FURTHER UPDATED WITH BARLEY CEREAL, BARLEY GRASS PILLS, AND BARLEY BREAD

This is just a short post to report further progress lowering my insulin needs by using barley.  I am eating Tsampa cereal each morning, barley bread in the afternoon as a snack, and barley pills each time I eat, for the equivalent of what I consider to be 3 servings of barley daily.

My insulin dosage is down to 15 units Lantus daily and I am burning about 400 more calories, even on reduced Lantus.  This appears to be cumulative, getting better the longer I follow the regime.

I am not a health professional, but my own take on this is that by having the cereal and barley bread daily, plus 4 pills barley grass, I am cutting out the higher glycemic index choices for most of my meals.  In addition, the barley makes it so I am never hungry now, and my digestion has become much better.  The barley encourages the growth of gut bacteria that actually directly lower blood sugar by sending hormonal messages, and increase the feeling of satiety.  You can't get any better than this for someone who has diabetes.

It remains to be seen if I can go less than 15 units Lantus. It does seem to be reducing my insulin needs throughout the time I am on 3 servings barley daily, and I hope I can go further in reducing my insulin needs.

RENEWED SUCCESS YESTERDAY WITH BARLEY, BARLEY PILLS, AND EXTRA CALORIES

Yesterday, my post prandial after lunch was 115.  I had taken 20 units insulin, as usual, but I ate 1600 calories, and had an extra Panera asiago cheese bagel.  I woke up with fasting glucose of 107.  The barley is working its magic really hard now.  This is so much better than 28 units of insulin twice daily that I was using, now down to 20 units daily to burn 400 more calories.

I have given thought to how people can integrate barley into their food as diabetics, and some caution is necessary.  When barley improves their metabolic rate, a change in medications is needed.  If dieting software is used, this is possible to track by how many calories are burned.  But I highly suggest that the person’s doctor needs to be involved on any large medication changes.  So, with this caveat, I can highly recommend barley for any diabetic.  But it will be necessary for them to track what they are eating and note the increased metabolic rate.  So my suggestion is to use dieting software (I use Calorieking) and take careful notes of what you are eating and how much medication you are using. Work with your doctor to track medication amounts. 

Since not everyone has diet software, and most don't test as much as I do, I am closing this section of posting on barley.  If you can track what you eat, and work with barley, it is definitely worth it.  But it requires vigilance, and time to make barley bread, and taking barley pills religiously.  So, be vigilant, record your food nutrition with software, and work with your doctor.

A BREAK WHILE I RECOMPUTE MY BARLEY AND INSULIN

Well, this has been tougher than I thought, but I won’t give up.  Yesterday, I went back to 1200 calories, and got caught in the same trap I did several days ago.  I was really hungry on 1200 calories, had to eat more, and shoot insulin as a result.  I am having trouble adjusting my insulin dosage to my new metabolic rate with the barley.  1200 is too little, 1400 is too much.  I think it will come around at 1300 calories, but I am going to sign off for a few days while I work this out.

From what I can see, the barley has given me about 100 free calories every day on less insulin.  But it is choppy waters until I figure out how much more I can eat without having to take more insulin.  This is a good problem to have, but I will be away while I figure it out.  Thanks for coming along for the experiment on barley.

If you work with barley for yourself, be sure to work with your doctor, as your medications will need to be adjusted.  And it would be great to figure out your newly won free calories, so use barley wherever you can.

DAY 6 BACK TO 1200 CALORIES AND 2 SERVINGS BARLEY

My fasting glucose this morning was 105, but I ate 1400 calories yesterday and had to take extra insulin.  So the insulin is what is talking on my fasting glucose today.  I will be going back to 1200 calories to see what the barley is doing, rather than 1400.  My body is just not ready for those calories.  I did learn the extent of the metabolic increase with the barley, but could not sustain it day to day at 1400 calories.

So, here is the 1200 calorie menu today, and I will stick to that.  We should see more improvement on the barley and 1200 calories.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Breakfast wrap made of Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 2 scrambled eggs, onions, green pepper, ham and 2 pieces bacon, small apple

DINNER:  3 oz sirloin tip steak, baked potato, salad, Dole Sugar Free Peach Cup

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Total net calories 1200

DAY 5 WITH 3 SERVINGS BARLEY, BARLEY GRASS PILLS AND EXTRA CALORIES

My fasting glucose this morning was 155, and I took 10 units insulin.  This reflects the fact that I had 400 extra calories yesterday, to see what would happen to my fasting glucose at that level.  It returned to my normal fasting glucose of 155, but golly, I ate 1600 calories yesterday.  Breakfast post-prandial then was 139 .  I added Little Debbie Spinwheel to snack,  110 calories.  After dinner, added On Protein Cake Bites, 1/3 package for 72 calories.  Total added calories 230.  Later, a small croissant and an extra tangerine.  Total added calories for the day, 400.

