New to type2

[Frenchie mum]

Hi all. I was diagnosed with type 2 around six weeks ago. I could say it was a shock, but knew I was eating unhealthy so it shouldn't have been.
I have thrown myself wholeheartedly into the low carb lifestyle. I can not believe how uneducated I was how carbs turn to glucose etc. I was an absolute bread, crisps, pasta addict.
May I say, I have had 99% of my information from this wonderful forum. I have been reading people's ideas, stories since diagnosis and only just plucked up the courage to join. I feel it will help me immensely.
My hba1c reading at diagnosis was 94. I was given Metformin without discussion, which I have decided not to take and see if I can get my bf down without them first.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Frenchie mum 🙂 It sounds like you’ve made a great start at controlling the diabetes😎

 

[Frenchie mum]

Thanks for your reply Inka. I'm determined to get myself to a better place. I have lost 12lbs in 6 weeks. It has been hard, but feel so much healthier already. I want to lose another 21lbs and see what happens when I go for my bloods.
I'm assuming by the vast number of posts I have read, that low carb seems to be the way to go?

 

[Inka]

Low carb is one way to go but people here follow a variety of diets. Some go for very low calorie, for example. It’s what works for the individual 🙂

 

[Frenchie mum]

Low carb is one way to go but people here follow a variety of diets. Some go for very low calorie, for example. It’s what works for the individual 🙂

Seems to be working for me so far so I will stick with it for now.

 

[Drummer]

I went low carb and have lost weight without effort, and in 80 days was no longer in the diabetic range of Hba1c, having corrected my glucose levels at some point previously.

 

[Frenchie mum]

I went low carb and have lost weight without effort, and in 80 days was no longer in the diabetic range of Hba1c, having corrected my glucose levels at some point previously.

Wow, that's fantastic. I can only hope for the same result as you. I know it's a lifetime thing. I have started a food diary to track my carb intake daily. As I have read to track my carbs(under 130g) and sugar(under 30g). I find it easy to count the carbs, but wonder do I really need to add up all the sugars? Will the carb intake take care of what I need to do. Any tips appreciated.

 

[Drummer]

Wow, that's fantastic. I can only hope for the same result as you. I know it's a lifetime thing. I have started a food diary to track my carb intake daily. As I have read to track my carbs(under 130g) and sugar(under 30g). I find it easy to count the carbs, but wonder do I really need to add up all the sugars? Will the carb intake take care of what I need to do. Any tips appreciated.

Carbs ARE starch and sugar - there is, for me very little point in tracking sugars when it is the carbs which are the things to watch - and I need to keep to under 40 gm a day to prevent weight gain - I suspect that I could eat more carbs every day for a while, but that would put me back into diabetic levels and take time to reverse the weight gain.
I had a lifetime of being pushed to eat carbs as they are 'healthy' - not for me, so when I got to 65 I was almost spherical. I had stopped weighing myself some 6 months earlier, so the 50 lb reduction is an underestimate, which I did not even realise had happened until my trousers started to fall down - luckily indoors and in private.
I am not suggesting that you would need to reduce carbs further - we are all very individualistic on that. If I'd have been taken seriously decades earlier I'd have probably been allowed to settle on Atkins way of eating rather than been nagged into ill health.

 

[Frenchie mum]

Carbs ARE starch and sugar - there is, for me very little point in tracking sugars when it is the carbs which are the things to watch - and I need to keep to under 40 gm a day to prevent weight gain - I suspect that I could eat more carbs every day for a while, but that would put me back into diabetic levels and take time to reverse the weight gain.
I had a lifetime of being pushed to eat carbs as they are 'healthy' - not for me, so when I got to 65 I was almost spherical. I had stopped weighing myself some 6 months earlier, so the 50 lb reduction is an underestimate, which I did not even realise had happened until my trousers started to fall down - luckily indoors and in private.
I am not suggesting that you would need to reduce carbs further - we are all very individualistic on that. If I'd have been taken seriously decades earlier I'd have probably been allowed to settle on Atkins way of eating rather than been nagged into ill health.

Thanks for the help. I am eating 50-80 g of carbs per day mainly. I was finding it hard to calculate the grams of sugar in evey carb so I think I will just go off the carb intake, as you say , it is what counts.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I wish I had thought about the implications earlier.

 

[Drummer]

Thanks for the help. I am eating 50-80 g of carbs per day mainly. I was finding it hard to calculate the grams of sugar in evey carb so I think I will just go off the carb intake, as you say , it is what counts.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and I wish I had thought about the implications earlier.

50gm a day is the level at which many people have been able to resolve their problems - it seems as though it is a good starting point.
Grams of sugar are the same as grams of starch - it is all carbohydrate.

 

[Frenchie mum]

50gm a day is the level at which many people have been able to resolve their problems - it seems as though it is a good starting point.
Grams of sugar are the same as grams of starch - it is all carbohydrate.

