HAPPY BIRTHDAY COUNTRYGIRL!!
Best Wishes NOW....and for the rest of the year!
Have a GREAT "ME" DAY :)
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Hey, why don't you come join us in the TuD chat room?
You'll see us at the bottom of the home page.
We have a great time getting to know each other, sharing info and lots of laughs :)
It's on right now!
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Happy Birthday!! Hope you have a wonderful day and get to have some fun. Enjoy your special day.

Hi there countrygirl!! Thank you for having me as a friend!!
Pennsylvania....far away, but it feels like you're right here! That's one of the appealing factors of tu.diabetes. I'm in Canada...in the southwestern part of the province of Ontario...a city named Kitchener-Waterloo. I'm a wife of 33 years (hubby is also diabetic), mom to two grown children (one 28, the other 26), a grandma to 3 lovable little boys, a teacher, and before that an illustrator (still do some) and graphic designer....I speak French fluently, I read, history fascinates me, I paint, sing, walk, garden, ski, ride my bike....did I mention "read"? I love having friends over, I bake/cook, am an eclectic music lover, an animal lover...the ocean...ah the ocean...it speaks to me! Oh...and I have diabetes (and a few other things).
Nice to have you as a friend!!! Tell me a bit about yourself and
keep in touch, ok?
hugs....linda

Here are a couple images of "The Plate Method".

This is a little long...so sending it in 2 parts!
Part 1)
Meal Planning Tips for People with Type 2 Diabetes
Below are examples of two different meal planning systems; your registered dietitian can help you decide which is best for you.

1. Carbohydrate Counting is the most accurate meal planning system for controlling blood sugar levels. Essentially, carbohydrate counting is a way to “budget” the amount of carbohydrate eaten at any meal or snack. This method allows you to choose any type of carbohydrate foods, as long as the portion size you choose allows you stay within your goal “budget.” In general, about half of your daily calories should come from carbohydrate foods. However, if you have diabetes, it is important to eat roughly the same amount of carbohydrate at each meal. Commonly recommended “budgets” are 30 to 45 grams (2 to 3 servings) of carbohydrate per meal for women and 45 to 60 grams (3-4 servings) per meal for men. Both women and men should limit snacks to 15 to 30 grams (1 to 2 servings) of carbohydrates. (Click here for a printable reference chart of carbohydrate servings.) Your Registered Dietitian will determine the right amount of carbohydrates for you, along with guidelines for protein and fat intake.

In addition to carbohydrate budgeting, it is important to space your meals and snacks evenly throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable. Experts recommend waiting at least two hours (but no more than five hours) between meals and snacks during the day. This will help prevent your blood sugar level from going too high or too low. Here's a sample meal plan that uses the carbohydrate counting method:

Part 2)
Breakfast Carbohydrate Count
1 scrambled egg 0
2 slices whole-grain toast 2.0 (30 grams)
1 tsp margarine 0
1/2 cup orange juice 1.0 (15 grams)
Breakfast Total: 3.0 (45 grams)
Snack 1 Carbohydrate Count
1 medium orange 1.0 (15 grams)
Snack Total: 1.0 (15 grams)
Lunch Carbohydrate Count
1 cup skim milk 1.0 (15 grams)
2 slices bread 2.0 (30 grams)
Low-fat mayo 0
3 oz. turkey 0
Lettuce and tomato 0
Lunch Total: 3 (45 grams)
Snack 2 Carbohydrate Count
6 oz. light yogurt 1.0 (15 grams)
Snack Total: 1.0 (15 grams)
Dinner Carbohydrate Count
1 medium sweet potato 2.0 (30 grams)
1 tsp margarine 0
1 cup skim milk 1.0 (15 grams)
4 oz. baked chicken breast 0
1/2 cup cooked broccoli 0
1 cup salad 0
2 Tbsp low-fat dressing 0
Dinner Total: 3 (45 grams)
Snack 3 Carbohydrate Count
1 small apple, sliced 1.0 (15 grams)
2 Tbsp peanut butter 0
Snack Total 1.0 (15 grams)

2. The Plate Method allows you to visually evaluate the carbohydrates in your meal and the overall nutritional balance in five easy steps:

Step #1: Start with a nine-inch plate. Take a ruler and measure across your plate to make sure it is not too large.
Step #2: Pretend to divide your plate in half. Then divide one of those halves into two equal sections. Fill one-half of the plate with non-starchy vegetables, either cooked or raw. Fill one-fourth of the plate with a serving of protein. Fill the last fourth of the plate with a carbohydrate-rich food (1 carb serving, 15-grams), using the chart above for examples. *Note: For breakfast, enjoy your meat and grain items each covering one-fourth of your plate; non-starchy vegetables may be omitted in the morning.
Step #3: Add 1 cup (8 fl oz) of low-fat milk or 1 container (6-8 oz) of light yogurt to your meal (1 carb serving, 15 grams).
Step #4: Select one serving of fruit to go along with your meal (1 carb serving, 15 grams).
Step #5: Complete your meal with one or two servings of healthy fats. This could be a tablespoon of salad dressing, 1 or 2 teaspoons of olive oil used to sauté vegetables or a teaspoon of mayonnaise for a sandwich.

WELCOME to our wonderful family. We are a very caring and supportive group. Questions? Please feel free to ask us. Please read the BLOGS the FORUMS and check out the many GROUPS for much valuable advice and information. WELCOME!!!

We're so happy that you're finally here!
Welcome home countrygirl!!
This is a great place to share, to learn, and to grow...all the while meeting new people world wide, and making friends.
Take a peek at some the groups when you get a chance. Just go to the top of your page, and click on "Groups". Once in,
click on "all groups". You can either peruse the wide array of available groups....or simply type a specific interest in the
space provided.
Take in some of the blogs/discussions as well.
The resource boxes at the top of the home "Home" page, and
"About us" at the very bottom of your page and every page (the footer), offer you more information still.
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Hope you find the support and information you came looking for.
Here is a useful link to get you on your way:
http://www.tudiabetes.org/notes
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Take a look at the group..."Type 2 Diabetics".
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AND....groups for folks with more than diabetes to contend with,
such as..."Diabetes Plus".
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Hey, why don't you come join us in the TuD chat room?
You'll see us at the bottom of the home page.
We have a great time getting to know each other, sharing info and lots of laughs :)
It's on right now!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Take care....and keep in touch!