Diabetics gone raw?

[ManyLittles]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone here has/had diabetes when starting raw foods. What was your experience? I have gestational diabetes, docs are pressuring me to do insulin, even though (while on a SAD diet but watching carbs) the only high glucose was mornings, around 109. I'll do it if I have to, but I'd rather control it with diet.

Can anyone share their experiences as a diabetic, going raw? How long did it take for your glucose levels to even out? Did they spike for a while with all the fruit? Did your doctors freak--did you even tell them? Did you go off or avoid starting insulin?

I noticed today after having fruit for breakfast, salad veggies for snack, and fruit for lunch, that my one-hour glucose after the fruit lunch was 103...lower than normal, which I didn't expect. I'm just wondering what to expect as I continue to go at least 50% raw (due to pregnancy), maybe 75%.

Thank you for any input!

[jeannieh99]

Hi,

I noticed today after having fruit for breakfast, salad veggies for snack, and fruit for lunch, that my one-hour glucose after the fruit lunch was 103...lower than normal, which I didn't expect. I'm just wondering what to expect as I continue to go at least 50% raw (due to pregnancy), maybe 75%.

Thank you for any input!

Hi there!
I'm not a doctor (I don't even play one on tv...lol) But, I think normal range is 100 or below, so I don't think that 9 points over would mean you needed to go on insulin. Sounds a little extreme to me. It seems to me, a good balanced raw, healthy diet lifestyle would take care of those 9 extra points.

Again, I'm no expert, but I'm sure we have a few floating around this place I like to think of as a gigantic think tank full of all kinds of wisdom and experience.
Congrats! and Best of luck. Will you be finding out if you have a he or a she? Or do you prefer "mystery"lol:p
Jeannie

[Solace]

watch.............best of luck to you:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynXGA6fCEgU

[ManyLittles]

Solace...thanks, the video was interesting.

Jeannie, I agree, 9 points doesn't seem like a big deal to me. But you know doctors. There is no grey, only black and white. At 99 points, your baby will be healthy, at 101 you are going to make your placenta separate, and kill your baby. I just hope I can get my blood sugar lowered enough before my appointment this week. My daytime sugars yesterday were lower, but my morning one today was not. I'm thinking I should go veggie-only for my last meal of the day, maybe that will help.

Thanks!

[wyjoz]

Andreas Moritz wrote Diabetes No More among other books. You can type his name and get all the info on him and his work; curezone.com and here is a link to a very interesting point he makes on Diabetes: http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=23946 hope this helps.
I have a friend who controlled Gestational Diabetes with diet;
Joz

[RawNubian]

I am insulin resistant and I find on the raw food diet that I am fine, even eating fruit. And I am continuing to lose weight, I only have maybe 15 pounds to go. That video was very interesting; it made me want to go to the ranch in Arizona. Maybe next year for my vacation I will make it a "rawcation" and find some sort of retreat. I know Alissa does week long ones.

[juliebove]

I had GD. Had one reading of 110. Was told I'd be put on insulin if I had another such reading. When you have GD they hold you to stricter numbers than people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. GD can be very harmful to the baby. Luckily I never had to use insulin, but for many people the diabetes does get harder and harder to control as the pregnancy progresses.

[RawNubian]

I had GD. Had one reading of 110. Was told I'd be put on insulin if I had another such reading. When you have GD they hold you to stricter numbers than people with type 1 or 2 diabetes. GD can be very harmful to the baby. Luckily I never had to use insulin, but for many people the diabetes does get harder and harder to control as the pregnancy progresses.
I haven't decided if I want kids yet but I was told that due to my insulin resistance I would probably get GD. I am hoping by following the raw food diet and also gettting my weight down within a normal range will help me avoid this if I due in fact choose to have children in the future.

ETA: There are many herbs and minerals like Chromium and Cinnamon help with blood sugar balance.

[jeannieh99]

Solace...thanks, the video was interesting.

Jeannie, I agree, 9 points doesn't seem like a big deal to me. But you know doctors. There is no grey, only black and white. At 99 points, your baby will be healthy, at 101 you are going to make your placenta separate, and kill your baby. I just hope I can get my blood sugar lowered enough before my appointment this week. My daytime sugars yesterday were lower, but my morning one today was not. I'm thinking I should go veggie-only for my last meal of the day, maybe that will help.