Thanks for clearing that up for me, makes it a bit easier if I'm only counting the carbs. Finding it hard only eating so little though

 

[Drummer]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, makes it a bit easier if I'm only counting the carbs. Finding it hard only eating so little though

I am used to eating only a few gm of carbs, but that can be a huge salad, and having meat fish and seafood, eggs and cheese as the main part of the meal means I am never hungry. I have stirfries, curries, casseroles and even though I only eat twice a day I do not feel deprived.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome. Pleased you decided to delurk as posting helps to keep you focused and accountable.... and there is no need to be afraid, we don't bite 🙄

Finding it hard only eating so little though

What I find is that I now need much less food, but I think it takes time for your stomach to shrink after being used to eating such large carb rich meals. The odd occasion when I have eaten out in the last couple of years I have not been able to manage nearly as much as I used to eat and I must learn to stop sooner..... Chinese buffets for special birthday celebrations have really left me feeling horribly ill afterwards as you don't realise how much you are eating until you suddenly feel "stuffed".
One of the key things for making low carb sustainable long term for me was increasing fat intake. I keep plenty of high protein and fat snacks foods that I can eat if I feel hungry. Things like lots of lovely cheese, salami, olives, nuts, little feta stuffed peppadew peppers, boiled eggs which I have with a teaspoon of full fat mayonnaise, plenty of salad and full fat (or ideally, cheese) coleslaw, veggie sticks like cucumber, peppers and celery with sour cream and chive dip (proper chilled counter stuff not the Doritos type jars), which is also really nice with some microwaved broccoli. My not so guilty pleasure is a packet of pork scratchings (all protein and fat and no carbs) and not forgetting a half a square of 85% dark choc with a teaspoon of crunchy peanut butter.
Of course if you are wanting to lose weight, then you need to keep the fat intake reasonable, but do go for full fat versions of natural yoghurt, milk and mayonnaise and coleslaw. The fat will slow down the release of any carbs you eat with it but more importantly it will help to stop you from feeling hungry and will provide slow release energy. Fat is rich and calorie dense so you don't need much to help you feel full/sated and as I said, once your body gets used to this way of eating without all the bulk of carbs, your stomach shrinks and you don't miss those big plates of food you used to eat.

You may find a fibre supplement helpful in keeping your digestive system moving comfortably, as many people experience constipation when they change to low carb, particularly if they were eating a lot of wholemeal bread etc prior to the switch. I now use a fibre drink on a morning made with psyllium husk and chia seeds which creates a bulk of soluble fibre gel which passes through my digestive tract very smoothly and keeps me very comfortably "regular". These are not laxatives so they don't cause your system to spasm or anything, just a bulk of soluble fibre which kind of gently clears the system each day. It works brilliantly for me and I wouldn't be without it.

Anyway, it sounds like you are doing all the right things so best of luck with your diabetes journey and I am sure you will see an impressive reduction in HbA1c at your next check as a result of the changes you have made.

 

[Frenchie mum]

Hi and welcome. Pleased you decided to delurk as posting helps to keep you focused and accountable.... and there is no need to be afraid, we don't bite 🙄



What I find is that I now need much less food, but I think it takes time for your stomach to shrink after being used to eating such large carb rich meals. The odd occasion when I have eaten out in the last couple of years I have not been able to manage nearly as much as I used to eat and I must learn to stop sooner..... Chinese buffets for special birthday celebrations have really left me feeling horribly ill afterwards as you don't realise how much you are eating until you suddenly feel "stuffed".
One of the key things for making low carb sustainable long term for me was increasing fat intake. I keep plenty of high protein and fat snacks foods that I can eat if I feel hungry. Things like lots of lovely cheese, salami, olives, nuts, little feta stuffed peppadew peppers, boiled eggs which I have with a teaspoon of full fat mayonnaise, plenty of salad and full fat (or ideally, cheese) coleslaw, veggie sticks like cucumber, peppers and celery with sour cream and chive dip (proper chilled counter stuff not the Doritos type jars), which is also really nice with some microwaved broccoli. My not so guilty pleasure is a packet of pork scratchings (all protein and fat and no carbs) and not forgetting a half a square of 85% dark choc with a teaspoon of crunchy peanut butter.
Of course if you are wanting to lose weight, then you need to keep the fat intake reasonable, but do go for full fat versions of natural yoghurt, milk and mayonnaise and coleslaw. The fat will slow down the release of any carbs you eat with it but more importantly it will help to stop you from feeling hungry and will provide slow release energy. Fat is rich and calorie dense so you don't need much to help you feel full/sated and as I said, once your body gets used to this way of eating without all the bulk of carbs, your stomach shrinks and you don't miss those big plates of food you used to eat.

