Carbs and Kids - Clarification....

Since my Blog is titled Three 2 Treat, I should clarify what the other 2 Type 1's eat; those others being my two children.

I know it's obvious what my stance on Carbs is, but I should make it clear that these are my own Food Choices and I certainly don't impose these choices on my five kids. Just in case any readers are inclined to think that I'm a crazy man that only feeds my kids eggs, meat, and veggies. Trust me my children would form a mutiny and lock me out of my own house.

A clue would be to read some past posts like Fire The Easter Bunny , taking note the Pic of my smallest Type 1 chowing down on a large (certainly not low carb) chocolate bunny.

My stance on diet and food choices is also a journey, over my 28 years of dealing with my own type 1 diabetes. Years of  food exchange diets; being told to avoid sugar, being told sugar is okay, to intense carbohydrate counting, using pocket scales, kitchen scales, and nutrient bibles.  Not to mention the thousands of miscalculated carb counts, and the extreme variability in the foods and the effect they have had on my blood glucose readings. So I am what you could call a human  Lab Rat, and I am constantly trying to figure out what works for my diabetes management. If I read compelling enough evidence, not just anecdotal that a certain method of diabetes management may work better then others, I try it.  

I read about carb reduction 10 years ago, but didn't try it, as I didn't think there was enough research regarding it, especially for Type 1 diabetes.  But now the evidence exists and promising and more and more is being done regarding lower carb, moderate protein and fat diets and the effect thay have on health.

I realize that this is my personal choice, and not for everyone, but I also feel strongly that our current lifestyle of 200 gms of CHO plus a day seems to be creating problems that can't be ignored. And, when I continue to try to understand the possible reasons, be it inactivity, genetics, food choices, and metabolic pathways, I really think we need to ask ourselves, are we eating a diet conducive to good blood glucose control and health?

I know for myself, high carb meals, lead to huge errors in carb counting (even measuring on a scale) larger doses of insulin leads to variable absorption, which leads to more extreme fluctuation in blood glucose readings, and more lows and highs. So for me it makes logical sense to reduce the carb a little or a lot depending on your comfort level, to make diabetes management a little more predictable.

As for my kids, they eat a typical kid diet. They have cookies and milk, Kraft Dinner, Mr Noodles, Ice Cream, and pretty much what they want(with in reason) We buy lots of fruit (which isn't low carb) that they have access to when ever they feel the urge. Kids with D or any child for that matter need calories, lots of em, especially active kids, but for the middle aged office worker, hmm me, I am certainly not burning the fuel like the little ones.  

The 2 little Type 1's have good days and bad days with their glucose readings, and unfortunately the bad days are the ones where the meals and snacks are higher in carbs or meals that are difficult to calculate, but this is all part of being a kid with D, I know because I was one once, and I loved my moms home made cookies and milk.  

Trev

Top 10 List: Cursed Food

My list of food items that make it next to impossible to control blood sugars.


1.  Cold cereal --- No matter what we do it never works.

2.  Popcorn --- I love it, but my fasting doesn't

3.  Pizza --- Yup, still digesting three days later, kidding, but not far from the truth

4.  Chinese Food --- Hungry an hour later, and impossible to guess the carbs not to mention the rebound

5.  Alcohol --- Okay,  but who can stop at two? When I'm over the limit --- it 's low then high later

6.  Casseroles --- Unless I measure and count all the ingredients; which I humbly admit I do not, so my sugars suck later on. 

7.  Buffets --- nothing more to say, other then, bolus, upon, bolus, upon, bolus......3-4 peaks later, it's a       major gamble on predicting blood glucose, and I always lose my bet

8.  Late night Binging --- any item, your choice, nothing like an insulin peak when your body doesn't need it!

9.  Fast Food --- Just refer to 3 and 4, same deal different meal

10.  All items that are difficult to measure or "eye ball" --- You all know the ones....

Have a great day! 

PS:  Feel free to add to the list

Diet-Betes? What is the Best Choice?

"So many choices"

All right,  I must revisit this topic, as I find myself "Flip-Flopping" in my mind as to what is the best diet for Diabetes.

I have talked about the "The Food Guide" I have discussed eating more natural in my post "The Diabetic Caveman" and really stirred up some serious discussion on Tudiabetes Discussion Forums by posing my question and post titled "Pro Carb or Low Carb?" the big debate.

I am sure most of you have heard from others with minimal knowledge related to diabetes the following statement:  "So your on the diabetic diet, eh?"  and, I am sure your response is as variable as Charlie Sheen's erratic behavior.

