See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests


As to diets, I did once lose around 25 lbs. over about 8 weeks, living on my normal meals PLUS about 6 Klondike bars a day (pre-diabetic days) ...tho' I did end up in the hospital for stomach problems, and as you said, no sane doctor would recommend that as a diet. lol!View Thread

I didn't realize that that cake is considered a simple carb, and am grateful for your explanation concerning what happens when carbs go thru the bloodstream. My MD has a very thick Chinese accent, so it's hard for me to understand her. Like most men, I don't ask for a clearer explanation, but just figure I'll muddle thru it. LOL!
As to Food stamps, you are mostly correct, although I'll add that a person cannot buy prepared hot foods when using f/stamps; like rotisserie chicken, hot subs/sandwiches, etc.
As to my feeling "Forced" (to eat more chocolate cake....what can I say, Rationalization can be a wonderful thing! LOL! But, again thank you for your detailed explanation...it'll keep me from buying it again, b/c I won't have my rationalization to make excuses for it. With my screwy insides (situs inversis totalis ); I'd be totally screwed if I ended up needing a transplant!
You're also VERY correct about the difficulties in quitting smoking. I did quit once before for around 7 months. But, that was prior to being diagnosed w/ diabetes, and the way I did it then, certainly would not be advisable for me to do now. Back then, I lived on basically chocolate for about 3-4 days and did nothing but sleep during that time. Doubt my MD would approve of that method now!
Unfortunately, until Medicare kicks in next May (assuming the gov't doesn't screw it up anymore!), Medicaid won't pay for a dietician. But, as you pointed out, I can always find good info on the web.
Thanks again for your responses...View Thread




As I said, I get $162/mo. in stamps, which was a major cut from before my SSDI was granted (was $189/mo.), but at that time I only received $183/mo under Maryland's state level for disability. Different states have different rules; in Delaware, I would've only rec'd about $75/mo., but allowed to work (w/ no loss of benefits) up to 200% below the fed. poverty line...in MD, where I live, if you worked even 1 hour, you would lose ALL benefits: cash, foof stamps AND medical assistance.
As to how I manage my $$, besides the f/s, I get a federal SSDI payment of $951/mo. rent is $685/mo. My electric rates just went up, I now pay $110/mo and my internet costs me $38/mo. I paid my auto insurance off for the year (liability only) and own a '92 Cavalier as well as my old '89 F-150 pick up. To add the car cost me only $10/mo more, so to me, it's worth keeping both. My cigs cost me around $70/mo., leaving me $48/mo. for gas and other non-food expenses: i.e.: soap, laundry, etc. plus my cell is also a "pay as you go" (10 cents/min.) and rather than a land line, I use Skype..$20/3 months. So, in summary, I don't misuse my funds either and live a very frugal life. Yes, I smoke (I don't drink at all), and yes, this money could be used to buy healthier food, but even my MD has told me this is not a good time to quit, as most quitters tend to eat more and more carbs to decrease their nicotine cravings, and in my case, I need to focus on getting my sugar levels (and A1c) back under control before I try to quit smoking.
--Judge ye not, lest thee be judged--View Thread

I don't buy the soft, gooey white bread...I buy the wheat version! lol! But, like I said before, 77% lean fat hamburg is far cheaper than 98% is. White flour is cheaper than wheat flour; my no name ice cream costs $4.99/GALLON...try buying yogurt for that price...you might get a quart, if you're lucky and catch a good sale! I cut out buying reg. sugar and use only 1/2 a packet of Splenda in my morning tea. (only 1 cup/day, but w/ 2 bags of Salada black tea.)
Chocolate, I admit is my biggest vice, but I'm trying to wean myself off it. I do smoke, and tho' the $70/mo I spend could go to buying healthier foods/snacks, smoking does decrease one's appetite. I tend to not eat all day, but by 8:PM or so, I start eating sporadically, until I go to bed, which is usually around 5:AM...I've become an internet junkie!
To "help" my vitamin D deficiency, I purposely leave my cigs in my car, bringing in 1 pack/day, to force me to go outside every day to get the next pack. It may not sound like much, but to me, it's a big effort to do this every day. Quitting smoking is not something I'm willing to do right now, as I know (via my MD) that when a person quits, they tend to go overboard on eating a lot of carbs, which, of course, spikes their sugar levels. I already eat a lot of pasta, I don't want to know how much more I'd be eating if I tried to quit.
One last thing I'll note...I also have all my organs on the wrong side, facing backwards, and have recently found out that my aorta and ventricle valves are switched, w/ the aorta now being below the ventricle. I add this to this post b/c of a recent incident that left me wondering...One night (about 2 months ago), I had a craving for some chocolate, so I ate about a 3" slab of triple chocolate cake, around 1:AM, which I ate in bed, washing it down w/ ice water. I went to sleep around 2:AM, and got up around 8:30AM. When I tested my sugar, my result was a "46", which caused me to be "forced" to eat more chocolate cake! I believe my screwed up insides had a hand in why my sugar was so low, but, of course, I'm no doctor. Any opinions why my sugar level tested so low, despite having that cake only 6 hours prior?
Recently, (in this past month) I noticed my index finger was discolored btwn the 1st and 2nd knuckle...which, from my reading up on it, is usually associated w/ type 1, not type 2, which I have and is indicative of an out of control sugar level; hence my main reason for trying to get things back under control. I did it before, so I know I can do it again. My only real challenge will be making sure I don't allow it to get out of control again. My biggest failing was to believe that I could get it into a reasonable range and then forget all about it, thinking it could be handled like catching the flu or having chicken pox: you get thru it once and it's over and done with and you forget about it. Hard it was to realize and accept that, no, this is a condition that you have to keep constantly in check for the rest of your life!View Thread


not too well; my last A1c was 10.0, which is mainly due to being off my meds for about 1 month...no insurance, no cash...(when i say no insurance, i'm speaking of no medicaid!)
To all who replied, one thing that needs to be mentioned is that healthy foods are much more expensive than the unhealthy or less healthy foods. I don't use sugar nor added salt to my meals; i eat wheat bread, but not whole grain b/c of its costs. I, do however, love my chocolate...be it cake, ice cream or candy bars...
i am also disabled and walking is difficult for me. On top of all these issues, I was just diagnosed w/ Parkinson's....which, for those who don't know, causes uncontrollable tremors, in my case, w/ my hands...try measuring things while your hands are bouncing all over the place!
Recently though, my medicaid was reinstated...until next May, when Medicare kicks in, so I'm back on my meds--although it is at a reduced level (Medicaid won't cover my insulin pump supplies, so I'm back to taking shots.) Try measuring needle doses w/ constantly shaking hands! I try to 'shake in rhythm! lol! but, as i try to keep believing: you live the life you're dealt, w/ as much humor as you can.View Thread
See Related Eating & Diet Communities
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Other Diabetes Information
- Diabetes Health Center
- Dieting Club: 50 – 100 Lbs Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!
- Blog : Conquering Diabetes with Michael Dansinger, MD
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.



