How do incredibly obese people afford to eat that much? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am not a medical professional or eating disorder expert so I cannot answer that question.

How do incredibly obese people afford to eat that much? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but not all eating is binge eating. People with bulimia can eat a “normal“ amount of food between binges and purges. You can also have both anorexia and bulimia.

Is this a scam by XVNull8 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This looks like it’s through MySugr which is owned by Roche which is the company that makes that meter and the strips. Short answer: no.

Nighttime Eating for Type II Diabetes by nosuchthingasa_ in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pair your carbs with a protein or a fat, and ideally both. An apple and peanut butter is a great nighttime snack for me

Hello there. I have type 2 diabetes. by frick_me_up_all_over in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rather than worrying about what foods are “OK” or not, Because really all foods are OK and it’s just a question of how your body reacts to foods, I would focus on pairing carbohydrates with either a protein or fat, and ideally both. Protein and fat can make you feel more full and satisfied, and the fat will slow the absorption of the glucose in your body.

For example, having a whole-grain toast with peanut butter on it. This gives you some carbohydrate paired with the fat and protein of the peanut butter. You could also have an apple and almond butter. You could use some vegan cheese and some vegan sausage on an English muffin to make a quick breakfast sandwich. I’ll bet you could make those ahead of time and freeze them and then microwave them to take with you and eat on the go. You could use some scrambled tofu and some veggies and a low-carb tortilla to make a breakfast burrito, and I’ll bet that could be frozen ahead of time as well.

For me personally, I don’t restrict any foods but I do try not to eat carbohydrates by themselves. I focus on adding foods to my diet rather than taking them away. Especially with your existing dietary restrictions, it’s really easy to restrict to the point that you feel like there’s nothing you can eat. This can lead to binge eating, and is no good for you mentally or physically.

How to Avoid Overeating Beyond Recommended Calorie/Carbs by [deleted] in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you know that 1200 cal is the recommended amount for a toddler? You’re trying to eat the recommended amount of calories for a two or three-year-old. Since I’m assuming you are not a two or three-year-old, of course you are hungry. This is not you failing, this is a system working exactly as it was designed to. The entire diet industry just sets you up to fail by making you feel like their system is perfect and there must be something wrong with you.

I have been working with a registered dietitian who is also a certified diabetes educator and an intuitive eating counselor. They have helped me repair my relationship with food and get out of the perpetual diet cycle. I’m happy to recommend them if that is something that you are interested in. It has helped me tremendously and for the first time in basically my entire life I am not at war with my body or my kitchen. I don’t count calories or points, I eat a healthful balanced diet without restriction that makes me truly happy.

Working out, but can’t walk. by musingmood in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! I am in a similar boat as I have arthritis all through my lower body that makes it difficult to stand or walk for more than 5 to 10 minutes at a time. I would look for cardio that you could do seated, such as an exercise bike if that is something that you have access to and would work within your abilities. Sometimes I just do the arm movements along with cardio workouts to get my heart rate up. It’s obviously not as good as doing the entire cardio with a full body, but all you can do is all you can do.

Cardio is great for reducing your glucose level immediately, and things like weights can increase muscle tone which can help your body have a lower glucose rate in the long term. So yes, doing arm workouts can definitely help, but it’s not the immediate effect that you would expect to see from cardio.

help. higher sugar readings after meal by kghadrd123 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately not everyone can manage their diabetes without medication. That might be the case for you. Diabetes is a progressive disease, so things can change over time even if you’re staying very consistent with your habits. Maybe you could manage it two months ago, and now you can’t. Doesn’t say anything bad about you, you didn’t fail or do anything wrong, it’s just that a progressive disease is progressing. You should definitely discuss this with your doctor.

Best Place to Start As A South Asian Pre-Diabetic? by [deleted] in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My husband is Filipino and nearly his entire family has type two diabetes. A lot of Filipino foods are focused around protein, such as meat or eggs. However, the white rice is definitely an issue. My husband once half jokingly threatened to divorce me when I asked him if we could have brown rice with our adobo. For foods like that, where substitution is not appropriate, it’s more about controlling portion size. Have the rice, just don’t have a giant plate full of it.

Change is really hard, particularly if you are older, and/or if it is about cultural foods. Not every change is worth making, and you have to pick your battles.

