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Hello everyone
- Thread starter dednaui
- Start date
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @dednaui
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis
Did it come on suddenly? Or has this come on suddenly out of the blue?
Do you have any close family members with diabetes? Or has this been a bit of a shock?
Can you remember the HbA1c result which gave you your diagnosis (that will be a number above 47mmol/mol, but may be much higher)?
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Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum
Yes the HbA1C result will tell you how far you are into the diabetic zone, 48mmol/mol is the threshold. The best way to tackle your diagnosis partly depends on whether you have been prescribed medication as that will determine what dietary approach may be suitable. A good start is educating yourself about what are high carb foods as you will need to reduce those in your diet.
This link may help you see that there is plenty you can eat and still have filling tasty meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
It is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day as a good starting point and should be suitable if you are trying diet or diet and just metformin, other meds may need a more cautious approach initially.
There is good information and some menu plans to suit various tastes if you like a formal way but you can just follow the principals if that is what you prefer.
But do something you must.
Yes the HbA1C result will tell you how far you are into the diabetic zone, 48mmol/mol is the threshold. The best way to tackle your diagnosis partly depends on whether you have been prescribed medication as that will determine what dietary approach may be suitable. A good start is educating yourself about what are high carb foods as you will need to reduce those in your diet.
This link may help you see that there is plenty you can eat and still have filling tasty meals. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
It is based on the suggested no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day as a good starting point and should be suitable if you are trying diet or diet and just metformin, other meds may need a more cautious approach initially.
There is good information and some menu plans to suit various tastes if you like a formal way but you can just follow the principals if that is what you prefer.
But do something you must.
Hi. I'm not sure what metric they were using but I was told my blood sugar levels was 80 which puts me into the diabetic range. As for family it's not hereditary. Both parents never had it. I have had suspicions about it for some time. Things like pins and needles randomly in my feet. Wounds taking ages to heal and I found myself needing to have a bottle of liquid with me all the time. I was in denial about it but finally decided to get it checked and now I know
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The doctor suggested I download freshwell and I have. I've started making some gradual changes like changing to water instead of zero calorie juice and being more mindful of carbs. I'm also getting back into regular gym visits and long walks at the weekends. I have a friend who trying to loose weight himself so we are doing it together
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Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If by stopping zero calorie juice you mean youve cut out sugar free squash then there’s no need to do that, it’s fine to drink
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Diet drinks are usually OK for people but 2 litres a day perhaps is excessive more from the point of view that it contains phosphoric acid which can be damaging to your teeth.
You could try sparkling flavoured water which is very refreshing, lots of different flavours and zero carb.
What other changes have you made to your diet?
The 80 mentioned would have been the result of an HbA1C test which is used to diagnose diabetes where a result over 47mmol/mol is a diagnosis, yours was 80 mmol/mol so quite high but not as high as some people here who have got it down to normal by a combination of diet and medication.
Yes my friend who has type 2 said that and I'm changing to that. I've stopped snacking on junk food like crisps and trying more protein based snacks like eggs and pepperami (I know they're not the best but looking for alternatives). I'm increasing my veg intake and limiting potatoes. Apart from that I'm eating a cooked breakfast (usually bacon and eggs. I never ate cereal anyway was always grabbing a nature valley bar and a coffee before University. Dinners I'm trying to.again.limit carbs like avoiding rice and pasta until.i find a good alternative
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Just be careful of what other people tell you without checking if it suits YOU, everybody's tolerance to carbohydrates is different and will depend on medication and how much exercise they do.
You could try edamame bean or black bean pasta or noodles as they are low carb. Some people have cauliflower rice. The Nature Valley, KIND or shop own PROTEIN bars are OK as they are only 12g carbs per bar rather than the normal ones which are 2 or 3 times as much.
Nuts are fine a snacks or veg sticks or cheese but it is better to have filling meals with protein and healthy fats and reduce the snacking.
I understand what you mean it is different for everyone. I'm just feeling lost right now. I'm going to request a monitor from my GP tomorrow so I can see what is good for me.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You might be lucky if you have a forward thinking GP but many will not and indeed are not obliged to prescribe a monitor if Type 2 unless people are on medication that may cause low blood glucose which you are not. So most people have to self fund.
Inexpensive monitors can be bought on line, ones with the cheaper strips are GlucoNavii, TEE2 and Contour Blue.
Establishing a good testing regime can be beneficial in finding which meals are suitable. People find testing on waking to give a fasting reading to keep a check of progress day to day, week to week etc and then testing before eating and after 2 hours to see your tolerance to your meal. If the increase is no more than 2-3mmol/l then it is OK if more then reducing carbs in the meal would be wise.
Eventually you are aiming at 4-7mmol/l before meals and no more than 8-8.5mmol/l 2 hours post meal.
It is a very useful tool in getting to grips with lifestyle changes.
Reading through the introduction to the Freshwell program should help with some understanding of managing the condition.
That's incredibly reassuring thank you. I will do everything in my power to tackle this
Alan44
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello and welcome. You read like a sensible person trying to find out and do what suits you best.
Lots of helpful advice above except ignore nimberry whose comments are for Type 1. Leadinglights always offers very constructive and helpful advice. I would only add that you might consider getting an app to help you manage your daily carbs to below 130gm a day. I use NutraCheck (UK based) which is just under £30 for an annual subscription, or MyFitnessPal (USA based).
Metformin can cause tummy problems. If they persist as you increase the dose, you can ask for the slow release version.
Lots of helpful advice above except ignore nimberry whose comments are for Type 1. Leadinglights always offers very constructive and helpful advice. I would only add that you might consider getting an app to help you manage your daily carbs to below 130gm a day. I use NutraCheck (UK based) which is just under £30 for an annual subscription, or MyFitnessPal (USA based).
Metformin can cause tummy problems. If they persist as you increase the dose, you can ask for the slow release version.
I'll look into them Thank you