Type 2 Diabetes

[GSDLOVER2020]

Hello i have just been newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes - tbh it scaring the c**p out me. What foods do you eat and cant eat - having to give up certain foods is so hard but i know i have to do it.

 

[Tee G]

Hi and Welcome to the forum @GSDLOVER2020 - Its a shock isnt it. It may be helpful if you can let us know what Hb1Ac level you had and if you are taking any meds? This will help others tailor a suitable response for you - I would say, dont panic, nothing will happen straight away - Take your time (and a deep breath) and just give yourself a moment to absorb it all.

I would suggest this letter from the site - its long but worth reading. Maggie Davey's letter

You will have many question im sure. The main thing to remember is diabetes is a very individual thing. What food suits one person may not necessarily suit another - but you will find your own path. There's loads of resources on here, lots to read and take in.

For a start, you will need to reduce your sugar/carb intake. Not just the obvious sugars but the hidden one's too, in things like ketchup/sauces. Getting used to reading labels on food for 'total' carbs is vital. reducing things like potatoes, pasta, rice, and wheat products found in cakes, pastries, pies etc. Its going to be a whole new way of eating, but you will acclimatise. Perhaps upping your exercise regime will be required. With a few tweaks to things you can be fit and well. It just takes a little organising and some determination. You can control this very well if you put the work in.

Let us know any questions you have, someone will be along to help you - all the best.

 

[trophywench]

The only foodstuffs your body - any everyone else's body when they have diabetes of any Type, is carbohydrates. hence it's the 'stodge' you need to cut down on. You can't eliminate them entirely - even cucumber and celery, both of which contain a helluva lot of water! both also contain some carbs - but take a spud, an orange, a bunch of grapes, bread, cake, sweet biscuits etc and compare the amount of carbs (all there, printed on the back of packets, tins etc) in them - and there's an enormous difference. You may not need to give em all up entirely, but yes you will need to cut down on how much and which ones you choose to eat.

The best way of finding out which seem OK and which don't, for you, is to start testing your blood glucose with a meter. It's unlikely to be prescribed by the NHS so people on this forum suggest one where the test strips are reasonably priced, which someone will provide a link for you to click and buy yourself. The strips for that meter are around £8 for a pot of 50 whereas certain other meter strips cost over £20 a pot!

We also recommend a mode of testing with the heading 'Test, Review, Adjust' promoted by an Australian Type 2, who wanted to help as many of his friends in the UK couldn't get them on the NHS. He also gives advice in another blog on the same website, entitled 'Testing on a Budget'. Plus the one to read first once you have your meter and strips is the one entitled 'Painless pricks' - he knows what that sounds like, but he has got a terrific sense of humour, too!

Here's the Link - https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

 

[Lucylemonpip]

Hi and welcome!

You have come to the right place. There are loads of people on this website who will be able to give you good firsthand advice. It’s a lot to take in, but we know how you feel. I was diagnosed in October last year, with an HbA1c of 50, so am just over the threshold. It still came as a shock mind you and yes, there were some tears and recriminations.

First off, what was your HbA1c result?
Do you have weight to lose?
Are you on any medication for your diabetes? If so, which one(s) and what dose?
The above will help us to answer any questions you have.

Have a read of the helpful information on this website’s “Learning Zone“ and also have a read of other members’ diabetes journeys, like Maggie Daley’s letter, as it will help you to understand what to do to help yourself and how to go about it.

A lot of us are on a low carb, high fat diet, like the Keto diet. It’s an excellent way to lose weight effectively. I’ve lost 20lb so far, so can vouch for it. It’s also an excellent idea to get a blood glucose monitor, so that you can see how your blood glucose reacts to different foods, The Learning Zone will explain all about this.

Try not to worry though. You are not alone and in time, as you get to learn more, your worries will subside a lot. There are positive changes you can make which will help your diabetes and overall health, in the short and long term. Feel free to ask questions and remember, we were all new to diabetes at one time or another. It’s a club no one wanted to join, but none of us are alone in it. 🙂

 

[GSDLOVER2020]

Hi and Welcome to the forum @GSDLOVER2020 - Its a shock isnt it. It may be helpful if you can let us know what Hb1Ac level you had and if you are taking any meds? This will help others tailor a suitable response for you - I would say, dont panic, nothing will happen straight away - Take your time (and a deep breath) and just give yourself a moment to absorb it all.

I would suggest this letter from the site - its long but worth reading. Maggie Davey's letter

You will have many question im sure. The main thing to remember is diabetes is a very individual thing. What food suits one person may not necessarily suit another - but you will find your own path. There's loads of resources on here, lots to read and take in.

