TickleOnTheTum
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er... hi all...?
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi TOTT, welcome to the forum 🙂 It does sound as though you are quite restricted in your efforts to manage your diabetes well, as the principle tools we have are a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. For a start, I'd suggest that you begin a food diary so that you can itemise exactly what you are eating, including quantities. People are often surprised by what they actually eat, and it has been shown that if we don't write it down and are asked to describe it from memory we significantly underestimate things. Ask you doctor for a referral to a dietician - your food diary will help them look for ways to improve your diet and they should be in a better position to take into account your aversion and problems with certain foods.
I'd suggest that you get hold of a copy of The GL Diet for Dummies. This will give you a good idea of a diet that is suitable for people with diabetes. Hopefully, you will find ideas that you find appealing, at the same time as helping your blood sugars.
There are some improvements you can make to the meals you currently eat. Eat boiled potatoes instead of mash, and only in small portions - instead of the potatoes, eat more carrots to bulk up your meal. Eat uncoated chicken without the skin. Make sure any sausages you eat are high quality, with a high meat content - make sure you grill them so that excess fat drips off. Eat brown or basmati rice with your curry.
I would also speak to your doctor about the possibility of seeing a psychiatrist about your food aversions, as you will find good control of your diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol all difficult if you cannot expand your food choices.
A blood glucose meter is the only way you can determine whether your sensations are due to low or high blood glucose levels. Read the Type 2 links provided in our 'Useful Links' thread for a good idea of how to test for maximum effect. The book by Gretchen Becker is also highly recommended for understanding diabetes, how it affects you and what you can do about it.
Please ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂
I'd suggest that you get hold of a copy of The GL Diet for Dummies. This will give you a good idea of a diet that is suitable for people with diabetes. Hopefully, you will find ideas that you find appealing, at the same time as helping your blood sugars.
There are some improvements you can make to the meals you currently eat. Eat boiled potatoes instead of mash, and only in small portions - instead of the potatoes, eat more carrots to bulk up your meal. Eat uncoated chicken without the skin. Make sure any sausages you eat are high quality, with a high meat content - make sure you grill them so that excess fat drips off. Eat brown or basmati rice with your curry.
I would also speak to your doctor about the possibility of seeing a psychiatrist about your food aversions, as you will find good control of your diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol all difficult if you cannot expand your food choices.
A blood glucose meter is the only way you can determine whether your sensations are due to low or high blood glucose levels. Read the Type 2 links provided in our 'Useful Links' thread for a good idea of how to test for maximum effect. The book by Gretchen Becker is also highly recommended for understanding diabetes, how it affects you and what you can do about it.
Please ask any questions you may have - nothing is considered 'silly'! 🙂
Hi TOTT and welcome to the forum 🙂
Well, you have quite a hurdle in terms of eating/exercise don't you? Northerner has already listed many useful suggestions and I'm sure that others, who find themselves in a similar position to yourself, will be along to offer advice based on their own experiences.
There has been much discussion on this forum about the reluctance to provide T2's with adequate testing stuff - to say that it will just frighten you is ridiculous! After all, how can you possibly understand what is happening to you unless you measure the effects? A bit like driving a car without a speedo - or even blindfolded!
BG meters aren't expensive - ?15 or less for an average meter from any local pharmacy but, surely, this isn't a huge drain on NHS resources to provide you one? Balanced against the benefits of reduced complications from improved control, then it is difficult to argue. Perhaps a diabetes consultant would be persuaded easier?
Good luck with your endeavours.
Well, you have quite a hurdle in terms of eating/exercise don't you? Northerner has already listed many useful suggestions and I'm sure that others, who find themselves in a similar position to yourself, will be along to offer advice based on their own experiences.
There has been much discussion on this forum about the reluctance to provide T2's with adequate testing stuff - to say that it will just frighten you is ridiculous! After all, how can you possibly understand what is happening to you unless you measure the effects? A bit like driving a car without a speedo - or even blindfolded!
BG meters aren't expensive - ?15 or less for an average meter from any local pharmacy but, surely, this isn't a huge drain on NHS resources to provide you one? Balanced against the benefits of reduced complications from improved control, then it is difficult to argue. Perhaps a diabetes consultant would be persuaded easier?
Good luck with your endeavours.
teapot8910
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum! 🙂
Robster65
Senior Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Tott and welcome 🙂
I can't add to the good advice but would second what Chris said about a meter. They should assess everyone individually and clearly you would benefit from using one with such a narrow range of foods.
Also, second what Northerner suggests about some counselling for your food problems. Have you been tested for allergies/intolerances also ?
Boots do their own version of the Optium Xceed, which is a good meter and you get about 10 test strips with it. I think it's about ?10 and would give you a good start. The boxes of 50 strips are about ?20 thereafter.
Good luck with it.
