F O O D S O L U T I O N S M A G A Z I N E / M AY I S S U E / PA G E 50
By Marci Page Sloane, MS, RD, LDN, CDE
Approximately 371 million people worldwide have diabetes, which means daily health challenges and lifestyle changes for most. Here, certified diabetes educator and dietitian, Marci Page Sloane, provides a glimpse into the day in the life of an individual with diabetes who also requires a gluten-free diet. You wake up and test your “fasting” blood glucose. Today, it reads 105 mg/dL. Excellent reading! You prepare and consume your breakfast of 30 grams of carbohydrates and 2 ounces of protein and maybe 1 fat serving such as: 1 Udi’s gluten-free English muffin with 1 egg, low-fat cheese and a slice of tomato or ½ cup cooked Bob’s Red Mill gluten free Steel Cut Oats made with unsweetened vanilla almond milk, chopped walnuts and cinnamon and a poached egg.
Test your blood glucose to see how your breakfast choice and medication regimen affects you. Does your glucose remain the same? Drop? Or rise less or more than 50 points? If it drops then perhaps you are taking too much medication or you need to eat more carbohydrates. You never want to eat to feed your medication. If you need to gain weight you can eat more. If you are trying to lose weight then speak with your doctor about possibly lowering your medication if the numbers drop consistently around this time of day.
Keep in mind: Medication must be taken as directed. Some pills need to be taken before a meal, others during or after a meal.
Time for lunch! Test your blood sugar. How has the medication and your morning routine affected your blood glucose?