Hey I have a FEW dumb questions. My Mom just the word to cut back her
starches since her blood sugar is getting high. She hasn't been told she's
diabetic but I thought someone could answer a few questions.

First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes dried
though) and they had carb counts of like 30.

What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?

Thanks

On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:44:57 -0400, "Karl" > wrote:

>Hey I have a FEW dumb questions.

The dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.

>First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
>beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
>meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes dried
>though) and they had carb counts of like 30.

Dried beans are better than canned - better Glycemic Load. Does she
use pasta sheets? Will she test her blood glucose? Each of us react
differently to foods, so no-one will be able to say exactly how your
Mom will react. For me, I use aubergine or zucchini instead of pasta.
Beans sound like a nice addition, I might give them a try... is she
vegetarian? Lower carb can be complicated if she is...

>What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?

That depends on the bread she uses, how much, and how she reacts...
Are you in the US? I like Lavash bread, which I can occasionally buy
here in England.

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

"Nicky" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:44:57 -0400, "Karl" > wrote:
>
>>Hey I have a FEW dumb questions.
>
> The dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.
>
>>First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
>>beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
>>meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes dried
>>though) and they had carb counts of like 30.
>
> Dried beans are better than canned - better Glycemic Load. Does she
> use pasta sheets? Will she test her blood glucose? Each of us react
> differently to foods, so no-one will be able to say exactly how your
> Mom will react. For me, I use aubergine or zucchini instead of pasta.
> Beans sound like a nice addition, I might give them a try... is she
> vegetarian? Lower carb can be complicated if she is...

She isn't a vegetarian. But she stays away from beef. She isn't going to
test
her blood the doctor just told to cut back on the starches since she is 74
and
her blood sugar was borderline.

>
>>What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?
>
> That depends on the bread she uses, how much, and how she reacts...
> Are you in the US? I like Lavash bread, which I can occasionally buy
> here in England.
>

Yeah I am in the US. Actually I make my own bread which she loves. I
started making
whole wheat bread and she slices it real thin now and she likes it.

> Nicky.
> T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
> D&E, 100ug thyroxine
> Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

"Karl" > wrote in message ...
> Hey I have a FEW dumb questions. My Mom just the word to cut back her
> starches since her blood sugar is getting high. She hasn't been told
> she's diabetic but I thought someone could answer a few questions.
>
> First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
> beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
> meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes dried
> though) and they had carb counts of like 30.
>
> What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?

What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut back on
carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was told that.
Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason, be given
the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her own blood
sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what is "bad" for
her or not.

Every body is different. I find potatoes and beans work well for me. So
does some bread. But what works for me might not work for someone else.
And in fact it usually doesn't. It's also carbs she needs to cut back on.
Not just starches. There are carbs in milk, fruit, juice and other foods.
Vegetables contain carbs but in a lesser amount, unless they are starchy.

Julie Bove wrote in message ...speaking of doctors telling someone to
cut back on starches

>What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut
back on
>carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was
told that.
>Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
be given
>the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her own
blood
>sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what is
"bad" for
>her or not.


You said what I was getting ready to say. Surely they gave her a
reason for cutting back on starches, and if the reason was diabetes or
prediabetes, they should be advising her to test.

Cheri

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
news:CaPOj.2769$y63.800@trndny02...
>
> "Karl" > wrote in message ...
>> Hey I have a FEW dumb questions. My Mom just the word to cut back her
>> starches since her blood sugar is getting high. She hasn't been told
>> she's diabetic but I thought someone could answer a few questions.
>>
>> First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
>> beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
>> meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes dried
>> though) and they had carb counts of like 30.
>>
>> What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?
>
> What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut back on
> carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was told
> that. Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
> be given the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her
> own blood sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what
> is "bad" for her or not.
>
> Every body is different. I find potatoes and beans work well for me. So
> does some bread. But what works for me might not work for someone else.
> And in fact it usually doesn't. It's also carbs she needs to cut back on.
> Not just starches. There are carbs in milk, fruit, juice and other foods.
> Vegetables contain carbs but in a lesser amount, unless they are starchy.
>

She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting higher.
She's 74 and he just told her to
cut back on the starches.

I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.

"Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
...
>
> Julie Bove wrote in message ...speaking of doctors telling someone to
> cut back on starches
>
>>What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut
> back on
>>carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was
> told that.
>>Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
> be given
>>the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her own
> blood
>>sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what is
> "bad" for
>>her or not.
>
>
> You said what I was getting ready to say. Surely they gave her a
> reason for cutting back on starches, and if the reason was diabetes or
> prediabetes, they should be advising her to test.
>
> Cheri
>
>
I have her bring it up when she goes talks to her doctor.

