Carbohydrates how many - til I get more help.

[Jenny105]

Hi I saw the nurse yesterday but didnt get much advise on Food (carbs) except 3 new potatoes. and its ok to enjoy my birthday tea.Friday
Nurse wants me to join myDesmond for advice. I tried online but it looks as if a referral is needed.

So my result was 98 . Im on Metformin but they think Im LADA type 1.5 and might need insulin in a few weeks
Til I get Desmond sorted what would be a safe ish weight of carbs a day.?? I'll understand if that's an impossible query but Im looking at food thinking i wont eat thAT OR THAT . As Ive lost a stone in 2 m prior to test its maybe not a good idea to not eat

 

[Poppypat]

Hi I saw the nurse yesterday but didnt get much advise on Food (carbs) except 3 new potatoes. and its ok to enjoy my birthday tea.Friday
Nurse wants me to join myDesmond for advice. I tried online but it looks as if a referral is needed.

So my result was 98 . Im on Metformin but they think Im LADA type 1.5 and might need insulin in a few weeks
Til I get Desmond sorted what would be a safe ish weight of carbs a day.?? I'll understand if that's an impossible query but Im looking at food thinking i wont eat thAT OR THAT . As Ive lost a stone in 2 m prior to test its maybe not a good idea to not eat

I bought a little book that was recommended in a book about managing diabetes and found it really helpful https://www.amazon.co.uk/GI-succeed...keywords=collins+gem+gi&qid=1629387424&sr=8-1. Until I learn more this is helping.

 

[Drummer]

Hi I saw the nurse yesterday but didnt get much advise on Food (carbs) except 3 new potatoes. and its ok to enjoy my birthday tea.Friday
Nurse wants me to join myDesmond for advice. I tried online but it looks as if a referral is needed.

So my result was 98 . Im on Metformin but they think Im LADA type 1.5 and might need insulin in a few weeks
Til I get Desmond sorted what would be a safe ish weight of carbs a day.?? I'll understand if that's an impossible query but Im looking at food thinking i wont eat thAT OR THAT . As Ive lost a stone in 2 m prior to test its maybe not a good idea to not eat

For almost all diabetics protein and fat are fairly free foods - particularly at first, because they are essential for life and health.
For a type two the obvious target is lower sugar options - choosing berries rather than bananas and oranges, chocolate high in cocoa rather than sugar.
Making swaps such as chopped cauliflower rather than rice in curries and swede rather than potatoes can make a dessert more guilt free.
It is best to just ease back slowly if you have a High Hba1c so it is not such a shock to the system, but even though yours is fairly high, you could be back in the normal range inside a year.

 

[rebrascora]

Eggs are a good choice because they are just protein and fat with no carbs and they are so good for you and they are versatile. I really like them as omelettes because you can fill them with all sorts of things (cheese, ham, mushrooms, onions, peppers, prawns etc) I tend to serve them with a salad and a big dollop of full fat (not reduced fat) coleslaw.... usually cheese coleslaw or full fat mayonnaise. There are very few carbs in that meal maybe 10-15g if you have a few cherry tomatoes in your salad. Obviously if you add bread or potatoes then you will significantly increase the carbs but a 2 or 3 egg omelette with salad is pretty filling without the need for bread. Any meat, quality high meat content sausages or burgers with green veg like cabbage or green beans and cauliflower cheese or mashed cauliflower (which is surprisingly nice and easier to cook and mash than potatoes) works really well. I like a big plate of cabbage with bacon and mushrooms and maybe a fried egg... Savoy cabbage is my favourite with bacon or gammon. Don't be afraid to add a knob of butter to the cabbage especially if you have lost weight and need to put some back on. Stir frys are good too.

 

[Drummer]

Watch out for cherry tomatoes, they are being bred to have more and more sugar and seem to have reached a point where they could be used for treating hypos.
A large salad tomato is a better choice for a low carb option.