For a start, you will need to reduce your sugar/carb intake. Not just the obvious sugars but the hidden one's too, in things like ketchup/sauces. Getting used to reading labels on food for 'total' carbs is vital. reducing things like potatoes, pasta, rice, and wheat products found in cakes, pastries, pies etc. Its going to be a whole new way of eating, but you will acclimatise. Perhaps upping your exercise regime will be required. With a few tweaks to things you can be fit and well. It just takes a little organising and some determination. You can control this very well if you put the work in.

Let us know any questions you have, someone will be along to help you - all the best.

hiya thank u for replying.....Hb1Ac was 66 - it a shock to the system yes - ive had bad days trying to adjust and take it all in.

 

[GSDLOVER2020]

Hi and welcome!

You have come to the right place. There are loads of people on this website who will be able to give you good firsthand advice. It’s a lot to take in, but we know how you feel. I was diagnosed in October last year, with an HbA1c of 50, so am just over the threshold. It still came as a shock mind you and yes, there were some tears and recriminations.

First off, what was your HbA1c result?
Do you have weight to lose?
Are you on any medication for your diabetes? If so, which one(s) and what dose?
The above will help us to answer any questions you have.

Have a read of the helpful information on this website’s “Learning Zone“ and also have a read of other members’ diabetes journeys, like Maggie Daley’s letter, as it will help you to understand what to do to help yourself and how to go about it.

A lot of us are on a low carb, high fat diet, like the Keto diet. It’s an excellent way to lose weight effectively. I’ve lost 20lb so far, so can vouch for it. It’s also an excellent idea to get a blood glucose monitor, so that you can see how your blood glucose reacts to different foods, The Learning Zone will explain all about this.

Try not to worry though. You are not alone and in time, as you get to learn more, your worries will subside a lot. There are positive changes you can make which will help your diabetes and overall health, in the short and long term. Feel free to ask questions and remember, we were all new to diabetes at one time or another. It’s a club no one wanted to join, but none of us are alone in it. 🙂

Hiya my HbA1c was 66 - i was put on 500g Metaformin once day to get bloods checked next month. They say i obese so i to lose a couple of stone - but i also have Cirrhosis of the liver (new diagnosed) due to fatty liver so having to cope with diabetes and liver on top of it all is to much to take in tbh

 

[GSDLOVER2020]

Hi and welcome!

You have come to the right place. There are loads of people on this website who will be able to give you good firsthand advice. It’s a lot to take in, but we know how you feel. I was diagnosed in October last year, with an HbA1c of 50, so am just over the threshold. It still came as a shock mind you and yes, there were some tears and recriminations.

First off, what was your HbA1c result?
Do you have weight to lose?
Are you on any medication for your diabetes? If so, which one(s) and what dose?
The above will help us to answer any questions you have.

Have a read of the helpful information on this website’s “Learning Zone“ and also have a read of other members’ diabetes journeys, like Maggie Daley’s letter, as it will help you to understand what to do to help yourself and how to go about it.

A lot of us are on a low carb, high fat diet, like the Keto diet. It’s an excellent way to lose weight effectively. I’ve lost 20lb so far, so can vouch for it. It’s also an excellent idea to get a blood glucose monitor, so that you can see how your blood glucose reacts to different foods, The Learning Zone will explain all about this.

Try not to worry though. You are not alone and in time, as you get to learn more, your worries will subside a lot. There are positive changes you can make which will help your diabetes and overall health, in the short and long term. Feel free to ask questions and remember, we were all new to diabetes at one time or another. It’s a club no one wanted to join, but none of us are alone in it. 🙂

Hiya the |Nurse told me i dont need to test my blood - i getting told to many stories i would have thought you would have to test your blood so u know what agrees with u and what doesnt. To look at me u would not think i to lose weight but it round the middle (the danger part) and i want rid big time. My head is all over the place with it all.

 

[Lucylemonpip]

Awww, don’t beat yourself up. Like I said, I cried and had words with myself, but with a result of 66, like me, you don’t have too far to go to get down into remission. It’s doable. So, take a deep breath, learn all you can re diet, exercise and on getting a blood glucose monitor and move forward. I know, it’s easy to say, but you can do it and by doing so, you will feel better and be healthier. In an way, getting the diabetes diagnosis now, is better than having it diagnosed in an ex-amount of years time, having developed problems. At this point in time, you have the opportunity to do something about it and to become healthier.

 

[Tee G]

Its very hard and confusing. best thing I found was to sit down and make myself a food plan for the week. (I didnt use a monitor for a long time), I just thought about low carb and healthy foods and i made sure i ate small portions....this is what i did.....

