Newbie type2

[SarahJ40]

hi there i have been lurking for a couple of weeks but wanted to drop by and say Hi. I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago after a health check at work showed my blood sugar was 15 after fasting! so a full blood test later my Hba1c is currently 81, I was devastated, as I feel I have done this to myself as I am over weight and have been really unhealthy and unfit and there is a history or type 1 and type 2 in my family.
After my initial upset I have vowed to do everything i can to get myself in remission ( if possible i know it isn't always) but i am struggling with what I should and shouldn't eat? the nurse told me to cut out added sugar which I have and I have started to loose weight with Calorie counting ( using a TDEE calculator to work out my BMR) but i still struggling in understanding Carbs and if I can or can't have them and which ones are best.

Can any one offer me any guidance? thanks 🙂

 

[Inka]

Welcome @SarahJ40 🙂 A good starting place is your pre-diagnosis diet. Look at that and then see places where you can improve it. This will probably mean cutting sugar, reducing carbs and adding more green veg. You can reduce carbs by cutting portions and/or making substitutions.

Anything under 130g carbs a day counts as low carb. Some Type 2s can eat more, some less. It’s an individual thing. Your best tool would be a blood glucose meter as you’ll then be able to see the effects foods have on you and this will help you make informed choices.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi Sarah, welcome to the forum, yes, I lurked for a while but then plucked up the courage to join in and found such supportive, knowledgeable and friendly group.
Your HbA1C is quite high so you probably have been prescribed metformin which is usually the first thing they will try but the more important thing is going to be reviewing your diet to reduce the carbohydrates as it is ALL carbohydrates that convert to glucose not just sugar or things with sugar in.
The foods to cut out or reduce your portion size of are things like potatoes, pasta, rice, cereals, bread, pastry, tropical fruits as well as the obvious cakes and biscuits and sugary drinks and snacks like crisps.
Foods that are regarded as 'healthy' for non diabetic are not so for people with Type 2 diabetes.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, diary, vegetables, salads, fruits like berries with small portions of the high carb foods will still give you filling tasty meals. Finding low carb substitutes for the traditional 'fillers' will allow you to modify some of your recipes to make them low carb.
Counting calories complicates matters when it is really carbohydrates which are the issue not protein or healthy fats.
Keeping a food diary noting everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the TOTAL carbs will give you an idea of where you need to make savings.
Many people have success with a low carbohydrate regime, that is regarded as being less than 130g per day but many people do go lower than that.
It is very individual what people can tolerate.

 

[Felinia]

Hi and welcome
The carbs to avoid or reduce are bread, potato, rice, pasta, cereals, some fruits (tropical for example), the obvious cake, sweets, biscuits, pastries, below ground vegetables (ie parsnips). You also need to test yourself before and 2 hours after each meal, and keep a food diary. I'm sure someone will come along and recommend a monitor. That way you can see which food items cause your blood glucose to spike. It should not rise more than 3mmol in that 2 hour period. But everyone is different, so there is no "one method fits all". For example, I can get away with 2 small new potatoes, or 1 slice from a Warburtons 400gm medium sliced wholemeal loaf. But I can't take rice, pasta or apples. Some people are very sensitive to carbs so follow a very low carb diet. I personally experimented between 50gm and 130gm a day, settling on 90gm. For those following a lower carb diet, less than 130gm is suggested.
The Forum post "What did you eat yesterday" will give you ideas. People breakfast on full fat Greek yogurt (the low fat version actually has more carbs as it has more sugar), with nuts, seed and a few berries. Also popular is eggs, in omelette form or poached with grilled tomatoes, mushrooms. In summer I have a salad with protein for lunch, and home made soup without thickener in winter. Dinner is 2/3 plate of above ground veggies with 1/3 a protein serving. I do occasionally have 2 new potatoes, or 1 slice of bread. I snack on berries - I like the mixed strawberry/blueberry mix - an 80gm portion. Plus I drink 3 pints of water a day and have 170ml milk for hot drinks.
Best wishes

 

[SarahJ40]

Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!
yes i am on Metformin 2000mg a day at the moment 2 in the morning and tonight I go to 2 in evening. looking at my food diary i am eating to much carbs, so I need to look at reducing them, i have tried but I find I get mood swings so I guess I will start to reduce slowly. until I get to the right level. I love bread and potatoes that's probably half my problem i have reduced it dramatically already but look like I need to reduce it some more.

I have a Blood Glucose monitor so i will start tracking how many grams of Carbs i have a day and see what that does to my blood sugar levels. 🙂

I'm hoping my HbA1c will have reduced for my next test in Feb 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks Everyone for the warm welcome!
yes i am on Metformin 2000mg a day at the moment 2 in the morning and tonight I go to 2 in evening. looking at my food diary i am eating to much carbs, so I need to look at reducing them, i have tried but I find I get mood swings so I guess I will start to reduce slowly. until I get to the right level. I love bread and potatoes that's probably half my problem i have reduced it dramatically already but look like I need to reduce it some more.

I have a Blood Glucose monitor so i will start tracking how many grams of Carbs i have a day and see what that does to my blood sugar levels. 🙂

I'm hoping my HbA1c will have reduced for my next test in Feb 🙂

It is better to reduce things slowly as you are less likely to get eye or nerve issues. people suggest reducing the carbs by one third for a couple of weeks then another third until you get to where you want or need to be.
Excellent you have a monitor it really does give you control and allow you to make adjustments.
You need to make the carbs worth while in terms of added value for flavour and enjoyment.

 

[Nielh123]

hi there i have been lurking for a couple of weeks but wanted to drop by and say Hi. I was diagnosed 4 weeks ago after a health check at work showed my blood sugar was 15 after fasting! so a full blood test later my Hba1c is currently 81, I was devastated, as I feel I have done this to myself as I am over weight and have been really unhealthy and unfit and there is a history or type 1 and type 2 in my family.
After my initial upset I have vowed to do everything i can to get myself in remission ( if possible i know it isn't always) but i am struggling with what I should and shouldn't eat? the nurse told me to cut out added sugar which I have and I have started to loose weight with Calorie counting ( using a TDEE calculator to work out my BMR) but i still struggling in understanding Carbs and if I can or can't have them and which ones are best.

Can any one offer me any guidance? thanks 🙂

Everyone with type 2 diabetes should have the opportunity to access a course to help them to learn more about the condition. Usually, the course is called DESMOND. You can contact your GP to ask about a referral to the course. I say that but at the moment my local one is not taking place due to COVID!