 

[Jenny105]

For almost all diabetics protein and fat are fairly free foods - particularly at first, because they are essential for life and health.
For a type two the obvious target is lower sugar options - choosing berries rather than bananas and oranges, chocolate high in cocoa rather than sugar.
Making swaps such as chopped cauliflower rather than rice in curries and swede rather than potatoes can make a dessert more guilt free.
It is best to just ease back slowly if you have a High Hba1c so it is not such a shock to the system, but even though yours is fairly high, you could be back in the normal range inside a year.

Thanks for the encouragement.🙂
I did weight watchers years ago so in one way I'm used to checking foods. Diabetes seems more complex . But I like a challenge once I know the basics.

 

[Inka]

See, if you’re actually a Type 1 and you reduce carbs too much, you run the risk of them thinking you’re not Type 1. This is exactly what happened to a friend. This then caused issues and delays and meant he went on too long without insulin to the detriment of his health. So it’s a fine balance.

Are they doing further tests or referring you to a specialist? Apologies if you’ve mentioned this elsewhere.

 

[Drummer]

Thanks for the encouragement.🙂
I did weight watchers years ago so in one way I'm used to checking foods. Diabetes seems more complex . But I like a challenge once I know the basics.

Really - it is very simple.
I ate out at a folk festival and was able to order meat and three veges, no Yorkshire puddings, no potatoes, and the chef advised no gravy as he knew what was in it. Perfectly good meal and almost half price as well.
I buy ready made salads and vege mixes, it is cheaper in the long run as with frozen nothing is wasted and I can eat the packs of salad things whilst they are still fresh.

 

[Jenny105]

Eggs are a good choice because they are just protein and fat with no carbs and they are so good for you and they are versatile. I really like them as omelettes because you can fill them with all sorts of things (cheese, ham, mushrooms, onions, peppers, prawns etc) I tend to serve them with a salad and a big dollop of full fat (not reduced fat) coleslaw.... usually cheese coleslaw or full fat mayonnaise. There are very few carbs in that meal maybe 10-15g if you have a few cherry tomatoes in your salad. Obviously if you add bread or potatoes then you will significantly increase the carbs but a 2 or 3 egg omelette with salad is pretty filling without the need for bread. Any meat, quality high meat content sausages or burgers with green veg like cabbage or green beans and cauliflower cheese or mashed cauliflower (which is surprisingly nice and easier to cook and mash than potatoes) works really well. I like a big plate of cabbage with bacon and mushrooms and maybe a fried egg... Savoy cabbage is my favourite with bacon or gammon. Don't be afraid to add a knob of butter to the cabbage especially if you have lost weight and need to put some back on. Stir frys are good too.

I'll make a notebook of all these ideas. We eat midday, so tea time is salad time .

I bought a little book that was recommended in a book about managing diabetes and found it really helpful https://www.amazon.co.uk/GI-succeed...keywords=collins+gem+gi&qid=1629387424&sr=8-1. Until I learn more this is helping.

Brill.

Really - it is very simple.
I ate out at a folk festival and was able to order meat and three veges, no Yorkshire puddings, no potatoes, and the chef advised no gravy as he knew what was in it. Perfectly good meal and almost half price as well.
I buy ready made salads and vege mixes, it is cheaper in the long run as with frozen nothing is wasted and I can eat the packs of salad things whilst they are still fresh.

We eat midday so teatime is salad - lettuce , cucumber, beetroot, radishes, celery , tomato . Usually a mix of 3. Ive also got a small tub of cottage cheese, sardine and tomato paste . Im not sure about this - 1 slice of granary and a rice cake. Or 2 smaller slices of sourdough whole meal . Yesterday I added in a half pot hartley jelly 0.25, 3 strawbs and poured over a tablespoon of alpro no sugar yoghurt. Am i anywhere near target?

