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David's New Diabetes Diet

David Mendosa
David Mendosa
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Medical Journalist Living with Diabetes and Author of Fitness and Photography for Fun, www.mendosa.com/fitnessblog

After earning a B.A. with honors from the University of California,...

David Mendosa

Monday, August 03, 2009
View All of David Mendosa's Posts
What I eat keeps changing all the time. Since I change regularly everything else that I do, this should be no surprise. My breakfast starts with two glasses of GreensFirst. This is one breakfast that I can consume immediately after getting up from bed. The experts all tell me that we do better when ...
  1. Canned fish
    Steve Parker, M.D.
    Monday, August 03, 2009 at 01:24 PM

    Thanks for mentioning VitalChoice fish.  Will see if it's availble in supermarkets in Scottsdale, AZ. 

     

    Canned fish is convenient and reasonably priced.  I've had some absolutely awful canned salmon in the past.

     

    Don't know if it's true, but I read recently that for fish packed in oil, the healthy omega-3 fatty acids leach out into the oil to some degree.  Makes sense.  If true, you'd want to eat the oil too. 

     

    I bet you get some fresh wild trout on your hike.  I'm jealous!

     

    -Steve 

    Reply
    re: Canned fish
    David Mendosa
    Monday, August 17, 2009 at 02:33 PM

    Dear Steve,

     

    As far as I know the vitalchoice.com brand is only available by mail order.

     

    And I did indeed get fresh wild rainbow trout on my trek -- including one to celebrate my 74th birthday.

     

    Best regards,

     

    David

    Reply
  2. protein choices
    Carol
    Monday, August 03, 2009 at 06:19 PM

    I wonder if you have a thought about whey protein. esp with glutamine and precursers. This product is sweetened with Stevia and Xylitol. Makes good smoothies with or without fruit or Greens first.

    Reply
    re: protein choices
    David Mendosa
    Monday, August 17, 2009 at 02:36 PM

    Dear Carol,

     

    Yes, I considered whey protein. But it is strongly inflammatory. See http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/dairy-and-egg-products/103/2

     

    Best regards,

     

    David

    Reply
    re: re: protein choices
    Carol
    Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 02:04 AM

    The whey protein that I use has stevia in it, rates less than 5 carbs and I use the 2-4 oz they suggest,no where near a cup. It delivers 22 gr protein with only 55 mg sodium. I gues that site doesn't rate all brands. Is it the sugar that makes it inflamitory or something else? Wish I had the freedom to hike that long. I do 30 min daily on the gazelle.

    Reply
    re: re: re: protein choices
    David Mendosa
    Friday, August 21, 2009 at 10:33 PM

    Dear Carol,

     

    Unfortunately, it is the whey itself that is inflammatory. That's one reason why I prefer egg white protein (the other reason is that it is the most complete protein). Egg white protein is, however, awfully difficult to mix by hand, at least with the NOW brand. So this afternoon I finally bought a blender, and it works perfectly for it.

     

    Best regards,

     

    David

    Reply
    re: re: protein choices
    transposition
    Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 05:39 PM

    David,

     

    I really enjoy your writing, and I have learned a great deal from your posts. However this "Inflammatory Index" is pure pseudoscience.

     

    Don't give up whey protein just because of this.

    Reply
    re: re: protein choices
    Ed Seas
    Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    No! Designer whey is not as inflammatory as you may be thinking!

     

    When you click on the link it brings up a score of -492 which is indeed "strongly inflammatory" - BUT, and its a big but, that is for ONE CUP of sweet dried whey.

     

    If you change the setting to a serving size of one tablespoon you get a score of -25 which is "mildly inflammatory" - a huge difference!

     

    I would think that with a sensible diet and appropriate supplements that we can all easily handle the -25 to -75 inflammatory score whey protein offers us given its low carb and other benefits.

     

    Ed

    Reply
  3. David's New Diabetes Diet
    verdungal
    Monday, August 03, 2009 at 08:26 PM

    David.

    You do not have to give up your tofu. There are many brands of tofu made from

    soybeans grown in the USA. Do a query "tofu made from organic soybeans grown in usa; Here are two sources for you

     

    http://www.freshtofu.com

    www.sunrise-soya.com

     

    Joan Mercantini

     

    Reply
    re: David's New Diabetes Diet
    David Mendosa
    Monday, August 17, 2009 at 02:38 PM

    Dear Joan,

     

    Thank you. It was you, of course, who got me worried about soy from China with its hexane. I will look for those brands you mention but don't think that they are available in Colorado.

     

    Best regards,

     

    David

    Reply
  4. protein powder
    drscll
    Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 11:37 AM

    I too start many mornings with Greens First and protein powder.  PP always tastes so bad that it was a real challenge to find something to mix it in.  After much research and consulting others, I find Designer Whey Protein Powder in French Vanilla to be the most palatable. 

