Practical Meal Plans

Q: Hi Ginny,

I am having trouble finding a nutritionist/dietitian to help me with meal plans. The books are some help, but not very personal or adaptable. I went to one that my insurance will pay for when I was first diagnose, but her suggestions were not really practical and we didn't have a good repore. I need practical doable plans for a single person. Eating a half a banana is not practical, just wasteful. Any suggestions?

Thank you.

A: First, let me tell you how sorry I am that your appointment wasn’t what you needed. I don’t know who your insurance is with, but insurance providers usually have lists of dietitians that are contracted with them. You may want to start your search with your insurance provider. Ask your insurance company to help you find another dietician. You can also check with your insurance to see if your primary care physician has a diabetes educator or care manager in his/her clinic who could help you. At your next diabetes visit, be sure and take all the information you were previously given. Take a few minutes at the beginning of the visit to let the new dietician know your exact needs. Your statement “I need a practical doable plan for a single person” would be a great place to start. If you were given a certain number of carbohydrates to eat at each meal, be sure and add that information too. If you need or want sample meal plans, be sure and ask because that would be very easy for a dietician to provide. Please let us know what happens in your search.

Do not give up! You are paying for this service and you should get the exact information you need from the visit. ginny

Diabetes meters and supplies in Salt Lake City

Q: There used to be a store on 33rd south in Salt Lake City Utah, where you could get diabetic products. It has now moved. I need to get my free style lite test strips somewhere other than through my insurance. My insurance wants me to get a different meter that is not the qualtiy that I currently have and there are probaly better meter now than what I have. If you could give me some information on the above, I would appreciate it.

A: I think the store you are looking for is either the Diabetes Specialty Center at 3793 South State, 801-483-1100 or JQ Medical at 2370 Ft. Union Boulevard, 801-942-8582.

First check with your insurance company to see what type of meters they will cover, often there are several meters. The next step would be to look at the meters to see if you like them and would feel comfortable using one of them. You can look on line for pictures of the covered meters but I think the best option would be to go to either of the diabetes supply stores to see the meters in person. The staff at either store should be able to give you advice about obtaining the supplies that will work for you. Be sure and look because the meters have changed over the past few years and you might find another one you really like!

Take care, ginny

Blood Sugar & Insulin

Q: Hi. It seems my blood sugar stays about the same, even though I have increased my insulin gradually over the past year.  I am frustrated and wonder why it isn't responding. 

A: This is a frustrating problem.  There are some things  to consider.  How high are your blood sugar readings?  What insulin are you using to bring the readings down? How much has the insulin dose changed over the past year?

Often using just a long lasting insulin will work to bring the blood sugar readings in range.  Sometimes if the blood sugar readings are 140-200 range,  increasing the dose by 1-2 units a week, gradually brings the readings into a more normal range without overdoing it.   Often when the readings are running higher, increasing the long lasting insulin by 3 units every 3 days usually brings the readings in range in a week or so.  Keeping very close track of the blood sugar readings when you start taking insulin or change the dose, helps to make sure the amount is correct.  Each body has different needs and our blood sugar readings let us know if our medications are helping the way they should.  If your readings continue to be high the type of medication and the dose you are taking may not be correct.   Your body may now need the help of another medication or a change in the amount of insulin you are taking. 

Please contact your doctor or diabetes nurse educator to let them know that the dose and the instructions you were given are not working.  They may also have some additional ideas about other lifestyle changes that may help your blood sugar readings too.  Please also discuss how frustrated you are. 

Please let us know what happens.  ginny