...and yet another newbie!!

[robster68]

Hi,
My name is Rob, diagnose T2d a few months ago. Didn't take long to be put onto medication but working hard to reverse the diagnosis.
Couple of things I'd like some suggestions on if I may ask.
Firstly, I am a shift worker so managing my diet on earlies (effectively days) and late shifts is not a problem. Its on night shifts I struggle, more specifically between the two I do each set. Its managing my food between midnight first shift and through to 7am at end of 2nd shift. Any shift workers able to suggest?
Secondly, managing blood sugar levels during the night when asleep. I'll add at this point not asleep on shift!! Good things to eat last thing to maintain blood sugars until the morning. Boiled egg tonight, see how that goes.

Thanks in advance

Rob

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi,
My name is Rob, diagnose T2d a few months ago. Didn't take long to be put onto medication but working hard to reverse the diagnosis.
Couple of things I'd like some suggestions on if I may ask.
Firstly, I am a shift worker so managing my diet on earlies (effectively days) and late shifts is not a problem. Its on night shifts I struggle, more specifically between the two I do each set. Its managing my food between midnight first shift and through to 7am at end of 2nd shift. Any shift workers able to suggest?
Secondly, managing blood sugar levels during the night when asleep. I'll add at this point not asleep on shift!! Good things to eat last thing to maintain blood sugars until the morning. Boiled egg tonight, see how that goes.

Thanks in advance

Rob

It is difficult enough for non diabetics to find a happy medium between day and nights and the transition form all sorts of aspects. You may find it beneficial to have a home blood glucose monitor so you can see the effect of meals at various times of the day as that is something than can vary in different people. The may be less tolerant of the same foods in the morning than they are later in the day.
It depends on whether you are looking for light meals, snacks or full meals but things like full fat Greek yoghurt with berries, or home made soup you could take in a flask of reheat in a microwave or things like Nature Valley, KIND or shop own protein bars which are less than 10g carb per bar, salads with cheese or cooked meat or tuna.
You might find some ideas in this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @robster68

Sorry to hear about your diabetes diagnosis.

Sounds like you are working hard to manage your levels, but I can see that the changes of rhythm in your shift pattern must make things tricky. What would you have eaten on nights before your diagnosis? Would it have been just something to snack on in the early hours?

As @Leadinglights says, it might be really helpful to get hold of a home BG meter so that you can monitor what your levels do in response to different foods, and no foods at all. Hopefully you can find some options that keep things pottering along without too much BG upheaval.

I’m not sure what effect your rotating shifts will be having on your circadian rhythm, but bear in mind that there is often an ebb and flow of hormones overnight which can have an impact on BG levels.

If you need to self fund your BG meter, the most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50. any members here find that taking a pair of readings, one must before and another 2hrs after the first bite of a meal/snack is a helpful way to guage the impact of different foods and choices. Aiming to keep rises in BG to 2-3mmol/L or less after eating something carby is a good starting point.