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Frustrated and confused

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Ickle_Lj

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
:confused: I found out about my diabetes a week before xmas and i was feeling very positive until a few weeks ago. I am craving chocolate and sweets like i would have done a cigarette when i smoked i get irritable when because i cant have chocolate and the dietician i saw was incredibly unhelpful i told her i was seeing a lifestyle advisor and she said good becasue she didnt really have time to follow up with everyone but then my lifestyle advisor told me she didnt think she could help anymore as she doesnt know anything about diabetes. I have also been told that I have to be careful about fruit because of the natural sugars all im being told is what i cant eat and it isnt leaving me much of what I can eat i am so overwhelmed, frustrated and confused. any advice would be welcome sorry for the rant :(
 
That's a shame that you're so frustrated with it all. I saw my diabetic nurse a few weeks ago and she told me I am allowed no more than 3 pieces of fruit a day. If its grapes they should fit in the palm of my hand, makes about 6 grapes really. If I have a small glass of orange juice that also counts as one of my three pieces too. All very restrictive as I love fruit and used to eat loads, but I am getting used to restricting myself to the three pieces now. I found out from coming on here that keeping carbs low is important too. Nice to have lots of people here giving lots of useful information 🙂
 
I was told not to eat fruit on an empty stomach so I find that im eating crackers as a snack and its getting very frustrating im eating fruit straight after meals not because i want to just because i think i should. I dont seem to be getting much help from professionals they are confusing things. I was hoping posting my frustration would get me some better advice thank you for yours Cat 🙂
 
Sorry you've had a bad time with dietary advice. Unfortunately it's very common, though there are some good guys out there. This forum has been wonderful for helping me to understand how my body and my lifestyle have attempted to sabotage my health.

Can I ask what treatment you're on? I'm on Metformin only, combined with diet and exercise. The dietary advice I received was also virtually non-existent, but I've found that Slimming World is remarkably D-friendly. Have a browse round the forums for some amazing stories and ideas.

As for chocolate, go and get some Options low calorie hot choc. There are also Own Label low-sugar varieties - I like Tesco Lighter Choices.
 
Hi,

You've come to the right place as there are many successful Type2 diabetics here who will give you advice when you ask any questions that you have.

I found this online booklet a godsend when I was first diagnosed and hope you do too.
http://www.diabetes-without-borders.org/FreeTiger.pdf

I've been a Type2 for 10 years plus and although it seems very hard at the beginning, I promise it does get easier. There is quite a bit to learn and we have to manage it ourselves most of the time. Take it easy and it will gradually become clear to you.
 
I havent been given any treatment yet Im trying diet and exercise but that isnt going so well just now. Is slimming world a website?

I have a jar of options its my lifeline just now that was the one good piece of advice i got from my doctor. Going for more blood tests soon and going to see my doctor who runs my diabetic clinic hoping to get more answers and hopefully some solutions then. thank you for your advice 🙂
 
Thanks Cherrypie i will have a look at that website Thank you so much i wasnt expecting so many replies so soon its helping to lift my mood already thank you all so much :D
 
Ickle_Lj said:
I was told not to eat fruit on an empty stomach so I find that im eating crackers as a snack and its getting very frustrating im eating fruit straight after meals not because i want to just because i think i should. I dont seem to be getting much help from professionals they are confusing things. I was hoping posting my frustration would get me some better advice thank you for yours Cat 🙂
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No problem but I was never told not to eat fruit on an monty stomach, in fact one day last week I had gone a long time without eating and needed a wee something to keep me going till dinner so I had 2 satsuma a with no ill effects. At the moment I am having healthier foods. Wholegrain breakfast cereals, changed completely to eating only Burgen bread so usually a sandwich, yogurt and fruit for lunch and dinners are sensible meat, chicken or fish portions served with lots of lovely steamed or stir fried vegetables. I am limiting myself to only eating small portions of potatoes twice a week and a few chips once a week. All sweets, cakes biscuits, crisps etc completely cut from my diet. I seem to be getting used to it but I do become very frustrated when I think of how much diabetes is hanging my lifestyle. For the better when I think about it really. But hope this gives you a wee step for a hint x :D
 
SW is a weight loss organisation. They run weekly groups all over the country. There is also an online option for those who can't get to a group. They won't accept those who have less then half a stone to lose, so if you don't need to lose any weight you won't be able to join... but you can still get the benefit of recipe suggestions from us members who post in the Weight Loss and Recipes messageboards.
 
Thanks Cat I do have the advantage of absolutely loving veg so i usually make loads at dinner and have cut down my carbs a lot since i found out i lost a stone over christmas just buy cutting out a lot of the unhealthy foods i was eating beforehand but i still have a long way to go and the weight loss has calmed down to an acceptable rate of loss each month i just seem to be struggling to maintain that at the moment but all these hints and tips im getting are very helpful.
 
Or - wean yourself off milk chocolate and onto high cocoa solids DARK chocolate.

Don't go straight from milk to like 85% as you'll hate it, it will just taste bitter.

Thing about dark choc is, it's so much more chocolat-y - less is actually, more. If you eat a whole bar, you are quite likely to throw up.

