Hello
@ChloeLouise92. So good that you have joined the forum, there is plenty of help and support here.
I can still remember that big shock of first diagnosis, it really knocked me off my feet.
Yes diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be positively managed and in many circumstances, you can do a lot to help yourself. You will need to make a few changes though, and these need to be sustainable, as this is for the long term.
We are all different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ and you need to find what right for you.
There are 3 main things to consider:
Firstly, healthy eating, and the right solution for you to lower your blood sugars, and if you are overweight, loosing weight will help a lot. Secondly increasing exercise, and thirdly medication which may be necessary depending on what your HB1ac readings are.
I would suggest starting by reading
Maggie Davey's letter, which gives a lot of information on how this lady approached the problem.
For me, a new way of eating, and increased exercise, plus some metformin has worked. As well as cutting out all the sugary things, I cut down on the carbs particularly the ‘white’ ones (white bread and flour,rice,pasta,etc ) and mainly eat fish, poultry, yoghurt, some cheeses, nuts and seeds, and have learned to love vegetables .
Fruit is quite high in natural sugars but these are still carbohydrates and will raise the Blood Glucose, so best to limit to just one portion a day. Berries like raspberries or strawberries or blackberries are best.
So pleased be assured there are good solutions and I now feel much healthier and have more energy and zest for life than I ever did before that frightening diagnosis day, and I'm sure you will find a good way through as well.