liquid diets for diabetes

Q:  I am a 54 young female and also a type 2 diabetic. I am only on medication
right now. My AC1 is 6.4. I am 5'5, 203lbs. My question is,what are your
thoughts on liquid shakes? I am really interested in Visalus shakes and I
have enjoyed them. Are liquid diets safe for diabetics? I have consulted my
Internist, but I would like a second opinion, so to speak. Thank you for
your time and thoughts on this.

Sincerely,
Judy 

A:  Hi Judy,
Thanks for your question about liquid diets for weight loss in persons with diabetes.  It is likely safe to use a meal replacement shake for weight reduction, as long as you are monitoring your blood sugar closely so you don't become hypoglycemic.  Most shakes designed for diabetics should have a balanced blend of slowly digested carbohydrates (such as corn starch or resistant starch), low saturated fat and protein to mimick a meal.  Meal replacement shakes have been found to be convenient and beneficial in reducing weight compared to other methods of weight loss, but like many diets, have not been researched long term.
My only concern would be transitioning to solid food after you've used these shakes for a while.  If may be unrealistic to use them forever to control weight and keep blood sugars in check long term.  I'd suggest you work with a Registered Dietitian to develop a meal plan that is reasonable for weight loss and sustainable long term for blood sugar control.  You can locate one through the ADA web site at http://www.eatright.org
Best of luck!

dairy gives me gas!

Nutrigirl-
 
Q:  Hope you are doing well.  Quick question:  I have been drinking one glass of chocolate milk per day since we met in the fall.  I love the taste of it and don't want to give it up.  But, quite frankly, it give me a lot of gas.  I'm already having 2 yogurts/day, taking calcium pills, and having a cheese stick.  Is there something else I can do to make up for the calcium loss if I stop drinking chocolate milk?  Or, is there a way to keep drinking it?  
 
Your help would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks very much




A:  Thanks for your question.  You can probably cancel the calcium pills if you are having 3 dairy servings/day.
The gassiness you are experiencing may be from yogurt due to the bacteria.  Try cutting down to 1/day to see if that helps.
Keep the chocolate milk- it is a great way to "replenish" glycogen stores after workouts.

Nutrigirl

Should I go "G-free"?

Q:  A lot of my friends have decided to try a gluten-free diet.  What's your take on this?

A:  Thanks for your question about gluten.  It seems to be a very popular diet among celebrities, but truthfully should only be followed if you have a sensitivity to gluten.

Gluten is a protein found in grains, specifically wheat, barley and rye.  People with celiac disease (also known as "celiac sprue") have an autoimmune disease where they cannot digest and use gluten appropriately.  Gluten is not absorbed, and damages the lining of the small intestine, causing malabsorption and malnutrition over time.  Oats and oat products are often avoided because they are procuced in facilities along with wheat.

Symptoms of gluten intolerance include abdominal pain and bloating after consumption of wheat or the above grains, diarrhea (and sometimes constipation), skin rash, weight loss, joint pain, iron deficiency and even depression.  Some individuals diagnosed with celiac disease may not have any symptoms, but may be tested if they have an immediate family member with the condition.  It can be genetic in nature.

Now- why would someone follow this type of diet?  One benefit of taking gluten out would be you'd drastically cut your consumption of carbohydrates- including bread, pasta, baked goods and desserts and some cereals.  This would reduce overall calorie intake, which may lead to weight loss.  But keep in mind, there are plenty of gluten free brownies, cookies, cakes and other junk food to replace what you've taken out.

Gluten is found in other foods as well including ketchup, soy sauce, processed meats and frozen entrees to name a few.  Following a gluten-free diet  is expensive and the market for these foods is growing.

If you suspect you have celiac disease, keep a food diary to monitor symptoms after eating foods containing gluten.  Do NOT take gluten out of your diet until you have a blood test to see if you are gluten-sensitive as you may end up with a false negative test if you've removed the trigger from your diet.

Finally- the gold standard for diagnosis of celiac sprue is a small bowel biopsy.  Not exactly a walk in the park, but money well spent if your doctor believes you suffer this condition.

I hope this information was helpful!

Nutrigirl