• 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.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Choices !

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
R

Robert Barrett

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Afternoon all ,
I was diagnosed yesterday with type 2 .
I would like to say I was shocked , however the way I have been for almost 12 months now , makes perfect sense .
I lost my beloved Mum in the early stages of Coronavirus
I also was hospitalised and we eventually crossed paths in hospital .
I need to take charge , much as I did when I was her Carer .
this may help !
Robert
 
Hi Robert, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about your mum and your recent diagnosis and shock surrounding it.
How are you coping with the news? Are you getting support from your GP/nurse? Getting on ok with any medication?

I can recommend signing up to the Learning Zone to find out more about diabetes and how to manage it, and let us know if you have any particular questions you want to ask as well.
Kind regards, Sarah
 
Hi Sarah ,
I've hit the ground running
I had a period in hospital up to 02/02/2021
I gave up on myself to a certain extent
I reconnected with my G P which led to me having my fasting bloods done on Monday 14th Feb
I have already done my first post diagnosis shop today
looking forward to red top milk and shreddies for breakfast tomorrow !
 
I hope your shop included meat, fish, eggs, cheese, full fat dairy and plenty of veg and salads. Many people find breakfast cereals are one of the high carb foods which increase blood glucose levels so they are not a good breakfast choice. Many people find full fat Greek yoghurt with some berries and maybe a small portion of a low sugar granola or All bran for a bit of crunch or a breakfast of eggs in any form with bacon or mushrooms or tomatoes with a small slice of toast if they can tolerate bread.
Many people are more sensitive to carbohydrates in the morning so opt for a low carb meal.
What was your HbA1C which has led to your diagnosis and have you been given any medication as that will indicate how much you need to do to bring down your blood glucose level.
 
Hi @Robert Barrett and welcome to the forum.
Are you on some medication that requires carbohydrates for breakfast?
I ask this because there are 2 main ways to reverse Type 2 Diabetes and both of them involve eating fewer carbohydrates, especially for breakfast which is when most of us are most sensitive to carbs. All digestible carbs turn into glucose soon after we eat them - even brown or whole grain ones. Starches like potato and sugary tropical fruit are big problems that many don't realise as such.

The 2 main ways are either a very low calorie calorie controlled diet (only around 800 calories and only for 8 to 12 weeks maximum), or just a low carbohydrate way of eating (i.e. don't cut calories just cut down on carbs until your Blood Glucose meter stays low after a meal). Both methods tend to cause weight loss and even to normalise blood pressure. I feel that low carb is the easier way, but some people prefer to starve themselves thinking that losing the weight faster is better.

A much better breakfast would be a zero or low carb one unless your medication requires carbs at that time of day. So eggs or meat such as bacon, or fish are all ideal Type 2 breakfast foods. However if you need something a little lighter then cheese ( either with no bread or very low carb bread) or plain greek yogurt ( or double cream) with a few berries and/or seeds or nuts would also be OK. Full fat dairy is better than low fat because it keeps you fuller for longer than the low fat style (which is often laced with carbohydrates to make up for the lack of flavoursome fat.
 
Hello Robert.
You will get lots of good advice on this forum.
Hope to 'see' you here regularly so you can get support and encouragement and good information to help you sort this out and stay healthy.
 
Robert Barrett said:
Hi Sarah ,
I've hit the ground running
I had a period in hospital up to 02/02/2021
I gave up on myself to a certain extent
I reconnected with my G P which led to me having my fasting bloods done on Monday 14th Feb
I have already done my first post diagnosis shop today
looking forward to red top milk and shreddies for breakfast tomorrow !
Click to expand...
Has no one explained that type two diabetes is an inability to deal with carbohydrates, starch and sugar? Shreddies would not be a good choice.
We can deal with protein and fats as normal, so reducing the high carb foods and increasing meat, fish and seafood, eggs and cheese, full fat yoghurt, and using cream in coffee can reverse the progress of diabetes and restore normal numbers
 
Leadinglights said:
I hope your shop included meat, fish, eggs, cheese, full fat dairy and plenty of veg and salads. Many people find breakfast cereals are one of the high carb foods which increase blood glucose levels so they are not a good breakfast choice. Many people find full fat Greek yoghurt with some berries and maybe a small portion of a low sugar granola or All bran for a bit of crunch or a breakfast of eggs in any form with bacon or mushrooms or tomatoes with a small slice of toast if they can tolerate bread.
Many people are more sensitive to carbohydrates in the morning so opt for a low carb meal.
What was your HbA1C which has led to your diagnosis and have you been given any medication as that will indicate how much you need to do to bring down your blood glucose level.
Click to expand...
the score was 72 !
I have transitioned to skimmed milk
my diet was devoid of fruit
I generally love all green veg , with the exception of asparagus
white fish , such as cod is OK
Wholemeal bread
Wholemeal cereal
Initial advice when diagnosis was confirmed , was to ditch the usual suspects when it comes to abnormally high sugar levels
My eating regime will be radically different , but it needs to be !
 
