Hello! :)

[DaNnY14]

Hello! I joined these forums because my mother has diabetes type 2 which my grandmother (her mother) also had and it seems to run through the genes on her side of the family. I'll probably be asking for recipes for meals that my mum is able to have and I also want to know how I can avoid getting diabetes as I know what it can do which scares me as I'm only 13 years old, so I want to start good habits to continue throughout my whole life that lower the chances of getting diabetes. Stay safe as I know these times have been difficult for lots of people around because of the pandemic that is taking place!

Danny 🙂

 

[Drummer]

There is no need to be frightened.
Diabetes simply means that someone can't cope with eating a lot of carbohydrate, but just how much and from what foods is very individual. Carbohydrates are starches and sugars, so pastry, potatoes and bread are often things we avoid. Sugary foods too, but I can have, for instance, ice cream, if I make it myself - proper ice cream which is made from eggs and cream. Ice cream in the shops has lots of sugar in it, so have many foods we are sold. It might seem wrong to eat foods low in carbohydrate, we are told it is unhealthy, yet for diabetics it is the food which makes us feel really well, energetic and cheerful. I was diagnosed with type two diabetes in 2016, and soon fixed the problem.
Does you mum have a glucose meter? They can be got hold of quite easily, but it is best to find one with cheap strips - one is used for every test, they can be got on Amazon, but I use one from Spirit Healthcare, called a Tee2. It shows how meals affect us, so we can adjust what we eat and control our blood glucose levels into the normal range. It was a big help for me to have one.
Do you know what medication your Mum uses - that will make a difference to the diet advice.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @DaNnY14

Your Mum is lucky to have you looking out for her 🙂

Yes there can be quite a strong genetic / family link to diabetes I think. Some estimates suggest anything between 40-70% of a person’s likelihood of developing diabetes is genetically derived - everything from Metabolic (or autoimmune) vulnerability, to taste and appetite triggers, plus what the body actually does with food it takes in, and how readily it either uses or stores energy. But all that is only a slightly raised risk, not certainty... and when it comes to T2, knowing that your risk is possibly raised puts you in a great position to try to avoid diabetes in your future.

So it’s not all ‘doom and gloom’ - you can keep an eye on your weight, and levels of activity as you get older, and try your best to stick to a balanced healthy diet.

Don't be scared - and try not to worry. Diabetes is potentially serious, but it’s also something that can be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - so your mum can live well, happy and healthinly with diabetes, and you can do your best to reduce the slightly raised risk that comes from having it in the family.

 

[Bronco Billy]

Hi Danny, welcome to the forum.

While you are at a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 due to your family history, it’s important to remember that your body is still growing and developing. It needs a balanced diet which contains a good amount of all nutrients, vitamins, carbs etc. Combine this with regular exercise and you will be heading in the right direction and doing all you can to reduce your risk.

I gave a talk to a school year group earlier this year who were around your age. I told them that it’s important to think about a healthy lifestyle now because when you reach your forties, the damage will possibly already have been done. By being aware of your risk now and doing something about it, as you are clearly highly motivated to do, you will put yourself in the best position you can to avoid a diagnosis.

As everydayupsanddowns has already said, don’t be scared. You’ve got your whole life in front of you, don’t live it scared of what might happen in +20 years time.

Take care

 

[brisr949]

Hi Danny and welcome to the forum.
Your only 13 years old, wow, your already showing a huge amount of maturity by being there for your mum (she must be proud of you) and for already thinking about your long term health..you will find lots of support here and ask any questions you like.
Adam.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum Danny

It is great that you are looking out for your Mum, and finding out about diabetes. As others have said there is an increased risk if Diabetes is in the family, but do not be scared by this. Keep yourself active and eat a good diet to satisfy your growing needs.

 

[Northerner]

Hello! I joined these forums because my mother has diabetes type 2 which my grandmother (her mother) also had and it seems to run through the genes on her side of the family. I'll probably be asking for recipes for meals that my mum is able to have and I also want to know how I can avoid getting diabetes as I know what it can do which scares me as I'm only 13 years old, so I want to start good habits to continue throughout my whole life that lower the chances of getting diabetes. Stay safe as I know these times have been difficult for lots of people around because of the pandemic that is taking place!