This is amazing.  The extra calories are what pushed me up to 155 fasting glucose, but it took 400 calories extra to do that.  That is the best measure I have so far of how much the barley is increasing my metabolism, as the fasting glucose is my usual fasting glucose, only it was produced today on 1600 calories yesterday instead of 1200.  I will not challenge with extra calories today, but I will keep up the planning for 1200 calories and probably eat about 200 extra calories, to see if 20 units of insulin and 1400 calories will get me down into lower fasting glucose readings.

NEWS FLASH: There’s a new product out at Walmart based on protein cake and frosting, called On Protein Cake Bites.  There are 20 gm protein per cake bite package, and 25 carb grams.  I eat one cake bite at a time, (which is 1/3 the package) and that is what I had for dessert at dinner.  Delicious, and it added protein that I needed.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 2 oz sliced deli chicken, 2 slices bacon, tomato, romaine, 1 cup chicken soup, dried apricot

DINNER:  Bamquet Turkey and Dressing Dinner, 1/3 cup Lucky Leaf, whipped cream, ¼ cup Great Grains

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee, 1 On Protein Cake Bite

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1198

DAY 4 WITH 3 SERVINGS BARLEY AND BARLEY PILLS

My blood sugar readings are responding nicely to 2 servings barley plus 4 barley grass pills daily.  I was at 118 when I woke up this morning on 20 units insulin and about 1400 calories.  I am pretty sure I will need to eat 1400 calories, instead of 1200, because my hunger has increased.  My metabolism, in a word, is picking up with the barley.  I will not plan all 1400 calories, I will leave the extra calories up to the moment, and what I feel like eating.  But I will note calories, insulin dosage, and fasting blood sugar on a daily basis.  I have seen a definite improvement since I started experimenting with barley and barley grass pills.

So, here is the menu for today with 3 servings barley, plus 4 barley grass pills:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa Cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 3 oz Great Value Uncured Pork Ribs, romaine, ½ cup carrot and raisin salad, 2 Voortman Sugar Free Peanut Butter Wafers

DINNER:  ½ Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 1 cup barley and cheese casserole, salad, 1 cup butternut squash, ½ Nature’s Bakery Double Chocolate Brownie

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1191

NOTES ON DAY 3 OF BARLEY AND BARLEY GRASS PILLS

Yesterday was a complete flop in terms of meeting the 1200 calorie goal, but I still woke up this morning on fasting glucose of 128 – on 30 units insulin.  You know how the best laid plans evaporate at times.  I was besieged by little Daisy Girl Scouts to buy cookies, then we treated everyone to pizza.  I got my two servings of barley in, and my barley pills, but the rest of the day was a complete washout.  Better luck today, but there are a lot of happy Daisy Scouts today.

So, here is the menu for today.  There should be no interruptions.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla made into cheese quesadilla, grilled with 1 oz cheese, one cup 15 bean soup, tangerine

DINNER:  3 oz sirloin tip steak, ½ cup baked potato, ¾ cup garden medley vegetables, salad, 3 Voortman Sugar Free Peanut Butter Wafers

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1192

DAY 2 NOTES ON BARLEY PILLS AS WELL AS 2 BARLEY SERVINGS

My fasting glucose this morning is 107, much improved, and I had to eat more calories – about 250 calories extra.  My metabolism is picking up significantly with the barley and now the barley grass pills.

I ate 1200 calories and took 10 units of insulin to do so, already a 50% cut from my normal insulin dose for 1200 calories.  But I was so hungry, I had to have another 216 calories in banana bread – poor me –before dinner.  I took another 10 units after dinner  to stay at 20 units insulin, but I can see already that the banana bread was a “gimme” because the barley was affecting the post prandial highs from the rest of the day.  I never went over 180 post prandial, and was really hungry.  I think this is a case of increased metabolism, and my trophy was that piece of banana bread, all due to the barley.  I ate the extra 216 calories and my fasting glucose this morning is 107, substantially lower than my unmedicated fasting glucose of 150, and with insulin, is coming into the normal range.  I hope by the time the 60 days is up, my insulin dose will be substantially decreased.  We will see.  I must say I am not hungry at 107 fasting glucose.  This is very real and a huge improvement.

I decided to take 4 barley grass pills yesterday.  The bottle says you can take up to 10 pills daily.  And from reading on the net, barley increases the metabolic rate for 10 to 14 hours.  I should be able to eat more on the insulin I take, and cut back on it as the readings fall.  Needless to say, I am really happy with the outcome on the first couple of days.  And needless to say, I will be eating as much barley as I can work in comfortably, as well as taking barley grass pills.  I am now taking twice the barley grass pills that produced the 25% drop in fasting glucose in the clinical trial.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 3 oz Mistica Ranch Cheez-it Coated Chicken Bites, romaine, small apple

DINNER:  ½ Sim-Fast Protein Shake, 1 cup barley and cheese casserole, 1 cup butternut squash, salad, 1/3 cup Lite Lucky Leaf Cherry Pie Filling, whipped cream, ¼ cup Great Grains cereal as topping

