I believe I may be diabetic due to many symptoms. I have gained weight around the middle and I am currently about 30 pounds overweight. I get really shaky and light headed if I eat just oatmeal for breakfast. One day I got so sick after eating only scrambled eggs for breakfast. I have to pee a lot, esp after having a cup of coffee with honey and cream...literally I will need to pee every 10 minutes for a couple of hours. I simply can handle very little sugar, even though I don't consume as much as the average person.

So, I am going to cut way down on grain and starches and consume very little sugar. I usually eat eggs for one meal during the day, but my problem is what do I eat with them? If I eat a meat with them, then I feel really hungry a couple of hours later. If I eat a grain and meat, then I feel satisfied much longer and I do use a ton of fat. What do I eat for breakfast now? I usually have a smoothie or oatmeal. But I think my raw milk smoothies are too high in sugar because of lactose from the milk and usually I put a banana. I do have coffee with a teaspoon of honey and some cream. But I plan to eliminate that by tapering off. I am just at a loss of how to stay satisfied without the grain or potatoes. I don't feel like my meal is complete without one or the other. BTW I am still nursing too, so I really need about 4 meals a day with 1-2 snacks. It will break the bank if I start buying more grass fed meat, because I already eat it 1-2 times per day. Are beans good for diabetes? Is something like quinoa and buckwheat good too or are they too high in carbs? I would like to lose some weight too. I want to get preggo soon and don't want to have the complications of diabetes. I plan to try to get pregnant in 3 months.

Thanks for any suggestions!

:hug first of all, you must MUST go and see a doctor. Diabetes is life threatening, and not something to be self dx.

My dh is type one diabetic, and wasn`t dx till the age of 27. :( He nearly died, kidneys failed, eyesight failed, the whole shebang. It was not a good scene.

As far as your diet, your life is about to become very low carb. You can eat complex carbs in moderation, but should completely avoid simple carbs, which I`m assuming you do because your on the tf board! :lol

Legumes and lentils are a great choice for protein to stretch your budget!

The cream in your coffee is fine, the honey isn`t great for you, but moderation right?

Please update when you know what is going on.

http://www.diabetes-book.com/ This is one of the books that got me started looking into traditional foods.

I really believe the info in this book. My family has seen great results. He backs up all of his suggestions w/ scientific references and has recipes and specific lists of what you can eat. Beans, nuts, grains, potatoes, fruit, milk, and starchy veggies (onions, tomatoes, carrots) are all off limits. Eggs, meat, cheese, cream, and low-carb veggies are okay. The book explains why your blood sugar can crash even when you eat the "right" low-carb foods. The book has great info about blood testing, what the tests mean, what to ask for, etc. It also describes how to make sure that your home finger-stick monitor is working (call their office to find out which brand they currently recommend as the most accurate).

They suggest calling their office to discuss pregnancy and diabetes. They don't cover that in the book. Good luck!

ETA: He also describes why artificial sweeteners are not good for blood sugar control, but that if you are truly diabetic, you really can't have any sugars. I think he says that stevia is okay. He also describes how to use urine test strips to get a rough gauge of what foods are too carby (e.g., gravy on a meat dish when you are eating out). I've wondered if his method could be used to make sure that fermented salsa is low-carb enough. Even though tomatoes have too much sugar, perhaps my diabetic family members could eat fermented salsa. We haven't experimented yet, but we are planning to try.

imo, if you really think you may be pre diabetic, I would eat only meat, eggs and veggies for a while, however boring that may be. I would then see what changes happen and slowly add these grains if necessary...quinoa, brown rice, and buckwheat. All 3 are low glycemic. I've heard that yams are low glycemic but you should double check that. I would do NO sugar at all. Pre diabetic or not, sugar is bad. I know honey isn't good for diabetics so I'd use agave until you feel better. I know agave has more fructose and honey is technically healthier but in your condition, temporary use of agave wouldn't be bad, imo, since is low glycemic. Your taste buds are accustomed to what you are eating right now but taste buds can easily be changed. Eating small, frequent snacks might help instead of larger meals. I've been weaning myself off grains because they make me feel sluggish. Right now I eat them about twice a week.

go to see an MD. it's really simple bloodtests they do to dx diabetes. they'll most likely do a fasting blood sugar and maybe a hemoglobin a1c to see how your bs has been for the past 3 months. not a big deal and not expensive if its just the fasting bs test and you have no insurance. your symptoms could be diabetes, or not, but why self-dx?

Dh is type 1, so I have a fair amount of knowledge here.
You are certainly displaying Type 2 symptoms.
You need to go and get yourself tested professionally, and get a meter, so you can track what is going on.
While you are waiting for your tests, order High Vitamin Cod Liver Oil ( www.drrons.com (http://www.drrons.com) ) and start taking a double or triple dose every day.
You can get capsules if you want.
The reason for this, is it brings the bodies ability to heal properly, back into balance.
When you are diabetic, your liver does not function well. So real A and D will support you far more then you can imagine.
Diabetics are told that they will have great trouble with infections and healing, and will eventually likely lose limbs and eyesite.
All of this is true if you follow the mainstream way of eating.
You also need to lower your carb intake, and make sure its complex carbs.
Do not touch any kind of processed food again.
You also need to eat as much as a full cup of of real fats ( you should work your way up to that amount) per day.
The fats will assist in metabolizing any and all carbs and natural sugars that you ingest.
If at all possible, find a source for raw milk as well. And drink it whole.
Skim milk is just the sugar portion of the milk.

When you have your dr appointment, you are going to get a very long speel about eating low fat. Just nod, smile and say thank you.

DH no longer has any of the issue he used to deal with.
He has next to no problem with cuts or scratches. They heal as fast as mine do, or faster!
He also has halted the nerve damage that occurs.

Please feel free to ask me what a good menu looks like.
I have tons more info if you want it.

[QUOTE=Cristiaz;14012274] I know honey isn't good for diabetics so I'd use agave until you feel better. I know agave has more fructose and honey is technically healthier but in your condition, temporary use of agave wouldn't be bad, imo, since is low glycemic. QUOTE]

FYI!!!! Agave must be metabolized by the liver, and if you are diabetic, that is a recipe for disaster!!!
On top of that, it is processed in the same way high fructose corn syrup is.
Even the so called raw ones, are not even close to being raw.
Many of the brands have been tested, and found to contain very little actual agave as well.
They are filled out with hfcs.

Raw honey in controlled amounts is an excellent sweetner for a diabetic. It metabolizes slowly.

Thanks all for the info. I do eat a TF diet already, mostly including CLO, lots of butter, cocounut oil, liver, lots of eggs and meat and dairy. I just need to cut out grain & sugar and figure out how to stay satisfied without it. Cutting out onions will be hard. I had no idea they are starchy. I don't think going to the doc would help much and then would make it impossible for me to get good health insurance once I am tagged as pre diabetic or diabetic. I am buying a blood glucose monitor to see what happens. I am not going to take medicine when I know this is completely controllable with diet and exercise. So if anyone has anymore good ideas for books, I would appreciate it. Some foods I didn't know are high glycemic like some squash.

I am hungry right now and don't know what I can eat. I ate some plain yogurt, cheese, and brazil nuts. I guess the glucose monitor will help me figure this out.

I am eliminating sugar...I wish I like Stevia.

Ok, anybody know where to find a good low glycemic food chart? I tried pulling some up online, but it is ridiculous. I lists pound cake and apple juice as low glycemic foods.

I usually eat eggs for one meal during the day, but my problem is what do I eat with them? If I eat a meat with them, then I feel really hungry a couple of hours later.

What about greens instead of grain? Poached eggs with spinach and hollandaise sounds really good :bgbounce

Thanks all for the info. I do eat a TF diet already, mostly including CLO, lots of butter, cocounut oil, liver, lots of eggs and meat and dairy. I just need to cut out grain & sugar and figure out how to stay satisfied without it. Cutting out onions will be hard. I had no idea they are starchy. I don't think going to the doc would help much and then would make it impossible for me to get good health insurance once I am tagged as pre diabetic or diabetic. I am buying a blood glucose monitor to see what happens. I am not going to take medicine when I know this is completely controllable with diet and exercise. So if anyone has anymore good ideas for books, I would appreciate it. Some foods I didn't know are high glycemic like some squash.

I am hungry right now and don't know what I can eat. I ate some plain yogurt, cheese, and brazil nuts. I guess the glucose monitor will help me figure this out.

I am eliminating sugar...I wish I like Stevia.

I would not worry about cutting out onions and squash fully. As long as you are eating them as side dishes, and loading them with lots of butter you will be fine.
Sweet potatoes are better to eat, over white potatoes, but even those, when eaten in small amounts are just fine.

