In the book "Blood Sugar 101, What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes", the author Jenny Ruhl talks about the 5% Club.
That is where you want your A1c to always be in the 5% range or less.
Lately I've been reading more about how the "Fasting" number for a "Normal" person, is more like around 87, rather than the near 100 mark we have been told to strive for.

I think she has a chart in her book. If I find it later I'll repost for you.
Right now I'm working on how much Levemir I need at night to get my fasting numbers below 130. I'm at a 30 am 30 pm split.

I really admire your ability to manage your diabetes with diet and exercise. I may have to try that Medifast diet myself, with only their pre-packages foods to eat. I just can't do if on my own with regular foods.
Yesterday I read the package of Romaine lettuce, and it said there were 15 Grams of Carbs in "3" leaves. That's 5 per . . . . . . .
==============shaking my head in disbelief=============

JRTMom, Thanks for your input. I do, in fact have the book you mentioned by Jennyt Ruhl and that is where I got the figure of below 5.4 for "normal". That book has helped me so much. I have to count sodium as well as carbs, and I find that very frustrating. I can relate to your struggle as well - so many different aspects of trying to eat right without starving!

Congrats on your A1C, excellent

I have recently gone on a high fiber diet and I have lost weight and my numbers are good.

I love the Romaine Lettuce in my Smoothies.

Congratulations on getting down, but try not to go too low, this can cause issues also, especially to the organs in your body.

MizizGayle, I keep hearing that theme of not going too low from different people. What exactly is the problem with too low a glucose level unless you are on insulin?

Congratulations. My last A1C was down to 7.3. Still working at it before it was up to 9.5 or 9.7. Keep up the good work.

Regarding the "TOO LOW" discussion!
The Nurse who educates the other nurses on Diabetic issues in the local Hospital, told me/us at a support group meeting, that - - - -
in the Hospital - - they will try to keep a Diabetic Patient's Blood Sugar "UP" around 140 - - so they don't have to DEAL with HYPO's.

ALSO - - I imagine they make a lot of money there cutting OFF Diabetic Patients FEET ! ! ! ! !

I like my FEET. That's why I keep trying so hard to get my sugar numbers into the 90's or below.
Not there - - but I study what ever I can - - and try different things. I won't stop till I find something that does work.

Keep those numbers low - - - it you want to keep your FEET!


* * sorry about the angry tone here, but I've had to drop a few doctors who liked saying "well, that's GOOD ENOGH, for a DIABETIC". (that advice got my A1c up to 7.9% last year)
I want to hear GOOD or FINE numbers for a NORMAL person.

The A1C is an average of 90 days worth of monitoring, by being on the low side it tells the doctor you are experiencing too many low readings which can lead to problems, if you are experiencing this at night while you sleep you of course would not know unless you wake up wanting to eat a horse lol.

Many diseases can cause low blood sugar, even kidney disease which we all are prone to with diabetes. Your body needs the carbs for fuel, and with diabetes it is hard to regulate this of course since the pancreas and liver do not play well together any more. If we starve the body of the nutriments it needs in the long run can cause problems.


http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_blood_sugar_hypoglycemia/article_em.htm