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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Newly diagnosed
- Thread starter WendyB61
- Start date
- Status
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
As a type two, the problem is carbohydrates, which are sugars and starch.
In the UK the fibre is deducted and shown separately, but in the US it is included so you might see different values for carb content depending on the site.
Protein and fats are fine, and there are quite a few foods which are fairly low carb to eat with them. Salads and stirfries can provide variety and vitamins. I like to have swede with roast meat. I cook it under a grid with a joint or chicken on top, pouring off the juices half way through.
Many people gauge the amount of carbs they can eat by getting a glucose tester and checking levels before and after meals. It makes it simple.
In the UK the fibre is deducted and shown separately, but in the US it is included so you might see different values for carb content depending on the site.
Protein and fats are fine, and there are quite a few foods which are fairly low carb to eat with them. Salads and stirfries can provide variety and vitamins. I like to have swede with roast meat. I cook it under a grid with a joint or chicken on top, pouring off the juices half way through.
Many people gauge the amount of carbs they can eat by getting a glucose tester and checking levels before and after meals. It makes it simple.
Docb
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @WendyB61 and welcome to the forum.
It is all too easy to get upset, worried and confused on getting a diagnosis of T2, after all it is something you don't know very much about and the way it is presented in the media is often alarmist. It is a serious condition but the experience of most members of this forum is that it is possible to manage it very successfully once you understand what is going on and work out a way forward which suits you. That way you can head off the complications that you read about.
I think that the first thing you need to do is to work out where you are at the moment. When you were given your diagnosis it will have been on the basis of the result from a HbA1c test. Do you know what that result was? If you do not, then ring your GP and ask for it. This will tell you where you are on the diabetes scale. When you know where you are, then you can begin work out what you need to do to move back down the scale. Have a look at the main site a search out HbA1c and you will get the picture.
Read around the forum and look at the learning zone and come back here with questions about anything you don't understand. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is considered a silly question on the forum!
It is all too easy to get upset, worried and confused on getting a diagnosis of T2, after all it is something you don't know very much about and the way it is presented in the media is often alarmist. It is a serious condition but the experience of most members of this forum is that it is possible to manage it very successfully once you understand what is going on and work out a way forward which suits you. That way you can head off the complications that you read about.
I think that the first thing you need to do is to work out where you are at the moment. When you were given your diagnosis it will have been on the basis of the result from a HbA1c test. Do you know what that result was? If you do not, then ring your GP and ask for it. This will tell you where you are on the diabetes scale. When you know where you are, then you can begin work out what you need to do to move back down the scale. Have a look at the main site a search out HbA1c and you will get the picture.
Read around the forum and look at the learning zone and come back here with questions about anything you don't understand. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is considered a silly question on the forum!
Hello WENDYB61 - Welcome to the Forum! and to the Club that no one wants to join
You are right to be upset, worried, and concerned, as Diabetes is a serious condition
Unfortunately the Media seem to enjoy spreading pessimistic and sensationalist news, and there will always be people who tell you all the bad stories about going blind, or 'Ooh, me Aunty had to have her foot off', and all the rest of it
And also unfortunately that means you tend not to hear anything favourable, so here is some encouragement, although there is good news and bad news
Diabetes is the inability of the body to process carbohydrates properly
Carbohydrates, starches, and sugars are made up from glucose molecules joined together
They are broken down into glucose in the digestive system, then transported in the bloodstream into our cells for further use
Normally the hormone insulin is produced in the pancreas and transfers the glucose from the blood into the cells
But sometimes the body doesn't produce enough insulin so the glucose cannot get into the cells and accumulates in the blood, and it is this accumulation that causes the problems we call diabetes
The good news is that we can limit the amount of glucose in the blood by reducing the amount of carbohydrates we eat in the first place; but note that this means all types of carbohydrate, including starchy food like bread, cereals, rice, potatoes & pasta as well as the obviously sugary things like cakes, sweets & biscuits
We can also take medication that tweaks the pancreas to make more insulin and to make it more efficient, or if necessary to take in insulin by injection, but reducing carbs is the best thing to do
The bad news is that it can be difficult to adapt to this change, both the new type of diet, wondering what to eat, planning a new diet, and the lack of sweet things
Though as you get used to it the thinking and planning get easier - 'the new normal' as the current saying goes; and your taste changes, so that food you might have enjoyed is now unpleasantly sweet and sickly
