All new to me

[Veenorthants]

Morning everyone, I have just been diagnosed with Type 2 and been placed on metformin. I am very baffled as I do watch what I eat, I'm not one to eat cake, biscuits or have sugary drinks. On the odd occasion yes but not a daily or weekly thing. I do exercise but not as much as I should. I need to loose about a stone but have struggled to do that over the last year, even starving myself doesn't work. I have measured my levels this morning with a finger prick test and after an hour of getting up my level is at 10.2 which I believe is high, this is why I'm baffled I haven't eaten anything since 645pm but am struggling to find info online about it. Can anyone advise?

 

[Kaylz]

It could be Dawn Phenomenon I'm sure there are discussions on here but you could take a look at this google search as well to find out more

https://www.google.co.uk/search?sou...0....1..gws-wiz.....0..0i131j0i10.TWzQvnxR7Rw

what is your diet in general? As a diabetic its not just sugars we have to watch out for it's the total carbohydrate value so type 2's may find it harder to deal with things such as bread, potatoes, rice, pasta etc

xx

 

[Veenorthants]

Thank you for your response I shall check that out. I tend to have either shreddies with fruit or fruit and yoghurt for brekkie. Either a salad, wrap or sandwich (in seeded bread) for lunch, salmon, chicken, tuna or cheese. Tea at this time of year is salad with steak, chicken, fish.

 

[Kaylz]

Thank you for your response I shall check that out. I tend to have either shreddies with fruit or fruit and yoghurt for brekkie. Either a salad, wrap or sandwich (in seeded bread) for lunch, salmon, chicken, tuna or cheese. Tea at this time of year is salad with steak, chicken, fish.

I think you may find if you tested pre breakfast and then again post breakfast after shreddies you would find a spike in levels, I could be wrong of course but cereal is notorious for spiking people, even us Type 1's have trouble with cereals lol, of course you could try and find if there is a certain portion size that fits in at keeping you pretty stable, some fruits are better than others, berries are great and low carb but things like bananas can be tricky and grapes are known as sugar bombs round here, you may also find problems with the bread too but don't worry it does get easier, its best to get your levels down slowly and gradually than getting them down quickly, have you had any information from your GP or a dietician regarding a food plan or anything? how newly diagnosed are you?

 

[Northerner]

Hi Vee, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but do try not to worry! Although it is a serious condition it is thankfully something that can be managed well with the right knowledge and some application - many people find that the adjustments they make actually result in them feeling much happier and healthier than they did for some time prior to their diagnosis 🙂

I'd recommend having a read of Maggie Davey's letter, which will give you a good overview, and I'd also highly recommend getting hold of a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which will guide you through these early months 🙂

It's good to hear you have a blood glucose meter, an essential tool in discovering what your personal tolerances are for your different food choices - these tolerances can vary considerably from person to person, which is why you need to discover your own after starting from the general principles described in Maggie's letter, and explains why there is no simple 'one-size-fits-all' solution. Read Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to learn how you can use your meter most effectively 🙂 Keep a food diary and record your meter results alongside your meals (if possible, include the amount, in grams, of carbohydrates in your meals/snacks), and eventually you will see patterns that will help you to tailor your diet so you have maximum flexibility whilst maintaining good blood sugar control 🙂

Don't panic either! This doesn't have to be 'solved' overnight, it is something that you can work at gradually over the coming weeks. Instead of looking for a 'quick fix' you need to find a solution that works for you on a sustainable basis, not just something you quickly tire of 🙂

Finally, if you can get some regular exercise in this will really help to sensitise your body to the insulin it is producing, helping you to bring your levels under better control 🙂

Please ask any and every question you may have - nothing is considered 'silly', and we are always happy to help 🙂

p.s. you might find this explanation of 'Dawn Phenomenon' helpful 🙂

https://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=143

 

[Veenorthants]

I think you may find if you tested pre breakfast and then again post breakfast after shreddies you would find a spike in levels, I could be wrong of course but cereal is notorious for spiking people, even us Type 1's have trouble with cereals lol, of course you could try and find if there is a certain portion size that fits in at keeping you pretty stable, some fruits are better than others, berries are great and low carb but things like bananas can be tricky and grapes are known as sugar bombs round here, you may also find problems with the bread too but don't worry it does get easier, its best to get your levels down slowly and gradually than getting them down quickly, have you had any information from your GP or a dietician regarding a food plan or anything? how newly diagnosed are you?

