Or it’s trying to be. And I discovered I haven’t really been telling you much about my diet and progress lately.

So let’s take a peek, shall we?

At my last appointment, my A1C was at 5.2 and my weight was just below 160. I still have about 10 pounds to go, but my doctor isn’t particularly worried, as long as it’s holding or going down.

And about a month ago, my stomach decided that a little bite of cheese or chicken wouldn’t be a bad thing, so I am finally able to add a little bit of animal protein back into my diet.

Not a lot mind you. We’re talking about half an ounce one day, and then maybe waiting two or three days–or a week–before I can eat any more. But it does prove my doctor right. Eventually I will be able to add things back into my diet. I won’t be able to go back to the diet I had before, but I can branch out a little for a treat now and then.

So what have I learned during the past year and a bit?

Potatoes only work for me if they’re boiled. I boil them in a lot of water until they’re about halfway done, drain and cover with water a second time, cook and drain. After that, I can eat about 1/4 cup of potato, or about 1/4 of a medium sized potato.

Beans and grains are about the same thing. Depending on the grain or bean involved, soak overnight and drain. Cover with a good amount of water and cook to about halfway done, drain, refill, and finish cooking. Drain and serve.

How much do I eat? That all depends. Some grains I can eat up to 1/4 cup with a big bunch of salad or salad and “stir-fry.” Others only about 2 Tablespoons.

What do I have the best luck with?

Millet, buckwheat (whole and raw), and hulled barley work well for me.

Not pearl barley.

Hulled barley. If it doesn’t have the fiber, it doesn’t agree with my system.

Rice–even whole-grain brown or red rice–doesn’t work for me. Wheat is pretty much off limits.

Oats, if I cook them carefully and eat only a tiny amount can work, but we’re talking by the tablespoonful.

For beans, I go back to The Zone, by Barry Sears, when it comes to figuring out carbs.

Take the total number of carbohydrates and subtract the amount of fiber in the beans to get the net carbs available.

If the net carbs are equal to or less than the amount of protein, I do better with them than others.

So, if I have some beans where the total carbs are 23 grams with a fiber content of 15 grams. The net carbs are 8.

In these particular beans, the protein is also 8, so I have pretty good luck with these, and can eat between 2 T and 1/4 cup, depending on what else I’m eating.

Some other beans I have have total carbs of 22 grams, fiber of 8 grams and protein of 7 grams.

Net carbs are 14 grams. Not so good. I have to be really careful with these.

Also remember, everyone is different. The foods that work for me may not work for you. Or some of the ones which don’t agree with me, you may be fine with. It can be a bit of a guessing game at first, but you’ll soon figure out the rules for you.

Where do I buy the different nuts, beans and seeds I eat? There’s a online place called Nuts.com. I am not affiliated with them in any way and make no money off this. I just discovered them when I was trying to find someplace to buy beans and nuts in bulk.

On their site, you can view the nutrition facts for the different items they sell, so you don’t even have to buy them first to figure it out.

I love their pink beans. They work well for me. They also have a variety of grains, seeds, and nuts. Since part of this diet includes eating nuts and seeds--chia and flax seeds are at the top of the list–it works out well. I also love raw sunflower seeds.

I’ve found a product that I love for BBQ time. I bought mine at an Ingles grocery store for a little cheaper than you can buy them online. It is a grilling bowl from Mr. Bar-B-Q. It holds a really good amount of vegetables that can go right on your grill, sort of like shish kebab without the sticks. It is non-stick, so clean up is easy, and I don’t feel left out of all the fun.

Again, I am not sponsored by this company and get nothing in return for mentioning it in my blog. I just love the thing and wanted to share.

So what’s for dinner tonight?

I haven’t made up my mind yet. But it will be tasty, nutritious, and it will keep my blood glucose where it should be.

Would I recommend this diet to someone else who’s having trouble with diabetes?

Yes. If you’ll stick with it, I feel it will work for you. If you’re not going to stick with it, nothing is going to work. It takes a little time, patience, and practice, but it has worked wonders for me.

Have a great one!