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new to diabetes 2

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malcolm hales

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Type 2
Hello- I've just recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it would appear to run in the family, brother, mother aunts all have had it. Know that it can usually be controlled by diet- but am a very fussy eater- not eating many vegetables, oily fish, eggs etc., and eat too many foods high in fat,cholestrol, etc, mainly bread of different forms and rice.
is any one in the same boat as me.
 
malcolm hales said:
Hello- I've just recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it would appear to run in the family, brother, mother aunts all have had it. Know that it can usually be controlled by diet- but am a very fussy eater- not eating many vegetables, oily fish, eggs etc., and eat too many foods high in fat,cholestrol, etc, mainly bread of different forms and rice.
is any one in the same boat as me.
Click to expand...
I was in the same boat as you Malcolm...diagnosed last year...such a fussy eater...rarely ate vegetables...oily fish...have high fat foods etc...now...almost a year later...managing to control my condition fairly well...still do not eat a high proportion of vegetables (hardly any in truth)...but...have managed to adjust my diet to the point where my blood sugars are within an acceptable range...wondering what stage you are at...what your BG levels are...do you take medication...seen the GP/DSN...understand what diabetes is...apologies if some of those questions seem patronising or intrusive...but...it would be much easier to advise/suggest what measures you can use to get control of diabetes...if we had a little more information.
 
malcolm hales said:
Hello- I've just recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it would appear to run in the family, brother, mother aunts all have had it. Know that it can usually be controlled by diet- but am a very fussy eater- not eating many vegetables, oily fish, eggs etc., and eat too many foods high in fat,cholestrol, etc, mainly bread of different forms and rice.
is any one in the same boat as me.
Click to expand...
Hi Malcolm, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. There is indeed a strong genetic link involved with all forms of diabetes, it is not true that it is purely down to lifestyle.

I'd recommend reading Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and getting a copy of the highly recommended book: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker - these will all fill you in on what you need to know to tackle your diabetes and get your levels under good control 🙂

Have you been given a meter and blood glucose test strips? This is by far and away the best method of discovering what types of food you tolerate well, and those you should reduce or avoid. Our tolerances can be very individual, so it's important to know how YOU react, unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all diet, beyond the very basics, like limiting your intake of carbohydrates. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand how testing should be done in order to get the most information. Ask your GP or nurse for a meter and strips. They are often reluctant to prescribe, as the strips can be expensive, but without testing you will be left largely in the dark, and could continue to make poor choices, or unnecessarily restrict your diet.

If you have to buy your own, then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 (High St brands can cost up to £30 for 50 strips 😱)

Please let us know if you have any questions and we will be happy to help! 🙂 You're certainly not alone - many of our members have other family members who have also been diagnosed.
 
I'm now on metformin 500mg 3 times daily, one the morning 2 with evening meal, plus statin.
HbA1c march 2017 14.7 mmol/l- HbA1c-ifcc standardised(Xapbt) 105 mmol/l- should be below 42- all other reading within range.
Being a fussy eater does'nt help when i'm the main cook for my family- cooking and preparing food is a job much loathed-and my partner can not cook at all and works in the evenings.
So not only have I to educate myself i will have to try to instill amongst my family a healthier option on diet.
 
Welcome.
Can't help on the fussy eater front, I am one of thoose that eat most things and I know I am ill if I go off food.
Why not start wi h small steps.
 
Hello Malcolm.

I'm in the same boat. GP told me I'm diabetic last week, but as yet I have no idea what type. I see the nurse next week.
I have no idea about diet, well, actually I have conflicting ideas. The NHS view and the experienced views in here.
I have never tested myself but am planning to do so.
I will post as to how things transpire.

Bill.
 
malcolm hales said:
I'm now on metformin 500mg 3 times daily, one the morning 2 with evening meal, plus statin.
HbA1c march 2017 14.7 mmol/l- HbA1c-ifcc standardised(Xapbt) 105 mmol/l- should be below 42- all other reading within range.
Being a fussy eater does'nt help when i'm the main cook for my family- cooking and preparing food is a job much loathed-and my partner can not cook at all and works in the evenings.
So not only have I to educate myself i will have to try to instill amongst my family a healthier option on diet.
Click to expand...
Hi Malcolm...a couple of things...as Northerner says the book by Gretchen Becker is essential reading for those newly diagnosed...and...even for those relatively experienced at managing their diabetes...she is a type 2 diabetic herself...she takes you through her first as a newly diagnosed T2...month by month...helped me to understand what diabetes was...how to manage/control my blood sugars...the importance of testing your blood regularly...a worthy read...I have never been a huge vegetable fan...but...do have some...usually disguised in some way...soups are the easiest...casseroles...curries...slip some spinach...other vegetables in...you'll never notice ...some here prefer a low carb high fat diet...others something a little more balanced...what suits one diabetic may not suit another...that's where the beauty of testing comes in...testing your blood before & 2 hours after food will show you how the food you are eating affects you BG... whether it raises or lowers it....I still have some red meat...have bread...use butter...all of them in moderation...there is a temptation to prefer low fat foods...I avoid them...usually full of sugar to make them more palatable...have a look in the 'what did you eat yesterday' section...I favour the low carb high fat diet (LCHF)...but...it doesn't suit everyone...I use high protein bread...usually Burgen...Tesco's also produce a high protein bread..much lower in carbs than others...the list of what you can have is endless...do try to read the book...I cannot recommend it highly enough...your levels are high...but...not unmanageable....with some planning you can bring those within range...I started off with 17.4...in just under a year...now down to an average of 5.8...I decided not to rush...needed to do it at my own pace...it is a lifelong condition...so find a regime that works for you...steadily is best...something sustainable long term...honestly it does/can get better...the support here is first class...ask whatever is necessary...good luck...keep us updated.
 
