TAR

My Dad was just diagnosed with diabetes. He really don't want to tell me anything about what the Dr. said or anything that happened at visits, But he is going crazy. They called him on Tuesday, I knew something was up, he didn't tell me till thursday. I had supected it when he said he was going to the fruit market to get dinner....LOL...But he really hasn't eaten anything (till today when I made him eat something - it was better than not eating for days). He is so stubborn!!! But all he is seeing now is that he can't have anything.... I'm really no help right now since I don't know anything about what he should or shouldn't eat... But he is really depending on me to tell him what is right, I've been looking over a lot of sites but they all are a little complicated. Since I'm not sure what his Dr. has said... He is on Medicine (pills) which he finally started taking today I had to make him... Plus I figured out how to use the monitor for testing but now he don't know when to test and I don't know when he should (and he don't want to ask his Dr).

Anyone know what foods are good for diabetics to eat, without too much worry... Simple ways we can change things in his diet... He is not going to go for big change right away, maybe I can sneak him into change.. I'm looking for any help anyone has to give.... Oh yeah and his birthday is coming up and he's going to want cake... (He has a sweet tooth). And when should I make him test his blood???

It is funny how parents become like our children at a certain point in life. For my dad this is his time. He is looking for me to give him answers.... My mom already fliped the roll on me about a year ago...

__________________
In memory of Cherish 12/19/1998

fallon

cinnamon is a great spice for diabetics, it helps maintain blood sugar. I know a few who use it in their coffee. Russel stouffers (not sure about the spelling) makes a really good sugar free candy

tater03

I really don't know to much about it but have you looked at the library for some simple reciepe books for diabetics. I bet there are a ton out now. I hope that he does well. I know that parents can be stubborn when it comes to any kind of change.

Kaytee

My dad was just diagnosed with diabetes as well, about 3 months ago. In the beginning it is hard, since they don't know for sure what will trigger low or high sugar. I would sugest you just make sure your dad is eating a well balanced diet, lots of veggies and fruits. Also make sure he is checking his sugar often. What my dad did was check his sugar (write it down in a notebook, write down what he eats, tehn check blood cugar again after he eats. I think its like 20 min after you eat. My sister in law is also diabetic, but she is insulin dependent.

__________________

If you can't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
http://www.spcnicholasidalski.com

SageMother

Before you start trying to figure things out for him, he needs to figure them out for himself. If he is upset and angry, which he probably is, he needs to go through that. He needs to figure out what he wants to eat based on what he decides for himself. Some people with diabetes choose to ignore their condition in favor of quality of life issues that only they can decide for themselves. He needs to handles his diagnosis as he sees fit. He is capable of asking his dietician about his diet and should probably be allowed to exercise that control, since he has lost it in so many other ways.

TAR

Thank you all for your help...... I have found some recipes since I am the one who cooks (My mom can't stand for a long time at the stove to cook for him anymore and her hand are mostly numb -arthritis in her legs, carpal tunnel in her hands, and my Dad works two jobs and only is free to eat not cook). What is hard about letting him ask his dietician is he don't understand what they mean (or he don't want to understand...LOL... or he's not listening) Well they told him nothing over 3g sugar well he wants to believe that something that reads on the box 1-3grams of sugar is ok no matter how much you eat.
What do I do if he decides he does want to ignore it, because if I allow him to ignore it he probably will... He is that type of person.
He's been checking his blood sugar in the morning is been about 250 give or take some morning (we all know that is high) and he eats breakfast he checks in the afternoon its been around 270 and around the evening its around 270.... At that point should I allow him to just ignore it.... Would any of you???

__________________
In memory of Cherish 12/19/1998

fallon

never let him ignore it the risk is just to high. We went through the samething with my step dad. It's hard to change your ways especially for older men. maybe it would be helpful for your daad to see what could happen if ignores advice of his Dr. Try printing up some articals or pictures of people who have lost their feet due to this disease. If you can get him to understand that his feet, kidneys, eye sight, and even his life are at risk maybe that will be enough to scare him into following the rules

fallon

TAR, how are things going with your dad?

TAR

Well, he has been checking his blood sugar... He has been writing it down in the log... He checks twice a day... He has been trying to cut down on the desserts... He isn't paying much attention about his portions but at least he's trying... Thank you for your concern... I enjoy coming here everyone is so nice... Being a stay at home mom with small children you don't get to talk to anyone like this..LOL... I let you know if he has a full turn around... LOL... As much as he's done I'm shocked... I didn't even think he'd change this much...

__________________
In memory of Cherish 12/19/1998

fallon

that's so good to hear. He's on the right road, it takes a lot of time to change habbits you've had for basically your whole life