"Karl" > wrote in message ...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> news:CaPOj.2769$y63.800@trndny02...
>>
>> "Karl" > wrote in message ...
>>> Hey I have a FEW dumb questions. My Mom just the word to cut back her
>>> starches since her blood sugar is getting high. She hasn't been told
>>> she's diabetic but I thought someone could answer a few questions.
>>>
>>> First are dried beans bad? She like to makes lasagna with smashed Pinto
>>> beans, ricotta cheese, cheddar cheese and the usual tomotoe sauces.. no
>>> meat. But I was looking at the beans in stores in cans ( she likes
>>> dried though) and they had carb counts of like 30.
>>>
>>> What about bread. If she eats a sandwich is that bad?
>>
>> What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut back on
>> carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was told
>> that. Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
>> be given the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test
>> her own blood sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know
>> what is "bad" for her or not.
>>
>> Every body is different. I find potatoes and beans work well for me. So
>> does some bread. But what works for me might not work for someone else.
>> And in fact it usually doesn't. It's also carbs she needs to cut back
>> on. Not just starches. There are carbs in milk, fruit, juice and other
>> foods. Vegetables contain carbs but in a lesser amount, unless they are
>> starchy.
>>
>
> She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting
> higher. She's 74 and he just told her to
> cut back on the starches.
>
> I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.

Sounds like the Dr. is treating her like she is an idiot senior citizen who
most likely wouldn't be compliant if he did tell her to test her blood.
Unfortunately this is very common.

"Karl" > wrote in message ...
>
> "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Julie Bove wrote in message ...speaking of doctors telling someone to
>> cut back on starches
>>
>>>What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut
>> back on
>>>carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was
>> told that.
>>>Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
>> be given
>>>the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her own
>> blood
>>>sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what is
>> "bad" for
>>>her or not.
>>
>>
>> You said what I was getting ready to say. Surely they gave her a
>> reason for cutting back on starches, and if the reason was diabetes or
>> prediabetes, they should be advising her to test.
>>
>> Cheri
>>
>>
> I have her bring it up when she goes talks to her doctor.

She needs to bring it up right away and not wait. If she has diabetes,
there is the potential for her to have a hypo and this could be dangerous.
She needs to have a way to monitor herself.

Karl > wrote:


: She isn't a vegetarian. But she stays away from beef. She isn't going to
: test
: her blood the doctor just told to cut back on the starches since she is 74
: and
: her blood sugar was borderline.

How about chicken and fish? These she might find acceptible. Also, if
she is worried about fat, try very lean beef. If she wants, she can buy
lean beef and grind i t herself for hamburger so she knows what she is
getting. There is also bison in many stores, which is expremely lean, if
a bit pricy.

personally, I am less worried about the fat thenan the cbs in my diet. but
if she is concerned, find lean meats to use in her diet.

Wendy

Karl > wrote:

: She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting higher.
: She's 74 and he just told her to
: cut back on the starches.

: I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.

karl, I am 72 and proactive with my diabees. Sometimes doctors don't wat
to worry older people or think they are too old, simple, etc. to make a
proactive change in her life. I don't know if this is the case with you
mother, but it is something to be aware of. Don't let her be talked down
to. In tis ay and age she has a good chance of living happily for many
years and she needn't develpop full blown diabetes if she is able to lower
her blood ugar with diet adn exercise now. A meter will halp her adn even
if the doctor doesn't want to worry her with all that testing, get one
like tthe Walmart one which is cheaper if she doesn't get it from her
insurance.

Wendy

"krom" > wrote in message
...
> One touch and contour gives em away free on thier websites..

Oh I have the free one. My problem is, I just don't like it.

"krom" > wrote:
> One touch and contour gives em away free on thier websites..

I have a One Touch Ultra. I traded in my old meter and they sent it free.
They also paid the shipping for the old meter return. I'm quite pleased
with it.

--
Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War. They
are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:18:11 GMT, "Zareth"
> wrote:

>As far as bread goes, wheat bread is a much healthier option.

Only if your meter says so - no difference between white and whole
grain in bg response for me.

I can occasionally buy low-carb bread, but usually make my own - I
don;t eat much any more. Low carb bagels are good to have in the
freezer, for when I have a lox-and-bagel urge : )

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

I went from a ultra smart to the min..love that thing!

