Low Carb Snacks

Diabetic Living listed a few low carb snacks for those like us – diabetics – so I thought I would list it out and share it with you too and my concerns.

Yogurt is one of them – we all know yogurt is great – but make sure you check how much sugar is in it before eating.  I used to eat Yogurt from Tim Hortons – not realizing that there is like loads of sugar in it – sure it was like very little calories – but being a diabetic – i know eat 1/3 of it each time instead of a full cup.

Oranges – If you’re hungry for a snack, grab one small orange and get a juicy dose of vitamin C as well as fiber, which helps keep blood glucose under control.  You can’t go wrong with oranges eh?

Frozen Fruit Bar – Next time those hunger pangs hit, pick a frozen sugar-free fruit bar–it will treat your sweet tooth and might also have extra vitamin C.

Graham Crackers – They’re not just for kids! Graham crackers are convenient, portable, and offer that oh-so appealing crunch. Grab three graham cracker squares to get 15-20 g of carbs.

Bread with Peanut Butter – When you need a more filling snack, spread one slice of whole wheat bread with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. It’s a hearty treat that’s packed with protein and has heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. This one i love and easily available for anyone.

Popcorns – If you have a hankering for a crunchy snack, skip the chips and grab 3 cups of light popcorn (no salt, no butter). Plus, popcorn is easy to grab on the go and full of fiber.

Apple – you can’t go wrong with apple right..??  Apples come in so many varieties, it’s easy to find the perfect flavor. Choose one small apple at snack time for a serving of fruit that’s also a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps prevent cholesterol buildup.

To be con’td —

Low Blood Pressure

So the first week I used the infrared sauna 5 times a week – to get my pores to open up and to get some toxins out and it was going great.  So I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday and she told me my blood pressure was very low – so i had to stop going so often for the sauna session.  I quickly changed my sauna to only once a week now and looking to buy apidexin some anyhow – to keep my weight down.

You all know that a few weeks ago – my doctor told me that i had put on weight?  Yes! bummer!  someone with diabetes like me – that isn’t good news at all – so i took steps to correct that.  Besides eating right and exercising every day – even on weekends – i am still not going down very much except for the first week.  So i figured some help like a safe diet pill may help?  for now the infrared sauna gotta slow down a wee bit.

Anxiety Attack Medication

So I finally went to see my doctor about my anxiety attacks that i had a few weeks ago.  It was a civic holiday here in Canada and the doctor was there till noon.  My appointment was at 9.30am – so I took a cab there instead of making Missy Moo and Mr Moo get up so early to bring me there.  As soon as I got into the cab – i tried to get the windows open but it wouldn’t open.  I felt like i was going to have another attack there and then.  But managed to calm myself down.

After chatting with the doctor ( a new one – on training), my family doctor came to review my consultation with the new doctor.  I am just as happy I’m able to identify that i need help – as my doctor said.   So another medication on my list for try out for 2 weeks and I have to go for therapy too.  I started my “depression” medication yesterday – I guess we’ll have to wait for a few days to see how it is working.  The only reason why I figured i needed medication is because i don’t wanna traumatize Missy Moo should have i one of the attacks – i forgot to tell the doctor that the last time i had the attack bad – i had raised my voice at Missy Moo – because she asked for more noodles – and i so don’t like that.  So there you have it – should i be ashamed of myself for needing medication?  no of course not – a lot of ppl are shy to tell people that they are on medication – but I won’t – because would you be ashamed to tell people you have a cold or a flu? it’s the same thing yet not quite – but being upfront and taking control of one’s health is very important – because in the long run – it not only benefits me but my entire family.

Brisk Walking

As a diabetic – putting on weight is not a good thing – that can only mean that your blood sugar is going slowly up and surely.  I’ve always pride myself of identifying if something was wrong with me – and try to correct it and I know that I’ve been slowly but surely putting on weight.  I figured it is because this summer i wasn’t doing a lot of exercises nor walking – so in order to keep my weight down – i’m going to start brisk walking again for 30 mins a day – before or after meals.   I looked at some merrell shoes that i can wear for work and not having to change it to do my brisk walking because I would use any excuse I can to get outta it.   But truth be told – comfy shoes are very important for walking – and I won’t mind spending a little bit more for comfy shoes.  What about you?

Mini Exercises

Some doses of exercises throughout the day is good for anyone – especially one who is  a wee bit overweight or has diabetes or has high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  Yes – it’s me I’m talking about – so instead of making excuses about a busy schedule I now incorporate mini exercise. and you can too.

