My husband just learned today that he has diabetis. He is only 34 years old. I would love any advise on how I can be supportive. His father died at an early age due to a diabetic stroke, so I can't say this is a total shock, but I thought we were pretty healthy. I do a lot of cooking but really am a little overwhelmed about how to incorporate a whole new way of eating into family meal time. Any thoughts will be appreciated!
Hi new friends! Wow your responses are overwhelming :) Actually last week my husband had to go to the ER and we found out he had pneumonia. He was in the hospital for 2 days but is feeling so much better now. We are getting the hang of all the testing and insulin. Hopefully in the near future he won't need medication and can use diet and exercise alone to manage it. In the meantime I have gotten several great diabetic recipes! Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers - God is in control!
My neighbor also has diabetes. Her daughter wanted to throw a surprise 30th anniversary party for her parents. All the food we prepared came from www.diabetic-recipes.com. With a table full of finger-type foods, leftovers were few. We never breathed a word about our "little secret".
Good luck to you!
K.,
I am a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian. First of all, take a deep breath- everything will be OK. Here are 5 things you can do to get started:
1. I highly recommend you investigate some diabetes education classes. I'm not sure where you live, but Baylor and Harris have excellent programs. The classes teach both you and your husband everything you both ever wanted to know about diabetes and I always encourage spouses to attend. These are typically covered by insurance. Baylor also has support groups. There is also an online company that provides diabetes coaching- www.fit4d.com.
2. Make sure he tests his blood sugars. The American Diabetes Association recommends at least 2 times a day. The goal before meals is 80-120 and 2 hours after meals he should be less than 140. Some doctors may have different goals.
3. Think about seeing a specialist, an endocrinologist, who specializes in diabetes. Dr. Darren Lackan and Dr. Chris Bajaj in SW FW are both excellent- www.dtc-fw.com They also have 2 dietitans/diabetes educators on their staff.
4. There is no such thing as a "diabetic diet". People with diabetes can eat anything, but you need to watch portions. Total carbohdyrates are what matter- not just sugar. As a starting point, I generally recommend 30-60 grams of carbohdyrate per meal as a starting point.
5. Exercise!!! Exercise lowers blood sugar. It's not a choice, it's a treatment. Think of exercise as medication.
That's just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much information out there and I encourage you both to learn as much as you can. Diabetes complications can be prevented with education and good blood sugar control. I have worked with many people with diabetes over the years and can tell you that many times they are much healthier than people without diabetes- when they exercise and eat healthy. A diagnosis of diabetes can be scarey and overwhelming, but diabetes CAN be managed! Let me know how else I can help. Good luck!
S. M. MS,RD,LD,CDE
Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator
As a diabetic, he can live a normal healthy long life, as long as he takes care of himself. The way you can help is to keep foods that he should not be eating out of your home. I am sure you will get alot of advice on recipes, so in time that will not be an issue for you. Also, if you do not have a health club membership, it might be good to sign up at your local YMCA. If he doesn't excercise, maybe seeing you getting into the habit will help inspire him? Also, a way to support him is to not 'nag' him...hard to do if you see him not taking charge of his health, but keeping your marriage strong is more beneficial than the 'nagging'. Prayer is a good thing as well. I will say a prayer for you guys.
Hi K. A. I'm new to mamasource and I feel that it's a very good thing for us mom's to look out for one another. I'm a Christian woman,mom and wife. Recently, I saw on christian tv a doctor named Don Colbert who was saying that diabetes type II can be reversed by the way you eat. He has a book out on this. He was saying that diabetes can be reversed but doctors aren't telling patients this. Go to his website or to the Christian book stores to check out some of his books. My mother is diabetes type II and it's very hard because if the person isn't eating properly,exercising of some kind and taking correct medications. With lots of prayer though and a commited lifestyle to GOD all shall be well.Your in my prayers please write back if you need anymore help. P.S. Many cookbooks on cooking diabetic meals are out on the market as well,Walmart carry them as well.
One of my co-workers found out her hubby had diabetes and he is only 28. She changed both their eating habits and not just his. She says he enjoys the food more that she is eating the same foods as he is. She makes this banana pudding with no sugar products that is to die for.. A diabetic diet can be fun, trying new things to see what you like or don't like. Just look at as a new adventure, they have all kinds of cookbooks and recipes online for free. Both of you should talk to the doctor so that you make the best choices for your family. Good luck! Oh one more thing.. I buy these sugar free zero calorie drink mixes at walmart and target and they are great. You just pour a little of the water out of a bottle water so you have room to shake them up. I put them in my kids lunches(I make them) and put the packets in my purse when I go to work, when I want something other than water. Teh strawberry lemonade(Market pantry-target brand) is very good at Target and the lemonade and grape are good at walmart and they are the store brand. I am not much help on the food.
K.,
I am hypoglycemic and 38 years old. I have to watch my self very carefully for that not turning into diabeties.
I eat wonderful food with little to no sugaar. You will find that when you go to the store even "sugar free" will have lots of sugars...they are hidden in flours and milk products. Try Carb Control milk...it is a little pricey for a quart...but it has a very long shelf life. it is sweetened with Splenda so it only has 3 carbs. My 12 year old uses the blue box that i think is low fat... but we also buy her the chocolate. The chocolate is VERY chocolately so she mixes with the white and drinks. It isn't SOY so no bad taste. Now that dairy is out of the way...you want him to be able to eat wonderful foods with rich flavors, have sweets and not feel deprived right? I have done this for my family, and they love the foods. Go to Suzanne Somers web site to learn about sommersizing.
Is is a very no carb(sugar) way of living. I lost so much weight before without really trying...I am back on it since my weight went back up and I was getting closer to the "diabetic range". I even fix a cheesecake weekly for our family to enjoy completely sugar free. I do use a artificial sweetener though. My family loves that they can have lots of variety and i get to experiment cooking fabulous and wonderful food. I would love to share more if you like.
Take a deep breath and relax......, if you don't he won't it's no big deal. I had my mother-in-law and she had if you just buy groceries differently now the you'll get used to it and I'd bet you'd be surprised at the fruits and veg in your cupboard that are sugar free cause they taste better. just cook sugar free. use jello and I liked sugar twin for baking it is cup for cup same in recipes. If you cook same stuff just make it sugar free he'll get it better. good luck Kathy in benbrook.
