Diabetes Questions. Help Please?

[Circle_One]

My daddy was just diagnosed with diabetes and he's freaking out a little.

Tiny bit of background: he's 72 years old and weighs roughly 285-300lbs. He's also got arthritis in his shoulders and knees.

So if anyone knows anything about diabetes, I have a few questions, I'd really appreciate some help with.

1) What is he allowed/not allowed to eat? What should he eat? What specific foods are good for him? What specific foods are bad for him? How much should he eat? How often?

2) Because of his age, weight and arthritis, he's not much of an excersizer of ANY kind. Obviously, he should start excersizing, right? What should he start with? Walking?

3) He's not a smoker, or a drinker, but he is obviously an eater, and a big pepsi drinker. Can/should he switch to diet soda, or should he full out cut soda out of his diet and switch to water? Is he allowed to drink milk? Juice? Coffee?

4) Can he die?

Please help

 

[Buttons*]

I may not be 100% correct, but this is what I know about my Dad's diabetes.

1) What is he allowed/not allowed to eat? What should he eat? What specific foods are good for him? What specific foods are bad for him? How much should he eat? How often?

Well does he take insulin shots? I'm guessing no.... otherwise his doctor would have told him about that one. Basic stuff - don't eat too many sugars. Try to stay away from too much red meat and alcohol. My Dad eats once a day.... but that's because he loads up on the things he's not supposed to eat. Loads of fruit and vege, low cal, low fat foods.

2) Because of his age, weight and arthritis, he's not much of an excersizer of ANY kind. Obviously, he should start excersizing, right? What should he start with? Walking?

If he will even walk up the street and back once or twice a day, he'll be in better shape. (Assuming he doesn't walk a lot.) Bikes are always helpful, like an indoor bike. They are gentle on your joints.

3) He's not a smoker, or a drinker, but he is obviously an eater, and a big pepsi drinker. Can/should he switch to diet soda, or should he full out cut soda out of his diet and switch to water? Is he allowed to drink milk? Juice? Coffee?

I think most things are ok.... but he should switch to diet pepsi. Diet drinks, water, milk, coffee (low fat milk, no sugar), diet juices, vege juices, NO wine, try to get sodas that are low sodium as well. Example: Canadian Dry low sodium diet drink or Diet Coke.

4) Can he die?

Please help

Well.... if he gets close to death on diabetes, you'll have a few warning signs - his feet will turn black, he could slip into a coma, he could have kidney failure. Just keep an eye out, and if he feels unwell, make sure he sees a doctor.

 

[Buttons*]

Also, you should know that depending on the type, a healthy lifestyle can actually cause the diabetes to disappear. Though he'd have to be careful for the rest of his life.

 

[Circle_One]

Thanks Ash! :hug:

 

[Buttercup]

From what I understand, he probably has Diabetes 2 which generally has a later life onset. Diabetes 1 nearly always appears before a person leaves their teens. The good news is that Diabetes 2 can be reversed if he takes care with his diet and loses weight and exercises. My dad turned his Diabetes 2 completely around by altering his diet and losing about 20 pounds.

You're a good daughter to be so concerned about him.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Looks like you have most of it handled. Someone I love very much has diabetes but I am never home to get involved. Sorry work keeps me away. I know anything with carbs is bad. Also, as you adjust his diet be careful of cholesterol. It can creep up and make things complicated too. Check his blood sugar often! I am hoping to give up this job this year and be home more. When I do, and I can get more involved, I will pass along anything I think may help.

 

[Circle_One]

Thanks guys! :hug:

My poor daddy is all scared. I went over tonight to cook him dinner, to make sure he wasn't eating crap anymore (salmon steaks with fresh green beans and a salad, YES, booyah, I aparently CAN cook.. who knew?!), and as we were eating dinner, he started crying Poor daddy

 

[Buttons*]

Thanks guys! :hug:

My poor daddy is all scared. I went over tonight to cook him dinner, to make sure he wasn't eating crap anymore (salmon steaks with fresh green beans and a salad, YES, booyah, I aparently CAN cook.. who knew?!), and as we were eating dinner, he started crying Poor daddy

Make sure he knows that hundreds if not thousands of people with diabetes live long and healthy lives. I have a friend with type 1 diabetes, which means she has to inject herself with insulin at least three times a day, check her blood sugar levels, and has to be extremely careful - perhaps more careful than a person with type 2 diabetes. Her condition will never get better. Not to say that your dad is lucky by any means.... but the good news is that even though she's only 21, she can live a full life. She just got married last year.