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net calories 1172

REPORT ON DAY 1 OF BARLEY PILLS AND FASTING GLUCOSE

My fasting glucose this morning is 119.  I did that on 1200 calories and 20 units Lantus.  I did not expect anything this fast, but some of that could be insulin.  It is going to be hard to separate what the barley pills are doing from what the insulin is doing.  But I will keep both of them up for the duration and see what happens.  If the barley pills and two servings of barley during the day are helping, it will show up as reduced need for insulin over the next two months, as well as in my fasting glucose.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot Tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 2 pieces bacon, tomato, romaine, dried apricot

DINNER:  2 egg omelet, with 2 oz shrimp, onions, green pepper, 1 oz cheese, ½ Panera asiago cheese bagel

SNACK:

1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1208

START OF BARLEY PILLS FOR 60 DAYS TO REDUCE FASTING GLUCOSE

I had an absolutely great Valentine’s Day, and my fasting glucose this morning shows it.  It was 165, and I had to take 10 units Lantus to start the day.  I will be testing the 1 gram of barley grass daily over the next 60 days.  It should be 1.2 grams to match the clinical trial, but the pills I have are 500 mg.  Close enough.  I took my first barley grass pill this morning.  I'll take the second tonight, and 2 per day for 60 days.  I'll record my fasting glucose each morning.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot Tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 1 pc Van de Kamp’s Breaded Fish for Sandwiches, romaine, mandarin orange

DINNER:  ½ Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 4 Louisa Toasted Ravioli, salad, 1 cup butternut squash

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee, Dole Sugar Free Peach Cup

Total Calories 1210

VALENTINES DAY MENU WITH BARLEY TO HIDE SINS

Happy Valentines Day!  I will be celebrating tonight with hubby, and looking forward to dieting on another day.  It is shrimp and fettucini, and chocolate cheesecake, with no calorie totals.  I will make a menu to stay mostly on track diet-wise until this evening.  And tomorrow I start the barley grass pills twice daily.

The menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, ½ cup tuna salad, romaine, apple

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Drink, 3 oz cooked shrimp, salad, fettucini, chocolate cheesecake, wine

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking

Calorie Total Hidden in honor of Valentine’s Day

WHY THE BARLEY IS SO GOOD FOR BLOOD SUGAR

My fasting glucose is 125 this morning, much lower, on 3 servings of barley yesterday.  Today I am thinking about why the barley is doing such marvelous things with my blood sugar.  It is clipping my post-prandial highs, down from over 200 to less than 180, and sometimes less than 165.  And my morning fasting glucose is sinking.

The most obvious reason is the glycemic index of barley, which is around 20 or so on a scale of 100, where wheat and other grains are up around 100, the same as table sugar.  By having three servings of barley, I am effectively cutting out all the options that have the ability to spike blood sugar – potatoes, wheat bread, corn, and so on.  So barley is a better choice than those foods.

But the less obvious reason is the fact that the barley actively changes the gut biome, favoring the Prevotella copri bacteria.  These bacteria actually put out hormones and enzymes that lower blood sugar, and they also crowd out the other bad bacteria.  The hormones promote a feeling of fullness all day long.

I don’t think I can live on a daily basis with three servings of barley every day, but I can certainly live with two servings.  The barley hot breakfast cereal is a treat every day, and barley bread is to die for with coffee as a snack.  I will work in barley and cheese casserole when I am out of barley bread, giving me another day to make the bread.

If I keep my other carbs low-glycemic, like the Mission Carb Balance tortilla with all the fiber and low carbs, and have a dinner that is filled with veggies, that should be a nice way to approach getting the benefits of barley.  And when I add the barley grass capsules starting next Wednesday, that will be the third serving.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Taco salad made with baked Mission Carb Balance Tortilla (sprayed with pan spray, poked with fork to stop bubbles, baked at 450F for 5 - 8 minutes in taco salad shell baking form), 2 oz taco seasoned hamburger meat, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, salsa, cheese,  3 cups popcorn, small apple

DINNER: 1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Shake, Old Monterrey Chicken Empanada, salad, raw veggies,1/3 cup Lucky Leaf Lite Cherry Pie Filling, whipped cream, ¼ cup Great Grains topping.

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1217

LOWER FASTING GLUCOSE BUT INCREASED HUNGER WITH BARLEY

I am pretty sure the increased hunger is the mark of an increasing metabolism.

My fasting glucose this morning is 111, but I had to have the second shot of 10 units insulin to achieve it.  I am only a few days away from taking the barley grass capsules to lower fasting glucose as much as 25%.  In the meantime, my choice is to eat more and take more insulin, or stop at 1200 calories and be really hungry.  This is also an indicator of increasing metabolic rate.  I am entering a period where my usual readings are changing and I am getting really hungry.  I will wait til after Valentine’s Day, then begin the pills when I am not fighting celebratory meals and treats.  Today I am back with three servings barley, to see what happens.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot Tsampa cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Control tortilla, ½ cup tuna salad, romaine, small apple

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 1 cup Barley and Cheese Casserole, salad, 2 Voortman Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Wafers

