Diabetes and sugary foods?!
Question: My mom has mildly high blood sugar (around 135-145) and her doctor said she is on the borderline of being a diabetic. In fact, she takes metformin to lower it, but that's beside the point for this question.. My question is this.. why is it that when someone with high blood sugar starts to feel kind of lightheaded or whatnot, and they eat something with sugar, like a cookie, they feel better? And I thought diabetics weren't supposed to eat refined sugars and stuff? Does the spike in their blood sugar make them feel better? I can't imagine that it would be good for them, though.. wouldn't a healthier alternative, like maybe fruit or something with whole grains, be better?
Answers: My mom has mildly high blood sugar (around 135-145) and her doctor said she is on the borderline of being a diabetic. In fact, she takes metformin to lower it, but that's beside the point for this question.. My question is this.. why is it that when someone with high blood sugar starts to feel kind of lightheaded or whatnot, and they eat something with sugar, like a cookie, they feel better? And I thought diabetics weren't supposed to eat refined sugars and stuff? Does the spike in their blood sugar make them feel better? I can't imagine that it would be good for them, though.. wouldn't a healthier alternative, like maybe fruit or something with whole grains, be better?
Diabetics are not supposed to eat refined sugar except in low blood sugar emergencies. However, many diabetics begin to feel not so good when their blood sugar gets on the low side of the normal range (70-90). I have learned this from my father who is diabetic and my boss who is also diabetic. Many take this as a time to cheat and get a quick fix rather than having something healthy which would help balance their blood sugar and make them feel better but not necessarily immediately. It is better for them just to eat a balanced meal, but in america with most peoples diets we no longer know what a balanced meal even looks like. Many diabetics think they are doing good, but rarely are.
Sponge has it sort of right but a lot wrong! And so do you!!!
Normal blood glucose is between 70 and 100
Prediabetes is 101 to 126
anything over 126 is full fledged diabetes!! go check this out at American Diabetes Associan or the Endocrinology websites.
The Endos want us to keep our glucose levels under A1c of 6.5 which is 117 average. the ADA says A1c of 7 is fine which is 126 average.
Any time we test our glucose and it is under 65, we usually start getting whiteout spots in front of our eyes, lower than that causes total confusion, shakieness, heavy sweating and a super chilly skin feeling. My daughter says I turn absolutely white and she can see me shaking.
It is NOT an excuse to cheat!!! It is necessary to bring the glucose up and fairly rapidly at that. Some people overdo the treat and start the yo-yo. We should always follow any sweet with protein and fat blend to equal the sweet grams.
But, and I assure you this is true!!!, You will get slapped silly if you snatch the candy or cookie out of any diabetic's mouth and substitute something nasty like yogurt. Most of us have calculated our grams of carb and know we can eat the darned cookie!!!
THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FOOD THAT IS PROHIBITED FOR A DIABETIC.
that said, everything in moderation!!
Darlin!! I hope you never experience the absolute hopeless, helpless feeling of a 35 glucose level!!! You will understand better if you do, tho!!!
So quit bein the diabetes police!!
I have to agree with Sue. Unfortunately a piece of fruit will just not cut it if you are very low. I use to think a healthier alternative was the way to go in the early days, but I found that I would throw up fruit which just caused a whole lot of other problems like dehydration, migrains and then water intolerance etc...
My doctor and dietitian both suggested I have half a can of soft drink or 5 jelly beans when I am low. I have personally found that for me a small glass of cordial is the best thing as it is easy to digest and enters the blood stream pretty quickly.
Don't hassle your mother, she knows her body best and there is nothing worse than when you have someone who doesn't have a clue telling you what to eat. Just a warning for your mother though. It is very easy to mistake a low for a high and vice versa (I have been there many times if i have been too lazy to test) .
As someone else said there are no banned foods for diabetics, it is about moderation.