I'm 56, just been diagnosed with type 2 and to say i'm confused is an understatement. I need to adjust my diet but to lower carbs & higher protein but when i look on various websites there are loads of contradictory messages. Is there anywhere that just lists things that are good & not good for you.
Hi ianbilly, welcome to the forum
🙂 Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - how did it come about?
There is an awful lot of confusion about Type 2 diabetes, and this is largely due to the fact that there is unfortunately no 'one-size-fits-all' solution. This is because we all vary in our tolerances for things - what works fine for one person might need to be avoided by another. However, the basics apply to everyone - and non-diabetics would also benefit, so it's not a 'specialist' diet you need, just one that helps you maintain good blood sugar levels
🙂 What you are looking for is food that releases its energy slowly and steadily rather than fast and hard. I'd recommend looking into the GL (Glycaemic Load) method of eating, as this aims to achieve exactly this slow, steady impact.
The GL Diet for Dummies is a very good introduction
🙂
I would suggest starting a food diary recording the amount of carbohydrates in everything you eat and drink (in grams). All carbohydrates - bread, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, cakes, pies and sweets etc.) will raise your blood sugar levels, some more than others. Doing a daily diary will help you determine what your current intake of carbohydrate is, and you can then start looking for areas where you might improve things by reducing or replacing some of the carby items with other things that will be kinder to your levels - more green veg and less potato, for example. Ideally, you should use a home blood glucose meter to measure your tolerance for the meals you would like to eat - have a look at
Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S to understand the process. If you don't have a meter and strips, it's certainly worth getting them as you learn about your diabetes, what you can safely retain in your diet, and what you should limit or avoid. The cheapest option we have come across is the
SD Codefree Meter which has
test strips at around £8 for 50 (High St shops sell test strips for up to £30 for 50, which can make it all very expensive
😱).
Finally, I'd recommend getting a copy of
Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker, which will really help with your understanding and help you through these early months
🙂
It can be quite a learning curve to begin with, but you can always ask here is there is anything that confuses or concerns you, and we will be happy to help
🙂 Diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be managed well with the right knowledge and determination - there'll be ups and downs, but stick at it and you will probably end up feeling happier and healthier than you probably have for quite a while
🙂
