Hi Everyone, Just introducing myself having been diagnosed last week. Not seen a Nurse yet as earliest appointment is for 2 weeks time, so am learning and doing all I can until I get further guidance. My cholesterol level is 3.7, I've put on a stone and a half throughout the pandemic and have been eating chocolate bars in the last 3 months whilst lounging when I should have been keeping fit. Very unusual for me to have urges for choc bars, so perhaps I should have been suspicious. Other than that my diet is: Fish 5 days out of 7, masses of fresh veg and fruit - generally stir fried, wholemeal or granary bread, eggs - either poached, boiled or scrambled and bananas. I don't drink alcohol. I've cut right down on potatoes but can't recall when I last had pasta - probably about 6 months ago. I hate processed food and make all my own soups and sauces. Never fry food - the nearest I get to that is grilled bacon once or twice a week. No-one in my immediate family has or has had diabetes. So you can imagine my surprise. But I've cut down on amounts and have started exercising again. I've already lost 3 pounds and am hoping that I can push it into remission. I'm sure I'll have loads of questions as I progress, meanwhile, I'm finding my way around this website and already feel I'm no longer alone.
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Hello There
- Thread starter CME
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Sunshine time
Member
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- Type 2
Hello CME
You definitely are not alone, although at first it takes time to get your head around it...
It sounds like you have been doing / eating healthy, so, yes... Can totally understand your surprise to your diagnosis.
I'm very new here too but just wanted to say hello and this group is amazing...
You definitely are not alone, although at first it takes time to get your head around it...
It sounds like you have been doing / eating healthy, so, yes... Can totally understand your surprise to your diagnosis.
I'm very new here too but just wanted to say hello and this group is amazing...
Hi Sunshine time
Thanks so much for that. Just glancing through the posts I can see it's going to be a life line for knowledge and support. Not seeing a nurse for a couple of weeks so feel a little in limbo but am determined to be in total control of this. I don't think the nurse will be able to fault my diet but throughout the pandemic I have turned into a complete couch potato and then, presumably because I was diabetic without knowing, gave in to extraordinary sugar cravings that I'd never previously experienced, so I know what I've got to do. Are you coping well?
Vonny
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @CME and welcome to the forum from a fellow Type 2. It's a lot to take in at first isn't it?
Good news that you have reduced your potato intake, but the granary bread will probably also have to be given the old heave ho. Diabetes doesn't recognise the difference between white and "decent" bread more's the pity. If you don't drink alcohol that's also got to be a good thing...I'm afraid I haven't managed to cut that out yet, but I only drink red wine now! The rest of your diet sounds really good. You'll find lots of advice on low carb, high fat on the forum because when you cut down/out the carbs you need something to compensate. I've gone from eating low fat to normal-to-high but no longer eat potatoes, bread, pasta or rice. I eat a lot of fish, eggs, meat and cheese.
Were you given your Hba1c reading? Your cholesterol level is very good.
Good news that you have reduced your potato intake, but the granary bread will probably also have to be given the old heave ho. Diabetes doesn't recognise the difference between white and "decent" bread more's the pity. If you don't drink alcohol that's also got to be a good thing...I'm afraid I haven't managed to cut that out yet, but I only drink red wine now! The rest of your diet sounds really good. You'll find lots of advice on low carb, high fat on the forum because when you cut down/out the carbs you need something to compensate. I've gone from eating low fat to normal-to-high but no longer eat potatoes, bread, pasta or rice. I eat a lot of fish, eggs, meat and cheese.
Were you given your Hba1c reading? Your cholesterol level is very good.
Sunshine time
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You sound like you will be on it within no time
It's definitely a learning curve journey...
I'm getting to grips with it, slowly... Although, like yourself, was never a chocolate or sweet tooth person previously. I find it hard to cut out carbs, myself but I'm getting there, thank you
I find this forum awesome... Such great ideas and inspiration from others
I'm sure when you see your nurse, she'll give you a list of helpful plans to stick with too aswell as support from here
Hi, Thanks for all that. I wasn't given anything except a letter saying my cholesterol level was 3.7, my stroke/heart attack risk was 15% and that I should think about going on statins! I then got a call from a DN saying I was diabetic and should make an appointment to discuss. We used to get all our stats so we could see what was going on but nothing but a letter as above for the last 3 years. I think I will ask to see all my results and my HDL/LDL results for the last 3 years. I do eat excessive amounts of apples, bananas and oranges, plus berries. I think I definitely need to cut down on those to start off. I've also cut out sweeteners (I only drink tea - no coffee). I have 2 slices of WW soft malted danish bread for breakfast and usually include 2 boiled eggs - now reduced to one. Goodness! I've learnt so much today. Thank you all so much.
Leadinglights
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- Type 2
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I'm not sure why they would suggest statins as your cholesterol is below the recommended level of 4 for 'high risk' people.
A few of the things you are having are quite high carb, the fruit except the berries for example and as far as breakfast is concerned you would be better to have 1 slice bread and stick with the 2 eggs as a lower carb option.
You might find the book or app Carbs and Cals useful as it has carb and portion sizes of a whole range of foods and meals so you can see where you could make some substitutions for lower carb foods. There are some surprises there.
I should ask what your HbA1C is as that gives a starting point and an indication of just how much you need to do to bring the levels back down and will help people give you appropriate advice.
Trying to get back to some exercise will help even if it is only a daily walk, you don't need to do a full gym workout unless you want to.
A few of the things you are having are quite high carb, the fruit except the berries for example and as far as breakfast is concerned you would be better to have 1 slice bread and stick with the 2 eggs as a lower carb option.
You might find the book or app Carbs and Cals useful as it has carb and portion sizes of a whole range of foods and meals so you can see where you could make some substitutions for lower carb foods. There are some surprises there.
I should ask what your HbA1C is as that gives a starting point and an indication of just how much you need to do to bring the levels back down and will help people give you appropriate advice.
Trying to get back to some exercise will help even if it is only a daily walk, you don't need to do a full gym workout unless you want to.
Thanks so much for that advice. I must lose weight - the pandemic has a lot to answer for - but I've lost 4lbs this week and can feel the difference, so I'm out gardening like mad to get exercise. Cutting down on the fruit and paying attention to portion sizes. Plus all processed sugar is off limits. Just longing for Friday to get everything clearer.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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Welcome to the forum @CME
Great to hear you sounding so engaged and motivated to tackle your diabetes diagnosis head-on.
Congratulations on the weight loss. Hope you can continue with your positive changes and see that continue.
Members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a solid starting point.
Great to hear you sounding so engaged and motivated to tackle your diabetes diagnosis head-on.
Congratulations on the weight loss. Hope you can continue with your positive changes and see that continue.
Members here frequently recommend Maggie Davey’s Letter and Gretchen Becker’s book T2 Diabetes, the first year, which you can work through gradually and will give you a solid starting point.
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello and welcome. You have made a great start in losing 4lb in a week - clearly you are watching portion sizes, so I can't really add to the diet suggestions. And as for suggesting statins - your levels are excellent - but I know some GP surgeries try and push statins on everyone over a certain age, regardless of any medical conditions. As for exercise, I go to water workout classes. They are fun, and sociable, and have helped me enormously. We are all ladies "of a certain age", plus one gentleman! Best wishes
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