You may find a fibre supplement helpful in keeping your digestive system moving comfortably, as many people experience constipation when they change to low carb, particularly if they were eating a lot of wholemeal bread etc prior to the switch. I now use a fibre drink on a morning made with psyllium husk and chia seeds which creates a bulk of soluble fibre gel which passes through my digestive tract very smoothly and keeps me very comfortably "regular". These are not laxatives so they don't cause your system to spasm or anything, just a bulk of soluble fibre which kind of gently clears the system each day. It works brilliantly for me and I wouldn't be without it.

Anyway, it sounds like you are doing all the right things so best of luck with your diabetes journey and I am sure you will see an impressive reduction in HbA1c at your next check as a result of the changes you have made.

Thank you so much for your detailed answer. I am getting more used to it. I am hoping that the carb cravings do get easier. Crusty bread and butter, toast etc. I just try to think how it is affecting my body, and complications if I carry on down that path.
It seems odd to me still that I can eat fats, as all my life I've been led to believe the opposite. Reprogramming is happening. I am a bit wary of the fats as I want to lose weight to hopefully reduce my hba1c. You are correct though, if I get hungry I have a couple of slices of cheese, have been having berries with cream. It does fill you more. Thank you for assisting me . Nice to know there is somewhere to turn if needed. X

 

[Leadinglights]

If you are selective about the things you have as full fat and limit those to the version you prefer, Full fat Greek yoghurt with berries for breakfast and cream with sugarfree jelly with berries but having discovered the high protein Kvarg deserts which are actually low car and low fat, they are a good option or I actually prefer low fat mayo. But low fat cheeses are pretty bland so better to use a full fat strong cheese and use half the amount.
This link may give you some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ It is a low carb approach.
Just be careful about going too low carb too quickly as it can cause eye issues for some people. I went to 70g per day and after about 4 weeks my near vision went very blurry and my eyes didn't seem to quite work together.

 

[Frenchie mum]

If you are selective about the things you have as full fat and limit those to the version you prefer, Full fat Greek yoghurt with berries for breakfast and cream with sugarfree jelly with berries but having discovered the high protein Kvarg deserts which are actually low car and low fat, they are a good option or I actually prefer low fat mayo. But low fat cheeses are pretty bland so better to use a full fat strong cheese and use half the amount.
This link may give you some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ It is a low carb approach.
Just be careful about going too low carb too quickly as it can cause eye issues for some people. I went to 70g per day and after about 4 weeks my near vision went very blurry and my eyes didn't seem to quite work together.

 

[Frenchie mum]

Hi, and thanks for the reply. I have been having low sugar jelly with cream, delicious! I have today bought my first kvarg dessert to try as an after tea treat. I'm the sort who likes to feel like a treat now and again. I have also been on the carbwell link, so thank you.
The time I think I find it hard is weekends when we have a get together with family and sometimes order a takeaway. I want everyone else to have what they want, but do feel like I'm missing out a bit.

 

[trophywench]

In the early days of the Balti Belt in Birmingham, the naans were a weekly source of annoyance to me - being the size of a dustbin lid! Just had to grit my teeth and not have as much as everyone else. It wasn't every day, it meant the others could have more, and nobody actually complained about the latter, funnily enough! Neither will your family or friends. They won't even notice - providing YOU don't make a song and dance about it.

Having adult children I well remember No1 daughter telling one of her kids at her birthday party - who told her that Grandma hadn't had any cake yet, she was very concerned that nobody missed out. Grandma's going to take her slice of cake home with her to eat, cos she's eaten far too many sandwiches to fit any cake in at the moment! All a blatant lie, she knows I hate and loathe fondant icing at any price - but 3 yo Samantha was well happy with the explanation which was the only thing that mattered at the time!

 

[Frenchie mum]

In the early days of the Balti Belt in Birmingham, the naans were a weekly source of annoyance to me - being the size of a dustbin lid! Just had to grit my teeth and not have as much as everyone else. It wasn't every day, it meant the others could have more, and nobody actually complained about the latter, funnily enough! Neither will your family or friends. They won't even notice - providing YOU don't make a song and dance about it.

Having adult children I well remember No1 daughter telling one of her kids at her birthday party - who told her that Grandma hadn't had any cake yet, she was very concerned that nobody missed out. Grandma's going to take her slice of cake home with her to eat, cos she's eaten far too many sandwiches to fit any cake in at the moment! All a blatant lie, she knows I hate and loathe fondant icing at any price - but 3 yo Samantha was well happy with the explanation which was the only thing that mattered at the time!

You are right, the thing is to not make it obvious and make family feel guilty for what they are eating and you can't. It's just the wanting to eat all the old things I used to. I obviously know I can't. Maybe occasionally I might think*** it , and have a day off, but at this early stage I just dare not ever imagine I can have a curry out, or coffee and cake. Bless the 3yo Samantha with her cake!

 

[rebrascora]

I like takeaway curry and find it quite easy because I can have a couple of tasty veggie side dishes like cauliflower bhaji or brinjal bhaji etc as well as a bit of my partners main dish and a couple of dessert spoons of his rice. Some people have a popadom as they are so light there isn't many carbs in them.