 I respond by saying "There is no such thing as a "Diabetic Diet" and because I am mouthy(opinionated) I usually add my two or three cents worth of information. 

But this "Flip flopping" got me thinking; since there are so many diets on the market, and it is a bit of a "past time" for me to read up on them, what is the best diet for diabetes?

One of my older posts, actually the most popular thus far, titled  "Pro Carb or Low Carb?"  touched on the Low Carb Diets on the Market and how research makes a point for them being an effective method to control weight, blood fat levels, blood glucose levels etc.

However,  there is also research indicating the opposite, that eating vegan, and or a "The Food Guide" type diet also creates weight loss over time.

I personally don't adhere to a low carb diet. I do go on low carb kicks, but can't seem to adhere to the diet long term. When I say low Carb I am talking 30-50 grams per day.

Recently I tied a Natural "Caveman Type Diet"  Basically if you can shoot it, pick it, pluck it, and it is unprocessed you can eat it.  With a few exceptions of course.  This was also hard to adhere to.......I'll blame my kids this time. 

The hardest part of any extreme diet is adhering to it. Consistency is key. But in my house full of little people, I find it extremely difficult (hence blaming them above) to be consistent.

I enjoy, popcorn, ice cream, and other high carb choices. I do agree that it is difficult to control Blood Glucose readings when I consume copious amounts of Carb(greater then 30).  If you have read Dr Bernstein's "Diabetes Solution" where he talks about the law of small numbers it does make sense. Actually makes a lot of sense but it's very rigid and extreme.  I'm talking 30 grams of carb a day extreme.  Man I just can't do that!

I just read today that the American College of Sports Medicine doesn't endorse any diet that is less then 1800 Cal for men and 1200 for woman.  More data to chew on. 

As stated above I also look at the government food guides.  Are they onto something?  Is it really as simple as eating a balanced meal, 25-30% calories from fat, 50-60 % from CHO, and the rest protein. The old calories in equals calories out formula for weight maintenance.

It got me thinking; man this sure is confusing, even to someone who understands basic human nutrition.  No wonder people are confused about what to fill their plates with.

I didn't even touch on the GI(Glycemic Index)of foods, which is also a commercial diet and numerous others, hormone, alkaline, blood type, lots of fad diets. I remember one diet my mom went on and all she ate was cabbage.  That was a stinky time in my life, but goes to show you how people do silly things.

Is it as simple as calories in equals calories out?  Or is it more complicated then that?  I just know what I observe and read.  For instance; since the agricultural revolution and mass food production there has been a direct correlation with obesity and a heavier over all population.  However, this is can be explained by lack of exercise, more sedentary jobs and lifestyle, TV remotes, etc.  Likely a combination of both. Who knows?

As a Type 1 Diabetic I'm left to ponder; what is the best diet? 

Well I am still really trying to figure this out.  I think it depends on personal tastes and preferences.  I also find one common theme.

That is; eat less, eat balanced, eat natural and don't forget about protein.

But I say it is what you do 80% of the time that counts.  So bloody hell have a piece of cake would ya!

I will have to write another top ten list, so I think the next will be top ten tips  tricks to diabetic eating.


Trev

What's up with the Food Guide!

Hello all you wonderful people!

As a nurse educator I am required to teach others with diabetes how to eat properly(well that's not all I do)  Yes, we have dietitian's for that during group programs.  However,  I do a lot of follow up with my diabetic patients.

I am required to cover the basics like, food choices, portions sizes, food types, fiber, etc.

So before every meeting, I must  reluctantly grab the Food Guide.  I say reluctantly for a few reasons.

The original Food Rules was designed and published in the 1940's, yes, the 40's when people were actually needing to gain weight, and suffered from malnourished diseases like scurvy, vitamin deficiencies.

Fast forward to now.  Go to the mall and look around and it is unfortunately obvious that we are no longer malnourished.

So I enter the room to advise my patient on proper eating, using a tool invented in the 40's, although it has been modified over the years.  At least now in Canada the fruits and vegetables are prioritized to the top, not starches like before. Unfortunately protein is on the bottom.

It is let's just say a professional dilemma for me to advise a person with diabetes to consume huge amounts of carbohydrate. Let's just kill the little Islet cells they have left shall we(Sense the sarcasm) Anyhow, I need a job so I have to follow the rules.