Although you should get advice from medical staff, in practice it is up to you to look after yourself and be realistic about your diet, and managing the condition
And again unfortunately there is no holiday from that sort of thing, that's the way you will be from now on, but as you get used to it it becomes easier
If you do that there is no reason why you should suffer from any side effects
Many people take a diagnosis with D as the motivation to stop eating processed and junk food, 'bad' fat, and change to 'good' fat, more veg, all the rest of the healthy things we hear about
Exercise helps as well
Nothing in the body acts in isolation and you may well find that as your D is controlled, so your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level, and overall health and liveliness improve
Start by reading old Threads in the Newcomers, and Food & Carbs Sections, and Living with Diabetes on the Home Page of this website, and see how you go on
Ask any questions you want to, nothing is silly or trivial, we've all been where you are
You are right to be upset, worried, and concerned, as Diabetes is a serious condition
Unfortunately the Media seem to enjoy spreading pessimistic and sensationalist news, and there will always be people who tell you all the bad stories about going blind, or 'Ooh, me Aunty had to have her foot off', and all the rest of it
And also unfortunately that means you tend not to hear anything favourable, so here is some encouragement, although there is good news and bad news
Diabetes is the inability of the body to process carbohydrates properly
Carbohydrates, starches, and sugars are made up from glucose molecules joined together
They are broken down into glucose in the digestive system, then transported in the bloodstream into our cells for further use
Normally the hormone insulin is produced in the pancreas and transfers the glucose from the blood into the cells
But sometimes the body doesn't produce enough insulin so the glucose cannot get into the cells and accumulates in the blood, and it is this accumulation that causes the problems we call diabetes
The good news is that we can limit the amount of glucose in the blood by reducing the amount of carbohydrates we eat in the first place; but note that this means all types of carbohydrate, including starchy food like bread, cereals, rice, potatoes & pasta as well as the obviously sugary things like cakes, sweets & biscuits
We can also take medication that tweaks the pancreas to make more insulin and to make it more efficient, or if necessary to take in insulin by injection, but reducing carbs is the best thing to do
The bad news is that it can be difficult to adapt to this change, both the new type of diet, wondering what to eat, planning a new diet, and the lack of sweet things
Though as you get used to it the thinking and planning get easier - 'the new normal' as the current saying goes; and your taste changes, so that food you might have enjoyed is now unpleasantly sweet and sickly
Although you should get advice from medical staff, in practice it is up to you to look after yourself and be realistic about your diet, and managing the condition
And again unfortunately there is no holiday from that sort of thing, that's the way you will be from now on, but as you get used to it it becomes easier
If you do that there is no reason why you should suffer from any side effects
Many people take a diagnosis with D as the motivation to stop eating processed and junk food, 'bad' fat, and change to 'good' fat, more veg, all the rest of the healthy things we hear about
Exercise helps as well
Nothing in the body acts in isolation and you may well find that as your D is controlled, so your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level, and overall health and liveliness improve
Start by reading old Threads in the Newcomers, and Food & Carbs Sections, and Living with Diabetes on the Home Page of this website, and see how you go on
Ask any questions you want to, nothing is silly or trivial, we've all been where you are
Last edited:
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @WendyB61
Sorry to hear how upset and worried you have been feeling.
But take heart - diabetes is generally a slow-moving foe, and you have time to take stock experiment and plan a workable way forward for you. It might be helpful to read through Maggie Davey’s letter to the newly diagnosed, which takes you through the basics and can help to calm fears about any possible long term future complications.
forum.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.
Good luck and do keep asking questions - nothing will be considered ‘silly’ and we have literally centuries of lived diabetes experience on the forum for you to benefit from. 🙂
Sorry to hear how upset and worried you have been feeling.
But take heart - diabetes is generally a slow-moving foe, and you have time to take stock experiment and plan a workable way forward for you. It might be helpful to read through Maggie Davey’s letter to the newly diagnosed, which takes you through the basics and can help to calm fears about any possible long term future complications.
Maggie Davey's letter to newly-diagnosed Type 2s
This disappeared from the original site, but @Alan S has managed to track it down. Rather than risk losing that link I'm posting the text here. I've had to split it over a few posts, as there is a size limit for each post and it wouldn't all fit in one! :) An open letter to the newly-diagnosed...
forum.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
When it comes to managing your diabetes, it’s best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.
Good luck and do keep asking questions - nothing will be considered ‘silly’ and we have literally centuries of lived diabetes experience on the forum for you to benefit from. 🙂
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @WendyB61 i am glad that you have found us.
