Diabetics: Carbs or Calories & some myths (or are they truths)

[twinkly84]

If you're a diabetic, what's better to count: Carbohydrates or Calories?

 

Are these true:

 

1) Drinking green tea raises blood pressure but, assists in metabolism for losing weight?

 

2) If you drink a lot of black iced or hot tea, it makes you dehydrate?

 

3) If you drink iced or hot green tea, it should be sweetened only with an artificial sweetner or no sweetner at all?

 

4) Cinnamon on any items makes you lose weight?

 

I am a huge iced tea drinker. I use artificial sweetner though, is this good?

I do not like the taste of green tea so, what kind of tea could speed my metabolism up but, tastes similar to black or oolong tea?

 

What foods (not exercises) could I do to lose the weight quick in my stomach & buttock (they're my problem areas)? I want to lose weight quick & not have to be a diabetic anymore.

 

Thanks.

[Lobouspo]

A buddy of mine was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a little over a year ago and put on Metformin with an A1C of over 7. After his diagnosis he really keyed in on his carb intake, kept it under 200 grams a day and exercised regularly. A year later he lost 60 pounds and is off the Metformin. Did not try to lose weight, but was just a byproduct of watching his carb intake

[Lobouspo]

BTW...He mainly cut out sweets, soft drinks , potatoes and white rice.

[FitChick]

I'm surprised your doctor didn't give you a diabetic/low glycemic diet to follow. Google it. I'm sure there is a forum somewhere for diabetics.

 

You can't spot reduce and you can't "lose the weight quick." You didn't gain it "quick." You need to change all of your bad eating habits so it becomes a lifestyle change.

 

Maybe you would do better with support from groups like Weight Watchers or Lindora where you have to be weighed in and report to someone every week.

 

There is no magic food for weight loss, green tea or dark chocolate or anything else. It's all down to a balanced diet of fat, protein and carbs and eating fewer calories than you burn. Exercise can speed up the weight loss but in and of itself it isn't that good for weight loss, just toning muscles.

Edited April 8, 2014 by FitChick

[twinkly84]

Tonight, I'm going to begin with a new physician & will receive recommendations for another endocrinologist. I am unhappy with all currently.

 

I'm just hoping I can get a real diet plan, written out because I'm disciplined that way.

 

I do walk & do not eat junk but, I do have some snacks at times, I will admit.

 

The tea situation is a concern for me because, I drink a lot & want to know what is the real truth. Same goes for eating gummy vitamins, are they "real" or just sugared flavored candies without the minerals?

 

I am NOT good at swallowing pills whole either. I am hoping she puts me on medication that are not in pill form as much as possible.

[SJS]

I assume you're talking Type 2 diabetes and not Type 1?

 

 

I have experience with Type 1, so coming from that angle...you will need to count carbs. More than likely your endo won't give you much dietary advice, they will have you talk with a nutritionist/dietician. If you need to count calories, they will advise.

 

 

Gummy vitamins are a waste because the "gummy" part doesn't break down. You'd be better off getting a children's chewable. (a good test is to put it in vinegar, which mimicks stomach acid...gummies stay solid).

 

 

Be careful going sugar free or low sugar, it's often hard on stomachs. Our dietician said it's often better to just stay with the original version, except for pop---if you have to have it, then go diet.

[FitChick]

Forget artificial sweeteners. They are like poison and makes your body crave sugar. Use real sugar, honey or maple syrup. Not many calories in a teaspoon and you might gradually cut back until you get used to unsweetened green tea. I drink my black and green tea without sugar and prefer it.

 

If water bores you, try some Celestial Seasonings herbal teas until you find one you like. Lots of flavors and very tasty. You might like their Rooibos with Vanilla (not the exact name). It's red tea with vanilla for sweetness. I love that stuff. Good for you but not as bitter as green tea.

[twinkly84]

Ok so last night, I received A LOT of information concerning foods, sweetners, tea, etc.

 

I can't believe how even foods that claim are "sugar-free" or "whole grain" etc. really are poor for diabetics.

 

I was even told that I should not even drink black or oolong tea but, the green tea due to the fact that the tanins in there are harming and unlike green tea are not clean.

 

The doctor specified using splenda as the best artificial sweetner. She didn't mention about the regular sweetners though.

 

I will say this, I am very shocked in how the foods she said were supposed to be good for us really were poor. Plus, she said there's no "super foods" indicating quick weight loss.

 

She said too, that gummy vitamins are just as healthy as regular vitamins even though there's sugar listed as an ingredient usually first, it has not much of an impact of a diabetic's diet. I had that concern because, I don't swallow pills well. So, I look for any type of easier-to-swallow medication.

 

So much to learn...

[FitChick]

Your doc is wrong about Splenda. If you want to sweeten your tea, a small teaspoon of honey is better. Stevia is natural but I don't like the taste. Doctors are not trained in nutrition.

[UnlitCandle]

REAL honey and syrup I might add. Get them from a bee keeper or syrup producer, because those being sold on supermarket shelves are not even close to being actual honey (High Fructose Corn Syrup with coloring IIRC).