Allergic reaction

[Lucyr]

My idea was to "have enough sugar in me" to prevent a hypo. I used to believe that Metformin stopped hypos taken on it's own - Then I was told otherwise. I would think just have sugar to stop it going too low. Now I realise and know better.

Sorry I’m a bit confused. You should have been told to reduce your sugar intake when you were diagnosed with diabetes. Were you told to increase your sugar intake? Hot chocolate from Costa has a lot of sugar in it. Options light hot chocolate at home would have much less sugar.

 

[rustee2011]

Were you trying to choose a healthier option with the hot chocolate?

The hot chocolate had nearly twice as much carbs (sugar) as the latte did. A white americano (whole milk is nice and creamy if you like) would be the lowest carb option, and I always like a glass of iced tap water with mine which they don’t charge for.

Also coffee can sois over 120metimes cause me to have an elevated heart BPM - Then my tracker will say after 10 mins - "your BPM is greater than 120BPM" similar to what too much oats can do to me

 

[Lucyr]

Also coffee can sois over 120metimes cause me to have an elevated heart BPM - Then my tracker will say after 10 mins - "your BPM is greater than 120BPM" similar to what too much oats can do to me

You could have decaf coffee or tea

 

[rustee2011]

Sorry I’m a bit confused. You should have been told to reduce your sugar intake when you were diagnosed with diabetes. Were you told to increase your sugar intake? Hot chocolate from Costa lot of sugar in it. Options light hot chocolate at home would hon theave much less sugar.

Not at all - it was just me. As I got on the cusp between pre diabetes and borderline - I just took it for granted to reduce the fizzy drinks and diary. Also, being told - its really down to you being a bit obe se - I did a lot of exercise mainly walking - it was a kind of insurance as an energy reserve. My family and I are guilty of having sweet tooths. Also I dont drink or smoke
I thought that kept me in good stead balancing wise

 

[Inka]

I take Amlodipine - I take the homemade beetroot juice an hour later to help lower my BP as well - The BP meds in the past have giving me many an allergic reaction. I do have a breakfast - that can depend on pain aux raisins with tea and bananas. Or the fruit scones ( the small tesco pack of four ) 2 in the morning with a banana .and tea. The banana is to keep me energised.

I’m a fan of carbs @rustee2011 but that’s way too many carbs and not enough protein. Scones are pretty carby for their size, and bananas are one of the carbiest fruit. To then go on and have two sandwiches, etc for lunch seems a bit unnecessary. You don’t have to avoid all carbs but reducing them should be easy. Also, making your meals more balanced should help fill you up for longer 🙂

 

[rustee2011]

You could have decaf coffee or tea

I had the tea already in the morning - if I have too much it can occasionally cause my BPM to get over 120 - not an issue but if longer than 10 minutes or more it beeps to me - I know them too much caffeine

 

[JimmyBlue]

@rustee2011 hi sorry to hear about your allergic reaction, one of my daughters gets a tingly lip if she eats prawns so fully aware that there are things out there that can disturb your balance.
In terms of diet, as someone who undertakes a high level of exercise and general activity I have focussed on consuming more calories without increasing my consumption of carbs. I have found that eating things like fish or meat as part of a salad with some avocado I can avoid the high BG while making sure I feel full and have plenty of energy.
I don't like raw cheese nor can I eat eggs outside of being mixed in a cake or bread. Yoghurt (particularly Greek) I can eat all day long together with some berries or half a pear. Therefore I use other sources of healthy fats together with eating slightly more protein to ensure that I have a good slow burn of food to keep my energy up. Some dark chocolate also helps to boost things particularly is my lunch or dinner has been especially low carb.
For things I used to eat a lot of like bread and pasta, I use substitutes such as red lentil pasta, or noodles made from edamame or black beans. These are lower cab but still fill me up. In addition I also enjoy the Fat Head Dough Rolls in the Freshwell app. When toasted you cannot taste any cheese and they are definitely a filling option.

 

[rustee2011]

Guys, I hope you dont think I am arguing - I am being quite honest in what I eat. Although I am seeing results from using the arm bike - I still notice my stomach is a tad big - even though my clothes are looser

 

[rustee2011]

@rustee2011 hi sorry to hear about your allergic reaction, one of my daughters gets a tingly lip if she eats prawns so fully aware that there are things out there that can disturb your balance.
In terms of diet, as someone who undertakes a high level of exercise and general activity I have focussed on consuming more calories without increasing my consumption of carbs. I have found that eating things like fish or meat as part of a salad with some avocado I can avoid the high BG while making sure I feel full and have plenty of energy.
I don't like raw cheese nor can I eat eggs outside of being mixed in a cake or bread. Yoghurt (particularly Greek) I can eat all day long together with some berries or half a pear. Therefore I use other sources of healthy fats together with eating slightly more protein to ensure that I have a good slow burn of food to keep my energy up. Some dark chocolate also helps to boost things particularly is my lunch or dinner has been especially low carb.
For things I used to eat a lot of like bread and pasta, I use substitutes such as red lentil pasta, or noodles made from edamame or black beans. These are lower cab but still fill me up. In addition I also enjoy the Fat Head Dough Rolls in the Freshwell app. When toasted you cannot taste any cheese and they are definitely a filling option.

