I hear you on the pickles, my daughter & I always have a few jars in reserve-I'd like to say I use them for chicken salad, but sometimes, they're just pickles...

Anything you can get in DC, you should be able to get in Hawaii, & if you cook for yourself, you're ahead of the game- the only problem might be the higher cost of groceries. Have fun on, & around the beach! If you really want to suffer, eat lots of halfsmokes 'til you leave.....

I'm trying to deal w/ habits/cravings- I passed on my small bagel/peanut butter breakfast, & had a hb egg, carrot, & olives. & I really wanted to go get a cheese sub, after my appt. w/ the diabetes nurse, but decided to go home & have a salad & chili.

Because since I know what I should be eating to improve my health (& I've known it, I've just been slacking), I'm trying really hard to avoid my trigger foods-s&vinegar chips, pretzels, & salted caramel biscotti (no more in the house). Arghhh, someone shoot me now.....

I'm curious, too- I would expect numbers to be lower before food, elevated after, then leveling out. My numbers seem to stay in a pretty narrow range, but never get really low.
I guess we just have to resign ourselves to doing lots of testing, at all times of the day, & (a bit difficult for me), I really have to do a lot more physically, to reset my metabolism.

As a followup to my diagnosis, I've heard from a nutritionist (next class is a month from now) & went in today to talk to a diabetic nurse/educator. I did pick up some new info, but she said I could continue to eat the things I'm eating now, just in smaller portions, & that I need the right kind of carbs, whole wheat instead of white bread. She said I should be testing 2 hrs after meals, & not to try & make radical changes right away.

I'm going to keep taking the Metformin, but I'm going to really alter my diet & up my exercise (the fitbit flex is still back ordered on Amazon). I'm still hoping since my numbers are borderline (highest has been 115), if I focus & track my progress (everything-bp, bg, activity), I'll be be able to figure out what to do.

Right now (after a plain salad), I'm having chili made w/ leftover top round, smoked chicken thighs, rotel tomatoes & chiles, pinto beans (I love beans in chile, more than meat, & normally I'd use pintos & black beans, still haven't gotten the blk soybeans), scallions over a tbsp of rice (yes, I measured). I'd love some cornbread w/ this, but that will have to wait until later, when I'm more confident about my choices....

Scots, English, German- well, I like beer. But I grew up in the South, & my favorite dishes are Asian, so that's my chosen cultural heritage, & my favorite foods to cook....

Savory-fried shrimp or Tom yum goong, pulled pork or larb gai, coleslaw, pickled cukes, okra, green beans
Sweet- fresh fruit w/ poundcake

I tried to pick some up today at the commissary, & they've stopped carrying them...I was so bummed, I'm going to have to put in a request. I was going to make chicken chili for dinner, now it'll be more soup, but that's ok, I love soup.

That's supposed to be a Costco, the big treat will be the Wegman's on Telegraph, when it finally arrives....

I'll certainly chime in, because I love to eat & I like to cook, & I have 2 teenage kids to feed- my youngest is a selective pescetarian (I worry about her diet) & my oldest eats most things (he's off to college in the fall). I live in an area w/ lots of good restaurants (I prefer Asian cuisine), & I want to adapt my new way of eating to things that I eat outside the home. I also have a small home garden, let's hope the weather cooperates...if any of the suggestions give other people ideas, it's a plus...I've tried short periods of adjusting my diet, but have never really gone in for the long haul....

I know I can do this- just like getting older, what's the alternative?

That's my problem-I like my beer & wine, & if I'm taking the Metformin, I can't have them. It seems petty, but it's easier for me to give up sweets, rather than my alcohol (rice & noodles are hard, too), & now you guys know everything about my medical history & quirks-I guess I just need to look at the big picture, & what's best for my health....

I agree, the exercise I was doing before my weird mystery illness set in, was the US Army's functional fitness program, which is similar to Crossfit-different exercises, no recovery time, I was probably the oldest person there, w/ some health issues, but the instructors were great, & I probably got into the best shape of my life- now my goal is to get back to these classes....