My Dad has had diabetes for at least as long as I've been alive. He did not show any signs of it getting bad until this last year, and that's because he was INCREDIBLY irresponsible and drank like a fish. If your Dad can just keep an eye on what he's eating, I KNOW that everything will be ok. *Hugs* I'm so sorry that he has it... just let him know that he has little to fear! He just has to keep loving life and eat healthily.

 

[Circle_One]

Thanks Ash I keep trying to tell him that everything's going to be fine and that I'll do everything I can. I'll check his blood sugar for him every day, cause he's too scared to prick his finger himself, and if need be, I'll tell him to bend over and pull 'em down and jab him in the butt with a needle... that makes him laugh

I'm gonna take good care of him. He's just a little scared because he doesn't really understand it, ya know? I'm gonna go to the doctor with him on Wednesday, when he goes to get his kit and stuff, so I can be there when the doctor explains everything to him.

 

[DallasApple]

Thanks Ash I keep trying to tell him that everything's going to be fine and that I'll do everything I can. I'll check his blood sugar for him every day, cause he's too scared to prick his finger himself, and if need be, I'll tell him to bend over and pull 'em down and jab him in the butt with a needle... that makes him laugh

I'm gonna take good care of him. He's just a little scared because he doesn't really understand it, ya know? I'm gonna go to the doctor with him on Wednesday, when he goes to get his kit and stuff, so I can be there when the doctor explains everything to him.

(((HUGS)))For your daddy...

We just went through this Circle.My husband was diagnosed a couple months ago.I did nothing but reasearch and seeking advice for a week asking the same questions you are .Mainly what can he eat and not eat untill I finally started laughing and crying at the same time ....

I read this to my husband he by the way he has lost 20lbs since being diagnosed and his blood sugar levels went from a fasting 350 to maintaning anywhere from around 100 to 130.

If your father is willing I(and my husbnad said this) would reccomend he switch to drinking mostly water hun.Definately he can not drink sugared sodas.Same with juice.Just recently I read up on apple juice and it actually has more sugar and calories per serving than a coke.

I've got a couple of links to send you that my husband uses.But what has worked for my husband was lowering his bad carbs intake..white sugar..and less fat..

He eats more freqently smaller portions.Avoids things like pasta,potatoes ,rice,white bread....He gets all his sugar from fruit...He snacks in between meals to keep from getting in the starvation mode on things like roasted almonds or edame(steamed soy beans).with a banana.or an apple.all he drinks is water and unsweetened green tea...He eats a lot more veggies..he eats beans too..I know those are high in carbs but they have so much fiber it offsets it..he eats all the meats just not large portions..rule of thumb is a portion of meat should be about the size of a deck of cards..lots of salads just dont use a lot of dressing and skip the croutons..

Basically you eat healthy foods in moderate size portions.If you look at it its pretty obvious what you shouldnt eat.I mean right off the bat you said he drinks a lot of pepsi..NO ONE diabetic or not should drink a lot of that.Idealy you should never drink it.

I hope I didnt confuse you..I know when we first found out I got so frustrated with that one question I eventually said I know for sure he can eat celery and drink water.....:sad4:

My husband would call me from the grocery store and say "I cant remember can I eat wheat bread or not"..(just an example of how confused we were).

Anyway I hope these links help some..

Blood Sugar 101

What A Diabetic Person Can Eat | Diabetes Information

Love

Dallas

 

[Circle_One]

Thank you Dallas! We've been SO confused! :hug:

 

[DallasApple]

Thank you Dallas! We've been SO confused! :hug:

Honey just breath and dont panic..

If your daddy is willing he can turn it around..He isnt going to die..(or he doesnt have to) anyway..

I would first cut out the soda..No doubt..thats bad for all of us..start there in baby steps..If he is "jonesing" for that flavor diet coke or diet DR.Pepper is better than nothing ..there is "conficting" data on how the fake sugars affect our blood sugars and how it impacts how affective our insulin takes care of that ...You just dotn want a ton of it..I know that ..

