Problems with water...and snack ideas please

[plummer925]

I was on South Beach for almost a month and switched to Atkins. Hubby took me out to dinner at a chinese buffet the other day - I *thought* I did good but when I tested my glucous (I have type II diabetes) it was at (gasp!) 162 - it should be around 100! :-( So, that chinese food was full of sugars...

So - I restarted AGAIN three days ago...wanted to start fresh with a great start. So far, so good.

BUT - what to snack on? I get the afternoon munchies terribly...right now the brownies are calling my name (hubby's snack) - no, I'm certainly NOT going to eat them, but does anyone have suggestions for snacks (yea, I did look on the list, but I'm not real creative with menu's).

Also - I have a water problem. I can not drink it. Seriously. Not trying to make excuses, but for some reason water makes me gag (literally). The only time I have been successful drinking water is if I am VERY thirsty and it's bottled water and VERY cold. I can't afford bottled water though.

So - I drink Grape Kool-Aid made with Splenda (under 1/2 a cup per pitcher instead of the 1 cup that it calls for).

Is this okay?

Looking forward to your answers and snack ideas!

[Sherri]

Hello Plummer,
Yes, unfortunately chinese is louded with MSG, a preservative. It is 100% beet juice, SUGAR.
I'm happy to hear you switched over to Atkins from South Beach. That was my first choice as well untill I realized the low fat foods on South Beach were full of sugar. I'm also a Type 2 diabetic and now control my diabetes with the Atkins lifestyle. I also use the Glycemic Index to choose food lowest on the index. Here's a link to learn more. www.glycemicindex.com .You'll find where Dr. Atkins talks about the glycemic index GI on pages 78-84, 92 & Glycemic Load GL on pages 83-84 in DANDR. My diabetes simply disapeared after 48 days on Atkins.
As far as the water issue, we're only allowed 3 packets of splenda a day. If it does'nt stall you when you drink it or raise your glucose levels to high, I wouldn't worry about it since you can't drink straight water. Hydration is very important. I drink 100 oz a day myself. I also like to make a fresh lemon-ade using 1/4 cup lemon juice a day, water and splenda. Only 1/4 cup of the lemon juice a day. That's what's allowed.
I take L-Glutamine for cravings. I don't eat in between my 3 meals or anything to eat after 5 p.m. I do have a cup of decaf herb tea or decaf coffee at 8 p.m. I'm sure there will be someone here to help you with snack ideas.
Best of health to you and yours, Sincerely, Sherri

[plummer925]

Sherri,

Thank you SO much for the encouraging words!!

I attempted Atkins about 5-6 years ago but never 'understood' the book. I just did not 'get' the science behind it. Now, with my diagnosis (I was diagnosed December 23rd...yea, 2 days before Christmas...no Christmas cookies for me!!), I have read so much, and when I re-read his book it was like a lightbulb going off...it was exactly everything I had been reading in medical books and websites....yet modern medicine does not accept the low-carb diet. My dietician told me to shoot for 40-50% carbs for the day. I said "yea, and waddle into this office once a week and be on my meds for the rest of my life and, well, you might as well hook me up to an insulin pump now" - she did not like my attitude!

I'm excited that this way of life is so HEALTHY for diabetics (well, for everyone, of course, but right now I'm fighting the diabetes, so that's first on my mind!).

Thanks also for the sugar info with chinese food - I never knew MSG was sugar! No wonder I always feel ill after eating there! :-(

[MrsBrittney]

Wow, I had no idea MSG was pure sugar either. I knew it was a preservative and just plain unhealthy etc, but had no idea what it was derived from.

Looks like if I crave chinese, I'll head to Panda Express (no MSG)

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by plummer925

Sherri,

Thank you SO much for the encouraging words!!

I attempted Atkins about 5-6 years ago but never 'understood' the book. I just did not 'get' the science behind it. Now, with my diagnosis (I was diagnosed December 23rd...yea, 2 days before Christmas...no Christmas cookies for me!!), I have read so much, and when I re-read his book it was like a lightbulb going off...it was exactly everything I had been reading in medical books and websites....yet modern medicine does not accept the low-carb diet. My dietician told me to shoot for 40-50% carbs for the day. I said "yea, and waddle into this office once a week and be on my meds for the rest of my life and, well, you might as well hook me up to an insulin pump now" - she did not like my attitude!

I'm excited that this way of life is so HEALTHY for diabetics (well, for everyone, of course, but right now I'm fighting the diabetes, so that's first on my mind!).

Thanks also for the sugar info with chinese food - I never knew MSG was sugar! No wonder I always feel ill after eating there! :-(

You're Welcome Crystal!
I see you have over 100 pounds to lose, Welcome to Century Club! Make sure you come on over to the CC'ers roll call each day so we can get acquainted. We have a Challenge going on as well. I look forward to hearing about your success. Atkins saved my life! It will save yours as well! Kiss the Diabetes away. Atkins will level out your glucose levels eventually. Just stick to plan and it will all happen for you dear.
Sincerely, Sherri

[Elizellen]

Another way to flavour water is to put a slice of cucumber in it. sounds weird but lots of people like it.

[IrishIrish]

I also at a problem with water once upon a time, but the problem is that I needed it icy cold. I used some of the bottled water bottles my husband brought home with him and also bought some plastic bottles and filled them with water and froze them. I grab one in the morning and start sipping on it as it thaws. A little squeeze of lemon can also flavor it just enough.

[Carb Addict]

I went to the W hotel in Beverly Hills in the fall on business and lo and behold they had these large carafes that were full of chilled water with cucumber slices in one and mint leaves in the other. This was a pretty spanky hotel -- I saw Cuba Gooding Jr there, if that tells you a bit about their clientele base. I was served a glass of this water and was amazed at such a simple idea with a great taste.

A neat snack that I like it - celery stick with a moz stick in it with a slice of pepperoni wrapped around it. Almost makes me feel like I am eating a pizza. Yummy!

[irwin46]

i was just curious to the second post (sherri).. how in the world do u stop eating at 5 and not be hungry?? maybe im just a snacker who needs to break the habit. does that seem to help you lose faster?

ofcourse, if i stuck to my plan, id probably lose faster too. :/ thanks u.