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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
Annoyed
- Thread starter Cas67
- Start date
- Status
So why are you annoyed? Surely an increase in HbA1C is what you expected.
My GP told me what to do, I did it and my HbA1C increased, weight increased, lipid profile got worse.
I had cause to be annoyed!
Then I did low carb (instead of Low Fat) - just the reverse of what my GP advised. Put T2 D into remission, lost weight, improved both HDL and Triglycerides. - Simple!
My GP told me what to do, I did it and my HbA1C increased, weight increased, lipid profile got worse.
I had cause to be annoyed!
Then I did low carb (instead of Low Fat) - just the reverse of what my GP advised. Put T2 D into remission, lost weight, improved both HDL and Triglycerides. - Simple!
Griffin.
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Annoyed
Welcome to the forum firstly I'll say we've all been there facing what seems to be Insurmountable odds and feeling scared angry and anxious about this handgrenade that's just been lobbed onto our laps. It seems there's all these questions and no answers and all this info that makes no sense at first glance.
Your in the right place remember there's no such thing as a stupid question and the diagnoses isn't a one size fits all kind of thing. I personally stay well away from booze it's one of the things that sends my b/s rocketing up to dangerous levels everytime you can still eat a biscuit or two everything in moderation if recommended going to learning zone there's lots of amazing info recipes and courses to have a look at don't be too hard on your self look at this as a life lesson it's not a death sentence you can still live life to the fullest. I hope you find some peace on your journey again I'd advise you to ask questions if one of us doesn't have a answer there's always someone who does
Keep on smiling
Griff
Welcome to the forum firstly I'll say we've all been there facing what seems to be Insurmountable odds and feeling scared angry and anxious about this handgrenade that's just been lobbed onto our laps. It seems there's all these questions and no answers and all this info that makes no sense at first glance.
Your in the right place remember there's no such thing as a stupid question and the diagnoses isn't a one size fits all kind of thing. I personally stay well away from booze it's one of the things that sends my b/s rocketing up to dangerous levels everytime you can still eat a biscuit or two everything in moderation if recommended going to learning zone there's lots of amazing info recipes and courses to have a look at don't be too hard on your self look at this as a life lesson it's not a death sentence you can still live life to the fullest. I hope you find some peace on your journey again I'd advise you to ask questions if one of us doesn't have a answer there's always someone who does
Keep on smiling
Griff
Cherrelle DUK
Much missed Online Community Coordinator
Hi Annoyed, welcome to the forum!
It’s easier said than done but please don't be hard on yourself as you'll find many of us had a similar journey to start with.
Your HbA1c is relatively good so it sounds like the changes you've already made should have a positive impact.
Re ditching sugar full stop, it's really down to what your health care team advise and your choices based on your lifestyle. For some, not having sugar at all works whilst others can use some in moderation. It's also worth remembering that it's not sugar alone but carbs to that you'd need to keep an eye on.
It's worth getting a blood glucose monitor and testing two hours after a meal as only then will you know the impact your food choices has on your sugar levels. You can find out more about testing here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
We've got some helpful info on what to eat on our site so feel free to have a good look around and let us know if we can help in any way.
It’s easier said than done but please don't be hard on yourself as you'll find many of us had a similar journey to start with.
Your HbA1c is relatively good so it sounds like the changes you've already made should have a positive impact.
Re ditching sugar full stop, it's really down to what your health care team advise and your choices based on your lifestyle. For some, not having sugar at all works whilst others can use some in moderation. It's also worth remembering that it's not sugar alone but carbs to that you'd need to keep an eye on.
It's worth getting a blood glucose monitor and testing two hours after a meal as only then will you know the impact your food choices has on your sugar levels. You can find out more about testing here https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/testing.
We've got some helpful info on what to eat on our site so feel free to have a good look around and let us know if we can help in any way.
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I too was 67 at diagnosis, at a higher level than you. Looking at the positive - you have only gone from 48 to 51, so are at the lowest end of the diabetic spectrum. It could have become a lot worse over the last 12 months. So now is the time to make changes. You might only need to make small tweaks now, but if you leave it, small will become larger.
