Newly diagnosed

[Eeyorecat]

Hi All, I have been diagnosed with Type 2 in the last couple of weeks so still very early on. The high levels were found during other blood tests in Sept of 54 then did a fasting test a few weeks later and it was 58. I have been told I will be put on meds but I am also looking at diet as I had been trying to loose weight and have been struggling.
I am looking at the 8 week blood sugar diet, and trying to work out what I can do as I am allergic to all fish so that is out, and have quite a few intolerances to lactose and some wheat so could have some fun trying to build these things in without other side affects. But if I can stick to the principle and use other proteins and carbs to get through it may take longer but I want to give it a try.
I had been doing the noon diet but looking to move to My Fitness Pal as that breaks down the carbs and sugar etc. Does any one know the settings for carbs, fat and protein? I saw in the book somewhere carbs should be about 25g, and somewhere else said the same for protein which leaves the fats at 50% which cant be right - any ideas?
Thanks

 

[42istheanswer]

Hi!

Did you mean 25% for the carbs? 25g is very low carb (keto range), most type 2s aiming to reduce HbA1c by diet go with under 130g carbs as the low carb level.

I'm not following any specific diet plan as I prefer to be more flexible with what I make, but I'm mostly eating 80-120g carbs with around 1100 average calories a day to try to lose weight (and keeping blood glucose levels under control at the same time) but if I look back at most days of what I have eaten, Fat is about 50% of my calories yes. (I use Samsung Health to track).

I try not to have too much saturated fat, but when I'm making soup with onions fried in olive oil then veg added and maybe some lean meat, there isn't many carbs so that spoon of oil makes a significant percentage of the calories in the meal. I have found through experimenting with checking my blood glucose before and 2 hours after meals that I get a lower rise when I have a bit more fat with meals than if I just have carbs and protein for calories too.

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C at 58 is not too horrendous and is only a little way over the diagnostic threshold of 48mmol/mol.
At that level many have been given to opportunity to bring it down by dietary changes for 3 months before going onto medication and it is very possible. Even with oral meds dietary changes are important anyway.
Obviously you have to take your intolerances into account but many find a low carb approach successful.
This link may give you come ideas for modifying your diet and there are some do's and don'ts and some menu ideas to suit all tastes.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

 

[Eeyorecat]

Welcome to the forum
Your HbA1C at 58 is not too horrendous and is only a little way over the diagnostic threshold of 48mmol/mol.
At that level many have been given to opportunity to bring it down by dietary changes for 3 months before going onto medication and it is very possible. Even with oral meds dietary changes are important anyway.
Obviously you have to take your intolerances into account but many find a low carb approach successful.
This link may give you come ideas for modifying your diet and there are some do's and don'ts and some menu ideas to suit all tastes.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Thanks I will take a look

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Eeyorecat

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

There’s no one single ‘boilerplate’ set of numbers that will work for everyone unfortunately. On of the unending joys of diabetes is how feisty, fickle and individual it is!

There are a variety of different meal-plan approaches here which might give you some starting points

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

But really it’s a question of working out what works for you. Whether calorie restriction, or carb reduction is your most successful option (research studies show both can be equally effective for a group, but forum member experiences suggest that some individuals find one works and the other doesn’t)

A low carb menu is generally considered 130g or less of total carbs per day. But the level that works for any one individual can vary wildly!

Low calorie approaches can work well too. As can group options such as Weight Watchers or Slimming World - though some members find they need to adjust the suggested choices to take account of blood glucose response as well as just calorific value.

 

[Eeyorecat]

Hi!

Did you mean 25% for the carbs? 25g is very low carb (keto range), most type 2s aiming to reduce HbA1c by diet go with under 130g carbs as the low carb level.

I'm not following any specific diet plan as I prefer to be more flexible with what I make, but I'm mostly eating 80-120g carbs with around 1100 average calories a day to try to lose weight (and keeping blood glucose levels under control at the same time) but if I look back at most days of what I have eaten, Fat is about 50% of my calories yes. (I use Samsung Health to track).

I try not to have too much saturated fat, but when I'm making soup with onions fried in olive oil then veg added and maybe some lean meat, there isn't many carbs so that spoon of oil makes a significant percentage of the calories in the meal. I have found through experimenting with checking my blood glucose before and 2 hours after meals that I get a lower rise when I have a bit more fat with meals than if I just have carbs and protein for calories too.

