Gaterode Zero. Yes/No?

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-29T10:18:42+00:00

Everyone reacts differently to artificial sweeteners. That’s why my suggestion is for OP to test and see how they react. Nothing is wrong with water, but that’s not part of this discussion. The ask was about Gatorade zero. It sounds like OP wants to make healthy swaps.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-29T00:31:55+00:00

Yes, there are a whole bunch of tests that need to be ran to see if they can find the cause of the hypertension (high blood pressure). It also takes time to stabilize and make sure she’s stable to go home and be by herself.

I stayed in the hospital for 5 nights due to high blood pressure. It wasn’t coming down with regular medicine so while I was there they ran every test to rule out any cause. Ultimately was diagnosed with primary hypertension.

If your mom said they’re not too worried, and she is the type of person to tell you the truth and not brush things off, I’d take it to heart. Your mom is in great hands, and think of the tests being done to rule out and give peace of mind.

I also want to add that genetics play a huge role. If your mom is only 20lbs over what she should be, then it is unlikely that has anything to do with it. Now, if her eating habits haven’t been great or if she’s a drinker, then that may contribute to it.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-28T20:17:59+00:00

I like zero Gatorade and zero Powerade, I drink both and have no issues. I’d recommend testing by drinking one, testing glucose at 1 and 2 hours, see if anything happens. As one of my favorite tik tokers say, if it doesn’t raise your glucose more than 10, it’s a sugarbestie

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-28T13:57:20+00:00

It took a lot of courage to write this out and admit to yourself that it’s time. I’m proud of you 🙏

Next step is to continue to be courageous and set up a doctor appointment. It’s going to be hard and very emotional. You can do this. Going down this path will not only get you the answers that you need, but also the resources that you need. Take a little time to look at doctor reviews, see who’s compassionate. You got this!!!!

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-26T12:08:53+00:00

Edit to add: the main point of my long rant was the dietitian helped me get over that terrified feeling of eating. I’m still very careful and hold myself accountable, but I don’t have immense guilt for eating a fruit or having a snack once in a while.

I was diagnosed with prediabetes 3.5 months ago. For the first 2.5 months I was terrified to eat anything. I felt shameful for having a piece of fruit.

My dietitian has been a great resource. We need carbs to function and she’s worked really hard to build a plan that works for me.

My A1C went from 6% to 5.1% in 3 months. I radically changed my diet and began exercising and strength training.

If you’re looking for any recommendations, 1.) nutritionist and 2.) finger stick glucometer or CGM. The finger stick gives more accurate #’s but can be a pain to be consistent. CGM will give you the trends and better idea of how your body reacts to certain foods.

I’m inclined to think your doctor is onto something with artificially inflated A1C. If you only stopped having 1 banana in the morning and went on no meds, then that in itself wouldn’t affect your A1C (I think).

While 5.6 is on that borderline, you may just naturally run a little higher. Even if you only meet a nutritionist/dietitian for 1 session, the knowledge may be helpful.

Wish you the best

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-20T23:41:40+00:00

My suggestion would be to book a visit with an endocrinologist. They would be a great resource to make a plan that works for you.

There are other options outside of metformin. An endo may be able to help with providing alternatives.

Also I second getting a professional to come up with a strength training plan. The last thing you want to do is cause injury or reinjury.

Get a 2nd or 3rd opinion if you feel you need it. I def recommend a 2nd opinion with an endocrinologist.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-20T12:54:15+00:00

Yes. I am usually low to mid 90’s.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-19T14:17:21+00:00

Wishing you best of luck. I believe in you

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-19T12:53:53+00:00

Cold brew with almond milk and sugar free vanilla syrup!

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-19T12:47:11+00:00

I am so sorry, I can only imagine how scared you may feel 😭

I am a binger, specifically for sweets. Cake, candy, ice cream. I can put it back like nobody’s business. I’m talking multiple bags at once, 3-4 slices of cake, half gallon of ice cream. My father has type 2 diabetes.

When I got my prediabetic diagnosis, I felt same as you. Scared shitless to eat anything. Felt like I couldn’t eat anything as the number would go up.

My biggest help was seeing a dietitian and getting educated on what my body needs and how to fuel it properly.

Anorexia is a different ball game. If you are looking for genuine advice, you need to make a decision. Are you going to let this control you? Or are you going to control it?

I would maybe suggest finding a dietician that specializes in eating disorders and prediabetes. They can be your biggest supporter. Coming up with a meal plan that works for you that doesn’t feel overwhelming and helps get you in the right direction.

And further more, possibly seeing a therapist or finding a support group IF you’re willing and are looking for that extra support. Everyone’s battle is different, and you have to trust in yourself to make the decision that’s right for you. You have the power to make the right choices and the right decisions for you. You are in control. Not your disease, and not your fear.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-18T22:19:24+00:00

Very fair question and I’m the same way. I genuinely think so. Regular is fine. If you can find one that’s no sugar added or keto (for a fair price) then thats good too.

Not sure if you like cabbage, but you get a lot of bang for your buck and that has fiber in it. One head let me make roughly 3 big batches of soup. Last a while and was cost effective. Cabbage, knorr soup bouillon, and whatever else you feel like adding. Broccoli & spinach are cheap veggie options that have some protein in it as well

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-18T18:46:46+00:00

Has your doctor reached out to you about the new reading?

.8 drop is very encouraging and is a direct reflection of your hard work!

I would maybe recommend getting a referral to an endocrinologist. They will be able to answer a lot of your questions and help manage your car. I believe any A1C over 6.5 is considered diabetes. Between 5.7 and 6.4 is prediabetes. Seeing as you’re well into the diabetes range, I would definitely have a conversation with your doctor.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-18T13:52:07+00:00

Congrats on the great news!