Lots of extra fats will also leave you feeling satisfied as well.

I myself am free of gluten containing grains. I eat only brown rice a few times per week.
The cravings only lasted about 2 weeks.
It can be done, and its not as bad as it can seem in the first few days.
You can do it.

What about greens instead of grain? Poached eggs with spinach and hollandaise sounds really good :bgbounce

Yeah it does...maybe for breakfast. How do you make your hollandaise sauce?

I'll post more tomorrow when I'm not up waaaay past my bedtime. :o I'm subscribing so I remember. But I did want to say that I agree with PaulaJoAnne. Then again, we're coming from a similar place. My ds has Type 1.

One thing I'd like to add. Quitting gluten grains ASAP is, IMO, very important. If it takes you awhile to go off other grains, so be it, but stop the gluten now. It can cause Type 1, and from what I've read and seen in others of my family, it can cause Type 2 as well.

And a seemingly unrelated question for you. Do you have any teeth that could be giving you a problem? Any that have given you a problem recently, but you got it "fixed"? I'll explain tomorrow (OK, TBH, later today).

I also agree with PaulaJoAnne. Fats are important.

We eat a bit of potatoes, lots of onions and garlic, (always with butter or bacon fat) some rice, and pasta as a treat once in a blue moon.

I have even cut bread out of our lives with little to no pain! :lol

My dh and I could not live without fruit though... but it doesn't spike his blood sugar levels like it used too, so maybe it's the fats like PaulaJoAnne said?

All I know is, since dh stopped eating SAD, and started eating a more TF diet (we're going to pick up some CLO today from the health food store :wink) he's gone from being one sick puppy who had to take a rediculous amount of insulin and still couldn't get his sugars under control, to having to take barely any insulin at all! :joy: He still has to take some, but his diabetes is under control, and he feels great.

When I ready LIghts OUt (http://www.amazon.com/Lights-Out-Sleep-Sugar-Survival/dp/0671038680), they talked about sleeping 9.5 hours a night, at the very least, and how important it is to go to sleep with the sun and sleep in pitch black in order to help our bodies' immune systems. They specifically mention diabetes and heart disease. Lack of sleep, and lack of sleep in the dark cause us to crave carbs and do other things to our hormones to cause diabetes and heart disease. I'm no expert, but I'm trying to do these things, but it doesn't always happen. I just wanted to throw it out to you, that maybe it's just about food and exercise and enough sleep.

I'll post more tomorrow when I'm not up waaaay past my bedtime. :o I'm subscribing so I remember. But I did want to say that I agree with PaulaJoAnne. Then again, we're coming from a similar place. My ds has Type 1.

One thing I'd like to add. Quitting gluten grains ASAP is, IMO, very important. If it takes you awhile to go off other grains, so be it, but stop the gluten now. It can cause Type 1, and from what I've read and seen in others of my family, it can cause Type 2 as well.

And a seemingly unrelated question for you. Do you have any teeth that could be giving you a problem? Any that have given you a problem recently, but you got it "fixed"? I'll explain tomorrow (OK, TBH, later today).

Yeap, got a cavity now and one fixed.

I am not going to take medicine when I know this is completely controllable with diet and exercise. So if anyone has anymore good ideas for books, I would appreciate it. Some foods I didn't know are high glycemic like some squash...


According to my brother's book, Diabetes Solution (http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bernsteins-Diabetes-Solution-Achieving/dp/0316099066), squash is okay. He eats squashes as one of his major food groups. He uses cauliflower for potatoes. According to the book I liked to earlier, the glycemic index is flawed, but I don't remember why.

The book starts out very strict and helps you learn to monitor your blood sugar and find what you can handle. It's all about monitoring blood sugar frequently - the book will tell at what frequency and intervals to check. It has revolutionized my brother's life, but my brother really cannnot handle tomatoes or onions or potatoes or nuts or even a touch of honey. He's limited to about 20 carbs per day, which is obviously way less than the ADA recommends, and eats TF high-fat, which is again what the ADA says will raise his cholesterol and kill him. Following this plan, he is completely off of the drugs and is able to maintain controlled, normal blood sugars of under 100 and healthy cholesterol, something his endocrinologist says is impossible.

The author of the Diabetes Solution was an engineer w/ type 1 diabetes who realized that he was going to die as a young, sick man. His doctors wouldn't answer his questions adequately, so he went to med school to figure out how to heal himself. If my brother had just had this book at the beginning, he would have never needed to bother with ignorant and harmful endocrinologists.

[QUOTE=Cristiaz;14012274] I know honey isn't good for diabetics so I'd use agave until you feel better. I know agave has more fructose and honey is technically healthier but in your condition, temporary use of agave wouldn't be bad, imo, since is low glycemic. QUOTE]

FYI!!!! Agave must be metabolized by the liver, and if you are diabetic, that is a recipe for disaster!!!
On top of that, it is processed in the same way high fructose corn syrup is.
Even the so called raw ones, are not even close to being raw.
Many of the brands have been tested, and found to contain very little actual agave as well.
They are filled out with hfcs.

Raw honey in controlled amounts is an excellent sweetner for a diabetic. It metabolizes slowly.

Thanks for the info! Are saying that all agave syrups contain hfcs but the bottles don't label it as such? Do you have a link or something where I can read more? I don't use it but my husband does in his coffee. I've tried having him switch to honey (I have local honey) and he won't but if he reads the right info he will. Thanks!

Thanks all for the info. I do eat a TF diet already, mostly including CLO, lots of butter, cocounut oil, liver, lots of eggs and meat and dairy. I just need to cut out grain & sugar and figure out how to stay satisfied without it. Cutting out onions will be hard. I had no idea they are starchy. I don't think going to the doc would help much and then would make it impossible for me to get good health insurance once I am tagged as pre diabetic or diabetic. I am buying a blood glucose monitor to see what happens. I am not going to take medicine when I know this is completely controllable with diet and exercise. So if anyone has anymore good ideas for books, I would appreciate it. Some foods I didn't know are high glycemic like some squash.

I am hungry right now and don't know what I can eat. I ate some plain yogurt, cheese, and brazil nuts. I guess the glucose monitor will help me figure this out.

I am eliminating sugar...I wish I like Stevia.

yuck, i hate stevia too!

do you know the parameters of normal fasting blood sugars? there is no point in monitoring your sugas without a bit of knowledge first, which is why, among other reasons id suggest seeing a hcp of some kind, if not a regular md maybe see a holistic md or naturopath. if you see a hcp privately like a nd they wont report any findings to your insurance company, at least the nds here wouldnt. for that matter my md, a family physician is very cool and open, if i explained i was concerned about being diabetic but didnt want that dx if i was hed figure something out. find a hcp you trust and get some general advice.

1) I agree with the OP, you definitely need to see a doctor. You don't want to wait until you lose a leg or something.

2) A good way to tell if you're headed for (or have) diabetes is to check your fasting glucose test. I have an Ascensia Breeze 2 blood glucose meter. You can buy them & glucose strips over the counter at a pharmacy. Usually companies will offer considerable rebates if you also purchase strips.

This will also tell you if, how and in what incriments raw honey (or any food) does/n't affect your blood sugar.

Honey has more calories (almost 2x as many), sugars and carbs than sugar. Though it's lower on the GI scale than sugar, it will still raise blood sugar - the idea of the GI scale is that lower numbers raise blood sugar slower than higher numbers, not necessarily less than, which is important if you do have diabetes.

Insulin is effected by any sugar & if you actually have diabetes, you want to avoid sugar in all forms until you get a handle on what and how different foods affect your glucose - for that you need a glucose meter.

To deterimine how your diet effects you blood sugar you'll want to test before you eat food & an hour after you eat it. For something controled like the effects of honey vs. sugar, I would test in the morning before eating, put 1 Tbsp granulated sugar in your coffee, eat nothing else & then test an hour later. The next morning test before eating, put 1 Tbsp of honey in your coffee, eat nothing else & then test an hour later.

That will definitely tell you how either sugar effects your glucose. It's a fun experiment!

Good luck!

ETA: here are the guildelines for fasting blood sugar: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/insulinresistance/

do you know the parameters of normal fasting blood sugars? there is no point in monitoring your sugas without a bit of knowledge first, which is why, among other reasons id suggest seeing a hcp of some kind, if not a regular md maybe see a holistic md or naturopath. if you see a hcp privately like a nd they wont report any findings to your insurance company, at least the nds here wouldnt. for that matter my md, a family physician is very cool and open, if i explained i was concerned about being diabetic but didnt want that dx if i was hed figure something out. find a hcp you trust and get some general advice.

Fasting Blood Glucose tests are part of most normal checkups. There's no reason your insurance company would be concerned, even if your sugars/triglycerides are high. High blood sugar is pretty common now adays. It's, in many circumstances, a reversable problem.

