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

Nutrition for kids

Q:  Hey Lisa,

 

I'm going over the food pyramid and healthy eating with my cub scout den tomorrow.  I've done a little research on-line and see that we use the MyPlate diagram instead of he pyramid.  Is that pretty much the standard now?  Also, any ideas for presenting this stuff in a meaningful way to 8 year olds?  I'm making cut outs of various foods and I'm going to make up a game to play.  I just don't want it to be BORING!

 

Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks!

A:  Thanks for your question.  The government switched from the Pyramid to the plate method some time last year (maybe March)?  The web site choosemyplate.gov web site is pretty useful for explaining serving sizes, nutrients, etc.  It is the same information, just presented in a different style.  We eat from plates, not pyramids!

 

For 8 yr old boys, you might want to focus on the need to eat right to have energy to learn, get good grades, play sports, grow strong. 

 

You can break it down to food groups (carbs such as bread, cereal, fruit, pasta, rice) give your brain and body energy while protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans, peanut butter) help keep your muscles strong.  Milk needed for strong bones & teeth and to become taller!  Fruits & vegetables needed for a healthy heart and to prevent them from getting sick (good for immunity, etc).

 

Tell them sugar/soda and junk food/chips wear their bodies down, ruin their teeth and should only be eaten now and then.  Soda = obesity!  Advise them to choose healthy snacks- nuts/seeds, fruit, veggies + hummus, cheese/crackers, etc.

 

I would also encourage them to drink enough water- needed to cool their bodies off after sports, keep their heart/blood pressure in good shape, prevent them from fatigue/feeling tired, etc.

 

If I were there, I'd let you borrow my food models!  I've done games w/younger kids where I put them on a big table and then shout out "choose a fruit high in vitamin C" and the kids have to run up to the table and grab something (whoever gets it first wins a point for their team).

Best of luck with your program!

Nutrigirl

Q  I am trying to find some quick, low carb snacks to help maintain my blood sugar.  Any ideas?


A  Here's what I suggest:  light (low fat) cheese sticks, 2 Tbsp. nuts (any kind), pepper strips with hummus, a hard-boiled egg, grape tomatoes, baby carrots or celery sticks, or beef jerky.  All are low in carbohydrate.  Sunflower seeds, edamame or soy nuts are also healthy, low carb snacks.

numbness with diabetes

Q My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and has been put on one medication Metformin HCL 500 mg.  He has lost 12 lbs. in exactly 1 week of changing what he eats (counting his carbs – no more then 30 carbs per meal) & he is walking about 1 hour each day.  He feels ok, but he is having some tingling in his toes and fingers plus he is always cold now.  My question is should this tingling and coldness be happening? 

Any suggestions for him?  He is a vegetarian does not eat anything that could have a face so no eggs, chicken, pork, fish or beef in his diet.  What is the best protein shake for a diabetic that is also a vegetarian.  He does eat milk products like cheese, milk & is loving cottage cheese with avocado & salsa.  It is weird that things I have suggested he eat in the past he is now eating and loving it.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this & thanking you in advance for any insight you can give us.

A  Thanks for your question.  It is possible that his numbness and tingling could be from diabetes (neuropathy from nerve damage). I am not a doctor, so I recommend he see his MD to diagnose what is wrong.

If he has been primarily vegetarian for a while, he could have a low vitamin B 12 level, which can cause the symptoms he has. B12 is only in animal foods, so his intake may be lower than most if he does not eat meat, etc. Ask his doc to check a level with his next blood work.

As for shakes for diabetics, Glucerna is one he can try that is designed for diabetics. Is he trying to put the weight back on? 

Shakes are used as meal replacements or snacks or as a supplement for weight gain.

Potassium in salad dressing...?

What type of salad dressings can you recommend that are LOW in Potassium ?

Thanks for your question.  Most dressings aren't high in potssium- it's the produce in the salad that has potassium.

Green leafy vegetables and dark orange fruit/vegs are high in potassium as are bananas, kiwi, dried beans, yogurt, dried fruit.  Tomatoes, bran cereal, broccoli and melon are also sources of potassium.  Most people don't suffer from potassium deficiency and supplements are never recommended (i.e. to buy over the counter and take willy nilly).  You should only take additioanl potassium if prescribed by your doctor.

Nutrigirl