Hello Nicole - sorry to hear that your levels are creeping up and hope the increase in metformin is helpful. In the interim there are many things you can do - and even the Diabetes UK care statement on nutritional guidelines do not advocate a "no sugar" diet. As Northerner says it is the carbohydrates that are responsible and current official guidelines say we need lots of them although there are a significant number of Type 2s who follow a low or very low carbohydrate diet
Just checked the back of my porridge packet - guideline daily amounts for women: 2000kcals, 45g protein, 230g carbohydrate (of which sugars 90g), fat 70g (of which saturates 20g), fibre 24g, salt 6g. First place I started learning about my "diabetic" diet was the Diabetes UK supermarket tour part of their website - could play with it to see how what I ate/was planning fitted in to the official guidelines and get suggestions on how I could improve as well
Then, despite gliclazide and metformin, since Christmas I had found my daily monitoring levels were also creeping up although my diet was "healthy" - my weight had stuck as well even on about 1500-1600 calories a day. I didn't want to go down the low/very low carbohydrate route that some have found very successful as it really doesn't suit me or my lifestyle. I started reading around more extensively and paying more attention to what others were saying had worked for them on this forum - I also found "Jennifer's advice" helpful as I, like you, was getting worried - particularly as I have had some early eye changes and lots of exhortation to keep my blood glucose under good control as a result
I've posted elsewhere today ("why do we have to go to the USA" thread - apols but don't know how I link to it here) about following a low GI and moderate carb diet as well as increasing the exercise that appears to be working well for me. Also seen that Mike1979's Type 2 family members have had some success with it as well. Increasing the exercise has helped as well
As regards testing - I do vary but usually every morning and always before driving as I'm on gliclazide and that can lead to hyps. I also test if I try a new food or new form of exercise
You are also right when you talk about buying low fat food - often it is then given flavour by adding sugars to it and, for example, low fat biscuits will have just the same amount (if not more) carbs as the ordinary version and probably be more expensive. Anything more than 10% sugars per 100g is regarded as high sugar
Hope this helps. I will also add that every individual seems to vary in what affects them so there is a lot of trial and error in managing this challenge. NHS dieticians also seem to be rare beings so most Type 2's appear to get told things like "eat healthily" or "avoid sugars" and are then left to muddle through. Remember though - you are not alone in your confusion and worry - people here will share their experiences readily and then you can follow up on what is right for you
Welcome to one of the most helpful places I've found