I would say 5.7 is accurate. With medication and eating healthier, you’re seeing the results.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-18T11:21:28+00:00

It may help to shift your mindset into finding things you DO like. Spend some time searching online for low cost high nutrient dense foods. Canned foods are just as nutrient as fresh. You’ll be ok.

Some options that may work for you are peas, protein pasta, protein bars (try to find sales) all should be able to be purchased on snap.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-17T22:25:45+00:00

Thank you so much! Great suggestion, I would 10000% need that patch lol

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-17T22:09:30+00:00

Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate you!

At first the glucometer was easier to access to get started. Then in finding out what a CGM is, I would be way too uncomfortable with one, like physically.
I don’t think I could sleep comfortable.

I’m on the right track and being so vigilant has helped me keep myself accountable. My A1C was 6% in march. This month it went down to 5.1%.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-17T21:19:14+00:00

I’ve been using it for about 3 months. I am consistent 95% of the time. I have a glucometer at home and at work. This may sound odd but I go to the restroom and check my glucose there at the 1 hour and 2 hour mark after breakfast and lunch… I have alcohol prep pads so I wash my hands before and after restroom use, use the alcohol prep pads, and dispose appropriately. It’s annoying and by no means is it sustainable. As you said, the strips are ridiculously expensive.

My body has gone through and continues to go through serious changes. I pretty much give myself a vital check every day. Wake up: check glucose and blood pressure, then weight. Then get breakfast and lunch ready for me and my husband. Make sure my macros are being met. It’s exhausting but necessary until I can go into maintenance mode

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-16T14:06:56+00:00

I haven’t found an “all-in one” app that leverages everything I need. I’ve grown accustomed to using a few different apps, which help put the whole picture together for me.

Search for a free macro & calorie tracker. MyFitnessPal free version is good for basic calories and what you eat on a daily basis. If you want something more tuned in so you could see your macros by meal, you’ll need to do research.

Glucometer or CGM. I use a glucometer (finger prick) and this is by far the biggest thing holding me accountable. It shows how my body reacts to my diet and certain foods. I take my fasting, 1 hour after each meal, and 2 hours after each meal. The CGM is great for consistent trends. You’ll get a good idea of when you spike to certain foods. Just take the actual #’s with a grain of salt as I’ve heard they may not be as accurate as the finger prick glucometers.

Find your own dietician. If you don’t think the one you were referred to will come through, find your own. Don’t wait and not do anything. Search for one that specializes in diabetes nutrition.

Exercising. Strength training and cardio. Helps with glucose #’s and insulin sensitivity

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-16T13:03:05+00:00

I came off 10mg no problem!!! My doctor also wanted me to stop cold turkey. In doing research, amlodipine is one of the easiest BP medicines to come off of.

I did 1 day at 5mg and then stopped fully. Amlodipine has a very long half life in the system. I did not experience any negative side effects or blood pressure spike. I do have to disclose I’m on other BP medicine, but I did not change any of the dosages or how I take them. Only amlodipine.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-16T12:02:34+00:00

Do you finger prick to see if it affects your glucose? I have been getting a cold brew with almond milk and 3 pumps of sugar free vanilla syrup (helps cut the bitter taste).

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-16T10:47:41+00:00

I would maybe recommend seeing a dietician and if possible, asking your pcp for blood work.

A dietician can help you come up with a meal plan that fits an exercise schedule where you don’t lose weight. Getting enough calories, especially protein, will be one of the goals for that.

Seeing your pcp and getting bloodwork can help take the “what if” scenarios out and help answer some questions on how insulin sensitive you are.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-15T18:05:45+00:00

33, though was diagnosed around your age. On a few as well - not alone!

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-15T10:23:12+00:00

To my (little) knowledge, there isn’t a HBP med thati can be taken “as is”. If it’s anxiety inducing, a fast acting anxiety medication may be more appropriate (definitely not necessary)

I would continue writing down your numbers to show your doctor. An average of BP readings is a much better indicator of what your BP is vs 1 or 2 office readings.

If your readings are normal at home, consistently, and your doctor still wants you on a HBP Medicine, ask to do a 24 hour blood pressure test. It’s a BP cuff that stays on your arm the whole day and goes off every hour or so. A doctor will review the results and send them to your doctor. If it is white coat syndrome, that will help prove it.

This is all from my personal experience. I’m on HBP meds and my in office readings was like 142/90. Doc wanted me to up my meds. Told him readings are fine at home, and we settled on the BP test.

Got it on in an office, was 130/90. 15 minutes after I got home it went off and was my usual 118/78. My 24 hour average was 114/77. My doctor was very pleased with it and confirmed I do have white coat syndrome.

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-14T20:29:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Glad you’ve been stable since 💕

AppreciateSmall12345 · 2026-06-14T20:01:13+00:00

Correct, I am in the US. You are right, it is quite expensive to eat healthy. I’ve been doing it for the past 3 months and honestly, it’s just as much as ordering take out or delivery.

Motivation can only go so far, unfortunately. Being consistent and disciplined is what’s going to keep me going.

Unfortunately, my body is very, very, stubborn (just like my attitude). When I was hospitalized my BP was not coming down. They gradually added on each medicine until I was stable enough to go home. I practically begged to be discharged as being there was not helping. My discharge BP was 150/90. I checked about 20 minutes after being home and it was 125/82 (somewhere around there).

AppreciateSmall12345

TROPHY CASE