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

 NET CALORIES 1193

ANOTHER INDICATION OF LESS INSULIN NEEDED WITH BARLEY

My fasting glucose this morning is 135, about 15 points lower than usual.  The way I got here was not as planned. After dinner and 1200 calories, I came in at 181 post prandial, and the entire 1200 calories was metabolized on only 10 units Lantus.  I was about to just let it go, and see what the fasting was this morning, but I got really hungry, and decided to shoot the next 10 units and have more to eat.  This is symptomatic of what is happening:  insulin needs are decreasing with the use of barley, and now the 1200 calories is not enough for me.  This means I am slowly freeing myself up from the use of insulin by eating barley at two servings per day.  When I add the barley grass pills on Thursday of next week, I may see much more improvement.  I really look forward to that 60 day test.  And two servings of barley daily will definitely be part of the routine.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup hot TSAMPA barley cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  ½ Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 2 oz sliced ham, Mission Carb Control Tortilla, romaine, small apple

DINNER:  3 oz lean broiled pork chop, 1 cup butternut squash, 1 cup chicken corn chowder soup, salad, 3 Voortman Peanut Butter cookies

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories 1216

BARLEY ENABLES HALF THE INSULIN DOSAGE, NORMAL FASTING GLUCOSE

Just 10 units of insulin metabolized my 1200 net calories yesterday.  I wanted to see what would happen if I did not take the last 10 units in the afternoon yesterday.  I peaked at 213, and I should have taken the afternoon 10 units.  I wanted to see my fasting glucose today, and it is at its usual 150.  Believe it or not, this is progress, indicating that I got the usual fall in glucose on just 10 units instead of 20.  But today, I will take the usual 20 units and see where that takes me for fasting glucose tomorrow.  I am still encouraged.  My insulin needs are still dropping.  And I am only a few days away from starting the barley grass pills that have been proven to reduce fasting glucose by as much as 25%, which would take me into the “pre-diabetic” range of fasting glucose.

I am out of barley bread for today, so I will use Barley and Cheese for my second serving of barley.  I’ll be making barley bread once per week, as a loaf lasts 8 days.

Here is the menu for today.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas Cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1 can tuna, cream sauce, 2 pieces Pepperidge Farm Oatmeal Bread, celery, small apple

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Drink, 1/12 casserole barley and cheese, salad, 2 Marketside mini-brownies

SNACK:  1/12 pan gingerbread, coffee, 2 dried apricots

Minus 60 minutes walking inside (ice storm today) – 324 calories.  ! am walking longer to get that gingerbread!

Net calories 1204

A DAY OFF THE DIET, AND INSULIN HITTING REALLY HARD NOW WITH BARLEY

I had a few extra-curricular carbs yesterday, and had to shoot another 10 units Lantus, so my blood sugar this morning reflects that, rather than the effect of the 2 servings of barley yesterday.  I woke up with 88 as a fasting glucose reading.  I will say that the insulin is hitting me much harder these days, since I started experimenting with barley.  I will not know how the experiment is going until I start taking the barley grass pills on the 15^th, after Valentine’s Day.  That should get all the partying out of the way, and let the real work on my fasting blood glucose begin.

So, here is the menu for today, with 2 servings barley, which I will maintain from this point on because it is making me much more sensitive to insulin.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

(I like Tsampas cereal hot, so I use 1/3 cup cereal to 1/2 cup water, nuke for one minute)

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance tortilla, 6 pc Tyson Honey BBQ Chicken Wings, romaine, small apple

DINNER:  3 oz broiled lean pork chop, 1 cup butternut squash, salad, 1/3 cup Lucky Leaf Lite Cherry Pie Filling, whipped cream, ¼ cup Great Grains
(This is the best dessert, less than 100 calories)

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking = 163 calories

Net Calories 1208

FASTING BLOOD SUGAR IS LOWER YET ON ONLY 2 SERVINGS OF BARLEY

This morning my fasting blood sugar is 106, much lower than my usual 150.  I ate 1200 calories yesterday after exercise and I used 20 units Lantus.  The Lantus hit really hard, and my lower fasting glucose is the measure this morning.  This indicates that the repeated servings from day to day mean as much as the number of servings in a day.  Of course, this is not a clinical trial.  But I have observed that the more consistently I eat barley (cereal for breakfast and barley bread for a snack) the lower my fasting is going.  So, I will keep up two servings a day of barley until Feb. 15^th, when I start the barley grass capsules, 1.2 grams daily as the clinical trial stated.  I am much encouraged.  The barley products are delicious, very filling, and the warm, nutty flavor of the bread is something I look forward to every day.  Insulin is expensive, and the more I can cut down on that, the better.

