Meal Planning
Meal Planning includes what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, and how to make wise food choices to help you control your weight, lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, and feel good every day. For more information on Meal Planning, please review the related questions below.
Questions
Q: "I have type 1 diabetes and take insulin at least 3 times a day. I’m having a problem losing weight because every time I start an exercise program and try to eat less, my blood sugar drops too low and I end up eating extra snacks to prevent or treat the lows. Do you have any suggestions for me?"
Glucose Effects from Different Meals
Q: “I have type 1 diabetes and have noticed that my blood sugars stay high for a long time after eating certain foods like Italian food and pizza. Do you have any suggestions to help me keep my blood sugar in control when eating these foods? When is the best time to test my blood sugar after eating a meal?”
Low Carb for Glucose Control?
Q: "Since carbs turn to sugar, why shouldn’t people with diabetes eat a low carb diet to keep their blood sugar from increasing so much after meals?”
Recipes Containing Sugar
Q: “I noticed in some recipes on your web site that regular sugar was used. Shouldn’t you recommend sugar substitute instead? I thought we shouldn’t use regular sugar.”
New Year's Resolutions
Q: “I have type 2 diabetes and know that I should lose weight and exercise more. Every year my number one New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight. I usually start a diet and get back to exercising, but I get frustrated when I don’t lose enough weight and end up giving it up. Is there anything that can help me stay with the program this time?”
Tips for Managing Diabetes During the Holidays
Q: "Despite my best intentions, I always seem to have a difficult time keeping my diabetes in control during the winter holidays. Do you have any suggestions?"
Holiday Cooking Tips
Q: “My family will be visiting me over the holidays along with a brother-in-law who has type 1 diabetes. I am concerned about what to cook. Do you have any suggestions on how I can prepare tasty foods for the holidays that fit within a healthy diet for someone with diabetes?”
Eggs
Q: "I have heard that diabetics should avoid eggs more than non-diabetics. Is this true? Is this due to cholesterol, because that would make egg-white omelets OK, or should egg-whites also be avoided?"
Trans Fats
Q: "What are Trans Fats?"
Food Borne Illness
Q: "I read something about food poisoning and picnics; is this of any special concern since I have diabetes?"
Effective Carbs for Fiber and Sugar Alcohols
Q: "I am wondering what the term "effective carbs" means. I have read that in addition to subtracting fiber grams, one may also reduce the total carb count by the grams of sugar alcohols, to reach an "effective carb" count. Is this true?"
Stevia® as a Sweetener
Q: "Is the herbal supplement Stevia safe to use as a sweetener? I have tried it, and it makes a much better tasting pitcher of sweet tea than artificial sweeteners."
Subtracting Fiber Grams from the Carb Grams
Q: "I've just started getting the "hang" of carb counting, then I read something on “Effective Carbs” that has thrown a monkey wrench in the mix. Does subtracting the fiber content from a food really lessen the carb content? i.e. fiber cereal total carbs per 1/2 cup = 18 - 8 fiber g = total effective carbs 10."
SPLENDA®
Q: "Has there been any research regarding the effect of splenda on blood sugar levels?"
Caffeine and Diabetes
Q: "I am a Type 2 Diabetic male 55 years old. Does Black Coffee affect blood sugar? I have not been able to find any reference to Coffee & Diabetes."
Sugar Alcohols
Q: "What is the difference between sugar and alcohol sugar?"
What is too much carbohydrate?
Q: "How can you tell when you are taking in too much carbohydrate with your meals."
Low Carbohydrate Diet
Q: "Have you read the book The Carbohydrate Addict's Health Heart Program by Drs. Richard and Rachael Heller and Dr Fredrick J. Vagnini? It's a about cutting carbohydrate cravings, insulin, and insulin resistance by following their eating program. I read it and it sounds like a great alternative to the more strict diabetic eating program but I want to find out if any professionals would recommend trying it. I am a newly diagnosed diabetic. My doctor says he wants to give me 2 months to get my blood sugar under control with diet, exercise, and weight loss (I am about 60 lbs. overweight) before putting me on oral medication.."
