I enjoy a vitamin effervescent drink in the mornings–like Berocca, superdine, pharmatron ect.
My question—are these drinks okay for diabetics?

Thank you.
- Frank

Being a Type 2 diabetic my usual breakfast consists of two slices of low G.I. bread turned into toast with butter and Bovril, only after a Glucophage tablet has been taken. Lunch is also a two slice sarmie with ham and cheese or tomato.

What I want to know is it considered safe to have these carbs during the day or should I cut down and rather eat a protein meal as Prof.Tom Noakes says?

Thanks for your advice.

- Lou

One of our readers, Jenna Ferguson, wrote in with this fabulous sweet potato recipe. Here’s what she said:

“I have another good recipe that I tried with our Sunday Lunch: Sweet Potato Wedges.

• Cut sweet potato into small wedges and arrange on baking tray.
• Drizzle with a little olive oil and salt.
• Melt a small square of butter in the microwave and then stir two twigs of rosemary into the butter.
• Drizzle over wedges and bake at 180C for 45min to an hour.

They are delicious!”

Do you have any yummy diabetic-friendly recipes to share with us? Send us an email and we’ll share them with the Sweet Life community…

Just found out that my dad in-law has 7.2 count blood sugar.

I would like to find out more about how he should change his diet, e.g. – white rice now what should he eat – etc… fruits can and cannot eat, beverages, replacement for sweets biscuits   etc… he loves those.

In his morning cereals he usually uses sugar – what can he use now – Honey?

We also saw on Google – 5 foods one should not eat – but the sites do not open – so still not sure what one should and should not eat as far as that is concerned -

Your reply is much appreciated,

Antonella

I came across your website while surfing for information.  I understand that it’s for people already suffering with diabetes but I am hoping you won’t mind giving me some direction.

If one has been warned that the symptoms your bloods uncovered MAY indicate ‘metabolic syndrome’ would it be wise for me to purchase a glucometer to start testing my ‘sugar’ – ultimately to know which foods/carbs could be causing me problems?

I just find doctors don’t tell you too much and I feel as though I am floundering in the dark.  I suggested lifestyle changes in an attempt NOT to be prescribed statins BUT I’ve needed to do my own research and dietary changes.  It’s been an amazing journey but I simply I don’t want to find that, in a few years’ time, I am diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes because I didn’t accept responsibility for my own health.

Any advice?

Many thanks,
Roz

If you’re trying to find a way to put together healthy lunchboxes and snacks that still taste great, check out these great tips from Novo Nordisk:

Keeping tabs on children of any age can be a challenge, but keeping tabs on a child living with diabetes adds on to that challenge. One of the top priorities for parents of children with diabetes is to manage the condition from an early age, so that their children can lead normal, healthy lives. The treatment regime includes making sure they have a healthy diet based on foods with a low GI (Glycaemic Index); foods that digest slowly and therefore don’t play havoc with the body’s blood glucose levels. This can be enough of a challenge at home, but what about the times when children are out of the home – at school, parties or sports events?

The trick is to make carb counting for lunchboxes and snacks easy, so that it becomes a simple routine rather than a complicated chore. But counting carbs, as anyone who’s been on a carbohydrate-restricted diet will know, can be difficult – and frustrating. And who has time in the mornings to figure out whether the lunchbox they’re preparing is ‘carb-safe’ for their child?

Luckily, there are some easy techniques to use for counting carbs, and these can be really useful for busy Moms and Dads.

“The first thing is to make a list of the foods that are high in carbohydrates and to paste this onto the door of the fridge as an easy go-to reminder,” says Shelley Harris, Public Relations Manager of Novo Nordisk (SA), local division of the world’s leading diabetes healthcare company. These include fruits and starchy vegetables like potatoes and corn; foods made from refined grains like bread, crackers and pasta; and sugar or foods sweetened with sugar.

“Do this with a column next to each item to record the carbohydrate count, so that you don’t have to do it from scratch every day,” says Harris.

“If you’re packing in something like low-fat sweetened yoghurt, for instance, it’s easy to check the total carbohydrate content on the label, which includes the measure of both sugars and starches. Do that and then write it down on your checklist for easy reference.”

Another technique is to allocate average carbohydrate counts to common foods like bread and apples.

“An apple, a slice of bread or a cup of skim milk all contain around 15g of carbohydrates, so it’s easy to do quick calculations based on what the American Dietetic Association refers to as ‘food exchange groups’. The term means that foods with a standardised carb count are interchangeable, and that the total carb content of a lunchbox can be quickly calculated in this way.

For children on insulin, this methodology makes it easy for parents to calculate the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio that determines the amount of insulin they need to take before each meal, making allowances for variables like levels of activity and individual responses to certain foods.

With over 6.5 million South Africans living with diabetes, and with approximately 45% of all new cases of Type 2 diabetes being diagnosed in children, as stated by the IDF the Diabetes Atlas and the American Diabetes Association, easy-to-use, time-saving methods like these can be invaluable to parents.

The other side of the coin, of course, is to make lunches and snacks interesting by varying the contents from day to day, and by focusing on foods that kids enjoy. A nutritious and satisfying lunch could, for instance, include a sandwich made from whole grain bread, a homemade treat like a low-fat choc chip cookie, a portion of fresh fruit, a few veggie sticks and some low-fat milk or bottled water.”

“Carb counting for children with diabetes needn’t be difficult,” concludes Harris, “and lunches don’t have to be boring. All it takes to put together a healthy, appetising lunchbox every day is a bit of forward planning and a good dose of imagination. And voila!  A healthy, happy child – every day.”

For further information on diabetes and treatment options for diabetics, visit www.novonodisk.com or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ChangingDiabetesZA

How does one tell or distinguish if one is:
1.       Insulin resistant
2.       Pre-diabetic
3.       Diabetic

Regards,
Stefan

Note from the Editor:

I’m not a doctor, Stefan, but as I understand it insulin resistance is a symptom of Type 2 diabetes, when the body doesn’t process insulin correctly, resulting in high blood sugar.

Pre-diabetes is before you are technically diabetic, but when you are at high risk for it.

Diabetes can be either Type 1 or Type 2. If your doctor is prescribing Metformin then it would be Type 2 – didn’t he give you any information about it?

You might like to read these articles for more information:
What is insulin resistance?
What is diabetes mellitus?
What are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes.

How are you feeling?

I need to hear from people that have had exposure/ experience with children using insulin pumps for Type 1 Diabetes.

How old are the children? How easily have the children adapted to it? Does it control the levels better?

Any useful information really when it comes to children that have used insulin pumps would be very helpful.

Thanks so much!
Anon.

I have extreme problems with high sugar levels. I was recently in Unitas Hospital where Dr Moolman recommended that I must get an insulin pump as soon as possible.

The problem is that I cannot afford one. I’m trying now to apply for one the Department of Health but are having problems there as well.

I’m 42 with Diabetes Millitus and its affecting my whole life.

Can you please give me some advice as to how to apply for a pump which I will be able to afford.

Thanx for your time,
Ina

My joints are sore, and my feet burn!  What can I use?

It’s especially bad at night…

Thanks!

Monica