Hello I’m Phoebe and have just been diagnosed with Type 2

[Phoebe2]

I am on the blood/sugar diet and have lost 16 lbs since starting on 10th September. However, I am still confused about what I can and cannot eat and I don’t see a diabetic nurse until the 11 November . I’m not sure how to measure my blood for sugar levels.

 

[Proud to be erratic]

Hello @Phoebe2,
Welcome to the Forum. I'm not the right person to answer your question, but others will be along to help. I just wanted you to know your posting here is a great starting point for help and suggestions; we were all new to this once and we've all been through that phase of not knowing what to focus on first.

Meanwhile if you'd like to tell us a little bit more, such as when were you diagnosed T2, do you know your HbA1c (a number above 47mmol/mol, could be just 48 or even into 3 figures - which will tell you and us how much needs to be done with your Blood Glucose management)?

 

[saffron15]

@Phoebe2 welcome to the forum. Well done on the weight loss. Are you on medication yet? I had a high blood reading at the end of June 69 then a second one four weeks later of 64. I saw a nurse in mid August and found her of little help but I was still bewildered and probably didn't take it all in. I particularly wanted to know about groups and courses but cannot tell you exactly what she said or my response I've tried to get her to email that part of what she said but have failed so far. Listen carefully and ask questions. You will be referred for eye checks and foot checks. If you are type 2 unless your reading is very high or you are put on particular meds you will be told there is no need to test but it is odd not knowing how your body is reacting to the changes you have made. There is plenty on here as to how to test. Make sure hands are clean and warm. Holding a warm cup works. The finger pricker has various marks i started on two but am now using one ( the lowest) yesterday and today have been a disaster. I've had 7 strips register fail and have now run out. I have ordered some that should arrive today. I'm a little stressed as I have an eye op next Thursday and was told by the hospital to monitor my bg carefully. Mention was made of seeing my GP etc. But I've only ever seen a HCP. Yesterday was my first day of oral steroids and the figures I got were higher than normal.
As for food try and eat things you like and eat mindfully. Pre diagnosis I often eat when I was bored and could keep taking just one more biscuit.. I don't buy them now. I've had cake twice deliberately in a cafe so I cannot be tempted to have a second one. I don't know what the blood sugar diet is but is clearly working for you. Their is a site called Freshwell that is fairly low carb. It has excellent info and recipes. I'm now on a drug where I need to eat some carbs ( I've never tried keto) so try and keep them aroundc130 where I sometimes dropped to 80. I occasionally eat bread usually in a cafevwith few choices but have ditched potato pasta rice. I will reintroduce small portions with more veg. I find fish and shell fish excellent. I have seen reference to black bean and red lentil pasta and am considering buying some to ring the changes. I tend to have a mushroom omlette, porridge or full fat yoghurt with berries for breakfast. Some fruit has too many carbs/ sugar. If your cholestral is fine steak or bacon and eggs is fine too. There is a thread where people have posted pictures of their meals which should inspire.
Do keep asking.

 

[Inka]

Welcome @Phoebe2 🙂 You can test your blood sugar at home with a blood glucose meter. If you don’t have one of those, you can buy one. The most affordable meters people here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2- which both have test strips at around £10 for 50 (some strips can cost more like £30 a pot!).

A system of testing will show you what foods/meals work best for your blood sugar. If you test just before you eat, then again 2hrs after the start time of your meal, you’ll see how that meal affected your blood sugar and whether your result is in range. The range you’re aiming for is below:

If you have​

• before meals: 4 to 7mmol/l
• two hours after meals: less than 8.5mmol/l

 

[JITR]

... I am still confused about what I can and cannot eat and I don’t see a diabetic nurse until the 11 November .

Hi @Phoebe2,

A diet based on protein and vegetables helped me lose weight and maintain it.

Some links:
- A useful guide to foods to eat and not eat.
- 'What should we eat?' has a good section on weight loss.
- Dr David Unwin's diet sheet gives practical advice. He is GP who has pioneered a low carb dietary approach to T2D remission with his patients - a great success.

 

[JANeedtoloseweight]

I am on the blood/sugar diet and have lost 16 lbs since starting on 10th September. However, I am still confused about what I can and cannot eat and I don’t see a diabetic nurse until the 11 November . I’m not sure how to measure my blood for sugar levels.

Hi is that the lower your blood sugar diet - Michael Mosley ??

 

[JANeedtoloseweight]

Hi @Phoebe2,

A diet based on protein and vegetables helped me lose weight and maintain it.

Some links:
- A useful guide to foods to eat and not eat.
- 'What should we eat?' has a good section on weight loss.
- Dr David Unwin's diet sheet gives practical advice. He is GP who has pioneered a low carb dietary approach to T2D remission with his patients - a great success.

Thanks for this info

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi is that the lower your blood sugar diet - Michael Mosley ??

Yes I was wondering that too JAN!

There are a range of diets that can suit different people @Phoebe2

Some choose a short-term very low calorie approach initially, to lose weight (eg the Fast800 or Newcastle Soup&Shake), then shift to a weight-maintaining whole food menu

Others choose a low carbohydrate approach to focus more on stabilising their glucose levels.

Others choose a moderately reduced calorie menu to allow weight to reduce more gradually.

There’s no one approach that will work (or appeal!) to everyone. So it’s important to find a way of eating that suits you 🙂

Maybe browse these DUK meal plans for ideas?

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[JANeedtoloseweight]

Yes I was wondering that too JAN!

There are a range of diets that can suit different people @Phoebe2

Some choose a short-term very low calorie approach initially, to lose weight (eg the Fast800 or Newcastle Soup&Shake), then shift to a weight-maintaining whole food menu

Others choose a low carbohydrate approach to focus more on stabilising their glucose levels.

Others choose a moderately reduced calorie menu to allow weight to reduce more gradually.

There’s no one approach that will work (or appeal!) to everyone. So it’s important to find a way of eating that suits you 🙂

Maybe browse these DUK meal plans for ideas?

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Hello
I have looked at the plans but find it hard to choose .
Is there something that tells you how much you need to lose etc so how many calories you need to have each day . I see the low carb has snacks plus 3 meals with dessert - I have been told that 3 meals a day , no snacks as eating so many times spikes your sugars - confused !!
Thanks

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

no snacks as eating so many times spikes your sugars

I guess it depends on what you are eating, and how your body responds to it. That’s why monitoring your own levels around food and “eating to your meter” is so popular on the forum. You can try different meal plans, and see which your body likes best.

 

[JANeedtoloseweight]

I guess it depends on what you are eating, and how your bode responds to it. That’s why monitoring your own levels around food and “eating to your meter” is so popular on the forum. You can try different meal plans, and see which your body likes best.

Thank you