If you want to leave your doctor out of it for now, get a blood glucose moniter. They're handy & interesting to have even if you aren't diabetic.

Fasting Blood Glucose tests are part of most normal checkups. There's no reason your insurance company would be concerned, even if your sugars/triglycerides are high. High blood sugar is pretty common now adays. It's, in many circumstances, a reversable problem.

If you want to leave your doctor out of it for now, get a blood glucose moniter. They're handy & interesting to have even if you aren't diabetic.

ita. i just wanted the op to know its not that big of a deal to see a doc and get some medical advice for what may, or may not be, a medical condition. then take it from there and treat it with good food if thats what you feel is best.

[QUOTE=PaulaJoAnne;14012461]

Thanks for the info! Are saying that all agave syrups contain hfcs but the bottles don't label it as such? Do you have a link or something where I can read more? I don't use it but my husband does in his coffee. I've tried having him switch to honey (I have local honey) and he won't but if he reads the right info he will. Thanks!

Here is some of what I went back and found.
Some of the syrups do have hfcs, even though its not on the label, and all are processed the same way as hfcs.
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/10/01/agave-nectar-and-xylitol-good-or-bad/

An except on how Agave is processed from http://www.living-foods.com/articles/agave.html

...Agave plants are crushed, and the sap collected into tanks. The sap is then heated to about 140°F for about 36 hours not only to concentrate the liquid into a syrup, but to develop the sweetness. The main carbohydrates in the agave sap are complex forms of fructose called fructosans, one of which is inulin, a straight-chain fructose polymer about ten eight to 10 fructose sugar units long. In this state, the sap is not very sweet.

When the agave sap is heated, the complex fructosans are hydrolyzed, or broken into their constituent fructose units. The fructose-rich solution is then filtered to obtain the desired products that range from dark syrup with a characteristic vanilla aroma, to a light amber liquid with more neutral characteristics. Excerpt from: FoodProcessing.com

ETA: He also describes why artificial sweeteners are not good for blood sugar control, but that if you are truly diabetic, you really can't have any sugars. I think he says that stevia is okay. He also describes how to use urine test strips to get a rough gauge of what foods are too carby (e.g., gravy on a meat dish when you are eating out). I've wondered if his method could be used to make sure that fermented salsa is low-carb enough. Even though tomatoes have too much sugar, perhaps my diabetic family members could eat fermented salsa. We haven't experimented yet, but we are planning to try.



Yeah, there are some people with insulin/blood sugar issues can't handle artificial sweeteners. There was a poll a long time ago on a diabetes support forum & there were only a few whose blood sugar was affected by artifical sweeteners (I think it was Splenda, specifically).

There are also some people who can't handle coffee. It effects their blood sugar, who knows how, and it's not worth it for them to drink.

The only way to know if with a BGM.

I've heard of those strips, I'm sure they work well for people who are especially sensitive, but no one I know uses them. Anyone I know who is on an extremely strict medical diet (i.e. Ketogenic diet for seizures) can't eat out anyway, and the rest of us have more leway if we use common sense.

I guess if you're "going Atkins" it'd be one way to stay in "Induction," but common sense can get you a long way. Gravy is always going to have flour or cornstarch as a thickener.

I've tried having him switch to honey (I have local honey) and he won't but if he reads the right info he will. Thanks!


Is your husband diabetic?? He should probably test his response to honey before you "switch him over," but I don't know why you'd do that if he found something that works for him.

I've read that honey is only beneficial topically for diabetics with sores etc.

Guess you wont know till he tests!

So many thoughts running around my head. :dizzy: I'll try to be organized in this post, but I can't promise anything.

First off, honey. Good raw honey, used in moderation isn't as bad as some think (in general - you should test yourself and see how your body reacts). To compare it with sugar, though, you can't just use equal quantities. Honey is sweeter than sugar, and I'd say you only need about half as much (I think recipe books recommend two thirds or three quarters as much, but don't eat our foods very sweet, and other recommendations always seem too sweet). And eating it alone is very different than eating it with protein and/or fat.

As for stevia, what we do is to use stevia along with honey. We use the stevia to boost the sweetness, not as the only sweetener. When used that way, I don't think you can taste the stevia at all.

I bake with coconut flour or nut butters, and when I sweeten things with a little honey and stevia, they are pretty low carb (the typical muffin I make is about 7g of carb). No sugar rushes.

We have found with ds that foods that he reacts to cause insulin resistance in him for about 12 hrs. (I've heard the same from some others, too). We have to really load him up with insulin, and even so, his numbers are high. Needless to say, we keep those foods out of his diet. And with a meter, you'll be able to learn which foods do that to you, too.

Ds has to avoid all grains, even GF grains. Buckwheat is OK, but that isn't really a grain, and it seems that it's the food family, rather than the starches, that is the problem (for him).

And because it's so important, I'm going to repeat the recommendation that you go gluten free. It's a BIGGY.

As for gravy, make it at home, but don't eat it when out (then again, we're at the point where we don't eat anything out). If you make with pan drippings and homemade stock, you can boil it down to thicken it. If it needs just a little more thickening, you can add a little arrowroot or tapioca starch. Don't use corn starch. Corn is highly allergenic, and corn starch is more highly processed than the others (as I understand it). When I make gravy the easy way, meaning when I don't boil it down, but just thicken with starch, I use about 1.5 Tbs. starch per quart liquid. That comes to 1g or less of carb per ounce of gravy.


Yeap, got a cavity now and one fixed.
I also saw your post about your teeth after I posted.

There are two reasons why I brought this up. First of all, cavities can be a sign of celiac or gluten intolerance (the gluten interferes with absorption of the necessary minerals). There are many other possible reasons for the cavities, too, though.

The other reason, and more interesting (to me anyway), is that certain bacteria that sometimes grow in dead, dying, or root canalled teeth can cause diabetes. I know you said you have a root canal. I've got to tell you, as painful as I know it will be to hear, that root canals are very unhealthy and can cause many diseases, depending on which bacteria are growing in them. I don't have a favorite link (I researched this before the internet :D), but do a search and you'll find a lot of information out there.

I learned this first-hand last year. I was having problems with a tooth. It seemed that the filling was cracked, so the dentist replaced it. Just from his drilling, I started having problems. And they just got worse. I decided to have the tooth out because the more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was probably bad and causing a number of problem for me (my health had been suffering for almost a year, and as I thought about it, it seemed likely that the tooth was behind at least some of it). Although the tooth looked fine, and the x-ray looked mostly normal (the roots were just a little shorter than the two teeth on either side), when the dentist pulled it, he commented on how easily it came out and that it was a bit loose. He said there was definitely something wrong with that tooth or it would not have come out so easily. Based on the symptoms that have resolved, I suspect that was a problem for a few years.

For a few years I had had some trouble with my fasting blood sugars (100-110), and nothing I did, including going super low carb (like around 15-20g per day), bedtime snacks, no bedtime snacks, NOTHING would change things. Then they would be better for awhile, then go back. Last summer they got up to the 130s and 140s, and my dr. got concerned. She checked me for Type 1, since even with those numbers she didn't think I fit the profile for Type 2 (plus my son has Type 1). Negative. She was stumped, and so was I. After the tooth was pulled, they went down to the 80s. They started sneaking back up, though, and other things got worse again. Dr. Hal Huggins, who I consult with occasionally, was sure, give what I was experiencing and given what I told him about the tooth being pulled, that it was not done right and there was an infection in the bone.

Just after Christmas I went to a dentist in TX who scraped the bone and removed all the infected bone. It's been a long slow road, but I'm improving. Right after that was done, my blood sugars were in the 70s and 80s. But again they started slowly creeping back up. Dr. Huggins tells me that it will be months before I get rid of all the bacteria, and until I do my blood sugars won't be right. They fluctuate now. But they don't really go above 110 (mostly they're below 105). I'm sure that my body's detox affects my blood sugar.

It's only ever been my fasting blood sugars that were a problem. Day time numbers have always been great. And interesting thing is that the dentist in TX took a biopsy of the bone and sent off for analysis. They analyzed how the toxins it affected certain enzymes that are involved in certain body processes. Most of them are involved in energy production, and one or two of them are involved in the body's storage of glucose and release of glycogen overnight. INTERESTING! And my bone tested extremely toxic to all of these (meaning the toxins in it suppressed the activity of the enzymes by 85-95%, depending on the enzyme). So, that's how "my" particular bacteria are affecting my body. Other people have different bacteria that affect them in different ways.

And if anyone is interested, I also had high blood pressure for the first time in my life (ever since I can remember, I've had low blood pressure). It went down after the bone was cleaned out.