KROM

"Nick Cramer" > wrote in message
...
> "krom" > wrote:
>> One touch and contour gives em away free on thier websites..
>
> I have a One Touch Ultra. I traded in my old meter and they sent it free.
> They also paid the shipping for the old meter return. I'm quite pleased
> with it.
>
> --
> Nick. Support severely wounded and disabled Veterans and their families!
> I've known US vets who served as far back as the Spanish American War.
> They
> are all my heroes! Thank a Veteran and Support Our Troops. You are not
> forgotten. Thanks ! ! ~Semper Fi~

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
news:KP2Pj.500$NK1.449@trndny05...
>
> "Karl" > wrote in message ...
>>
>> "Cheri" <gserviceatinreachdotcom> wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> Julie Bove wrote in message ...speaking of doctors telling someone to
>>> cut back on starches
>>>
>>>>What's bad is the advice she was given. Not that it's bad to cut
>>> back on
>>>>carbs, but because it is so vague. She needs to know why she was
>>> told that.
>>>>Does she have diabetes? Prediabates? She needs to know the reason,
>>> be given
>>>>the appropriate testing and follow-up and use a meter to test her own
>>> blood
>>>>sugar at home. Until she tests herself she will not know what is
>>> "bad" for
>>>>her or not.
>>>
>>>
>>> You said what I was getting ready to say. Surely they gave her a
>>> reason for cutting back on starches, and if the reason was diabetes or
>>> prediabetes, they should be advising her to test.
>>>
>>> Cheri
>>>
>>>
>> I have her bring it up when she goes talks to her doctor.
>
> She needs to bring it up right away and not wait. If she has diabetes,
> there is the potential for her to have a hypo and this could be dangerous.
> She needs to have a way to monitor herself.

She hasn't been diagnosed with diabetes. I have been talking to her more
and what the doctor said
was she's getting older and to cut back on the starches. I think I might be
overreacting a bit myself.

He said her tests for sugar that were combined in routine batteries of blood
work they do periodically showed
the levels were moving higher.

Maybe I just worry too much?

"W. Baker" > wrote in message
...
> Karl > wrote:
>
> : She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting
> higher.
> : She's 74 and he just told her to
> : cut back on the starches.
>
> : I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.
>
> karl, I am 72 and proactive with my diabees. Sometimes doctors don't wat
> to worry older people or think they are too old, simple, etc. to make a
> proactive change in her life. I don't know if this is the case with you
> mother, but it is something to be aware of. Don't let her be talked down
> to. In tis ay and age she has a good chance of living happily for many
> years and she needn't develpop full blown diabetes if she is able to lower
> her blood ugar with diet adn exercise now. A meter will halp her adn even
> if the doctor doesn't want to worry her with all that testing, get one
> like tthe Walmart one which is cheaper if she doesn't get it from her
> insurance.
>
> Wendy
>

I agree with you about the diet and exercise. Now trying to chase her
around her house to test her
blood... that's the tough part! My Mum is stubborn.

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:55:06 -0400, "Karl" > wrote:

>She hasn't been diagnosed with diabetes. I have been talking to her more
>and what the doctor said
>was she's getting older and to cut back on the starches. I think I might be
>overreacting a bit myself.
>
>He said her tests for sugar that were combined in routine batteries of blood
>work they do periodically showed
>the levels were moving higher.
>
>Maybe I just worry too much?
>

You could ask the doctor for the test results, and see for yourself?
It would also be very good if you could get her to test an hour after
eating.

But moving her towards low-GI carbs, and encouraging her to do more
exercise, would be a good idea anyway.

Nicky.
T2 dx 05/04 + underactive thyroid
D&E, 100ug thyroxine
Last A1c 5.6% BMI 25

Karl > wrote:

: "W. Baker" > wrote in message
: ...
: > Karl > wrote:
: >
: > : She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting
: > higher.
: > : She's 74 and he just told her to
: > : cut back on the starches.
: >
: > : I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.
: >
: > karl, I am 72 and proactive with my diabees. Sometimes doctors don't wat
: > to worry older people or think they are too old, simple, etc. to make a
: > proactive change in her life. I don't know if this is the case with you
: > mother, but it is something to be aware of. Don't let her be talked down
: > to. In tis ay and age she has a good chance of living happily for many
: > years and she needn't develpop full blown diabetes if she is able to lower
: > her blood ugar with diet adn exercise now. A meter will halp her adn even
: > if the doctor doesn't want to worry her with all that testing, get one
: > like tthe Walmart one which is cheaper if she doesn't get it from her
: > insurance.
: >
: > Wendy
: >

: I agree with you about the diet and exercise. Now trying to chase her
: around her house to test her
: blood... that's the tough part! My Mum is stubborn.

OK, then you have to work to get it into her head that THIS(testing) is
the way she cab continue to enjoy her life for a long time. any
grandkisd? doesn't she want to see them "grow -up< get married,
graduatle, give her great-grandkids, etc. Let her know that kowning her
blood sugar numbers adn working to do something about them will keep he,
if not young, at least going appily for quite a while yet.

Tell her a 72 year old Grandma told you all this:-) It really shuld
become her effort so she owns it and will want to follow p with teting,
decent eating, exercise, etc. Don't you talk down to her either!!!!

