BG control VS weight control

[caffeine_demon]

So - The 2 main aims for diabetics are:

1 - keep your BG under control
2 - lose weight (or maintain a good weight if you're already good)

sometimes, a diet good for weight control is bad for the BG level (eg - for some people porridge, or certain fruits), and of course, some foods good for BG , aren't wonderful for weight control (nuts, sausages)

so - is it worth a compromise on bg (say occasional spikes to 10 or 11), if it's going to help you lose weight (knowing that once the weight is under control, you can then get back to bg control (which may be easier once you've lost the weight)

similarly - what if you kept your BG to fabulous levels, but didn't lose any weight?

 

[Northerner]

Think about calories in versus calories expended. Exercise will help you lose weight and improve your BG levels long term. If you exercise regularly and eat moderately then you should lose weight and give your BG a great boost (for the good!)

 

[Robster65]

Totally agree with Northerner.🙂

It tends to be a much slower loss than for a non-diabetic and may well be a bit more painful due to lower quantities of food and more exercise needed to keep burning at a higher rate. Also, the exercise should improve insulin resistance which may mean a lowering of meds as you go.🙂

It's much the same for T1s though. I had to lower my calories drastically to lose a few pounds. But I'm back up to about 2000/day now and steady.

Rob

 

[Alan S]

So - The 2 main aims for diabetics are:

1 - keep your BG under control
2 - lose weight (or maintain a good weight if you're already good)

sometimes, a diet good for weight control is bad for the BG level (eg - for some people porridge, or certain fruits), and of course, some foods good for BG , aren't wonderful for weight control (nuts, sausages)

so - is it worth a compromise on bg (say occasional spikes to 10 or 11), if it's going to help you lose weight (knowing that once the weight is under control, you can then get back to bg control (which may be easier once you've lost the weight)

similarly - what if you kept your BG to fabulous levels, but didn't lose any weight?

I differ slightly.

The primary aim for a type 2 diabetic is to attain and maintain good blood glucose control.

Weight is very much a secondary aim. It is a worthy goal and may assist in the primary goal, but it is an order of magnitude less important than blood glucose levels.

My diet is primarily adjusted for good BG control; tweaked for good nutrition and occasionally adjusted for good weight maintenance.

 

[Andy HB]

I differ slightly.

The primary aim for a type 2 diabetic is to attain and maintain good blood glucose control.

Weight is very much a secondary aim. It is a worthy goal and may assist in the primary goal, but it is an order of magnitude less important than blood glucose levels.

My diet is primarily adjusted for good BG control; tweaked for good nutrition and occasionally adjusted for good weight maintenance.

I'd differ slightly from your position too Alan. 🙂

If insulin resistance is a factor and the person is very much overweight then I'd argue that weight loss is just as important as bg control. For me, losing the weight has lead to improved insulin sensitivity and consequently better bg control.

If I hadn't lost the weight, I'd probably still be popping pills and would probably not have such good bg control now.

I know that is pretty much what you said, but I would not say that weight loss is secondary. It is atleast as important, in my opinion.

Andy 🙂

 

[FM001]

Good blood glucose control is foremost, followed by blood pressure and cholesterol levels is what I was told. Weight reduction when overweight can bring many benefits as Andy has explained, it can also take the strain off your the heart and other organs and leg and feet health improve when normal weight is achieved, the only way of maintaining weight is by making sure you burn off the calories you consume.

 

[donnarob]

It's a bit of a double edged sword.

I was told my doctor that she was far more interested in me lowering blood glucose and maintaining then losing weight.

Caffeine Demon is right, the things that are good for reducing bg levels aren't necessarily good for losing weight. It's a constant juggling act!

Sticking to protein and salad for lunch keeps me on the straight and narrow but I found, when I was out at lunch time yesterday, what could I eat when looking around a supermarket, it had to be on the hoof! I landed up having a few baby bell cheeses, a handful of cashews and a roast chicken leg. Not good for the old diet!!

Donna

 

[Alan S]

It's a bit of a double edged sword.

I was told my doctor that she was far more interested in me lowering blood glucose and maintaining then losing weight.

Caffeine Demon is right, the things that are good for reducing bg levels aren't necessarily good for losing weight. It's a constant juggling act!

Sticking to protein and salad for lunch keeps me on the straight and narrow but I found, when I was out at lunch time yesterday, what could I eat when looking around a supermarket, it had to be on the hoof! I landed up having a few baby bell cheeses, a handful of cashews and a roast chicken leg. Not good for the old diet!!

Donna

Sounds like an excellent lunch to me. Only thing missing was a bit of salad or veges. Stop worrying about the fats, apart from trans-fats. Eating normal levels of fat and protein and reducing carbs, in moderation, meets both requirements for weight loss and BGs.