Confused about Sugar in Food

[RFS]

Interesting... just came from a meetup where someone was telling me to look at the sugar and not the carb content of things.., I have to confess these past three months I have been carb counting and generally trying to cut down on those and sugary things... but not specifically looking at sugar content of what I have been buying!

 

[Ljc]

Interesting... just came from a meetup where someone was telling me to look at the sugar and not the carb content of things.., I have to confess these past three months I have been carb counting and generally trying to cut down on those and sugary things... but not specifically looking at sugar content of what I have been buying!

Hi RFS. I wish it were as simple as avoiding sugar but I am afraid it isn’t, it’s carbohydrates we have to watch. I don’t know who told you it was sugar you had to look at, but they don’t seem to know much about diabetes.

If you have a glucose meter and test just before then 2 hrs later that will tell you the truth. Carry on carb counting

 

[RFS]

Hi RFS. I wish it were as simple as avoiding sugar but I am afraid it isn’t, it’s carbohydrates we have to watch. I don’t know who told you it was sugar you had to look at, but they don’t seem to know much about diabetes.

If you have a glucose meter and test just before then 2 hrs later that will tell you the truth. Carry on carb counting

It isn't me that is watching sugar. I count carbs, and I scan with my Libre at mealtimes.

I went to see a friend who was diagnosed and has been given no guidance other than the usual "cut out sugar, cut out carbs, exercise, take the tablets" and we were talking last night, I was saying how I carb count now on MFP and they are convinced it is the sugar content... and no amount of gentle persuasion was shifting that viewpoint.

It is scary just how much misinformation people are given. I have yet to be referred to a DSN but I suspect that might be coming when I have my follow up appointment. Then I am sure that will open a whole new kettle of fish...

 

[Bubbsie]

Ljc, You have no idea how many choccy biscuits I used to ram dowm my neck each day have a passion for them. I am scared to look at them now and thats just after 1 week.I am quite proud of myself. Yesterday I walked past 3 ice cream cafes here in Shanghai and didn't stop. Usually I would have stopped and indulged at at least 2 and an ice cold smoothie in the 3rd.

Vince...you may like many others here have been pre- diabetic for several years before type 2 developed and was diagnosed...studies have indicated that chemical changes in our bodies begin several years before they become apparent...there are few symptoms associated with pre-diabetes...because there are so few some of us then go on to develop type 2 unaware we have a serious condition...we crave carbohydrates...ironically the more carbs we eat...the more we crave... when type 2 develops our bodies don't produce enough insulin to function properly... or the body's cells don't react to insulin...hence the need to eat more carbs...we need energy...however...since we are insulin resistant... glucose/sugar stays in our blood stream...it isn't used as fuel for energy...it could be you were undiagnosed for sometime...hence the need to eat large amount of carbs...sugar...so don't blame yourself...it's not about what caused it...it's about how you deal with it that's important...with your resolve & commitment I'm sure you'll do well...lower those blood sugars...achieve good/reasonable control of your diabetes...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.

 

[Vince_UK]

Vince...you may like many others here have been pre- diabetic for several years before type 2 developed and were diagnosed...studies have indicated that chemical changes in our bodies begin several years before they become apparent...there are few symptoms associated with pre-diabetes...because there are so few some of us then go on to develop type 2 unaware we have a serious condition...we crave carbohydrates...ironically the more carbs we eat...the more we crave... when type 2 develops our bodies don't produce enough insulin to function properly... or the body's cells don't react to insulin...hence the need to eat more carbs...we need energy...however...since we are insulin resistant... glucose/sugar stays in our blood stream...it isn't used as fuel for energy...it could be you were undiagnosed for sometime...hence the need to eat large amount of carbs...sugar...so don't blame yourself...it's not about what caused it...it's about how you deal with it that's important...with your resolve & commitment I'm sure you'll do well...lower those blood sugars...achieve good/reasonable control of your diabetes...good luck...be interested to hear of your progress.

Thanks Bubbsie
I feel you are correct
Last year after my annual blood test my BG reading I was told was 4.7 and that was prediabetic BUT that is all I was told. No advice, no guidance, no anything. Maybe I should have picked up on the "pre" or advised exactly what "pre" meant.
So I continued on as before. Eating what I thought was good for me, fruit, drinking what I thought was good for me, fruit juice by the litre and my usual sweet things diet, 4 or 5 Club Honeycomb Chocolate biscuits and 1/2 a litre of milk before bed. and bread etc. etc. etc. etc .
No symptoms. I did feel drowsy after eating but I put that down to age ( I ain't that young anymore).
This year after my blood test I was told I am diabetic, 500 mg Metformin prescribed and no other advice.
Saw the nurse she told told me don't eat fruit, no bread, have my 5 a day but only 1 fruit. Rice, Pasta, noodles, mashed potatoes are no no's but that was all I was told.
Nothing at all about monitoring my BG level or testing and getting a meter.
I was also told that if I wanted any further information I need check this website.
I feel that is totally inadequate information for someone who has just been diagnosed and confused about actually what condition we have.Is this Health Care I wonder
If it had not been for this website, the forum and the Low Carbs dashboard I would be totally in the dark and floundering what to do. I wasn't even sure I could access this website in China but luckily I can.
I am on a journey of diabetes discovery.
I told them I was going away until the end of the year and nothing was said.
So now I am sitting in Shanghai working through this maze of information, trying to get my hands on a decent and reliable BG meter and trying to fathom out what I can eat and what I should avoid. I love Chinese food but actually scared to eat anything now and I have been coming to China since 2003, lived in Shanghai 2010 to 2013. So, I am currently paying for high priced imported foodstuffs such as smoked salmon and steaks until I fully understand things.
I have also discovered that in China, 25% ( probably much higher) of people are diabetic and there is absolutely no information for them about managing it. The medical solution here is to prescribe insulin, for which they have to pay the hospital, for all types and tell them to get on with their lives. So rice, noodles etc get eaten in abundance.
I am not trying to blame anyone for my condition and it is probably totally self-inflicted but I feel that if I had been warned more clearly at the pre-diabetic stage I could have taken steps to delay this current situation.
I am so relieved I stopped drinking about 5 years ago and quit smoking and went onto vaping 2 years ago but if I hadn't, I really don't know how I could have coped with leaving those behind as well.
I have always had a positive approach to life and firmly believe the glass is never half empty but always half full.
Now I fully intend make the best of this, there are many people worse off than I am.
Rant Over now onward and upward.