Here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup barley TSAMPAS cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1 whole Slim-fast Protein Drink, Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, Johnsonville beef brat link, romaine, 2 dried apricots

DINNER:  4 Louisa Toasted Ravioli, 3/4 cup garden vegetable medley

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking = 163 calories

Net Calories 1214

LOWER FASTING BLOOD SUGAR AFTER 3 BARLEY SERVINGS

My fasting glucose this morning is lower, after all the barley servings yesterday. I woke up with 125 fasting glucose. I will only use 2 servings today – breakfast and snack.  I want to know if fasting glucose is any higher on 2 servings rather than three.   So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  ½ Slim-Fast Shake, Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 3 oz Mistica Ranch Cheez-it Coated Chicken Bites, romaine, small apple

DINNER:  3 oz broiled lean pork chop, ½ cup mashed potato, cole slaw, Janet’s Rich Banana Bread

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee, Dole Peach cup

Minus 30 minutes walking – 163 calories

Net Calories: 1196

LOWER FASTING BLOOD SUGAR THIS MORNING, 1200 NET CALORIE MENU

Ok, I am back today with lower fasting blood sugar.  It is 140, about 10 points lower than ususal.  I had my net 1200 calories yesterday and shot 20 units insulin.  My normal fasting glucose is 150.

At this point, I am doing several things that could be affecting that, although I will not be taking barley grass pills until the 15^th.  I continue to use the Vielight 810, although I cannot quantify how it is affecting my blood sugar.  I do know the Vielight has increased my stamina dramatically, and my sleep has improved greatly.  And of course, I lost 25 pounds on the 800 calorie diet, which really affected how much insulin I take – it has been cut in half.  And yesterday, I had 3 servings barley – one with Tsampas cereal, a snack with barley bread, and some barley and cheese which will show up today in the menu.  All delicious. Barley is an extremely filling food
.

So, here is the menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance tortilla, 1 pc Van De Kamp’s Breaded Fish for Sandwiches, cole slaw, 2 dried apricots, 16 Daily Crave Tomato Basil Lentil Chips

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Drink, 1 cup barley and cheese casserole, steamed broccoli

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking = 163 calories

Net Calories 1204

1200 CALORIES AFTER SUPER BOWL, PLUS EXERCISE

Well, I hope everyone had a great Super Bowl evening, I sure did!  But my fasting blood sugar this morning is really high from the food, so I won’t mention it now.  But I will starting next day after Valentines, Feb. 15^th, a Thursday.  It is also the new moon, a great time to start any new project.  This test will record what happens to my fasting blood sugar when I take 1.2 grams barley grass daily.  Of course this also means I need to follow the net 1200 calorie diet very carefully during that 2 month test, so that my fasting glucose numbers are not blown out by party food.  That will be a two month test to see if I can achieve a 25% reduction in fasting glucose, as the clinical trial participants did.

So, on to the net 1200 calories for today, with exercise.  Barley cereal and barley bread will be two servings daily on the 1200 calories.  If you are not using barley cereal, and barley bread, you would not be getting the increase in insulin sensitivity that I have experienced.  That has taught me that I want those two servings a day of barley.  Substitute as you will.  Paleo cereals that are grain free are a good substitute, but won't do the job the way barley does.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas Cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance tortilla, ½ cup Mom’s Tuna Salad, 1 small apple

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Shake, one El Monterey Chicken Empanada, ¾ cup mixed garden veggies

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 30 minutes walking – 162 calories

Net calories 1213

3RD DAY OF BARLEY BREAD - NOTES AND TEST END

Yesterday was the last of three days with three servings barley bread.  This morning I woke up with a fasting blood sugar of 98.  That is the best I have ever seen it, and it was on my usual 20 units of insulin.  There has been a great improvement in my insulin sensitivity since I started eating barley in a major way.  I was not hungry on that 98 reading, which is a new phenomenon.

So, I think you can count this experiment as a definite success!  I will be making barley and cheese and incorporating it into 1200 calorie menus, and I will continue to make barley bread to serve at least one serving per day.  That means my other bread serving will be the Mission Low Carb Tortilla, or sourdough (low-glycemic) bread.

Between the Vielight 810 and the barley, and 1200 calories daily, my experiement has reduced my insulin intake yet again.  I will keep all of it up until Feb 15^th.  At that point, I start the barley grass capsules, 1.2 gram daily.  That experiment might further reduce my need for insulin.

So, here is the menu for today:  same old 1200 calories with reduced barley bread.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup tsampas cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, 2 tbs half and half, stevia

LUNCH: ½ Slim-fast Protein Shake, Mission Carb Balance tortilla, 1 Johnsonville Beef Brat, salad

DINNER: 3 oz hamburger patty, baked potato, 2 oz Janet’s rich banana bread, cole slaw

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Fat 82 gm, Carbs 137 gm, Protein 56 gm,  Fiber 28 gm

Minus 45 minutes walking = 243 calories

Net Calories 1197

2ND DAY OF BARLEY BREAD NOTES

Yesterday was the second day of three servings of barley bread.  I did go over 200 post prandial and had to take 10 units of insulin.  When I did that, the insulin hit me really hard again.  It is hard to take less than 10 units, but I need to figure out how, because I had to eat carbs again to bring it back up.  It is looking like the barley can really make a difference, but it makes it hard to diet at 1200 net calories.  Good thing this is the last day.  I will have my three servings and consider my gut flora has been renovated with the barley bread.  I will be adding barley and cheese, and barley bread, to my 1200 net calories as I can.  We have to keep the little darlings fed.

