Anyone with Type 1 Diabetes?

I need some suggestions/help. My boyfriend is type 1 diabetic, so whenever I go to the store I try to buy more meat than carbs. But he also likes snack foods too. So whenever I go to the store, he asks for carb-friendly snacks. Which is always the stumper in my mind. Plus for meals, either it doesn't taste good or it has too many carbs. So I'm in a rut...actually I told him to start cooking because I'm frustrated with cooking meals at this point.

If anyone out there is Type 1, what do you do for snacks and have any meal suggestions? I did buy a cook book, but it turns out that even though it was labeled for diabetics, it was really the Atkins stuff (nutrition info was based on net carbs, not total carbs).

PS, his food intake is like a H3 hummer guzzles gasoline.

Originally Posted by lunasmom

I need some suggestions/help. My boyfriend is type 1 diabetic, so whenever I go to the store I try to buy more meat than carbs. But he also likes snack foods too. So whenever I go to the store, he asks for carb-friendly snacks. Which is always the stumper in my mind. Plus for meals, either it doesn't taste good or it has too many carbs. So I'm in a rut...actually I told him to start cooking because I'm frustrated with cooking meals at this point.

If anyone out there is Type 1, what do you do for snacks and have any meal suggestions? I did buy a cook book, but it turns out that even though it was labeled for diabetics, it was really the Atkins stuff (nutrition info was based on net carbs, not total carbs).

PS, his food intake is like a H3 hummer guzzles gasoline.

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Hi, I don't have Type I, but am prediabetic determined not to tip over into Type II, and for numerous reasons, have been strictly following a balanced carb/higher protein diet for the past 3 years.

Here is an example of what I am making for Superbowl snacks - at a no complex carb meal:
a spinach dip that is out of this world made with spinach, mayo, fresh scallions, fresh lemon juice (just a teense), garlic, and fresh parsley - served with raw broccoli and cauliflower.
seafood stuffed mushrooms - tiny shrimp and crabmeat mixed with scallions, black pepper, bit of garlic, and cream cheese, then bake.
hot wings - wings sauteed in a mix of melted butter, garlic and a dash of hot sauce
celery sticks stuffed with a mix of kalamata olives and cream cheese

Other good snacks include devilled eggs, and a recipe I created for a sausage ball that uses no flour or bread crumbs etc...that I serve with a homemade dijonaise (annie's brand organic dijon mustard has no sugars of any kind).

We like having plain boneless, skinless chicken breasts baked, then served with a melted cheese sauce - which is simply two of your favorite cheeses - say cheddar and montarey jack, melted in the microwave, mixed with sour cream, ground cumin and we like to add McCormick's Chipotle Chile Powder.

I often serve a casserole (which is also aweome to have a wedge of for breakfast) that is spinach sauteed in extra virgin olive oil and garlic, black pepper, while seperately mix cottage cheese (1 carton) with 3 sl. beaten eggs, shredded cheddar, black pepper, then mix all together, and bake in a casserole dish at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes.

These are just some ideas, and some of the things that I like to cook, hope it helps get those creative juices going!

I am going through the same thing myself. My husband was just diaganosed as Type 2 , 4 four weeks ago. So we are both new to this. I am amazed at the recipes and so called diabetic food. Granted it has no sugar buts its loaded with carbs. And I never realized till now that carbs are as bad or even worse for a diabetic. He has never in his whole life eaten any vegtables except pototoes which of course is full of carbs!
I hope someone has some ideas cause I could use some good recipes and advice also..

Originally Posted by gardenandcats

I am going through the same thing myself. My husband was just diaganosed as Type 2 , 4 four weeks ago. So we are both new to this. I am amazed at the recipes and so called diabetic food. Granted it has no sugar buts its loaded with carbs. And I never realized till now that carbs are as bad or even worse for a diabetic. He has never in his whole life eaten any vegtables except pototoes which of course is full of carbs!
I hope someone has some ideas cause I could use some good recipes and advice also..

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I know, isn't crazy!? I never realised either how much I ate in carbs until I starting dating my boyfriend. On top of him being diabetic, he's also a picky eater. I wish I would've known a diabetic growing up, then I would have better ideas...but I grew up with the meat, bread, pasta and potatoes with the last three being the meal more! Oy!

These may be of some help:

http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/
http://vgs.diabetes.org/recipe/index.jsp
http://diabeticgourmet.com/
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_08_200.htm

My brother was diagnosed with type 1 at the age of 8. I feel so bad for him.

My friend is type 1. I have learned things like sour dough bread has the least amount of carbs than other regular breads, with potato bread being the highest. Splenda is the best thing that has come out for people with diabetes. It's pricy, but you use it rather than regular sugar and allows my friend to eat things he loves but couldn't eat otherwise. His wife is a chef and when we visit them, she will do meat and non-starch veggies, including lots of green salads. Snacks may or may not include carb type products, depending on what she serves the rest of the day and the time he eats them. I notice an overall balance of food intake over an entire day.

