Several Snacks A Day For Diabetic

I’ve always thought that as a type 2 diabetic.. i would need to be eating constantly .. but just smaller meals.. to regulate the blood sugar.  I even stopped doing my free online auctions because i thought i needed to have a snack .. and didn’t dare miss one in case it causes my sugar level to go too low.  But i just found out that things are different now .. because the way the new insulins work, one doesn’t need to do that no more.

“If you have type 2 diabetes, take oral medications, and have low blood glucose at random times, you don’t need a snack. You need to lower your meds,”

It is also good to know that if you are hungry in between meals.. and need a snack, it is best to eat non-carb snacks such as raw vegies, cottage cheese, unsalted nuts or a cheese but all these also means that there are calories involved.

Reasons For Eating Meals Regularly

Why do diabetics need to eat regularly..??  as for me.. since i’m a type 2 diabetic..  and started to take medication for it.. i’ve noticed that eating regularly is a must.  My bodyis not making enough insulin or glucagon to keep my blood sugar regulated.  Therefore, the medication can cause low blood glucose at times since my body cannot correct itself.  So if you are like me .. and is on medication, do eat your meals regularly .. although .. at first Mr Moo didn’t understand why i would go crazy.. if i didn’t get my food on time.  But after i had to take medication, i think he is taking it a lot more seriously.

High Blood Sugar In The Mornings

It’s been more than a month since i started on a full course of diabetic medication.  And religiously i would note down what i ate.. and what were my blood sugar level .. as much as possible.  Unfortunately, when one is traveling it does makes it hard.  But one must try right..?? it’s like putting in   pond aerators for your fishes  .. that keeps them healthy.

Anyhow, my overall blood sugar all day is not bad.. never able 10 after eating.. nor before .. but when it comes to the mornings.. just after one wakes up..  it is not ideal.  I can be anywheres from 8 – 9 .. and the ideal should be below 7 if possible.  And i’m trying just about everything i can to bring it down.. but to no avail.  So the next appt to the doctor.. i’m gonna discuss this with him seriously.

ENT Specialist

So Missy Moo saw her family doctor with swollen tonsils and she didn’t sleep well for 3 nites in total.  As expected..  he wasn’t gonna give her any medication – surprise !! surprise..!!  NOT! He wants her to see an ENT Specialist and guess what..?? the one and only that we have here in Y-town  – is said to be meant.. and very busy.  They called today.. and Missy Moo’s appt is in NOVEMBER!!!!!  yes .. NOVEMBER..!!!!  crazy or what..??  no medication.. !!! and now the ENT doc only available 3 months from now.  So my kid gotta suffer lah..??  Wait .. let me get some Naot sandals and run home .. i think that would be faster.. !! and i’m talking about running home to Asia..!!!

Swelling Throat Glands

Missy Moo’s throat had been swelling for a few days.. but knowing that her doctor wouldn’t give her anything ..  if it just started.. we decided to wait for a few days to see if it was gonna calm itself down.. but we highly doubt it.  This morning.. she was clearing her throat incessantly during breakfast.. and as i suspected.. it had grown even bigger.. and redder.  So we called the doctor’s office.. and made an appt to see him.  They are yet to come back from the doctor’s .. and lets see what he would give her this time.

Blood Pressure – Limit Salt Intake

Not that I like a lot of salt in my food but i was looking at getting some discount classroom furniture for my sponsored kids – this guy who was battling with high blood pressure all his life, told me that although we need salt, sometimes, we don’t know that we eat far too much of it.  This does helps the blood to increase its pressure to certain ppl.

Most of the salt we et does not come from salt shaker but rather processed food that often contain hidden sodium.  For example, a bowl of canned soup, six chicken nuggets with BBQ sauce or a ham sandwich each contain about 1000 mg of sodium, the equivalent of half a teaspoon of salt.  So if you consider how much of that you take daily, that can add up quicker than you think.  So that really woke me up .. and I am cutting back on my salt by not eating a lot of restaurant food from now on.

Reflexology

I missed my reflexology back home, I go to Wan Yang at Woodlands and i usually buy a package of 10 and pay in advance as much as $250 + taxes for it.  By doing that .. i don’t have to pay the regular price of $33 a session..and I also get 2 free sessions.  On top of reflexology session i go for every week, i also go for their back massages.. which helps me to sleep better at nite since I had a back injury before.

Coming to Canada, I can’t find anyone who does the same kind of reflexology as the ones I get back home and the ones i found available here are too expensive a session just to try out.  Because in all good reflexology, you have to have at least 5 sessions if not more.. to see it work.  But at $50 a session .. and not knowing if it is the one i am used to back home, i decided not to try it.

But recently, I found a customer/friend’s wife who does it.. and apparently, she knows a lot about reflexology.. and had told me that it’s 10 sessions and the first session that is for consultation, which gives me the confidence that she might just be the one for me.  I’m going for my first session .. on Friday.. so i’ll report back later.

Diabetes Update

So it had been about a month since i started on full medication for my diabetes .. and also changed my diet.. and started walking a wee bit… although not very successful.  But changing my diet.. had actually made me look forward to a healthier me, afterall, I don’t want to have a  disability insurance so soon.  Plus who would insure me… if i am not healthy right.   I am darn proud to report that my blood sugar is slowly but surely going down.. and I’m darn happy about it.    But having said all the above, one knows that diabetes kills one slowly and  Allsup has a 98% success rate for those who complete the SSDI process with them.   Allsup is a leading nationwide provider of financial and healthcare related services to people with disabilities. Since 1984, Allsup has helped more than 110,000 people receive their entitled Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicare benefits.

