Getting fed-up now

[Newtothis]

I am really struggling with breakfast - my readings in the morning before breakfast is normally between 5 - 6. However, porridge spiked to 9.2; baked beans on bergen break; 10.9 and this morning I had a small bowl of Allbran and 1hr later my sugars were 11.1.

I am going to test until I find the right breakfast but I am struggling. Suggestions have included scrambled egg (do I use 2 eggs?) and bacon (which I can't eat); natural yoghurt and fruit;

My lunch and evening meals are fine reading normally not above 8.

What can I do

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sorry to hear that Amanda I've given up on cereals entirely... Cereals are evil. Just to reinforce the need to testify than once to evaluate things that might be misbehaving. I had Burgen toast today (which I have been using for over a year and know I can cope with) 2 hrs later 14.8 😱 Sometimes BG craziness just happens. Some foods are worth retesting just to be sure.

You could give 1 slice Burgen toast with 2 or 3 scrambled eggs a go?

Congrats on the improvement of levels generally though 🙂

 

[cherrypie]

I am really struggling with breakfast - my readings in the morning before breakfast is normally between 5 - 6. However, porridge spiked to 9.2; baked beans on bergen break; 10.9 and this morning I had a small bowl of Allbran and 1hr later my sugars were 11.1.

I am going to test until I find the right breakfast but I am struggling. Suggestions have included scrambled egg (do I use 2 eggs?) and bacon (which I can't eat); natural yoghurt and fruit;

My lunch and evening meals are fine reading normally not above 8.

What can I do

Hi,
IMHO you are getting impatient and want instant results. I am afraid that it takes trial and error to find out what you can eat. You have a meter and test strips and that is why you need to educate yourself slowly as to what is right for you.
The beans on toast was a heavy carbohydrate meal and the beans contained more carbs than the bread. You need to get the balance right. Porridge is the same and unless you slow the it down with some other food groups then you will get a big hit from the carbs. Try a smaller portion with some seeds and nuts, (these contain fats and protein and will slow it down) and see if that works.
You say that you cannot eat bacon. Are you a vegetarian or, like me, you keep away from processed foods?
How about a poached egg on a slice of Burgen with some mushrooms?
Another suggestion is cheese on toast with tomatoes.
I bet in a few months time you will have this all sussed and will be helping others.😉
You are educating yourself in the process of having these frustrating results and that is what testing is all about so please don't get down, it will come right in the end and the stress you are feeling at the moment may well raise your blood sugars.
Liken it to driving lessons. Nobody gets it right straight away.

 

[Newtothis]

Hi,
IMHO you are getting impatient and want instant results. I am afraid that it takes trial and error to find out what you can eat. You have a meter and test strips and that is why you need to educate yourself slowly as to what is right for you.
The beans on toast was a heavy carbohydrate meal and the beans contained more carbs than the bread. You need to get the balance right. Porridge is the same and unless you slow the it down with some other food groups then you will get a big hit from the carbs. Try a smaller portion with some seeds and nuts, (these contain fats and protein and will slow it down) and see if that works.
You say that you cannot eat bacon. Are you a vegetarian or, like me, you keep away from processed foods?
How about a poached egg on a slice of Burgen with some mushrooms?
Another suggestion is cheese on toast with tomatoes.
I bet in a few months time you will have this all sussed and will be helping others.😉
You are educating yourself in the process of having these frustrating results and that is what testing is all about so please don't get down, it will come right in the end and the stress you are feeling at the moment may well raise your blood sugars.
Liken it to driving lessons. Nobody gets it right straight away.