So, here is the menu for the day, the last day of 3 servings barley bread:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas Cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1 ground beef patty, 1 cup Cugino’s Cheddar Broccoli soup, small carrot, 1/8^th loaf barley bread

DINNER:  ½ Slim-Fast protein drink, 1/8^th loaf barley bread, baked tilapia, salad

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Minus 45 minutes walking =  243 calories

Net Calories 1208

The menus will turn into regular food tomorrow, with the addition of occasional barley food products.  I will keep up the Tsampas cereal, it is delicious and keeps me full all day long.

NOTES ON MY FIRST DAY ON BARLEY BREAD

Yesterday was my first day of three servings of barley bread plus Tsampas cereal.

My fasting glucose yesterday was 154.  My postprandial glucose after snack was 168, a low compared to usual highs without insulin of 200’s.  The difference was, I took no insulin all day long to metabolize my net 1200 calories.  So, I got normal numbers on post-prandial highs, but without the use of insulin.  I will follow the progress today.  My fasting glucose is down slightly, even without insulin.  This is very encouraging, but if I get a postprandial high over 200 today, I will take insulin.

Here is the net 1200 calories menu for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas barley cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, 3 oz Mystica Ranch Cheezit-Coated Chicken Bites, 1 small apple

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

DINNER:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, 2 eggs, 2 strips bacon, 1 mandarin orange.

Minus 30 minutes walking = 162 calories

Net calories 1182

BARLEY IS A MIRACLE FOR BLOOD SUGAR FOR DIABETES T2

The barley cereal and barley and cheese I had yesterday really took my blood sugar down in the afternoon, in fact, it went down so much that I had to eat 80 carb grams of sweets after I took my 10 units of Lantus.  I was stunned at how low my blood sugar was going, and how fast.  This stuff is transformative for a diabetic.  As I carried my chocolate chip cookies to the bed in case I woke up with low blood sugar (yes, I did have to use them) I was amazed that just that little barley, for just those few days, completely changed my glucose response to carbs.  The highs are gone.  I was not over 148 postprandial yesterday.

I made barley bread yesterday, and this is day one of 3 servings per day of that barley bread, in addition to the Tsampas barley cereal.  So, for the next three days, the menu will include 3 servings of barley bread.  I will have to take less insulin now.  Since the barley is so transformative for blood sugar, please work with your doctor to reduce your diabetic medications as you eat your barley.

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas barley cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1/8^th loaf of barley bread, ½ cup Mom’s Tuna Salad, 1 small apple

DINNER:  ½ Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 1/8^th loaf of barley bread, 3 oz lean hamburger patty, salad

SNACK:  1/8^th loaf barley bread, coffee

Fat 67 gm, Carbs 158 gm, Protein 67 gm, Fiber 24 gm

Minus 40 minutes walking – 216 calories

Net Calories 1218

FAT GRAMS ARE UP AND THERE ARE MORE CALORIES IN CARBS BECAUSE I AM EXERCISING.  IF NO EXERCISE, CONTINUE TO BALANCE PROTEIN AND CARBS WITHIN 10 GM.

REPORT ON BARLEY CEREAL EFFECTS AND 1200 NET CALORIES MENU

Since I have eaten 7 bowls of barley cereal, some notable things have happened.  My post prandial highs have been clipped.  I have consistently come in at less than 180 after eating my main meals, and that has happened in the first week of daily barley cereal.  This is very impressive.

Today, I am making barley bread.  The goal is to eat three servings a day for three days, then to integrate that bread on a daily basis.  Since it takes awhile to actually cook, and my carb tolerance is still low, I think the first three days need the extra emphasis on bread. The clinical trials were done with three servings the first three days.  But I will keep up the barley cereal.  It makes me full all day long, and I hope the bread does the same thing.

My fasting blood sugar was 5 points less than usual this morning.

Here is the menu for the day:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampa barley cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 4 pc Tyson Honey BBQ chicken wings, romaine, raw veggies, 2 dried apricots, 16 Daily Crave Tomato Basil Lentil Chips

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Drink, 1 cup barley and cheese casserole, salad,

more raw veggies

Fat 69 gm, Carbs 144 gm, Protein 66 gm, Fiber 32 gm

Walking for 30 minutes – minus 150 calories

Net Calories 1226

BARLEY BREAD ACTIVELY CONTROLS BLOOD SUGAR AND METABOLIC RATE

A study on middle aged people who ate 3 servings per day of barley bread produced as much as 25% lower fasting blood glucose.

The study was conducted with healthy middle-aged participants who were asked to eat bread largely made out of barley kernels for three days -- at breakfast, lunch and dinner. Approximately 11-14 hours after their final meal of the day participants were examined for risk indicators of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers found that the participants' metabolism improved for up to 14 hours, with additional benefits such as decreases in blood sugar and insulin levels, increases in insulin sensitivity and improved appetite control. The effects arise when the special mixture of dietary fibres in barley kernel reaches the gut, stimulating the increase of good bacteria and the release of important hormones.