I share this story because I think what I learned is very significant. Even a person with the best diet in the world (mine wasn't and isn't, but I'll tell you it was and is very, very good -- I spend a lot of time on food prep for our family and diet is a huge part of how we manage our health, and I hate to say it is a BIG focus in our lives) can have diabetes, or other health problems, if their teeth are a problem. It's something to consider, anyway.

That's all very interesting. Thanks for posting it.

I wish I knew now what I didn't know about root canals before, because I would of just had the tooth pulled. I couldn't do it now since I just spent a couple of thousand getting it fixed and my husband would have an absolute mega, ridiculous cow about it. I am overweight from overeating and I know I eat too many carbs and not exercising enough. Before staring changing the way I ate about 6 years ago, I ate the worst SAD diet ever. FOr a long time I didn't even drink water just soda. I was skinny though until about 5 years ago and the weight is quickly creeping up even after starting TF about 3-4 years ago. So, I am sure that my problems are a result of my past lifestyle and an attempt of my body to heal now. The teeth stuff I know is a problem, but I don't know what to do about it now except eliminate gluten as you suggested. I figure the root canal will die again one day and I can get sucker yanked out without much fight from my husband. Unfortunately I hate 2 root canals. My sad diet from birth onward really did a nasty number on my teeth and changing to TF has made a big, big difference in my teeth for sure! Before going TF my teeth were chipping all over the place.

I would love your low carb muffin recipe and that is a great idea with the honey and some stevia. I am going to try that as I wean myself off coffee.

Is your husband diabetic?? He should probably test his response to honey before you "switch him over," but I don't know why you'd do that if he found something that works for him.

I've read that honey is only beneficial topically for diabetics with sores etc.

Guess you wont know till he tests!

No, he's not diabetic...he's super healthy actually. He eats just as well as I do but he has to sweeten his coffee with something! lol

[QUOTE=Cristiaz;14014210]

Here is some of what I went back and found.
Some of the syrups do have hfcs, even though its not on the label, and all are processed the same way as hfcs.
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2008/10/01/agave-nectar-and-xylitol-good-or-bad/

Thank you :wink

Just wanted to insert my personal experience with agave... I hate how it gets bashed so hard. I think there's some misinformation out there about it...

I am extremely sensitive to sugar (pre-diabetic), and am a "canary in a coal mine" when it comes to HFCS. That stuff makes me SICK almost instantly when I ingest it. I don't eat sugar... even Rapadura makes me feel bad. Truly raw honey in very small amounts is ok. Maple syrup in tiny amounts is ok. The only fruit I eat on a regular basis is berries, as other kinds make me feel bad.

Agave never makes me feel bad at all. Not one little bit. Ever.

If it was mostly corn syrup it would make me sick. If it were mostly corn syrup it would spike my blood sugar. But it doesn't.

Ok, I'll hop back off my soapbox... and take notes from ChristieB's post. I really need to retest myself with coconut, to see if maybe I'm over my intolerance. I want muffins again!

Life is super crazy right now. Sorry I haven't posted any recipes yet. And I'm so sorry, but I don't have time now, either. We will be gone alllll day tomorrow, but I will be back on Fri. with recipes (and probably some other thoughts).

TonyaW, have you been able to get a blood glucose monitor? It would really be good to start testing ASAP (if you haven't already). Knowledge is power.

I would love your low carb muffin recipe and that is a great idea with the honey and some stevia. I am going to try that as I wean myself off coffee.

Not to be a total idiot, but sometimes it helps to focus on a really clean natural diet before going back to the world of pastries (even low carb pastries). Low carb diets that include masquerading foods (e.g. low carb cookies/cakes/pies) can get out of hand just as quickly as if they were carby and sugar laden.

The psychological aspect of food is just as strong as the physical response. When you’re trying to eliminate old habits & unhealthy diets, sometimes it’s best to eat as cleanly & unprocessed as possible before delving back into the world of “treats.”

Being drawn to sweets or feeling "deprived" without them is totally psychological. It's hard to be aware of the underlying feelings and habits when sugar and carbs are simply replaced by low carb sugar free versions of the same foods that are "craved." Sometimes a craving for muffins is actually a craving for something else (comfort, a bath, a walk), but it's hard to recognize that if there's a more nutritious bait & switch.

Coconut flour, almond flour, anything used to concoct low carb baked goods – though tasty & useful… even nutritious, they’re still processed foods. They’re great for variety, but if you’ve been eating similar foods (albeit “normal” foods – whole wheat or not) – baking low carb treats is not variety. A clean way to use coconuts and almonds is to eat them raw. If you've never tried a young coconut you are missing a food of the gods!

Food is always best in raw unprocessed form. Sometimes the only way to break through is to go au natural, and that means natural, not modified to suit your current taste.

Weaning myself off "sweet" all together (sugar, stevia, xylitol, whatever) was the best thing I ever did for myself. I could go through as much "natural" non-sugar sweeteners as I could plain old sugar or honey.

It’s no longer a daily feature in my life. I no longer crave that jolt of sweet first thing in the morning, or that “tea time” in the afternoon… (you know, unless it's TTOTM! :D ) and when I do, it’s much easier for me to make a choice that doesn’t include any type of sweetener. When PMS strikes I try as much as possible to maintain a cleaner diet - not that I always "succeed" :D

Not to say I don’t practice moderation - tasty is tasty - I think that's important to recognize too. A close friend of mine is one of the top pastry chefs in N America - I don't pass up an evening of indulgance in the name of pride!

For me the daily use was my problem, not the carbs or the coffee. Everyone is different. I'm a serious coffee drinker (I choose my vices along with everyone else :D) but I drink it black now - unless I don't have time for breakfast, in which case I add some cream.

Not preaching to the choir here, just singing along in harmony.

Ok, I got my glucose monitior about and 1.5 hour ago. I ate 2 sausage and 2 eggs for breakfast and 5-6 grapes algon with a half cup of coffe and half a teaspoon of honey with half and half. I went and did 1 hour of strengh training after breakfast. Came home to find my blood glucose monitior was delviered. After reading about it I tested and came up with a blood sugar of 60. The monitor says 50 is low. So I ate a snack of a handful of almonds, 10 raisins because my son wanted some, and a few teaspoons of cottage cheese. I am starting to feel shaky right now. I checked again and the reading is 71. That is supposed to be good right? Why do I feel so shaky? Does that mean I need more carbs? I am thinking I might have some quinoa with lunch today.

So it seems more like I have hypoglycemia maybe? That would explain why I felt better drinking juice one day when I started getting shaky.

For lunch I am having an Applegate Farm's hot dog topped with cheese (NO bun), quinoa cooked in chicken broth, mustard, fermented cabbage, and some kombucha. I plan to test my blood sugar again an hour after eating. Oh and while making lunch I ate another piece of sausage and drank some kombucha because I was feeling shaky.

It's time to see a doctor :) No advice anyone has here is going to help you with your medical condition. The longer you procrastinate the more chance you have of ending up in a coma. Coma = no babies!

See a doctor as soon as possible :) There's absolutely no reason not to and ESPECIALLY since you plan to become pregnant. You will not be able to have a successful pregnancy without seeing a doctor first.

When you make your appointment make sure to tell them you were experiencing diabetic symptoms, and when you tried to control your blood sugar by diet you experienced severe hypoglycemic symptoms.

This is important!

Ok, I got my glucose monitior about and 1.5 hour ago. I ate 2 sausage and 2 eggs for breakfast and 5-6 grapes algon with a half cup of coffe and half a teaspoon of honey with half and half. I went and did 1 hour of strengh training after breakfast. Came home to find my blood glucose monitior was delviered. After reading about it I tested and came up with a blood sugar of 60. The monitor says 50 is low. So I ate a snack of a handful of almonds, 10 raisins because my son wanted some, and a few teaspoons of cottage cheese. I am starting to feel shaky right now. I checked again and the reading is 71. That is supposed to be good right? Why do I feel so shaky? Does that mean I need more carbs? I am thinking I might have some quinoa with lunch today.

So it seems more like I have hypoglycemia maybe? That would explain why I felt better drinking juice one day when I started getting shaky.

For lunch I am having an Applegate Farm's hot dog topped with cheese (NO bun), quinoa cooked in chicken broth, mustard, fermented cabbage, and some kombucha. I plan to test my blood sugar again an hour after eating. Oh and while making lunch I ate another piece of sausage and drank some kombucha because I was feeling shaky.

Please go see a doctor. These symptoms and readings could mean you are diabetic, or hypoglycemic, or something else. You are messing with your body here, in a serious way.

If you still refuse, go to the drug store and buy keytone strips. You pee on them and if keytones are present in your urine, you MUST go to the doctor immediately, as you are in serious trouble health wise.

