Peanut butter.

[Sharron1]

Just wondering if peanut butter is ok for pre diabetes. In moderation of course. I have read good things about it so thought I’d try asking the many experts on the forum as I’ve learnt such a lot of useful information on here. I’m getting used to my low carb diet and sticking to well under 130 grams per day.
Also one more thing if by early evening when I am well under my 130 target and I’m feeling peckish am I ok to have a couple of weetabix to fill up or shredded wheat. Or are they too carbi for early evening. Thanks

Ah peanut butter. Yum. To add to the confusing advice received from HCP in my surgery. One nurse told me it is fine on a cracker in moderation. So, I stuck with two crackers and a thin covering of good peanut butter . Just recently I saw a different HCP who was horrified and told all peanut butters are full of saturated fats and increase cholesterol and i shouldn't even look at it. Tbh,I decided to ignore this advice. But my goodness no wonder patients don't know if they are coming or going wrt diet.

 

[harbottle]

Peanuts aren't full of saturated fats, they're mainly good fats a lot of other essential nutrients. A lot of food contains saturated fats, and I don't believe all saturated fats raise cholesterol anyway. Some have a neutral effect.

 

[Theo]

We’ll just read all your replies to my questions. Must admit they make interesting reading. In fact I spend more time reading this forum than I do the daily paper. Think the way to go is to self test before and after meals as everyone seems to suggest. Just wish they would suggest this at the surgery instead of just leaving you to get on with it and saying see me in a years time. Do they supply the libre testing kit or do you buy them from the chemist. Can you tell me if I can get quinoa flakes in the supermarkets and should I look for any particular type. I would also like some lower carb bread as can’t go through life never having anymore bread. But where can you buy it as never heard of Jason’s near me. I buy the Warburtons small wholemeal bread which according to the info has only 9 grams of carbs in each slice and allow myself 2 slices occasionally but not everyday. As for the oats well I weigh out 40 grams each morning which according to the packet is only 24 grams of carbs and two weetabix is only 26 grams of carbs other mornings. I’ve probably misunderstood what I’m supposed to do but thought if I weighed smaller portions then that is the idea. I’m certainly going to make the muffins as Nayshiftin suggested as at least it gives me a change from savoury as I like baking and miss something with a cup of tea. Just need the correct sweetener and almond flour as not sure where to get grape tree flour from. Would ground almond do. So many questions but I am keen to learn as much as possible. Won’t ask anymore as I find myself getting obsessed with it all and spending all my time online reading forums. Sorry for going on.

 

[Leadinglights]

We’ll just read all your replies to my questions. Must admit they make interesting reading. In fact I spend more time reading this forum than I do the daily paper. Think the way to go is to self test before and after meals as everyone seems to suggest. Just wish they would suggest this at the surgery instead of just leaving you to get on with it and saying see me in a years time. Do they supply the libre testing kit or do you buy them from the chemist. Can you tell me if I can get quinoa flakes in the supermarkets and should I look for any particular type. I would also like some lower carb bread as can’t go through life never having anymore bread. But where can you buy it as never heard of Jason’s near me. I buy the Warburtons small wholemeal bread which according to the info has only 9 grams of carbs in each slice and allow myself 2 slices occasionally but not everyday. As for the oats well I weigh out 40 grams each morning which according to the packet is only 24 grams of carbs and two weetabix is only 26 grams of carbs other mornings. I’ve probably misunderstood what I’m supposed to do but thought if I weighed smaller portions then that is the idea. I’m certainly going to make the muffins as Nayshiftin suggested as at least it gives me a change from savoury as I like baking and miss something with a cup of tea. Just need the correct sweetener and almond flour as not sure where to get grape tree flour from. Would ground almond do. So many questions but I am keen to learn as much as possible. Won’t ask anymore as I find myself getting obsessed with it all and spending all my time online reading forums. Sorry for going on.

Self testing is certainly what people find most useful in giving you the information on which to either reject a particular food, reduce the portion or say whippee that is fine. You could go the the lengths of getting a Libre but they are expensive (about £50 a pop and they last 2 weeks), have limitations and no way would you get one prescribed. The alternative is a home testing blood glucose monitor which you take a finger prick sample and apply to a test strip which goes into the monitor, they are relatively inexpensive the main cost being the strips. Looking for one with the cheaper strips is a good idea. On line is cheaper and there are 3 which many find satisfactory, the GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue. Again you will have to self fund. Even as Type 2 you would be lucky if prescribed one. What is important is to have a good testing regime rather than something random. You may test a lot at first but once you establish what is OK then no need to test that meal again.
It looks like the bread you have been using is one that quite a few people opt for as 9g carb per slice is pretty good.
As far as the oats and weetabix are concerned then again that does not sound too bad for carbs but you could be sure if you go for the testing route.
Ground almond are pretty well the same as almond flour and most supermarkets sell those. Grape Tree as a chain of shops selling all sorts of 'health foods' and their prices are usually pretty good for nuts etc. They are quite a few actual shops but they do do mail order. Sweeteners are very personal choice but there are many different ones suitable for different uses, the Canderel website lists the ones they do and what they are best used for.
If you like baking then try the sugarfreelondoner website.

