A bit confused!

[neenpeen]

Hi, newbie here . I’m overweight and I was told I had Type 2 diabetes a week ago. I straight away cut out all ‘added’ sugars. (a real struggle) and replaced the chocolate with fruit. I’ve been logging my food on my Fitbit. I’ve also lowered my calorie intake by 500. When I check my sugar consumption it shows as 26 to 40g, I know this is solely natural sugars but it freaked me out a bit! Do these natural sugars count towards your daily intake? Also am I being to hard on myself and could I have the odd small bar of chocolate? I’m bamboozled with all the info online! I should say my reading was 48. Thanks

 

[42istheanswer]

All carbohydrates count towards your daily intake because all carbohydrates get converted to glucose in your body (sugars just get converted a tiny bit quicker).

If you are looking to manage by reducing carbohydrates, then often aiming for under 130g total carbohydrates per day is suggested. How much have your total carbohydrate intakes been since you started trying to eat more healthily?

Personally, I do include some chocolate occasionally in my carbohydrate intake (higher cocoa dark chocolate mostly which is lower in carbohydrate as less sugar is added)

 

[42istheanswer]

48 is only just in the Diabetic region, so probably small changes will be enough, and if you have weight to lose (I'm assuming that's why you have cut calories too?) Then there is a chance you may be able to put the diabetes into remission rather than just manage it by diet

 

[neenpeen]

Thanks for quick replies. On checking my carbs intake is about 90-100g. I’m still trying to get my head around my allowed daily limits. I find it quite confusing.
I’m eating at least 500 calories less due to cutting out the chocolate, biscuits, white bread, pasta and white rice and suffering some side effects with this I think. Once I’m over that I’ll look at fat intake.

 

[Leadinglights]

You are just in the diabetic zone so some modest changes may be all that is needed, but do be carful of fruit as many fruits are pretty high carbohydrate.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet. It is a low carb approach with many have found successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight. But low carb does not mean NO carb but choosing the carbs you have to make them worthwhile and are not empty carbs like sugar.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for quick replies. On checking my carbs intake is about 90-100g. I’m still trying to get my head around my allowed daily limits. I find it quite confusing.
I’m eating at least 500 calories less due to cutting out the chocolate, biscuits, white bread, pasta and white rice and suffering some side effects with this I think. Once I’m over that I’ll look at fat intake.

If you would like to post the sort of meals you are having then people may spot any problem foods. Remember it is total carbs not just sugar and that portion control is important.

 

[neenpeen]

You are just in the diabetic zone so some modest changes may be all that is needed, but do be carful of fruit as many fruits are pretty high carbohydrate.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet. It is a low carb approach with many have found successful at both reducing blood glucose and losing weight. But low carb does not mean NO carb but choosing the carbs you have to make them worthwhile and are not empty carbs like sugar.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Thanks for reply and posting link

 

[neenpeen]

If you would like to post the sort of meals you are having then people may spot any problem foods. Remember it is total carbs not just sugar and that portion control is important.

Thanks for reply.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @neenpeen

Sounds like you are making some big changes!

As @Leadinglights has said, your HbA1c at 48 is just over the T2 dividing line (not an actual thing, but s useful metaphor perhaps!), so be kind to yourself, and try to make your changes sustainable and manageable.

Great that you are tracking your calories and your carb intake - this should help you with weight loss, and BG management.

There are some hints about making a low carb eating plan here that might be helpful?

Low-carb diet and meal plan

Eating a low-carb diet means cutting down on the amount of carbohydrates (carbs) you eat to less than 130g a day. But low-carb eating shouldn’t be no-carb eating. Some carbohydrate foods contain essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, which form an important part of a healthy diet.

www.diabetes.org.uk

Good to hear you’ve been cutting back on sugary things too. It’s amazing how quickly tastebuds can change. Though several members here find high cocoa solids chocolate still gives them a good ‘hit’, with just a few squares melted on the tongue 🙂