Breakfast... 1/2 slice wholegrain toast (I use livelife bread now, Waitrose its tiny but when i load it up, its ok) with either marmite, tinned sardines,mackerel, peanut butter on top Or i had 4 tbspn of porridge with skim milk or unsweetened soya, almond or Oat milk. Lunchtime i stick with salads - a big plate full (no dressing except maybe a bit of mayo, i have this with sliced chicken, some cold spicy fish (lidl do nice smk mackerel),... Dinnertime was normal things, except i dont use pasta, rice or potatoes any more. I make 'cauliflower mash' instead (grate collie, boil 2 min, drain well add a blob of cream cheese and whiz it up to smooth) Its ok! sometimes i put a little curry powder in it to spice it up a bit. I only eat fruit if it has a 'berry' name (only a handful a day though) and i only eat veg that grow above ground - a good portion on my plate...(i think they are less carbs than the denser varieties underground). If i get hungry in between meals i keep boiled eggs in the fridge. i eat unsalted nuts/seeds, or i have a couple tiny crackers loaded with cottage cheese & spring onion. Or celery stick/cream cheese. Sugar free jelly with cream or a bit of fruit.

I have lost nearly a stone in 2 months - im happy with that, and i go walking (brisk) an hour after dinner most evenings - just 10-15 mins at a time.

 

[Wirrallass]

Hello GSDLOVER20 and a warm welcome to our supportive forum. There's lots of experienced and knowledgeable folk here who will help you on your Diabetes journey so you're not alone ~ we've all been where you are so please don't worry.

I've lost count as to how many times I've said this to Newbies but to help you manage your diabetes I can highly recommend a book entitled the CARB & CALORIE COUNTER which you will find enormously helpful.

It has over 1700 coloured photographs of a wide range of popular food & drink items. The carborhydrate ~calorie ~ protein ~ saturated fat ~ and fibre values are clearly displayed in coloured-coded circles below each photo. This highly visual approach makes it incredibly quick & easy to see the nutrient content of the food and drink you consume.

The book is also the perfect support tool for weight management ~ portion control ~ and general healthy eating and can be purchased from * diabetes.org.uk. So please don't despair as to what you can or can't eat. Most of us declare that we feel a whole lot more healthier by following a low carb diet.

Also, take a looksie in the following link as there's plenty of info within it which will be helpful to you:~

https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes

Also, the book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker is a book worth reading. Following her diagnosis in 1996 she self educated herself re: Type2 Diabetes. It is a brilliant book about how she managed her Type2 Diabetes since her dx (diagnosis)

There's a whole lot more information that we can advise you on like threads about meal plans / recipes ~ and weight loss challenges but I don't want to overwhelm you more than you are already at the moment.

In the meantime why not ask your GP or Diabetes nurse to register you on an Xpert Course (If there is one in your area) it will be to your advantage. I attended 4hr x 6wk course and found it very helpful. The link as follows:~

https://www.xperthealth.org.uk/Programmes

Good luck and do update us as to your progress ~ and if you need to know anything further, please ask as many times as you need to. Remember no question is a silly question, we know what you're talking about!
WL
Edited *

 

[trophywench]

I didn't say - show us your dog/dogs please? Love G Shepherds.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @GSDLOVER2020

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and your cirrhosis. Must have really knocked you for six to get that double whammy

There are lots of friendly, experienced folks here who can give you some pointers from their own experience.

Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint... so take it steady, and make small, sustainable changes to begin with. No need to go throwing the baby out with the bath water. 🙂

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on, or if you have any particular problems, confusions or worries.

 

[Drummer]

Your liver will most likely be a lot happier not having to deal with the fructose, glucose and other simple sugars which our modern diet results in.
My liver was hard and enlarged after almost two years of a 'healthy' high carb diet, so when I tried to bend over it pushed my ribs out - now I can clean the bottom shelf in the fridge, no problem.
I went low carb from the moment of diagnosis - I burnt the GPs diet sheets next day to light the barbecue.
A blood glucose tester is, to a diabetic, as useful as a speedometer in a car to a driver - by testing after eating we know if the meal was right for us. Day by day we can get our diet right, we can see the number and - with any luck, know that we are on the right track and there will be no nasty shocks at the next Hba1c test.
I eat meat, fish, seafood, eggs and cheese, I have full fat greek yoghurt, cream, my carbs come from salad and veges - I have stir fries and roast veges. Usually I eat nothing which is over 10 percent carbs - other than the high cocoa chocolate, but I only have one square at a time, usually no more than two in a day. I am still eating the 95 percent chocolate I bought in Lidl before Christmas. I used to have frozen berries with cream a couple of times a week, as a dessert, but seem to have gone off that, and the sugar free jellies I used to make - but they were fine when I wanted them.