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A question about snacks

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Katieb

Katieb

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all

My diabetic nurse told me to make sure I eat every 4 hours to keep my bg stable (she told me not to test though, although I do!). Question is, do I eat every 4 hours even if not hungry and even if my bg fine? I tend not to test between meals, but my pre meal numbers are usually around 5.2-5.8. If my bg was running at 5.8, then I don't see the need to eat straight away if not hungry! Am I right or am I missing something? :confused: Katie
 
Katieb said:
Hi all

My diabetic nurse told me to make sure I eat every 4 hours to keep my bg stable (she told me not to test though, although I do!). Question is, do I eat every 4 hours even if not hungry and even if my bg fine? I tend not to test between meals, but my pre meal numbers are usually around 5.2-5.8. If my bg was running at 5.8, then I don't see the need to eat straight away if not hungry! Am I right or am I missing something? :confused: Katie
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Hi Katie, I wasn't told anything about snacking although I would say only eat if you're hungry. You're numbers are really good (not that I'm jealous 😡). I think the rule is 3 meals a day and two small snacks a day. I really struggle with the snacks although I've now started eating satsumas 🙂 Big hug. Amanda {} 🙂
 
I don't see the need personally - if you're not hungry, then why eat something? If it's something carby then it will raise your blood sugar levels when you probably don't need them raising. If it's not carby then it's extra calories that you probably don't want either. Sounds more like the advice that might be given to someone on mixed insulin, not someone on no medication! 🙄 If the nurse meant have small, regular snacks instead of 3 blowout meals, then that might make more sense I suppose.
 
Is it to keep the liver in quiet mode I wonder ? :confused:

Rob
 
Northerner said:
I don't see the need personally - if you're not hungry, then why eat something? If it's something carby then it will raise your blood sugar levels when you probably don't need them raising. If it's not carby then it's extra calories that you probably don't want either. Sounds more like the advice that might be given to someone on mixed insulin, not someone on no medication! 🙄 If the nurse meant have small, regular snacks instead of 3 blowout meals, then that might make more sense I suppose.
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Thanks Northerner. That confirms what I think too, so may just listen to my body and do what I think I need to (ie eat when hungry). I must admit I'm not great at going long stretches without food or a snack (talking 5-6 hours here). I usually eat a banana at 11 am (I have breakfast at 6.30 and lunch at 1.30), but maybe I could choose a lower carb snack? Also, surely if I eat carby snacks then that will also affect my overall bg level. Given that I am aiming to ideally keep my bg below 6 in the longer term and that I am usually mid 5s before eating, this would surely put my bg over 6 more often? Is that a simplistic view or is this correct? Thanks for your response. I appreciate your advice. Katie
 
Hi katie.

Bananas can be quite high GI, so maybe you could eat something a bit lower GI. Maybe a couple of seedy crackers or something. Or an apple or pear ?

But only if you really feel the need. It's all extra carbs and extra calories (if that's something you're watching).🙂

Rob
 
Robster65 said:
Hi katie.

Bananas can be quite high GI, so maybe you could eat something a bit lower GI. Maybe a couple of seedy crackers or something. Or an apple or pear ?

But only if you really feel the need. It's all extra carbs and extra calories (if that's something you're watching).🙂

Rob
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Hi Rob

Yes I am watching the calories still! Think I'll swap the bananas like you say and have a low GI snack only if hungry. Thanks for the tip🙂 Katie
 
I presume it's someone's idea of keeping you BG as level as possible without testing - totally flawed of course. It is a good idea to try and keep your bg within your agreed range, if you can do that with 3 meals a day (try and keep them at the same time each day) then there is no need to snack.
 
What is confusing is the conflicting information you are given when diagnosed/pre-diagnosed. I was given a copy of a Health Eating Plan (not specifically for diabetics) and told to fill my plate half with veg; 3/4 with starchy carbs and the rest with lean/meat fish etc.... (I struggle with starchy carbs).

I wasn't told to snack and only do it because (and this is going to sound daft 😱) I read an article on the American actress Halle Berry and her personal trainer said she keeps fit and her diabetes under control by eating 3 meals a day and having 2 snacks; normally fruit and nuts.

Now, I'm not saying I want a figure like Halle Berry (grrrrrrrr😡) but it would be good if information given out by professionals was consistent in relation to foods. I tend to eat a satsuma after I come off the treadmill but can manage on 3 meals a day. 🙂

Question. Are you meant to test before and after a snack and what are good low gi snacks apart from fruit and nuts???

Amanda x 🙂
 
Hi Amanda

I would ignore pretty much everything you've ever read in relation to Halle Berry and diabetes. There are claims that she cured herself of Type 1 but then counter claims that she must have been misdiagnosed.

Whatever the reality, she hasn't cured herself of type 1. The rest could be made up, wrong or just misreported.

Either way, it's not what we should be doing. Whether T1 or T2 or any other type, it's inadvisable to follow anything celebrities do or especially are reported to do have done. 🙂

Rob
 
My general rule of thumb is not to eat between meals unless I am hungry. If I am hungry I will try to have some fruit or celery or raw carrotts, but it doesn't always work like that.

My own style is I'm a bore nibbler and it is a walk to our staff resterant, so I try not to keep too much food on or in my desk. If it's not there and I have to go get something I will only go if I am hungry or very bored.
 
Took the advice and had an apple today! Ate breakfast at 6.30 and lunch at 1.30, so needed the snack inbetween as was peckish! Not felt hungry since lunch, so will have dinner around 6.30pm as usual. Thanks all for your pearls of wisdom! Katiex🙂
 
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