Cheers buddy - Funnily enough - to avoid bread/sandwiches I would go for the chicken pasta bowls from the supermarkets.

 

[Inka]

My idea was to "have enough sugar in me" to prevent a hypo. I used to believe that Metformin stopped hypos taken on it's own - Then I was told otherwise. I would think just have sugar to stop it going too low. Now I realise and know better.

Diabetes is a condition of high blood sugar not low. You shouldn’t need to worry about hypos (low sugars) unless you’re on insulin or similar. Diabetes medication isn’t to prevent hypos, its to prevent hypers (high sugars).

 

[rustee2011]

This is why it's good I am back on the forum. I realise my fear of hypos stem from the older generation in my family. But not their fault - I would hear folks rushing to make them tea or sugar water - heaps of sugar in it when their sugar was too low. Funny enough when I was newly diagnosed and given metformin, the weight fell off so quickly. I gave the Metformin the credit, rather than what I was doing. Don't get me wrong - I knew a little bit, but I would refuse to delve deeper into the subject of diabetes. As I tend to practice Reiki, Sahaja Yoga, Acupressure etc - I also do a bit of visualising - I would see diabetes as an older brother - giving me a cautionary tap on the shoulder when things felt, awry. As my results over the years came up well, I was pleased with my approach. I realise now I should combine and learn more about diabetes . When I was firstly diagnosed, my reading was 52...since them I have had readings ranging from 43 - 49. Some folks would even question whether I had diabetes, as I was diagnosed longer than them, and didn't have the complications.
Phew - The diabetes story of Roy AKA Prince Majesty

 

[rustee2011]

Diabetes is a condition of high blood sugar not low. You shouldn’t need to worry about hypos (low sugars) unless you’re on insulin or similar. Diabetes medication isn’t to prevent hypos, its to prevent hypers (high sugars).

Yes very true - I had also believed that tale of some folks who were only on Metformin and got hypos....silly me

 

[Lucyr]

Yes very true - I had also believed that tale of some folks who were only on Metformin and got hypos....silly me

Have you read the leaflet in the box? Always read it, and it will tell you if you need to worry about hypos

 

[rustee2011]

Bananas - I tend to like them because they are also mood boosting, What I was busy working on were foods that caused me to get low mood - I found that sausage rolls, meat pies were the worst - I would feel my mood dip a wee bit. IF I felt I went on a sugar binge I would drink loads of water that day and the next few days to counter it. I would prefer the sandwiches with the salad in it - hoping it provided some balance.

 

[rustee2011]

I am glad that I shared this with you guys. I tend to be a tad reserved, and only this open when I have had a rough time as I have done this past few days.
I should know better - seeing that I encourage folks to talk and share more as a Coordinator for AndysManclub - a mental health charity I work with.
In the early days I would find it depressing to read about diabetes, so used avoidance - much in the same way I would practically bellow at somebody who even mentioned my weight size.
I haven't done too badly, when diagnosed I was 184KG. Now I am over 35kgs lighter. This was the tweak I needed.

 

[rustee2011]

For your meal deal lunch, if you wanted it to be more filling and less money you could just get one pack of sandwich not two and swap the banana for something with protein to fill you up. Do you like yoghurt, chicken or eggs? I’ve attached some photo ideas.

Thanks for the idea. I will try. If it fills me up even better

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Well done on your weight loss @rustee2011

It’s great to see you trying so hard, and sharing so openly here.

People are only suggesting what works for them, and you need to balance that with your own tastes, lifestyle, metabolism, and needs, to build a system that works for you.

One thing that occurs to me about the sweet things you’ve been choosing to give you energy. I understand the thinking… but those foods not work quite the same for those of us with diabetes - where we don’t produce enough insulin, or our insulin doesn’t work properly. The sweet things and simple carbs can get into the blood stream, but then get stuck and can’t get into the cells where it is needed (some nurses describe insulin as the ‘key’ that unlocks the cells to let glucose in).

So you can end up with higher glucose levels in your blood, but it can’t get into the cells and muscles. And high glucose can increase tiredness and fatigue.

I don’t know if that may be happening for you, but there’s a possibility that aiming for foods which release glucose more gently, and allow your body to absorb them properly might keep you more fuelled and energised than the simpler carbs and sweeter fruits?

 

[rustee2011]

Cheers,
I appreciate it. Reading the texts and help, I could come across as being fairly ignorant to diabetes and need to learn more

 

[rustee2011]

In my job as a Security officer, you often go for what will energise you during your shifts, and sustain you. A lot of walking can be involved, burning off calories. So,it's vital to find the balance.