    Llet's face it, none of this stuff is going to win a prize at the fair....but mixed in with Greens First, it takes on the minty flavor and is decent.

    I continue to battle with finding grain/starch/sugar free food.  It's really difficult which means I fall off the proverbial wagon too often.  The idea of having to go on medication helps keep me motivated but the desire for the wrong stuff just lingers.

    Please keep passing on ideas for food; I am even experimenting with those little fishes in tins. 

    Thanks for all your wisdom.

    Reply
  5. Pills
    Greg House
    Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 11:40 AM

    Science today has changed, I hope you used the right way, because there are medications such as vicodin, oxycodone, Lortab, etc, are anxiolytic and although much help to soothe the pain, can be double-edged weapon to control pain, so indicate in findrxonline to be confident that this discovery is beneficial to all.

    Reply
  6. Pills
    Greg House
    Wednesday, August 05, 2009 at 11:42 AM

    Science today has changed, I hope you used the right way, because there are medications such as vicodin, oxycodone, Lortab, etc, are anxiolytic and although much help to soothe the pain, can be double-edged weapon to control pain, so indicate in findrxonline to be confident that this discovery is beneficial to all.

    Reply
  7. Drinking Green
    Norm Chaney
    Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 12:46 PM

    My diabetic specialist says eating real food is best of all.  No artificial anything. I limit meat and fowl to 1 serving per day and fish to 3 times per week.  I drink water, usually something like Pelligrino at noon and red wine at dinner, plain water the rest of the time.  I limit fats to fish oils, olive oils, and butter (very small amts). It's been woring for Italians for years.

     

     

    Reply
  8. Davids New Diabetes Diet
    Leaking Ink
    Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 05:32 PM

    08/06/09

     

    I'm always trying new diabetic diet suggestions, and I'll be trying some of yours.  Thanks for sharing your latest Diabetes Diet info.  Avocado and Raw Almonds are great snacks.  Love 'em.  I'm currently experimenting myself.  I absolutely love green smoothies, but I like mine real.  I save the green powdered stuff for travel, just in case I need it.  I like fresh green smoothies so much so that I sometimes drink a gallon of them a day (1 quart 4X day).  I bring two 1-Quart containers of pre-made green smoothies with me to work.  It's quick, filling, virtually effortless, eliminates the necessity for salad dressings, is a nice change of pace from eating salads, and I never have to worry about having anything "green" caught in my teeth.  I use a VitaMix 5200 Blender (my favorite kitchen appliance).  (A regular Blender would do too though the result would probably be a little chunkier and take longer to blend.)  My favorite diabetic green smoothie/blended salad is:

    5 oz. bag pre-washed lettuce (I change it up each time, i.e., *Romaine Hearts (or

    Escarole, or Mediterrean, or Spring Mix, etc. etc.)

    1 oz. of either (pre-washed bags):  *Raw Baby Spinach (or Mustard Greens or Collard Greens)

    8 oz. (1/2 container) (Pre-Made) Top Crop Fresh Salsa (No Oil) (In Container in Produce Section--Shop-Rite)

    8 oz. Spring Water (don't like carbonated stuff)

     

    Two Hours Later, I usually have (separately):

     

    2 oz. 100% Pasteurized Liquid Egg Whites (I use Shop-Rite Brand)

    (which I simply drink separately)

    [You could also substitute this for your Protein Powder quite cheaply--and it will mix well for you with your green smoothie powder, since it's already liquid.  You already know egg whites are the best complete protein.  Because the liquid is already pasteurized, there's no fear of Salmonella.  To me, liquid egg whites taste very similar to skim milk.  Athletes drink 100% pasteurized liquid egg whites straight all the time before and after workouts, so I guess I can too!]

    1/2 Tsp. Carlson's Fish Oil (Whole Foods)

    [Any Fish Oil hurts my stomach (but I like it for what it does for my brain, mood, and lab results), so I have to break it up into small amounts throughout the day.]

    1 Tbs Ground Chia Seed (Anutra Brand--Whole Foods)  (I LOVE CHIA SEEDS!)

    8 oz. water (drink separately or mix the chia seeds in it)

     

    I read that if you have:

     

    High Blood Pressure and Kidney Impairment--Reduce or Eliminate salt, meat, dairy

    High Cholesterol--Reduce or Eliminate Meat and Dairy

    High Tryglyceries:  Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol, Sweets, Meat, Dairy, Bad Fats (Saturated, etc.)

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Reply
    re: Davids New Diabetes Diet
    David Mendosa
    Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 09:37 AM

    Thanks for all of your comments. Particularly your blender recommendation.