"After eating the bread made out of barley kernel, we saw an increase in gut hormones that regulate metabolism and appetite, and an increase in a hormone that helps reduce chronic low-grade inflammation, among the participants. In time this could help prevent The occurrence of both cardiovascular disease and diabetes," says Anne Nilsson.

Thanks to geniuskitchen.com for the following barley bread recipe:

EGYPTIAN BARLEY BREAD

2 ¼ tsp yeast
½ c lukewarm water
2 tbs honey
½ tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
2 tbs shortening
2 cups barley flour

Combine yeast, water, and honey, and let proof 5 minutes.  Add salt, eggs, and shortening.  Stir in flour and blend until dough is workable.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for a couple of minutes.

Place in a large greased bowl, turning to coat.  Cover with a towel and let stand in a warm place for 90 minutes.  The dough will rise slightly but will not double.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead again.  Shape into a round cake about ½” thick. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet.  Cover with a towel and let rest one hour. 

Preheat oven to 425F,  Bake 15 – 20 minutes or until bread is pale brown and sounds hollow when tapped.

Calories in 1/8^th loaf:  190, Fat 5gm, Carbs 32 gm, Protein 5 gm, Fiber 4 gm.

1200 CALORIE DIET WITH BARLEY CEREAL AND EXERCISE

I am noticing the fact that since I started eating the Tsampas barley cereal daily, the 20 units of insulin I take to metabolize 1200 calories is taking my morning fasting blood sugar lower and lower.  That same 20 units I took yesterday on 1200 net calories produced a fasting blood sugar reading of 105 this morning.  It is usually around 150.  So, I will continue to eat the barley cereal every single day.  It has produced results in insulin sensitivity that the 800 calorie diet could not touch, at least in terms of my fasting blood sugar.

Previous Swedish research on barley revealed that the cereal's fiber generates an increase of the gut bacteria Prevotella copri, which directly help to regulate blood sugar levels and give an assist in decreasing unhealthy gut bacteria.

Also, since I am walking for 45 minutes today, I have loosened up on the fat and carb amounts to cover the exercise.

So, here is my 1200 net calories for today:

BREAKFAST:  1/3 cup Tsampas Barley Cereal, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

LUNCH:  1 cup 15-Bean Soup, 1 Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, 1 oz cheddar cheese, 2 dried apricots, raw veggies, 8 Daily Crave Tomato Basil Lentil Chips

DINNER:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Shake, 1 Great Value 3 Meat Mini Pizza, salad, one cup Cugino’s French Onion Soup

Fat 64 gm, Carbs 162 gm, Protein 66 gm, Fiber 37 gm,

Minus 45 minutes walking = 243 calories

Net Calories = 1192

SAMPLE NET 1200 CALORIE DIET WITH EXERCISE

I cannot exercise much because I have lymphedema, a swelling of my arm with exercise.  But, I can walk, and walk I do, 30 minutes daily, whether it is indoors or out.  When I do that, I burn 150 calories, so this 1200 calorie diet includes the reduction by 150 calories.

But here are my 1200 net calories for today:

Breakfast:  ½ Slim-Fast Protein Drink, Tsampas Barley Cereal 1/3 cup, 1/3 cup blueberries, stevia, 2 tbs half and half

Lunch: ½ Slim-Fast Protein Drink,  ½ cup Mom’s Tuna Salad,  Mission Carb Balance Tortilla, romaine, Dole peach cup, 16 chips Daily Crave Tomato Lentil Chips

Dinner:  1 whole Slim-Fast Protein Drink, 4 Louisa Toasted Beef Ravioli, 1 cup butternut squash, salad

Fat 62 gm, Carbs 141 gm, Protein 74 gm, Fiber 32 gm

30 minutes walking exercise – 150 calories for someone my size

Net Calories 1187

BARLEY RECIPES

There are a number of good sites that have barley recipes.  Here is a recipe for barley that has no cheese.  Be sure to balance protein and carbs within 10 grams when you eat barley.  I use a Slim-Fast protein drink (20 gm protein in one bottle) to balance protein, or use ½ bottle for smaller servings of barley.

BARLEY WITH ONIONS AND MUSHROOMS

Cook 2 sliced onions in 2 tablespoons olive oil until caramelized, 20 to 25 minutes. Saute 3/4 pound sliced cremini mushrooms in 2 tablespoons butter. Cook 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking barley in chicken broth as the label directs, then toss with the mushrooms, onions, some dill and salt.

I think I would serve this delicious barley dish with fish, meat, or chicken, as well as the use of the protein drink.

Here is a link that has more barley recipes:

www.wholegrainscouncil.org/barley/recipes

BARLEY CEREAL IS GREAT FOR DIABETES T2

There is a new barley cereal out that is absolutely delicious and actually made a difference in my blood glucose the first and second time I ate it.  It is called Peak Sherpa Himalayan-Style TSAMPA Barley Cereal.  The kind I got is the kind with cherries, almonds and cranberries in it.  I got it from Amazon.

