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Type II Diabetes
With the success of HARRT therapy co morbid conditions like Type
II diabetes have become more prominent in those who are HIV positive.
The HIV meds and the virus itself can cause your body to process
the sugar you eat abnormally, which may lead to high blood sugar.
What is Type II Diabetes?
It is the most common type of diabetes that usually occurs later
in life. In Type II Diabetes, the sugar that you eat is not taken
into your cells, so it floats around in your blood at dangerously
high levels. Insulin is needed for sugar to be taken into the
cells and in Type II Diabetes either the cells ignore the insulin
or the body does not make enough insulin. High blood sugar is
the end result.
Side Effects of High Blood Sugar
It is important to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal
as possible because high blood sugar can cause damage to the
kidneys, nerves, heart and eyes.
Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes
- Genetics and family history
- Low activity level
- Diet high in sugar and fat
- Excess body weight
- Race/ethnicity (African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans)
- Age greater than 45 years old
- High blood pressure
- Low HDL cholesterol or high triglyceride levels
Diagnosing Type II Diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed using a test called fasting plasma glucose.
If you get a reading of 126 mg/dl or above on 2 separate occasions
your doctor will diagnose you with diabetes.
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
You should monitor your blood sugar at home using a blood glucose
meter if you are on diabetes medication or your blood sugar is
not well controlled.
Glucose Levels to Aim For
- Before Eating: 70–130mg/dl
- After Eating: <180 mg/dl
Hemoglobin AlC
A test that your doctor does that can tell you how well controlled
your blood sugar is over a 3 month period
Aim for 7%
Carbohydrates Balance
Carbohydrates are sugars and starches in breads, cereal, pasta,
vegetables and dairy that increase your blood sugar. You cannot
and should not avoid carbohydrates completely. The trick is to
spread them out throughout the day, so you do not eat too much
at once and cause your blood sugar to rise to high levels.
Food Groups that Contain Carbohydrates
Below is a list of foods that contain carbohydrates. It also tells
you how much of each food equals a serving size. It is important
that you control the amount of servings of carbohydrate you eat
in each meal.
Starch Group |
| Bread |
1 slice |
| Cold Cereal |
1/2 cup |
| Hot Cereal |
1/2 cup |
| Pasta |
1/2 cup |
| Rice |
1/3 cup |
| Bagels |
1/4 NY street bagel |
| Starchy vegetables: corn, peas, winter squash, potatoes |
1/2 cup |
| |
|
Milk Group
|
| Milk |
8 ounces |
| Yogurt |
8 ounces |
| Soy Milk |
8 ounces |
| |
|
Fruit Group
|
| Chopped |
1/2 cup |
| Whole fruit |
small piece
(size of your fist) |
| Banana |
1/2 banana |
| Fruit Juice |
1/2 cup |
| |
|
Vegetable Group
|
| Raw |
1 cup |
| Cooked |
1/2 cup |
| Vegetable juice |
1/2 cup |
WHAT CAN I DO TO LOWER MY BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS?
Here are general guidelines that will help you control your blood
sugar.
- Avoid added sugar, soda, juice, candy, bagels, white bread/pasta
and rice
- Eat moderate portion sizes
- Eat balanced meals including lean protein, fruit, vegetable
and whole grains at every meal
- Increase fiber intake by choosing whole grain bread, rice,
cereal and pasta instead of white flour products. Increase soluble
fiber found in oatmeal and the flesh of fruits. Fiber fills you
up and slows digestion along with the rise in blood sugar.
- Increase fruits and vegetable intake
- If you have a carbohydrate as a snack, do not eat it by itself.
Pair it with a lean protein such as natural peanut butter or
low fat cheese. This also slows digestion and the rise in the
blood sugar.
- Exercise regularly
Consult Your Dietitian
See your registered dietitian, so they can make you a diet plan.
They can help you decide how many servings of carbohydrates you
can eat in a day and how to divide them up for each meal.
Revised 5/06
© 2006 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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