Greetings from soggy Cornwall

[slipper]

Hi Ian and welcome to the forum from another newbie.

I was diagnosed type 2 two weeks ago and came away from the docs confused and bewildered, only went due to a bad back🙂

Its becoming a little clearer what its all about thanks to reading the posts here, and re the veg, hardly ate any before, now its half a plate worth, but do feel better for it.

So empathise with you and look forward to seeing you around.

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Ian and welcome to the forum from another newbie.

I was diagnosed type 2 two weeks ago and came away from the docs confused and bewildered, only went due to a bad back🙂

Its becoming a little clearer what its all about thanks to reading the posts here, and re the veg, hardly ate any before, now its half a plate worth, but do feel better for it.

So empathise with you and look forward to seeing you around.

Hi there, I too was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. What advice were you given? I don't mind eating loads of veg but how do you make a salad exciting without a big block of cheese and a thick cut of crusty bread with an inch of butter??? Amanda 🙂

 

[Natalie123]

This post made me smile! Well done for all your hard work, positive thinking and great sense of humour. Welcome and I look forward to hearing lots more from you 🙂

 

[slipper]

Hi there, I too was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. What advice were you given? I don't mind eating loads of veg but how do you make a salad exciting without a big block of cheese and a thick cut of crusty bread with an inch of butter??? Amanda 🙂

Hi Amanda, advice I got was eat a lot of veg, fruit and lots of fibre, at least thats what I think it was. To be honest, I didn't remember a lot.

I've had my eye test and waiting to see a podiatrist, although my foot test was ok.

I am back with the nurse next week and will be a lot more receptive to advice.

I did buy some recommended books, but I think its time we need, to let it sink in, and thus not run before we can walk. (or is that the exercise bit)🙂

 

[Newtothis]

Hi Amanda, advice I got was eat a lot of veg, fruit and lots of fibre, at least thats what I think it was. To be honest, I didn't remember a lot.

I've had my eye test and waiting to see a podiatrist, although my foot test was ok.

I am back with the nurse next week and will be a lot more receptive to advice.

I did buy some recommended books, but I think its time we need, to let it sink in, and thus not run before we can walk. (or is that the exercise bit)🙂

Thanks for above; I've had an initial retinal check at my local opticians which I paid for and saw a podiatrist/chiropodist yesterday - I think the panic sent me into overdrive. I've got my first appointment with the diabetis nurse next Friday. The first 3 weeks have been a complete panic because I wasn't in control of anything...all the publications you read are terrifying (complications) and I did, for a time, lose a grip on reality. I've drastically changed my diet; no saturated fats; limited sugar; no bread; limited potatoes but plenty of fresh veg (husband has an allotment); salad and fish. I've even now grown a taste for Scottish Oats for breakfast. I'm also looking at the stress in my life - have an interview for a new job on Wednesday (keeping everything crossed); starting computerised accounts on Monday night and even booked myself swimming lessons - new costume isn't very flattering - but if I squint I'm sure I look like Pamela Anderson.

 

[Smutmeister]

I'm not particularly impressed with the advice I had from the doctor so far.
Being told to lose some weight isn't quite as specific as I would like.
So far, no mention of eyes, feet, nurses, dieticians.

I lost 3lbs last week and given my trousers are fashionably half-mast I reckon there's a little more gone this week too.

I'm floundering around regarding my diet. Hi-carb, low-carb, low this that and the other? The choice is yours......I'm eating grainy things, green things, some white things and then some more green things.
I'm hungry by mid-morning, mid-afternoon and right now.

I'm half-way through Gretchen B's book but the fog surrounding my food intake isn't clearing. Perhaps the wind generated by Metformin will blow it away.

Last week I seemed to have more energy, this week I'm quite a bit flatter.

I've just tried a blood test for the first time. Having fought with the instruction leaflet, squinted at the miniscule writing, turned more lights on, fished out my reading glasses from the bedroom, made holes in my fingers, got blood everywhere bar the strip...............I saw the figures 8.4mmol for a moment before the meter turned itself off. I don't know if this is good, bad or indifferent but the next time I test it will be during daylight.