So there I am sitting across from an individual who tells me "I have been following the guide as recommended, and I am gaining weight, my blood fats(lipids) keep getting worse, and my diabetes is getting harder to control"
What do I say?  I can tell you what I want to say, which is,  stop eating so much carb, and grill yourself some lean steak and omega three eggs for breakfast instead of the 2 cups of cold cereal loaded with 80 grams of CHO(carbohydrate)

Back to reality. Don't worry, I rely on other tools.

I discuss the fact that obviously the plan is not working, so perhaps try reducing your carb intake by 10-20 grams per meal, add some lower carb vegetables, and increase the leaner proteins. I also explain the concept of glycemic index, fiber, and the role of fat and protein in satiety.

I encourage them to simply explore the literature, trial and error, and to ask themselves if their current method is actually working.

Basically I give them some food for thought, no pun intended.

I am glad that more and more people are considering lower carbohydrate diets as a healthy and legitimate weight loss strategy.  I am also glad that more and more research is being done on the effects of a lower CHO diet.

One final note: I tell them to shop on the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid the inner isles where all the super-carb loaded food is stored.

Trev

For the Love of FOOD

I wrote this around the holidays just after opening a box of home made treats! 

Food and diabetes, as we all know are intimately connected. 

On a personal note….My readings have been like a yo-yo as of late, opened up a huge box of home made Christmas treats and wham….there goes the control----mmmm gotta love the home made caramel popcorn!

 

I am still figuring out the focus of this site/blog.  There are a lot of sites that  explain the intricate details on the physiology of carbohydrate metabolism and all that exciting stuff, which I encourage all of you to study.  But, I'm not interested in re-inventing the wheel. 

I want to share with you what works for me, and my 2 kids (the ones with diabetes) 

 

I have read an abundance of information on diabetes and diet during my life.  The diet books are all slightly different in their premises but I can sum it up into the following schools of thought:

1.  Low carb/mod protein/mod fat

2.  High carb/low fat/low protein diets

3. Variations of the above

The recommended diabetes diet is basically the high carb(60%)low fat(<30%)low protein(20%)kcal diet---I'm Not even remotely sold on this concept, however, that is what the guidelines stipulate.

Personal notes:

If you can’t measure the carbohydrate content---proceed with caution because you’re likely to miss-guess. I hear that the food labels can be of by 10-15%.

The larger the amount of food (especially carb) the more variable the readings after eating will be.

 

It is way easier to manage post-prandial (after meal) blood glucose spikes if you consume less then 30 grams carb per meal. 

 

It is essential to take your Rapid acting insulin 20 minutes prior to taking the first bite.  Keep in mind the type of Carb---like pizza I will shoot up during and if pumping use "Mr Wizard's" square wave bolus.  Pizza is really tasty but I swear it takes 24 hrs to digest!

Cold cereal sucks-----taste great but wreaks havoc on your after meal sugars, normally because its eaten when your body is pumping out the hormones to resist insulin. Yes 2 hours after waking.

Always choose unprocessed whole food-In theory, but be human-eat the cake at a party, and personally I never turn down a free beer.

Protein is great for diabetes control and essential for controlling blood glucose, hence my disagreement with the 20% daily allotment.

Fat is not the enemy-well the good fats(omega 3`s) Eat some eggs, just hold the cereal and 80 gm bagel.

 

Always shop on the perimeter of the grocery store, the inner isles are loaded with processed crap

If you don’t buy it and take it home you won’t eat it(referring to the “junk food”)

I am not going to endorse any particular way of eating.  I recommend testing your blood glucose after a particular meal and decide for yourself.  If after eating cereal for example your glucose stays with in your target range (mine is under 7—yes after eating) then you will determine what food to avoid/include.

I recommend checking the recent diet books on the market.  Read them with an inquisitive mind.  Test the principles out.  Discuss with your health care provider; get lab work done before and after.  I call myself the lab rat.  Now don’t become a mad scientists, always check it out with your physician. Keep in mind that they likely have not researched the diets you are referring to. 

I view food in many ways:

First and foremost it is a tool to help me and my children manage our diabetes

Second, it is attached to many cultural and emotional events in our lives, hot chocolate after playing in the snow, huge turkey dinners at thanksgiving, etc.

Third…stress---most people eat when they are stressed or they reward themselves after a hard days work.

 

As a diabetic I try to endorse the first on the list, but to deny the pleasure of a hot chocolate, or a burger and fries on a Friday night to reward you for a week well worked can be dangerous. 

The trick is to behave 80% of the time and give yourself the guilt free permission to indulge in the forbidden food, while remaining conscious of the slippery slope of over consumption.

I guess to navigate all the forbidden food out there you need to have a plan to indulge, on your terms. 

Trev