Hate chicken/salmon and have type 2 diabeties

[jmd1]

So i posed this question to my doc today. I do not like chicken and most fish (walleye/northern ok). Asked her what else i can do she said learn to like chicken but can do red meat in lower quantities. does anyone have the same issue? Would be curious to hear how you all handle this issue. Thanks

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I'm not qualified to know for certain, but I have read a fair amount that grass fed beef may be okay with type 2 diabetics.

[eyeguy 54]

I had type 2. Dropped 20 pounds, walk for exercise, slowed way down on the carbs, red krill capsules. I eat lottsa meat and protein. Some red wine couple times a week. Not type 2 anymore. Dr said keep it up. Good luck. Hopefully you can figure out what works for you. Ever try pork blade steaks? much better than a pork chop and cheap. Maybe take some red krill daily. good stuff and breath doesnt smell like a dead fish.

[maxpower17]

Read the book Wheat Belly. Good book to get a few good guidelines and to find out how bad wheat really is for you.

I lost 10 lbs, feel better, eat less, sleep better, no acid reflux. I'm not wheat free by any means, but I cut back enough so that it's not the main part of my diet.

The book claims that cutting or eliminating wheat can cure diabetes.

[Tom7227]

I did Medifast and lost 60 lbs. Cut the metformin in half, BP meds in half and the sleep apnea was in check. Meals now involve chicken, some beef, rice or pasta and veggies. I would be that if you lost some weight you could get the Type 2 in check and things may go a bit better for you.

[Pherris]

Walleguy has the right advice. Exercise watch the carbs and get close to your ideal weight. Changing diet habits was the biggest challenge for me. The silver lining of type 2 (if there is one) is that it can be addressed for most with weight loss,excercise and diet. Lowering carb intake is key! I did not know that corn was a carb so many meals used include potato for my carb and corn for my vegetable.

[eyeguy 54]

yepper, that double starch hit is nasty. too bad taters and corn taste so good! couple times a month now instead of couple times a week. Red, yellow and orange peppers help also. And they taste great. One other thing you might want to try is canned herring. the one with lemon and cracked pepper is really good. hate or love will happen.

[waterspaniel]

went vegan, lost 70#, walk 2 mi./day. eat plenty of carbs--beans, brown rice. off insulin watch forks over knives dvd. read Dr. Neal Barnard's reversing diabetes

[deerminator]

So do you hate, hate chicken and fish or do you think you could eat more of it if it was prepared differently? I lost 20 pounds this past year doing weight watchers and am still doing it. Main thing its taught me is portion control and that in itself can make a fairly significant, rapid impact. I never thought I would actually weigh my steak before a meal or take one measuring cup of steel cut oats for breakfast. I actually did something similar when wresting in high school except that was more so just counting calories every day. Anywhoo, lots of lean meat and veggies. Little pasta, potatoes or corn. But I still have each a few times a week. Just not so much of it. Good luck. I used to hate salmon too but then I started smoking it and seasoning and grilling it in ways that are pretty darn tasty.

[jmd1]

i try chicken every now and then but just can't use to the taste. I have never ever liked it or turkey either. Fish is ok, but if it smells like fish, no way. I have lost 35 lb just by cutting out bread and sugars. Rather than picking up something sweet i will eat veggies instead. I do eat pork and beef.

Saw the endo doc today and even with weight loss my A1C is up. it brought tears to my eyes, son sitting there with me did not understand how hard we all try to get that number down, think we are doing great and then bam it is off the charts, all my other numbers are in check. Dad is severe diabetic, his brother died from it.

I eat tons of beans, meal is not complete without them is how i was brought up. I eat all sorts of veggies except corn. If i do canned anything, i rinse them off to limit salt etc. I appreciate everyones replies and support. Looks like more walking etc to get the last 20 lb off. Thanks again to all. Jeff

[deerminator]

Sounds like you're on a great path. My wife has PKD and so we limit our salt anyway. I like the Mrs. Dash line of seasonings. Some of them are terrible but some of them awesome, like the Southwest Chipolte. And you're right on with exercise. I find my weight is more under control in the Fall and Winter months. Though very active Spring and Summer outdoors, in the Fall and Winter, I am walking more during bowhunting and on the elliptical at least 5 times a week watching TV at night. Your walking and just moving around the house are key to losing weight and keeping it off. Unless you want to really reduce the amount eat and that sucks. lol

[delcecchi]

It may take changes to your medications to get a1c down. Are you checking glucose a couple times a day? Diet and exercise might not do it.

