Diabetic?

[Drummer]

Ok thanks for your help ,so full fat cheeses are ok but not whole milk, what about hazel nuts ,peanuts, almonds..I like those a lot ,I'm not aiming for a very slim figure either..but need to lose some weight..

I have hazelnuts, brazils, walnuts, and almonds even though they are from California and take so much water. My husband buys them from Grapetree, and they are nice and fresh, and delivered, but he tends to bulk buy so I have to put them in the freezer to keep them from going rancid before I can eat them.
Peanuts are actually closer to peas and beans than true nuts and I react to all peas and beans as though they have more carbs than are listed, and to peanuts too - that is why the meter is so handy, to check these things.

 

[Sharon 71]

That is something hard to say as everybody is an individual and will be able to tolerate different amount of carbs per day but a good starting point is to try to estimate how much you are having at the moment and then cut that down to start with by say one third for a couple of weeks, then reduce further depending on what your blood glucose levels are, that of course is dependant on having a monitor so you know your progress. and your tolerance to carbs. But a good starting point to aim at is less than 130g per day. Reducing blood glucose slowly is better as some people get issues with their vision if the go too quickly.
As people often say it is a marathon, not a sprint but I add that you do have to take a first step.
As long as you reduce carbs then the higher fat and protein helps many people with weight loss.

I usually have one meal a day and that's an evening meal..so I don't think I'm having too many carbs,so I could maybe have potatoes if I'm just having one meal?

 

[Leadinglights]

I usually have one meal a day and that's an evening meal..so I don't think I'm having too many carbs,so I could maybe have potatoes if I'm just having one meal?

But in order for your HbA1C to be in the diabetic range your carbohydrate intake must be more than you can tolerate. It would be useful if you kept a food diary and maybe posted some examples of the meals and drinks you are having.
If you are indeed having very few carbs then there may be something going on that means you are not a straightforward Type 2.

 

[Drummer]

I usually have one meal a day and that's an evening meal..so I don't think I'm having too many carbs,so I could maybe have potatoes if I'm just having one meal?

The only way to be sure is to test.
I eat under 40 gm of carbs a day in two meals, the first one is usually around 10 gm of carbs, from salad, then in the evening I have stir fry or swede, perhaps with a dessert. I know that between just before starting to eat and two hours later my levels rise by under two whole numbers, and are usually under 7mmol/l after eating.
When I have a blood test it seems to come out as Hba1c of 42, good enough to be termed 'in remission'.

 

[Sharon 71]

The only way to be sure is to test.
I eat under 40 gm of carbs a day in two meals, the first one is usually around 10 gm of carbs, from salad, then in the evening I have stir fry or swede, perhaps with a dessert. I know that between just before starting to eat and two hours later my levels rise by under two whole numbers, and are usually under 7mmol/l after eating.
When I have a blood test it seems to come out as Hba1c of 42, good enough to be termed 'in remission'.

I'll have to ask the nurse or doctor for a blood meter, and guidance on usage

 

[Sharon 71]

But in order for your HbA1C to be in the diabetic range your carbohydrate intake must be more than you can tolerate. It would be useful if you kept a food diary and maybe posted some examples of the meals and drinks you are having.
If you are indeed having very few carbs then there may be something going on that means you are not a straightforward Type 2.

What exactly is an HbA1 c test I know it's a blood glucose test but how does it work,I'm not sure what type of diabetes I have but the doctor didn't think I'm type 1..but I haven't spoken to any doctor or nurse in any great detail yet, today I've eaten two packets of crisps,one slice of bread with butter, cauliflower cheese,that's it ,I don't really eat a lot,but usually snack a bit later in the evening,I'm on medication that gives me an urge to eat late,I usually have a cup a soup, with a slice of bread,then a few sweets I'm afraid

 

[Bruce Stephens]

What exactly is an HbA1 c test I know it's a blood glucose test but how does it work

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Sharon 71]

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels for the last two to three months. If you have diabetes, an ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5%) or below. If you're at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, your target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6%).

www.diabetes.org.uk

So the test can show the sugars in the blood from months ago ?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

So the test can show the sugars in the blood from months ago ?

Just an average (kind of) since the sugar changes haemoglobin in red blood cells. (And red blood cells last for 3 or 4 months, so the average is over a few months.)

 

[Leadinglights]

What exactly is an HbA1 c test I know it's a blood glucose test but how does it work,I'm not sure what type of diabetes I have but the doctor didn't think I'm type 1..but I haven't spoken to any doctor or nurse in any great detail yet, today I've eaten two packets of crisps,one slice of bread with butter, cauliflower cheese,that's it ,I don't really eat a lot,but usually snack a bit later in the evening,I'm on medication that gives me an urge to eat late,I usually have a cup a soup, with a slice of bread,then a few sweets I'm afraid

You see, it can be all the snacks you are having that are adding up to quite a lot of carbohydrates even though only 1 actual meal so you might be deceiving yourself that these don't count but I'm afraid they do. 2 bags of crisps could well be 30g carbs and the bread another 30g carb.
It is unlikely but you can certainly ask that your G P would prescribe a monitor as a Type 2 so most people have to self fund. Inexpensive monitors and strips can be bought on line, ones that people consider reliable are the GlucoNavil and Spirit TEE2 at about £15 for the monitor and £13 per 100 for strips. You get a few strips and lancets with the kit but you would need to get extra strips at the same time, many people reuse the lancets (unofficially).
Is it medication for diabetes you are taking? as that may impact on the suggestions people make.

 

[Sharon 71]

You see, it can be all the snacks you are having that are adding up to quite a lot of carbohydrates even though only 1 actual meal so you might be deceiving yourself that these don't count but I'm afraid they do. 2 bags of crisps could well be 30g carbs and the bread another 30g carb.
It is unlikely but you can certainly ask that your G P would prescribe a monitor as a Type 2 so most people have to self fund. Inexpensive monitors and strips can be bought on line, ones that people consider reliable are the GlucoNavil and Spirit TEE2 at about £15 for the monitor and £13 per 100 for strips. You get a few strips and lancets with the kit but you would need to get extra strips at the same time, many people reuse the lancets (unofficially).
Is it medication for diabetes you are taking? as that may impact on the suggestions people make.

Yes it could be the snacks that's causing the problem,I'm trying to reign those in ,I don't take any medication for diabetes ,I've not yet spoken to the doctor about it ,I just got the blood results over the phone I'm yet to talk to the doctor

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

So the test can show the sugars in the blood from months ago ?

Yes, that’s why is has been found to be such a useful measure. As @Bruce Stephens says, glucose in the blood can ‘stick’ to red blood cells, and the more glucose in the blood stream, the more red blood cells are affected. By measuring how many red blood cells are glycated, in any given sample you can get an idea of glucose concentrations over the life of red blood cells - approx 120 days or 3-4 months.