     

    David

    Reply
  9. Untitled Comment
    Massagemaniac
    Friday, August 07, 2009 at 05:50 AM

    I have tried and am using 100% Essential Natural protein from Iron-Tek I bought at Whole Foods.  It is a Whey Protein.  It is sweetened with stevia, and it lists sugars as 3.  But, it does not raise up my BGS... I usually make a breakfast smoothie with Greek yogurt, cinnamon, liquid calcium/mag and sometimes frozen organic strawberries or peaches.  I wish I could eat almonds, but I am allergic to them ( hives and coughing/throat).  I tend to snack on cashews for an interim snack.  Thank you for sharing your nutrition and diet tips.  My A1c has ranged usually from 5.5 to 5.9 in the last two years.  I just recently had an A1c of 5.4 !  I was surprised, and wondered if my  Red yeast Rice or Fish Oils had helped, because I never expected a 5.4, when my last one was 5.9 .  Thanks.

    Reply
  10. Pain chronic
    Juan Carlos
    Friday, August 07, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    Parkinson's disease is caused by deterioration or death of certain neurons in a brain area known as substance nigra. These neurons produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitting the signals between the substance nigra and the corpus striatum, upon a good muscle activity.
    The decrease in dopamine production in patients causes an inability to direct or control their movements as normal, due to lack of nerve cells in the striatum. Studies that findrxonline has shown that Parkinson's patients have a loss of 80% or more of dopamine-producing cells in the substance nigra. The cause of this cell death or damage is unknown.

    Reply
  11. Tofu
    Mellow
    Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 02:33 PM

    Thanks  for great information. After reading your comment 'Extra firm tofu, although that may go soon. "A comment by Joan ("verdungal") about hexane in soy troubles me a lot." Although clicking on 'comment' took me nowhere, I checked Verdungal and found Joan's article that led me eventually to   http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/.   I found the two tofu products I use are 4 'stars' which means not all the beans are grown in the U.S. So I will look for the 5 'star' brands in the Seattle area, Edensoy, Unisoya, and Small Planet.

     

    Thanks again. I almost always read your articles because they usually have a piece of information that I can use.

    Enjoy,

    Mellow

     

    Reply
  12. GreensFirst
    Marta Allen
    Monday, August 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    What is this?

    Reply
    re: GreensFirst
    verdungal
    Friday, August 14, 2009 at 03:41 PM

    Greens First is an

    Antioxidant Power of 10 Plus Serving of Fruits & Vegetables in Every Serving!

    Reply
  13. Untitled Comment
    Jason
    Saturday, August 15, 2009 at 08:10 AM

    I am a first Cerified Personal Trainer, Fitness Training Blogger and First Timer to your site!

     

    Thank you for the work you do.  I will be sending some of my clients and readers to your site!

     

    If it helps anyone they can visit my fitness training site for help with fitness training help!

     

    Thanks again for your work!

     

    Jason Chiero, CPT

    Reply
  14. diet
    Donna C
    Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    Hi David. Always a pleasure to read about you.  I don't think I could ever do your daily diet. First, I have a family to feed, and they wouldn't be too keen on greens, chia seeds, nuts, protein mix and canned fish.  (Nor would I for that matter.)  Being metabolically challenged myself, and having had a not so good checkup in April, I started a severe diet...severe in that the calories are quite restricted...15 weeks ago.  Basically, I eat a piece of fruit for breakfast, same for lunch, and some protein in between, perhaps some lowfat cheese or cottage cheese or peanut butter on my banana.  Sometimes lunch will be vegetable soup.  Basically, I am eating much less for breakfast and lunch, and a snack before dinner as needed, and I am able to eat a family dinner, whatever it is I make or take out, one plate full.  I've lost 15 pounds in 15 weeks, and I could not be more thrilled.  I take metformin and glimepiride, and take much less of it now. My sugar readings are better and my sugar in general well controlled.  I feel good; I look good.  Unfortunately, I am also hypothyroid, have a fatty liver, and am having small bouts of gall bladder upsets.  BUT, on the bright side, this is working for me.  I cannot imagine restricing my carbs so much as you do, nor feeding my family that way; I think they would seriously rebel!  It works for you tho, and that is what matters. Thank you as always for sharing.  Donna C

    Reply
    Some minor suggestions for Donna C
    pjminola
    Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 02:57 AM

    15 pounds in 15 weeks is exciting, but might not be sustainable over the long term.  I would suggest that you might feel less hungry going forward if you had an egg or some nuts or cheese [for protein] for breakfast and lunch.  Also, I believe a banana is fairly high on the glycemic scale, so try an apple with p-nut butter instead. . . .my whole family thinks this is a wonderful snack -- just don't tell them it's healthy.

    Reply
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