 

[Jenny105]

See, if you’re actually a Type 1 and you reduce carbs too much, you run the risk of them thinking you’re not Type 1. This is exactly what happened to a friend. This then caused issues and delays and meant he went on too long without insulin to the detriment of his health. So it’s a fine balance.

Are they doing further tests or referring you to a specialist? Apologies if you’ve mentioned this elsewhere.

Im being reviewed in 2 weeks to see if I'm Type 1.5 and need a mix of Metformin and insulin . Maybe thats why the nurse didnt give too much food advice. ??

 

[Jenny105]

Watch out for cherry tomatoes, they are being bred to have more and more sugar and seem to have reached a point where they could be used for treating hypos.
A large salad tomato is a better choice for a low carb option.

Guess what I bought cherry toms thinking 3 would be ok. And if i felt peckish one would be fine - ''yer never know do yer''

 

[Drummer]

I'll make a notebook of all these ideas. We eat midday, so tea time is salad time .

Brill.

We eat midday so teatime is salad - lettuce , cucumber, beetroot, radishes, celery , tomato . Usually a mix of 3. Ive also got a small tub of cottage cheese, sardine and tomato paste . Im not sure about this - 1 slice of granary and a rice cake. Or 2 smaller slices of sourdough whole meal . Yesterday I added in a half pot hartley jelly 0.25, 3 strawbs and poured over a tablespoon of alpro no sugar yoghurt. Am i anywhere near target?

As long as you are not choosing low fat options.
I would not eat the cake or bread, but I need to stay under 40 gm of carbs a day to get a normal reading for Hba1c.
I make huge jellies with gelatine, flavoured with sugar free squash or food flavours or both, and drop in a bag of frozen berries to set it almost instantly. I eat it with double cream or full fat Greek yoghurt and do not need to stint anything - it does take several days to get through it.
My salads are also huge, and I eat them with eggs and cheese or tuna or salmon, or what cold cooked meat I have in the fridge.

 

[rebrascora]

I still buy cherry tomatoes but I only eat 2 or 3 at a time and quarter them, so that the carbs are distributed throughout my meal. They count as a fruit portion. I would not think there is any more sugar in a cherry tomato than a large juicy strawberry and we recommend people choose strawberries and other berries over other fruits. Portion control is key.

 

[Drummer]

Guess what I bought cherry toms thinking 3 would be ok. And if i felt peckish one would be fine - ''yer never know do yer''

There was mention of them being reclassified as they fall outside the normal nutritional range of ordinary tomatoes.
You would get all the benefits of a 'fruit' - botanically tomatoes are fruits, like courgettes and cucumbers etc., but the salad toms are much lower in sugar and carbs in general.

 

[Inka]

Im being reviewed in 2 weeks to see if I'm Type 1.5 and need a mix of Metformin and insulin . Maybe thats why the nurse didnt give too much food advice. ??

Yes, it probably is @Jenny105 There’s absolutely no need for you to avoid cherry tomatoes or whatever or undertake an extreme diet. Some of the advice here is acting like you’re Type 2 when you’ve been told you could well be Type 1.

That’s not appropriate at all. Type 1s can eat a relatively normal diet.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi I saw the nurse yesterday but didnt get much advise on Food (carbs) except 3 new potatoes. and its ok to enjoy my birthday tea.Friday
Nurse wants me to join myDesmond for advice. I tried online but it looks as if a referral is needed.

So my result was 98 . Im on Metformin but they think Im LADA type 1.5 and might need insulin in a few weeks
Til I get Desmond sorted what would be a safe ish weight of carbs a day.?? I'll understand if that's an impossible query but Im looking at food thinking i wont eat thAT OR THAT . As Ive lost a stone in 2 m prior to test its maybe not a good idea to not eat

Re MyDESMOND
How people access the MyDesmond programme will depend on a number of factors; firstly whether MyDesmond has been commissioned where they live- MyDesmond is available under licence and some commissioners will choose to offer different products, MyDesmond is one of a number of diabetes online programmes. Secondly, if it has been commissioned it will depend on how the programme has been commissioned in their area. In some parts of the country access is via a GP or health professional referral. In other areas self referral is an option. Each locality makes their own arrangements for the referral process and this is not decided by MyDesmond. Individuals can find out if DESMOND/MyDesmond is available in their area and how to access the service by checking our map for details of their nearest provider at desmond.nhs.uk/find-your-nerest-centre.
So yes I think you will need a referral from your GP and then they would send you an access code. I don't know if they are back doing face to face or still on line where you access training sessions in your own time.