Diabetic Cookbooks
Q: "Can you recommend any Diabetic Cookbooks? Also, regarding foods labeled "sugar free" - I don't always think that means it is a good idea for me to eat whatever it is. I am having a tough time learning to eat foods other than sweet snacks. I am newly diagnosed."
Count Carbs or Count Sugar
Q: "I already look for carbs on food labels. Should I check for grams of sugar as well? My physician said not to look for sugar. Is she right?"
Glycemic Index
Q: "How can I figure out the "glycemic" factor for different foods? By reading the label (prepared foods)? I've been told that this helps prevent major sugar fluctuations. Is this true?"
Is Meat Ever Counted as a Carb?
Q: "When counting carbs, is meat ever counted as a carb? Our support group couldn’t agree on this."
Nutrition Advice
Q: "Can you provide me with some nutrition recommendations for a diabetic diet? I am newly diagnosed and am afraid to eat anything!"
Fiber
Q: "I read that fiber is good for people with diabetes. If this is true, please explain why—and how much should I have?"
Recipes
Q: "Do you have any recipes for people with diabetes? I have so much difficulty figuring out what to cook."
Coffee decreases diabetes risk?
Q: "I heard on the news that coffee is good for type 2 diabetes. How can I find out more about this?"
Low Carbohydrate Diet Controversy
Q: "I have type 2 diabetes diagnosed 3 months ago, I have gone to 3 of the classes at the hospital. The dietitian told me I was to have 225 grams of carbs in a day evenly spread out through the day, but the only way I can keep my blood sugar down in normal range is to consume only 100-125 grams a day. I'm not on any meds—diet and exercise control only. My question is: by lowering my carb intake am I taking any chances of any other medical problems? Also when first diagnosed, my weight was 279 pounds and now, 3 months later, it’s 249 pounds due to exercise, and avoiding junk food."
Cornstarch
Q: "I keep hearing about the low-glycemic cornstarch that some companies are putting in their low carb food, but I haven’t found a producer or a marketing source........Is there such a thing?"
Aspartame
Q: "Is ingestion of aspartame harmful to consumers, whether or not you have diabetes?"
Hidden Trans Fat
Q: "The Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Plus Yogurt® label says "No Trans Fat per serving", but the ingredients state it contains partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Now I'm confused, does this have to do with the percentage in a tub?"
Net Carbs
Q: "I have had diabetes for 37 years and I do count my carbs. The new NET CARB craze has an effect on diabetic food exchanges. The formula says: Take total carbs (in grams), minus fiber, minus sugar alcohol = NET CARBS. I took a Carb Solution bar that says NET CARBS 3G. However, the bar breakdown is: Fat: 13g, Total Carbs: 15g, Fiber 1g, Sugars 1g, Protein 21g. If you subtract the fiber & sugars, you get 13g, not 3g. Why is this formula not working?? Also, does this formula work on all foods or only on these protein bars? Either way, the numbers didn't add up! This NET CARB formula may make a big difference in what I am able to eat each day. Can you explain how this formula is actually supposed to work? Why do some of the carbs not count (where do they go?) and why don’t the numbers add up on the above bar?"
Artificial Sweeteners
Q: "Do artificial sweeteners raise blood sugar?"
Breaks/Snacks at Work
Q: "I have type 2 diabetes and I take Amaryl® 4 mg and Actos® 30 mg. I am having a difficult time with scheduling meals. My day begins with mounds of paper work and meetings to attend so that means that sometimes I don't get to eat breakfast or lunch, and end up eating junk food. I am constantly stressed out. How can I let my supervisors, and co-workers know in a tactful way that I need to take breaks and eat my meals and snacks everyday and at the same time without jeopardizing my job?"
Weight Control Resources
Q: "Can you give me some tips for losing weight?"
Calcium and Weight Loss
Q: "I read that drinking milk can help you lose weight and even prevent diabetes. Would you elaborate?"
Jam Using Splenda®
Q: "I have always made plum jam each summer. My husband has diabetes. Is there a recipe for jam or jelly using Splenda?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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