:hug

Just curious, but what would I accomplish going to the doctor? They will diagnose me and tell me to change my lifestyle right? I just wanted to know before I spend the money or time because I have a $10,000 deductible.

Just curious, but what would I accomplish going to the doctor? They will diagnose me and tell me to change my lifestyle right? I just wanted to know before I spend the money or time because I have a $10,000 deductible.

Tonya,
Record what your fasting count is in the morning.
Y ou said that it was 60 after a workout.
If it got much lower, you would have passed out, and not woken up.
Not a coma, as a coma happens when you are dealing with very high levels.

10 raisins are not near enough to bring your counts up fast.
Although dried fruit and juice are the best ways to get it up fast.
In a real emergency, put lots of sugar under your tongue.

71 is still not good. A good reading is around 98-120.

I would also rec. urine test strips for a couple of days, as that will give you a very clear picture.

I know that you think going to the dr will not help, but the fact is, if you are in rough shape, you will actually need medical intervention for a time, while you work on figuring out the food.

See, if you are just hypoglycemic, or have type 2, both of these are curable.
You will be able to get retested and rediagnosed later on, after everything is under control.

If you do not get it under control, you will end up with type 1, and that is permanent.

Paula,

Where do you get your numbers from? I have ready online and found so many conflicting numbers, I don't know what to think. My glucose monitor says if my number gets below 50 to seek medical help.

I'm no dr. but when my ds has had readings under 70 he really gets an earful from his doc (he is type1). 60 is dangerously low. You are having both symptoms of high and low bs....I would agree it's time for an MD. I do feel for you....when our ds was diagnosed we had a $5000 deductable to meet. He spent 6 days in the hospital resolving ketoacidosis. Don't let that happen to you.

BTW, the ketone strips are for testing the urine when the blood sugar is high. If it shows there are ketones in the urine you MUST see a dr.

Well, now I am really peeved. Because I have eating TF now for almost 4 years. What is wrong with me, could TF be the wrong answer? I do eat carbs but when I did, I ate brown rice, sprouted grains, and whole grains. I am so mad!!! Those around me who eat tons worse than I do and are obese don't even have diabetes. I am also frustrated because in my experience every time I go to the doctor they never find anything wrong. I did schedule and appointment for Monday. However, what if he doesn't find anything. Sorry but I feel so mad right now and frustrated. I keep telling my husband he is going to get diabetes because he literally binges on sugar and here I am the one who may have it. I even exercise more. :angry

Also I remember I had hypoglycemic issues back 10-15 years ago when I was eating a SAD diet. I think I have always had it off and on but just didn't realize it. I have had fainting episodes in the past. Why would it be getting so bad all of a sudden.

Also, about a month ago I only ate scrambled eggs for breakfast and a cup of coffee. I guess I went for about 4 hours without eating. I started getting really nauseated and had a fast heartbeat. I literally felt I was going to die and need to call 911. I couldn't eat at that point. I did get some Kombucha down. I ended up vomiting and feeling better after that. Could that have been a case of dangerously low blood sugar? I didn't even eat until much later because I felt too icky. BUt I didn't die or go into a coma.

Well, now I am really peeved. Because I have eating TF now for almost 4 years. What is wrong with me, could TF be the wrong answer? I do eat carbs but when I did, I ate brown rice, sprouted grains, and whole grains. I am so mad!!! Those around me who eat tons worse than I do and are obese don't even have diabetes. I am also frustrated because in my experience every time I go to the doctor they never find anything wrong. I did schedule and appointment for Monday. However, what if he doesn't find anything. Sorry but I feel so mad right now and frustrated. I keep telling my husband he is going to get diabetes because he literally binges on sugar and here I am the one who may have it. I even exercise more. :angry

Also I remember I had hypoglycemic issues back 10-15 years ago when I was eating a SAD diet. I think I have always had it off and on but just didn't realize it. I have had fainting episodes in the past. Why would it be getting so bad all of a sudden.

Oh, don't be mad. Be thankful your are eating this way, because you would likely be far worse if you were still eating SAD.
A tf diet is ideal, but it cannot cure everything.
For example, my dad has a liver disease that caused ulcerative colitis and a few other things.
No matter what we did diet wise, he still ended up having to have major medical intervention, before the foods and supps were able to kick in.
Now his enzyme levels are no longer going up, and his digestive issues are gone.

The thing is, when the pancreas is stressed for a long time, and it has not recieved the intervention it needs, it can suddenly go haywire.
Thats the reason getting thorough testing is a good idea.
Hopefully, all you will need is a low dose med, to support everything, while the foods and supps begin to fill the gap.

You may want to try and see a dr who more or less speciallizes in diabetes.

As to where I get my numbers from....dh is type 1.
No matter what numbers are bounced around, there is still an optimal range that everyone has.

Getting medical help when your numbers hit 50, is risky, because by then your blood sugar will be dropping like a rock, and most likely you will not be coherent (sp?) by the time its that low.
There is not time for help to arrive at that point.

I would rec. getting a large handful of white sugar packets, and keeping them in your purse and by your bed for a little while.
The glucose tabs that you can buy, will not work all that well in an emergency.

DH is at the point now, that we do not even keep juice boxes around for him anymore.
He still needs insulin, but his levels are so very level, that we have around one "scare" a year now.

Oh, and one more thing, do not try using kombucha to bring your numbers back up. Yes, it has carbs in it, but is tends to work more as a leveler, rather then a raiser.
Find a good juice brand that comes in little boxes for this.

:hug

I feel your pain! It is incredibly frustrating, but maybe you don't have diabetes. You do need to find out though.

I am also quite frustrated....I bf my ds for 5 years, he didn't even know what sugar was until he was about that old, have always been into healthy eating and into TF for around 5 years (although not to the degree some are!). He was diagnosed type 1 in Oct '08 and now is possible celiac, gluten intolerant at the very least. There's no magic bullet, That's for sure. It's extra hard with a teenager...he just wants to eat like his friends.

Good luck!

So thanks for all the info. For those of you who are experienced with diabetes, if that is what I have, how am I supposed to control it with a low carb diet. I couldn't get my blood sugar up to 90 until after I had half an apple and a couple of my hubby's Fig Newman's. It is finally over 100 now before dinner.

So.. you seem a little... tense :) We don't choose our medical conditions, you know? I'm 5'5 130 & can do 68 pushups in 1 minutes (NO kidding!) I am seriously active - Muay Thai kickboxing, conditioning, strength training & momming.

I have insulin resistance / metabolic syndrome. No big deal. I take Metformin along with diet & exercise & live a healthy lifestyle (inclusive of chocolate and wine ;) ) Doesn't Lance Armstrong have cancer? That dude has a super healthy diet.

Life happens to everybody. It's not something you've done wrong. Lose the shame & anger! There's a misconception that diabetes is a "Fat Person" disease like there used to be a misconception that AIDS is a "Fags" disease. This isn't your fault. Take care of yourself!

The point is you need to see a doctor & you need to see one now. Think of this: would you be all resistant and pissed off if you were twitching uncontrollably and numb in the face? Insulin & blood sugar aren't the brain, but they're just as important! Your body is telling you it needs help!

Hope everything goes well for you. Make sure you let the nurse know what's going on & tell her how it's impacting you physcially.

It's ok! Ok?

So thanks for all the info. For those of you who are experienced with diabetes, if that is what I have, how am I supposed to control it with a low carb diet. I couldn't get my blood sugar up to 90 until after I had half an apple and a couple of my hubby's Fig Newman's. It is finally over 100 now before dinner.

Its not low carb per say....its what kind of carbs and how often, along with combining lots of fats and protein.
You will have to play around with each meal for a while to find what works best.
And, thats where certain meds will help you.
You will find that at first, you will have to do a great deal of testing.
The cost of strips is pure highway robbery.
We buy the meters and strips that Safeway sells, because they are about half the cost of most others.

DH has the best days when he eats oatmeal with lots of raw butter ( 4 tbls), some raw honey and raw milk on it.
I'm not diabetic, and I have my best days, if I eat eggs with cream and butter, and bacon and milk.
If dh eats that, he has to have some sort of bread with it.

After you get tested, if you would like, I have free access to a couple of WAPF NDs, and I can ask them what they would rec. as far as balancing carbs for you.
Let me know.

ETA: if dh eats a sprouted bread product, he has to remember that it has 75% less carbs in it, then non sprouted.
Meaning, either adding more carbs in another form, and or taking less insulin.

.

So.. you seem a little... tense :) We don't choose our medical conditions, you know? I'm 5'5 130 & can do 68 pushups in 1 minutes (NO kidding!) I am seriously active - Muay Thai kickboxing, conditioning, strength training & momming.