[jmd1]

3-4 times a day. ranges are ok, however i have been on vacation for the last 2 weeks, traveled to the midwest and did not eat the best while i was there. However i had my blood work completed a couple weeks prior to vacation. Did a small increase (doc advised) on one of my meds and it brought me down this am. I need to get back to work as i find myself not doing as much, while the honey do list is long, keeping inside where it is cool. I am trying chicken again tomorrow, store had thighs on sale so will give them a shot. But just writing this talking about chicken has already turned my stomach. Oh well. thanks for all the thoughts. Jeff

[Big Dave2]

I am type 2 diabetic and didn't take care of myself for several years. Last 6 months I decided to do the low carb atkins type diet and have lost about 45 lbs so far. There is lots of things you can eat that is low in carbs besides chicken and fish. Vegetables is your friend, I eat 1 to 2 salads per day now.

A typical day has me eating 2 eggs for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a sensible meal with meat and a vegetable for supper. No more potatoes or bread at all. I keep my carb intake somewhere around 20 grams or less most days. I take almost no insulin anymore, I was taking lots of insulin and it still wasn't keeping my A1C down.

[BobT]

I had type 2. Dropped 20 pounds, walk for exercise, slowed way down on the carbs, red krill capsules. I eat lottsa meat and protein. Some red wine couple times a week. Not type 2 anymore. Dr said keep it up. Good luck. Hopefully you can figure out what works for you. Ever try pork blade steaks? much better than a pork chop and cheap. Maybe take some red krill daily. good stuff and breath doesnt smell like a dead fish.

Ditto here. Was diagnosed with type II three years ago in February. Began watching my carbohydrate intake, dropped 30 pounds, and by August of that same year my blood glucose came under control and my medication was discontinued. A1C has been between 5.2 and 5.5 ever since.

In all my dietary training I don't recall anything mentioned about not eating red meat. I was taught red meat has zero carbohydrates but one must still use in moderation due to the amount of fat. What's the connection?

[delcecchi]

Since this likely is a lifelong thing, if you don't like chicken find something else. You need to find out what works for you.

Low carb, vegetarian, whatever.

Snacking,convenience foods, sugar drinks, might need to be reduced if you are eating them often.

Portion size is important.

[Jim Almquist]

In all my dietary training I don't recall anything mentioned about not eating red meat. I was taught red meat has zero carbohydrates but one must still use in moderation due to the amount of fat. What's the connection?

Bob that is what I was taught as well. It was always more about portion size with any meats. I think that most doctors would like all patients to watch their red meat intake. Thank goodness I love chicken and salmon but the wife is not the biggest chicken fan or at least wanting to eat it as much as I would like.

[polarsusd81]

Just be glad it's not type 1.5. Wife was diagnosed as type 2 last year then when she went in for the one year checkup her numbers were off the charts. She ended up going into DKA that same night an spent three days in ICU. Her A1C was up at 14.8. Scary stuff. She had lost 80 lbs but the weight loss, healthy eating habits, and intensive exercise regiment did nothing for her. She will be taking insulin 5x a day for the rest of her life. The Endocrine doc we visited a week ago said she was lucky she didn't get it when she was 3. She said definitely not a type 2, but a late onset type 1, or what is more and more commonly called 1.5 or LADA.

It is hard to deal with, but with the support of friends and family it makes things easier.

[eyeguy 54]

Maybe have her check into a pump for the insulin. my wife switched to it a few years ago and much nicer. Still gotta check the blood a lot but with the pump it's just a location change every 3rd day. She has been type 1 for 28 years. Half her life.

[leech~~]

I am type 2 diabetic and didn't take care of myself for several years. Last 6 months I decided to do the low carb atkins type diet and have lost about 45 lbs so far. There is lots of things you can eat that is low in carbs besides chicken and fish. Vegetables is your friend, I eat 1 to 2 salads per day now.

A typical day has me eating 2 eggs for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a sensible meal with meat and a vegetable for supper. No more potatoes or bread at all. I keep my carb intake somewhere around 20 grams or less most days. I take almost no insulin anymore, I was taking lots of insulin and it still wasn't keeping my A1C down.