Rob
I can't add to the good advice but would second what Chris said about a meter. They should assess everyone individually and clearly you would benefit from using one with such a narrow range of foods.
Also, second what Northerner suggests about some counselling for your food problems. Have you been tested for allergies/intolerances also ?
Boots do their own version of the Optium Xceed, which is a good meter and you get about 10 test strips with it. I think it's about ?10 and would give you a good start. The boxes of 50 strips are about ?20 thereafter.
Good luck with it.
Rob
TickleOnTheTum
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Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Mashed potatoes digests much faster than ordinary boiled potatoes, which would be fine if you weren't diabetic but when you are it means that it can 'spike' your blood sugar levels, sending them very high very quickly. It is this 'spiking' that is harmful to you in the long run, as it can damage blood vessels in your eyes and kidneys as well as causing other problems in your circulation and nerves.
I'm sorry to have to say this, but the pills will only work if you also pay close attention to what you are eating. You shouldn't think of food that is helpful to your diabetes as a 'diet' in the sense that it is most often used these days, meaning a restrictive intake of food in order to lose weight. It is a diet in the broader sense, meaning that you choose food that is beneficial to keeping good blood sugar control.
And the sad truth is also that a death from diabetic complications is a slow and awful one. Gangrene leading to amputation, blindness, kidney failure, autonomic neuropathy where you lose control of your lungs heart and digestive system...I'm afraid the list goes on. Added to all this is the depression and mood swings from high blood sugar levels. Sorry to be so gloomy, but you do need to understand this and not be under the illusion that diabetes is some sort of mild condition that can be largely put to one side.
The best thing is to tackle it now before you succumb to any of these. Don't feel as though everything has to change overnight - look for small, manageable changes you can make and they will gradually improve your prospects.
Hi there, I am type 1 and also have a huge number of food allergies.
The food you are eating doesn't sound ideal from the form rather than anything else.
But the trouble is the only person who can help you is you, if your wife is not prepared to make proper meals for you.
As Northerner says, you will suffer terribly if you don't seek help. i know how difficult it can be eating certain foods if you have this aversion, my nephew was the same. Aged 30 he only ate bread, cheese, pizza, ice-cream and chocolate, it was after he choked as a child on something and his mum moulinexed everything after until he was far too old. You learn to appreciate and enjoy new textures aged about 2, and after that it is very hard to get to like them. He had a long series of sessions helping him taste tiny amounts of thins until he could stomach a few more things.
The sad truth is that you are made of what you eat and how healthy and yes, how happy you are, depends on them.Bad food will make you depressed as well as ill. Your bowel HAS to have green veg in order for healthy bacteria to survive and flourish to doigest and stop you having allergies.
You need meat cooked in the oven without spices, wholemeal rice cooked properly in water, eggs, lots of things like cabbage (which you like a bit of!!) broccoli, you can have sausages but with good stuff too.
If you prefer raw veg that's great as it is better for you...
I will guarantee if you can get some help, or even help yourself, not only will you feel a MASSIVe amount better in yourself, your outlook on the world will change, and your diabetes will too.
You must get a blood testing machine, that situation is ridiculous. I suggest you go in and see the nurse and tell her that you are feeling ill after meals and want o check your blood sugars, and if she doesn't let you have one say you are going to put in a formal complaint as it is affecting your health.
good luck.
The food you are eating doesn't sound ideal from the form rather than anything else.
But the trouble is the only person who can help you is you, if your wife is not prepared to make proper meals for you.
As Northerner says, you will suffer terribly if you don't seek help. i know how difficult it can be eating certain foods if you have this aversion, my nephew was the same. Aged 30 he only ate bread, cheese, pizza, ice-cream and chocolate, it was after he choked as a child on something and his mum moulinexed everything after until he was far too old. You learn to appreciate and enjoy new textures aged about 2, and after that it is very hard to get to like them. He had a long series of sessions helping him taste tiny amounts of thins until he could stomach a few more things.
The sad truth is that you are made of what you eat and how healthy and yes, how happy you are, depends on them.Bad food will make you depressed as well as ill. Your bowel HAS to have green veg in order for healthy bacteria to survive and flourish to doigest and stop you having allergies.
You need meat cooked in the oven without spices, wholemeal rice cooked properly in water, eggs, lots of things like cabbage (which you like a bit of!!) broccoli, you can have sausages but with good stuff too.
If you prefer raw veg that's great as it is better for you...
I will guarantee if you can get some help, or even help yourself, not only will you feel a MASSIVe amount better in yourself, your outlook on the world will change, and your diabetes will too.
You must get a blood testing machine, that situation is ridiculous. I suggest you go in and see the nurse and tell her that you are feeling ill after meals and want o check your blood sugars, and if she doesn't let you have one say you are going to put in a formal complaint as it is affecting your health.
good luck.
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