Hello from type 2 newbie

[Purplefish]

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with type 2 diabetes. My blood sugars are very high despite taking medication and struggling to make changes in my diet so I’m here to learn more and hopefully get better control

Nice to meet you all 🙂

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum.
Perhaps you can say a little more about your diagnosis, what medication you are on and what your Hba1C is as that will help people make appropriate comments. I had to slap myself on the wrists for giving some suggestions to a poster not realising that they were taking insulin so what I said was not applicable.

But if you are just taking oral medication then yes, some dietary changes will be fundamental to getting your blood glucose level down, meds alone will not usually be sufficient.
Many who are Type 2 find a low carbohydrate approach is successful at reducing blood glucose and losing weight if you need to.
This link may help you with some ideas for modifying your dietary regime and there are some do's and dont's https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Low carb is suggested as being less than 130g total carbs per day and keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the amount of carbs will help you see how close you are to that and where you could make some saving in the high carb foods.
The book or app Carbs and Cals gives a good guide as to the carb value of various portions for lots of foods and meals so will allow you better food choices.

Do feel free to ask any questions as there are lots of people who will be all too willing to give you some suggestions. If you would like to post some of the meals you have then we may spot some problem foods.

 

[ianf0ster]

Medication isn't usually enough on its own to either control or reverse Type 2 diabetes. But in around 50% of cases low carb way of eating is enough. Despite this only a handful of GPs in the UK encourage it and so few outside of members of this (blue) and the other (red) diabetes forums have heard of its use for T2 Diabetes, lowering High Blood Pressure, Weight Loss, etc.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Purplefish, welcome to the forum.

It's not uncommon to still have high numbers after 6 months however, iit may be worth letting your GP know as a change in medication or classification may be required.

Essentially with type two, you're aiming to reduce carbs/ sugars which includes things like oats, sugary drinks and sauces.

We've got lots of info on the forum so do have a look around, you can also find out more on our main site https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes.

 

[Drummer]

Hello @Purplefish.
Plain ordinary type 2s usually show lower glucose levels if eating lower carbohydrate - that is both starch and sugar.
Sometimes they can be something more exotic which is misdiagnosed.
Have you been losing weight easily recently without much effort? That should be a red flag.
Type 2s can usually eat protein and natural fats without any problems, and swap from burning glucose to using ketones, derived from fats.
Would you like to outline what you would eat, typically, as sometimes newly diagnosed type 2s are given poor information about what they should eat. Oh - and what medication were you put on, as that can require different ways of eating to cope with the effects.