Instead, try just one or two squares of the dark stuff and don't gobble. Half a square at a time, place it in your mouth. Let it dissolve on your tongue so your tastebuds (at the back of your tongue) get Full Value - and let the gorgeousness dribble slowly down your throat ........ (I'm salivating LOL)

What you can do is pick a sour-ish apply - say a Granny Smith. Cut int into quarters and remove the core. Slice it into thinnish slivers. After each bit of choc, let it go completely then eat one slice of apple. Slowly, will cleanse your palate. Then the next bit of choc ......

It's a serious business - the eating of this wonderful treat.

It isn't just summat to grab and devour like a wolf.
 
Thanks LeeLee i definitely have more than half a stone to lose so that wont be an issue i will be looking that up shortly thanks for the advice 🙂
 
Ickle_Lj said:
Thanks Cat I do have the advantage of absolutely loving veg so i usually make loads at dinner and have cut down my carbs a lot since i found out i lost a stone over christmas just buy cutting out a lot of the unhealthy foods i was eating beforehand but i still have a long way to go and the weight loss has calmed down to an acceptable rate of loss each month i just seem to be struggling to maintain that at the moment but all these hints and tips im getting are very helpful.
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Well done with the weight loss. I am impressed. I have a long way to go to and haven't been weighed since I saw the diabetic nurse 3 weeks ago. I have an appointment in 2 weeks at the diabetic clinic so hoping for a good weight loss then. 🙂
 
Thanks Trophywench ive been trying to wean myself off the chocolate but the other day i got so worked up about it all i ended up eating a whole bar of dairy milk and not one of the wee ones either felt so guilty and stupid afterwards i will definitely be taking your suggestions on board and trying that out thank you
 
A diet suitable for a person with diabetes can be quite a complex thing, so it is a shame that you have been left with so little useful advice :( Basically, what you need to bear in mind is that all carbohydrates will convert to glucose and raise your blood sugar levels. The trick is to choose the carbs or combinations that have a slow and steady effect and which therefore have least impact on your levels.

Many people achieve this by following the principles of the GI/GL diet (Glycaemic Index/Glycaemic Load). This explains how to select and combine different things so they will have a reduced impact on your blood sugar levels, whilst at the same time keeping variety and flexibility in your diet. I would recommend getting a copy of The GL Diet for Dummies as a good introduction. Once you have grasped the principles (which, although they may sound complicated are actually pretty straightforward!) then you cna experiment and tailor your diet until you find food that you enjoy and tolerate well, and the appropriate portion sizes for you 🙂 Ideally, you would use a blood sugar meter to test how you react to different things so that you can eliminate things that have the worst effect and keep the things that you tolerate well.

Have you read Jennifer's Advice and Maggie Davey's letter, and got a copy of Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker? These will all give you a good understanding of diabetes and how to manage it well - and are certainly better informed than the 'professionals' you've encountered so far!

Good luck, and do ask any questions you may have, any time - there will always be someone here who will do their best to help 🙂
 
Thanks Cat I felt really good when i found about it just need to try and hang on to that good feeling. Good luck with your clinic I hope it goes well. I havent been to a diabetic clinic yet should be getting an appointment soon though
 
Thanks Northerner I have been getting some really good advice today Im overhwhelmed (in a good way) by all the replies it has made me feel better about it already just knowing all these things i can try and do to make things easier for myself i cant thank you all enough. I havent been given any way of checking my levels but I will be asking about that when I got to the diabetic clinic and hopefully get some answers then. I have yet to look at the books you suggested but have just downloaded Taming the Tiger onto my kindle so hopefully that will be of some help
 
Ickle_Lj said:
Thanks Northerner I have been getting some really good advice today Im overhwhelmed (in a good way) by all the replies it has made me feel better about it already just knowing all these things i can try and do to make things easier for myself i cant thank you all enough. I havent been given any way of checking my levels but I will be asking about that when I got to the diabetic clinic and hopefully get some answers then. I have yet to look at the books you suggested but have just downloaded Taming the Tiger onto my kindle so hopefully that will be of some help
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Good luck, you will get there! 🙂 It's difficult to begin with because there are so many things to consider and take in, but as you gain experience you will gradually improve things and probably end up feeling better than you may have done for a long time - some of the happiest and healthiest people I know have diabetes, because once you have adapted to living with it you have a much better understanding of your body and food, and it encourages the sort of healthy eating and living that would benefit everyone! 🙂
 
thank you so much to all of you for your advice and answering so quickly I already feel better just from all the replies and help i cant thank you enough 🙂:D
 
Ickle_Lj said:
thank you so much to all of you for your advice and answering so quickly I already feel better just from all the replies and help i cant thank you enough 🙂:D
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I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I was only diagnosed in early January and felt it was all frustrating and confusing too and pretty much overwhelming. I have been sick for the last few weeks, I caught a virus then developed a secondary infection. I am still struggling slightly with it even though I am back at work. However each day I am feeling a bit better and am hoping this time next week I will be back to my old self. So in all its basically still all new to me too and my husband and daughter are doing thir best to get a handle on it too. I think at times they think if I eat something sweet I'll keel over!!!! :D they also ask a lot are you allowed to eat that? Coming on here has helped me so much with lots of helpful advice. I am sure you'll find that too, lots of lovely people giving great advice. I think if I don't find this forum I'd be pretty much lost and no knowing what to do. You should ask as many questions here as you need x :D
 
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