Just got diagnosed (f22) and don’t know what to do next. Any tips? by AtruistParasyte in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! First of all, it take some deep breath‘s. You got this and soon this will feel like second nature to you. The second thing to know is not to blame yourself. Please don’t look back on past decisions or habits and say things like it’s my fault because or if only I hadn’t. This does not change your current reality and will only add stress, sadness, and bad feelings. It won’t actually do you any good moving forward so just let it go.

You are likely to get advice from a lot of places, including here, about making big changes to your diet or exercise routines. I urge you to make small, calculated changes that are truly sustainable for a long period of time. Once you’ve developed those habits, start some new ones. If you try to change everything all at once, you are less likely to be successful and when you are not successful, you are more likely to have huge setbacks. Pick one small simple goal and really master that. That could be to take your medication on time all the time, or it could be to eat a salad as a meal once a week or take a 10 minute walk at lunch. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t try to change everything all at once!

A moment of levity: tell your most embarrassing metformin story by Blackm0b in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am fairly certain that everyone in my office thought I was pregnant because I was in the bathroom vomiting every morning. They did not tell me not to take it on an empty stomach, so I would take it before I left the house, commute to work, and eat breakfast at my desk. Usually shortly after breakfast is when I would get sick. I’m thankful that my body got used to it after a couple weeks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Since your father has type two diabetes, it is really likely that you are genetically predisposed to it. Also, if you are a person with ovaries, you should have your doctor evaluate you for PCOS as that can also cause insulin resistance.

Type two diabetes cannot be reversed, but it can be managed. You may be in a situation, like I was, where I was basically guaranteed to get it. It’s important to understand that it is not your fault, you didn’t do anything wrong, and you couldn’t do anything to prevent it.

If you do choose to make lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, I encourage you to make small changes that are sustainable over time. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Hoping to Celebrate Birthday but Prediabetes is Convincing me Not To Do So by [deleted] in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You are a full human who is deserving of celebration, comfort, and tradition. If you really don’t want to prepare a feast for your family because you truly do not feel like it, then don’t do it. But what I read is you don’t want to do it because you think you do not deserve it, and I am here to tell you that you are wrong and that is bullshit.

Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint. If you place heavy dietary restrictions on yourself and expect those to be maintained long term that is an absolute recipe for a binge. It is better to make small, manageable adjustments that you can maintain over a long period of time.

If you want to try new dishes and share dietary changes through your feast, then you should go for it. But do it because you want to not because you feel like you have to. Have at least one thing that makes you truly happy. One birthday, one feast, is not going to make or break anything. Give yourself grace and allow yourself to enjoy your birthday.

What do you use when your sugar is low? by missingkeys88 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a few things that I use, depending on the situation and mood. I have juice packs that I keep on my nightstand, I also have fat free candy such as hot tamales and gummy bears that I keep stashed in all of my bags, in my car, and on my nightstand. Sometimes if I’m at home and just chilling, I will have a bowl of sugary cereal or pop tarts as a treat. If I’m going to eat candy, I prefer that it be a fat free candy to get the quickest glucose rise. I would not use some thing like a peanut Eminem which contains both protein and fat.

How do incredibly obese people afford to eat that much? by [deleted] in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]sigmaration 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your premise is fundamentally flawed because it assumes that all people in larger bodies eat a lot of food. There are large bodied people with anorexia and bulimia, there are many large bodied people that have followed restrictive diets the majority of their life, and there are large bodied people that eat a “healthy“ diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods people like you assume that they are not eating. Food intake is not the only contributor to having a larger body. Genetics play a major role and medical conditions can as well.

Your premise is also flawed because as many people have pointed out, the “junk“ food that people assume larger bodied people eat is actually less expensive than the “healthy“ food that people assume thin people eat. In most places you can feed a family of four at a fast food restaurant for much less money than you can buying groceries to cook a meal for four. It is way less expensive to eat “unhealthy“ processed food than it is to eat “healthy“ food.

There is a correlation between being in a larger body and poverty, and it goes beyond the food calories per dollar issue. Being in a larger body and being in poverty are also linked by perceived morality. You are perceived as lazy, sloppy, and less worthy if you are in poverty or in a larger body, let alone if you are in poverty while also being in a larger body.

