Afternoon - new member

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ChocsAway

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Type 2
Hi there

Just saying hello. Couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with type 2 at the age of 54. Bit of a curve ball as it's never been in the family. First instinct was to suspect it's a lifetime sweet tooth catching up on me but I don't think it necessarily works that way...

However, as a needle-phobe I have massively impressed myself at handling finger prick tests twice a day! You just have to get on with it, there's nothing you can do about it. The nurse I've been assigned to thinks it looks unlikely at the moment I'll end up having to inject insulin so that's promising.

Most daunting thing for me going forward is the diet implications. I'm a pretty picky eater and, as I say, have always liked my sweet things. It's a bit depressing Googling "Is [insert previously favourite sweet/snack/junk food] OK for diabetics" and getting repeated flat "no's" so I've kind of stopped doing that...

Anyway I was wondering if anyone can recommend any decent sugar-free sweets that reasonably convince as the real thing. Pick and mix kind of stuff. Or chocolate. I bought a couple of Wizard and Diablo bars from Holland and Barrett today so I'll road-test them tonight when I'm watching the telly. Any other food tips or workarounds welcome too.

Looking forward to reading the forum.
 
ChocsAway said:
Hi there

Just saying hello. Couple of weeks ago I was diagnosed with type 2 at the age of 54. Bit of a curve ball as it's never been in the family. First instinct was to suspect it's a lifetime sweet tooth catching up on me but I don't think it necessarily works that way...

However, as a needle-phobe I have massively impressed myself at handling finger prick tests twice a day! You just have to get on with it, there's nothing you can do about it. The nurse I've been assigned to thinks it looks unlikely at the moment I'll end up having to inject insulin so that's promising.

Most daunting thing for me going forward is the diet implications. I'm a pretty picky eater and, as I say, have always liked my sweet things. It's a bit depressing Googling "Is [insert previously favourite sweet/snack/junk food] OK for diabetics" and getting repeated flat "no's" so I've kind of stopped doing that...

Anyway I was wondering if anyone can recommend any decent sugar-free sweets that reasonably convince as the real thing. Pick and mix kind of stuff. Or chocolate. I bought a couple of Wizard and Diablo bars from Holland and Barrett today so I'll road-test them tonight when I'm watching the telly. Any other food tips or workarounds welcome too.

Looking forward to reading the forum.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum. It sounds like a bit of a treat from your nurse about the insulin but many who are definitely Type 2 will manage to reduce blood glucose to within range by making some serious dietary changes and with the help of oral medication if that does not work. Depending on what your HbA1C is that will indicate how much work you need to do.
Having a sweet tooth may mean initially you will struggle to adapt but if you are into baking then there are plenty of low carb recipes for cakes and biscuits on the website sugarfreelondoner but people find it is better to educate your taste buds not to go for sweet things.
Sugarfee things does not mean they are low carbohydrate and they tend to be heavily loaded with artificial sweeteners which can upset the stomach. Dark chocolate is ok in small quantities and there are some nice ones at Aldi, Moser Roth are pretty good or Lindt.
However it is not all about just sweet things but all carbohydrates as they convert to glucose so foods like potatoes, rice, bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, tropical fruits, pastry will need to be foods to reduce your intake and base meals on meat, fish. eggs. cheese. dairy, nuts with plenty of vegetables, salads and fruits like berries.
Having filling meals with plenty of protein and healthy fats should reduce the need for snacking on high carb or 'junk' foods.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
This is an approach that should be suitable of you are only on diet management or only metformin.
 
Welcome to the forum @ChocsAway

Well done on working through your phobia of pointy things to allow you to monitor your BG levels.

As a word of warning about sugar free sweets don’t get the SF Haribo without reading the comments / reviews. Many people have been caught unawares by the, um… potentially explosive effect of the sugar alcohols often used in these confections.

Back in the old days (thankfully no longer permitted by law) well-meaning relatives would sometimes buy ‘diabetic’ chocolate or sweet things in Boots. They were horrendous, in that they a) weren’t all that nice and b) gave terrible wind and/or upset stomach even if you kept to the (small) recommended intake.

For nibbles I’ve moved over to things like nuts and chunks of cheese. Much less faff to snack without needing to dose insulin.

I always had sugar in coffee, and could not imagine enjoying (or bearing!) it without. But I just had to go ‘cold turkey’ on that, and within a few short weeks, my tatebuds changed. i now find it undrinkable with sugar!
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @ChocsAway

Well done on working through your phobia of pointy things to allow you to monitor your BG levels.

As a word of warning about sugar free sweets don’t get the SF Haribo without reading the comments / reviews. Many people have been caught unawares by the, um… potentially explosive effect of the sugar alcohols often used in these confections.

Back in the old days (thankfully no longer permitted by law) well-meaning relatives would sometimes buy ‘diabetic’ chocolate or sweet things in Boots. They were horrendous, in that they a) weren’t all that nice and b) gave terrible wind and/or upset stomach even if you kept to the (small) recommended intake.

For nibbles I’ve moved over to things like nuts and chunks of cheese. Much less faff to snack without needing to dose insulin.

I always had sugar in coffee, and could not imagine enjoying (or bearing!) it without. But I just had to go ‘cold turkey’ on that, and within a few short weeks, my tatebuds changed. i now find it undrinkable with sugar!
Click to expand...
Hiya, thanks for the reply. I was actually in a Haribo shop today and asked about sugar free, they apparently don't do them any more (I had indeed read about the unfortunate side effects they used to have!), just 30% reduced.

Good news about cheese being OK. Blimmin' love cheese.
 
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