Thank you for above - what is bizzare 1hr after testing my number was 11.1; 2hrs later it was 5.4. The 5 mins on the treadmill might have helped but it was a big drop. I am going to take it easy on myself. At least I know what cereals are spiking my sugars and I'll just work on them. As they say 'Rome wasn't built in a day'. My sugars 2hrs after testing is fine; its just the 1hr after. I'm not vegetarian but don't eat bacon; cheese; red meat or anything sugary. I'm losing weight at a steady pace of 1-2lb per week; have a stone to lose by Christmas and my 2nd appointment with DN nurse so working hard to shift the pounds and firm up. Thank again, Amanda x 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Sorry to hear that Amanda I've given up on cereals entirely... Cereals are evil. Just to reinforce the need to testify than once to evaluate things that might be misbehaving. I had Burgen toast today (which I have been using for over a year and know I can cope with) 2 hrs later 14.8 😱 Sometimes BG craziness just happens. Some foods are worth retesting just to be sure.

You could give 1 slice Burgen toast with 2 or 3 scrambled eggs a go?

Congrats on the improvement of levels generally though 🙂

My sugars dropped 2hrs after the Allbran to 5.4. Did help to lower numbers with 5 mins on the treadmill. I am going to try the Burgen toast and scrambled egg but I don't have butter or any kind of spread so need to know what to 'grease' the pan with....

Do you test 1hr and 2hrs after food? Amanda x 🙂

 

[Mark T]

My sugars dropped 2hrs after the Allbran to 5.4. Did help to lower numbers with 5 mins on the treadmill. I am going to try the Burgen toast and scrambled egg but I don't have butter or any kind of spread so need to know what to 'grease' the pan with....

Do you test 1hr and 2hrs after food? Amanda x 🙂

My scrambled egg is 1min 30 - 2 mins in the microwave - just 1 large egg + a dollop of milk (probably a small cup, I don't tend to measure this). Usually I add some grated cheese to improve the flavour.

If I feel the need to add some butter/spread I usually add some olive oil instead.

 

[Newtothis]

My scrambled egg is 1min 30 - 2 mins in the microwave - just 1 large egg + a dollop of milk (probably a small cup, I don't tend to measure this). Usually I add some grated cheese to improve the flavour.

If I feel the need to add some butter/spread I usually add some olive oil instead.

Hi Mark, I'm going to try poached egg on bergen bread tomorrow and see what happens. I don't use butter/spread or have cheese but hubby makes the best poached eggs. Will let you have my numbers - value your opinion. Amanda x 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

My sugars dropped 2hrs after the Allbran to 5.4. Did help to lower numbers with 5 mins on the treadmill. I am going to try the Burgen toast and scrambled egg but I don't have butter or any kind of spread so need to know what to 'grease' the pan with....

Do you test 1hr and 2hrs after food? Amanda x 🙂

Would olive oil work to grease the pan?

I suspect the 5 mins might have helped a little, but as a T2 my understanding is that your insulin release will also have had an effect. I'm T1 so my 1hr or 2hr tests are an attempt to catch my highest reading based on the insulin injection I've taken. For you (t2s correct me if I'm wrong) you may have lost some or all of your initial insulin release (phase 1), which is triggered when you start eating. But will still have quite a lot of the later (phase 2) insulin which follows at around 2 hours. Your initial rise seems to be in line with this, with your BGs rising fast, then falling back as the second phase of insulin starts to shift glucose from blood to cells.

 

[Newtothis]

Would olive oil work to grease the pan?

I suspect the 5 mins might have helped a little, but as a T2 my understanding is that your insulin release will also have had an effect. I'm T1 so my 1hr or 2hr tests are an attempt to catch my highest reading based on the insulin injection I've taken. For you (t2s correct me if I'm wrong) you may have lost some or all of your initial insulin release (phase 1), which is triggered when you start eating. But will still have quite a lot of the later (phase 2) insulin which follows at around 2 hours. Your initial rise seems to be in line with this, with your BGs rising fast, then falling back as the second phase of insulin starts to shift glucose from blood to cells.

