Hi all, Am new to this site so any help would be greatly received. My husband is type 2 diebetic, we have tried to get it under control with foods but are unsure really what he can and can't have. So many diffrent things say that he can have some and then others say he can't. He has recently started back to work and it becoming increasingly stressed as his bloods can be fine for a day or two and then they just go high. If any one could give me any information please as he is at his Witt's end and I know that the street will make his levels go higher. Thank you.
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diabetes type 2
- Thread starter mullen31
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi mullen31, welcome to the forum 🙂 Sorry to hear that your husband is having problems getting his levels under control - has he been diagnosed long, and is he on any medication for his diabetes?
Diabetes can be a very individual condition, so unfortunately there is no 'one-size-fits-all' diet solution, although there are guidelines that can be followed. The best way to discover what foods can be safely included in his diet, and what should be replaced or reduced in quantity, is to test individual tolerance by using a blood glucose monitor. It sounds like your husband is able to test, but is having problems knowing what to do with the information.
I would suggest he starts a food diary for a week or two, recording in particular the amount of carbohydrate in everything he eats and drinks. This will give a good idea of his overall carb intake - carbs are the main thing which will raise blood glucose levels quickly. In addition to the food diary, it would be useful to test blood glucose levels before and one and two hours after eating. This will establish which means cause a 'peak' in blood glucose levels and may also show a pattern which can be used to identify items which may be reduced in portion, or excluded from the diet e.g. if cereal for breakfast causes high levels, then replace it with something lower in carbs, such as scrambled eggs. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S as a guide to efficient testing.
I'd also recommend looking into a diet such as the GL (Glycaemic Load) diet, which uses food combinations that will have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels - The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction 🙂
Above all, be patient - this is a gradual process where knowledge and experience go together to build up a picture of a suitable and enjoyable (and therefore maintainable) diet. There will always be times when things confuse you or go against what you think you know, but this is because there can be many other factors that can influence levels. If you have any questions, please let us know and we will do our best to help! 🙂
Diabetes can be a very individual condition, so unfortunately there is no 'one-size-fits-all' diet solution, although there are guidelines that can be followed. The best way to discover what foods can be safely included in his diet, and what should be replaced or reduced in quantity, is to test individual tolerance by using a blood glucose monitor. It sounds like your husband is able to test, but is having problems knowing what to do with the information.
I would suggest he starts a food diary for a week or two, recording in particular the amount of carbohydrate in everything he eats and drinks. This will give a good idea of his overall carb intake - carbs are the main thing which will raise blood glucose levels quickly. In addition to the food diary, it would be useful to test blood glucose levels before and one and two hours after eating. This will establish which means cause a 'peak' in blood glucose levels and may also show a pattern which can be used to identify items which may be reduced in portion, or excluded from the diet e.g. if cereal for breakfast causes high levels, then replace it with something lower in carbs, such as scrambled eggs. Have a read of Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S as a guide to efficient testing.
I'd also recommend looking into a diet such as the GL (Glycaemic Load) diet, which uses food combinations that will have a slow, steady impact on blood glucose levels - The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction 🙂
Above all, be patient - this is a gradual process where knowledge and experience go together to build up a picture of a suitable and enjoyable (and therefore maintainable) diet. There will always be times when things confuse you or go against what you think you know, but this is because there can be many other factors that can influence levels. If you have any questions, please let us know and we will do our best to help! 🙂
Hi Northener,
Thank you for the response, my husband was diagnosed Sept 13, the Dr was surprised he had it as was quiet healthy and not over weight. He does have metorfoming tablets and also has to take his bloods with a machine, we have know said that we are going to do a food diary of what he eats so we can get an idea of what is going on and how to help him. He has recently become a HGV drive as he can no longer do plastering as he had an hip replacement in 2009 do to an hereditary illness from when he was younger. He loves the job the the hrs are resonable also so not long and tedious, but he is stressed as the Dr has said unless he can get it under control he won't be able to do the job. Thank you so much for your information I will look into the GL diet you have mentioned also, again thank you so much.
Thank you for the response, my husband was diagnosed Sept 13, the Dr was surprised he had it as was quiet healthy and not over weight. He does have metorfoming tablets and also has to take his bloods with a machine, we have know said that we are going to do a food diary of what he eats so we can get an idea of what is going on and how to help him. He has recently become a HGV drive as he can no longer do plastering as he had an hip replacement in 2009 do to an hereditary illness from when he was younger. He loves the job the the hrs are resonable also so not long and tedious, but he is stressed as the Dr has said unless he can get it under control he won't be able to do the job. Thank you so much for your information I will look into the GL diet you have mentioned also, again thank you so much.
Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Well, the good news is that this is something that can be controlled well so it doesn't have to affect his work or life in general - except he might feel healthier and happier once he gets things under good control! 🙂 Let us know how you get on, and good luck 🙂
I will and again thank you for the information. Will keep u updated. I have said to him not to stress which is easier said then done, I have been doing what research I can fine to help him and hopefully doing the food diary will help some way. Thanks you x
Welcome to the forum from me too.
As well as the diet side, don't neglect the exercise side too. Although your husband is not overweight, exercise will still help regulate his levels if all goes well.
I'm not talking about gyms or anything which costs money, a simple brisk walk each day is all that is needed (dog walking, if you have one, would be really handy!).
As Northerner says, give things a little time to settle down. But if you make progress, the stress will just disappear as you see things improve.
Good luck,
Andy 🙂
As well as the diet side, don't neglect the exercise side too. Although your husband is not overweight, exercise will still help regulate his levels if all goes well.
I'm not talking about gyms or anything which costs money, a simple brisk walk each day is all that is needed (dog walking, if you have one, would be really handy!).
As Northerner says, give things a little time to settle down. But if you make progress, the stress will just disappear as you see things improve.
Good luck,
Andy 🙂
Hi Andy, thanks for the welcome. Yes he does do exercise 20-30 mins on the excersise bike, also swimming is starting bk this wkend. Yes have said to give it time to him but feel the Dr has worried him even further and he,s getting stressed. So food diary has been put into place from today also he eats quiet healthy already but have to step it up a notch again we are thinking, just adding almond milk maybe as already he has brown bread ( in moderation) for his pack up, fruit, an actimil and a fruit smooth maid with berries and semi skimmed milk, just finding the right balance I,m guessing and hopefully will see it turn around. Thanks you
Vicsetter
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
There is a range of medication that the doctor could prescribe that will not affect your husbands ability to drive HGV vehicles. There is also other medication that will affect his driving licence, have a browse of the driving DVLA thread on this forum or go to the DVLA site. Basically the GP may suggest insulin (as this is relatively cheap, compared to say Victoza) and you may wont to resist this move.
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