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Another Type 2 Newbie has entered the Forum....

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Unknown_A

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Type 2
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Hi all,

I'm not sure if i can say recently diagnosed with Type 2 (read below) but I'm here and I'm currently at 54 mmol/mol.

My journey so far, I had to have 2 blood tests to confirm my diagnosis, originally phoned GP in February 24 due to my thumb constantly going numb so it was a little bit of a shock when they told me. Then didn't receive my official diagnosis until Aug 2024 where I was at 51mmol. However, buried my head a little as I was dealing with two family Bereavements at the time, so mentally I clocked out until this year. I know it's not great to admit that but i lost people who I was close with and I just didn't handle it well.

I'm now on medication (metformin) which I've been struggling with (side effects) but I've just been changed to slow release which has helped massively but I know its just about giving my body time to adjust.

I haven't told anyone about my recent diagnosis which is the reason I've signed up to forums - just looking for any tips/support as I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.

What I'm struggling with (especially online) is you can watch one video for tips and then the next tells you not to do this - I'm just looking to reverse my type 2 through lifestyle changes.

I've also just started mounjaro and been reviewing some recipes. Tried my first Avacado btw haha I know it's good for you but it's the texture, I can't handle it (I'm powering through tho ). I did read Katie's post which was really helpful (thank you).

Anyways, just wanted to say Hi and you may see me pop up on some threads 🙂
 
Unknown_A said:
Hi all,

I'm not sure if i can say recently diagnosed with Type 2 (read below) but I'm here and I'm currently at 54 mmol/mol.

My journey so far, I had to have 2 blood tests to confirm my diagnosis, originally phoned GP in February 24 due to my thumb constantly going numb so it was a little bit of a shock when they told me. Then didn't receive my official diagnosis until Aug 2024 where I was at 51mmol. However, buried my head a little as I was dealing with two family Bereavements at the time, so mentally I clocked out until this year. I know it's not great to admit that but i lost people who I was close with and I just didn't handle it well.

I'm now on medication (metformin) which I've been struggling with (side effects) but I've just been changed to slow release which has helped massively but I know its just about giving my body time to adjust.

I haven't told anyone about my recent diagnosis which is the reason I've signed up to forums - just looking for any tips/support as I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.

What I'm struggling with (especially online) is you can watch one video for tips and then the next tells you not to do this - I'm just looking to reverse my type 2 through lifestyle changes.

I've also just started mounjaro and been reviewing some recipes. Tried my first Avacado btw haha I know it's good for you but it's the texture, I can't handle it (I'm powering through tho ). I did read Katie's post which was really helpful (thank you).

Anyways, just wanted to say Hi and you may see me pop up on some threads 🙂
Click to expand...
Do have a look at this link as there are lots of ideas for modifying your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ Some menu plans and good ideas, some do's and don'ts.
Many will have reduced their HbA1C from where you were without medication by making some dietary changes, reducing their intake of carbohydrates.
Textures do play a big part in what foods people like, try your avocado mashed up with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dollop of mayonnaise. But it does have to be the right ripeness otherwise it is not nice.
 
Both myself and my husband dislike the texture of avocado - and though I know it can be a useful foodstuff in certain cases when people are trying to get more of some nutritional element or less than some other one - as far as I know - it's by no means whatsoever considered compulsory!!

Hence, if you really don't like eating it - don't eat it! Never bought one in my life so far and no plans whatsoever to start.
 
@Unknown_A welcome to the forums and I can fully comprehend why bereavements may have left you unprepared for the changes needed to manage your diabetes. Having lost my parents a few years back, I know there are still days when I struggle with the fact that they are not there.
Using the forum as a support tool is a good idea, I had a thread talking about how people get non-medical support when they have something like diabetes and it is clear from those who posted that this forum is seen very positively. Personally even though I get a lot of support from wife and family, I like the fact that the people here are going through or have had the same issues as me, it adds weight to their advice that perhaps someone without diabetes can't do.
I actually like avocado but understand your issue, I am not a lover of uncooked cheese and tomatoes used to be a big no-no. I am now much more comfortable with cooked cheese, especially grated mozzarella and even eat the tomatoes so long as cooked. The only item I still won't have is eggs (scrambled, fried, poached, etc.) as my brain really won't go there. Happy to use in breads though.
The recipes in the Freshwell mobile app are great and we often use recipes from the Fast 800 recipe book although often adding to the protein or fat portion size as I don't need to lose more weight. Keto recipes are also helpful and the SugarFreeLondoner web site is good for some nice low carb sweet treats. There are also recipes for things like bread, wraps and even pancakes so while you can change your diet, you don't necessarily need to forego your favourite dishes.
 
Even though some foods are supposed to be good there is no need to eat anything you do not like, there are plenty of other things.
It may be being a bit more adventurous in the way something is prepared or cooked will open up more options.
 
Leadinglights said:
Do have a look at this link as there are lots of ideas for modifying your diet, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/ Some menu plans and good ideas, some do's and don'ts.
Many will have reduced their HbA1C from where you were without medication by making some dietary changes, reducing their intake of carbohydrates.
Textures do play a big part in what foods people like, try your avocado mashed up with a squeeze of lemon juice and a dollop of mayonnaise. But it does have to be the right ripeness otherwise it is not nice.
Click to expand...
That's great - thank you for the link, ive just had a little look.