Wendy-If you notice my lousy typing, I have only one focusing eye and tht
is not in great condition either, but NOT related to the diabetes!!!

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:55:06 -0400, "Karl"
> wrote:

>> She needs to bring it up right away and not wait. If she has diabetes,
>> there is the potential for her to have a hypo and this could be dangerous.
>> She needs to have a way to monitor herself.
>
>She hasn't been diagnosed with diabetes. I have been talking to her more
>and what the doctor said
>was she's getting older and to cut back on the starches. I think I might be
>overreacting a bit myself.
>
>He said her tests for sugar that were combined in routine batteries of blood
>work they do periodically showed
>the levels were moving higher.
>
>Maybe I just worry too much?
>

Hi Karl

I've come late to this discussion, so I'll just reinforce a
couple of points the others made and add one or two of my
own.

First, at 74, she can eat what she darn well likes. However,
she should be made well aware that there may be some nasty
consequences if she doesn't find out what some of those
foods she likes may be doing to her body. Once she has that
information she can make her own informed choices.

The best way to get that information, when the doctor is
effectively implying she has pre-diabetes, is to use a blood
glucose test meter. Without information she is flying blind.

I must stress that you are not over-reacting. You said in
your opening post "My Mom just the word to cut back her
starches since her blood sugar is getting high." To us, as
diagnosed diabetics, that is a clear warning sign that
should not be ignored. Some of us did ignore those signs;
that's why we're here. It would help her a lot if you could
suggest that she gets copies of all her lab reports in
future because then she, or you, can see exactly what her
numbers are and discuss with her doctor the implications of
those numbers.

So my primary advice would be to get a meter and start
testing about an hour after each meal to see what it did to
her.

Finally, if she is not prepared to test, I'd suggest that
she use the following broad guidelines. Note that these are
just my opinion, I'm a diabetic, not a doctor and that a
meter would help her find the items on this list that are OK
for her.

Minimise:

Anything made in a bakery.
Pasta.
Rice
All wheat products.
All corn products.
Starches - basically root vegetables.
All sugared drinks - sodas, sport drinks, milk.
All juices.
All fast foods.

And ignore colour, fibre content, or advertising hype about
wholegrain or low-GI.

Be wary of:

Fruits, good in small portions, harmful in large portions.

Maximise:

Vegetables, apart from root veges.

Use in appropriate portions:

Fish
Meats (trimmed well of fat)
Eggs
Beans

Those lists are not exhaustive but I think you'll pick up
the trends. If in any doubt check with her doc.

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Latest:Valderee, Valderah. Or, I love To Go A-wandering...

On Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:59:00 -0400, "Karl"
> wrote:

>
>"W. Baker" > wrote in message
...
>> Karl > wrote:
>>
>> : She just went to the doctor and he said her blood sugar was getting
>> higher.
>> : She's 74 and he just told her to
>> : cut back on the starches.
>>
>> : I guess she should ask her doctor if she shouold start testing herself.
>>
>> karl, I am 72 and proactive with my diabees. Sometimes doctors don't wat
>> to worry older people or think they are too old, simple, etc. to make a
>> proactive change in her life. I don't know if this is the case with you
>> mother, but it is something to be aware of. Don't let her be talked down
>> to. In tis ay and age she has a good chance of living happily for many
>> years and she needn't develpop full blown diabetes if she is able to lower
>> her blood ugar with diet adn exercise now. A meter will halp her adn even
>> if the doctor doesn't want to worry her with all that testing, get one
>> like tthe Walmart one which is cheaper if she doesn't get it from her
>> insurance.
>>
>> Wendy
>>
>
>I agree with you about the diet and exercise. Now trying to chase her
>around her house to test her
>blood... that's the tough part! My Mum is stubborn.
>
>
If she isn't prepared to test or at least make changes, you
can't force her. Can you get her to read some of the answers
you have received?

Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com
Latest:Valderee, Valderah. Or, I love To Go A-wandering...

"Karl" > wrote in message ...

>
> She hasn't been diagnosed with diabetes. I have been talking to her more
> and what the doctor said
> was she's getting older and to cut back on the starches. I think I might
> be overreacting a bit myself.

You are NOT overreacting. IMO, she is not reacting strongly enough.
Telling someone to cut back on the starches is of no use to them really.
She could be eating tons of fruit, drinking milk, eating or drinking sugary
things and having sky high blood sugar. And that's not goof!
>
> He said her tests for sugar that were combined in routine batteries of
> blood work they do periodically showed
> the levels were moving higher.

Well, that's not good and it is indicative of something. But what? The Dr.
should tell her and if he does not, she should ask.
>
> Maybe I just worry too much?

Not IMO.