Help please !!!

[Mart67]

Hi All, I’m new to all this diabetes stuff, and my vets basically have just left me in the dark. maybe a stupid question but is it carbs you need to watch or the carbs of which are sugar ?
Also how many of each should I be aiming for on a daily basis ?
I’ve only been at it 2 weeks and if I eat much more chicken I will be walking around clucking and looking for a egg to sit on
HELP PLEASE any advice welcome
Mart

 

[gail2]

Hi All, I’m new to all this diabetes stuff, and my vets basically have just left me in the dark. maybe a stupid question but is it carbs you need to watch or the carbs of which are sugar ?
Also how many of each should I be aiming for on a daily basis ?
I’ve only been at it 2 weeks and if I eat much more chicken I will be walking around clucking and looking for a egg to sit on
HELP PLEASE any advice welcome
Mart

try the food recipe section for ideas good luck in your journey

 

[pjgtech]

Lol, hi and welcome.
Look at the learning zone on this website (Diabetes UK) lots of good info there.
Also checkout the Freshwell website, lots of good info there too.
Does your surgery have a specialist diabetic nurse? if so try to get to see them, as they may have more training etc than others at the surgery.
My understanding is that we, as diabetics, should be cutting back on ALL carbs, and bear in mind there can be carbs in many things, not just potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, etc.
What was you HbA1c readings? if you don't know, ask your surgery for them, you are entitled to know your own test results.
How many blood tests have you had to get diagnosed? its usually two at three month intervals so they get an average (sort of) of your Blood Glucose (BG) levels.
Have you been put on any medication yet? if so what type and what dose?

My understanding is that you will be diagnosed pre diabetic with readings over 42mmol and diagnosed as diabetic with readings over 47.
Theres also loads of good recipes on here and on the freshwell site, and pretty much everyone recommends the "Carbs and Calorie Counter" (Carbs &Cals) book for lots of great info on food.
Its a bit daunting at first when you are diagnosed with Diabetes, but theres lots of helpful peeps on here, just ask if you have any questions, and someone will have an answer.
Keep us updated on how you get on, good luck with it all.

Edit, just noticed you are type1, so some of the above may not apply, cheers

 

[Inka]

Hi All, I’m new to all this diabetes stuff, and my vets basically have just left me in the dark. maybe a stupid question but is it carbs you need to watch or the carbs of which are sugar ?
Also how many of each should I be aiming for on a daily basis ?
I’ve only been at it 2 weeks and if I eat much more chicken I will be walking around clucking and looking for a egg to sit on
HELP PLEASE any advice welcome
Mart

Welcome @Mart67 🙂 You mention your “vets”? Your profile says you’re Type 1 - what insulins do you take and when? The recommended diet for Type 1s is the same recommended healthy diet for everyone else. It’s carbs you count in order to take the appropriate amount of insulin for your meals. Have you been taught to count carbs and adjust your mealtime insulin appropriately?

 

[Mart67]

Welcome @Mart67 🙂 You mention your “vets”? Your profile says you’re Type 1 - what insulins do you take and when? The recommended diet for Type 1s is the same recommended healthy diet for everyone else. It’s carbs you count in order to take the appropriate amount of insulin for your meals. Have you been taught to count carbs and adjust your mealtime insulin appropriately?

I am on metformin not insulin. I’m not sure what type I am. My Drs told me I need to take metformin , can’t get an appointment with the diabetic nurse for another 4 weeks. So P***ed off it’s unreal

 

[Mart67]

Welcome @Mart67 🙂 You mention your “vets”? Your profile says you’re Type 1 - what insulins do you take and when? The recommended diet for Type 1s is the same recommended healthy diet for everyone else. It’s carbs you count in order to take the appropriate amount of insulin for your meals. Have you been taught to count carbs and adjust your mealtime insulin appropriately?

I’m not on insulin I’m on metformin

 

[Inka]

I am on metformin not insulin. I’m not sure what type I am. My Drs told me I need to take metformin , can’t get an appointment with the diabetic nurse for another 4 weeks. So P***ed off it’s unreal

Ok, it sounds like you might be Type 2 then. You can change your diabetes type by clicking on your name at the top right of this page, then clicking Account Details and scrolling down to Relationship to Diabetes and ticking the Type 2 box. Type 1 and Type 2 are two very different conditions so displaying your (assumed) correct type will help you get appropriate advice.

Most Type 2s find reducing carbs helps. That’s all carbs not just sugar - so bread, pasta, potatoes, cereal, rice, etc etc. Look at what you ate pre-diagnosis and find places where you can reduce the carbs at each meal.

If you’d like to list an average day’s food for you, you’ll get suggestions of how to make changes.

Exercise will also help, even just walking, as will losing weight if you have any to lose.

 

[gail2]

I’m not on insulin I’m on metformin

sounds like ur type 2 treat yourself to carbs/cals and if u can diabetes the first year good basic books in the recommended section Remember to ask away no question to small/large or to silly

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi @Mart67 and welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry that you've received so very little information about your diagnosis! This definitely doesn't help in looking after yourself well when managing such life changing circumstances. On your next call/appointment, definitely ask about your Type and your HbA1c levels as it will help you determine any changes you might need to make and how to manage your condition. Based on your medication, it does seem like you're Type 2, there's some information on our website about food and diet, which together with some form of physical activity (this could be simply walking more often, taking up an active hobby or whatever else) are the key in getting your 'numbers' down. How much of your day to day life might need to change though is very dependant on the HbA1c. Keep in mind that if you do decide to make any changes, these need to be something that you actually enjoy and can stick to - no use in taking up running, if you prefer swimming for example, or completely denying yourself certain foods when you can find healthier alternatives. As others have mentioned, the Learning Zone is a good way to get more informed as well.
I understand your frustrations, but do try to take it a day at a time. Look at what you eat day to day and see where you can start making changes. And if you come across anything confusing - just post your questions on the forum! You're not alone in this, there are a lot of users here who also received barely any info on their diagnosis and had to build that information bank themselves, but are now happy to share what they know with others

 

[Vonny]

It doesn't have to be chicken @Mart67 but I loved your analogy
As others have said, cut back on the carbs. Increasing your protein and fats to offset fewer carbs should do the trick. You can (unless you have any other condition which requires low fat) ignore the usual NHS advice about low fat options. Any protein is fine: meat, fish, cheese, eggs etc together with lashings of leafy green veg/salad. Be wary of fruit because some, especially bananas and "exotic" fruit are carb-heavy. Berries are the best go-to fruit.
Ask away, we are a friendly bunch and have all had to start somewhere. It's hard at first trying to get your head round it all.

 

[Leadinglights]

You urgently need to confirm what Diabetic Type you are, as the treatment is very different and you could be putting yourself in danger by going down the wrong path. The other thing to ask is what your HbA1C is.
I would suspect that you will be Type 2 as you have been prescribed metformin which on it's own would not really be appropriate if Type 1.
The combination of dietary changes and oral medication will usually be sufficient to bring blood glucose down and if and only if you are actually Type 2 then a low carb approach is one which people have found successful. This link may be useful in answering some of your questions and is based on the suggested (for Type 2) of no more than 130g per day carbs not just sugar. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
If you say a bit about your diagnosis that would help us help you.