Thank you, I feel in a whirlwind with it and am one of these that wants instant results. I have only been diagnosed in the last fortnight, I had my first class this week and they have said I can eat anything just in moderation and have given me which I assume is a standard diet showing how many portions to have in a day based on a 1500 calorie and 2000 calorie diet. I have logged my food in my fitness pal over the last year based on a 1200 calorie a day diet which is why its frustrating as the weight just doesn't want to go. Its all early days, only got my tester yesterday so suspect I will be quite shocked with results over the next week and will have to stop myself wanting to test all the time. At the mo the nurse just wants the urine glucose test which pretty much is Negative - 1.1 most days so I just don't get it

 

[Veenorthants]

Hi Vee, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but do try not to worry! Although it is a serious condition it is thankfully something that can be managed well with the right knowledge and some application - many people find that the adjustments they make actually result in them feeling much happier and healthier than they did for some time prior to their diagnosis 🙂

I'd recommend having a read of Maggie Davey's letter, which will give you a good overview, and I'd also highly recommend getting hold of a copy of the excellent Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which will guide you through these early months 🙂

It's good to hear you have a blood glucose meter, an essential tool in discovering what your personal tolerances are for your different food choices - these tolerances can vary considerably from person to person, which is why you need to discover your own after starting from the general principles described in Maggie's letter, and explains why there is no simple 'one-size-fits-all' solution. Read Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to learn how you can use your meter most effectively 🙂 Keep a food diary and record your meter results alongside your meals (if possible, include the amount, in grams, of carbohydrates in your meals/snacks), and eventually you will see patterns that will help you to tailor your diet so you have maximum flexibility whilst maintaining good blood sugar control 🙂

Don't panic either! This doesn't have to be 'solved' overnight, it is something that you can work at gradually over the coming weeks. Instead of looking for a 'quick fix' you need to find a solution that works for you on a sustainable basis, not just something you quickly tire of 🙂

Finally, if you can get some regular exercise in this will really help to sensitise your body to the insulin it is producing, helping you to bring your levels under better control 🙂

Please ask any and every question you may have - nothing is considered 'silly', and we are always happy to help 🙂

p.s. you might find this explanation of 'Dawn Phenomenon' helpful 🙂

https://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=143

Thank you, I will have a look at all your suggestions. As i stated in Kaylz response I already monitor what I eat in my fitness pal, so will start to test post meals to ascertain what works for me. I guess i struggle the most as I moan at my other half for what he eats as it is a crazy diet and i don't eat anything like what he does. I had no symptoms and this all came about because of a routine blood test for an upset stomach. Guess I'm still in shock with it all. I was quite suprised in the class I went to the other day and the nurse said a tester wasn't necessary at the moment. She looked quite shocked that I said I had ordered one. I will get there in the end

 

[Docb]

Bit like you, Vee, I was I never was a sweet thing eater and never wanted sugar in anything but still developed diabetes with blood glucose levels higher than yours. I have got things under control by really thinking about carbohydrate intake, essentially looking to cut out foodstuffs that are high in carbohydrate.

Shreddies with fruit for me would be a guaranteed blood glucose high as would anything with wheat flour in it - bread in all its forms, pastry, pasta, cakes. Does not matter whether it is wholmeal, seeded or whatever or has big "I am healthy labels" on the packaging. Small amounts of veg starch (which is carbohydrate) in things like potatoes are OK, I just have to cut the portion size way down. I've got there by trial and error and testing. It took several months.

One of the things you might note in reading posts is that the general principal of carb intake reduction is a good thing when first diagnosed but it is not a universal panacea. It is however the best place to start and if it works for you, then it offers a different route to that of experimenting with medication. I call it experimenting because there are a several approaches to medication that are available and your GP will work through them until you find something that works.

And by the way you are not going to get instant results. Only T1's who get their diagnosis when they wake up in hospital get that. What T2's tend to get, if they behave, is a steady decline in blood glucose to sensible levels.

Good Luck!

 

[Veenorthants]

Bit like you, Vee, I was I never was a sweet thing eater and never wanted sugar in anything but still developed diabetes with blood glucose levels higher than yours. I have got things under control by really thinking about carbohydrate intake, essentially looking to cut out foodstuffs that are high in carbohydrate.