Thanks, yes I am a numpty I do mean 25%. I am using the 8 week blood sugar diet as a bit of a guide but as I say it is hard when i have to be so careful about what i can and cant eat so flexing it a bit. I am not doing blood checks right now, maybe if needed they will tell me at my next appointment next week, but that is a great tip thanks I will bear it in mind checking before and after.
They do think my issue would be carb related as I eat very little sugar or processed foods, so potatoes are probably my main issue, as i eat very little pasta and when i do have rice it is brown rice.
All a learning curve!

 

[Drummer]

Sorry @Eeyorecat but brown rice is just as much a carbohydrate as white.
If you can get hole of a blood glucose tester you can check before eating and then two hours later to see how a meal affects you, then if the increase in blood glucose is significant either reduce or replace foods which are high in carbohydrate.

 

[Nige13]

Hi!

Did you mean 25% for the carbs? 25g is very low carb (keto range), most type 2s aiming to reduce HbA1c by diet go with under 130g carbs as the low carb level.

I'm not following any specific diet plan as I prefer to be more flexible with what I make, but I'm mostly eating 80-120g carbs with around 1100 average calories a day to try to lose weight (and keeping blood glucose levels under control at the same time) but if I look back at most days of what I have eaten, Fat is about 50% of my calories yes. (I use Samsung Health to track).

I try not to have too much saturated fat, but when I'm making soup with onions fried in olive oil then veg added and maybe some lean meat, there isn't many carbs so that spoon of oil makes a significant percentage of the calories in the meal. I have found through experimenting with checking my blood glucose before and 2 hours after meals that I get a lower rise when I have a bit more fat with meals than if I just have carbs and protein for calories too.

I also use the Samsung health check and find it really helps 🙂 and as you am trying to do 80-130 carbs pers day which is working well for me.
I do however miss white bread and chips but still have the odd ones every now and then ( or have Nibmble wholemeal)
Started to bake my own bread and biscuits now which are really good - recipies off the Sugar Free Londoner, there are loads on there which as really tatsty and easy to make.

 

[Eeyorecat]

I also use the Samsung health check and find it really helps 🙂 and as you am trying to do 80-130 carbs pers day which is working well for me.
I do however miss white bread and chips but still have the odd ones every now and then ( or have Nibmble wholemeal)
Started to bake my own bread and biscuits now which are really good - recipies off the Sugar Free Londoner, there are loads on there which as really tatsty and easy to make.

Thanks I will check that out. I think I will miss potatoes too, especially if cooking them for others in the house. Bread is hard as trying to make a quick lunch is a whole new routine, sure i will get used to it but a sandwich is so convenient. Did make some soup from this website which is nice. Just getting used to new ways and routines.

 

[42istheanswer]

It may be that you can still have some potatoes sometimes if you go for a small amount

 

[Eeyorecat]

It may be that you can still have some potatoes sometimes if you go for a small amount

At the moment I am not tracking blood sugar levels to know the impact of them but I suspect a small amount wont be too bad every now and then. 🙂

 

[BabsM]

Hi! I was diagnosed in a similar manner 18
months ago with Hba1c of 65. I was put on a gradually increasing dose of Metformin but followed a diet largely of my own making but used Nutracheck & kept carbs below 130g per day. My cholesterol was low so I didn’t worry too much about fat! Cheese & meat kept me going & I lost 3 stone in about 4 months. I still need to lose more weight but my numbers have been consistently 47 for some time now. I am on 1500g Metformin & have eased up on the carb restrictions for the sake of my sanity!
So whether it was the drugs or the diet I don’t know & don’t much care because it suits me fine. I think Metformin can help in the weight loss journey too?
Exercise I think is even more important & something I’m not good at with arthritic knees. My (thin) husband has reversed his diabetes (50+ down to 40?) with some dietary changes but mostly a brisk 30 minute daily walk. It works for him.
Good luck & have the courage to find your own way. Be honest with yourself & be aware that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there-even from “health professionals”!

 

[Nige13]

Thanks I will check that out. I think I will miss potatoes too, especially if cooking them for others in the house. Bread is hard as trying to make a quick lunch is a whole new routine, sure i will get used to it but a sandwich is so convenient. Did make some soup from this website which is nice. Just getting used to new ways and routines.

