You've given me some good advice lately, Jester, so I'll go ahead and try to return the favor. I actually have visited a dietician in the past, since I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes. (Granted, I really do need to start taking her advice more seriously. For a while, I did, then I slipped, then I figured once in a while wouldn't hurt...you know how it goes from there.) More and more, research is showing that carbs are the key--as in, limiting them is. My dietician recommended I only have a MAX of 60 grams of carbs per meal. The rule is, for every gram of fiber that is in the SAME food that has the carbs, you can subtract one gram of carbs. This is where the term "net carbs" comes from. But eating a high fiber food and a high carb food together does NOT have the same effect. I would try limiting your carb intake to, say, 70 or 80 per meal and see a nutritionist for a firmer number ASAP. Now, I won't lie; carbs are everywhere. Bread, rice, pasta, beans (except green beans or lima beans) sugars, beer or other liquor, breading on any fried foods, flour (have to take into account the flour in sauces like alfredo or cheese sauce too,) crackers, chips, anything crunchy except veggies, basically. And in the veggie department, potatoes, corn and peas. Gluten free is healthier, but NOT carb free, although it may have reduced carbs. A good meal for you on this diet would be a couple pieces of wheat toast in the morning with butter, a fried or basted egg or two, maybe some bacon (you can reduce the fat if you cover a plate with paper towels and transfer the bacon to it immediately after cooking. This also will dry the bacon out somewhat, making it crispier, which I like anyway.) Avoid cereal and if you must have something in a bowl, have steel cut oatmeal (other kinds are processed and lose their nutrient value and have nasty additives.) If you do eat the oatmeal, cinnamon is an excellent and healthy topping, along with either very limited sugar or artificial sweetener (which is largely carb free.)
For lunch, a wheat bread sandwich (of your choice, egg salad or chicken salad can be yummy or whatever you like,) some veggies or fruit, or instead of the fruit or veg have a bowl of soup (broth based if you are having a sandwich, preferably not loaded with rice or noodles. Some is ok.) For dinner, a nice piece of lean meat or fish, veggies, salad, some rolls or bread, and you are sticking to your diet while having a nice meal. There are many cookbooks for diabetics; you can find all sorts of interesting ideas. And carbs aren't verboten, I even still eat candy. I just limit what I have or have it at least a few hours after any meal and before the next. Eat what you like, just watch how much carb you eat, and it should make a difference. Atkins had it partly right, his mistake was cutting out ALL the carbs. Oh! And as for the nuts, I know you're in Florida, but you could try Oregon's state nut--the hazelnut. Only state in the Union that it grows in, but you should be able to find it. Also macadamia nuts are great, as are almonds with flavoring on them; there are some tasty flavored almonds on the market. Popcorn is also a much lower carb option for crunchy snacking.
For lunch, a wheat bread sandwich (of your choice, egg salad or chicken salad can be yummy or whatever you like,) some veggies or fruit, or instead of the fruit or veg have a bowl of soup (broth based if you are having a sandwich, preferably not loaded with rice or noodles. Some is ok.) For dinner, a nice piece of lean meat or fish, veggies, salad, some rolls or bread, and you are sticking to your diet while having a nice meal. There are many cookbooks for diabetics; you can find all sorts of interesting ideas. And carbs aren't verboten, I even still eat candy. I just limit what I have or have it at least a few hours after any meal and before the next. Eat what you like, just watch how much carb you eat, and it should make a difference. Atkins had it partly right, his mistake was cutting out ALL the carbs. Oh! And as for the nuts, I know you're in Florida, but you could try Oregon's state nut--the hazelnut. Only state in the Union that it grows in, but you should be able to find it. Also macadamia nuts are great, as are almonds with flavoring on them; there are some tasty flavored almonds on the market. Popcorn is also a much lower carb option for crunchy snacking.
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