Shreddies with fruit for me would be a guaranteed blood glucose high as would anything with wheat flour in it - bread in all its forms, pastry, pasta, cakes. Does not matter whether it is wholmeal, seeded or whatever or has big "I am healthy labels" on the packaging. Small amounts of veg starch (which is carbohydrate) in things like potatoes are OK, I just have to cut the portion size way down. I've got there by trial and error and testing. It took several months.

One of the things you might note in reading posts is that the general principal of carb intake reduction is a good thing when first diagnosed but it is not a universal panacea. It is however the best place to start and if it works for you, then it offers a different route to that of experimenting with medication. I call it experimenting because there are a several approaches to medication that are available and your GP will work through them until you find something that works.

And by the way you are not going to get instant results. Only T1's who get their diagnosis when they wake up in hospital get that. What T2's tend to get, if they behave, is a steady decline in blood glucose to sensible levels.

Good Luck!

Thank you, out of interest then what standard things do you have for breakfast and lunch?

 

[Kaylz]

And by the way you are not going to get instant results. Only T1's who get their diagnosis when they wake up in hospital get that. What T2's tend to get, if they behave, is a steady decline in blood glucose to sensible levels.

Sorry but that isn't true at all, most of us Type 1's have worked hard to get our levels down gradually, I was one of those Type 1's in hospital and I can tell you its just as difficult for us

 

[Ditto]

Hello Vee and welcome to the forum. 🙂

You can't go wrong with eggs, I always have eggs for breakfast. No bread, rice, potatoes, cereal if I want my bg to go down, I'm working on it. You'll soon get the hang of it with the info and help from here. Invaluable place this is.

 

[Docb]

Sorry Kaylz, did not want to decry the issues that type 1's have, far from it, I know its a hard road that needs a lot of work and dicipline. Just trying to say that when it comes to diabetes, its only only at the extremes - like waking up in hospital on a drip after an emergency DKA - where there is an obvious and quick, it has to be quick, change. The rest of the time its a long slow process.

Vee, I have found that 20 - 25g of carbohydrate at a time is about as much as my system can cope with and I tailor my meals around that target. 40g and I would be in double figures and not back to where I would like to be before my next meal. So I have a standard breakfast (yes I am that boring) of 30g or so of a home made granola with lots of nuts and seeds with plain greek yogurt. I reckon that there is about 10g of carbohydrate from the oats. Adding to that a slice of Bergen toast with a scrape of the tastiest marmalade I can find will give me the other 10 grams or so. This will push my bg into the 9's in an hour but it will drop into the 5's by eleven when I have lunch, which today will be soup - either home made or the lowest carb tin I can find - with a cheese/cooked meat salad. Might chuck in an oat biscuit if I think I am a bit under the 20. Works for me, might work for you, but no promises. It helps if you are a bit boring when it comes to food and you treat it as taking on fuel rather than a wild gastronomic experience.

 

[SueEK]

Hi Vee and welcome to you. Like you my diagnosis came as a result of a completely different problem and boy was I shocked, and for weeks I might add i couldn't understand it. It will probably take you some time to come to terms with it and the changes you need to make. I am six months down the line and still learning. I test my bg levels with new foods or foods at different times of the day, only recently discovered I am fine eating raspberries, strawberries and cream, yum. However cereal, and any amount of pasta or rice doesn’t like me at all. I still have some bread, Weight watchers at 9g a slice, it is tastier than some of the other low carb breads I have tried. I simply cannot give bread up entirely and still have it for breakfast as I cannot face anything else. As the others have said your diet will be particular to you and it is something you need to slowly work out by testing you simply won’t get an instant result.
I hope you take comfort that we are all in the same boat and we have all seen our bg levels come down through working out what is best for us individually and we are all here to help you and offer any advice we can. Ask questions or have a rant, we don’t mind, we all do it ourselves. Good luck 🙂🙂

 

[Veenorthants]

Sorry Kaylz, did not want to decry the issues that type 1's have, far from it, I know its a hard road that needs a lot of work and dicipline. Just trying to say that when it comes to diabetes, its only only at the extremes - like waking up in hospital on a drip after an emergency DKA - where there is an obvious and quick, it has to be quick, change. The rest of the time its a long slow process.