H5N1

A 48-year-old woman is in critical condition with human swine flu at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

She came down with flu symptoms July 9 and saw a doctor. She went to the hospital today after she became more ill, suffering a fever, cough and shortness of breath. She required ventilatory support after admission.

Another 34-year-old man is in serious condition at Tuen Mun Hospital. He was admitted to an isolation ward July 11 after coming down with fever and flu symptoms two days earlier. He is being treated with Tamiflu and antibiotics.

The Centre for Health Protection is investigating an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection in a residential workshop for the physically and mentally disabled in Eastern District. Five workshop attendees, four residents and seven staff members, comprising eight men and eight women aged 22 to 47, have developed a fever, cough, runny nose and sore throat since July 11. A 22-year-old man was confirmed to be infected with swine flu and admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. He is stable. Nine others also sought medical attention.

There were 78 newly confirmed cases of human swine flu today, involving 38 men and 40 women aged five months to 58 years. This brings Hong Kong’s total tally to 1,467.

Traveling With Diabetes

So I am about to go on a vacation.. one that i haven’t taken for years.  You must be wondering . .since I have diabetes.. what am i gonna eat.. when i am not home right..?  Well.. diabetics unite..!! for i have good news for you.  As a diabetic.. you can eat anything.. but in moderation.  Try to eat those things.. you normally eat.. and if you cannot get those.. and eat out in a restaurant.. be sure.. you choose a vegie or a salad.. to go with your meal.  Eat lean meat.. or fish if possible.. and nothing in my humble opinion is a taboo.  Just eat them in moderation.  For example.. if you cannot find your regular snack.. and is at Macdonalds.. just eat half a pie ..and half a cup of tea or coffee with non fat milk.  No sugar of course.. unless you can get that sweetner thingie.  i know i’m gonna do well when i am on vacation .. and so will you with right right mindset.

Skincare

I want to get the best skincare and wouldn’t mind paying for it.  So i found out that i had blackheads and can’t wait to get to an esthetician .. to get rid of it.. without damaging my face.  I came out $72 poorer .. but i still see lots of blackheads on my face.  Disappointed but what can you do.  I know that back home .. my esthetician never leaves anything behind in my skin.. when i walk out of the door.. but here.. *sigh*… what can i say right.  Not gonna waste my money over that place no more.  I can do a better job .. i believe.

Fibre For Diabetes

If you have diabetes, you need to boost your fibre intake to around 50 grams per day.

Eat fruits, vegetables, or grains, and you’ll digest loads of vitamins and minerals. What won’t you digest? Fibre. That’s because fibre is the part of plant-based foods that is nearly indigestible. Rather than being absorbed through digestion like other nutrients, two types of dietary fibre get to work in ways that can be especially beneficial for people with diabetes.

Insoluble fibre will not dissolve in water. This is “roughage,” the skins and peels of fruits, of root vegetables, and of certain types of seeds and nuts, and it passes through the body’s digestive system mostly intact. On its passage through the body, insoluble fibre sponges up water, softens and adds bulk to stool, and “scrubs” the digestive tract, helping food move through your system. In this way, insoluble fibre helps maintain regularity and prevent constipation. Insoluble fibre may also be a boon to those trying to lose weight: Since it takes a while to transit through the body, it may help you to feel fuller and eat less.

Soluble fibre does dissolve in water. You consume soluble fibre when you eat certain green vegetables, fruits, legumes (peas, beans, and lentils), oat bran, rice bran, psyllium, and barley. As soluble fibre transits the body, it becomes a gel-like substance that binds to the digestive tract. That gooey, gel-like fibre traps substances related to cholesterol, slows gastric emptying, and delays the small intestine’s absorption of glucose. Lowered cholesterol could help to reduce the heart disease risks people with diabetes face. And slowed-down digestion and absorption of glucose make it easier to manage post-meal blood glucose spikes. Some researchers believe that over time, repeated post-meal blood glucose spikes could double a person’s risk of heart attack and stroke.

Most North Americans consume only 4 to 12 grams of fibre per day. The recommended daily intake should be upwards of 26 to 35 grams, and if you have diabetes, you need to consume up to 50 grams per day.

Don’t worry, fibre can be found in many foods. And since it is not digested, you won’t have to worry about fibre adding calories to your daily count! Do add extra fibre to your diet gradually, as it can be taxing on your digestive system at first. Bloating is common, but will go away in a few weeks.

When choosing your sources of fibre, consider both fibre content and where that fibre falls on the glycemic index. Glycemic index measures how much of an effect a food will have on blood glucose levels. Research has found that adults with type 2 diabetes who ate a diet rich in high-fibre, low glycemic-index foods had improved cholesterol profiles and better control of blood glucose.

Note: People with diabetes who are on insulin therapy must closely monitor their carbohydrate intake, but fibre is factored separately.

Not Psychic

Missy Moo had hives yesterday and since it was a holiday, we ran into the emergency room because Benadryl didn’t help.  Today, her tongue swelled up at 4.30pm.. and we called the family doctor immediately.  In which the secretary replied that had we called in the morning .. she could have fit us in.  He was seeing his last patient and cannot wait for us for 10 mins.  That was really helpful !  NOT !  If we were psychic, well, you can see us making the appt in the morning.. but since we are not we could not predict she was gonna be ill at 4.30pm.

So we ended up in the emergency room again.. and waited for 3 hrs.. while Missy Moo suffered.  Firstly, ppl who have no kids.. do not understand the anxiety .. we have to go thru’ when a child is ill.  Surely, OUR family doctor can wait for us for 10mins.. instead of making a 5.5yrs old suffer the way my kid did..??  Pissed..??  and understatement ..!!  and if i ever leave this country.. i’ve said this many times.. and i’m saying it again..  it’s the medical system here.. the lack of doctors.  If we were home.. this would never have happened.