 

[Mark Parrott]

You were lucky you were told about carbs, Vince. A lot of GP's don't even mention about cutting carbs though I think this is slowly changing. Just need to convince them on testing now.

 

[Bubbsie]

Thanks Bubbsie
I feel you are correct
Last year after my annual blood test my BG reading I was told was 4.7 and that was prediabetic BUT that is all I was told. No advice, no guidance, no anything. Maybe I should have picked up on the "pre" or advised exactly what "pre" meant.
So I continued on as before. Eating what I thought was good for me, fruit, drinking what I thought was good for me, fruit juice by the litre and my usual sweet things diet, 4 or 5 Club Honeycomb Chocolate biscuits and 1/2 a litre of milk before bed. and bread etc. etc. etc. etc .
No symptoms. I did feel drowsy after eating but I put that down to age ( I ain't that young anymore).
This year after my blood test I was told I am diabetic, 500 mg Metformin prescribed and no other advice.
Saw the nurse she told told me don't eat fruit, no bread, have my 5 a day but only 1 fruit. Rice, Pasta, noodles, mashed potatoes are no no's but that was all I was told.
Nothing at all about monitoring my BG level or testing and getting a meter.
I was also told that if I wanted any further information I need check this website.
I feel that is totally inadequate information for someone who has just been diagnosed and confused about actually what condition we have.Is this Health Care I wonder
If it had not been for this website, the forum and the Low Carbs dashboard I would be totally in the dark and floundering what to do. I wasn't even sure I could access this website in China but luckily I can.
I am on a journey of diabetes discovery.
I told them I was going away until the end of the year and nothing was said.
So now I am sitting in Shanghai working through this maze of information, trying to get my hands on a decent and reliable BG meter and trying to fathom out what I can eat and what I should avoid. I love Chinese food but actually scared to eat anything now and I have been coming to China since 2003, lived in Shanghai 2010 to 2013. So, I am currently paying for high priced imported foodstuffs such as smoked salmon and steaks until I fully understand things.
I have also discovered that in China, 25% ( probably much higher) of people are diabetic and there is absolutely no information for them about managing it. The medical solution here is to prescribe insulin, for which they have to pay the hospital, for all types and tell them to get on with their lives. So rice, noodles etc get eaten in abundance.
I am not trying to blame anyone for my condition and it is probably totally self-inflicted but I feel that if I had been warned more clearly at the pre-diabetic stage I could have taken steps to delay this current situation.
I am so relieved I stopped drinking about 5 years ago and quit smoking and went onto vaping 2 years ago but if I hadn't, I really don't know how I could have coped with leaving those behind as well.
I have always had a positive approach to life and firmly believe the glass is never half empty but always half full.
Now I fully intend make the best of this, there are many people worse off than I am.
Rant Over now onward and upward.

Agree with what you say Vince...tired of hearing the same comments regarding type 2 diabetes and its cause...I was diagnosed just over fifteen months ago...prior to that rarely any need to see my GP...sold up in London...moved here three years...not even registered with a GP...became ill in June 2016...among a number of conditions type 2 diagnosed roughly five weeks after the initial health issues...have a good relationship with my GP (now)...he believes I was diabetic for a number of years prior to DX...for the last 5/6 years always tired...always hungry...became inactive...my working hours were irregular...often attributed my general lethargy to that...put on weight...so went from being obsessive about fitness...swimming every morning...running in the evening...aerobics four times a week...to an absolute standstill...now I understand how/why that happened...I do take some responsibility...perhaps I should have seen my GP sooner...taken advice..I often covered duty slots overnight...sometimes woken 4/5 times during those periods...genuinely believed that was the cause...so when I hear the claim it is 'lifestyle choices' which are more likely the cause of type 2...makes me want to scream...but...as I said it shouldn't be about the blame game...what is important is what we do to improve our diabetes that counts...we need to remove the stigma of having type 2 diabetes...the reality is none of us choose to have diabetes type 1 or 2...I wish those energies used to perpetuate the myths surrounding the cause of type 2 diabetes were better employed by challenging the politics of the NHS...the conflicting advice given on how best to manage/control our conditions...the tabloid journalism where we are cited as the cause of the impending bankruptcy of the NHS...the shabby dismissive service we are subject to...or rather the lack of it...one day Vince...one day...I remain optimistic😉.

 

[RFS]

You were lucky you were told about carbs, Vince. A lot of GP's don't even mention about cutting carbs though I think this is slowly changing. Just need to convince them on testing now.

100% this. At least I was told to make my changes gradually (probably because of the high-ness of my numbers) but then I was told by my GP he NEVER advocates any kind of testing at all to any of his T2 patients.

@Vince_UK It is scary at first, but you have to just pick a direction and then go with it. I get told all the time by my cousin's husband they they reversed their condition, now their levels have gone back up - so even when you get on top of it, the battle is not over. The misinformation my friend was labouring under last night was alarming, but they have recognised that they need to make a lifestyle change, which is probably half the battle.