Nutrition & Diabetes

Q: I am a 50 yr old male and I have had type 2 for about 2 yrs.

I would like to know if there are classes locally that discuss diet. Specifically guidelines, portion size shortcuts to help me get the suggested amounts of vegetables fruits etc.

I really want to be able to ask questions about my personal situation because I have some other health concerns as well, so the online stuff is kind of frustrating because it all seems to be so general in nature. I live in the Millcreek area. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, D

A: D….You bet there is. I am going to suggest seeing a dietician one-on-one so you can ask all the questions that you need to ask first.

Classes will certainly give you a lot of information and you will probably want to take a class too, but because you are frustrated and have many specific questions, I think a one-on-one appointment would be the place to start.

In the Millcreek area, there are several sites that may work for an appointment with a dietician: St. Mark's Hospital, University of Utah Diabetes Center and Memorial Clinic. Check with your insurance carrier to see which site would be covered. You will learn so much that will help you.

good luck, ginny

Get Active with Diabetes (video)

Who to turn to for diabetes information

Q: Hi Ginny,

I am looking for a diabetes educator and also wondering if I should choose a doctor that's more specialized in diabetic care than my family doctor. I live in Springville and have heard about a doctor in American Fork - not remembering his name at this moment....

I have recently lost 8 pounds and I'm interested in eating according to the LDS word of wisdom. I have just looked at a Doctor Richard Bernstein book and thought I'd rather die than follow his eating plan - He said he hadn't eaten any fruit for over 25 years!

I could be pretty close to needing insulin. I don't have insurance and had to stop using Byetta because it was too expensive. I did see the ad with the info about getting an A1c test at the health department, but it looks like old info from last November. Is that being offered this month..of June.

I'm also wondering if there's anyone - like you - who could explain to me the differences in ways to deal with my diabetes. I see a lot of different choices and wonder if there's anyone who can help me find my best choices.

Sorry about all the questions. I'd be very glad to hear from you and look forward to your advice.

Thanks so much, Carol

A: I think the person you thought about seeing in American Fork is Dr. Von Welch. Please call his office and make an appointment and fill out financial assistance paperwork.

Dr. Welch will be able to direct your care to the educators in the hospital, Jill and Elise, and to the Diabetes Center in Provo if you need to go there. Dr. Welch's clinic should be able to help you with medication assistance as well as a A1c test.

There are many different dietary plans you can follow, but being consistent in your carbohydrate intake is very important. Most dietary plans for people who have diabetes have patients lower their intake of refined, processed carbohydrates and use whole grain high fiber carbohydrates for their charbohydrate choices.

Dr. Welch and the educators in the hospital will be able to help you find a dietary plan that you will feel comfortable using.

Good luck to you, ginny

Diabetes Diet and Insurance Issues

Q: Ginny,

My name is Jennifer, and I'm pretty sure I have Type II Diabetes. My HgA1C was last checked two years ago, and it was 5.9. My doctor told me I'd be diagnosed at 6.0, so I haven't had it rechecked because I don't have insurance and if I'm diagnosed, I'll never have insurance. My husband's employer doesn't offer group insurance.

Anyway, I am about 40-50 lbs. overweight, and I have the basic knowledge of what I should be eating, but I don't want to. I have no desire for healthy food whatsoever. I not only have no desire for it, it sometimes makes me feel sick. I know it's backwards, and I really need to get a handle on my cravings, but they've been out of hand for about eight years and I've never been able to beat them.

I cannot do moderation. I try and I end up eating 1 lb. of chocolate or more. Chocolate is the main problem. I know I'm not healthy and I know that I need to be conscious of my eating not only for weight control, but to control my diabetes.

Can you recommend a dietician who has had experience with addictions and might not charge too much for consultations? I need to do something. Thanks.

Jennifer

A: You are right that you need to do something. Can you go to a clinic and get a blood test? There are low cost or free clinics that may be able to test you.

Check with the

• University of Utah Med Center at 801-581-2121;
• Maliheh clinic at 415 East 3900 South at 801-266-3700; or
• Sorenson Clinic at 855 California Avenue at 801-977-0502.

If your physician is in a clinic and you want to continue to see him/her, please apply for financial assistance. You need some information about what is happening to your body so you will know where to begin.

Sometimes when blood sugar levels are high, people become very hungry and describe the same symptoms you have described in your letter. The best place to start, I think, is to see if you have diabetes and what your blood sugar readings are. Anyone who can help you with a diagnosis will be able to direct you to a dietician.

Find out if you have diabetes first, o.k.? Remember, knowledge is power!!!

Good luck to you, Ginny

Diabetes and Burning Feet

Q: Ginny,

My husband has trouble with his feet, not horrible trouble though. He complains of them being like they are on fire on the top of them. He also says that they feel like the circulation is weird. He has a family history of diabetes, his dad takes medication for his and so does his sister. Do we need to be concerned about this problem? His shoes bother him because of the heat. Usually rubbing and massaging them helps but he is always complaining about this.

A: Yes, please be concerned about your husband's feet.

His physician can test his fasting glucose to see if his fasting glucose is 126 or higher and diabetes can be diagnosed. If the test is normal, his physician may ask him to complete a glucose tolerance test; a test that will watch what your husband's body does with 75 grams of glucose. Does your husband see a podiatrist, a specialist who deals with feet? Between your husband's physician and a poditrist hopefully some treatment will begin soon and be successful. ginny

Ginny