The goal is to get moving for a total of 30 minutes each day – you can choose to  a 5 mins Yoga.   Walk or climb some staircases for 7 – 12 mins a day – but start with 5 mins first and then work your way up to more mins a day.   Try to walk whenever you can instead of talking a bus or taking your car.  Stretch whenever you can – and if you are walking on the computer all day – take 5 mins from every hour and do some light stretching.  Try that for a month and see what happens – i bet you will feel a lot better like I am.

Oats & Raisin For Breakfast

I woke up this morning with a bad headache and also full of guilt because i had a cheese croissant for supper before going to bed.  I wonder if it was too much and my blood sugar was high therefore the headache – because i can’t imagine that i didn’t get enough to eat before sleeping.   So while thinking of what to eat for breakfast – and to somewhat make it a healthy one – Mr Moo showed me a best affiliate program review – because he knows i’m always looking out for ways to make money – and i got distracted.

Anyhow, my headache persisted and Mr Moo made me some oatmeal with some raisins – which prompted me to eat oats instead for a snack if i was hungry from now on at night.  I feel absolutely guilty if i ate noodles or even mini spring rolls – plus we all  know that oats is good for diabetics like myself.  But I think I might need some variety with my oats in the morning – like add a banana or granola – or even some pecan or almonds.  Yums!  try that !  i know you won’t think of oats the same way anymore.

Foot Pains For Diabetic

When i first became diabetic – my first thoughts were my foot  – why?  because i’ve heard so much about complication which results to amputating your feet.   But you see diabetics are also prone to foot pains as I became aware of in the later part during the year after i found out about me being diabetic.

I don’t know if you have foot pains or not but when i was getting ready for summer and shopping for rechargeable lanterns I experienced it.  It was not so much of a pain – more like numbness and i hear from my other friends that everyone’s experiences were different.  Some people can lose their felling without pain while others have pain without numbness. Shocking I am sure to some peo9ple at this point – but I’ve also heard of some ppl who have burning sensations.

So is it a nerve disorder – i’ll have to  ask my doctor and what can one do to treat it?

Numbness & Tingling Fingers

I need to go back and see my family doctor really soon because even after taking one a day vitamin I had numbness & tingling fingers yesterday – first on the left hand and then on the right hand.  It didn’t last long a day for each hand – and then it was gone – but it sure worried me – because i’m diabetic.

But that’s not the only reason why i am at high risk – for a heart attack or something to do with diabetes – i also remain seated in the same position for a long time. And i type a lot on the computer.   And even though I’m taking medication for high cholesterol and high blood pressure – one cannot help but be extra careful – so making an appointment with the doctor is a must.

Optician and Optometrist

So I’m ready to get new glasses for my eyes and am due for my yearly eye exam as well  – the last time i went for the eye exam locally was a year ago.  And since the previous Optometrist I have been going for a long time – wasn’t available – i decided to try a new one downtown.  So  happily ever after – i went after doing some noxycut reviews and to learn that i was being charged for my eye exam – the reason the “eye doctor” gave was because I was already seeing a specialist.  I didn’t think much of it – and paid up and left.

Two days later – i went to get my prescription filled only to learned that my specialist shouldn’t have interferred with my yearly check up – that my health insurance would have paid for it.  So we called up MSI Canada to learn that I was truly covered.  So back and forth from MSI to the optical shop – why i call them an optical shop was because MSI had told us the “eye doctor” apparently wasn’t a optometrist – and the optical shop claimed that i didn’t tell them that i was diabetic – which was pure bullshit.

Anyhow to keep the long story short – we had no choice but to take it up with the college of physicians in Nova Scotia because you see an Optician, an Optometrist and a Refractor Engineer/doctor are all different people – with different capabilities.. and remember – if you are a diabetic – you have to see an optometrist and not anyone else – else MSI will not cover you.

I am truly disappointed with this whole event – I felt that i was mis-informed by this optical shop and I’m not the only one who was fooled apparently – a short chat with our friends and relative – they too thought that this “eye doctor” was an optometrist.  So sad that a professional like this “eye doctor” – is doing what he is.  Truly sad!   So folks if you are going to see a eye doctor – make sure you know for sure that they are really eye doctors.

Eye Check Up For Diabetics

So i finally made it up to the city yesterday for my second opinion from another specialist – about my eye – it was at the VG in the city.  It always feels good to visit the hospital up in the city – even the outdoor rugs looked prestigious.

Anyhow – the wait was like an hour and the eye specialist must be a german  – he was pretty nice.. i do liked him – very professional and got to the eyes immediately – although pretty uncomfy even though my eyes were dilated but the bright light really can kill!

The eye specialist doesn’t think i need to do anything as of yet.. even though – there are some broken blood vessels but he said it can be due to my high blood pressure too.  Mr Moo had joked later that day – that we shouldn’t take the saying ” pop your eyes out – because of being so angry” lightly at all from now on – hahah!!  Anyhow – i was told to follow up with my own eye doctor back home every 8 months – in the meantime – i better go for another blood test soon – it’s overdue again – what’s new right?