Originally Posted by Kumbulu

These may be of some help:

http://www.diabetic-recipes.com/
http://vgs.diabetes.org/recipe/index.jsp
http://diabeticgourmet.com/
http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_08_200.htm

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Ooo! Thanks!

Momofmany -- Good to know about Sour Dough bread. For some reason I always thought wheat was better than white for diabetics because the body doesn't process the carbs in wheat as fast...I may sneak in sour dough though.

Firefly - I'm so sorry your brother was diagnosed. The one thing I've learned is that quick meals are hard to come by for diabetics. Fast food is out of the question and any frozen stuff is nixed. Be glad though that he wasn't diagnosed sa Type 2. That's the worse from what I heard.

I am sorry that sharing my recipes and that my note re my experiences as a prediabetic, wasn't helpful to you.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

I am sorry that sharing my recipes and that my note re my experiences as a prediabetic, wasn't helpful to you.

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I'm the one that should apologize...I thought I had responded, but lately Luna seems to enjoy sitting in front of my monitor (haven't been home much the last week).

I DO greatly appreciate your ideas! In fact I've added them to my grocery list

Oh I am so glad! Btw, a book I loved is Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution...he has had type I for 60 years, so he writes from experience. I don't agree with all his diet recommendations, but then I am stubbornly comitted to the plan I follow <G>...it is a great book that I think is very, very sound in its advice.

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

Oh I am so glad! Btw, a book I loved is Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution...he has had type I for 60 years, so he writes from experience. I don't agree with all his diet recommendations, but then I am stubbornly comitted to the plan I follow <G>...it is a great book that I think is very, very sound in its advice.

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That's good to know... I was almost thinking about getting information from my doctor, but I only like to a doctor's office if I'm sick. I think I'll try the book as well!

Originally Posted by lunasmom

Firefly - I'm so sorry your brother was diagnosed. The one thing I've learned is that quick meals are hard to come by for diabetics. Fast food is out of the question and any frozen stuff is nixed. Be glad though that he wasn't diagnosed sa Type 2. That's the worse from what I heard.

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My mom is type 2. I thought that was easier for her than type 1. She eats lots of apples, oranges, & other fruits for snacks. I don't know much about type 1, but my mom loves this Planters Fruit & Nut(I think) mix in a pouch. Expensive, but she sure does love it. When she makes snacks, she divides it up into single serving containers. We bought them in the dollar store...a dozen for a dollar if I remember right. My mom keeps "her" loaf of bread(she loves this honey, nut & oat stuff) hidden away from us as she cuts eeach slice in half when she first buys the loaf. We save the tiny potatoes for her & always make sure we make her one(we eat the big ones for her). Be careful with Splenda, for some people, it affects the digestive tract in smelly ways.... Sugar-free candies can do the same thing. She loves the low-carb Yoplait Yogurts, but I don't know how good they would be for your boyfriend. We always keep suger-free jello around. Low-carb stuff is stupid for diabetics. You would think it would be good for them, but I have gotten to the point where I steer clear of it, or I call & ask mom about it.

Here's what we did when my mom was first diagnosed. Since I do most of the grocery shopping for her when she doesn't, mom, me, & lil sis went to a grocery store. She made a list of everything she could eat. It took us forever in the grocery store, but now when I go shopping for her I know what she can & cannot eat. There is an organic & diabetic part of the store where we buy most of her stuff. Every 3 months we go grocery shopping together again to update the list. It makes things much easier for me. Then I know I got the right stuff. We always use the same grocery store(as there are only two in town, there isn't much choice).

I know mom has a cookbook somewhere with really good stuff in it for diabetics. She always puts this stuff on chicken that makes it taste awesome! When I find it I'll let you know. We make a lot of hotdishes that we know are good for mom. We eat tons of steak. We bought a quarter of beef from a neighbor. Steer clear of pastas. We don't eat much spaghetti at our house.

I don't know how much of that applies to type 1 diabetic. I hope some of that helped. Don't worry too much. It does get easier over time. You will be amazed at how much healthier you eat as time goes on. I know my family eats more fruits than "bad" snacks now.

Thanks again!

Ugaimes, yes, there are days I want to rip my hair out because of how difficult he can be. I thought I started to get smart by having him tell me what he wants from the grocery store. Well, he hands me this list that mostly carbs (donuts, ice cream,etc), but then 2 days later he complains about how we have nothing but carbs in the house. Ugh...but I guess thats part of the side effects of diabetes.

White cat lover - thanks! He already "suffered" the extend of sugar free candies. He ate a whole bag one day and within an hour he was running to the bathroom...and THAT'S when he read the warning label on the bag. :flailing:
we do have splenda in the house...but we use it only when needed. I read somewhere that splenda can have the same effects on your liver that Tylonol and alcohol do if used too much because of the sugar alcohols in it.

Lol, ain't just the type 1's who are stubborn....I'm a terribly stubborn type 2, lol!
I've always prided myself on knowing a lot about diabetes, but when I was diagnosed a few years ago myself, I still had a lot to learn, lmao! One of the best books I've found is "Diabetes for Dummies"...yes, just like the rest of the "<insert word here> for Dummies" loads of valuable things in there!