Danny 🙂

Hi Danny, welcome to the forum 🙂 You might find Maggie Davey's letter helpful in understanding Type 2 diabetes and the sort of food that is helpful and healthy 🙂 In fact, a diet that is healthy for a person with Type 2 is healthy for everyone, there's nothing really specialised about it, just keeping the right balance and keeping things in moderation, so all the family can share 🙂 Keeping as active as possible is also helpful, not just for people affected by diabetes or to defend against it, but it helps with preventing all sorts of health conditions, so find something you enjoy and get it into your regular routine 🙂

 

[DaNnY14]

There is no need to be frightened.
Diabetes simply means that someone can't cope with eating a lot of carbohydrate, but just how much and from what foods is very individual. Carbohydrates are starches and sugars, so pastry, potatoes and bread are often things we avoid. Sugary foods too, but I can have, for instance, ice cream, if I make it myself - proper ice cream which is made from eggs and cream. Ice cream in the shops has lots of sugar in it, so have many foods we are sold. It might seem wrong to eat foods low in carbohydrate, we are told it is unhealthy, yet for diabetics it is the food which makes us feel really well, energetic and cheerful. I was diagnosed with type two diabetes in 2016, and soon fixed the problem.
Does you mum have a glucose meter? They can be got hold of quite easily, but it is best to find one with cheap strips - one is used for every test, they can be got on Amazon, but I use one from Spirit Healthcare, called a Tee2. It shows how meals affect us, so we can adjust what we eat and control our blood glucose levels into the normal range. It was a big help for me to have one.
Do you know what medication your Mum uses - that will make a difference to the diet advice.

Hi, thanks for responding to my other thread about the cake recipes! I'm not exactly sure what medication she takes currently because she has had to change her medication a few times for reasons, it also sucks because I know that she is a big fan of certain types of pastries although she does have a few every now and then! I'm also not sure if she has a glucose meter either, I don't think she does but she might have one.

Danny 🙂

 

[DaNnY14]

Welcome to the forum @DaNnY14

Your Mum is lucky to have you looking out for her 🙂

Yes there can be quite a strong genetic / family link to diabetes I think. Some estimates suggest anything between 40-70% of a person’s likelihood of developing diabetes is genetically derived - everything from Metabolic (or autoimmune) vulnerability, to taste and appetite triggers, plus what the body actually does with food it takes in, and how readily it either uses or stores energy. But all that is only a slightly raised risk, not certainty... and when it comes to T2, knowing that your risk is possibly raised puts you in a great position to try to avoid diabetes in your future.

So it’s not all ‘doom and gloom’ - you can keep an eye on your weight, and levels of activity as you get older, and try your best to stick to a balanced healthy diet.

Don't be scared - and try not to worry. Diabetes is potentially serious, but it’s also something that can be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - so your mum can live well, happy and healthinly with diabetes, and you can do your best to reduce the slightly raised risk that comes from having it in the family.

Thanks, I guess I'll just try and do my best to avoid it but if I do ever get I'll just adapt to it and probably try to get it into remission. I'll struggle a tiny bit because I can go a bit crazy over things like chocolate or something that has quite a bit of sugar in, so I'll try to eat a bit less although I don't eat loads of that kind of stuff plus I don't like energy drinks, crisps and chips which will probably help lowering my chances of getting diabetes.

Danny 🙂

 

[DaNnY14]

Hi Danny, welcome to the forum.

While you are at a slightly higher risk of developing type 2 due to your family history, it’s important to remember that your body is still growing and developing. It needs a balanced diet which contains a good amount of all nutrients, vitamins, carbs etc. Combine this with regular exercise and you will be heading in the right direction and doing all you can to reduce your risk.

I gave a talk to a school year group earlier this year who were around your age. I told them that it’s important to think about a healthy lifestyle now because when you reach your forties, the damage will possibly already have been done. By being aware of your risk now and doing something about it, as you are clearly highly motivated to do, you will put yourself in the best position you can to avoid a diagnosis.

As everydayupsanddowns has already said, don’t be scared. You’ve got your whole life in front of you, don’t live it scared of what might happen in +20 years time.

Take care

Thanks! I'll admit that sometimes I think that I eat a bit unhealthily sometimes but then I've seen people my age eat lunch at school with quite a lot of unhealthy food compared to what I would have which I guess you could say is a bit concerning but it also shows that my mum puts my health into consideration whenever she makes food for me, it's probably also the reason why I barely ever have food from the canteen as there is a lot of sugary, unhealthy food to choose from.

Danny 🙂

 

[DaNnY14]

Hi Danny, welcome to the forum 🙂 You might find Maggie Davey's letter helpful in understanding Type 2 diabetes and the sort of food that is helpful and healthy 🙂 In fact, a diet that is healthy for a person with Type 2 is healthy for everyone, there's nothing really specialised about it, just keeping the right balance and keeping things in moderation, so all the family can share 🙂 Keeping as active as possible is also helpful, not just for people affected by diabetes or to defend against it, but it helps with preventing all sorts of health conditions, so find something you enjoy and get it into your regular routine 🙂

Thanks! I read a bunch of the letter, it's helped me have a better understanding of diabetes and what exactly causes it!

Danny 🙂