I have insulin resistance / metabolic syndrome. No big deal. I take Metformin along with diet & exercise & live a healthy lifestyle (inclusive of chocolate and wine ;) ) Doesn't Lance Armstrong have cancer? That dude has a super healthy diet.

Life happens to everybody. It's not something you've done wrong. Lose the shame & anger! There's a misconception that diabetes is a "Fat Person" disease like there used to be a misconception that AIDS is a "Fags" disease. This isn't your fault. Take care of yourself!

The point is you need to see a doctor & you need to see one now. Think of this: would you be all resistant and pissed off if you were twitching uncontrollably and numb in the face? Insulin & blood sugar aren't the brain, but they're just as important! Your body is telling you it needs help!

Hope everything goes well for you. Make sure you let the nurse know what's going on & tell her how it's impacting you physcially.

It's ok! Ok?

I am peeeved becuz I do feel like it is my fault for all those years of bad eating even though I didn't really know any better. But I realize that we all do have medical conditions. It just makes me mad that others eat total crap and then I work so hard to be healthy and still get this problem which is usually self inflicted for most. I realize that you are right though.

Its not low carb per say....its what kind of carbs and how often, along with combining lots of fats and protein.
You will have to play around with each meal for a while to find what works best.
And, thats where certain meds will help you.
You will find that at first, you will have to do a great deal of testing.
The cost of strips is pure highway robbery.
We buy the meters and strips that Safeway sells, because they are about half the cost of most others.

DH has the best days when he eats oatmeal with lots of raw butter ( 4 tbls), some raw honey and raw milk on it.
I'm not diabetic, and I have my best days, if I eat eggs with cream and butter, and bacon and milk.
If dh eats that, he has to have some sort of bread with it.

After you get tested, if you would like, I have free access to a couple of WAPF NDs, and I can ask them what they would rec. as far as balancing carbs for you.
Let me know.

ETA: if dh eats a sprouted bread product, he has to remember that it has 75% less carbs in it, then non sprouted.
Meaning, either adding more carbs in another form, and or taking less insulin.

Thanks! I may email you later.

Ok, I took a pregnancy test, First Response. It came up with one positively pink line and one faintly pink line. Two lines means preggo. I don't know for sure.

Would pregnancy cause low blood sugar levels???

I am peeeved becuz I do feel like it is my fault for all those years of bad eating even though I didn't really know any better. But I realize that we all do have medical conditions. It just makes me mad that others eat total crap and then I work so hard to be healthy and still get this problem which is usually self inflicted for most. I realize that you are right though.

Type 2 diabetes is GENERALLY "self inflicted" but your genetics have a lot to do with it too. Some are much more sensitive and predisposed to developing this condition.

Type 1 diabetes (which you could have) is NOT self inflicted.

:hug don't be so hard on yourself. You don't know whats going on. These symptoms could be type 2 diabetes but they could be something else.

It's great that you are so serious about eating healthy, now all you need to do is get dx and learn how to eat healthy for your specific condition.

:hug

Ok, I took a pregnancy test, First Response. It came up with one positively pink line and one faintly pink line. Two lines means preggo. I don't know for sure.

Would pregnancy cause low blood sugar levels???

A line is a line is a line, says the experienced stick-squinter-atter. Not a word, I know. Just sayin, I have years of experience of holding pregnancy tests at funny angles in sunlight and under bright indoor lights and squinting at them just so.... But it doesn't sound like that's what you were doing, so if you see a second line, you're pregnant. :thumb

Pregnancy does seem to cause hypoglycemia in some women.

And, FWIW, I've been fully conscious with a blood sugar less than 30. Didn't feel good... but I did not pass out. I have no faith in doctors being any better able to sort this sort of thing out than you are. There are things, generally weird, rare things, that can cause blood sugar problems besides diabetes and pregnancy. But maybe I just watch too much Dr. House.

Try to relax first of all. Stress makes blood sugars go wonky. Try to make sure you're getting good sleep. Lack of sleep makes blood sugars go wonky. Make sure you followed the directions and used control solution to check if your meter is accurate. Sometimes meters are wonky. Wash your hands before testing your blood sugar. Invisible stuff on your hands can make readings be wonky. Test yourself a LOT. I don't think you're diabetic, but this website is a great place to get information, especially about testing yourself and discovering what your food does to your blood sugars: http://www.bloodsugar101.com/

Then, if you still are having problems, you are armed with good information that a doctor can't ignore and will get the most for your money when you do go in.

Well, now I am really peeved. Because I have eating TF now for almost 4 years. What is wrong with me, could TF be the wrong answer? I do eat carbs but when I did, I ate brown rice, sprouted grains, and whole grains. I am so mad!!! Those around me who eat tons worse than I do and are obese don't even have diabetes. I am also frustrated because in my experience every time I go to the doctor they never find anything wrong. I did schedule and appointment for Monday. However, what if he doesn't find anything. Sorry but I feel so mad right now and frustrated. I keep telling my husband he is going to get diabetes because he literally binges on sugar and here I am the one who may have it. I even exercise more. :angry

Also I remember I had hypoglycemic issues back 10-15 years ago when I was eating a SAD diet. I think I have always had it off and on but just didn't realize it. I have had fainting episodes in the past. Why would it be getting so bad all of a sudden.

Also, about a month ago I only ate scrambled eggs for breakfast and a cup of coffee. I guess I went for about 4 hours without eating. I started getting really nauseated and had a fast heartbeat. I literally felt I was going to die and need to call 911. I couldn't eat at that point. I did get some Kombucha down. I ended up vomiting and feeling better after that. Could that have been a case of dangerously low blood sugar? I didn't even eat until much later because I felt too icky. BUt I didn't die or go into a coma.

can you find a good doc who is not opposed to healthy diets/alternative medicine? my physician is super cool, i wish other folks could find cool docters who they could trust. it sounds like you dont have a doctor with whom you have a relationship with, which is a bummer.

but if you are feeling like you are "going to die" and needing to almost call 911 please do see someone medical, its a heck of a lot cheaper to go to a clinic then it is to go to the er.

now im gonna throw this out there- is it possible that you have an anxiety disorder or other psychological issues that could be causeing these shaky episodes? anxiety can present itself in very physical ways, not always "mental" but things like heart palpitations, breathing problems, shaking, dizziness can be caused by anxiety/panic disorders.

It's late, and I'm tired, but I couldn't not respond a little (reading this while eating a snack).

First of all, I'd like to remind everyone who is used to Type 1 and the dangers of lows, Tonya is NOT taking insulin. These low numbers are not nearly as dangerous for her as they are for someone taking insulin. And no, she won't end up with Type 1 if she doesn't get this under control. Type 1 is genetic, not from lifestyle (unless you include the fact that gluten and dairy have been shown to trigger it in some individuals). And low blood sugars are not indicative of Type 1. High blood sugars are.

Second of all, I don't think 60 is that low for a normal person (although it's certainly on the low side!). According to the chart on the page that Junegoddess linked to (great looking site!), it's within normal. Target ranges for people using insulin are generally higher than normal blood sugars. It's just too dangerous for someone using insulin to aim for such low numbers. Generally the target range is set for numbers that will keep a person low enough to avoid the dangerous complications of diabetes while keeping them from going too low and risking those dangers. And the target ranges are different for kids than for adults.

I have a friend who is always in the lower ranges. She has to eat a ton of carb to get up above 100. She is a very healthy person. One of the healthiest people I know. She has studied herself and learned what kind of food she needs to eat to feel her best. She has a monitor and checks herself from time to time (while learning what she should eat, she checked herself often). And just to clarify, she does not eat a high carb diet (although she's not low carb, either).

Hypoglycemia is considered a warning sign that someone may develop Type 2 later in life. That is because it's generally due to the body producing too much insulin. A person will eat carb, and secrete insulin to deal with that carb. It's too much insulin, so then they come crashing down. Allowing this to continue will eventually result in Type 2. That is why eating a high carb diet is not the answer here.

And Tonya, you are doing well for yourself eating a TF diet now. Keep it up. Don't abandon it. You just need to find out what combination of carbs (and what types), fats and proteins works best for you (and at what times of day). But don't worry, you'll figure it out.

Keep checking yourself, and gather more data. Check your morning fasting. Check before meals and 1 and 2 hours after. Check after exercise. Keep a chart. See how different things affect you. You won't always have to check yourself so frequently, but to get a good idea of what is happening, you'll need to for a little while. You'll also need to check frequently while figuring out what diet works best for you.

If you see a dr., listen to what they have to say, and try to filter it. The diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association is way too high in carb. Go figure. So listen to what the dr. thinks is happening. Listen to any explanation of how/why. And listen to diet recommendations, too, but that's where you need to use a filter. Use all of that to figure out for yourself how you need to eat (along with the data you collect).

