANDR 2002 and read DANDR 2002, you will have results. You aren't unique until proven otherwise.

I weighed nearly 500 pounds. Three insulin shots a day, constant monitoring of blood sugars, three oral diabetic medication per day, more excuses not to exercise than you could think of.

First, I bought the book, DANDR 2002. It is a short read and it explains the science and if you are committed, it is an important investment. Spread your carbs out through the day to curb "spikes" in sugar. There are no cheat days. This is your health you are talking about and not some vanity diet where you need to indulge in a Chinese buffet. Unless you put yourself first and make the time for the education called Atkins, you will stumble, you will get discouraged and you will fail. But if you invest in yourself and stick to the plan as Dr. Atkins wrote it and not your special version, it can work.

I don't take any diabetic meds anymore ... none ... nada ... nothing. My life is a bonus that I never expected. I work out four to five days every week, I walk every day, I work, I cook and clean and I have more energy in my 50's than I had when I was 30.

If I'm a little hard core in this post, so be it. Been there. Done it. And did it the way others suggested and it finally worked for me. I'm happy and healthy and have low to normal blood sugars. My diet is imperative to keep me focused and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[H20baby]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

Hi Forbey,
Welcome to the boards.

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately, my life is a crazy mess. Time is tight and taking time to count every gram of fat, carbs and protein is next to impossible. I can keep track of what I eat and approximate measurements.

I too have an incredibly busy schedule but I have learned to cook things in advance and have them through the week. Linda's Low carb site has great and easy induction recipes. I made some revolution rolls the other night and had a tuna melt for dinner. YUM! I really like the Red Enchilada Chicken and the spinach/ mushroom and bacon quiche (mixed two of the recipes together). They keep well for transport to work. Linda's site has all the nutrition facts down per serving and it is easy to keep track especially if you kind of eat the same things during the week. I just jot it down on a computer print out I made and made copies. that way if I ate something before I just look back and put down the numbers. I have seen a little spiral bound note-book Atkin's food journal at Borders. I am probably going to get one too! Anything that will help to keep track is great.

Exercise is a constant problem, having been so big for so long, my ankles and knees are in poor shape. I'm up to a 20-minute quick walk a day. On the weekends, I get more work around the house and garage that seems to work better than walking.

Congrats on the 20 minute walks! Our joints secrete a fluid (synovial) that lubricates our joints the more you use them the easier it becomes to move. I don't know if you have access to a poo,l but walking in a pool or doing aqua aerobics would be great for you and minimize the stress on your hips, knees and ankles.

I started to walk at lunchtime at work to kick up my metabolism. I use 3 lb hand weights made for walking and I bought myself Nike+ pedometer to help me gauge my activities. I used to just have a pedometer and after a while I'd loose it off my waistband! Although a pedometer helps you count steps per day- aim for 10,000.

Here, I am going to go back to your first post to answer some of your original questions.

I have only been doing Atkins since January, so I am a Newbie, but I have been a nurse for 20 years and diabetic teaching is part of my job.

To date, I have been in ketosis for 3.5 weeks.
When I went back on Atkins my fasting blood sugars were in the upper 300s. Currently they average between 250 and 300.

! am usually between moderate and large on the ketostix

Diabetics with high blood sugars routinely, have to burn fat for energy since the sugar in your blood isn’t available to use. Insulin “unlocks” the cells to open them up to use the glucose running around in your blood.

Insulin resistance means that the normal amount of insulin usually required to open cells isn’t enough, i.e. your body isn’t producing enough on its own, that’s why you need Glumetza, Januvia and Levemir
So if you are using the ketostix and they are moderate it may be because your sugars are high and you are already burning fat for energy ~Ketoacidosis~ (diabetic condition) not Atkins ketosis

The “Multistix” testing strip was developed for multiple things like glucose/keytones/protein etc., as flags to check further if needed.

If you really want to test your ketones I suggest a stick that also tests for glucose. That way if you are spilling glucose too, it may not be because you are following Atkins correctly but because your sugars are high.

I know that Many Atkineers do not recommend the stix, but I do use them occasionally to help with psychological confirmation of my doing well when the scale doesn’t budge. It can be spotty, I usually will show trace amounts but not always because I am so hydrated my eyes are floating! When in doubt I will test after exercise and it can be 1+ or 2+ then.