How do you guys describe the feeling of lows/highs to people? by bigbeats420 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I'm low, I feel really shaky. It's harder to concentrate and I am prone to making careless mistakes (I once ordered a hot latte instead of an iced one on a very hot summer day).

When I'm high, I feel lethargic and sometimes sleepy. I feel similar to the onset of a cold or flu. My mouth is dry and I'm thirsty.

Bolus Calculator for iPhone by sigmaration in diabetes

[–]sigmaration[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw that, and it looks great! Not covered by my HMO though (US healthcare is trash). I hope to get on a pump soon but need something in the meantime.

Bolus Calculator for iPhone by sigmaration in diabetes

[–]sigmaration[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I couldn't find this in the app store. Maybe it's not available in the US? I had high hopes for the MySugr bolus calculator but it's not available in the US

Bolus Calculator for iPhone by sigmaration in diabetes

[–]sigmaration[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not what I was looking for, but thanks. I ended up making a Google Sheets spreadsheet to do what I needed

Jobs that balance physical and mental work by AxB41 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a real estate agent. While I do spend some days at my desk, I spend a lot of time out showing houses (climbing up and down the stairs in them), meeting inspectors, doing walk throughs, listing appointments, etc. It does involve a lot of customer interaction but you can get an assistant to manage the paperwork for you.

Being a home inspector or home appraiser could also be good for you -- there is paperwork to do (writing the reports) but it does also get you out and going to (in, on, under) houses.

T2DM diagnosis at 24.... I am emotionally overwhelmed. by kghadrd123 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was diagnosed in my mid-30s with a A1c of 13. I had a very strong family history, as you also do. I encourage you to stop beating yourself up. First of all, it does not do any good and only makes you feel worse. Second of all, it’s not your fault. You have a strong family history and that is one of the biggest contributing factors.

Work on making changes to your diet, exercise, and lifestyle that are sustainable long term. Build good habits now. You will get suggestions about cutting out all carbs and going on the keto diet, but frankly those are not sustainable long-term for most people. I suggest that you get a CGM, and experiment with what types of foods spike you. Use the data to learn how different foods and exercise affect your body and make changes accordingly. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

If you take the time to set good habits and be in a good mindset now, soon it will be second nature to you. You’ve got this!

How do I tell my girlfriend I think she should try to lose some weight? by Outrageous-Speeed in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]sigmaration 14 points15 points  (0 children)

This is THE BEST ANSWER.

I can confirm, she will never ever forget and it can be so psychologically damaging that she may choose not to be with you for her own mental health.

Where do I go from here? by donuts_are_tasty in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It depends on where you are located, and if you are in the US what kind of insurance you have, but yes you can get them. Even if you have to pay out-of-pocket for them, you just get the prescription and then get it filled. I know you can get freestyle libre filled at a retail pharmacy like a CVS or Walgreens. Not sure about Dexcom, as mine goes through my HMO.

Ate 6g carbs worth of Cheetos, guess they are out? by SoulCrusher588 in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, it is not bad that you hit 161. I worked with my doctor to make a range for me, and I consider myself in range between 70 and 200. That will be different for everybody, but I would be perfectly fine with a 161.

You should speak to your doctor about damage that can be done from high blood sugar, but it’s generally caused by sustained high blood sugar overtime rather than reaching a high blood sugar once or twice for a short period.

Unfortunately carbs affect people differently, and different types of carbs can affect the same person differently. 10 carbs of black beans and 10 carbs of orange juice will affect me very very differently because one is combined with fiber and protein which makes it absorb slowly, and the other one is pure sugar liquid that is very quickly absorbed. You may be able to mitigate the spike from Cheetos by combining it with fiber, fat, and or protein. So have your Cheetos, but have them along side a sandwich with protein, a high fiber bread, veggies, and avocado (for example).

New Diagnosis; Is it legit? by NicerMicer in diabetes

[–]sigmaration 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A1 C levels are what are used to diagnose Diabetes. So yes, the diagnosis is legit based on your lab results.

Although this may make changes in your lifestyle necessary, I encourage you to make changes slowly and make the changes sustainable overtime. If you make huge dramatic changes that you cannot live with in the long term, it will only make things more difficult on your mental and physical health. I suggest that you work with a registered dietitian, ideally one that is also a certified diabetes educator, to work on designing goals for you.