Newly Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure and Diabetes

Good thing you found out early enough to make changes! 139 actually isn't too bad! I had gestational diabetes twice and put myself on a strict carb-reduced diet. Some suggestions for sweet treats: Using a hand mixer, mix a tub of fat free or sugar free (fat free is actually sugar free as well) Cool-Whip with 1/3 cup of skim milk and a tub of powdered, sugar free drink mix (like Crystal Light... I used Aldi brand). Put the whole thing in the freezer and scoop out like ice cream! Another one is take a frozen, sugar free fudgesicle and microwave for 5 seconds. Push it off the stick into a bowl and mix with peanut butter and sugar free Cool-Whip...also yummy! For pancakes I take 1/4 cup whole wheat flour, 1/3 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, 2 packets of Splenda, a pinch of salt, and 2 well-beaten eggs and mix them with the hand mixer. Cook as you would any other pancake. They come out quite thin. This recipe makes six, I usually double it for the family. It might sound strange, but they're very good! Hope some of these recipes help! Good Luck and keep up the walking!! It sounds like you're doing great!
P.S. Something else I learned....fat-free products are typically higher in carbs. The exception is dairy.

I just want to offer my support for your journey. I don't have the same experience as you do, but my 15 yr old son has a severe weight problem, and it's extremely challenging. I guess what I'm saying is to be patient and gentle with yourself about improving your diet and exercise routine. It's really, really hard. Savor every little bit of progress. Focus on where you have good health, and view the diabetes/ high blood pressure as limited (if important) problems. You are not your health challenges. My prayers are with you.

J. B

Hi A.
I'd like to share some information with you that could also give you a more positive outlook. I don't know how to attach files in mamasource, but if you email me at ____@____.com, I"ll reply with the attachment. This will not only let you know that you are not alone but also there's other measures you can take to maintain good health inspite of your health concerns.

M.
###-###-####

Good for you! I am so proud of you for receiving that news and reacting in a positive way! I do not have high blood pressure or diabetes, but it runs rampant in my family and I have seen the difference between those who change their lifestyle and those who just take pills to try and correct. You are well on your way to living a longer and healthier life. I was given a high cholesterol reading at a well check when I was 36, around a year and a half ago. It scared me into action and I dropped 4 pounds in one week. I dropped my LDL significantly in a 6 month period. The thing to remember is that these tests are one snap shot in time and that your levels are fluctuating all day long, every day. If you get off track, get right back on and don't beat yourself up! I hit 35 years of age and it was like somneone flipped a switch and said "Helloooo, you can't eat like when you were 15 anymore." A Big Mac is more than calories in mid life, it's like a time bomb! Anyway, good luck to you and remember all that you have going for you! Three great kids, a hubby and a job where people depend on you! Time to look out for number one and make sure she stays around for many years to come! Oh, and by the way, I know that blood pressure meds can't be taken with certain things, but Shaklee makes all natural vitamin supplements and weight loss products. I do not sell it, but maybe you could look into it? They have helped me tremendously!

With having diabetes or even Insulin resistance, it's very hard to lose weight. You have to watch your carb intake, and see if they can give you something that might help with the weight loss. Some of the Diabetes medications have "side effects" of weight loss. None of them have worked very well for me, but they have for some.

GOOD luck and keep up the good work!

It is great that you are losing weight and walking. You will be amazed how much walking can help lower your blood pressure and sugar level. Talk to a nutritionist. Is amazing how much you could learn at 1 appointment. I started in January on a raw diet during the day and a normal dinner at night. I just got my blood work done and my blood pressure has gone down (mine was never high but it was creeping up) and my cholesterol is now lower then it was when I was 20 years old. I also aim for 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. Usually I manage to do it 4x a week. I walk and jog on the treadmill, play DDR, lift weights, walk instead of drive to the store, anything that gets me moving. Stick to it and it will become routine. I once read somewhere that one day of going off your diet does not blow the whole diet. It makes it lot easier if you keep that in mind. Like on Mother's Day my daughter and I ate the whole cake by ourselves!! Cake is my down fall so it is not in our house very often.Also buy the 100 calories packs. I know they cost more but it is easier to keep track of what you are eatting.Drink lots of water!!!! I also measure and weigh all my food. It just helps keep the servings size small. Take the time now to keep healthy, you will be thankful later on. Best of luck!!!!

Do a web search for DASH - Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension.

You should be able to find a medically approved eating plan that is super easy to follow and still allows you to eat good tasting food.

I recently had issues with my blood pressure being too high. My doctor wanted me to change my diet and monitor my blood pressure more closely. My readings were about 140/105. I started eating 5 small meals a day, limiting my caloric intake to 1300-1600 calories per day, and ate almost all natural foods. I no longer eat any refined sugar, and only the occasional processed food (a Yoplait yogurt and my Thomas' English Light Multigrain muffin). I stopped drinking caffeinated beverages and switched to decaf organic green tea as my morning beverage. I'm careful to include many fresh vegetables and fruits (6-9 per day) and whole grains throughout my weekly plan.

After about a month of making these changes, I lowered my BP to 130s/high 80s which is way better than 140/105. Additionally, I've lost nearly 25 pounds in the process - without exercise! I don't ever feel hungry because by eating 5 smaller meals a day I am constantly munching (something else that will help your blood sugar/diabetes).

I've been surprised at how easy it has been to make all these changes. If you can, you might wish to consult with a nutritionist to help you put together a plan you can commit to for the rest of your life to promote good health. Best wishes to you!

I'm assuming you are probably type 2. My husband was just diagnosed last fall. He already had been dealing with high blood pressure for years. It is a shock and depressing at first. Give yourself time to get used to the idea. My husband has done great. We count his carbs at meals and he walks daily.

Some tips: women have to have their chocolate, right? Go for the dark chocolate. The dark chocolate doves are only 5 carbs each! Also, we've discovered the dark chocolate m&m's. He can have 1/4 cup serving of those for a snack. It is a big boost to still be able to have treats like that. Splenda is terrific and they have a whole website full of recipes.

What we have figured out is that he can still have all the foods he loves, just maybe not as much of them as he used to.

Best of luck to you.