Hello!

[genie_t]

Hi,
I am in early 40s and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes before 2020 (under 40). I am Lacto vegetarian, medically obese and needle phobic.
I made lots of changes to my diet when I was diagnosed and eat consciously. Tried 5:2, 16:8 without much improvement. I tried just protein diet before - where I lost weight but was unwell- when I was off diet - got all weight plus surplus back.
I was offered weight loss surgery - but do not want to go through it.

My initial Hba1C was 54, after initial Metformin 500mg - came down to 51.
After 1 more year - it shoots up to 120 (except COVID and stress - no other change in food habits - less physically active during COVID times). Metformin SR 500mg twice a day, after that Metformin SR (Sukkarto) 500mg*2 twice a day, only can bring it down in 90s. GP started me on Jardiance 10mg (in addition to Metformin SR (Sukkarto) 500mg*2 twice) - initially had side effects and not taking it regularly due to timing - trying my best to be regular. Even with all of this it is 69! Earlier someone suggested GLP-1 injections but I did not agree or made up my mind as it is temporary I guess with side effects. I am scared and clueless! Joining this forum for any tips or anyone not seeing any benefit from Metformins? Thanks a lot! - T

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi,
I am in early 40s and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes before 2020 (under 40). I am Lacto vegetarian, medically obese and needle phobic.
I made lots of changes to my diet when I was diagnosed and eat consciously. Tried 5:2, 16:8 without much improvement. I tried just protein diet before - where I lost weight but was unwell- when I was off diet - got all weight plus surplus back.
I was offered weight loss surgery - but do not want to go through it.

My initial Hba1C was 54, after initial Metformin 500mg - came down to 51.
After 1 more year - it shoots up to 120 (except COVID and stress - no other change in food habits - less physically active during COVID times). Metformin SR 500mg twice a day, after that Metformin SR (Sukkarto) 500mg*2 twice a day, only can bring it down in 90s. GP started me on Jardiance 10mg (in addition to Metformin SR (Sukkarto) 500mg*2 twice) - initially had side effects and not taking it regularly due to timing - trying my best to be regular. Even with all of this it is 69! Earlier someone suggested GLP-1 injections but I did not agree or made up my mind as it is temporary I guess with side effects. I am scared and clueless! Joining this forum for any tips or anyone not seeing any benefit from Metformins? Thanks a lot! - T

Welcome to the forum
Diet is the most important factor in managing blood glucose for people who are Type 2 as all the medication in the world can only do so much and cannot magically remove carbohydrates from your food and it is all carbs that convert to glucose.
Have a look at this link as there is a vegetarian meal plan so you could compare to what meals you are currently having, it is a low carb approach and that is generally suggested as being no more than 130g carbs per day, it is not NO carbs. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @genie_t

Sorry to hear about the difficult time you’ve been having with your diabetes over the years

It sounds like you have tried a number of different dietary approaches, but haven’t really landed on one that was sustainable long-term and gave you the results you were looking for

Metformin does seem to have the biggest effect at approx 1500-2000mg per day, but it is a medication that generally works ‘in the background’ to help support BG levels. It doesn’t really work directly on food or meals, it works by reducing glucose output from the liver and helping to reduce insulin resistance.

As such, the changes you make to your menu are vitally important in giving your metabolism the best chance of balancing your glucose levels. Moderating your overall carbohydrate intake - especially sweet and sugary things, but also reducing portions of bread, pasta, rice, grains, cereals, and many fruits, can really help to balance your glucose levels.

As @Leadinglights says, some people find it helpful to aim for a set number of total carbs per day. Somewhere between 80-130g seems to be the happy place for most members here.

Good luck in finding a new way of eating that gives you a menu you can stick with and enjoy, and also balances with the meds you are taking.

 

[s'nic]

@genie_t
Welcome to the forum

It sounds like you have tried a number of different dietary approaches, but haven’t really landed on one that was sustainable long-term

This is the key thing - a diet is something that starts and ends. When it ends weight can be regained as you found out yourself. As a T2 you need a lifestyle change which will help bring about weight loss.
Of course you can focus on a foods that will assist weight loss now, while also working towards that sustainable lifestyle that will continue to help both you and your diabetes afterwards.

Moderating your overall carbohydrate intake - especially sweet and sugary things, but also reducing portions of bread, pasta, rice, grains, cereals, and many fruits, can really help to balance your glucose levels.

Since carbohydrates convert to glucose when eaten it would help to first target the sweet stuff, and any items high in carbohydrates.
If cutting down to 130 carbs a day seems completely unattainable please do not panic or give up. Just focus on those priority items above, and reduce portion sizes of those. Consider that a good start point, and know that you can progress further as you and your body adjust to your new way of eating.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @genie_t, good advice given above. I was obese with a BMI of 32 when I was diagnosed and joined this lovely forum. I carried on eating exactly what I'd always done, with the exception of starchy foods like potatoes and bread. These days I enjoy a chilli or a curry with broccoli and green beans (yes, it sounds revolting but it's actually really nice!). I was lucky that I didn't eat much sweet stuff but I was a total carb monster.
The idea of doing without, or reducing, carbs, made me feel utterly bereft to start with. I managed by doing it one day at a time, and believe it or not, you get used to it and the carb craving stops. This makes is sustainable for me. I lost 5 stone and now have a BMI of 22 and, at nearly 65 am probably the fittest I've been for a couple of decades.
Wishing you all the best.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

These days I enjoy a chilli or a curry with broccoli and green beans (yes, it sounds revolting but it's actually really nice!). I was lucky that I didn't eat much sweet stuff but I was a total carb monster.

Yes it’s interesting how often forum members end up preferring the lower carb alternatives (even the slightly left-field ones).

The stodgy carbs are usually fairly bland in flavour, so lower carb alternatives can often add more flavour and interest 🙂

Plus our tastebuds adapt fairly swiftly, and forum members start tasting sweetness in things that was previously masked by the tastebud-numbing sugary things