Eye Specialist For Diabetics

As a diabetic – one needs to know that the your eye sight may deteriorate more than the normal person in a more faster pace.  Therefore, when i found out that i was diabetic, i requested to see an eye specialist – which my ex – family doctor conveniently did not mention at all. But he didn`t fail to tell me that everything will go – or rather come together with being a diabetic – so kind of him – NOT!  while the spouse recommended we buy a  LCD HDTV because hearsay, it`s good for the eye.

Anyhow, it was true my family doctor from home that i learned that i needed to see an eye doctor yearly -people who have diabetes are at a higher risk for glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, in which fluctuating blood glucose levels slowly damage the retina. A rapid change in your vision can often be a first sign of diabetes. Plus, blurred vision is a potential complication of the disease. So i did last year and he wanted a second opinion on my eye – so i had no choice but to go.  After so many set backs – i am finally able to make it up to the city to get my second opinion – but that will be another story for another day.  The reason why I am writing – is because I want those with diabetes to know that they need to see an eye specialist yearly.  So don`t forget now!

Carb Expert

I have become some sort of Carb expert these days – why ? because there are lots of misconception about what you can eat and what you cannot eat as a diabetic.  I was with my  term life insurance agent for lunch – when she told me i shouldn’t be having any candies whatsoever – hahah!   I hear this so often – and I know that people don’t even know that it’s not just the sugar but Carbs are just as bad. Bread, cereal, pasta and potatoes are carbs but having said all the above – there are the good carbs that people like us can take.

What makes a good carb? A concentration of vitamins, minerals, and fiber — nutrient-dense foods that help you avoid empty calories. Often, similar-size servings of two carb-containing foods have about the same amounts of calories and carbohydrate, but one may be a better choice nutrition wise. For example, 1/2 cup of orange juice with pulp (fiber) and enhanced with calcium offers more nutrition than 1/2 cup of orange drink, which gets most of its calories from added corn syrup.  So – there you have it – choose the good carb and eat everything in moderation.

Going Natural On Diabetes

So a customer walked in yesterday to try to get some popcorns from our store – you see we own a movie store – so naturally – he thought about us – when he wanted popcorns.  I also learned that he is diabetic – because i had offered him some candies instead – how embarrassing is that.   For you never think anyone else is diabetic but yourself right?  Anyhow we went on talking about other medication for diabetes and  human growth hormone because he ran out of his metformin and his doctor’s appointment is only in May – so he is currently taking some natural herb as a supplement.  I had asked him if it works – he said he didn’t feel any worst – or the same – plus the person – his brother who recommended it to him had kept his blood sugar at 4.5 – which is incredible.

Now having said that – i don’t know how much these natural herbs/supplement would cost me – because my medications are subsidized.   And although i would love to keep my blood sugar this low – i wonder how much i have to spend and plus my blood sugar is already kept low – but i noticed that after taking my diabetic medication – weight is slowly creeping up on me.  Well, maybe – i’m eating more?  more goodies from home ?  but i really don’t think so – i am eating normal – not excessive – so i am inclined to believe that it’s the new medication i am taking.  But I’ll update in a bit once i find out more from that customer in a few weeks and see how he is doing.  So what’s your take on going natural on diabetes medication?

Foot Exam For Diabetics

Yes, being a diabetic can be very troublesome because you are at high risk for everything.  Did you know that as a diabetic – you are at greater risk for heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, loss of limbs and lot of other unwanted complications.  My ex- doctor – wasn’t so kind as to lay it to me easy – he told me straight to my face – like i was a gone case – hahhaha!!  no comforting words – just a matter of factly – i think i would rather go to Dr Google instead of him – or I would recommend my friends to  click here instead of going to him – for anything they need to know about diabetes – because besides being blunt – my ex- doctor was oblivious to anything else.

Therefore, if you are diagnosed as a diabetic – do not take things lightly – be vigilant and one of the most important thing you have to do constantly is to exam your feet.  Check for calluses, foot ulcers, blisters – feel for bumps and lumps, which can be signs of muscle or bone injuries. Contact your doctor if symptoms persist or if you notice open wounds called ulcers.

People with diabetes are living longer and healthier lives than ever,” Jackson says. “All of the complications are becoming less common due to all the new tools we have for treatment.” You play an important role in prevention. Read on to start looking forward to living well with diabetes.

Toe Nails & Diabetics

A bunch of us were looking at some certified diamonds when one in our group talked about how her grandfather had to have some nail specialist come cut his toenails and the reason was because he cannot afford to hurt himself or he will bleed profusely and might cause his death?