My cunning plan for next week is to make an appointment for a time when the doctor that's been dealing with me so far won't be there.

Chins up!

Ian

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi Ian,
diet wise you need to have a good look at the amount of carbs you are eating. Carbs are the down fall of a gone wonky pancreas. If you use logical thinking... the more carbs you eat the more your pancreas will object so you need to give it a rest.
So find foods that are lower in carb and also have a look at the GL and GI in foods.
foods to fill you up.. try some nuts, cold meat hard boiled eggs there's loads you can eat 🙂

 

[lucy123]

Hi Ian,

I can highly recomnmend a good book - Rick Gallops Express GI diet. It makes eating really easy. The book takes about a day to read and then off you go.
It has food coloured green which is all low gi and you can eat as much as you like apart from a handful of things you still have to weigh initially to get portion sizes. Once you get to your ideal weight you can start eating from the yellow list too - but never the red. Its as simple as that.

I say this because this diet is excellent for stopping the lack of enery feeling we get from eating.

Also it is very good for lowering bs.

Good luck with it all.

By the way exercise doesn't have to be the gym initially. Walking, cycling, cleaning the house, gardening are all good exercise. Just try and get a bit each day and you will be fine.

 

[slipper]

I wasn't told about carbs just to eat loads more fruit and veg. I lost 2lbs my first 2 weeks, and about a pound this week, but like smut........., cant spell the rest,🙂 I am starving all the time.

See nurse Monday, so perhaps I will get more food advice. Hope they give me a prescription for some test strips, happy to buy the meter, as its a lot of sense to me to test, test, and test again to see what food is good/bad etc.

 

[Smutmeister]

I shall have to spend tomorrow building more bookcases as my library is swelling every time I visit this place!

Thank you Sue, I have cut down on my carb intake (honest) and am eating better things than before.

Lucy, thank you for the recommendation. Have just bought a copy of that book. I am pretty active - I own a shop so work 6 days a week in there. I also have 2 websites and sell on Fleabay, so I'm forever packing, etc. I don't think that I'll ever be going near a gym - I've got plenty of logs to chop up.

Slippery (that's 2 of us that can't spell then) 😛 I blagged a free meter from Abbotts - there's a link somewhere. I shall get the hang of it eventually. Keep on losing weight, I'm sure that gaunt will suit you. 😉

Thanks all!
Ian

 

[slipper]

Well Abbotts Estate Agents didn't do meters, but this looks good.

http://www.abbott.co.uk/about_us/home/diabetes.asp

Cheers for the tip, will sign up.🙂

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Ian,

I can highly recomnmend a good book - Rick Gallops Express GI diet. It makes eating really easy. The book takes about a day to read and then off you go.
It has food coloured green which is all low gi and you can eat as much as you like apart from a handful of things you still have to weigh initially to get portion sizes. Once you get to your ideal weight you can start eating from the yellow list too - but never the red. Its as simple as that.

I say this because this diet is excellent for stopping the lack of enery feeling we get from eating.

Also it is very good for lowering bs.

Good luck with it all.

By the way exercise doesn't have to be the gym initially. Walking, cycling, cleaning the house, gardening are all good exercise. Just try and get a bit each day and you will be fine.

I could have written this post myself Lucy.🙂

The Book you recommend was the one that my G.P. recommended to me when I was diagnosed in 2003 and it has served me well. Like you, I am never hungry following the advice in the book and it is so easy to see what you can and cannot eat using the traffic light system in the book. Although not written for diabetics, I have found it works for me and it does a good job of explaining about blood sugars.
I was diagnosed in 2003 and am still diet and exercise control. My blood sugars are stable and my HBA1c is always in the 5's. I am sure this book was what made it so simple for me to understand.
As you say, exercise does not have to be in a gym and anything that keeps you moving from washing the car to cleaning the windows or tidying up the garden works in lowering your blood sugars. If you don't exercise your muscles then it makes them less receptive to insulin. Our lifestyles are sedentary compared to our ancestors and we need to keep moving.