Vee, I have found that 20 - 25g of carbohydrate at a time is about as much as my system can cope with and I tailor my meals around that target. 40g and I would be in double figures and not back to where I would like to be before my next meal. So I have a standard breakfast (yes I am that boring) of 30g or so of a home made granola with lots of nuts and seeds with plain greek yogurt. I reckon that there is about 10g of carbohydrate from the oats. Adding to that a slice of Bergen toast with a scrape of the tastiest marmalade I can find will give me the other 10 grams or so. This will push my bg into the 9's in an hour but it will drop into the 5's by eleven when I have lunch, which today will be soup - either home made or the lowest carb tin I can find - with a cheese/cooked meat salad. Might chuck in an oat biscuit if I think I am a bit under the 20. Works for me, might work for you, but no promises. It helps if you are a bit boring when it comes to food and you treat it as taking on fuel rather than a wild gastronomic experience.

Thank you. I have just tested again 2.5 hours after brekkie which was 40g shreddies, banana and blueberries and its come down to 7.4 so after the info given this morning I'm quite pleased with that. So results will be interesting over the next week

 

[Veenorthants]

Hi Vee and welcome to you. Like you my diagnosis came as a result of a completely different problem and boy was I shocked, and for weeks I might add i couldn't understand it. It will probably take you some time to come to terms with it and the changes you need to make. I am six months down the line and still learning. I test my bg levels with new foods or foods at different times of the day, only recently discovered I am fine eating raspberries, strawberries and cream, yum. However cereal, and any amount of pasta or rice doesn’t like me at all. I still have some bread, Weight watchers at 9g a slice, it is tastier than some of the other low carb breads I have tried. I simply cannot give bread up entirely and still have it for breakfast as I cannot face anything else. As the others have said your diet will be particular to you and it is something you need to slowly work out by testing you simply won’t get an instant result.
I hope you take comfort that we are all in the same boat and we have all seen our bg levels come down through working out what is best for us individually and we are all here to help you and offer any advice we can. Ask questions or have a rant, we don’t mind, we all do it ourselves. Good luck 🙂🙂

thank you x

 

[PamJHS]

Hi Vee, I was diagnosed about five weeks ago after a routine blood test to check the effects of my blood pressure meds. I felt confused and in shock for at least a fortnight. When I started using my monitor, my first early morning reading was 9.2 which gave me a horrible shock, as I didn't know about the Dawn Effect either. Unfortunately, it's no mystery to me where the carbs in my diet were coming from - I love stodge in all its varieties, but am now focussing on learning to love meals without a huge side helping of carbs.

 

[Veenorthants]

Hi Vee, I was diagnosed about five weeks ago after a routine blood test to check the effects of my blood pressure meds. I felt confused and in shock for at least a fortnight. When I started using my monitor, my first early morning reading was 9.2 which gave me a horrible shock, as I didn't know about the Dawn Effect either. Unfortunately, it's no mystery to me where the carbs in my diet were coming from - I love stodge in all its varieties, but am now focussing on learning to love meals without a huge side helping of carbs.

Thank you for helping me to feel normal x

 

[Drummer]

If you are eating breakfast cereals and then having bread for lunch your are going to see spikes - they are high carb foods, and that is what you can't deal with.
I tend to eat nothing with over 10 percent carbs, and a lot of things which are a lot lower. I do eat a small amount of a high cocoa chocolate which is 14 percent carbs, but not all the time.
Avoid anything marked as low fat as they are usually loaded up with carbs to compensate.

 

[Veenorthants]

If you are eating breakfast cereals and then having bread for lunch your are going to see spikes - they are high carb foods, and that is what you can't deal with.
I tend to eat nothing with over 10 percent carbs, and a lot of things which are a lot lower. I do eat a small amount of a high cocoa chocolate which is 14 percent carbs, but not all the time.
Avoid anything marked as low fat as they are usually loaded up with carbs to compensate.

Thank you for the tip

 

[rebrascora]

Hi Vee and welcome.
I didn't see my BG levels come down until I gave up on my daily porridge and fruit. I now find starting the day with an omelette and green salad really helps to keep my BGs low and stable and I don't feel deprived or hungry afterwards. I usually have mushrooms in it and any combination of onions, aubergine, peppers, ham and cheese and half a small avocado with my salad. That really works for me.