Thanks!

ManyLittles,
I think when we are talking about you caring for and carrying a little life inside you, you need to follow your ob/gyn and do what you have to do to keep you both safe and healthy. What you said about at 99 points and at 101points are sobering thoughts. I wish you nothing but that which will keep you both strong, healthy and happy. You are wise. Keep us posted.
Jeannie

[boxerfamily]

Hi ManyLittles!

I am a diabetic and newly raw. I had gestational diabetes with all three of my kidlets and had to use insulin with one. The one with which I used insulin was the smallest of the three at 10lbs 13oz. I don't know if the insulin was responsible for this or not.

Talk to you doctor about giving it another go at controlling with diet. I noticed an immediate improvement of my blood sugar levels after going raw. Alissa's book on page 164-165 has excellent advice for diabetics going raw and it would be best for you to follow that technique. Monitor your blood glucose level often to see how your body is reacting to the food you eat and be open with your doctor about your progress.

An interesting side note is that 45%-50% of women with gestational dibetes wind up with type II dibetes later in life. Maybe you can avoid this by going 100% raw after your pregnancy. Best of luck to you. :)

[ManyLittles]

Thanks everyone. This is my fourth day raw (about 80%). My daytime sugars are great. My morning sugar is still a problem though. I got down to 106 yesterday, pretty happy about that, but was back up to 129 today. Maybe if I try not to eat fruit too late, it will help. Also I had a few bites of the kids' cooked dinner, and it had refined carbs in it, so maybe that was what did it. Hopefully I'll be down below 100 by Friday. Otherwise I guess I'll have to do insulin.

[boxerfamily]

Your morning glucose is a reflection of what you ate for dinner (and after) the night before. So try to keep your fruit earlier if your body seems to be tolerating it at that time. Best of luck to you.
Lori

[trinity082482]

Can I say on here that for any diabetic that I am proud of you for going raw! Not just being raw, but taking control of your health and doing something about it! I have many, many! friends who are between 26-47 years old and let me tell you.. they all know they have it, many take injections and have diet requirements to keep it in control and they all eat JUNK! It disgusts me when I see a diabetic check their sugar to see if they can eat that huge slab of disgusting heart stopping double chocolate fudge cake! I know we are all human and we all do not so healthy things.. I know I have but to treat your body better because you know your body needs it is wonderful!! Many people do not treat their bodies so sacred! Just wanted to give my 2 cents! WOOT!

[boxerfamily]

I must say that I lived in denial for about 7 years. My heart goes out to those who haven't yet realized that they are killing themselves. My life has improved so much in the short time I have been raw. 10 days I think. I can't believe it took me so long to figure this out.

Thanks so much for your support!:D

[ManyLittles]

Okay, my glucose was down to 110 today. That's better, anyway. I avoided all fruit and anything remotely carb-y last night, despite a strong desire for some fruit. Just salad veggies. I just wish it would get below 100 tomorrow, or at least really close, so I can at least point to some improvement. I mean, my readings HAVE improved compared to last week's depression-induced sugar binge, but so far it's no lower than when I reduced my carb intake, so he probably won't be too impressed yet. But he's been more flexible than other doctors, so maybe he won't give me a hard time.

Thanks for the support, everyone! It really helps.

[boxerfamily]

Hey Manylittles!

It has been awhile since your last post. I was wondering how you are doing. I hope everything is going well, and remember that having to go on insulin is not a failure on your part. Your body is just having some serious difficulty dealing with this pregnancy. I hope you and your baby are happy and healthy. Do let us know how its going when you have time.

;) :) :p
Lori

[tvillemom]

My sister had her gestational diabetes test a few weeks ago...they made her go back for the 3-4 hour test because it was "borderline". Her sugar was measuring as high as 152...they did not put her on any diet.
Just today, she passed out at a restaurant....they think her sugar is doing dives and spikes. She is now probably going to be eating lots of SAD proteins and just veggies...watching the sugars. Today was a scary day for us. She is home (after being rushed by ambulance to the hospital) Wondering why your Dr. would want you on shots.....when it's only around 103??? Seems like that would not be high enough to warrant shots???? Just MHO.

