diet and menus

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ColinD2006

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi to all reading this I am 62 just diagnosed with type 2. Family history of diabetes (both sides) if my scales are corrects me a weigh 115kgs. I need help in dieting what foods contain harmful carbs how do a work out balanced diet? Are there weekly menus out there?
 
Welcome to the forums ColinD2006 🙂

Unfortunately there are not any set menus as all of us tend to respond slightly differently. Do you have a blood glucose monitor? That is the easiest way to find out which foods affect you.

As a general principle, starchy foods such as potatoes, bread and rice. This page written by Alan S will give you a good idea of the general principles: http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2008/05/what-to-eat-until-you-get-your-meter.html

The Gretchen Becker book as listed on the newbie links page here: http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=10406 is also very useful.
 
Hi Colin, welcome to the forum 🙂 Probably the most suitable diet for a person with diabetes is a low GI or GL diet (Glyceamic Index/Glycaemic Load). This is a diet that contains foods that, either alone or in combination, will have a slow, steady release of energy and therefore will not result in rapid high blood sugar 'spikes' which can be harmful. I would suggest getting hold of a copy of The GL Diet For Dummies as a useful introduction. In addition to containing some good recipes, it will give you the knowledge you need to create your own healthy, diabetes-friendly meals and give you more flexibility with your eating than fixed diet sheets that may be difficult to keep to or become boring. Another book recommended by members is Rick Gallop's Express GI Diet.

As Mark says, our reaction and tolerance to foods can be quite different, so it's important to find out what works best for you by using a blood testing plan such as Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S

If there are any question you have, please ask away, and you can be sure of lots of helpful and friendly support to get you fit and healthy - many people find that a diagnosis of diabetes gives them the spur to become healthier than they may have been for some time, so there is lots of hope for a brighter future! 🙂
 
Hello Colin, welcome. Sorting out my diet, as a newbie too, has been a bit trial and error, and testing myself before and after meals with a meter to find my blood glucose levels (BG). If after 2 hours, my BG is less than 8.5, then that is a food I can tolerate. Its a bit more complex than that but the guys on here will help you in no time to begin to grasp what its all about.
 
Hi Colin and a warm welcome to the forum.
 
Welcome Colin

You have 2 main areas to consider when choosing foods: calorie counting / reduction to lose weight and carbohydrate types / amounts to control blood sugar levels. In both areas, the type of food is important, but so is portion size.

Exercise / physical activity will also help considerably with both weight loss and blood sugar control - not necessarily gym etc, but eg walking / cycling instead of driving or using public transport for short distances etc.
 
ColinD2006

Thanks for the info where can I get a blood glucose monitor monitor from and what cost?
 
Northerner said:
You can get a free one here:

http://www.abbottdiabetescare.co.uk/free-meter-signup

Strips can be expensive though, so best if you can persuade your GP to prescribe them - many are reluctant because of the cost 🙂
Click to expand...
If you can't convince your GP to give you strips you can apparently buy the strips directly from Abbotts at pretty much the nhs price (~?14 per 50).

Not sure how that is done because I don't see it on their website. A phone call I'm guessing.
 
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