And lastly, I'm going to sound like a broken record :o, but I highly recommend that you go gluten free (and it sounds like you've thought of that anyway). Since hypoglycemia is warning sign of Type 2, that's what you're trying to prevent by changing things. And gluten, from everything I've seen in my own (extended) family and everything I've heard from others, can also bring on Type 2. Gluten can definitely cause major problems for people. From everything I've read and experienced, for anyone dealing with a health issue, gluten-free is at least worth a try, and is likely to help the situation.

I spent way more time on this that I planned to. And now I'm falling asleep. I hope I was clear enough for you to make sense of what I wrote.

Wow.

Tonya you need to see a doctor.

Everyone has opinions and ideas but NOBODY can tell you what to do or what not to do.

Go see a doctor!

I agree with ChristiB. I am unexpectantly pregnant, so I plan to speak with my midwife about it today.

Ok, I took a pregnancy test, First Response. It came up with one positively pink line and one faintly pink line. Two lines means preggo. I don't know for sure.

Would pregnancy cause low blood sugar levels???

Wow!

Yes, WOW! :joy: It was completely unexpected and I was reading online last night that hypoglycemia is a problem for some pregnant women. I plan to speak with my midwife and do any necessary testing to make sure I don't already have gestational diabetes. But my feeling is that the low blood sugar is a result of the pregnancy and that is why I got so hay wired recently.

So any suggestions on how to avoid gestational diabetes? My blood sugar has been better today. But I think maybe I wasn't eating enough previously for breastfeeding and pregnancy. I need a lot more calories and today I allowed that plus extra carbs. I already had to get up last night at midnight for another snack even though I ate one before bed. I was ravenous. My blood sugar when I woke up this morning was 80.

Thanks all for your input!

I think you are to something now for sure.
I would try eating every 2 hours, right up to bedtime.
It does not need to be very much each time. An amount the size of your fist or so. Just pack it full of high energy stuff.
GD I do not have experience with.

I am correct in assuming your sugars never go super high?
Just keep dropping out the bottom?
Cause that is WAY easier to deal with then high numbers.

I dealt w/ hypoglycemia pretty bad in my first pregnancy and tend towards that non-pregnant. However, I can tell you last time it was much better I was very low grain. This time it is pretty much non-existent- I am not gluten free and try to stay grain free and VERY sugar lite(even natural sugar and limited fruit) it makes a HUGE difference. I do eat fairly frequently but it is nothing like my first pregnancy in which I HAD to eat all the time or I would be sick.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! I don't know why that didn't register for me before. :dizzy: No wonder you've been peeing more! What a happy turn of events; going from thinking that you have diabetes to learning that you're pregnant instead.

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about avoiding GD, other than eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and trying not to worry about it!

I dealt w/ hypoglycemia pretty bad in my first pregnancy and tend towards that non-pregnant. However, I can tell you last time it was much better I was very low grain. This time it is pretty much non-existent- I am not gluten free and try to stay grain free and VERY sugar lite(even natural sugar and limited fruit) it makes a HUGE difference. I do eat fairly frequently but it is nothing like my first pregnancy in which I HAD to eat all the time or I would be sick.
Am I correct in assuming that you mean you are now gluten free? Just checking. :)

I had some hypoglycemia with my last pregnancy, but was able to control it thanks to being GF and mostly grain free. I'm glad it's helping you, too.

Yes, WOW! :joy: It was completely unexpected and I was reading online last night that hypoglycemia is a problem for some pregnant women. I plan to speak with my midwife and do any necessary testing to make sure I don't already have gestational diabetes. But my feeling is that the low blood sugar is a result of the pregnancy and that is why I got so hay wired recently.

So any suggestions on how to avoid gestational diabetes? My blood sugar has been better today. But I think maybe I wasn't eating enough previously for breastfeeding and pregnancy. I need a lot more calories and today I allowed that plus extra carbs. I already had to get up last night at midnight for another snack even though I ate one before bed. I was ravenous. My blood sugar when I woke up this morning was 80.

Thanks all for your input!

:joy: Congrats!!! :joy:

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! I don't know why that didn't register for me before. :dizzy: No wonder you've been peeing more! What a happy turn of events; going from thinking that you have diabetes to learning that you're pregnant instead.

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about avoiding GD, other than eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and trying not to worry about it!


Am I correct in assuming that you mean you are now gluten free? Just checking. :)

I had some hypoglycemia with my last pregnancy, but was able to control it thanks to being GF and mostly grain free. I'm glad it's helping you, too.OOps typo- I am gluten and grainfree(well almost 100% grain free)- sorry about that!

I dealt w/ hypoglycemia pretty bad in my first pregnancy and tend towards that non-pregnant. However, I can tell you last time it was much better I was very low grain. This time it is pretty much non-existent- I am not gluten free and try to stay grain free and VERY sugar lite(even natural sugar and limited fruit) it makes a HUGE difference. I do eat fairly frequently but it is nothing like my first pregnancy in which I HAD to eat all the time or I would be sick.

Crunchy mama, my number come back below 100 without grain and barely hit 100 with grain, so far. I ate a good amount of brown rice this evening and still didn't hit 100. Can you tell me what you ate to get good numbers?

I think you are to something now for sure.
I would try eating every 2 hours, right up to bedtime.
It does not need to be very much each time. An amount the size of your fist or so. Just pack it full of high energy stuff.
GD I do not have experience with.

I am correct in assuming your sugars never go super high?
Just keep dropping out the bottom?
Cause that is WAY easier to deal with then high numbers.

My sugar has not gone above 110 in the 2 days I have been checking. It seems like I need more than a fist full of food. If I eat plain yogurt with almonds on top that doesn't do it. So I added a sausage patty and still had to get up 1-2 hours later for a glass of milk and more snacking. I felt so hungry. What do you mean by high energy foods exactly? That would be carbs right?

Congratulations on your pregnancy!! I don't know why that didn't register for me before. :dizzy: No wonder you've been peeing more! What a happy turn of events; going from thinking that you have diabetes to learning that you're pregnant instead.

I'm sorry, I don't know anything about avoiding GD, other than eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and trying not to worry about it!


Am I correct in assuming that you mean you are now gluten free? Just checking. :)

I had some hypoglycemia with my last pregnancy, but was able to control it thanks to being GF and mostly grain free. I'm glad it's helping you, too.

Thanks...can you give me an idea of what you were eating to deal with the hypoglycemia. I can't seem to get my numbers above 110 even with the grain. Is that bad?

My sugar has not gone above 110 in the 2 days I have been checking. It seems like I need more than a fist full of food. If I eat plain yogurt with almonds on top that doesn't do it. So I added a sausage patty and still had to get up 1-2 hours later for a glass of milk and more snacking. I felt so hungry. What do you mean by high energy foods exactly? That would be carbs right?

Yes on the carbs. Meat is protein, which expends energy. The more protein you eat, the more energy is going to be expended.
Your pancreas is working way overtime, for sure, and that can eventually lead to it wearing out, so hopefully the dr will have something that will slow it down a bit.

So, if you eat yogurt, add a good amount of raw honey and whole fruit.
Eat as much as you can, and log it in a diary, so the dr can really see what you are gong through.

Thanks...can you give me an idea of what you were eating to deal with the hypoglycemia. I can't seem to get my numbers above 110 even with the grain. Is that bad?
I don't think 110 is bad. I don't think 100 is bad. Do you feel good at those numbers? I'd say to aim for 90 or above, although that's a fairly arbitrary number. My thinking is that it will give some room for falling without going too low, and I'm guessing you feel pretty OK at that number, since when you talk about feeling bad and checking your blood sugar you talk about 60 and 70. In fact, I'd say go for feeling good. Different people have different levels where they feel good. It's up to you to figure out where you feel good and how to get there.

What did I eat? I feel that breakfast is very important for getting the day off to a good start. I had black beans almost every morning while pregnant (and for quite awhile after). The beans seemed to help me hold a good blood sugar for quite awhile. I added a lot of fat to them, too. I would make refried beans with plenty of ghee or coconut oil. I would eat them either with ground meat mixed in or with scrambled or fried eggs. I often had fermented veggies with my breakfast, too (I don't know if that helped or not).

I also ate a fair amount of hummus with veggies (esp. carrots). Early in the pregnancy I ate it with corn chips, but once the nausea was over I gave those up. They weren't really very good for my blood sugar. I also liked chicken salad (I always add plenty of minced or grated veggies to mine, like carrots and peppers and onions), and boiled eggs or egg salad.