Something that has helped me is eating soup for 1 or more meals-today, along w/ that lettuce sandwich, I had Tom yum soup-pork/chicken broth, mushrooms, scallions, shrimp, scallops, & a spoonful of Tom yum paste (which has a trace of carbs in it)-it really fills you up. You can add any kind of veg or meat that you like to soup, tweak it w/ different seasonings...I finished off the Starbucks java chip ice cream I had in the house the first night after my diagnosis, now I'll just have to go to bed a little earlier.....I like pistachios, too, but it's not the same as ice cream....

Jay,
We are in this together, I'm just a little luckier in that I don't crave pasta or pizza (you don't want to ask me about bread, I had a lettuce sandwich today-turkey, salami, cheese, mustard in romaine leaves), & I'm trying to keep some cheese...it's hard to get excited about eating lots of veg, but you do what you have to do, right?

Having done a small stint of this way of eating before, the sugar cravings DO subside, if you eliminate it- hard to believe now, but it does happen-hang in there...

I shop at the Belvoir commissary, but when the Costco on Rt. 1 opens, I'm pretty sure I'll join (I've gone w/ a friend on a couple of trips to Costco), even though I don't have a large household to shop for. It's good to have a selection- I go to Bestway & Aldi for certain things & there's a G-Mart opening up down the road, where the Bottom Dollar used to be.

To followup on my dinner last night (AYCE Korean BBQ), it was delicious, lots of protein, veggies, & I limited myself to about a tablespoon of rice (it wasn't that hard, it was a large meal). We had brisket (my favorite), regular, miso, & spicy pork belly (miso was best) & spicy chicken. 9-10 dishes of panchan- I really liked the sprouts, cabbage kimchi, spinach, spicy radish, & there was lettuce to wrap the meats in, steamed egg (I ate most of it) & the soup (only had a few spoonfuls).

My numbers were 95 an hour before dinner, & 101 an hour after dinner. So, I'm continuing on my adventure in eating to my meter (fasting this morning was 108)....thanks for reassuring me that I can still eat lots of great food....

I guess that's my fault, although I realize it's a food forum & I'm interested in hearing about how dietary habits can affect my health, I threw in all the background info on other conditions & meds, so other posters would have more info. I am under the care of medical professionals, but I truly appreciate any tips & advice on how to research this condition & make my own informed decisions on my health.

I agree that losing weight will likely improve all of my health conditions, by the BMI chart, I am overweight, but not obese. However, since another medical condition that hit me last year (labyrinthitis for 4 months), my physical activity level has decreased sharply. This diagnosis is just the kick in the pants I needed to get back on track.

My sleep apnea is mild & hypertension is congenital, I've been on meds for 10 years. I've also got a referral in to the cardiologist to followup on my sleep apnea, since it's been 5 years since I had a sleep study. I have excellent medical care, but I realize that I need to take the lead in improving my health, by educating myself & monitoring my progress.

Yes, that was my 'farewell to carbs' breakfast- tomorrow it'll be a hard-boiled egg, a couple of olives, & carrot slices

I'm feeling a little less stressed then yesterday, & don't worry folks, it was my doctor who told me to stop taking the hydrochlorothiazide (I'm on other bp meds) & I'll continue w/ the simvastatin & see what my numbers look like in a month.

I'm hoping with more attention to my diet & increased exercise, I can improve my levels. My first reading today was 101, 2 hours after breakfast of a bagel w/ peanut butter (going to be switching that out), so the nurse said that wasn't too bad. It'll be interesting to see what it is tonight, I'm joining some friends for Korean BBQ. There'll probably be some sugar in some of the marinades, but the lettuce wraps, panchan, steamed egg & doenjang jigae should be ok, I'll just lose the rice....

It's just a little strange, to go from someone who thought she ate ok, to someone who has to pay attention to it, & that's some whining I won't be doing after tomorrow, I realize I've been skating by for awhile...& I'm also someone who hates to go to the doctor, & will let Rxs lapse-now I need a mammo/ pap, colonoscopy, & more labs in a month, need to quit my bitching, & try to man up....