I dont know what his other eating habits are but use common sense ..If its full of white sugar and white flour and loaded with high bad fat just dont eat it..

if its not ..then its O.K just never over eat anything .

I dont know if he likes rye bread but that is a good one..as long as is not "enriched white or whole"..YOu want "whole wheat" or "whole rye)only with bread.NO ENRICHED (NO ONE SHOULD HAVE IT)..

Does he like fruit? Thats the plus side you can have fruit..The vitamins and fiber in them are REALLY good for you.But again you just cant overload on it..

Beans?? They are awesome source of fiber and protein..So if he likes butter beans (limas) and black eyed peas or pintos or any of them you cook them up with flavor .YOu can have lean bacon too! With eggs..Skip the biscuit(LOL)..

Get rid of all the white sugar and white flour and sugary drinks ...

Everything we eat has "carbs " in it..and most times some sugar..We want to gear towards "fructose" and not "sucrose" sugars..And be sure to get that fiber intake we need...and protein...

Instead of junk food empty calories..

You have to think things like "zucchini" and "avocado"..Instead of "donut and french fries"...

If you are thirsty you have to think "water" and not Coke or 7-up..

Your daddy will adjust and feel better ...

Excersize?

I agree with the poster above if he is what you would call "sedentary"..a 10 miniute walk a day will be an advantage to his health..

Someone at his age and as what it seems like very overweight shouldnt jump on a treadmill and try to do arobisize...

If ya'll can get him an indoor bike that would be an advantage if he will use it..

(((HUGS))))

Love

Dallas

 

[Circle_One]

He's completely agreed to get off pepsi. He's not even upset about it. I think the whole Diabetes thing freaked him out so completely that he hasn't even looked at a pepsi since, it's been all water, all the time, mixed in with a cup or two of black coffee.

Oh, you mentioned eggs, good! He asked me about that one today, and I said I'd find out.

What about meats though? Ash said no red meats and you say he can still eat some lean red meats. I'm gonna wager and say that if I made something like shepherds pie with very lean hamburger, that would be ok, right? But like no big, greasy hamburgers.

What about other meats? Fish, pork, chicken?

What about cheese?

I also hear nuts are good for you, like unsalted sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts, walnuts, etc.. is that true?

He also asked me about desserts. Are there like low sugar desserts he could eat, or something like that? Are there some desserts that are better for him than others? Or something dessert like that can be a subsititute?

The thing you have to understand is my dad didn't get to 300lbs by not eating, ya know what I mean? So going from having two-three large helpings to like half a helping... isn't an easy option for him. Unless the food I make is exceptionally filling. But I don't know too many recipes that are easy enough for me to make, and don't take too long.

He's so accustomed to cooking crap. So I'm going to have to do the cooking for him now, and I'm no seasoned chef.

Oh, what about pasta... I know carbs are bad for Diabetes, right? So does that automatically mean pasta is out?

I'm sorry I'm babbling, Dallas, and I can't thank you enough for helping me here. It just seems that every website I look at just serves to confuse me more

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Just a thought:

My uncle's diabetic. I remember from when I was a kid, he had a poster in the kitchen with a quick-reference guide of what he could eat, what he couldn't eat, what portions he should have and what was equivalent to what. Maybe if you talk to your Dad's doctor, he or she might be able to point you toward a source for something similar (and more up-to-date than that version from 25 years ago).

 

[DallasApple]

[

What about other meats? Fish, pork, chicken?

He can eat meat.All the meats...But just with all of us he needs to stay away from super fatty meats and keep portions small about the size of a deck of cards.Shepards pie is good just not all the time you dont want to eat a lot of potatoes.My husband said you can subsitute by boiling cauliflower in chicken broth till its soft and then puree it and it taste like mashed potatoes and is much bettter for you.

What about cheese?

Yes he can eat cheese..a few slices of cheese with an apple in between meals helps stave off hunger ...

Oh, what about pasta... I know carbs are bad for Diabetes, right? So does that automatically mean pasta is out?

Pasta is not the best unfortunatley.I mean with all of this on occasion in very small portions isnt going to hurt but pasta should not be a staple in his diet.

I also hear nuts are good for you, like unsalted sunflower seeds, unsalted peanuts, walnuts, etc.. is that true?