Good advise Dave. Or is it not so Big Dave now! There is some 96% beef burger at cub that is just as low or lower in fat as Turkey or Buffalo burger

[BobT]

I am type 2 diabetic and didn't take care of myself for several years. Last 6 months I decided to do the low carb atkins type diet and have lost about 45 lbs so far. There is lots of things you can eat that is low in carbs besides chicken and fish. Vegetables is your friend, I eat 1 to 2 salads per day now.

A typical day has me eating 2 eggs for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a sensible meal with meat and a vegetable for supper. No more potatoes or bread at all. I keep my carb intake somewhere around 20 grams or less most days. I take almost no insulin anymore, I was taking lots of insulin and it still wasn't keeping my A1C down.

[delcecchi]

Your minimum carbohydrate needs are 130 grams per day, which is the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for carbohydrates, according to the Institute of Medicine. If you’re pregnant or nursing, your carb RDA is 175 grams or 210 grams per day, respectively. Most athletes require additional carbohydrates. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that endurance athletes generally need 2.3 to 5.5 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight each day. This means a 150-pound endurance athlete requires 345 to 825 grams of carbs daily, depending on training intensity and duration.

Ketosis occurs when your body runs out of carbohydrates as fuel and breaks down stored body fat as energy. During this process, ketones build up in the body, which can cause headaches, nausea, difficulty focusing mentally and bad breath. MayoClinic.com suggests restricting your carb intake to less than 20 grams per day causes ketosis.

Since carbs are such an important source of energy for your body, eating too few carbs can really drag you down. MayoClinic.com reports that drastically cutting carbs can lead to fatigue, weakness and even dizziness. Feeling tired from an insufficient carb intake means you’ll likely have less energy to be physically active. Low-carb diets can severely inhibit athletic performance, since carbs are a crucial energy source during exercise.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that aids in gastrointestinal health and helps prevent constipation. Eating too few carbs means you’re likely not meeting your daily fiber requirements, which increases your risk constipation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 suggests men eat at least 38 grams and women consume at least 25 grams of fiber daily.

[SkunkedAgain]

I do not like chicken and most fish (walleye/northern ok).

I offer up this story to offer some hope. A friend of my parents (a doctor) reached the age of 57 before he realized that he liked steak. Up to that point he hated it. What changed? He started eating steak at a few nice restaurants. Up to that point he had a mom and a wife that nuked the heck out of meat. It sounds ludicrous but he hadn't branched out much beyond those two sources.

I mention this to suggest that you might try eating some salmon or chicken at a few places that really do well in making those dishes. There are ways to make anything taste good. Unfortunately it usually involves lots of fat and bad things. Eventually though, you can find healthier ways to make fish and chicken that support your new diet.

[deerminator]

I would also add that squash used to make my stomach turn but I had mashed squash instead of potatoes with a huge dry aged pork chop at Zelo this Spring and it was pretty much awesome. Afterwards, I learned how to make it at home and its a great alternative to potatoes. Just another tip. lol. I agree, the no carbs is OK for the short term but moderation or low carbs is the way to go long term. IMHO.

[BobT]

Your minimum carbohydrate needs are 130 grams per day, which is the recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, for carbohydrates, according to the Institute of Medicine. If you’re pregnant or nursing, your carb RDA is 175 grams or 210 grams per day, respectively. Most athletes require additional carbohydrates. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reports that endurance athletes generally need 2.3 to 5.5 grams of carbohydrates per pound of body weight each day. This means a 150-pound endurance athlete requires 345 to 825 grams of carbs daily, depending on training intensity and duration.

Ketosis occurs when your body runs out of carbohydrates as fuel and breaks down stored body fat as energy. During this process, ketones build up in the body, which can cause headaches, nausea, difficulty focusing mentally and bad breath. MayoClinic.com suggests restricting your carb intake to less than 20 grams per day causes ketosis.

Since carbs are such an important source of energy for your body, eating too few carbs can really drag you down. MayoClinic.com reports that drastically cutting carbs can lead to fatigue, weakness and even dizziness. Feeling tired from an insufficient carb intake means you’ll likely have less energy to be physically active. Low-carb diets can severely inhibit athletic performance, since carbs are a crucial energy source during exercise.

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that aids in gastrointestinal health and helps prevent constipation. Eating too few carbs means you’re likely not meeting your daily fiber requirements, which increases your risk constipation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 suggests men eat at least 38 grams and women consume at least 25 grams of fiber daily.