Ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist who's also a CDE (certified diabetes educator)

>A1c blood test result at diagnosis? I believe it was 6.4, the doctor said it was just a little above where he wnated it to be.<

6.4 reflects an previous three month glucose average of about 150. Some docs would be very happy with that result, some really want you below 6.0. I've even heard of some doctors who don't say much even to their patients who are walking around with a 7.5 or so. But anyhoo, the 6.4 certainly shows that you have blood sugar regulation issues (ie, diabetes). With weight loss (if you need it), an increase in exercise, a strict staying-away- from refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup and too much starchy food, and a bit of time (another 3-4 months at least), you will probably find yourself at a much lower level.

>He said my numbers are good, I haven't gotten over 200BS.<

A good range to aim for (remember, this takes time, so be patient and don't let yourself get waylaid by discouragement) is 60-99 fasting (nothing to eat for at least 8 hours), around 100-120 before meals and a rise 2-hours post-meal of no more than 20-40 points. These are very general numbers, but they give you some idea of what's considered desirable for diabetics. Some people who are in really good control will have numbers that are indistinguishable from those of a non-diabetic; this is considered ideal, the place where you don't have to worry about longterm diabetic complications.

>I guess I can consider myself lucky that I caught this before my numbers were too high.<

Definitely. One of the common dangers of type 2 diabetes is that it often goes on for literally years, undiagnosed and causing havoc with the small blood vessels and nerve tissue, while the person chalks up their symptoms to just working too much, or being too fat and out of shape to feel good, or not getting enough sleep, etc.

>I have trouble trying to figure out what to eat Healthy food is not cheap.<

Soda, beer, chips, high-fat deli food, commerical baked goods, candy, and fast food aren't exactly inexpensive either.

>and when you've got to watch your carbs. it gets hard to figure out what to feed everyone. I know it's not good, but I tend to not eat.<

And when you don't eat, you'll get hungry, naturally, and you'll start picking at the leftovers on the others' plates when you clear the table, stopping by McDonald's on the way home from work, absolutely famished, sitting in the car and eating a Big Mac (after all, they're on special this week.... just $3 for two of them, so let's eat two) washed down with Coke, or getting up at 1AM to eat whatever there is because you're *starving*. Keep track of it-- write down whatever you put in your mouth (yes, even that half cup of mac and cheese the kids didn't finish that you scraped off their plates and stuffed in your mouth), and you'll see what I mean. If you cook, it's a lot easier to make good, nourishing meals from scratch. Plan some meat, cheese, egg or fish (yes, even tuna counts!) dish, add two kinds of veggies (the kids might like their carrots and broccoli raw better, dipped in a bit of salad dressing), put a loaf of whole grain bread and a stick of real butter on the table for them to fill up with, and tah dah, you have a healthy meal. Dessert can be fruit, cut up in a bowl, and you can give them Cool Whip to put on top of theirs, or give the kids a spray can of Redi Whip to have fun with. You can eat what they eat, and vice versa, as long as you're careful with portion sizes and do your level best to stay away from refined sugar and HFCS (high fructose corn syrup-- read labels!)

>I am calling to find out when a diabetes class starts around here, I'm hoping that it will be helpful.<

You can ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist who's also a CDE (certified diabetes educator). One or two visits with someone like that will give you a real good idea what YOU can eat as an individual. Good luck, and please let us know how you're doing.