Yes nuts are good..they have healthy fats and they have lots of protein and they fill you up .My husband eats roasted almonds every day in between meals to keep him from feelling hungry.But here again a serving size for that would be about half a cup.1/2 a cup of almonds with a peice of fruit like a banana or 5 or 6 strawberries is a great snack.Fruit and nuts also is a good breakfast.And sugar free oatmeal.

Oh, you mentioned eggs, good! He asked me about that one today, and I said I'd find out.

Yes my husband eats eggs for breakfast about 3 times a week with a peice of fruit.Again eggs have protein and fill you up.Add that to the fiber thats in most fruit and your off to a good start.

I'm sorry I'm babbling, Dallas, and I can't thank you enough for helping me here. It just seems that every website I look at just serves to confuse me more

Your very welcome and dont apologize as I said when my husband was diagnosed after about a week of researcing and posting about it here I was so confused I was talking to myself and dreaming about the glycemic index and one day Im not kidding you I just burst out into laughter with tears streaming down my face....every piece of food I looked at I wondereed if it was a "killer"..I had food running through my head all day.I was like what about carrots what about oatmeal what about caffeine what about fake sugar what about grapes .....thats when I said finally ..."you can have celery and water"..LOL!!!

Oh also if you dont have one buy an apple slicer.Its a circle and it slices through the apple and makes them into wedges and easier on the teeth to eat that way.

On the deserts?..The only one we have found is Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Popcicles.They still have 12 carbs but only 45 calories...Its better to let him have one of those a few times a week after dinner than nothing(ever) or he will get depressed and be tempted to go crazy and eat a whole Apple Pie or something ....Also the sugar free puddings.They are low in calories and taste good ..Again its only about a cup but its enough to keep you from feeling completely deprived.

Other than that I dont know of anything I would recommend he eat for desert.I mean not routinely.You have to look at the big picture.What he eats 95% of the time.An occasional desert(full sugar full fat) say once a month isnt the problem.The problem is some of us are in the habit of having something like a peice of cobbler(a giant piece) or a huge bowl of ice cream or something like that every day..Or even several times a week and when you add that up over a month its a butt load of sugar and fat .Then you add in that we are drinking cokes and fruit juces or sweetened tea or coffee every day and its pounds and pounds and pounds of sugar over a year.Throw in the white bread and pasta we eat all week and we are in an epidemic of people younger and younger developing type 2 diabetes.With your dads pepsi habit and sounds like sweet tooth and what sounds like significantly obese Im surprised he made it to 72 before developing it.

Im actually "borderline" myself.What they call "pre-dibetes"..I used my husbands blood sugar monitor and got a little surprise for myself..

Hang in there ..in a couple of months you will be in the swing of things and if your dad is committed will see immediate results.Just relax and use your God given good sense.It seems really confusing but when you sit and think about it its really quite simple.Whole natural foods in "normal" portions and variety ..not skipping meals and then eating 1200 calories in one sitting.And get up and move around more.

((((HUGS))))

Also tell your daddy that we are thinking of him here in Texas..and my husband wants him to know that he will stop craving all that fat and sugar.He will even get to where it doesnt even sound appetizing anymore.

Love

Dallas

 

[Walkntune]

I believe that there has been some good answers about telling your dad not to worry. Holding the sickness in your mind and feeling fear doesn't change the fact or help the situation.Sure he needs to be aware of steps to take to work toward being healthy but holding it in mind constantly and being afraid doesn't help and will also steal his joy away which I believe is part of the healing process.
There are two ways you can fight against war. You can go to an anti- war rally or you can go to a pro- peace rally.I believe going after your desired out come(peace) has much more benefit and momentum then trying to just become a resistance (anti-war).They both fight for the same cause but one stance gets you into a forward momentum and the other lets a momentum keep building against you.So I would try and suggest that he take a stance as resistance to the sickness but get a momentum of focusing on becoming healthy and still enjoy living and the good things life has to offer.I hope it's ok I shared my viewpoint as your story broke my heart and if it's ok I will pray for your dad.

 

[Valjean]

Did the clinic/hospital/Dr/Nrs who diagniosed him not provide any follow-up? He should have come home with an armful of educational pamphlets, videos, &c. A consultation with a dietician should have been scheduled, plus follow-up clinic visits to monitor his progress.
The fact that he's scared, rather than overwhelmed, leads me to think the medical establishment has not served him well.