Diagnosis is a shock at any time, and there is a lot to get your head round. As @Anitram says your HbA1c is not a long way off the non diabetic range so managing this with changes to your diet, and levels of activity is achievable.
It is any carbohydrates that we eat that get turned into glucose once inside us. The insulin is needed in order to process this and get the glucose to our muscles. With Diabetes we are not able to produce enough insulin to do this, so by reducing the amount of carbs you eat, you may be able to get the balance back.
Many on here find it useful to know how many carbs they are eating at each meal. These will come from the obvious things such as cakes, and biscuits but also from rice, pasta, potatoes, ... When you know how many carbs you are eating now you can then make changes by swapping to lower carb options and/or reducing portion sizes to lower the glucose levels.
Come back with any questions that you have. There is plenty of experience to tap into on here.
Diagnosis is a shock at any time, and there is a lot to get your head round. As @Anitram says your HbA1c is not a long way off the non diabetic range so managing this with changes to your diet, and levels of activity is achievable.
It is any carbohydrates that we eat that get turned into glucose once inside us. The insulin is needed in order to process this and get the glucose to our muscles. With Diabetes we are not able to produce enough insulin to do this, so by reducing the amount of carbs you eat, you may be able to get the balance back.
Many on here find it useful to know how many carbs they are eating at each meal. These will come from the obvious things such as cakes, and biscuits but also from rice, pasta, potatoes, ... When you know how many carbs you are eating now you can then make changes by swapping to lower carb options and/or reducing portion sizes to lower the glucose levels.
Come back with any questions that you have. There is plenty of experience to tap into on here.
Pine Marten
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @WendyB61, welcome from me too.
Good advice already given. I'll just say that if you are interested in cooking at all there are bags of recipes on here (and no end of books around!) which will give you ideas for tasty, low carb and healthy meals, which will help you get back to normal numbers. I'm not much of a cook at all, and even I found it quite fascinating to seek out tasty recipes 😱
As others have said, you're not far off the threshold so with a few tweaks you should soon see an improvement 🙂
Good advice already given. I'll just say that if you are interested in cooking at all there are bags of recipes on here (and no end of books around!) which will give you ideas for tasty, low carb and healthy meals, which will help you get back to normal numbers. I'm not much of a cook at all, and even I found it quite fascinating to seek out tasty recipes 😱
As others have said, you're not far off the threshold so with a few tweaks you should soon see an improvement 🙂
Thank you for your advice My level 53 was what the doctor said
Thank you, how many grams of carbs in a day would be recommended?
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
As @Drummer says there is no correct answer to this.
Your pancreas (with or without meds where necessary) will be able to cope with making enough insulin for a certain amount of carbs. The answer is to find out how much you can manage. Many people do this by testing both before and after meals. Then it is possible to make swaps and /or reduce portion sizes to get these in balance for you.
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Type twos don't usually get a meter from their GP, there are several fairly cheap ones.
I got a Tee 2 meter from Spirit Healthcare by going to their website and setting up an account, but I am told that if you phone them and put in an order for several pots of test strips you can get the test meter kit free.
I got a Tee 2 meter from Spirit Healthcare by going to their website and setting up an account, but I am told that if you phone them and put in an order for several pots of test strips you can get the test meter kit free.
My GP loaned me one for initial testing and ordered me some strips and lancets. They told me to test twice a day - this was before I read up on this forum. Then I realised I was paying more for their strips on prescription than if I bought my own. Et voila - I now own a Gluco Navii.
goodybags
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
hi @WendyB61
welcome to the forum.hope your starting to make sense of knowing a little bit more about how to control your condition,with a diet of less obvious sugary food and watching the carbohydrates
(never got into actualy carb counting some people do)
you probably won’t get a monitor for free from the surgery (unless they put you on certain medication
but hey why not ask the question, especially if you drive, operate any kind of machinery etc.. for your work etc...
I’ve a friend who drives a fork lift and initially on finding out he was T2 he was told he would have to buy his own, then upon speaking with the Diabetic Nurse, explaining his job (shifts) they agreed to give him one and he got the testing strips on repeat prescription,
blood sugar monitors themselves can be quite cheep
its the testing strips that can be expensive
(a bit like when you are shopping for a printer)
goodybags
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
@EllsBells
are you sure you shoul still be paying for prescriptions now ?
As soon as I was diagnosed as Diabetic my surgery got me a medical exemption certificate so I’ve not paid for prescriptions since.
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