Looking for advice...

While you have gotten some good advice on this thread regarding diet, drinks, etc., I will throw in my .02 as a 9 year diabetic.

My original A1C hemoglobin test was a 9.8. That equates into an average blood sugar level of.......well.......high 200's.

Since then, highest A1C is a 6.4, most are 6.1 or 6.2. And I drink coffee by the bucket full. Yes, some diabetics will have adverse blood sugar reactions to caffeine, but it's not universal. I don't drink diet pop or alcohol, period. Neither is something I miss, since I didn't drink much of either before.

The diabetic part of your health will bite you if you "spill" sugar in your urine. My personal advice is don't eat any fresh fruit or anything with sweetener in it the night before your DOT physical. As I said, my A1C has been near perfect for almost nine years now, but when I took a DOT physical 5 years ago I drank a glass of orange juice the night before the physical and failed the urine test (apparently didn't study hard enough?). The orange juice really spiked my blood sugar to the point of "spillage".

Diabetics are also prone to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and, as was said by another post, eye problems. You should be getting a yearly eye exam geared toward diabetics. One of the first indications you are having circulatory problems (which is what diabetes is, for all intents and purposes) will be broken blood vessels in your eyes.

My physician had one word to the wise that has worked for me: don't do faddy diets or tell yourself you can't "have" certain things. Simple calorie counting will, in the end, take care of your diet needs. If you're on a 2500 calorie per day regimen, and you want a 1500 calorie Whopper, eat it. Just remember you only have 1000 calories left for the rest of the day. I have occasional long john's, pieces of pie, cake, etc. I just don't make them a regular part of my diet. Just don't hit the buffets and overload your system, that's what helped get you (and me) where we are in the first place.

Good luck in your endeavors, hope all goes well.

 

Nothing will effect your A1C within the previous 12 hours. It's a test that tells what your average blood sugar has been for the previous 6 months or so.

As for the DOT physical, for the previous day try to stay with low carb foods and lots of water. Go with vegetables, green veggies. Corn and potatoes, for instance, will load the system and in some diabetics will spike blood sugar. Sweet potatoes are OK, in a small amount.

If you have a blood sugar meter, eat something and see what your 2 hr after eating reading is. If it spikes over 200, drop that item from your menu for the DOT physical. That's really the best way to find out what works for you.

 

The fasting test will be a glucose, that's your current sugar reading. A 12 hour fast gives them a good idea of your 'tolerance' meaning how your pancreas reacts to fasting.

The hemoglobin A1C shows approx 3-4 months worth of history, by doing a cell count, (red cells last around 120 days before disintegrating and being replaced by new cells) so the count will reflect your general blood health as well.

And bear in mind that diabetes does not exist in so-called primitive countries, those with a rice-and-vegetable diet. Its the result of processed, high-sugar, high-fat foods, all of which are unnecessary. So the more basic the diet, the more effective it is. Add spices and make Chinese or Indian style meals if its too dull.


And remember if you are taking diabetes medications that they will probably need to be adjusted / reduced as your weight falls and your choice of foods changes.
Be aware of how you feel when your sugar is too low, so that you can recognize symptoms, and be ready to compensate for that.

Let us know how you get on next week!

 

One other thing: If you check your BG (blood glucose) it should be <180 two hours after you eat.

Keep doing what you are doing-the best thing for diabetes is exercise and proper eating/healthy eating-the weight will come off with that. Don't just count calories you also need to look at carbohydrate grams (think pasta, white bread, potoes for example but if you read labels you seem ALOT of foods has carbs) this type of food (carbs)turn into ''sugar'' into your body for energy. Protein foods keep your energy levels more steady so a balances meal with protein and carbs (about 60gm per meal x 3 meals and 30 snack) is healthy. Basically READ labels on everything-serving size to what's in the food-you will be surprised at the crap we eat.

As Mrs T says too watch for hypo (low) glycemic reactions: sweating, shakey, headache, tired, hungry -get some food (not candy if you can ) and check you sugar to see how low it is. Hyper (high) glycemia- dry skin, thirsty, frequent urination-check sugar and if >400 you should be alerting someone.

Last-don't forget to watch the salt/sodium-this another HUGE problem. It makes you hold water/ retain fluid which in turn makes the heart work harder: this can affect your circulation such as high BP.

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

by my calculation you already had your physical, so.......how did it go?