My report is “absolute ecstasy” and lowered post-prandial glucose by about 10 points that I can see right away.  And it works on the long term by changing the gut biome into the favor of the probiotics and prebiotics that reduce glucose.  I will be eating it every morning.

Here is the way I used this cereal.  I like hot cereal, so I just mixed 1/3 cup barley cereal out of the package with 1/3 cup water.  I nuked it in the microwave for 1 minute.  It makes a very thick cereal that I added stevia to for sweetness, 1/3 cup frozen blueberries and 1/3 cup half and half.  It makes a very rich porridge type breakfast that is absolutely delicious.

The payoff is you are not hungry for hours.  The cereal really sticks to your gut and keeps you full.  My post prandial high was definitely down on the first day.  So this is a daily thing for me until I start taking the Barley Grass capsules on Feb 15^th, to lower my fasting blood sugar by 25% over two months.  I can hardly wait to start that test, but in the meantime, I will be adding barley itself to my diet in as many ways as I can.

 Here are the nutritionals for the cereal, blueberries, and half and half:

Fat 13 gm, Carbs 37 gm, Protein 7 gm, Fiber 5 gm, Total Net Carbs 32 gm, Total Calories 264.

BARLEY AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

In the spirit of finding barley recipes and barley food products, here is the first recipe:  "REALLY GOOD FOOD, BEWARE AROMA!"

BARLEY AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

To cook barley:

Bring 1 cup pearled barley and 2 1/2 cups water or broth to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer; cook, covered, until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, 40 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.

I double the amount for the casserole, and freeze what I don't eat.   It works great and this is a family favorite.

Ingredients:

2 cups pearled barley, cooked

2 12 oz cans tomato paste
1 lb extra sharp cheddar cheese 
2 tbs butter
1 chopped onion
3 cloves garlic
parsley to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Cook 2 cups pearled barley in 5 cups water.  Add salt to taste.

Total volume of cooked barley should be about 12 servings of 1 cup.

Chop onion and garlic.  Saute in butter.  Add pepper and salt to taste.  Add to barley, tomato paste, and grated cheese.  Mix all and place in greased casserole dish.  Top with parsley.  Bake at 350F for one hour until crusty cheese bubbles.

 Nutrition is for 1/12 of mixture.  Be sure to add protein in some form to the meal to balance protein and carbs, within 10 gm.

Fat:  13 gm, Carbs 46 gm, Protein 7 gm, Fiber 7 gm, Calories 360

BARLEY AND DIABETES T2

As my research on fasting blood sugar has taken me around the web, I have seen the clinical trials of 1.2 grams barley grass pills daily on fasting blood sugar.  Evidently, it can take fasting blood sugar readings down by 25%.  That would be enough to take my natural fasting blood sugar (no insulin) of 150 down to pre-diabetic levels of 114.  Enough that I can eat, have carbs in the morning, and all that optional stuff.  So, after the end of the Vielight test to see what it can do for my diabetes, I will be adding barley grass, 1.2 grams of the pills from Now Foods daily.  I will be posting to record changes in that fasting blood sugar number.  This will begin Feb. 15th, to give the Vielight its full 3 months to help with insulin resistance, stamina, and blood sugar.

Also, I have learned how barley also takes down glucose responses to meals:  by changing the gut microbes in your body towards the microbes that actually manage glucose.  The little darlings in your gut become more active the more barley you eat.  And they multiply.  And they help control your glucose spikes after meals, not only due to slower emptying of the stomach, but also due to actual substances those microbes put out.  The more barley the better.  So, evidently it is time for me to actively change my gut biome.  I will be adding one barley grass pill in the morning and one in the evening.  I will record my fasting blood sugar from day to day, as well as my new research.  I will also be adding barley recipes and barley food products as I go along.

UPDATE: 800 CAL DIET TO PUT DIABETES T2 INTO REMISSION WITH REAL FOOD

Sorry about the interruption, gentle readers.  A holiday guest arrived and it broke on me suddenly that it is useless to diet during the end of year holidays.  But I am proud to say that I actually weigh 2/10ths of a pound less than I did at the (abrupt) end of the diet.  When I weighed this morning, I weighed 147.2.

How did I do it?  The answer is software and 1200 calories consistently, just like I did the 800 calories consistently.  I just lucked out at guessing my maintenance calories.  I do allow exercise calories in the net 1200 calories daily.

I am now using less than 1/2 the insulin I was taking before the 800 calorie diet.  The loss of 25 pounds in those 73 days took me from a "Overweight" Tanita Scale pronouncement, to an actual "NORMAL".  I weigh less now than I did in high school.

I feel the Vielight 810 has contributed to less insulin resistance as well, although I cannot quantify it.  I do know that my endurance has increased (made it all the way to the top of the 1/4 mile hill going up at about 36 degrees without stopping) and I am sleeping much better.  I will use this from now on, as the help to diabetes can only get better with time.

I am learning about barley grass to reduce fasting blood sugar.  As the diet was not enough to get me off insulin, I will start barley grass capsules.  I will write about what I learn as I learn it.