Hello, very new to all this.

[Steveh44]

Hi,
Thought I had better say hello and introduce myself. Apparently I an not officially diagnosed but I have been told at the moment I’m pre-diabetic.
I visited my doctors for an unrelated issue, while I was there they did a blood test. A few days later I had a call from the diabetes nurse at the practice. It was reading 52 so she told me to cut out as much sugar and carbs as I could along with a very quick chat about diabetes and that I have to go back at the end of September for a second test.
I feel like I’ve been left in limbo until September when I find out for sure what’s going on.
I have started eating better though using whole wheat foods, cutting out sugary drinks, no sugar in my tea or coffee, no potatoes or white rice and no takeaways which has resulted in me losing just over four kilos in two weeks so I must be doing something right.

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum
If your HbA1C is 52mmol/mol then you are definitely diabetic the cut off point is 48mmol/mol and over but you are just on the first rung of the ladder so some dietary changes should be effective at bringing down your blood glucose level.
Reducing All carbohydrates is important but be aware that the colour makes little difference as the carbs in brown version of things like rice, pasta and bread are the same as white but they may convert more slowly.
It is better to reduce your carbs slowly over a period of weeks as otherwise you can get problems with your eyes and nerves.
Losing weight will certainly help as well.
Have a look at the Learning Zone here but also this link may help you with some ideas for modifying your dietary regime.

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk

Please ask any questions you have and people will make comments to help.

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Steveh44, welcome to the forum.

As mentioned you are within the diabetic range but only just so, coupled with the fantastic changes you've already made, you should be able to get back to a healthy range.

You're off to a great start so do have a look around the site and let us know if we can help in any way.

 

[Barrowman]

And welcome to the forum from me too @Steveh44 and do have a look at the Learning zone, It's well worth it, I did and learnt a lot. Great site this is.

 

[Steveh44]

Thanks for the advice and the welcomes. I have joined up to the Learning Zone and I’m slowly taking in the information.
There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there for someone who is new to diabetes but I suppose I’ll get used to what I can and can’t eat as time goes by.

 

[Leadinglights]

Thanks for the advice and the welcomes. I have joined up to the Learning Zone and I’m slowly taking in the information.
There seems to be a lot of conflicting information out there for someone who is new to diabetes but I suppose I’ll get used to what I can and can’t eat as time goes by.

The problem is that as everybody is different in their tolerance to carbohydrates and there are different approaches, people have to find they way that works for them. It is no good saying eat this or that as they may be foods you hate. But following the principals of reducing your carb intake to a level that YOUR body can tolerate will see your blood glucose reduce.
The only real way of seeing what you can eat is by testing your meals with a home blood glucose monitor. It will be the best investment in your health. Testing before you eat and after 2 hours aiming for an increase of no more than 2-3mmol/l, if higher then your meal is too carb heavy. Monitors can be had on line but it is the cost of the test strips that is important. Somebody mentioned that Home Health are giving the TEE2 monitor for free and that is one with the cheaper strips. The GlucoNavii is another one with the cheaper strips. Cheaper than those sold by the pharmacy.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the TOTAL carbohydrate will help you see where saving can be made and enable you to make better food choices.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy, veg, salads and fruit like berries with only small portions of the high carb foods will still give you options for tasty meals.
The aim for a low carb approach is no more than 130g per day but you will see many do go lower than that as that is what they need to do to manage their blood glucose level.