Thank you - I am slightly confused with the testing times. Am I right in assuming the 1hr rise shows the highest peak so is an indication of food that spikes to early and should be modified or denied all together and the 2hr test is to see whether its lowered to within the guidelines of no more than 8.5. Therefore, I should be trying foods that, hopefully rise to no more than 8.5 during the first hour and then should stay there or come down 1 hr later. Many thanks, Amanda x 🙂

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Yes as I understand it many T2s find the peak BG after eating comes before 2 hours.

I think in an *ideal* world you might aim for that. However if you are aiming for the published targets (no higher than 8.5 at 2 hours after meals) then as you have discovered you could well eat lots of foods which meet those guidelines, but peak higher at 1hr. And unless you tested at 1 hour you would never know this!

I think that is, in part, the reason for the suggested timing. 8.5 at 2 hours is not easy by any means and it is testament to your progress so far that you are meeting those targets. I guess it's up to you now whether you keep achieving as you are, or aim to stay below 8.5 as often as you can at 1 hour too.

 

[smithdas]

After a few months of trial and error my breakfast consists of 2 or 3 slices of Warburtons seeded batch bread with lighter fat butter by country life and 2 babybel light cheeses. The seeded batch I use because it hopefully takes longer to digest.

Cereals I tend to avoid like the plague which is a shame as I enjoyed them. Remember peeps that there is also carbs in the milk that sugars.

 

[slipper]

I was surprised too at the variations in test results, 2 pieces of Vogel and tested at 1 hour was 10 one day, 12.5 the next, having added a little ham for the second test to see if I could lower it.😱

So keep at it Newtothis and we will get there

 

[Newtothis]

I was surprised too at the variations in test results, 2 pieces of Vogel and tested at 1 hour was 10 one day, 12.5 the next, having added a little ham for the second test to see if I could lower it.😱

So keep at it Newtothis and we will get there

Hi there, thanks for above; do you also test immediately; 1hr and 2hrs after eating? Amanda x 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

After a few months of trial and error my breakfast consists of 2 or 3 slices of Warburtons seeded batch bread with lighter fat butter by country life and 2 babybel light cheeses. The seeded batch I use because it hopefully takes longer to digest.

Cereals I tend to avoid like the plague which is a shame as I enjoyed them. Remember peeps that there is also carbs in the milk that sugars.

Hi there, thank you for reply; do you also test immediately before; 1hr and 2hrs after food. I only have milk in cereal and tea and only drink 2 cups a day. Use the new 1% fat milk Amanda x 🙂

 

[smithdas]

Well as a borderline type 2, pre-diabetic I only tend to test when I am unsure about the level my BG is at rather than test every meal. It seems when my BG levels go outside the norm the body reacts with similar ways i.e momentary blurred vision and headaches. Its only recently I realised that those symptoms accompanied by a dry mouth and a thirst is a high BG. I am a little slow obviously lol. For about two months I have been able to eat a little more carbs UNTIL this week however.

It seems stress at the start of the week pushed my BG up towards 8 and 10 when its normally high 5's and 6's. I have now gone back to meats and cheeses for lunch along with a little salad and battered fish with caulis and broccs and parsley sauce for dinner.

But over time things will become easier Amanda and reading this message board every day has given me a wealth of information about this damn condition 🙂

Keep testing!

Dave

Oh one thing I forgot to mention is that I also take 5 assorted vitamin and fish oil supplements with my breakfast to supplement what I am missing due to my changed diet. Hopefully they work lol!

 

[slipper]

Hi Amanda, I am selecting various foods that I would normally like to keep eating , eg Vogel bread, and test 1 hour, then 2 hours after eating.

I bought some extra strips to use, as my DN restricts me to 2 a week, but I see GP soon and may to to get that upped, as in the early stages, like us, it is obviously beneficial to test often to establish a diet regime.

 

[smithdas]

Hi Amanda, I am selecting various foods that I would normally like to keep eating , eg Vogel bread, and test 1 hour, then 2 hours after eating.