 

[Theo]

Thanks for that.

 

[SB2015]

Can you tell me if I can get quinoa flakes in the supermarkets and should I look for any particular type.

I buy mine in the local health food shop. A bit more expensive than oat flakes, but my carbs when eating this drop from 40 g with oats down to 11 g with my mix (It is from Hemsley and Hemsley book and called kettle porridge). Very enjoyable accompanied with yogurt and berries.

 

[SB2015]

I’ve probably misunderstood what I’m supposed to do but thought if I weighed smaller portions then that is the idea

This is a good way of still enjoying what you want to eat. We found smaller plates helped us too. We knew we were conning ourselves but still found it helped to make our smaller portions look bigger.

 

[SB2015]

Won’t ask anymore as I find myself getting obsessed with it all and spending all my time online reading forums

That’s what the forum is here for. Loads of experience to tap into. Just ask.

 

[Dave_Z1a]

Its very easy to get too involved in the minute details of the foods at an early stage in my opinion, some may relish it but I personally have found it is a long journey with constant refinements and surprises and as others have stressed bar the obvious food groups and items it can be very personalised; working for one individual and not another. For me there are some interesting factors at play which never cease to amaze me, for instance eating apple a no-no, but eating with cheese is fine, fat slowing down the reaction. Having a small beer before dinner knocks at least 1.5 points of after meal readings. Eating things in different orders, carby ones last, all interesting. Freezing bread and then thawing before eating reduces carb value, cooking pasta, cooling it in fridge then reheating reduces its carb value, potatoes as well apparently. As for Cholesterol I completely ignore any advice, stuff myself with eggs, cheese, avocados, peanut butter, cream etc etc at will, after all if you take away the cream and cheese etc what have I got left to live on except protein and fibre? My cholesterol results are always very good, better than a non diabetic in most cases my doc says. The body is an amazing thing, I guess its resigned itself that its not going to get loads of carbs anymore and has to look to the alternatives its fed for energy. Bread, rolls and wraps I have a lot off and I would be lost without the low carb ones I get delivered on a monthly basis. 2g per slice of lovely brown seeded, 3 grams a roll and 6 grams for a wrap which taste better than ordinary wraps.

 

[Nayshiftin]

Peanuts aren't full of saturated fats, they're mainly good fats a lot of other essential nutrients. A lot of food contains saturated fats, and I don't believe all saturated fats raise cholesterol anyway. Some have a neutral effect.

googled
Summary. Peanuts are a good source of monounsaturated fats, which help reduce LDL cholesterol. Limiting saturated and trans fats and replacing them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats may help improve cholesterol levels. Peanuts also contain phytosterols, which help to lower LDL cholesterol.24

 

[Nayshiftin]

We’ll just read all your replies to my questions. Must admit they make interesting reading. In fact I spend more time reading this forum than I do the daily paper. Think the way to go is to self test before and after meals as everyone seems to suggest. Just wish they would suggest this at the surgery instead of just leaving you to get on with it and saying see me in a years time. Do they supply the libre testing kit or do you buy them from the chemist. Can you tell me if I can get quinoa flakes in the supermarkets and should I look for any particular type. I would also like some lower carb bread as can’t go through life never having anymore bread. But where can you buy it as never heard of Jason’s near me. I buy the Warburtons small wholemeal bread which according to the info has only 9 grams of carbs in each slice and allow myself 2 slices occasionally but not everyday. As for the oats well I weigh out 40 grams each morning which according to the packet is only 24 grams of carbs and two weetabix is only 26 grams of carbs other mornings. I’ve probably misunderstood what I’m supposed to do but thought if I weighed smaller portions then that is the idea. I’m certainly going to make the muffins as Nayshiftin suggested as at least it gives me a change from savoury as I like baking and miss something with a cup of tea. Just need the correct sweetener and almond flour as not sure where to get grape tree flour from. Would ground almond do. So many questions but I am keen to learn as much as possible. Won’t ask anymore as I find myself getting obsessed with it all and spending all my time online reading forums. Sorry for going on.

Grape tree is a food chain store on high street. sorry for confusion

 

[stephenS50]

Yum..yum..yum peanut butter . As a type 1 diabetic I tend to eat ones such as Whole Earth sugar free...you never miss the sugar eating that one as it's absolutely delicious .