 

[lucy123]

Yep - I absolutely rave about this book Cherrypie - its brilliant and so easy.
Also did you know if you log onto the site that Rick mentions in his book, you can email the man himself _ I have had 2 very helpful replies from him.🙂

 

[Northerner]

I'll add the book to our Useful links thread as it is getting such great endorsements! 🙂

 

[cherrypie]

One thing I forgot to add for any Type2's thinking of using this method. You still need to test because although a food may be low G.I. it does not mean that it will automatically be suitable for you. Everyone is different when it comes to their response to foods. I cannot eat pasta, even wholemeal ones and granary bread will not work for me either. I can use Soya and Linseed and Stoneground. These foods may be alright for you and you may find basmati rice or potatoes are not for you.
It really is a minefield and your most useful tool is a testing kit in the early days. If your Dr. has said no then plead with him that you need it for at least 6 months to see what foods are doing to your blood sugars.

 

[slipper]

I notice there are several books written by Rick, is the one with Express in the title better( or are any of his books equally good, eg Living the GI Diet, just a bit confused which one to get.😱

 

[lucy123]

Hi Slipper - I think the express one is best.
I also bought his e-clinic book but didn't find that as good - although I did like the extra recipes in addition to the Express book.

The express book is great for gaining a quick understanding of low gi and how it works and the recipes are expresss - very quick and easy to make.
I did make the muffins and bars too from the book for snacks but they weren't to my liking - the rest of the recipes are yummy.

If you go online you can look inside the book too which might help you decide.

 

[cherrypie]

Hi,

I am greedy as I have three Rick Gallop books.
The G.I. Diet.
Living the G.I. Diet.
Green Light G.I. Cookbook.

 

[Newtothis]

I could have written this post myself Lucy.🙂

The Book you recommend was the one that my G.P. recommended to me when I was diagnosed in 2003 and it has served me well. Like you, I am never hungry following the advice in the book and it is so easy to see what you can and cannot eat using the traffic light system in the book. Although not written for diabetics, I have found it works for me and it does a good job of explaining about blood sugars.
I was diagnosed in 2003 and am still diet and exercise control. My blood sugars are stable and my HBA1c is always in the 5's. I am sure this book was what made it so simple for me to understand.
As you say, exercise does not have to be in a gym and anything that keeps you moving from washing the car to cleaning the windows or tidying up the garden works in lowering your blood sugars. If you don't exercise your muscles then it makes them less receptive to insulin. Our lifestyles are sedentary compared to our ancestors and we need to keep moving.

Hi Cherrypie, so have you been controlling your diabetes by diet and exercise for 8 years? That is really good; any tips you can give to a newbe. I've been diagnosed 3 weeks and my fasting blood test was 7.4 and my random 11.7. My first HbA1c is 7.2. Have first appointment with diabetic clinic on Friday - any tips would be welcome. Amanda 🙂

 

[cherrypie]

Hi Amanda,
I keep trying to reply but get locked out????
I would say that you need to devise an eating plan that you enjoy and can stick to as it needs to be a long term strategy to manage your diabetes,
.

Use the GI index to determine your acceptable foods,http://www.glycemicindex.com/

Accept that it will take a while to get things right for you.

Use your meter, it will determine what is right for you.

Keep a food diary and if something raises your blood sugar then try a smaller portion.

Illness, stress, change of circumstances, other medications may bring different results from those that you normally experience.

Have an occasional treat or it becomes the elephant in the room and you may fall by the wayside.

Read all you can and use the internet to research. Ask questions here if you do not understand anything.

Keep up the exercise as it will help you to release the insulin into your muscles.

Don't compare yourself with others as we are all different and some may have had diabetes for up to 10 years prior to diagnosis.

Treat yourself to things you would like as opposed to food treats. A CD, a massage, a new hair do, a weekend away etc.... much more satisfying.

Take one day at a time and there will be good and bad ones, it happens to all of us.

Enjoy the journey and take time out to smell the flowers and marvel at the beauty of nature. (This means don't let the diabetes consume you as you are still the same person as you were before.)

I am sure there are things that others can add to help you.