Hello. I just recently came across this article, which is published monthly in a publication called diatribe, located here - https://diatribe.org/ - and saw an article by Adam Brown, one of the writers, about the diabetes diet. He is a T1 diabetic and found a diet, or basically what he eats, that keeps your A1C within range. It’s not called anything but is very correct, the article is here - https://diatribe.org/diabetes-food-tricks-and-what-i-really-eat?utm_source=diaTribe&utm_campaign=fadd374d9c-d The thing is what’s in the carbs - fiber, I found that the higher the fiber content in the carb, the less impact it has on blood glucose and the fuller I feel. I’ve haven’t been completely on it yet because I’m still in the process of switching over and eating what I have first, then switching over. I have eaten the Chia pudding and can’t believe the difference on my blood sugar it makes.
I went to Walmart and bought a container of Chia seeds, which cost 8.96 for 2 lbs, and use 1/4 cup chia seeds and 1/2 cup water and mix those together along with 2 packets of Stevia and wait about 10 minutes for the seeds to soak up the water and become gel like and that’s all I put in it for now. I use it for a dessert for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can add whatever you want to it to jazz up the taste if you want, just keep track of the carbs. It works out great. His article turned my attention to paying more attention to what makes up the carbs I eat. The more fiber in that serving of carbs I eat, the more fuller I feel and less impact on my glucose readings. Instead of my glucose readings going up and down like a roller coaster, like all my life, I have a way to minimize those up and downs. Read his article and see for yourself what a difference it can make. Also, sign up to get the monthly publication of diatribe and see what’s happening currently as far as diabetes goes.
I just started hearing about and using Chia seeds last week. I mix a 1/2 T in each of my meals. I’ve never tried the pudding but I will based on your information…can you suggest other “add-ins”…are you thinking cinnamon type add-ins…or actual nuts and seeds?
Chia is one of the many foods said to lower glucose levels in some individuals - but it is usually accompanied by withdrawal of [whatever you stopped eating when you started the chia] some other more intensive carbohydrate; so far, all studies I’ve seen are labeled “inconclusive” or "not enough evidence. go ahead and try it, but be watchful. Adam Brown publishes some very good articles and he is careful and often innovative in treatment of his diabetes.
Two of the risks associated with chia that I don’t want to assume are possible/probable increase in prostate cancer and elevated blood cholesterol and triglycerides. I’ve worked hard getting my "total cholesterol’ down to 106 from the 155 it had been - the recommended goal for total cholesterol in a person with long time diabetes is 100.
Chia is rich in omega-3 which is said to be “heart healthy”.
Just a quick comment on cholesterol and heart health- we now understand it is not dietary cholesterol that affects our plasma cholesterol levels. The strongest correlation between food and cholesterol levels in our blood is with carbohydrates. Carbohydrates convert into triglycerides. So no more worries about eggs and bacon. Just make sure to skip the toast and hash browns.
I do the Chia pudding too, with very low BG increase–no more than 5 mg! I do 1/4 cup of chia, 1/2 cup of water, 2 Splenda, 2 T of walnuts, 2 T of unsweetened coconut flakes, and about 1 T of cinnamon (use more or less according to taste)…mmmmmm…good!
Sorry my reply is kind of late, but I just saw your email now. As far as addins to the Chia pudding, I just have it in the morning for breakfast and mix in strawberries with it. I recently had some teeth removed and a bridge put in and I haven’t been eating the Chia pudding lately because of the seeds and my bridge with chewing. As far as the Chia pudding and info on how to make it work for you go here - https://diatribe.org/diabetes-65-fat-diet-chia-breakfast-intermittent-fasting , also check out this site showing you how to make Chia pudding - https://diatribe.org/three-minute-diabetes-breakfast-changes-lives . Hopefully you should find what you’re looking for there. Also, you should check out and sign up for their free monthly publication that comes in you’re email - https://diatribe.org/ , I do and there are all kind of tips and things I never even thought of. Let me know if you checked those sites out and what worked for you. Thanks again.
Hello. I’m sorry but I just saw your email now and am responding to it. When I stopped eating my regular breakfast and replaced it with the Chia pudding, I didn’t experience any withdrawl symtoms. I just made the Chia pudding as Adam Brown does, as shown in this video of him making it - https://diatribe.org/three-minute-diabetes-breakfast-changes-lives , I don’t eat the Chia pudding now because I had some teeth removed and have a bridge in place of those and the seeds in the Chia pudding are what stopped me from eating it. I mixed strawberries in with it and stevia and it was very filling and good, but since I have a bridge now, I’m not sure if eating the pudding would dislodge it somehow. The fiber content in the Chia seeds and the strawberries I mixed it with are what minimizes impact on blood sugar rising. If you ate something with only carbs in it, the impact on your blood sugar is more. Look at the nutrition label showing the amount of carbs per serving and try to get things that has more fiber in it. You’ll see a difference on your blood sugar impact. Great news on your cholesterol. Now just keep your level there and you won’t have any problems. Take care.
Tored—thank you so much for the insight and the links…I am working hard on stabilizing and have just been approved for a CGM which I am awaiting with great anticipation!
Great to hear barbpetr. The CGM will be worth the wait. Just be patient and get familiar with how it works and everything. Now that I’m used to it, I don’t how I got along without it!
Hello bbialas. For my triglycerides, I take a tablet of CoQ10 and 2oz of grape juice. I know a person that takes that and her triglycerides have jumped a lot lower. She couldn’t believe it, but it works. I’m taking that to keep my triglycerides low. I didn’t have any triglyceride problem but she did, they were high, and she took the CoQ10 and grape juice and her triglycerides jumped lower. I haven’t had my triglycerides tested, but I know they’ll be low. Try it and see.
Inspired by the chia pudding, I sometimes make a variation with ground flax seeds and almond milk. The nutrition profile is similar, but it may be easier to eat.
