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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.
Hi, have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes .
- Thread starter Poppy23
- Start date
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rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hi and welcome.
Would you like to tell us a bit about how your diagnosis came about ie symptomatic or rouine blood test and what if any medication or dietary advice you have been given for your diabetes.
It can all be a bit overwhelming and confusing at first but hopefully we will be able to fill in the blanks and start to learn what will be best for your body to manage your diabetes effectively.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. We were all new to this at one stage and knew little or nothing, or worse still, we had misconceptions due to media or even out of date medical advice. This forum is full of tried and tested advice that works for real everyday people who live with with diabetes every day and every meal, so we understand the challenges and frustrations and fears as well as the moments of joy and pride when we achieve goals and targets, regardless of how big or small those are..... It is always important to celebrate successes in our battles with diabetes.
Personally, my diagnosis was the kick up the backside I needed to change my diet for the better and there have been many benefits from that including feeling younger and fitter and slimmer and less joint pain. I feel that it will probably lead to greater longevity and a better quality of life rather than the opposite, so it has by no means been all bad... as long as I take it seriously and manage it as well as I can.
Would you like to tell us a bit about how your diagnosis came about ie symptomatic or rouine blood test and what if any medication or dietary advice you have been given for your diabetes.
It can all be a bit overwhelming and confusing at first but hopefully we will be able to fill in the blanks and start to learn what will be best for your body to manage your diabetes effectively.
If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. We were all new to this at one stage and knew little or nothing, or worse still, we had misconceptions due to media or even out of date medical advice. This forum is full of tried and tested advice that works for real everyday people who live with with diabetes every day and every meal, so we understand the challenges and frustrations and fears as well as the moments of joy and pride when we achieve goals and targets, regardless of how big or small those are..... It is always important to celebrate successes in our battles with diabetes.
Personally, my diagnosis was the kick up the backside I needed to change my diet for the better and there have been many benefits from that including feeling younger and fitter and slimmer and less joint pain. I feel that it will probably lead to greater longevity and a better quality of life rather than the opposite, so it has by no means been all bad... as long as I take it seriously and manage it as well as I can.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will find lots of useful information and advice. People do manage their diabetes in a number of ways and you have to find a way that suits you which you will enjoy, is sustainable and will become your new lifestyle.
Depending on where you are on the diabetes ladder will suggest how much work you will need to do and depend on what medication you have been prescribed if any but it is better to reduce your blood glucose slowly by reducing carbohydrates.
It can help to make a food diary of everything you eat and drink and estimate the total carbohydrates not just 'sugar' to see where you are and where some savings can be made. If people adopt a low carb approach which many find successful then less than 130g per day is a suggested starting point.
This link may help with some ideas and there is a good explanation with some suggested do's and don'ts. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Also the Learning Zone has lots of info and links so have a look at that when you get time.
Yes as @rebrascora says a bit more info on your diagnosis will help people tailor any replies.
If you would like to post the sort of meals you have then people may spot some easy swaps which would help.
Depending on where you are on the diabetes ladder will suggest how much work you will need to do and depend on what medication you have been prescribed if any but it is better to reduce your blood glucose slowly by reducing carbohydrates.
It can help to make a food diary of everything you eat and drink and estimate the total carbohydrates not just 'sugar' to see where you are and where some savings can be made. If people adopt a low carb approach which many find successful then less than 130g per day is a suggested starting point.
This link may help with some ideas and there is a good explanation with some suggested do's and don'ts. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Also the Learning Zone has lots of info and links so have a look at that when you get time.
Yes as @rebrascora says a bit more info on your diagnosis will help people tailor any replies.
If you would like to post the sort of meals you have then people may spot some easy swaps which would help.
Holly DUK
Supporter Care Advisor
Hey @Poppy23, welcome to the Diabetes UK forum! I'm glad to see you've already received some really great advice from @rebrascora and @Leadinglights.
There's definitely lots to learn about type 2 diabetes, and if you haven't seen already we have lots of helpful information on our website about managing diabetes: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes.
As @Leadinglights mentioned, the Learning Zone is a great place to start, covering all aspects of living with diabetes. You can register for free here: https://learningzone.diabetes.org.uk/
If you have any questions or concerns please call our helpline on 0345 123 2399 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm) and we would be happy to support you!
Thank you for replying. I was diagnosed with routine blood test. Had a letter to make an appointment with the diabetic nurse for 1st time but no appointments and to phone again in 3 weeks! I'm not sure about anything really if I'm meant to be doing my sugar levels etc. I recently list my husband and finding it hard to get my head into all this. Its the food at the moment I'm living on salad chicken and fish. Hopefully I will be able to have a more varied choice.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Were you told what your HbA1C is that has led to your diagnosis, it is an average of blood glucose over the previous three months, It will be a number over 47mmol/mol as 48 is the threshold. As you have not been immediately put on medication then you may not be too far into the zone and some modest changes may be all that is needed.
Cutting out cakes, biscuits, and sugary drinks including fruit juice and reducing portions of some of the big hitters bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, pastry and tropical fruits but you can still be having some carbs and a wide range of meat, fish, eggs, cheese, green veg and salads, berries, dairy. Protein and healthy fats do not convert to glucose so there is plenty of scope for enjoyable meals. You could add some coleslaw to your salad and have sugar free jelly with berries and cream for desert.
A plate of green veg with your fish or meat or you can do stir fry's with lots of different veg and meat. High meat content sausages, omelettes, curries or chilli can all be on your menu.
Kvarg or high protein yoghurts are also good as deserts with berries and Greek yoghurt with berries or seeds and nuts for breakfast or scrambled eggs with smoked salmon
It is always hard to suggest things to people as everybody has different tastes and budgets.
Thank you ,all I was told was that my Dr wanted to put me on medication then decided not too till next time. My jobless 49
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Poppy23
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and even more sorry to hear about your husband. I lost my wife 3 and a bit years ago, and completely understand how all consuming that can be, and how hard it can make other things that demand attention.
You might like to browse this ‘Enjoy Food’ supplement from Diabetes UK, which has lots of useful pointers and good advice.
Reactions to food can be very individual, so it’s really a matter of finding an approach that works for you, that is sustainable and enjoyable, and which also suits your diabetes and your BG levels 🙂
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I assume you mean your HbA1C was 49 in which case you are only just in the diabetic zone and some modest changes should be effective, personally medication when only at that level is not really justified as long as people are committed to making changes and it sounds as if you are. But just go gently with reduction in carbs to avoid those issues with eyes and nerves. I started with an HbA1C of 50 mmol/mol and reduced carbs to 70g per day but got some eye issues which lasted a few months hence why I say go slowly. HbA1C was down to 42 in 3 months however.
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