Diabetes Talking

Question:

Terri, I’ve found great uses for Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP). It takes on the flavor of the surrounding sauce. It has a chewey texture when rehydrated, ideal for "hamburger" dishes. They even make it in different sizes. I have some chunks that I’m thinking of making a "beef" stew. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks everyone for your responses to my question about when you weigh your meat (before or after cooking).  So, here’s my next question…… My husband and I often eat meatless dinners, or at least we did until this Diabetes Type 2 problem popped up.  I would like to continue to have meatless meals but am concerned about "over carbo-ing" him.  For example, we used to eat a baked potato with meatless chili on top for dinner.  But, the exchange lists I have seen will categorize the beans as a carbo.  Should I just forget the beans and put in his 3 oz of meat or can I substitute beans for meat somehow?  I did recently read an article on the web about Diabetes and Vegetarianism located at <a href="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/VRG/diabetes.html" Diab & Veggie </a and this article does talk about how 1 cup of beans = 2 carbos and 1 protein exchange, but it seems to me that he’d not get enough protein and too much carbo (especially if I include a potato with the meal).  Am I just stuck or is there something here I’m not getting?  Thanks for all your help!

Jon Klapper Use the above email address when replying. To avoid spam I have changed my automatic reply address.

Response:

As a Type II vegetarian, I am using the carbo counting diet.  I prefer it as it helps me in as much as I don’t have to worry about figuring out the actual exchange.  I don’t think you’ll need to worry about the protein intake as much.  Vegetable protein is more digestable and used more by the body than animal protein. Deb   "We don’t live to kill, we kill to live."–Vachon Friends help you move. Real friends help you move bodies. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes. Warning: Dates on calendar are closer than they appear.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks everyone for your responses to my question about when you weigh your meat (before or after cooking).  So, here’s my next question…… My husband and I often eat meatless dinners, or at least we did until this Diabetes Type 2 problem popped up.  I would like to continue to have meatless meals but am concerned about "over carbo-ing" him.  For example, we used to eat a baked potato with meatless chili on top for dinner.  But, the exchange lists I have seen will categorize the beans as a carbo.  Should I just forget the beans and put in his 3 oz of meat or can I substitute beans for meat somehow?  I did recently read an article on the web about Diabetes and Vegetarianism located at <a href="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/VRG/diabetes.html" Diab & Veggie </a and this article does talk about how 1 cup of beans = 2 carbos and 1 protein exchange, but it seems to me that he’d not get enough protein and too much carbo (especially if I include a potato with the meal).  Am I just stuck or is there something here I’m not getting?  Thanks for all your help!

It sounds as if you would find it easier to count carbos (CHO), and possibly calories and/or protein too. If for example, you would normally serve a baked potatoe, some veggies, and a chop, and that would give 60g CHO, and 480 calories, but on a meatless day, you see that serving the beans rather than meat and veggies would still be just under 500 calories, but 75g CHO, you can choose a smaller potatoe, or just split a big one, and grate some cheese over it, or add more oil to the chilli, or cream or full-fat yogurt, or a glass of wine (if permited, and trialled), to bring you back to 500 calories. Some diabetics are sensitive even to a single drink of alchol, and to changing the balance between fat and protein, so if you don’t exactly duplicate, check with the meter to see if there are any (un)wanted effects. Best wishes, — Pat Reynolds    "It might look a bit messy now, but just you come back in 500 years time"    (T. Pratchett)

Response:

The only problem with beans and diabetes is how slowly they are digested.  They will actually act more like a protein than a carb.  As a diabetic there are several ways to adjust for this without going hypo.  The first is to count them as a protein.  If you do this you will need to watch your BGs closely after the meal the first few times.  With some people this works, but others will do fine for 2-3 hours and then experience a second rise.  The way to account for this is to give the injection right before eating rather than a half hour before.  As a vegetarian diabetic I will actually give a square wave bolus when eating this type of meal as this seems to do the job best, but those not on a pump don’t have this option.  I wouldn’t use meat instead of beans.  Diabetes experts encourage a l.ow protein, high fiber diet as this helps to prevent kidney damage and improve blood glucose control.  It is worth the effort to test every hour after such a meal and observe exactly how the food effects your husband.  This will help you better account for this type of food item in the future if you know how he responds to this type of thing.  It is known as the "bean burrito effect".  If he is using humalog, consider giving regular instead for this type of meal. Kimberly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My husband and I often eat meatless dinners, or at least we did until this Diabetes Type 2 problem popped up.  I would like to continue to have meatless meals but am concerned about "over carbo-ing" him.  For example, we used to eat a baked potato with meatless chili on top for dinner.  But, the exchange lists I have seen will categorize the beans as a carbo.  Should I just forget the beans and put in his 3 oz of meat or can I substitute beans for meat somehow?  I did recently read an article on the web about Diabetes and Vegetarianism located at <a href="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/VRG/diabetes.html" Diab & Veggie </a and this article does talk about how 1 cup of beans = 2 carbos and 1 protein exchange, but it seems to me that he’d not get enough protein and too much carbo (especially if I include a potato with the meal). Am I just stuck or is there something here I’m not getting?  Thanks for all your help!

Response:

Thanks everyone for your responses to my question about when you weigh your meat (before or after cooking).  So, here’s my next question…… My husband and I often eat meatless dinners, or at least we did until this Diabetes Type 2 problem popped up.  I would like to continue to have meatless meals but am concerned about "over carbo-ing" him.  For example, we used to eat a baked potato with meatless chili on top for dinner.  But, the exchange lists I have seen will categorize the beans as a carbo.  Should I just forget the beans and put in his 3 oz of meat or can I substitute beans for meat somehow?  I did recently read an article on the web about Diabetes and Vegetarianism located at <a href="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/VRG/diabetes.html" Diab & Veggie </a and this article does talk about how 1 cup of beans = 2 carbos and 1 protein exchange, but it seems to me that he’d not get enough protein and too much carbo (especially if I include a potato with the meal).  Am I just stuck or is there something here I’m not getting?  Thanks for all your help!

Response: