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Health and Fitness

Fruit and Glucose Levels

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#1 of 22 Posted Nov-1 12:03 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To All [Msg # 1648.1 ]

My glucose levels in my blood tests have been high the past few months. I think it may be from the prednisone, but the nurse said to cut back on sweets and carbs. I was thinking that included fruits, but I'm now thinking fruits have fructose, not glucose.

Does eating fruits raise the glucose level in blood?

Is the glucose level affected by me eating lunch about an hour before they take my blood? I usually eat yoghurt and fresh raspberries or blueberries. I may also eat a banana.

If it matters, my triglycerides are well within the normal range (129) and my cholesterol is 151 and I didn't fast before the test.

Nancy C.
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#2 of 22 Posted Nov-1 12:44 PM

From Patricia O. Posts 602 Last 2:08 AM
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.2 1648.1 ]

>>> but I'm now thinking fruits have fructose, not glucose. <<<

Yes, but the body converts almost all carbohydrates (sugars and starches) into glucose and then glycogen for storage. That's why the glycemic index is so important for diabetics.

>>> Does eating fruits raise the glucose level in blood? <<<

Yes.

>>> Is the glucose level affected by me eating lunch about an hour before they take my blood? <<<

Yes.

You can buy relatively inexpensive testing meters, which usually have a 30-day supply of test strips. It might help you understand your levels, if you test yourself a few times a day for a week.

Edited Nov-1 by Patricia O.

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#3 of 22 Posted Nov-2 11:08 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.3 1648.1 ]

Is the glucose level affected by me eating lunch about an hour before they take my blood? I usually eat yoghurt and fresh raspberries or blueberries. I may also eat a banana.

Try eating two hours before your appointment: that is when diabetics take a post-meal reading, and your sugar should be much lower then.

Here are some carbohydrate counts* on your lunch:

Yoghurt (plain) per 8 oz: 16.8 gm carb

Yoghurt w/fruit: (look on the label) carb count varies from 22 to 45 per carton

Large (7 oz) banana: 30.2 gm carb

Raspberries (red, fresh): 1/2 cup is 9.8 gms carb

Blueberries 1/2 cup: 11.2 gms carb

** Lower carbohydrate options:

cottage cheese is only 8 gms carb for 1/2 cup.

2-1/2" diameter apple (around 4 ounces) has around 15 gm carb

* Carb counts from CALORIES AND CARBOHYDRATES by Barbara Kraus

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#4 of 22 Posted Nov-2 12:56 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To GretchenB [Msg # 1648.4 1648.3 ]

Thanks.

I'll make a point to eat lunch earlier. I'm trying to lower the carbs too. I get some of my fiber from carbs. What do you do to get enough fiber if you don't eat carbs or eat very little?

Nancy C.
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#5 of 22 Posted Nov-2 12:59 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To Patricia O. [Msg # 1648.5 1648.2 ]

I don't want to stick myself to get blood if I can help it. I'd probably pass out doing it! I'm a big sissy. I'll try Gretchen's suggestion of eating two hours before my appointment first. If that doesn't work, I'll have to try your suggestion.

Nancy C.
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#6 of 22 Posted Nov-3 7:32 AM

From johnie1940brown Posts 194 Last Nov-19
To GretchenB [Msg # 1648.6 1648.3 ]

Have you ever made cottage cheese at home?

I started making it when I was living in places where cottage cheese is usually NEVER found in grocery stores. Still make my own when in the States.

Simple to do as all that's required is skim milk and white vinegar. (I use regular milk for mine.)

Process is found on Google.

Using a thermometer. heat 32 oz of milk to about 80F, let cool a few minutes and add 2 tablespoons vinegar. Stir if you want small curds and NO stir for large. Let set till most is solid then drain in a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get the results you want the first couple of times you attempt to make your cottage cheese.

Pour the mixture in a container and chill. Drink the mixture when chilled!

Once one gets the hang of making their own cottage cheese, it will always be available no matter when your travels take you!

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#7 of 22 Posted Nov-3 7:40 AM

From johnie1940brown Posts 194 Last Nov-19
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.7 1648.5 ]

You may want to Google the benefits of resveratrol on the Internet.

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#8 of 22 Posted Nov-3 8:55 AM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To johnie1940brown [Msg # 1648.8 1648.7 ]

I see that it is mostly in wine. I'm not drinking now due to medications I'm on.
Nancy C.
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#9 of 22 Posted Nov-3 9:18 AM

From johnie1940brown Posts 194 Last Nov-19
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.9 1648.8 ]

You might want to read a bit more on resveratrol!

