crazygrandma
New Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I was diagnosed around six months ago and sent away with metformin and no real advice. Any help gratefully accepted on diet and exercise. Thanks.
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Hi
- Thread starter crazygrandma
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Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Welcome to the forum
I just wondered if you have already made any changes to your diet, in particular reducing carbohydrates as that will have already started to help. Metformin gives the body a helping hand to use the insulin it is producing more effectively but dietary changes will be equally if not more important. How much you need to do will depend on how far into the diabetic zone you are. Do you know what your HbA1C is that gave you your diagnosis, it will be a number 48mmol/mol and above.
Many people find a low carbohydrate approach is successful in both losing weight if you need to and managing blood glucose level. This link is a good explanation and has some ideas for modifying your diet.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Other people can find a low calorie or shakes based regime suits them but whatever you choose has to be enjoyable as that will help it to be sustainable long term.
Increasing exercise/activity will also help, brisk walking, gardening, even housework all counts.
I just wondered if you have already made any changes to your diet, in particular reducing carbohydrates as that will have already started to help. Metformin gives the body a helping hand to use the insulin it is producing more effectively but dietary changes will be equally if not more important. How much you need to do will depend on how far into the diabetic zone you are. Do you know what your HbA1C is that gave you your diagnosis, it will be a number 48mmol/mol and above.
Many people find a low carbohydrate approach is successful in both losing weight if you need to and managing blood glucose level. This link is a good explanation and has some ideas for modifying your diet.
https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Other people can find a low calorie or shakes based regime suits them but whatever you choose has to be enjoyable as that will help it to be sustainable long term.
Increasing exercise/activity will also help, brisk walking, gardening, even housework all counts.
Welcome to the forum @crazygrandma. Great username! 
When diagnosed were you able to speak with a doctor/nurse about your diet and exercise? Do you remember what goals they set you (e.g. weight loss, HbA1c)?
The Diabetes UK website has a lot of helpful information about all things diabetes. What can I eat? and Diabetes and exercise might be helpful pages for you.
Of course, please also feel free to ask any questions here on the forum. People here are very friendly and always willing to help and share ideas!
When diagnosed were you able to speak with a doctor/nurse about your diet and exercise? Do you remember what goals they set you (e.g. weight loss, HbA1c)?
The Diabetes UK website has a lot of helpful information about all things diabetes. What can I eat? and Diabetes and exercise might be helpful pages for you.
Of course, please also feel free to ask any questions here on the forum. People here are very friendly and always willing to help and share ideas!
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @crazygrandma
Can you remember what your HbA1c was when you were diagnosed? Knowing your starting point can help you estimate how difficult your metabolism is finding your current menu - then you can begin to make some tweaks and changes to try to help it out.
There’s no one single ‘best’ approach to eating as food affects people so differently, and people have unique metabolisms, gut biomes, genetic make-up etc. Plus people’s tastes and preferences differ (some prefer going all-out, while others want a more stages approach).
Have you made some changes already?
Can you remember what your HbA1c was when you were diagnosed? Knowing your starting point can help you estimate how difficult your metabolism is finding your current menu - then you can begin to make some tweaks and changes to try to help it out.
There’s no one single ‘best’ approach to eating as food affects people so differently, and people have unique metabolisms, gut biomes, genetic make-up etc. Plus people’s tastes and preferences differ (some prefer going all-out, while others want a more stages approach).
Have you made some changes already?
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