For years now, I’ve always know about folks with diabetics must be careful and not cut themselves especially on their foot.  It was said that once a diabetic cut themselves, they may not recover and need to amputate their legs.   So how true is it..???  I’ve heard of  Pain from Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy – numbness in their feet or toes.  Some people has shooting pain and/or burning – so is it a myth – when it comes to not cutting or wounding yourself as a diabetic – things like that your doctor don’t tell you eh.  So what do you do..?? can a diabetic center help you?  I know the diabetic center here charge you an arm and a leg for their services/consultation - what about other places in the world?  Does your family doctor have the answer?  no worries – the next time i see mine – i’ll check with her – oh ! did i tell you i have a new doctor now?  the nazi one is no longer around – he moves to Toronto – Hallelujah!

Sugar Free Food

After finding out that I’m diabetic and needed immediate and drastic measures to be taken – such as insulin (which i refused) – i of course had to wise up about what kind of food i put in my body.  Afterall, i didn’t want to end up taking needles – which would kill me eventually anyhow.

So like many we try to educate ourselves and try to have a balance – but every now and then we see on labels of food – sugar free this and sugar free that – and another commonly seen on shelves of your supermarket is – no sugar added.  I asked Mr Moo – everytime – to read and confirm the ingredient for me – but what i missed out about these labels and claims of free sugar – didn’t tell us that the carbs and calories involved were not good for a diabetic too.  Ok  – so i hear you saying – eat also die – don’t eat also die ?  so how now?  i asked the same question every now and then too  – not so often now – because i learned that everything in moderation is the way to go.  Good luck !  donch gorge on the sugar free food now.

Confession On Exercising

I have a confession – I haven’t been exercising like i should.  Work and taking care of Missy Moo is taking a toll on my time.  I will consider   weight loss supplements if i still can’t find enough time to do the exercise on my own.   I feel absolutely guilty when i don’t exercise – what about you?   I can feel my fats creeping around my waist and my elephant thighs are getting even bigger – I kid you not.  How i know?  well, i wear jeans everyday – and the area around my thighs sure are tight.. and sometimes.. if i sit too, too long, i need to get up for a breather – because the button on my jeans.. arrrrghhhh..!! they hurt..!!!  And did i tell you .. i feel very lethagic too..??  So here – i confessed..  and now i can start exercising again – time to get my butt moving.

High-fructose Can Cause Type 2 Diabetes

A myth or a fact?   You know when you are a diabetic – you hear all sorts and if you have a kid who does have type 2 diabetes – you just wanna blame it on anything you can.  We all know that diabetes is different and cannot be cure by taking medication unlike if you wanna go on a diet and take adipex.  Getting diabetes is not about taking a lot of high fructose corn syrup but the weight gain and the excessive weight and other factors inclusive that causes type 2 diabetes.  So if you are taking a lot of the regular soda, lots of candies – frozen pop, pancake syrup or fruit flavor yogurt, pasta sauce or even ketchup – try to cut down on it eh.

Headaches Or Migraine

I kid you not – that was how my face and head felt for the last two days and i only took tylenol when i couldn’t take it anymore .. and broke down.  You all know how i hate taking medication and would rather not feed the body with so many chemicals – as if i don’t take enough tablets right.

So was it a migraine or a headache ..?? or did it have anything to do with my blood sugar level.  On the second day – I couldn’t take it much longer – so I had to test my blood sugar .. to see if it had anything to do with it.. because I had been eating a spoonful of ice cream everyday for a few days now.  But nope..  I tested and blood sugar was good at 6.9 – two hours after eating – so I’m good there.

So how do one knows if one is having a migraine or a headache..??   While headaches are located in the head and upper neck area – migraines are usually in the temple and affects the eye area.  I’m always affected on my side of my head and face – so therefore – it looks more like a migraine then a headache – now that i know – do i still take tylenol or is there something special for migraines.  I think there is – so I’m gonna check with my doctor and not Dr Google – afterall, I have a real doctor now.

Diabetic Snacks

While reading about acne home remedies, I came across an article about snacks that diabetic can eat – so i thought i should share it with you all.   Afterall, you and I know how diabetics like us loved our snacks.. ever since finding out that we are diabetic right?

The chips’ portion-controlled pack provides a satisfying one carb serving (12 grams of carbohydrate) full of cheesy flavor. Plus, each crisp, mini bite packs the goodness of whole grain corn, wheat, and oats.

The calorie- and carb-controlled packaging of these cinnamon-infused, bite-size cookies helps you keep your hand out of the cookie jar. Plus, one serving meets 10 percent of your daily calcium needs.  You get a good quantity per serving, plus they have a nice flavor and texture.  So there you have it – i’m also gonna try these out for sure and let you know if my blood sugar when up or down after eating them.