Thanx for the info- think i will need to get a monitor- even though on the Step course and doctor's say it is not necessary.
Will need to experiment and continue to try to alter shopping habits- will need to look more closely at the food labels when quoted. I'll be in for the long haul, i taken the first step and now i will continue in a positive attitude knowing the there is support out there ant together we will beat this condition.
 
malcolm hales said:
Thanx for the info- think i will need to get a monitor- even though on the Step course and doctor's say it is not necessary.
Will need to experiment and continue to try to alter shopping habits- will need to look more closely at the food labels when quoted. I'll be in for the long haul, i taken the first step and now i will continue in a positive attitude knowing the there is support out there ant together we will beat this condition.
Click to expand...
Good Malcolm...great attitude to have...many GP's & DSN's say it's not necessary for T2's to test their blood unless dependent on medication that may induce hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)...nonsense...lots of excuses are given...too emotional...it may upset you...you could become obsessive...rubbish...all about cost cutting...I believe it is essential for any diabetic to test regularly & repeatedly...the only way we have of knowing how what we eat affects our diabetes...even a little more activity will help lower your BG levels...nothing too heavy...something as simple as a little light walking...as long as you can manage it...it does sound daunting initially...however...it becomes easier once you get into a routine...encouraging when you see the results you are getting from testing...will give you reassurance...I would suggest asking your GP for a meter & some testing strips...self funded mine for almost nine months...now have those on prescription after I was able to justify my request for them...keep us updated...be good to hear your progress...good luck.
 
Welcome to the forum, they are good here :D I was only diagnosed end of March
 
Do'nt weight myself at this stage- am slightly overweight by about 10 kgs, do'nt do regularly exercise owing to existing various ailments, knackered wrist, knackered ankle, back problems- have tried to see if the NHS do concessionary subscriptions to local swimming pool- as only living on a small pension, but no luck. Walking and cycling uncomfortable-so will have to consider yoga or tai-chi. However I do not intend to give up Morris/Folk dancing at this stage.
 
malcolm hales said:
Thanx for the info- think i will need to get a monitor- even though on the Step course and doctor's say it is not necessary.
Will need to experiment and continue to try to alter shopping habits- will need to look more closely at the food labels when quoted. I'll be in for the long haul, i taken the first step and now i will continue in a positive attitude knowing the there is support out there ant together we will beat this condition.
Click to expand...

Hi Malcolm and welcome to the gang. When you are looking at food labels, you need to look at the total carb count not just the sugar, as all carbs convert to sugar.
 
malcolm hales said:
Do'nt weight myself at this stage- am slightly overweight by about 10 kgs, do'nt do regularly exercise owing to existing various ailments, knackered wrist, knackered ankle, back problems- have tried to see if the NHS do concessionary subscriptions to local swimming pool- as only living on a small pension, but no luck. Walking and cycling uncomfortable-so will have to consider yoga or tai-chi. However I do not intend to give up Morris/Folk dancing at this stage.
Click to expand...
Malcolm...hoping I've got your sense of humour right...that made me laugh so much...hope that was your intention?😉.
 
They say that you should try every hing at least once in your lifetime, unfortunately i have been dancing and teaching morris dancing for the last 30 years. Every village needs an idiot, i'm rayleigh's.
 
Welcome Malcolm - is that Raleigh in Essex? Morris Dancing is wondrous - keep at it. 🙂
 
Hi Stephknits, Rayleigh in Essex is my home town- though i my side is based in Maldon, Essex and another one at Good Easter, Essex, one is danced throughout the year, the other only on 2 dates in January. i teach at both, as this is a good form of exercise and a great way to meet people, both at home and abroad.
 
Hi Malcolm. From what I know of Morris dancing, the level of exercise you are getting is just fine, there's no need to punish your body further. Except, as you said, it's worth trying anything once.

The only dancing of that type where I used to live in Lancashire, fifteen miles down the road in the Rossendale Valley were the Bacup Coconut Dancers. These guys originally danced in black face. The reason for the coconuts and black face take some explaining, at the end of which the listener has usually fallen asleep. Probably not the thing to take on a world tour.
 
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