pre-type 2, designing strategy
Long story short, annual fasting glucose tests were creeping up (112 the most recent). Doc wasn't concerned said to just watch because I was already exercising and at a good weight - I was simply getting old (70 soon). After several years, I called BS and forced an A1c test. It came back 5.8 which is formally pre-diabetic. My next step was to get a Libra 2 CGM.
I've logged my meals and found out that a small amount of carbs spikes to upwards of 200 and 271 is the highest I've seen. This was from eating oatmeal which I love and fruit.
I've noted how various foods affect the spikes and have a pretty good handle on the process. When I eat something low carb like a tofu scramble instead of oatmeal, sugar stays in the 140s.
I ride a bicycle lots of miles (5,000-6,000 this year) and it feels like going really low carb doesn't get me enough energy to ride. That may be because I've only recently cut down on carbs to find out how the spikes are affected.
My question is what measures to focus on? How high is it healthy to let the spikes go? Do I accept 160 or 200 spike or whatever as long as my daily average is some specified number? What average? How high is healthy for the spike.
I've been mostly WFPB for a while and don't want to start back on animal products but I do need more calories to support my activity level.
I've always tried to get healed enough to not need any meds. That's my objective here.
Thoughts?
Hi
. How awesome that you are advocating for yourself and working to control your blood glucose levels. By being proactive, you might be able to stay off diabetes medications at least for a few years. It is not abnormal for otherwise healthy people to have spikes in blood sugar, but your spikes are well above normal, probably due to your prediabetes. I am glad you are monitoring it. Oatmeal can be healthy for diabetics as long as it is eaten without added sugar and that includes certain fruits. Here is a wonderful recipe for some high-protein oatmeal that might interest you: https://type2diabetes.com/recipes/cinnamon-peanut-butter-overnight-oatmeal. You would need to choose a vegan protein powder for your particular diet. Combining protein with carbs can make those recipes much healthier for people with diabetes. If you check out some of the recipes in this community, you might find some you can tweak to meet your dietary guidelines. Here is a link: https://type2diabetes.com/recipes . You would probably benefit from a few visits with a dietician who specializes in diabetes, especially since you are trying to stay on a plant-based diet. Insurance usually covers the visits if you are referred by your doctor. I hope this helps and that you are able to bring those spikes under control. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
I'll seek out a nutritionist. It seems that I can virtually control the spike by the amount of carbs at a given meal. Breakfast was a 1/2 lb tofu scramble and sugar went to about 130. Lunch was tomatoes, avocados, oil & vinegar followed with 4 small clementines and it shot to 190 and came back down within an hour. I could mitigate the spike by eating less clementines.
I'm curious why you expect that I'll eventually need meds. Isn't there any way to heal and increase insulin production along with stopping eating things that require lots of it?Hi
. I should have been clearer. My apologies. When I wrote "for at least a few years" I meant worst case scenario. I hope that diet and lifestyle changes keep you off meds for good and that you are never diagnosed diabetic, but there is no cure for diabetes. For many people, especially those who are prediabetic, it is possible to reverse the condition to a point where you don't need medication to manage it and your body doesn't suffer any negative effects from having blood sugar levels that are too high. It sounds like that is what you are trying to do. You are not actually increasing insulin production though. Rather, you are reducing your glucose intake to levels that the insulin your body currently produces can handle. Hopefully, you will not progress to diabetes and you will never need medication, but you will have to always be watchful and keep those glucose levels under control. On a positive note, your new way of eating will become second-nature if you stick with it and you won't have to think about it so much. My husband has been prediabetic for several years and has managed to stay off medication with dietary changes. We are hopeful a hip replacement will allow him to be more active and lose weight, keeping him med-free even longer (if not for good).I am glad you plan to see a dietician. I am guessing you will find that just a few changes in your diet will help eliminate those spikes while also giving the energy you need to be active. Warmly, Lori (Team Member)
Thank you.
Your husband can definitely be active after hip replacement. I and peers have bought more hips and knees than we ever intended. I'll be 70 soon and don't have an ache or pain.
The oldest in our club is 94 this year and we'll ride his age to celebrate. Miles on the bike keep you in really good shape.
You want a great surgeon. Talk to the physical therapists for referrals. They work on all of the doc's patients and there will be 1 or 2 docs that have consistently better outcomes.84, not. 94
That bike ride idea is so cool,
! What a wonderful way to celebrate. Thanks for the advice about talking with physical therapists. We will do that. He was nervous to have it done until our neighbor had hip surgery using the new method where doctors enter through the front of the hip. Our neighbor was walking two days after surgery. His biggest issue during recovery was wanting to do too much too fast. I would love to hear how you are doing after your visit with the dietician, if you don't mind sharing. I hope you find it helpful. - Lori (Team Member)