Have you tried Nimble Wholemeal bread? Its not that high in carbs and makes a great sandwich and toast

 

[harbottle]

I also use the Samsung health check and find it really helps 🙂 and as you am trying to do 80-130 carbs pers day which is working well for me.
I do however miss white bread and chips but still have the odd ones every now and then ( or have Nibmble wholemeal)
Started to bake my own bread and biscuits now which are really good - recipies off the Sugar Free Londoner, there are loads on there which as really tatsty and easy to make.

I make the low carb bread using Quarg from her site, and also buns from the Caldesi book. Both delicious and very, very filling!

 

[Eeyorecat]

Hi! I was diagnosed in a similar manner 18
months ago with Hba1c of 65. I was put on a gradually increasing dose of Metformin but followed a diet largely of my own making but used Nutracheck & kept carbs below 130g per day. My cholesterol was low so I didn’t worry too much about fat! Cheese & meat kept me going & I lost 3 stone in about 4 months. I still need to lose more weight but my numbers have been consistently 47 for some time now. I am on 1500g Metformin & have eased up on the carb restrictions for the sake of my sanity!
So whether it was the drugs or the diet I don’t know & don’t much care because it suits me fine. I think Metformin can help in the weight loss journey too?
Exercise I think is even more important & something I’m not good at with arthritic knees. My (thin) husband has reversed his diabetes (50+ down to 40?) with some dietary changes but mostly a brisk 30 minute daily walk. It works for him.
Good luck & have the courage to find your own way. Be honest with yourself & be aware that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there-even from “health professionals”!

Thank you I appreciate your comments, I am also starting on Metformin, I need to collect it today so no idea on dose apart from they want me to build up to 4 tablets a day. I am hoping like yourself if i keep the carbs low and get my reading down then i can feel a little more at ease when I do allow the odd "naughty" carb, and like you I will be happy as long as my weight comes down along with the blood sugars.

 

[Eeyorecat]

Have you tried Nimble Wholemeal bread? Its not that high in carbs and makes a great sandwich and toast

no I haven't but i will look out for it thanks, do love a bit of toast

 

[Eeyorecat]

I make the low carb bread using Quarg from her site, and also buns from the Caldesi book. Both delicious and very, very filling!

Thanks all ideas and hints welcome 🙂

 

[Nige13]

I make the low carb bread using Quarg from her site, and also buns from the Caldesi book. Both delicious and very, very filling!

I use Greek Yoghurt instead of Quark lol 🙂

 

[grovesy]

Hi! I was diagnosed in a similar manner 18
months ago with Hba1c of 65. I was put on a gradually increasing dose of Metformin but followed a diet largely of my own making but used Nutracheck & kept carbs below 130g per day. My cholesterol was low so I didn’t worry too much about fat! Cheese & meat kept me going & I lost 3 stone in about 4 months. I still need to lose more weight but my numbers have been consistently 47 for some time now. I am on 1500g Metformin & have eased up on the carb restrictions for the sake of my sanity!
So whether it was the drugs or the diet I don’t know & don’t much care because it suits me fine. I think Metformin can help in the weight loss journey too?
Exercise I think is even more important & something I’m not good at with arthritic knees. My (thin) husband has reversed his diabetes (50+ down to 40?) with some dietary changes but mostly a brisk 30 minute daily walk. It works for him.
Good luck & have the courage to find your own way. Be honest with yourself & be aware that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there-even from “health professionals”!

I have never found Metformin helped me with weight loss.

 

[Felinia]

Hi! I was diagnosed in a similar manner 18
months ago with Hba1c of 65. I was put on a gradually increasing dose of Metformin but followed a diet largely of my own making but used Nutracheck & kept carbs below 130g per day. My cholesterol was low so I didn’t worry too much about fat! Cheese & meat kept me going & I lost 3 stone in about 4 months. I still need to lose more weight but my numbers have been consistently 47 for some time now. I am on 1500g Metformin & have eased up on the carb restrictions for the sake of my sanity!
So whether it was the drugs or the diet I don’t know & don’t much care because it suits me fine. I think Metformin can help in the weight loss journey too?
Exercise I think is even more important & something I’m not good at with arthritic knees. My (thin) husband has reversed his diabetes (50+ down to 40?) with some dietary changes but mostly a brisk 30 minute daily walk. It works for him.
Good luck & have the courage to find your own way. Be honest with yourself & be aware that there is a lot of conflicting advice out there-even from “health professionals”!

I have osteoarthritis but I've found I can exercise pain free at aquafit - it's made such a difference to my body condition, and it's good fun!