I'll give it ago, I need to try different things as I've just lived on processed food and noodles
 
Unknown_A said:
That's great - thank you for the link, ive just had a little look.

I'll give it ago, I need to try different things as I've just lived on processed food and noodles
Click to expand...
If you still want noodles then try edamame or black bean noodles (Holland and Barrett) as your base for stir frys etc. Low carb only 15g carbs per 100g dry weight, I find 25g max is perfectly sufficient.
 
Unknown_A said:
Hi all,

I'm not sure if i can say recently diagnosed with Type 2 (read below) but I'm here and I'm currently at 54 mmol/mol.

My journey so far, I had to have 2 blood tests to confirm my diagnosis, originally phoned GP in February 24 due to my thumb constantly going numb so it was a little bit of a shock when they told me. Then didn't receive my official diagnosis until Aug 2024 where I was at 51mmol. However, buried my head a little as I was dealing with two family Bereavements at the time, so mentally I clocked out until this year. I know it's not great to admit that but i lost people who I was close with and I just didn't handle it well.

I'm now on medication (metformin) which I've been struggling with (side effects) but I've just been changed to slow release which has helped massively but I know its just about giving my body time to adjust.

I haven't told anyone about my recent diagnosis which is the reason I've signed up to forums - just looking for any tips/support as I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the moment.

What I'm struggling with (especially online) is you can watch one video for tips and then the next tells you not to do this - I'm just looking to reverse my type 2 through lifestyle changes.

I've also just started mounjaro and been reviewing some recipes. Tried my first Avacado btw haha I know it's good for you but it's the texture, I can't handle it (I'm powering through tho ). I did read Katie's post which was really helpful (thank you).

Anyways, just wanted to say Hi and you may see me pop up on some threads 🙂
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing your story so openly. I’m really sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing, from your recent diagnosis to the loss of loved ones.
Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach here; sometimes it takes time to figure out what works best for your body.

This forum is a safe space, and we're here to support you.
Welcome to the community.
Wishing you strength and progress ahead!
 
Hello @Unknown_A and welcome to the forum. I can understand your diabetes taking a back seat while you are dealing with bereavement. So sorry for your loss but glad you have this forum. I was diagnosed last year and found so much help and support on here. I applaud your willingness to use diet to manage your diabetes and reduce your blood sugars. There are people on here who have done this and can give you tips and advice.
I like avocado in salsa or guacamole but it is very much like marmite. You either love it or hate it.
 
Hi and welcome. At 54 thats not a really high level, (not trying to minimise the impact it will have had on you!) so you may find that relatively small tweaks to your lifestyle could get you back into "normal" territory.

Many peeps on here started with much higher levels (eg: well over 100!) and have still had success getting the figures down. With diet for most T2's its all about the carbs, so lowering the amount of carbs you eat will help massively, usually.
Remember is ALL carbs, not just sugars, so root veg, sweets, crisps, cake, pasta, rice, bread, baked goods, etc, etc.

But also remember everyone is different and everyone's relationship with diabetes is different, in how it affects them and in what foods they can eat/tolerate. I can eat rolled oats for breakfast and it does not seem to affect my BG levels, but for others its a no no. So maybe getting a BG testing kit (finger prick) may be worthwhile, so you can test before and after eating to see what works for you. They are relatively cheap just be careful and checkout the cost of extra strips and lancets, as they can be expensive.

Obviously weight loss and exrecise will play a big part too (if you need to lose weight), but many find that going low carb will help with weight loss anyway, so.....

Its also worth remembering that even little changes can make a big difference, eg: just 10mins gentle exercise every day or minor tweaks to the diet, can all make a difference over time.

I find the carbs and cals book very useful, written in conjunction with Diabetes UK, and I tend to get all my info from here, as like you, if you go elsewhere online the advice can vary considerably.

Good luck with it and let us know how you get on.
 
Hi @Unknown_A and welcome to the Forum 🙂 You've certainly had a lot to deal with in the past few months but there are lots of friendly members to offer help and support. I also find the carbs and cals book is really useful so you can understand portion size and carbs Carbs & Cals | Dieting & Calorie Counting Books & App. Do let us know how you're getting on 🙂
 
Welcome to the forum @Unknown_A

Sorry to hear you’ve been struggling and sincere condolences. Hope life is beginning to ‘grow around’ your grief. It never goes away, but mine has become less all-consuming over the last 6 years.

The confusion with different sources telling you different things is very frustrating. But to some extent it’s pretty much inevitable too. There are multiple different ways of managing diabetes, and diabetes can be a fickle, contrary, and confusing swine. The same source of starchy carbohydrate can be a reliable mainstay for one person, and act like rocket fuel for another 😱 … same goes for fruits, high fibre things… and… well you get the picture. Simple “try this one thing” clickbaity websites are never going to work.

But the good news is… there are lots of options, and variations. So you can build an approach that works for you.

The 2 main strategies on the forum are:

Either to focus on weight loss (by any means that works for you including the NHS soup & shake diet); or

To focus on blood glucose management with a lower carb diet - usually less than 130g of total carbs (not just ‘of which sugars’) per day.

Good luck with whatever you choose to try 🙂
 
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