Hi

[adrian63jc]

Recently got diagnosed with type 2 after blood tests optician recommended when my eyesight suddenly changed. Now on metformin and awaiting first proper assessment tomorrow with diabetes nurse. There is a lot of information to read and filter, scattered over many documents. I am still trying to figure out what changes I need in my diet. I came here in the hope things will be clearer and less chaotic and I will get some useful ideas.

 

[Drummer]

Type two diabetics can't deal with carbohydrate at the rate usually recommended these days.
Ordinary type twos usually reduce their blood glucose and then their Hba1c levels by eating fewer carbs. I am very sensitive to carbs, and these days I stick to no more than 40 gm per day, and have two meals.
I have to endure such hardships as steak, mushrooms, a tomato, sweet pepper and maybe some courgette in a stir fry for breakfast, followed by coffee with cream and cinnamon, and a minute pinch of salt as I do not use it in cooking.
I can then go all day before having another low carb meal in the evening, and a couple of times a week I will have a dessert.
It is best to reduce carbs slowly, and it really helps to have a blood glucose tester so see how you respond to what you have eaten as there can be a lot of variation for different people.
My diagnosis was back in 2016, so I am well settled into the way of eating and it seems simple and sustainable.
Your nurse might well tell you that carbs are essential, and low carb is not - many just smile and nod, but using a meter will soon reveal how you should eat.

 

[Leadinglights]

You will read of many different approaches that people have taken with successful results but the important thing is to adopt a regime that you can sustain and have foods which you enjoy.
Many have success with a low carbohydrate NOT low fat diet which people find they can maintain for the long term.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, dairy, vegetables and salads is a good start. Restricting or cutting out high carb foods like potatoes, pasta, rice, bread, cereals, pastry and cakes and biscuits and sugary drinks will be a good idea indeed essential as well. There are substitutions you can make which will be lower carb.
Although your GP will probably discourage it, home testing your blood glucose levels to see which foods and meals you can tolerate is key to managing your diabetes and gives you the control.
Have a look at the thread What did you eat yesterday for ideas of meals that Type 2 people have, just bear in mind that some people do go very low carb or are on various medications including insulin so may have more carbs than you would be able to tolerate.

 

[trophywench]

Plus don't go for VERY low carb quickly - because that can serve you far worse than reducing them gradually. So eg if you always use thick sliced bread, swap that to medium or thin sliced, if you have 5 spuds with your dinner, have 4. See what that does for you - if not a sufficient reduction, reduce a bit more ....... do it gradually.

 

[adrian63jc]

Thank you all for your comments and advice. Now on Forxiga (dapagliflozin) as well, at least for a month until next review. After discussions my plan is to gradually reduce carb intake (spuds, rice etc), and to remove certain high sugar foods and drinks (fruit juices etc). The nurse did advise not to go to a very low carb diet and to keep some reduced intake in the diet. All in moderation. I will see how it goes.