I do have to watch sugar a little but I don't focus on it too much because I am not diabetic. Should I still be watching it due to NP?

I'm trying GF. Living off GF rice. Hopefully I don't get allergic to it.

Speaking of food, I read that "Nerve cells consume large amounts of glucose." So does mean failing to eat when you're hungry risks further nerve damage if you already have PN and/or temporary aggravation? They can't work properly/at all if you don't 'feed' them?

My nerves don't seem to work so well when I'm tired and hungry. I used to think it was an adrenal gland issue; now it sounds more like ATP&/glucose.

All of our cells run off glucose.

Everything we eat ... the brain...with trillions of nerve cells,
runs off glucose.

Protein is converted to glucose. All carbs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluconeogenesis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatty_acid_metabolism

Hopeful, cant drink beer as alcohol caused the PN but before PN I drank apple cider (alcoholic ), it doesn't contain gluten. Making a weeks worth is no problem but it so quick to make I dont bother.
keep in mind that its basically white rice and high in carbs so its just a once a week treat for me.

It is important to keep refined sugar very low and keep the blood sugar even, not high or low for nerve health. I have never had blood sugar problems. I have had numerous fasting glucose and the better test, A1c taken. All is fine. But my doctor told me to watch sugar and carbs carefully as well as the other things needed for nerve health like exercise and my supplements.

Sally what is to much sugar? for example I eat a LOT of fruit because it sold on every street corner here in Thailand eg mangos, watermelon etc. I eat it as a substitute for breaky and lunch
I know some people avoid sugar/fructose altogether

I have never been a believer in completely iliminating anything from my diet. I am taking gluten due to health issues only. I feel that if I completely give up any thing that I really crave (unless due to illness) I am doomed to fail. I really believe in a healthy diet and craving can be added in moderation.
Don I love sweet potatoes. I just add a little smart balance after baking. I could probably eat them plain if I needed to.

I have only stopped things like candy, cola and ALL Corn Fructose. (that is hard since it is in so much stuff you buy) I just don't eat the things I do not need and the body has to get rid of. I eat lots of great fruit, especially in my daily smoothie! I am not diabetic. If someone is, they have to choose fruit carefully.

Fruit is full of antioxidents and fiber. I eat wonderful foods. Hubby and I love to go out to eat and cook. I just stopped the junk. This all pays off with faster healing. That is what I am interested in. :)

I stopped Gluten a year and a half ago. I eat normal food, but not the stuff that is really bad for the nerves.

My GF is gluten- and lactose-intolerant. We do a fair amount of experimenting with recipes.

It's easy to make pancake or waffle flour from rice flour, tapioca flour, etc, and MUCH cheaper than buying it. Here's a list of various possible combinations of flours, copied from http://www.ellenskitchen.com/faqs/glutfree.html:

2 cups rice flour, 2/3 cup potato flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour.
2 cups white rice flour, 2/3 cup potato starch flour, 1/3 cup tapioca flour and a teaspoon of xanthan gum.
1/2 soya flour and 1/2 cornstarch.
1/2 soya flour and 1/2 potato flour.
1/2 soya flour and 1/2 rice flour.
1/2 soya flour, 1/4 potato flour, 1/4 rice flour.

Note that all these are substitutes for refined white flour! I would use brown rice flour instead, and maybe some buckwheat meal and/or whole-grain quinoa flour.

That said, I've never made a palatable gluten-free biscuit from a home-made flour mixture! They're all dry as gypsum board. But I'm not much of a cook, either.

There are some good gluten-free bread mixes for bread machines, and yes they ARE crumblier than wheat breads.

Fruit and sugar: yeah, some fruits contain more sugar in proportion to nutrients than vegetables. But they're not like candy bars or donuts, and IMHO they can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. I don't go with the theorists who think humans are fundamentally fructivores, though.

Eating better
 

If you can take advice from a very wise puppet, check this out http://youtu.be/X0CQsIAbq-Q

I've actually been eating this way since I was told I was pre diabetic. (I am no longer) Someone gave me a half moon cookie today, my favorite and I had to eat it. However I have pretty much stayed away from sugar and processed foods, but you have to get them out of your house. Certain vegetables add enough sweetness to a diet. I often eat carob chips with a teaspoon of almond butter. (They are sweetened by nature). A sprinkle of stevia on my salads. I was using agave but have heard it isn't that good for you either.

All that white stuff turns to sugar. Cravings come and go and I won't beat my self up if I cheat, but as your body gets used to a better diet when you cheat you feel sick. So just cheat a little.