I bought some extra strips to use, as my DN restricts me to 2 a week, but I see GP soon and may to to get that upped, as in the early stages, like us, it is obviously beneficial to test often to establish a diet regime.

I agree with you. Thats why I pay for my own strips.

 

[Katieb]

Well as a borderline type 2, pre-diabetic I only tend to test when I am unsure about the level my BG is at rather than test every meal. It seems when my BG levels go outside the norm the body reacts with similar ways i.e momentary blurred vision and headaches. Its only recently I realised that those symptoms accompanied by a dry mouth and a thirst is a high BG. I am a little slow obviously lol. For about two months I have been able to eat a little more carbs UNTIL this week however.

It seems stress at the start of the week pushed my BG up towards 8 and 10 when its normally high 5's and 6's. I have now gone back to meats and cheeses for lunch along with a little salad and battered fish with caulis and broccs and parsley sauce for dinner.

But over time things will become easier Amanda and reading this message board every day has given me a wealth of information about this damn condition 🙂


Keep testing!

Dave

Oh one thing I forgot to mention is that I also take 5 assorted vitamin and fish oil supplements with my breakfast to supplement what I am missing due to my changed diet. Hopefully they work lol!

Hi Dave

I too have been diagnosed with prediabetes (impaired gluose tolerance) at the end of May. Is it right to assume that you are having test strips prescibed? Also, you seem to be having more input from your GP surgery than me as you have been diagnosed, seen the DN and have another GP appt coming up. I was diagnosed then sent away for a year with the advice to lose weight, up the exercise and eat healthily - plenty of fruit and veg and complex carbs. Needless to say I have felt a little unsupported - til I joined this forum of course. I have followed all the advice - lost 2 stones (one and a half to go), joined a gym and eat a low fat, hi gi diet. Unfortunately I didn't ask my numbers as they wouldn't have meant a thing to me then! I went to the GP feeling generally low with a couple of niggly complaints such as dry eyes, touch of rosacea etc. I had an oral glucose tolerance test and was told the result was higher than normal but not in the diabetic range. I feel a bit better but my bg still occasionally tips into the 6s in the mornings. I tend to keep pretty much in the mid to late 5s pre meals. Chinese and Indian food spike my bg (these are only occasional treats - once or twice in last 3 months!). Alcohol makes me feel lousy these days! May be the big D or just my age! It would be great if you were happy to share any of your experiences with me as I do feel like I'm floundering at times! Katie
Ps. I too take a multi vitamin, l fish oil and evening primrose oil. Seems to help!

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Amanda, I am selecting various foods that I would normally like to keep eating , eg Vogel bread, and test 1 hour, then 2 hours after eating.

I bought some extra strips to use, as my DN restricts me to 2 a week, but I see GP soon and may to to get that upped, as in the early stages, like us, it is obviously beneficial to test often to establish a diet regime.

Thanks for above; will contine with immediately before; 1hr after and 2hrs after. Doing breakfast only and then will do lunch and dinner although my lunch and dinner consist of a lot of salad; veg and fish or chicken/lean pork.

Do you also take vitamins? I'm wondering whether I should just take a multi-vitamin to balance up my diet. Amanda x 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

I agree with you. Thats why I pay for my own strips.

I also bought my own meter and strips because GP and DN is hoping I can control my diabetes with diet and exercise. My HbA1c test was 7.2 and I'm hoping to lower that by next appointment in December. I'm losing between 1-2lbs per week; lost 1stone 10lbs since 1st July. Starting walking 10,000 steps a day and learning to swim in 2 weeks time. Also building up gym equipment in garage-cross-trainer; punch bag; ab-trainer; hula hoop; dumb-bells.

Even if I can't lower my HbA1c I will have lost the weight to be within my healthy bmi; be fitter and hopefully learnt to swim 😱

The best thing I did was joining this site; I'm having problems with breakfast but everyone on here has been brilliant and very supportive. Hopefully will get there..... Amanda x 🙂