As far as diet, it's crucial to diabetic management. You'll find all sorts of information with a simple google search, and you can print out dietary plans, exchanges, &c.
Exercise good. Walking's great.
Diet soda's fine, just check the label. I think some diet drinks do contain a certain amount of sugar.

Your father's status can be monitored by his blood sugar/glucose levels. I trust he's testing frequently in this early stage. Keep it below about 140. learn what foods, medications, exercises, &c tend to shoot it up or drop it down below 90 or so.

 

[DallasApple]

Did the clinic/hospital/Dr/Nrs who diagniosed him not provide any follow-up? He should have come home with an armful of educational pamphlets, videos, &c. A consultation with a dietician should have been scheduled, plus follow-up clinic visits to monitor his progress.
The fact that he's scared, rather than overwhelmed, leads me to think the medical establishment has not served him well.

As far as diet, it's crucial to diabetic management. You'll find all sorts of information with a simple google search, and you can print out dietary plans, exchanges, &c.
Exercise good. Walking's great.
Diet soda's fine, just check the label. I think some diet drinks do contain a certain amount of sugar.

Your father's status can be monitored by his blood sugar/glucose levels. I trust he's testing frequently in this early stage. Keep it below about 140. learn what foods, medications, exercises, &c tend to shoot it up or drop it down below 90 or so.

I was actually shocked that my husband came home with a diagnosis and a bag of pills (samples) and yes a "pamplet.And I mean specifically the 'what can I eat" question was on the mind 24/7.Some of the what can I NOT eat is so obvious.But there are some foods that arent so obvious like potatoes and even bananas because of the sugar.

And its funny you used the word "overwhelmed"..my husbands doctor told him not to "worry " about diet and excersize for the moment because he didnt want to "overwhelm him".Just start this medicaton because he was basically in shock at that point.He told him to come back in a month.And they would recheck him and then schedule for him to attend a group setting class on the rest..(diet and excersise questions)..

Well Im sorry a month is a lifetime to wait when you have been given that kind of news on what I would consider as crucial (diet and excersize) information to adress as taking any meds.And yes because you are very afraid.Id'e rather be overwhelmed trying to sort out the information than just sitting there waiting and afraid doing nothing to help yourself.

You feel completely helpless.You are litterally afraid to eat .Thank God for the internet and beign able to look up information and talk to real people that have succeded with diet changes and excersize patterns to help you.

I wasn't going to sit there and wait..While my husband was saying things like "I cant even eat a grape".And calling me and asking me if parsley was good or bad for him.

I think its pitiful for people to have the knowledge its their diet most likely that at least in part caused the condition and crucial to controlling it to have to sit there and wonder if a piece of cheese can harm them even for a day.

I think what they should do is give people a "menu" with choices for breakfast lunch and dinner and items they can eat as snacks in between and the big no no's and rules for moderation (portion sizes) to start them off with untill they figure out the rest.A weeks worth .

Here is what you can eat for breakfast tomorrow..here is what you can eat for lunch ..and dinner..here are some suggestions for snacks(with portion sizes included)...for now drink only water....

When you come back we will fill you in some more.In the meantime you can do your own reasearch but you will at least not be terrified that anything you eat could be potentially "deadly" because Im sorry rational or not thats what it feels like.

Love

Dallas

 

[DallasApple]

Im going to make a song!

When I was 43 !

I got a diabete...

Whoa oH woe is ME!!

Can I eat corn?

Is that the norm?

Can I have oatmeal?

Whats the deal?

What about berries?

They say Cherries!

What about cheese?

Tell me please?

Chili pepper is really good for my pecker??

If its red I should not dread?

Carbohydrates arent my enemy!

Can I have divinity?

If they tell me I cant...

I dont want to eat a plant!

I want want MEAT!

Is that something I can EAT!

What about bread?

Is that what they said?

Love

Dallas

Here is me on 9-21 (its been 4 months not 2 as I remembered..this is 3 days after he was diagnosed)

Love

Dallas

 

[SugaCubez352]

I heard Dr. Dru (KROQ etc...) once talk about cases of people who had multiple personality syndrome and how these people had diabetes... but Dr. Dru was perplexed because some of the personalities these Diabetic people had did not have diabetes. I don't know what that means. Just thought I'd share.