I am terribly hypoglycemic and getting worse sm
I need some help for what to do that is vegan, in the face of glucose intolerance and worsening hypoglycemia.
I have lupus and I don't know if this is part of this problem, or a separate one. This runs in the family and in the mid to late 40s, we all get much worse.
I used to eat cheese for this because it has fat and protein, but I am allergic to dairy and aged cheese flares a migraine I can't seem to treat properly. I have been trying glasses of low sugar soymilk (Safeway's own brand, Walmart's own brand) that has under 100 calories a cup (you'll notice that Silk is like 140 and loaded with sugar). The problem is that I can go through a gallon in a day to a day and a half fighting my blood sugar.
I know that beans can stabilize blood sugar, but when your kids ask you to go outside if you are going "do that" again you get the impression you should be more careful about quantities.
My doctor is clueless and wants me back on eggs (I am allergic here again) and meat. I have enough problems with the lupus making me sluggish and sapping my energy and I don't want to eat meat which will make this worse. I like the clean feeling of eating vegan.
This may sound dumb, but have you been tested for adult onset diabetes? Also, if you have access to an accupuncture clinic (preferably a Chinese doc) then you may want to go see one. It sounds like you are suffering from a serious imbalance and one thing is triggering another. There is a book by Paul Pritchford called "Healing with Whole Foods, Oriental Tradition and Modern Nutrition". I've had this book for about 10 years (updated editions available) and its been like a bible for me literally. Everything you could possibley need or want to know to help you start getting better can be found in this book. Can you eat vegan veggie burgers? Try eating these instead of meat (Amy's makes some really good ones) and eat small meals throughout the day (??)to keep your bloodsugar and energy up. I don't know if any of this will help you, but I hope you feel better anyway.
Dafodil
It sounds like you really have a problem with carb metabolism.I'm not sure why your doctor would want you back on eggs,except for the fact that some people(even medical professionals!)do not understand that plant protein works just fine for the human body-without the saturated fats.I have been on a diet-actually a lifestyle change-since Feb.of the year-and love the results.I am an RN very frustrated with modern medicine and the practice of throwing another dangerous medication at people for any twinge-I have been so impressed with testimonials I read from all over the world.The Hallelujah Diet,designed by Rev.George Malkamus over 30 years ago,is credited with turning around the lives of many people with autoimmune diseases such as Lupus and MS.It is a vegan diet,supplemented with juicing .The website is www.hacres.com.They also send out a great bi-monthly magazine called Back To The Garden that is free-You can sign up for it on the website. I agree that small meals are the way to go-I call it "grazing"-also remember that with any high fiber diet it takes the body awhile to adjust,so you may have to just excuse yourself and go outside for awhile!!Good luck! :)
With beans or any high-protein food you will want to ease into it, and not eat a great deal at one sitting-- that goes for everyone. Otherwise it will upset your tum and you may react badly.
Have you tried (and can you eat) raw almonds? My mother, an omni diabetic, is having lots of luck regulating her sugar with frequent tiny meals, like, for instance, an apple, a piece of string cheese, and 6 almonds. That way she gets the fat and protein she needs to balance her sugar, and some fiber and good stuff.
I think you will honestly want to consult a doctor or nutritionist-- both for the hypoglycemia and the lupus, together. You're one organism 24/7-- not hypoglycemic by day and lupus-positive by night-- and you're going to have to treat both together.
You have my sympathy and my warmest well wishes. I'm trying to balance my porphyria-suffering husband's diet, and am in a sorta similar dietary pickle-- anyway, I'll check back if I find anything.
There is a book by Paul Pritchford called "Healing with Whole Foods, Oriental Tradition and Modern Nutrition". I've had this book for about 10 years (updated editions available) and its been like a bible for me literally. Everything you could possibley need or want to know to help you start getting better can be found in this book.
I just bought this book at an herbal store and it's fantastic! I'm so glad someone else is familiar with it. I also just joined this community in order to get more ideas for vegan dishes. My system has been so out of whack, but with a renewed effort regarding high-quality food choices, probiotics and other supplements, I'm already feeling better.
Wenz-
Thats great! My copy looks like its 100 years old...but it is invaluable, and its what got me to go vegan. Alot of the recipes are a little too "herbal-y/hippyish" (for lack of better terms) for me, but there is so much good insight in the way our bodies react to what we put into it. The section on "excess" is a good place to start when your feeling out of whack...thats where I started when I felt like a walking toxic waste dump. :)
I will definitely check that out. I actually started in the section that discusses overproduction of yeast and systemic yeast problems. I'm already seeing a difference. Pritchford comments about once you begin to eat correctly, many of the bad snack foods will become unappealing. I was stunned yesterday by my revulsion when I opened my husband's "snack" cabinet. Nothing looked appealing and I was so glad!