Wendi

[ManyLittles]

Boxerfamily, looks like your weight loss is going great!

Tvillemom, 103 was my lowest. For some reason my blood sugar isn't normalizing as fast as I'd like. It's better than it was, but a few days I was up around 127. But lately it's better, around 106-108.

If I can just make myself start doing the treadmill again and remember to take some cinnamon every day, I'd probably be better. But at least the doctor hasn't mentioned insulin again. I'M sure not bringing the topic up, lol.

[boxerfamily]

Great idea! Exercise does help to regulate blood sugar. It's just one more way to help keep you healthy and your sugar low so you and your baby are healthy. Best wishes.

[sueko]

I also had GD with my last pregnancy. Then, a year later, I developed type 2 diabetes. I am also a labor and delivery nurse and have seen many babies have to be born by cesarean section instead of naturally because the mothers were diabetics who didn't control their sugars or who refused to take insulin when their sugars were unable to be controlled. These babies have a distinctive "diabetic mom" look -- very doughy and fleshy. My two cents worth: Do the insulin until the sugars get under control to avoid the cesarean section. Keep trying for 100% raw, increase your exercise level, and see if you can get off the insulin in the process. I am not seeing "instant" results with raw foods, it may take a while for your body to heal enough to kick back into normal sugar metabolism. This is my personal opinion. I wish you a wonderful pregnancy and a safe, joyous birth.

Sueko

[ManyLittles]

Well, my doctor hasn't mentioned the insulin in the last few visits. I'M sure not going to bring it up, lol. I can't seem to get my blood sugar below 106 in the morning. So weird. But I do not think being six points over warrants insulin, and all my daytime readings are awesome.

I'm home with four children, all ages five and under. If I take insulin and my blood sugar drops and I go into a coma, I'm as good as dead. Only the five year old would be capable of calling 911, and knowing the kind of child he is, I don't think he'd actually do it. I'd be on the floor dead when my husband came home at midnight.

If I really needed it, I'd do it. But my fasting sugar is low enough that I just don't see a point. Now that I'm on raw food, the baby's growth is much more normal than my other babies (they were really big). My perinatologist says he's really happy with my weight and all my "numbers" and test results right now, so I'm satisfied with that.

I just need to stay on the raw path and I know I'll be fine. I can't believe I might end this pregnancy with less than a 20 pound overall gain. My least gain before this was 28 pounds, and that was hard. Right now I'm less than 16 pounds over my start weight, and though I expect I could gain a few pounds before delivery, that's fine with me because the dreaded 300-mark should still remain a distant nightmare that (hopefully) will never be seen! ;-)

[LightLover]

I would say try "YACON" (glycemic index = zero!) and "CINNAMON"
and google these ...

LL

[SchoolOfRAWk]

Hi there! I'm not a doctor (I don't even play one on tv...lol)


YOU...ARE...HILARIOUS!!!

[kswanson]

[QUOTE=ManyLittles;274344]Hi,

Wondering if anyone here has/had diabetes when starting raw foods. What was your experience? I have gestational diabetes, docs are pressuring me to do insulin, even though (while on a SAD diet but watching carbs) the only high glucose was mornings, around 109. I'll do it if I have to, but I'd rather control it with diet.

Can anyone share their experiences as a diabetic, going raw? How long did it take for your glucose levels to even out? Did they spike for a while with all the fruit? Did your doctors freak--did you even tell them? Did you go off or avoid starting insulin?

I noticed today after having fruit for breakfast, salad veggies for snack, and fruit for lunch, that my one-hour glucose after the fruit lunch was 103...lower than normal, which I didn't expect. I'm just wondering what to expect as I continue to go at least 50% raw (due to pregnancy), maybe 75%.

Thank you for any input!
(I am diabetic and overweight. I have been raw this time for 6 weeks. As I stick closer to being 100% raw my blood sugars have dropped like a rock

[kswanson]

I am diabetic and overweight. I have been raw this time for 6 weeks. As I stick closer to being 100% raw my blood sugars have dropped like a rock. I am insulin controlled, and have had to reduce the amount of insulin I take. I have felt much better eating raw. It is hard sometimes, but hopefully it will get easier.

