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New to this :(

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MillersPete

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Type 2
Hii all I hope all is very well , so last week I had results that I had type 2 diabetes and currently started out of metformin as my sugar levels was dangerously high along with a few other things wrong with me, Its getting things sorted in my head as to like what can i eat , do i need to complete change my diet etc , it came as a very big shock as despite me having alot of joint problems i am active and about the right weight for my age and height.

I am still waiting on my referral for the diabetes care team as it was only friday just gone the doctor told me.

The down side is im allergic to chicken , and i cant eat fish or soup so i feel im very restricted and all in all just very confused in what i can and cant do for example the occasional alchoholic drink am i allowed or not and if so then what exactly ? i know spirits are out of the equation but that doesnt bother me at all as i dont bother with them. Any help and guidance much appreciated :D


Any
 
Welcome @MillersPete 🙂 Sorry you’ve had to join us, but rested assured you’re not alone and you’ll get lots of advice and support here.

Do you know what your HbA1C result was? That will be the test that diagnosed you. Also, you say your weight is normal. Did you have any symptoms before diagnosis? Do you have Type 2 in your family? I ask those questions just to probe a bit as to whether Type 1 has been ruled out due to your “dangerously high” result and your normal weight.
 
Hi there 🙂 I am not too sure , nope no type 2 in the family to my knowledge, I am away for some more tests today also my doctor wasnt too good at explaining the actual results or showed me but im been tested for others things etc today also
 
When you have your tests today, do ask what exactly they’re testing. Ask the result of your HbA1C too. Take pen and paper with you.

Antibodies tests and C Peptide can help determine your diabetes type. Dont be afraid to ask questions or ask explanations to be repeated. Diabetes is a condition where we have to ‘become our own expert’ and it’s really helpful to know what’s going on - tests, results, names of things, etc etc.

Good luck with your tests today 🙂
 
Hi MillersPete, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I appreciate it's a bit of a shock at first.

I echo what Inka says about taking notes. Also have questions to ask with you too, things like:
  • What tests are you running?
  • Are you sure I'm type 2 diabetic, and not a different type?
  • When can I expect my test results back?
  • What was my HbA1c? (this is the long term measure of how much glucose is in your blood)
  • Can I get a referral to a dietitian once the type is confirmed?
  • are there any diabetes courses that I can attend?
  • What other referrals will I need? (expect: eye screening at the hospital, foot checks at your GP and diabetes reviews, plus any others for other health conditions)
  • and any other questions you have.
I struggle to remember what I wanted to ask the doctor each time I go, having the questions with me means I remember to ask them.
Hope it goes ok today.
Sarah
 
Spirits (vodka etc) are the ones that are going to effect your BG less (if mixed with a sugar free mixer of course) so I'm not too sure why you think those are put of the equation, what alcoholic drinks do you usually go for? xx
 
Hi all, I was diagnosed this time last week, which is another shock on top of many. Carer to mum for a while (whilst working - I was put on antidepressants) before she went into a care home. A year alter the pandemic struck and we were forced to closed and lost all our savings and now in big debt (we run a small business); my mum died (stuck in a care home so we couldn't see her), a colleague committed suicide and a few weeks ago my brother was diagnosed with incurable cancer (he is one of our 'team' in a small business, so a double blow). I guess this is why I had not been looking after myself! I have been researching the last week and I agree with previous comments, that you have to navigate this yourself. I have learnt that losing weight is the first thing to do (even if you are skinny you can be a 'toffee' - i.e. slim but with lots of visceral fat) and to change you diet to a low carb diet. Go as low as you can! I am a vegetarian - potatoes, pasta and rice were a big part of my diet - so very tough! Try an app (I use MyFitnessPal as it is free) which will count everything for you. At the moment, I feel hungry all the time. The first day I made the mistake of eating a banana, which I though was healthy, would fill me up and be low calories - so shocked to find if 31 carbs. It is a steep learning curve on the second week of my new journey.
 
TudorGirl said:
Hi all, I was diagnosed this time last week, which is another shock on top of many. Carer to mum for a while (whilst working - I was put on antidepressants) before she went into a care home. A year alter the pandemic struck and we were forced to closed and lost all our savings and now in big debt (we run a small business); my mum died (stuck in a care home so we couldn't see her), a colleague committed suicide and a few weeks ago my brother was diagnosed with incurable cancer (he is one of our 'team' in a small business, so a double blow). I guess this is why I had not been looking after myself! I have been researching the last week and I agree with previous comments, that you have to navigate this yourself. I have learnt that losing weight is the first thing to do (even if you are skinny you can be a 'toffee' - i.e. slim but with lots of visceral fat) and to change you diet to a low carb diet. Go as low as you can! I am a vegetarian - potatoes, pasta and rice were a big part of my diet - so very tough! Try an app (I use MyFitnessPal as it is free) which will count everything for you. At the moment, I feel hungry all the time. The first day I made the mistake of eating a banana, which I though was healthy, would fill me up and be low calories - so shocked to find if 31 carbs. It is a steep learning curve on the second week of my new journey.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear of all your troubles, it certainly impacts on wellbeing.
You can still eat low carb even if veggie, it might just need a bit more planning.
Butternut squash, celeriac, cauliflower make good potato substitutes and edamame or black bean pasta is also low carb, many people use cauliflower rice. Increasing healthy fats will help you not to feel hungry. There are some good suggestions for adventurous salads in the food forum as well as other veggie recipes.
A Google search for low carb or keto veggie recipes will give you lots of ideas.
Berries are the lowest carb fruits, which some people have with full fat Greek yoghurt with a small portion 15g of a low sugar cereal like All Bran or granola as a topping for breakfast.
 
@TudorGirl Sorry to hear about the problems you've had, it must be a horrible pressure on you. I hope you're ok.

Sugarfreelondoner has a website with loads of good recipes on, if you're looking for lower carb. I'm also a vegetarian, and loved potatoes etc. I've been making soups, stir fry (with either quorn or smoked tofu, but no rice/noodles), tray baked vegetables with curry paste on, omelettes, curry (chickpea, aubergine, other veggies, small quantity of paneer cheese) and cauliflower "rice". Pan fried halloumi cheese with salad and mint yogurt as a dip, natural yogurt with blueberries and raspberries, a small portion of nuts (walnuts are the best!). I also do mediterrainean veg, baked in the oven, with halloumi and mint yogurt, wrapped in a lettuace leaf.
The meals do get easier - if you bulk cook a few days worth of soup and freeze the portions, it saves a bit of time, same with curries.
Best wishes, Sarah
 
And @Windy you're not a 'Toffee' ! You may however well be 'TOFI' - thin outside, fat inside!
 
@MillersPete It's only the alcohol which has carbohydrates (sugars or starches) still in it after fermentation which need to be avoided (along with those that have added sugar. So that means that dry white wine is OK as are most red wines and a few beers as well as all spirits provided you use a low calorie mixer.
I think you are confusing the calories in alcohol (high) with the carbohydrates - which can vary enormously.
 
If you are vege you can eat Konjak pasta or rice from amazon or health food shops instead of real pasta. It's made of fibre from plants and is 18 calories a portion so it's real life saver for the pasta and rice lovers. Cauli rice is great too.
I have changed my diet to be low carb and low cal till i lose 15kg. I feel much better. Hope you are ok.
 
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