To support my wife I am thinking about following her diabetic diet with her - Is there any reason not to?

Question

My wife has been a type II diabetic for a few years now. She recently started taking 5mls Byetta. She absolutly will not exercise. The only thing I can think of to help her is to follow the same diet. I have two teenage boys and yes they eat like horses (and don't show it) and I will continue to supply them with carbs. I am at a loss on how to help my wife from deteriorating. I am currently reading a book by Dr. Bernstein (Diabetes Solution). Please help, I am open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Bird Dog

Answer 1

Her diabetic diet is a very health one so by all means do follow it. It would also help if you would take a nice long walk with her each and every day. Getting a few good cookbooks will also help. I have enclosed a few good sites for you to check out. Your wife can live a long life as a diabetic if she follows the diet. How can she go wrong with a loving husband like you at her side....*soft smile*

Answer 2

I can certainly understand where you're coming from.

I have had type 1 diabetes for 13 years now, and from my experience and knowledge I have picked up around the condition, I have discovered one particular thing that is relevant to your question.

They are too many misconceptions about diabetes - especially when it comes to diet.

It is a shame your wife will not exercise, as its a great way to keep the heart ticking nicely. (may I suggest sex? - tee hee)
However, I would like to point out that there is actually no such thing as a 'diabetes diet'. It is simply healthy eating, balancing all the fibre and nutrients that everyone needs in their diet. There is no reason why a person with diabetes can't have chocolate or something sweet following a high fibre meal.

I'm not sure where your from (so I'm hoping you're in the UK so this next peice of advice will be more relavent) Your wife should be under the care of a diabetes team no doubt? In which case, go and talk to her dietician, or someone within the team who will be able to talk you through the healthy dietry options.

Please stay clear of so called 'Diabetic foods' especially chocolate.

And last but not least - there is absolutely no reason whatsoever that you shouldn't or cannot have the same diet as your wife. I'm sure you will actually benefit from it aswell :)

Good Luck - and I hope this helps

Answer 3

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Answer 4

It is a great idea for you to follow your wifes diabetic diet. Your boys can too. It is healthy for everyone. Maybe you can talk your wife into just going on an evening walk around outside maybe your boys can go too and then you could have a family time together. Then walk around the block or up the road. Walking is wonderful exercise. Pretty soon she would never even know she was doing it. Just a few extra steps a day will help lower her sugar tremendously you would be surprised

Answer 5

I know what you are saying. I am a type II diabetic. My husband has high insulin, high blood pressure, is glucose intolerant and lactose intolerant. He and I are on the same diets except that he continues to drink diet sodas, eat candy and eat a few other things that I try to stay away from. It makes it hard for me, if those items are in the house.

You will do great on her diet. Just make sure your portions are larger as you need more nutrients. Truly, your sons don't need a separate diet, either, just larger portions as they are still growing.

As one of the other answerers suggested, there are other exercises beside walking. Maybe cuddling up to your wife, asking for some of her time, hinting toward the bedroom, then subtly giving her the choice of that or some time out in the fresh air may get her going. Once she starts exercising, however reluctantly, she will feel better, and more like continuing. I know I would feel better if I did 10 minutes of stretches in the morning and evening, but I rarely do. Just remember, housework counts as exercise too.

Answer 6

That is a very sweet and great idea. I'm sure that you following your wife's plan will be very helpful to her. Maybe also start spending time together by taking walks or doing something else that is excersize. But, walking is nice because you can talk, but you are still getting your heart rate going and it will be good for her.
Also, get some diabetic recipes so that you aren't eating the same old boring stuff all the time.

Answer 7

Following her diet shouldn't harm you at all. In fact, it might be beneficial in making sure you don't get sugar diabetes. The real challenge is the exercise, which has been a nagging problem for me. If you can pull her into an exercise routine by starting yourself, you could prolong her life. Try--try very hard. Keep your wife in your life as long as you can. Diabetes is fatal. And remember that your 2 boys are watching everything and learning all the bad and good from that. B.

Answer 8

I'm a 45 year old woman and was recently diagnosed as being a borderline diabetic. My doctor prescribed some medication, but before filling it I decided to do some research on the internet which led me to the methods. After reading this ebook and applying the methods, my scepticism turned to 100% belief. I noticed that my energy levels increased significantly and I felt more rested in the morning, my symptoms started going away.

I am very happy to tell you that I have been feeling better than I have felt in years and my doctor informed me that he will be taking me off my prescriptions if I keep this up.

I recommend you use the Type 2 Diabetes Destroyer to naturally reverse your diabetes.

Answer 9

My younger sister is very diabetic and I know what you are saying. For a long while she would just do as she pleased and eat as she wanted until she had to be admitted to the hosp. with a condition that start w/a K, (can't recall what it was) in any event she doesn't always take care of herself but better now that she is in her 40's. I would suggest a walk after supper maybe just to the corner and back.
The sons eating like horses, I remember when I could eat any and all things and not gain a pound.
Good luck.

Answer 10

For years, I've known that I should exercise but I was always too busy. I own a dog and it wasn't fair to her but I rationallized that she had a big yard to play in.

Then I started working part-time in April and made the commitment to use some of that "free time" to exercise so now I do walk an hour a day. The dog is in 7th heaven!

Do you know why your wife won't exercise?

If it's lack of time, you'll have to figure out how to make time. If it's boredom, try to find something she doesn't find boring. I find treadmills horribly boring and stationery bicycles are Satan's tools but I enjoy walking around my new neighborhood (moved in January) because it's pretty, with trees and squirrels, quail, rabbits... even a desert fox. I have now bought myself a bicycle even though I haven't been on a bike in 30 years.

The walking started getting boring recently (after all, I've been walking this area for almost 6 months) so I got a CD Walkman and listen to peppy tunes as I walk my dog. (I won't wear it on the bike, obviously.)

I think it's terrific that you're going to follow her eating plan. I find it very, very frustrating to go to my family's homes and they have all the kinds of things I shouldn't have lying around: cookies, pie, cake, whatever.

I've read that Benfotiamine (a form of thiamine) is good for diabetics and helps reduce problems associated with poorly regulated sugars (that's me) so I've started taking that, too. You might research what supplements might be helpful. I also take Vitamin C and alpha-lipoic acid.