I was diagnosed with diabetes when I had my hysterectomy in 1996. My blood sugar soared to over 400 after a meal at Western Sizzlin'. While I was in the hospital, the doctors had me on a sliding scale insulin. The Diabetes Instructor met with me a couple of times to counsel me on my diet and exercise. I was introduced to a diabetes support group, and left the hospital on a low carb diet. To help myself avoid the candy I loved, I imagined or superimposed an insulin syringe over the candy bar wrapper. I didn't want to be on insulin and every candy bar I ate put me that much closer to having to take insulin. I lost 35 lbs in the first month, but then I went back to work and the fast food diet gradually returned until I gained the weight back. I try to resist temptation, but too often give in to it. I check my blood sugar several times a week. It varies from 97 to 200, so I am not in the best control yet. I take glucatrol XL and glucaphage twice a day, and chromium picolinate once a day.
I found that instead of ice cream and puddings, that yogurt with fruit was a lower carb treat, and that is even better tasting with a few crunchies on top, either crushed peanuts, cereal, or whatever you wish to add texture.
Before I eat a meal, I try to drink at least 8 oz. of water. Most people do not drink enough water in their diets. I also like to start my meals with a large salad, which takes up a lot of room in my stomach, so I do not crave the sweets at the end of a meal. In fact, after a while of eating a salad first, you often are unable to complete the main meal, let alone eat dessert. If I do eat dessert, I try to eat fresh fruit rather than rich sweet fatty foods.
I would encourage anyone diabetic, or cooking for a diabetic, to join the ADA (American Diabetes Association). It costs $25 per year and you get a wonderful magazine, Diabetes Today, which has scrumptious recipes, news on new therapies, offers for diabetes testing equipment and supplies, and articles on famous and not so famous diabetics who have learned how to control their disease. There is even a pen pal list where you can make new friends with others who share your problems.
Most communities have diabetes support groups available through your local hospitals. Check newspapers, the Yellow Pages, and hospital bulletin boards, or your primary physician for further details.
I hope this information is of help to someone. I would have to say that having the disease myself has given me a completely different outlook on the patients I care for. I can empathize with them, and understand what they are going through. It has also given me incentive to fight the disease in myself as I see the terrible consequences of ignoring the disease. Amputations, strokes, heart attacks, blindness, all can be avoided by following the experts' advice.
Sheesh...another book by countrygirl...sorry.