If I use insulin to bring down the sugars to where they are supposed to be my weight goes up, if I don't use insulin my glucose numbers don't come down far enough and my weight stays the same.
My weight has fluctuated between 288 and 293 with no real weight loss.

As I said before insulin’s job is to open the cells so they can utilize sugar. BUT if you have no need for the extra sugar (as energy) the body converts it to fat to be stored. That is insulin’s other purpose.

High blood glucose increases water retention seen as weight on your scale. Higher fat stores also create more water retention as well as hormonal imbalances that make the cycle go on and on.

I am cutting down servings of protein. I have gone caffeine free. I'm drinking over a gallon of water a day, plus decaf coffee and sugar/caffeine free soft drinks.

I just want to say that I do NOT agree with the ADA food pyramid! There is no way diabetics should eat all of those grains and starches! Those correlate directly to spikes in blood sugars and creates insulin resistance!

Protein on the other hand does convert to glucose, but not right away. It takes a long time to be processed and does not result in spiked blood sugars!!!!

So PLEASE do NOT limit protein intake.

Atkins is perfect for you high fat/mod protein/low (controlled) carbs.

Don’t worry about total grams of protein in your daily diet just note how many grams of protein you took in then, multiply by 4
then divide by total calories taken in.

Here is a sample from yesterday. (I realize it is not perfect because I did not reach my 20 grams net carbs, but it is just a sample day.)
Carbs 15.2
Calories 1334
Fiber 6.5
Fat 86.4 X 9 = 777.6/1334= 58%
Protein 131 X 4= 524/1334 = 39%

It gets confusing because when you look at the total protein in grams it looks like so much compared to the fat intake. But fat counts as 9 calories per gram and protein only 4 grams per calorie.

The important thing is the right ratio of fat, protein and carbs.

I'm talking about allowing something like the rice around a sushi roll, or allowing a few chick peas to hit my salad.

Unfortunately those two things are probably enough to stall you with your medications and insulin resistance issues, along with the diet sodas.

Atkins adds carbohydrates back in a certain order for a reason. These foods are less likely to spike blood sugar levels so insulin resistance isn’t triggered and it allows our bodies and minds to get used to taking in complete foods used for energy rather than comfort carbs.

1. More salad and other vegetables
2. Fresh cheeses (as well as more aged cheese)
3. Nuts and Seeds
4. Berries, then melons
5. Dry wine (and other spirits low in carbs)
6. Legumes
7. Other Fruits
8. Starchy vegetables
9. Whole grains

As you can see legumes are #6 and white rice is #9.
Both are very high in starches which = spike in blood sugar, causing increased insulin need which means more fat cells made. Which continues vicious cycle and cravings for more carbohydrates! UGH!

White rice isn’t really a whole grain because it is so processed. When you do get to rung 9, brown rice or other non/low processed rices are much better.

You also posted something about your body just using the carbohydrates already in your body so you don't need to take them in?
Not sure if that is right or not, couldn't find it again in previous pages.

Just so you know your body needs those things daily. If you don't take them in then the body cannibalizes it self to get the stuff it needs usually muscle. We want to keep our muscle mass because it keeps our metabolism high and our bones happy!


I started reading your thread when it started and I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I hope this helped answer at least some of your questions.

TTFN
Melody

[2big4mysize]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

so how you doing today still lower blood glucose cause you are cheatfree atkins inductee?

how is that walking going? keep at it and it will get less painful and easier. I walked from 313 pounds to goal weight

[forbey]

Re: Frustrated Diabetic

OK, it's Tuesday... weigh in day. After almost 8 weeks on Atkins, I've lost 2 pounds. My fasting blood sugar was 254.

While 254 is still much better than 354, it isn't coming down much more. I'm not sure if I should continue the Novolog, Levemir and/or Januvia, to try and get the blood sugars down to normal, but when I do, the weight comes right back up. I'm exercizing enough that most days when I wake up and can barely walk. I'm cutting back on the carbs till they are almost non-existant.

It probably doesn't help, but I received a present of a nasty sinus infection that has my head pounding, my breathing difficult and zero energy.

At present I am taking Metformin, L-Carnatine, Co Q-10 and 1 other I can't remember, plus vitamins. All out of the Atkins vitanutrient recommendations for decreasing insulin resistance. I'm adding cinnamon to my coffee and herb teas.


I'm neither suffering of hunger, nor am I craving sweets, I'm flooding my body with water ... plus!

I haven't had any soda or cafeinated coffee in weeks.

My frustration is turning to depression!