Hi Littlerobin, Welcome to our very select club and this friendly forum.it does come as a shock doesn't it.
It's worth persisting in trying to get a glucose meter and enough test strips prescribed, sadly most T2s who are not on medications that can cause low blood glucose (hypo's) will be given one.
The cheapest one to self fund the ongoing cost of the test strips is the SD Codefree meter available from Amazon or directly from Homehealth
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
You're entitled to claim VAT relief . We use the mmol/l measurement in the uk.
You'll need to buy more test strips and lancets as they only provide a few of each in the starter kit.
Basically it's carbohydrates that our bodies can't handle too well, sugar in all its forms is just another carb.
We are likely to supprise you on what we can eat
Usually the worst things for us are the starchy carbs, potatoes esp mash, rice, pasta, bread esp white and some root vegetables, fruit juice , we have to be careful with fruit ,grapes are little sugar bombs berries are often tolerated better.
Now I can hear you thinking "
OMG WHAT CAN I EAT" , well we get to eat some nice tasty grub, in time you'll find good substitutes. Some here have sweet potato, instead of potatoes, I have a slice or two of wholemeal bread other have Lidle protein rolls or burgen bread.
We don't have any problems with meat and unles you have a medical problem good fats are ok
If you eat meat and like sausages and burgers ,go for the high meat content ones they are low carb, as are eggs, mushrooms, most veg that grows above ground , some nuts are low carb, cream, butter and a few squares of dark chocolate are ok their are lots more we can eat.
You've you some ideas , have a read through the thread called ' what did you eat yesterday' to see what we've been eating
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/what-did-you-eat-yesterday.30349/
The worst thing you can do is be far to strict with yourself! Any changes to your diet must not only be sustainable but enjoyable too, so my advise is cut down a bit on the carby stuff rather than trying to cut them out , get yourself that meter if you can afford it, test just before meals then 2 hours afterward , this will tell you how well your body tolerates those carbs enabling you to make informed changes.
Have a read of Test review adjust by Alan S, a fellow T2
https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes.10406/
When you have time, have a read of his whole blog.
For future reference you'll find the above and lots more in the pinned (top) area of the Newbies say hello here forum, the thread is called
Useful links for people new to diabetes, the T2 section is near the bottom.
Sorry I do seem to have gone on a bit
🙂
Ask questions , we will do our best to help.