It's total carbs you should look at, not just sugars. If you look at a supermarket pack, it will say total carbs xxx; of which yyy are sugars. You don't need to cut everything out - in fact if you go too drastic it can affect your eyes. Also there are carbs in everything, except proteins. Even the humble lettuce has some carbs. It is suggested that Type 2 diabetics might aim for less than 130gm carbs a day. Some people who are particularly sensitive to carbs aim for a lot lower.
I experimented and settled on 90gm a day. I monitor daily with an App. Some are free, some have a fee. Mine shows the carb level for portions or by weight. For example, a Sainsburys malted milk biscuit is 6.2gm carbs. Many of us reduce our portion size of things like bread, potato, rice, pasta, cereals, or look for substitutes such as cauliflower rice/mash, carrot/swede puree, courgetti, boodles, roasted squash wedges. Of course cutting right down on the obvious things like sweets, cakes, biscuits, pastries, most fruits (berries are the best fruits to eat - tropical fruits are the highest in sugars), but if you want a biscuit, just include it in the day's count, unless it really spikes your blood glucose.
I found it necessary to test, test, test with a monitor for the first few weeks, until I worked out what foods I could eat and what affected me. Test immediately before and 2 hours after 1st bite (including your evening biccies!!) I soon learned I could manage a couple of small potatoes, or a small slice of wholemeal bread, but not bigger portions. We are all different so what you discover about yourself might be totally different.
One exercise I discovered was aquafit, and I now go 3 times a week. I have a waist again, and am a lot more toned and flexible. It's also sociable and fun. Best wishes
It's total carbs you should look at, not just sugars. If you look at a supermarket pack, it will say total carbs xxx; of which yyy are sugars. You don't need to cut everything out - in fact if you go too drastic it can affect your eyes. Also there are carbs in everything, except proteins. Even the humble lettuce has some carbs. It is suggested that Type 2 diabetics might aim for less than 130gm carbs a day. Some people who are particularly sensitive to carbs aim for a lot lower.
I experimented and settled on 90gm a day. I monitor daily with an App. Some are free, some have a fee. Mine shows the carb level for portions or by weight. For example, a Sainsburys malted milk biscuit is 6.2gm carbs. Many of us reduce our portion size of things like bread, potato, rice, pasta, cereals, or look for substitutes such as cauliflower rice/mash, carrot/swede puree, courgetti, boodles, roasted squash wedges. Of course cutting right down on the obvious things like sweets, cakes, biscuits, pastries, most fruits (berries are the best fruits to eat - tropical fruits are the highest in sugars), but if you want a biscuit, just include it in the day's count, unless it really spikes your blood glucose.
I found it necessary to test, test, test with a monitor for the first few weeks, until I worked out what foods I could eat and what affected me. Test immediately before and 2 hours after 1st bite (including your evening biccies!!) I soon learned I could manage a couple of small potatoes, or a small slice of wholemeal bread, but not bigger portions. We are all different so what you discover about yourself might be totally different.
One exercise I discovered was aquafit, and I now go 3 times a week. I have a waist again, and am a lot more toned and flexible. It's also sociable and fun. Best wishes
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Weight watchers is not designed for use controlling diabetes, but if you are losing weight then your numbers might reduce due to that - it will take time to resolve that though.
I was far higher into the diabetes range when diagnosed 91 - and I went straight to eating low carb as the carbs are the problem.
My blood glucose went back to normal, and now - over 5 years later, a lot of other things are normalizing too.
If you can cope with biscuits and still have normal blood glucose then that is fine - but I suggest using a meter and test strips to check what you are eating. It only needs to be for a little while, as once you see the numbers it should become clear what you can cope with and what causes spikes.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You may be able to adapt your weight watchers program to fit in with the need to reduce carbohydrates by making some substitutions for lower carb ingredients. You might want to check out this link for a low carb approach and see how it compares to the WW program. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
But I would suggest that you get a blood glucose monitor so you can see what meals you can tolerate and give yourself the control over your condition.
The GlucoNavil is one with the cheapest strips available on line, you get a few strips and lancets with the kit but should buy extra at the outset.
But I would suggest that you get a blood glucose monitor so you can see what meals you can tolerate and give yourself the control over your condition.
The GlucoNavil is one with the cheapest strips available on line, you get a few strips and lancets with the kit but should buy extra at the outset.
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