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Hello! Would you like to share a bit about your situation with us?
 
I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but am not on any medication. Apparently earlier tests showed I was pre diabetic but they forgot to tell me! I've been told to adjust my diet and take exercise but I'm still uncertain what I can and can't eat.
 
I'm type 1 so not the best to advise, but you need to reduce carbs...not just sugars and cakes, but flour, pasta, pastry, bread, potatoes, rice.
Veggies are normally quite low carb as are berries. Eggs, mushrooms, cheese and meat are all low or no carb.
There are some easy low carb swaps you can make- cauliflower can be whizzed into a good rice subsitute, you can buy or just grate your own, and shredded courgette makes an ok pasta substitute.
Almond flour can be used to make cakes etc though they are a bit different
 
stanthevan said:
I've recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but am not on any medication. Apparently earlier tests showed I was pre diabetic but they forgot to tell me! I've been told to adjust my diet and take exercise but I'm still uncertain what I can and can't eat.
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If at the moment you have not been given any medication then I assume you are not too far into the diabetes zone but knowing what your HbA1C is will indicate how much work you will need to do, so ask if you don't know.
Losing weight if you need to will help as will exercise but the greatest impact will be from some dietary changes. A couple of ways people address their diagnosis is a low carbohydrate approach which makes sense as it is all carbohydrates which convert to glucose, other go down a low calorie or shakes-based regime but usually if they are pretty far into the zone.
I personally went down a low carb route based on the principals in this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ and found it successful in reducing my HbA1C from 50mmol/mol to 42mmol/mol in 3 months and making that my new way of eating are now at 39mmol/mol 2 years on.
Whatever way you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it is not sustainable long term.
The link will give you some good ideas of what you can and shouldn't eat.
It is very difficult to be definitive as everybody is different in their tolerance of carbs, some may be fine with bread but not rice and for others it will be the other way round and something often recommended by diabetic nurses is porridge or oats which for some are a NO, NO yet others are fine. The only real way of knowing if YOU tolerate a particular food is by getting a blood glucose monitor so you can test before you eat and after 2 hours looking for a modest increase of 2-3mmol/l or when levels come down no more than 8-8.5mmol/l
Unfortunately as Type 2 most will have to self fund but inexpensive monitors can be bought on line, the GlucoNavii ot Spirit TEE2 are two with the cheapest test strips but worth shopping around as prices do change. It gives you the tools to manage your condition by making better food choices.
 
Tdm said:
I'm type 1 so not the best to advise, but you need to reduce carbs...not just sugars and cakes, but flour, pasta, pastry, bread, potatoes, rice.
Veggies are normally quite low carb as are berries. Eggs, mushrooms, cheese and meat are all low or no carb.
There are some easy low carb swaps you can make- cauliflower can be whizzed into a good rice subsitute, you can buy or just grate your own, and shredded courgette makes an ok pasta substitute.
Almond flour can be used to make cakes etc though they are a bit different
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Thanks for that. This is all helping.
 
Leadinglights said:
If at the moment you have not been given any medication then I assume you are not too far into the diabetes zone but knowing what your HbA1C is will indicate how much work you will need to do, so ask if you don't know.
Losing weight if you need to will help as will exercise but the greatest impact will be from some dietary changes. A couple of ways people address their diagnosis is a low carbohydrate approach which makes sense as it is all carbohydrates which convert to glucose, other go down a low calorie or shakes-based regime but usually if they are pretty far into the zone.
I personally went down a low carb route based on the principals in this link https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/ and found it successful in reducing my HbA1C from 50mmol/mol to 42mmol/mol in 3 months and making that my new way of eating are now at 39mmol/mol 2 years on.
Whatever way you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it is not sustainable long term.
The link will give you some good ideas of what you can and shouldn't eat.
It is very difficult to be definitive as everybody is different in their tolerance of carbs, some may be fine with bread but not rice and for others it will be the other way round and something often recommended by diabetic nurses is porridge or oats which for some are a NO, NO yet others are fine. The only real way of knowing if YOU tolerate a particular food is by getting a blood glucose monitor so you can test before you eat and after 2 hours looking for a modest increase of 2-3mmol/l or when levels come down no more than 8-8.5mmol/l
Unfortunately as Type 2 most will have to self fund but inexpensive monitors can be bought on line, the GlucoNavii ot Spirit TEE2 are two with the cheapest test strips but worth shopping around as prices do change. It gives you the tools to manage your condition by making better food choices.
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Thank you. You're right in that I am not too far into the diabetes zone and it's been recommended that I take regular exercise and change my diet. The nurse recommended porridge and I'm getting on with that really well. Thanks again, that link was a great help.
 
Hi stanthevan, welcome to the forum.

Getting to grips with the most helpful way of eating can be a challenge to begin with but hopefully it'll make sense soon. There isn't a set way of eating for everyone so it really depends on the impact your meals have on your blood sugar level.

We've got a a great food section on the forum as well as some good recipes and meals plans on the main site which may be helpful to get an idea of things.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/recipes
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans
 
Hi @stanthevan and welcome to the forum.

It’s great that the nurse has given you some advice. It’s not necessarily great that they’ve suggested porridge though as some might find that spikes their blood glucose. For me it’s like rocket fuel so I have to avoid it.
I find full fat Greek yogurt with a small handful (50g or so) of blueberries and a hefty sprinkling of chia seeds over the lot is an ideal breakfast. It’s quick, it’s filling, it doesn’t move my BG levels one iota.

The thing about diabetes is that we’re all different. General advice is great but what works for one might not work for another.

It’s likely to be confusing at first as you try to get an understanding of what your diagnosis means but don’t be reluctant to ask any questions or comment on any thread in here even if it’s all for an explanation of what’s being talked about.
We’re a friendly bunch and I’m certainly grateful for the support and camaraderie this forum has given me.
Welcome.
 
stanthevan said:
I'm very new to this and slightly nervous but hello all.
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Hi There @stanthevan Welcome to the forum! we hope we can help you with any queries on diabetes and give you the necessary guidance you may need. We would suggest downloading some of the free booklets we have on our shop for a bit more information for yourself here:https://shop.diabetes.org.uk/collections/information-for-you and for any other questions or needing of a chat give us a call on our helpline number: 0345 123 2399, Hope we can be of great assistance!
 
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