No fruit is good. When you are getting normal numbers you could try a few berries a couple of times a week, most of us tolerate them well enough.
Bread and cereals - any grains are high carb by their nature.
 
Martin.A said:
Be careful with breakfast cereals, Robert - nearly all of them are high carb and most of us avoid them for that reason. If you check out the nutrition information on a box of Shreddies you'll see that they're 70% carbohydrate, with a single 40g serving being 28g. Skimmed milk has carbs too, and a modest 200ml on a serving would add another 10g, so If you don't weigh & measure you might easily be taking in a lot more than that.

Martin
Click to expand...
Martin.A said:
Be careful with breakfast cereals, Robert - nearly all of them are high carb and most of us avoid them for that reason. If you check out the nutrition information on a box of Shreddies you'll see that they're 70% carbohydrate, with a single 40g serving being 28g. Skimmed milk has carbs too, and a modest 200ml on a serving would add another 10g, so If you don't weigh & measure you might easily be taking in a lot more than that.

Martin
Click to expand...
Hi Martin.,
The move to skimmed milk was on the advice of my practice nurse
I have my first session with them on 25/2/2022
I have never had enough discipline when it comes to diet
This diagnosis is a wake up call and changes have to be made
Probably gone unchecked for at least 12 months
My score was 72
My energy levels have flatlined
If I can find low carb , low fat , low sugar components and be able to build my food regime around them
It will be hit and miss until I hit on a magic formula
All will come clearer after my first session
 
Robert Barrett said:
Hi Martin.,
The move to skimmed milk was on the advice of my practice nurse
I have my first session with them on 25/2/2022
I have never had enough discipline when it comes to diet
This diagnosis is a wake up call and changes have to be made
Probably gone unchecked for at least 12 months
My score was 72
My energy levels have flatlined
If I can find low carb , low fat , low sugar components and be able to build my food regime around them
It will be hit and miss until I hit on a magic formula
All will come clearer after my first session
Click to expand...
Unless you have a particular medical reason for needing to go low fat then full fat versions of products are better as long as you also are going for a low carb regime.
Don't be concerned about looking at the 'sugar' separately from the carbohydrate as it is the TOTAL carbohydrate content that is the important number to be looking at.
You have not said if you have been prescribed any medication.
 
Will do Martin ,
What is your take on Alpro?
I bought the coconut flavoured option
I am looking into soy and Quorn substitutes
 
Leadinglights said:
Unless you have a particular medical reason for needing to go low fat then full fat versions of products are better as long as you also are going for a low carb regime.
Don't be concerned about looking at the 'sugar' separately from the carbohydrate as it is the TOTAL carbohydrate content that is the important number to be looking at.
You have not said if you have been prescribed any medication.
Click to expand...
Medication is yet to be determined
My session on the 25th will no doubt establish the game plan going forward .
 
Robert Barrett said:
the score was 72 !
I have transitioned to skimmed milk
my diet was devoid of fruit
I generally love all green veg , with the exception of asparagus
white fish , such as cod is OK
Wholemeal bread
Wholemeal cereal
Initial advice when diagnosis was confirmed , was to ditch the usual suspects when it comes to abnormally high sugar levels
My eating regime will be radically different , but it needs to be !
Click to expand...
In order to keep your blood sugars in a good place, I would like to suggest that you will have to cut down or cut out wholemeal and normal cereal, breads and carbs to beat type 2 into a better place. Can I suggest you have eggs cooked any way, and mushrooms or eggs and tomatoes for breakfast, or full fat greek yoghurt and some nuts? Even bacon and egg (no toast) is better. Some GPs don't understand this yet and prescribe the eat well plate which is not great for diabetics.

Meals should be focused on good protein, fats and loads of green veg from now on. Full fat dairy is better than skimmed or low fat as it is more filling and has less sugar.

I would avoid or have very severe moderation on:
any bread, any cereal any cake any chips / spuds, rice pasta and sugars. Brown bread is just as full of carbs as white bread. carbs are the issue.

Kindest regards Alison @mimoo who is type 2 and now LOW carb!!
 
Robert Barrett said:
Will do Martin ,
What is your take on Alpro?
I bought the coconut flavoured option
I am looking into soy and Quorn substitutes
Click to expand...
TBH real full milk is ok. Soya or nut milk ok alternatives if you are lactose intolerant. Rice milk is higher carbs.
 
Mrs Mimoo said:
In order to keep your blood sugars in a good place, I would like to suggest that you will have to cut down or cut out wholemeal and normal cereal, breads and carbs to beat type 2 into a better place. Can I suggest you have eggs cooked any way, and mushrooms or eggs and tomatoes for breakfast, or full fat greek yoghurt and some nuts? Even bacon and egg (no toast) is better. Some GPs don't understand this yet and prescribe the eat well plate which is not great for diabetics.

