[michele87]

Hi I'm not sure how this works yet. I could defiantly use some help. This disease is getting really frustrating!!

"> I am a type 1 diabetic. I got diagnosed about 10 years ago. It's been a really rough road I was 17 years old when I found out. I had a really hard time trying to adjust to this new life style. Most of my A1C tests have been in the 8s or 9s which is really high. I want to feel healthy and live a long life but I feel like this is getting the best of me. Does anyone know things that helped them? Foods to avoid? I've tried less carbs but I always end up being hungry. I also have always had a fast metabolism and when my sugars are constantly high it's really hard for me to gain weight. If anyone has any good advice other than what doctors say I'd really appreciate it. I'm 26 years old and want to have children soon but I need my sugars to be much lower! Help please!

[peter121siddel]

No doubt that healthy diet has several benefits including diabetes control. Need to maintain the balance of healthy food, physical exercise and insulin.
Add carbohydrates foods in your diet plan that contains starch, natural sugar and high dietary fiber. There are many foods that are best to lowering the blood sugar level such as Grains, beans, green bananas, wholegrain breads, fruits and vegetables. But without healthy lifestyle you can’t control the diabetes. Here are the lifestyle tips that treat diabetes naturally or may useful to lower the blood sugar level.

[dano]

Welcome to the Forum!

Read and learn all that you can on your condition. Self education is one of the keys to successful management of your diabetes, along with a healthy / sensible diet and exercise. Basically, diabetes requires a life-style change for the better.

A diabetes diet is not about restrictions - it's how everyone should eat - lean proteins, low fat, unprocessed carbs from fruits and vegetables and plenty of exercise. You could try eating more proteins and drinking more water during your meals if you are feeling hungry afterwards.

Good luck with your control and management.

[dano]

Originally Posted by michele87

Foods to avoid?

Rule of Thumb: Avoid foods made with and/or containing anything white!
This would include breads, sugar, potatoes, flour, milk, etc.

Learn to count carbs, your body will thank you down the road.

[michele87]

Thank you. I will defiantly try the different foods it's just so hard when you have cravings for something you shouldn't eat.

[michele87]

It's also very frustrating when I eat right and take my insulin that it's still not right or consistent. It's so hard sometimes when your doctors constantly say do you want to live a long life. They don't have it nor do they know my struggles. How do other people deal with this or have the same problem

[j_philips]

Michelle87,

So you need some advice? Okay. First let me tell you that I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1970; 43 years ago. The VERY best advice I could give you is to recommend an insulin pump. It really is miraculous. My A1C had been in the 8.0 to 9.0 rang for years, and NOTHING I tried had any effect on it. I finally decided to try an insulin pump. In 90 days my A1C had dropped to 6.0. I presently am at about 5.7. The best news is that on an insulin pump, you really can eat just about anything that you desire. The trick is to know, or have an accurate idea of the total carbs of whatever you're gonna eat. Then take the insulin, and sit back and have your mind blown at how your blood sugars remain level. It really is THE best way to control type 1 diabetes. I hope my "advice" helps. Good luck. After having had type 1 for 43 years, I can tell you that if you control this, you'll be healthier than people who don't have diabetes. That's a promise.

[trailboss]

I was diagnosed as Type 1 around 8 months ago. Was probably Type 1 for a few years before that but the Docs were trying to avoid insulin and control it with diet, meds and exercise. Wasn't working well. Now, in spite of lots of poking and shots, I feel much better. I've been learning that my body type responds well to proteins, much less so to certain white carbs. I've been trying to eat a bit of protein when I eat carbs and I seem to have a more stable number.

Here is a diet that seems to work for me.

breakfast - meat, eggs, cheese, vegetables (omelet or scrambled eggs and ham)
snack - fruit or ants on a log
lunch - 1/2 a meat and cheese sandwich using whole grain bread
snack - fruit
dinner - small salad, meat, vegetables and limited carbs (I've been aiming for 20-30)
snack - usually mixed nuts

I seem to be less hungry on this diet than I used to be when I was eating more carbs. I'm very new to diabetes Type 1 so I still have lots to learn. I don't know enough to give advice, but I can share what I'm doing and maybe others can associate.

[michele87]

Thank you both for the advice! I was scared about the insulin pump because doesn't it get in the way? Especially in the summer time. I guess I need to look into more but if I can get my a1c down to 6.0 I would be extremely happy so I guess that's the way to go. I will definitely talk to my doctor. Thanks for the advice on what to eat I usually stick to most of those things but snacking gets to be the tricky part. I have noticed when I eat almonds it does fill me instead of eating something full of carbs. I've had it for a while and it's just very discouraging to constantly see a high number in my meter. I will try both thanks so much!!

[j_philips]

Michelle87,

Your question was: doesn't the pump get in the way? The answer is an unequivocal no. The pump is about the size of a pager. Do you ever watch American Idol? A couple of years ago, there was a girl named Crystal Bowersox that made it to the final two in the contest. She came in the runner up, but anyhow, she was on an insulin pump while competing in American Idol. Then there was a lady that won Miss America a few years ago while wearing an insulin pump. You can store it very discretely in a bunch of places. If you want to take a look at the pump that I use, go to Animascorp.com and take a look. You'll love life on the pump. Good luck.