I ate lots of coconut balls for snack (this also saw me through the big hunger of exclusively breastfeeding a 10 mo. old). I make these by mixing in a food processor:

Coconut cream concentrate
Coconut oil
Shredded coconut
Honey (not a lot)
Stevia (a tiny bit)
Vanilla

(If you want exact amounts I can look them up -- I wrote it up somewhere). I then pour that out into a bowl and refrigerate. When it's solid, I remove from the fridge and let it soften enough to scoop into balls. I roll the balls in toasted shredded coconut. I find these addictive, but in a good way. They work really well for keeping me going.

Another good snack was apple slices with nut butter or ghee (butter would be better, if you tolerate it). Broth was good, too.

I almost always have meat and veggies for dinner, in some form or another.

For bedtime snack when pregnant (and then nursing), I found that homemade coconut milk ice cream was really good. I make it with very little sweetener (so that I can barely detect any sweet, and most other people probably wouldn't detect it), and a few raw eggs. Then I serve it with chopped nuts or coconut flakes, and good raw, local honey drizzled over top. It's about a teaspoon or so of honey. Not a lot. It helps with my allergies and helps me sleep. Anyway, that combination of fat, protein and carb worked well for me.

For me, fat was (and is) at least as important as carbs.

Keep in mind that this is what worked for me, and everyone is different, so you'll need to experiment to see what works for you. And in experimenting, keep in mind that you want your food to stay with you for awhile in order to keep your blood sugar steady. You don't want to eat a quick digesting carb by itself, since it will spike your blood sugar and then you will drop.

For those of you still interested in my grain-free and lower carb muffins, here is the “master” recipe for the nut-butter muffins I make. This recipe makes about a dozen muffins, often more, although it never seems to make the number from one batch to the next. I usually make a double batch and freeze most of them, but if you’re only baking for yourself (our family of four is all grain-free), making just one batch and freezing is probably sufficient.

1.5 cups nut butter (if you make your own, this is 12 oz. of nuts, on average)
3 eggs (when I double the recipe, I use 7 eggs)
3 Tbs. honey or 4 Tbs. maple syrup
stevia to taste (when I use fruit, I usually use none)
1 tsp. baking powder (you should use more like 1.5 tsp. or more, since we’re at 8,000 ft.)
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla (I use vanilla powder, so I use just ¼ tsp.)

For fruit or carrot muffins, I add:
2 medium bananas, mashed, OR
1.5 cups frozen berries, OR
1.5 cups chopped apple or pear (sometimes I use shredded apple), OR
1.5 cups shredded carrot

When I use apple, pear, or carrot, I use 1.5 tsp. cinnamon instead of the vanilla. When I’m feeling inspired, I add other spices, like ginger, nutmeg, or allspice, too.

You could also add 1-1.5 cups chopped nuts if you want, but I usually don’t because they use enough nuts already.

I make my own nut butters, so I make the whole thing in a food processor. I weigh out the nuts, process them into a nut butter (I sometimes roast them lightly beforehand, so they’ll make a smoother butter). Then I add the eggs, honey or maple syrup, salt, and vanilla. I process that, using the pulse button so I don’t over-process (sometimes it gets too thick and sticky if I over-process). Then I add the baking powder and process again in short bursts, just to mix it in. Then I pour the batter into a bowl and stir in any fruit or carrots or nuts that I’m adding. Bake in a greased muffin tin at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes.

If you’re not making your own nut butter, and you don’t have or don’t want to use a food processor, you can mix it all by hand. I’d beat the eggs first and then add the other ingredients, still saving any fruit or nuts you’re adding until the end.

I also sometimes make coconut flour muffins, following one of Bruce Fife’s recipes. I skip the sugar he calls for and use honey (and sometimes Stevia) instead. I usually use about 4 Tbs. honey for a dozen muffins.

And I’ll share a new recipe we’ve made a couple of times lately. It’s a recipe from Bruce Fife for popovers. They’re just 3.5g carb each. And they don’t spike my son’s blood sugar, even when he eats more than one. Both times I’ve made it, this recipe makes 10 popovers.

6 eggs
¾ cup coconut milk
¼ tsp. salt
3 Tbs. coconut flour
4.5 Tbs. starch (I use arrowroot)

Grease a muffin tin and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Blend all the ingredients in a blender until well blended and a little frothy. Pour equally into 10 greased muffin cups (the recipe says 2/3 full). Bake for 20 minutes without opening the oven door. Best served fresh from the oven (but they do heat nicely the following day if there are leftovers). I like them as a kind of substitute for biscuits (not that they’re biscuits, but somehow they satisfy in the same way), since I haven’t really found a grain-free biscuit that works.

I eat lots of meat, some eggs(I did lots of raw eggs smoothies last time but haven't this time), lots of veggies, lots of nuts, some beans, and some fruit.

I am sorry I have never had a monitor on my sugar levels I just watch my body. With my first pregnancy I was constantly on the verge of passing out if I didn't eat all the time. Little did I know the healthy "Brewer Diet" I was following was horrible for me and contributing to the problem.

This pregnancy I slipped for the first trimester as I had strong aversions and cravings and felt like total crap. But have gotten myself back on the wago yet again and hope to stay there- I just feel horrible otherwise. It is amazing the difference in energy level as well- My house is *almost* spotless right now- I am exercising again on grains I don't have the energy or motivation to do either!

My days have been sporadic but I will give a small clue what we are eating:
My appetite wavers greatly. My blood sugar is doing so much better now gluten and grain free that I find that other carbs that used to bother me so much now don't so I don't have to keep such a close rein as I did- however I guess most of the time it is still pretty darn low carb compared to the SAD
b-fast:
sausage w/ 3/4 lb of mixed veggies
omelette w/ tons of chopped veggies(would add cheese but I don't tolerate it)
sweet potato w/ 1/2 c. chopped nuts and 2T coco oil, and lots of cinnamon(It is my understanding it is supposed to help regulate blood sugar) and a couple pieces of bacon
Bacon and veggie hash
smoothies(harder for me to get these lower carb though)

weekend breakfast
coconut flour cupcakes- I reduce the sugar and sweeten w/ stevia as well
apple pancakes- grate apples- squeeze out the juice- so you are just left w/ the fiber- mix with about 2 eggs per apple- and LOTs of cinnamon and fry it up in copious amts of coconut oil- eat w/ some raw honey or plain w/ some coco. oil on top

lunch-
leftovers
tuna salad on lettuce buns
salmon patties(no need to add flour to thicken just chopped veggies, seasoning and eggs) and homemade fries- sweet potato
lots of sandwiches on lettuce buns w/ lots of mayo for fat- tomato as well- we get nitrate, hormone, anti yada yada free- my son calls them "cheeseburgers"

Supper-
stew- I do not use a flour thickener
curry served over grated steamed cauliflower or just as a soup
spaghetti w/ tons of chopped veggies served over spaghetti squash- or other sauteed veggies or as a soup- especially good the more veggies I put in there
stirfry- served same as curry
roasted chicken and veggies
lots of spinach salads!(sometimes have these for breakfast as well)

:joy: Congrats TonyaW on your pregnancy!!! :joy:

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I have a hard time sometimes keeping my blood sugar up. I don't use a monitor, but my diabetic Dad has an extra one & I keep saying I'm going to use it...

I also have pretty severe adrenal fatigue. It's gotten better with a lot of work & I can tell when my adrenals are stressed because I have a harder time with my blood sugar. Adrenal fatigue can cause hypoglycemia, it all has to do with sodium/potassium imbalance. How's your blood pressure? What are your usual numbers?

Adrenal fatigue can also mess with your blood sugar. If the adrenals aren't allowed to heal, insulin resistance & then diabetes can develop.

Sometimes I'll wake up & feel dizzy & nauseous, especially if I don't eat a high protein dinner. Now, I can go work out without eating breakfast & feel fine - it all depends on how my adrenals are doing.
Lately, I've been eating raw beef liver for breakfast & that's when I feel my best. Then I work out & eat more fat/protein/carb meal - maybe bacon, eggs & sauteed veggies or something similar.

I haven't gone through a pregnancy gluten free yet, but I feel so much better in so many other ways without gluten, that I think it would make a difference. I've eliminated most grains, eating rice once in a while, always cooked in stock & loaded with raw butter - and once every 3-4 weeks, I'll eat GF oatmeal, but I don't feel so great after eating it.

So, I think that supporting your adrenals would be a good idea, no matter what is going on in your body.

No caffeine
CLO
vit D
vit C
Magnesium
Lots of sleep
Reduce/eliminate stress
Nourishing foods - try getting rid of grains or reducing, but at least get rid of gluten
Try to have liver and/or adrenal glandulars regularly
B vitamins if you don't eat liver

This will be especially important after the birth, when you're exhausted constantly. Best to start healing before baby comes - plus, weak adrenals in mama = weak adrenals in baby.