Good Veggies

Dear Verdundal,

Thank you!

I considered including sweet potatoes in the list of the "Good Veggies." As you say, they are indeed low-glycemic and do rate high in micronutrients. The only reason why I left them out is because they are high in carbs. Certainly, if you are not following a low-carb diet, they are a great choice.

Best regards,

David 

Hi Lorraine,

That sounds like a great idea, particularly being able to use the stock for broth, but how do you get stock from veggies that aren't particularly watery to begin with? Like carrots, peppers and cauliflower? I tend to have to add quite a bit of water to them to steam them and what is left over isn't enough for stock. I am using a pot on the stove with a basket inside. Should I get an actual steamer?

Vicki M

  Hi lorraine and David, I always read your columns and epecially

 on diet. I been meaning to write you regarding those green-leaf

 vegetables many times before (I been using then for years) but

 never got around to it. Not only are they low carb and low-GI

 but also full of fiber and almost all vitamins- especially if you

 include a good variety- I use almost ALL in your list, when once

 a month I make my "green" soup (you missed bitter melon and

 boy choy).

   First I boil those well in little water but KEEP the juice.

  Then I run them through a blender to MASH up the cooked

  veggies and then I sometimes put them though a jiuicer.

  (you may have to add a little water- but some of then (eg cukes peppers) have lots juice). 

   Finally I re-boil the mashed pulp to end up with well-done

   veggie-broth soup and freeze it. I make enough to last a month.

     Finally I like to add that in THIS form (as broth), the Vitamins

   and fiber are a LOT easier for the body to absorb.

    You also missed one other important point- that ALL those

     veggies a ALKALINE foods and will neutralize an acid-food

    diet (which most of us eat). This "green" soup is excellent

    if you have any problems with your digestion.

                           Joe from Ottawa

         (will be following your columns)

Dear Joe,

Thank you for providing all of your excellent suggestions!

David 

Dear Lorraine,

Yes. In fact, I have steamed my veggies for years. I should have suggested steaming, rather than boiling, in my article. Thank you.

David 

Dear Bob,

Good question. The question really has to be how do I get enough protein? That's why I focused on protein sources in my article, "The Low-Carb Vegetarian" at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/20763/lowcarb-vegetarian/

Please check it out.

Best regards,

David 

I am getting my protein, so no problem there and maybe I can continue with my current diet.

I have been off medication for about 18 months and my last three A1c's have been; 6.1, 6.0 and 6.5, so all is well in that department.

However I am going to try more veggies and keep up my exercise routine.

I have learned to believe "it can be done"

Bob

Dear Father Bill,

It is certainly true that that SOME vegetables contain high amounts of Vitamin K that are difficult use use with coumadin. I know that well because my wife had to take it for several years before she died.

But not all veggies. Per drugs.com, "Large amounts of vitamin K are found in foods such as liver, broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, Swiss chard, coriander, collards, cabbage, and other green leafy vegetables. Do not change the amount of these foods in your diet without first talking to your doctor."

That doesn't mean you can't eat them. What it means is that you have to keep your INR levels steady. That means you can actually have these vegetables every day. Which means further that you need to have your levels tested regularly. The best way, of course, is to get one of the new home tests. That way you can adjust your coumadin levels to your diet.  

Best regards,

David 

I am glad you informed me of this, as I take 7mg of coumadin daily, so I will ck with my doctor.  And, I may invest in the home testing kit.

Bob

Dear Richard,

You make some excellent points. I often forget that many of my readers have other problems besides diabetes that they have to consider. The multiplicity of co-morbidities sure can make life complex!

Best regards,

David 

David,

It's like when my father (who was diabetic as well)  was talking with a neighbor and stated: "It's Hell getting old", to which the neighbor replied: "No, but it is **** inconvenient" . 

In the process of making sure I had some facts correct for my original post I just discovered that some of the cholestorol meds i'm taking may act counter to my thyroid meds and shouldn't be taken within 5 hours of each other.  Which may mean I need to shuffle (once again) which order I am taking my current pharmacy of drugs. One more item to add to my (LONG) list of items to discuss w/ my Endoc. at my next appt.  Oh Well...

Peace,

RichardLN2