[juliebove]

[QUOTE=ManyLittles;274344]Hi,

Wondering if anyone here has/had diabetes when starting raw foods. What was your experience? I have gestational diabetes, docs are pressuring me to do insulin, even though (while on a SAD diet but watching carbs) the only high glucose was mornings, around 109. I'll do it if I have to, but I'd rather control it with diet.

Can anyone share their experiences as a diabetic, going raw? How long did it take for your glucose levels to even out? Did they spike for a while with all the fruit? Did your doctors freak--did you even tell them? Did you go off or avoid starting insulin?

I noticed today after having fruit for breakfast, salad veggies for snack, and fruit for lunch, that my one-hour glucose after the fruit lunch was 103...lower than normal, which I didn't expect. I'm just wondering what to expect as I continue to go at least 50% raw (due to pregnancy), maybe 75%.

Thank you for any input!
(I am diabetic and overweight. I have been raw this time for 6 weeks. As I stick closer to being 100% raw my blood sugars have dropped like a rock


I have diabetes. I had gestational diabetes and it's not quite the same thing. The problem with GD is that as the baby gets larger, your hormone levels can fluctuate more and more and things can be less out of your control. Many diabetics who do not normally use insulin find they must use it when they are pregnant. And they will expect you to have lower BG (blood glucose) levels when you are pregnant than when you are not.

I wasn't on a "raw" diet when pregnant but I did eat a lot of raw food. I had a high risk pregnancy so went in weekly for ultrasounds and stress tests. The time of the stress test was during my normal lunch time, so they told me just to eat my lunch during it. The Dr. said I was the only pregnant woman he'd ever seen with a bag of carrots on her stomach. I ate raw carrots and other veggies every day.

As for the fruit, the only time I ever really ate it daily was when I was pregnant. I do not eat much of it now. I realize most people really like fruit. I don't. Not at all. And by fruit I mean sweet fruit. I just don't much like sweet foods. To me, carrots taste sweet. They taste good. Most things that taste sweeter than that taste sickly sweet to me. I do grow apples, pears, cherries and strawberries. I will eat those just because they're there. I tried RP's brownies a few times. I liked them but quickly got burned out on them and haven't wanted anything sweet like that ever again.

When I was pregnant, I saw a dietician and she pushed me to eat 5 servings of fruit every day. Made me feel like I would harm the baby if I didn't eat them. I tried. I really did. But I don't think it was worth the stress or all the hoops I jumped through trying to gag it down. I tried all sorts of recipes, mixing the fruit with things I wouldn't normally eat (diabetic recipes, yuk!) in an attempt to make it more palatable. I couldn't. I just couldn't. I did manage to eat a few bites of fruit every day.

So... If you really like fruit, I'm sure you can find a way to work it into your diet. But it may be in limited portions and it may not necessarily be the fruit you want. For instance, bananas are one fruit that many diabetics can't eat, ever. But some find they can eat berries in large quantities. Not all fruits are the same.

[LightLover]

Hi there! I'm not a doctor (I don't even play one on tv...lol)


YOU...ARE...HILARIOUS!!!

Well you better be your own doctor. Did you know that in times when doctors strike, death rates drop ENORMOUSLY?

LL

[ManyLittles]

Juliebove,

I'm glad you mentioned bringing lunch...I have my first non-stress test tomorrow, in addition to an ultrasound. I'll probably be there forever, so bringing lunch is a good idea. Otherwise I'll be too tempted walking past the hospital cafe to buy one of their way-overpriced yucky salads!

As far as bananas go, in my case they don't seem to raise my blood sugar as long as I'm on raw. In fact, sometimes my blood sugar is lower the day after eating a few, particularly if I have one before bed (but not immediately before bed). I'm glad about that, too, because with the munchkins running around all morning, sometimes that's all I have time to eat until their naptime! When I was going without bananas, it didn't help my blood sugar at all, and instead left me hungry because I didn't have time to wash, chop and peel anything else.

Seriously, God should have created more fruits and veggies like the banana...it's the ultimate convenience food! But I really feel bad for the people who can't have them.