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#10 of 22 Posted Nov-3 11:29 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.10 1648.4 ]

What do you do to get enough fiber if you don't eat carbs or eat very little?

I sometimes get TOO MUCH fiber, and that's just as bad as too little. <g>

Lots of salad helps...and you could always sprinkle some flax seed meal on the salad.

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#11 of 22 Posted Nov-3 11:30 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To johnie1940brown [Msg # 1648.11 1648.6 ] (Unread)

Thanks for the cottage cheese recipe; I'll copy it into my Travel file.

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#12 of 22 Posted Nov-3 12:36 PM

From Patricia O. Posts 602 Last 2:08 AM
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.12 1648.4 ]

>>> What do you do to get enough fiber if you don't eat carbs or eat very little? <<<

One way is to eat unprocessed carbs whenever possible -- whole grains for example. Whole-wheat bread instead of white; brown rice, even whole-grain pastas. A piece of fruit, instead of juices. Watch labels for added sugar where it really isn't needed.

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#13 of 22 Posted Nov-3 12:38 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To Patricia O. [Msg # 1648.13 1648.12 ]

Thanks for those ideas.
Nancy C.
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Investing for Growth Forum

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#14 of 22 Posted Nov-3 7:11 PM

From Cal Posts 901 Last Nov-24
To johnie1940brown [Msg # 1648.14 1648.6 ]

Simple to do as all that's required is skim milk and white vinegar. (I use regular milk for mine.#

I use reconstituted powdered (skim) milk and rennet. No vinegar. No sour taste. And you do not have to settle for cottage cheese. You can make the curds into cheddar, mozzarella, etc. The harder cheeses do take a little more effort. But it is the most fun thing you can make in the kitchen IMHO.

My farm aunt used to just let fresh-from -the-cow's milk just sour in the kitchen. Made horribly sour cottage cheese IMHO.

Cal, from West Michigan

All generalizations are false, including this one..

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#15 of 22 Posted Nov-3 11:25 PM

From johnie1940brown Posts 194 Last Nov-19
To Cal [Msg # 1648.15 1648.14 ]

No rennet where I am currently at and vinegar is alwaays available.

Mustn't have your taste buds as I don't get a sour taste with vinegar.

As you said, cheese making is not a complicated process.

Making cottage cheese could be the starting gate for the novice.

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#16 of 22 Posted Nov-4 11:32 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.16 1648.13 ]

One thing I forgot to mention with regard to dairy products: the less fat, the more carbs. So if you're not watching calories and fat, get the whole milk instead of skim!

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#17 of 22 Posted Nov-4 2:42 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To GretchenB [Msg # 1648.17 1648.16 ]

Thanks, Gretchen. I've got my cholesterol under control, so I eat regular yoghurt (low fat not skim) and 2% milk.

I looked at my blood test reports for the last few times and see that the glucose levels went above normal when I ate before I went to the doctor and had blood drawn. Still, I hope I don't have diabetes or something else bad.

Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#18 of 22 Posted Nov-5 11:39 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.18 1648.17 ]

Well, I hope, too, that you don't have diabetes; I wouldn't wish it on anyone!

If you can, try not eating until after you've been to wherever-you-go-for-lab-tests and see if that makes a difference in your blood sugar reading.

Another possibility: have you been taking cortisone or other steroids for any of your health problems? That can raise blood sugar, too.

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#19 of 22 Posted Nov-5 12:25 PM

From Nancy C, Wizop Posts 514 Last Nov-24
To GretchenB [Msg # 1648.19 1648.18 ]

have you been taking cortisone or other steroids for any of your health problems?

Yes, I'm taking prednisone and I think that must play a role too. The list of side effects and warnings said it could raise the glucose level in diabetics. It seems to me it could raise it for non-diabetics too.

Nancy C.
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#20 of 22 Posted Nov-6 11:40 AM

From GretchenB Posts 512 Last Nov-24
To Nancy C, Wizop [Msg # 1648.20 1648.19 ]

Yes, we had a fellow on the Diabetes Help forum who was on steroids and developed diabetes; when he went off the steroids, the problem went away.

You could ask your MD for an A1c test, next time he does blood work. That measures your blood sugar over a 3-month period, and may be more accurate than a one-time fingerstick reading.