Thanks, I'm going in tomorrow to pick up testing stuff, & they want to start me on Metformin. I'm still kind of in shock, & trying to figure things out. I've read your earlier posts & bookmarked that site. Guess I should just take it a day at a time...

Didn't want to hear this, but my doctor said my recent blood tests (Ac1 went from 6.2 to 6.7) moved me from pre diabetic to diabetic. I am a 50 yr. old female, w/ high blood pressure, sleep apnea, & currently already on a bunch of meds. I really would like to counter this w/ an aggressive dietary approach, (low-carb, primal), & I hate to give up my beer, but I guess I have to. On the plus side, my cholesterol is fine (I think I should quit taking simvistatin), & she also thinks I need to quit taking hydrochlorothiazide. Any advice on what to do first?

I'm planning on increasing my physical activity, & have ordered a fit bit flex.

For Korean BBQ-Honey Pig is good, & Kogiya (which I haven't tried yet, it's new) is getting good reviews. For more homestyle Korean, To Sok Jip & Gom Ba Woo- all of these restaurants are close together.

In that area, for Vietnamese, I like Saigon City & Le Bledo (lunch only, I think). Thai Ghang Waan, right across the street from Le Bledo, is good, & also Tanpopo Ramen House (ramen & sushi-I've only had the sushi & gyoza, which were delicious).

I thought Walker's Grille was ok, but not special, but Kumo Asian Bistro (which is across the street) has great lunch specials. Hope I'm not too late w/ suggestions, have a fun trip...

I would never schedule a party at someone's house without their approval, but this is not my dilemma-it's no skin off my nose if they leave directly after graduation & do not allow the gathering. I find it hard to believe they'll have a great birthday celebration as they sit around the table, happy that they didn't allow the grandparents to "overstep their boundaries & disrespect them'', but maybe I've just learned how to pick the battles that are important to me, & this would not be one of them-again, my opinion only, since clearly it is a minority position.

No, I think if the inlaws issued the invitation they should make all the arrangements, & I would not see a problem w/ having an intimate family birthday celebration a few days earlier or later-the older son will only have one high school graduation, & how often will he see many of these people again? This sounds like a power struggle, when it should be about celebrating family ties-will the OP feel great, years later, because she 'won'? I don't like large groups of people (including tons of kids)or people trying to schedule parties for me, either, but we're having a crowd here after graduation (& admittedly, this was my choice), but the family is scheduling group photos, because they're not all in one place very often, & they all love my son, & have seen him grow up, & his younger cousins all adore him. I think the memories will outweigh any minor concerns about housecleaning or providing a bit of food & drinks. Of course, this is my opinion, & the OP is free to make her own decision on how to handle it....

I also have an upcoming graduate, w/ a large family who have expressed a desire to attend his graduation & celebrate afterwards. My opinion (which may not be popular) is to let your inlaws do this-yes, maybe they didn't handle it the right way, but you should act with grace & let them celebrate w/ your son- they love him & want to acknowledge his accomplishment.

Try to be the bigger person, & not see this as a power struggle, it's a couple of hours, some cake & drinks, your son may enjoy having his extended family share his graduation, that's more important than trying to draw a line in the sand.

I will agree that Green Olive Buffet, if you choose wisely, can be a good meal- & it's very inexpensive, so it pays to be selective. We've had very good meals here, & also subpar ones, but for the price, you can't beat it. I used to be a fan of Blue Pearl on Commerce (back when it was Dragon Sea, went there regularly w/ a friend), but haven't been there recently.

I'm a shrimp buff, & it's a lot harder to present acceptable shrimp, than oysters-they're usually overlooked, but I can deal w/ their salads, noodles, & other stuff...

Thank you for chronicling your dining adventures. How would you suggest ordering at a restaurant that seems to be stuck in a 'time warp'- go w/ the chef's specialties, ask the wait staff? Or just take the 'throwing darts' approach, & order a bunch of oddball stuff? I am thinking about the Peking Duck restaurant in Alexandria, VA.

Just tried the frozen spinach/ kale pie, thought it tasted good, although the phyllo didn't brown in the middle, only along the edges. I think it was better than the spanokopita (which, admittedly, I haven't had in a while, so it's not a side by side tasting).