Seeing you are possibly Type 1 or 1.5 do check that the MyDesmond would be suitable as it is aimed at Type 2 or prediabetics. Though some of the dietary advise is somewhat out of date as they still push carbs and lowfat.

 

[Jenny105]

Yes, it probably is @Jenny105 There’s absolutely no need for you to avoid cherry tomatoes or whatever or undertake an extreme diet. Some of the advice here is acting like you’re Type 2 when you’ve been told you could well be Type 1.

That’s not appropriate at all. Type 1s can eat a relatively normal diet.

Well its 1.5 they think. They are Trying Metformin first to see how I go with that.
Thank you I did wonder about some of the advice. When i asked about potatoes the reply was size of 3 new pots. Whether thats what everyone should go for in the outside world, Or what i should Im not sure but not worried. I have a machine now and when i can squeeze enough blood out it says 15.4 down on yesterday 18. (different time of day tho). Nurse wants it into single figures. Does that indicate less carbs but how many less ? Thanks

 

[Inka]

The 3 potatoes thing sounds reasonable @Jenny105 You could apply that idea to your other meals eg if you normally have 6 new potatoes and the nurse suggested you have 3, then that’s half what you’d normally have. So, if you’re having rice, for example, you could eat half the portion you normally do and have extra veg and protein.

I’d write down what you’re having, along with your blood sugar results as this would be useful information for your nurse.

Just a note - it’s best not to bring your blood sugar down too fast as that can occasionally cause problems. So, while you target might be to be in single figures, that might be something you achieve gradually over a period of weeks. Writing down your food, or even some of your meals, should be informative - for you as well as your nurse.

 

[Inka]

@Jenny105 There are a selection of Meal Plans here:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans

You don’t have to follow one strictly, but it will give you an idea of various meals. The meals are also carb-counted, which is really useful.

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome
If you are pricking, it should be immediately before you eat AND 2 hours after the first bite. You are looking for a rise of less than 3mmol over that 2 hours. And yes, you should be in single figures - I'm sure someone will know the optimal range, but I think it's something like 5 - 8. As your current readings are quite high it would be sensible not to cut the carbs too drastically at first, as that can cause problems with small blood vessels and give sight issues.

I was advised to aim for a daily carb allowance and experimented between 50gm - 130gm, settling on 90gm which suited my body best. Some people like Drummer are very sensitive to carbs so need to be lower. Also by measuring before and after, you can work out what spikes your glucose. I keep a daily diary on an app, which also shows me the carb content of every item I eat, and keeps a running total by meal, day and week. (I use NutraCheck but there are others, like MyFitBit).

My DSN told me 2 new potatoes is a serving (assuming it does not spike your glucose level), and that a fruit portion is 80gm (no more than 2 fruit a day). I now eat lots of green vegetables like spinach, cabbage, spring greens, broccoli, Brussels, runner beans, but cannot stomach kale. I also have a lot of cauliflower, peppers, celery, courgettes, lettuce, cucumber, swede, squash. I am more cautious with root vegetables like carrots and beetroot. I make my own soups from vegetables and stock, without thickeners (no flour, potato, pasta), and puree to thicken.

But if you do turn out to be Type 1.5, on insulin, I understand your diet will be much easier. I hope you push for an early follow up with your DSN, because if you are Type 1.5 it's best to get the appropriate medicine as soon as possible. Best wishes