Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Hana Rous on July 10, 2011 at 3:29am

Anni/April
Your CDE is severely lacking in knowledge[as are most of them].There is simply NO evidence that we need carbs. I look for it periodically, because, like you, I've been told it's essential. However I have never been able to find any study that says we definitively NEED the stuff. there are a few "iffy" calculations for recommended daily allowance, but they are not scientifically valid.
If I can't find it, and I do subscribe to reputable medical journals, I think it's non-existent.. I even asked the British Dietetic Association for the evidence and got the brush off.
If you're happier and healthier on LOW carbs. Stick with it.
I have eaten low carb for a number of years and am pretty fit and very healthy[A1c in the 5% range, low cholesterol and VERY low blood pressure]]. In fact my doctor says I'm the healthiest diabetic he knows.
I'm aware that Sir Steve Redgrave lives not too far from me, but my doctor doesn't know him.:>)
Hana

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Permalink Reply by April on July 10, 2011 at 3:50am

Yes, I mention this experience really out of a sense of complete dismay at the " one size fits all" rubbish this woman seems to be prmoting. I am not preaching a lifestyle for anyone else, but I have certainly discovered what worksbfor me and I think she she has some nerve giving me dire predictions about what will befall me! POPPYCOCK, I SAY!

Furthermore, this woman recommended to the class that an appropriate in between meal snack (to be sure to get enough carbs!) was avenging machine package of those cheese and peanut-butter crackers. She said they offered protein and carbs. Well...and a heck of a lot of fat and wheat products and zero nutritional value!

I asked "So you are recommending we eat JUNK FOOD?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!" I was stunned.

In fairness, I finally understood that the class was being geared to shift workers. However, I suggested that they could bring healthier options in a thermal lunch sack from home. An apple to eat w/ peanut butter, celery and peanut butter, ham and cheese roll ups -- oops, I forgot the carbs...WITH CRACKERS !!!!

I have severa
More sessions to attend and she just hates to see me walk in!

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on July 10, 2011 at 2:08pm

I'm impressed that you have the stamina and courage to continue to attend these sessions, and more so that you are willing to tell the truth. :-) Of course, you don't have letters after your name, so that MUST mean you know nothing and are stupid to boot?????

I think we should invent letters to put after our names, like EED for Experienced, Educated Diabetic! LOL!!

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Permalink Reply by April on July 10, 2011 at 6:57pm

Ha Ha Well in truth, I am attending these classes as a companion/ pseudo family member for my Dear Friend and Adopted Mama, Marsha, who was dx'd in m
march with BG's over 500 in March. Here we are in July and shevi still regularly seeing tastings in the high 200's or over 300. She's on 1500 mg Metformin + glipizide + actos. And still not in a good range . Her diet is stellar...low carb and she exercises nicely for someone in her mid-70's. Water aerobics 3-5x per week and strength training 2-3x.

I feel her doc is way too laissez faire! And she had swelling in her ankles the other day!!!! Acts....heart failure??? They told her not to worry unless she had trouble breathing. Hmmm....

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Permalink Reply by Peetie on July 10, 2011 at 7:15pm

Hmmm...

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on July 10, 2011 at 10:05pm

I wonder whether the docs and other professionals will ever figure out that everyone's diabetes is different.

I spent some time with an 85-year-old friend today, who was told she has diabetes, and should avoid carbs. So she is avoiding them almost totally. She's not on any medications. BUT, she also had colon problems, and had her colon and part of her small intestine removed years ago, and is emaciatedly thin . I asked her about her eating habits, and she really takes the carb avoidance seriously, but 4 hours after lunch today, she got 87 on her meter, so she's not really having a lot of trouble processing glucose. I'm not really sure she even has diabetes, in that everyone's pancreas deteriorates as they age, and the standards for the super-elderly (over age 80) need to reflect daily health maintenance, rather than avoidance of complications that they may not live long enough to develop.

Mind you, this is different from your friend, who is probably not emaciated, and is not in the super-elderly category (although I hope she gets there! :-) ) What I am trying to point out is that different people have way different needs, and the dietitian who terrified my friend about carbs really did her a disservice. I am so afraid that she'll catch a cold, and it will turn into pneumonia and snuff her out. She so desperately needs a little fat on her, just to maintain.

Doctors, dietitians and CDEs are SUPPOSED to individualize treatment according to the individual, but we know they often don't. :-(

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Permalink Reply by April on July 11, 2011 at 3:22pm

Yes, I agree...but individualization seems to have gone out the window....

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Permalink Reply by Christalyn on July 10, 2011 at 10:38pm

Christalyn EED

I like how that looks!!! I want to start this trend!!

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Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on July 10, 2011 at 10:47pm

Well, *I* like it!! :-)

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Permalink Reply by DiabetesDancer on July 9, 2011 at 8:04am

I don't think that much has changed regarding type 2's, esp older folks, being unwilling to go on insulin. I still hear those comments about failure and fear of progression in my support group. For me there was some of that, but much stronger was the opportunity to have immediate control over the blood glucose levels. The down side has been weight gain every time my overall dosage goes up--it took a while to see that connection, because nobody mentioned it to me ahead of time. Now I ask myself: 'is this treat worth another pound?', which works much better than guilt as a motivator, lol. Weight reduction comes from reducing carbs which leads to reduced insulin--and hopefully a net loss from both.

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Permalink Reply by Cathy Jacobson on July 9, 2011 at 3:26pm

Why not do insulin? Most people who don't know very much about insulin and diabetes, think that that treatment is the end...there is nothing after insulin. If they don't manage their diabetes with insulin, then they are 6 ft under so to speak.
But with new advancements that they aren't aware of, this could be the beginning of all the tries and miss hits on the right kind of treatment for themselves. I think insulin treatment even with the advancements is something you must be ready to take on....it's an inner adjustment to the idea...and a lot more education that most people go after.

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Permalink Reply by Hana Rous on July 10, 2011 at 4:55am

It's too easy for doctors to promote insulin as the answer and it's too easy to think that it can solve all difficulties. In my dealings with MANY diabetics of several types, I have discovered that what you eat is the most significant thing in Blood glucose control. Just thinking that "a bit more insulin" will do the trick is a trap.
I have met a grossly obese T2 diabetic using U500 in a pump, who still wouldn't even consider altering his diet. It was a while ago and I wonder if he's still alive.
We live in cultures of instant gratification and it's killing too many of us
Hana

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