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RAG48

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Type 2
Hi. I'm Rob, newly diagnosed with T2.
Got to say that the support I have had from my doctor and the NHS, has been fabulous, however, I have had so much advice from various sources, that I am really confused on what the best diet is for me to head towards remission
I attended a "DESMOND" course last week and that was helpful, especially with guidance on carbs, but came away worried that I was going overboard with fruit (which I love) I'm now told that I am limited to 2 pieces per day.
Any advice? At the moment I feel as though I am going to be living on lettuce leaves and water for the rest of my days
 
You have to find what works for you and can maintain long term.
 
Hi Rag48. Take the general principles from the course and then find out what works for you. I've found, and I think many others have as well, that I can tolerate some carbs more than others. The daft thing is that things which some cope with, others can't. For example, blueberries. Some swear by them so I tried some and got an horrendous spike. Good for them but not for me.

Sorting out what works for you is where finger prick monitoring really is useful. If you tell your surgery that your plan is to get to grips what works for you and what doesn't, then they might prescribe a meter. If not there are relatively inexpensive meters available. It's a way into getting sorted because if you avoid anything that has given somebody a problem then you will finish up on lettuce leaves and water!
 
Thanks all, I think it's just being new to this and the confusion from all of the well meaning advice.
I'm sure I'll be fine, once I work out what is best for me
From what I've seen and heard, it would seem that regular exercise and a sensible diet are the key to getting started
 
RAG48 said:
Thanks all, I think it's just being new to this and the confusion from all of the well meaning advice.
I'm sure I'll be fine, once I work out what is best for me
From what I've seen and heard, it would seem that regular exercise and a sensible diet are the key to getting started
Click to expand...

I think that's exactly right Reg.

Glad you found the DESMOND course helpful - it seems to vary quite a bit depending on who is facilitating the course, so it sounds like you had a good one.

Regarding foods, possibly the most practical thing you could do would be to acquire a BG meter so that you can see exactly how your body responds to the foods you are eating, rather than simply relying on 'rule of thumb' general advice. Responses to food can be highly individual, and it can be impossible to know exactly what to expect from various sources of carbohydrate on an individual level (eg are you OK with porridge? Is it slow release... or is it essentially like eating jam for you?) because of differences in your gut biome, metabolism and insulin phases.

If your surgery is reluctant to prescribe a meter and strips, one of the most affordable types found by members here is the SD Gluco Navii which has test strips at around £8 for 50.

Then you can use a framework like Alan S's 'Test Review Adjust' to check before and after different foods and see how they affect you as an individual - https://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/10/test-review-adjust.html

Good luck and keep asking quetions 🙂
 
Hi Rob, It is best to be careful with fruit. The '5 A Day' campaign should have been worded 5 a day of )(above ground) vegetables and seasonal (non tropical) fruit. But that isn't so catchy is it?

As has been mentioned already, carbs (both starches and sugars) are the problem for Type2 diabetics. So if you can afford it, it's a good idea to self fund a BG meter and test strips - the test strips are the biggest expense because at first you really need to test before and then 2hrs after (first bite) for every meals until you understand how your body responds to different sugars and starches mixed with different amounts of fats and proteins. Aim to try for an increase in post meal BG of less than 2.0 mmol/L and if possible to get your highest BG readings down to no more than 8.0 mmol/L (since at this level it is thought unlikely that any further diabetic damage will be done to the blood vessels in your eyes and limbs).

Edited to say if in doubt about fruit, anything called a berry is generally OK in small quantities, especially when eaten with some dairy fat to slow down the absorption rate e.g. blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries with either double cream or full fat Greek style yogurt.
 
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Two pieces of fruit a day?
I have two small servings of berries a WEEK, with cream.

A type two diabetic can't deal with carbohydrate - so who would advise eating two helpings of sugar every day? The description total numptie is not flattering - but it would seem to fit.
The general advice from people who have their own diabetes beaten is that meat fish seafood eggs cheese and yoghurt are all fine, cream too. That is because they are protein and fat - the two essential nutrients for Humans.
Most type twos can manage a small amount of carbs a day - I stick to a maximum of 40gm. I am aiming for a maximum Hba1c of 42.
 
I agree with @everydayupsanddowns. Last night I had pear and blackberry crumble (without added sugar or flour) 2 hours after eating my BS was a non-diabetic level. But I manage by following a Clever Gut Diet, which is lower in carbs but has brought my levels down considerably. So testing for you and your own tolerances does help.
 
How do you make crumble without flour?
 
Hi @RAG48 welcome to you. Lettuce leaves and water :D that made me giggle. Im sure it wont come to that. I was a bit of a fruit bat too but ive have to cut it down a lot now, but i havent really missed it at all, in fact its been a very positive experience for me, its made me buckle down and really think about what im eating nutritionally and its very interesting!. Its forced me to widen my pallet by adding lots of veg and not stick with the same ol' same ol'... Even my husband has been unable to resist joining in with my 'rabbit food' lunches, he says they look so appetising he cant resist! And thats from a man which loves a bacon butty! ... You will find whats right for you in no time, im sure, there are some great topics on here pointing the way to good advice, information and external links to resource which will be invaluable. Take you time with it all, allow yourself space to absorb it all, and find whats good for you, thats my advice. Let us know how you are getting on.
 
Hello @RAG48 and welcome from the forum.
As you can see from all the messages you have already received, there is a great deal of knowledge and experience here.
The causes of Type 2 diabetes, are still not fully understood and are a mix of genetic and other factors – different for all of us, so not surprisingly the solutions also vary and there is no ‘one size fits all’. As others have said it is a matter of 'try it and test' to find out what works for you.

As a fellow 'fruitaholic' though, I know that it is hard to reduce fruit eating. Things tend to work well for me as long as I don't exceed my personal daily carb threshold, and as I enjoy fruit I will sometimes sacrifice other things so I can include more fruit.
You need to find your own re-actions and threshold though. I'm sure you will, as you are off to a very good start.
I hope you enjoy the forum, and please keep posting and let us know how it goes.
 
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