Meals should be focused on good protein, fats and loads of green veg from now on. Full fat dairy is better than skimmed or low fat as it is more filling and has less sugar.

I would avoid or have very severe moderation on:
any bread, any cereal any cake any chips / spuds, rice pasta and sugars. Brown bread is just as full of carbs as white bread. carbs are the issue.

Kindest regards Alison @mimoo who is type 2 and now LOW carb!!
Click to expand...
Hi there ,
Eggs and mushrooms------combined in an omelette
Greek yoghurt-----I am dentally challenged , therefore I would add a selection of berries

I am good with most green veg , with the exception of asparagus
Tuna from the oily fish range
Chicken fillets
I was told to move to skimmed milk , despite having nearly 3 litres of semi-skimmed in my fridge
Is there any cereal compatable with type 2 ?
 
Last edited:
Do you by any chance enjoy cooking?
Do you have a microwave?
Do you have any food intolerances?

What level of expertise would you say you have in cooking?
Do you have a bread machine?
I can give you some helpful pointers/recipes once I know the answers to these questions.


If you have Kindle Unlimited on Amazon I have an ebook which is free on that platform with a variety of recipes and useful information and explanations regarding new/alternative ingredients and why I use them to help me keep my sugars under control without meds.

If you go to my Facebook page linked below you can find some recipes and tips and wrinkles straight away there and there will be links to my recipe book too. It is Christmas themed because I released it just before Christmas but each recipe introduces a basic technique or ingredient intended to give a good ground work to anyone who wants to eat all year round in a way that will not cause them a problem if they are diabetic.
 
@Robert Barrett there are mixes of nuts and seeds you could try low carb granola might bring up some options, but I'd advise leaving out high carb foods until you are seeing normal numbers - you should get another Hba1c test in 3 months, and it is possible to buy a glucose testing meter to see how your meal choices affect blood glucose.
I can't see how changing from semi to fully skimmed milk will help - the carbs are unchanged,
I use the thickest cream I can find, to put in coffee and use in cooking.
 
Robert Barrett said:
Hi there ,
Eggs and mushrooms------combined in an omelette
Greek yoghurt-----I am dentally challenged , therefore I would add a selection of berries

I am good with most green veg , with the exception of asparagus
Tuna from the oily fish range
Chicken fillets
I was told to move to skimmed milk , despite having nearly 3 litres of semi-skimmed in my fridge
Is there any cereal compatable with type 2 ?
Click to expand...
I should use the semi skimmed milk and ditch the skimmed milk.
The lowest carb cereals I have seen are about 45g carb per 100g, a couple are All Bran and Lizi's low sugar granola which is quite a fine crumb and not too hard but there are some own brand granolas which are about the same carb but can be quite hard.
Fruits that are good are strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Some people do buy frozen mixed berries.
Soups are also good options, you can make a big pot of soup from a few veggies. courgette and brie, broccoli and stilton, butternut squash and red pepper, leek, celery and pea are some of my favourites, home made will be far less carbs than bought, either fresh or tinned.
You sound to have made a good start with some of your choices.
 
NotWorriedAtAll said:
Do you by any chance enjoy cooking?
Do you have a microwave?
Do you have any food intolerances?

What level of expertise would you say you have in cooking?
Do you have a bread machine?
I can give you some helpful pointers/recipes once I know the answers to these questions.


If you have Kindle Unlimited on Amazon I have an ebook which is free on that platform with a variety of recipes and useful information and explanations regarding new/alternative ingredients and why I use them to help me keep my sugars under control without meds.

If you go to my Facebook page linked below you can find some recipes and tips and wrinkles straight away there and there will be links to my recipe book too. It is Christmas themed because I released it just before Christmas but each recipe introduces a basic technique or ingredient intended to give a good ground work to anyone who wants to eat all year round in a way that will not cause them a problem if they are diabetic.
Click to expand...
My Mum passed in April 2020
We both had a journey with coronavirus
I lost all focus and my relationship with food could be likened to a one night stand .
I have an account on just eat
I would order such things as chicken nuggets , kebab meat , burgers and on a couple of occasions pizza !
All with chips and washed down with fully sugared coke or fanta .
I withdrew into myself
My diagnosis has brought my health and wellbeing into sharp focus
Everyone finds their own path
I can take pointers from a lot of people on this forum
I owe it to my Mum to get a grip and make the most of life
I will need to audition some products that I have never had before
We are all on a journey
I took over cooking duty when giving up work in 2019 to look after Mum
For the most part she was happy with my efforts
I have a microwave and a twin job
I'm not as disciplined as Novak when it comes to what product I take in
I don't agree with his stance on vaccine , but this is not the place for that discussion !
I don't have a blender or bread machine
No longer working so finances are stretched
I am finding that this will turn out to be an expensive exercise , although you cannot put a price on good health
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top