Hiya everyone - new here!!

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Diadenial1

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone

I'm new here - I called myself Diadenial because that best reflects the stage I am in, in this Diabetes journey - in a bit of denial. The number 1 stands for the fact that I don't think I'm the only one out there in denial - there is a Diadenial 2,3,4 and 100 out there.
I am sure you are all lovely people, but it's not quite the community I wanted to belong to TBH- as nobody wants this diabetes.
So my story in short - I was term prediabetic a few years ago - then in Jan this year - I was eventually diagnosed with Diabetes - and I was in shock for a while - My GP did not explain it TBH - he mumbled something about my eyes and feet needing checking, putting me on a Diabetes class (I'm still waiting for) and sending me to hospital for another check up in March - he didn't even confirm if he was going to put me on meds - so after the shock I sprang into action -
1. I read 'Reversing Type 2 Diabetes' by Professor Roy Taylor
2. I adopted a no/very minimal - intentional (where I am aware food has sugar in it) or unintentional (reading labels for hidden sugars in foods).Basically, if I need to sweeten something (porridge)- choosing minimal plant based supplements or low GI sweeteners - like dates.
3. Less fruit sugars - so I have a sweet apple to control my sweet tooth. I
4. Went brown on everything - now buy a nice organic brown rice, etc - but portion control rice and not everyday
5. Less Carbs - try to fill my plate with more veg, then my protein and small amounts of carbs/ if any sometimes (brocolli rice is nice)
6. Bought a blood sugar home testing device.
7. Prep lunch at work - a varied salad and a protein - either skinless chicken or salmon and an apple so i won't be tempted to eat 'the office biscuits'.
8. I mix my own muesli and seasonings - so I know it's less salt and sugar.

- As impressive as this sounds - I still have what i call spontaneous 'naughty days' - which after I say - 'just get back on track the next day'. Mainly, naughty days can occur when I have not pre planned my meals for the day.

So, I've lost 1 stone and 3-4 pounds - During this time, I cancelled the gym because I was in denial with that - i wasn't going because I'm too busy with lots of active things I do and a busy job - so now I try to exercise by walking more. Still on my weight loss journey - my blood sugar are about 5 - 5.5 fasting am and two hours after eating about 7-7.7 - not good at doing the night readings - is that OK, I haven't even started taking the meds - which I found out later the GP sent the prescription to Chemist - yea that one beginning with 'M' - I would like to wait until I have had the HbA1c test at the hospital to see what I am doing is making a difference -
NB- I also have high BP - which is controlled with meds - but have noticed good readings since weight loss

Anyway, thanks for reading my long post - promise my others will be shorter - just want to learn more about how to manage Diabetes - any tips would be good.
 
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Hi and welcome.

I am a bit confused as to me it doesn't sound like you are in denial at all, but have made lots of great changes to your lifestyle to manage your diabetes and from the readings you are getting, you are clearly being successful.

Must confess I gasped a bit when I read you use dates in your porridge instead of sugar, as dates and porridge both spike my levels very rapidly individually and just because dates are "plant based" or considered lower GI doesn't mean they are any better diabetes wise, but it comes down to how the individual responds and if you are testing and getting good results, then it obviously works well for you, so don't let me dissuade you, but important for other newbies reading this to be aware that both dates and porridge can be problematical and to test for themselves to see if their body can cope with those foods, because we are all different.

Many congratulations on your weight loss so far and best of luck with your retest at the hospital. Do let us know how that goes.
 
Welcome to the forum @Diadenial1

And welcome to the exclusive club that no one wants to join (what was it Groucho Marx used to say about never wanting to join any club that would have him as a member! :D 😛 )

Sounds like you’ve taken loads of information on boars, and have made some really positive changes. And huge congrats on the weight loss too. That may really help your diabetes management efforts, especially if it is weight you used to carry around your abdomen.

Many members seem to find that their waking/fasting numbers are the most stubborn and resistant to coming into line, so it’s great that you’ve seen such positive reductions in your waking levels.

Hope your follow-up HbA1c reflects the work you’ve been putting in, and the results you are seeing on your BG meter 🙂
 
Welcome . i must be in your type of diabetics . Not that i eat all you can but life is not easy. Anyone thAt is good 100% must be so good .
Be kind to yourself and Welcome
 
rebrascora said:
Hi and welcome.

I am a bit confused as to me it doesn't sound like you are in denial at all, but have made lots of great changes to your lifestyle to manage your diabetes and from the readings you are getting, you are clearly being successful.

Must confess I gasped a bit when I read you use dates in your porridge instead of sugar, as dates and porridge both spike my levels very rapidly individually and just because dates are "plant based" or considered lower GI doesn't mean they are any better diabetes wise, but it comes down to how the individual responds and if you are testing and getting good results, then it obviously works well for you, so don't let me dissuade you, but important for other newbies reading this to be aware that both dates and porridge can be problematical and to test for themselves to see if their body can cope with those foods, because we are all different.

Many congratulations on your weight loss so far and best of luck with your retest at the hospital. Do let us know how that goes.
Click to expand...
Thanks Rebrascora for taking the time to read my post and welcoming me -

Yes, I know - I always feel I'm in denial because I don't feel diabetic whatever that feels like - I know it is a strange thing to say - the GP also mumbled something that I my HbA1c was about 6.6 - didn't even know what he was talking about - he may have meant % or was it 8 - can't remember now - all I remember him saying is that if it exceeds 4 then they consider the person to be diabetic.

Anyway - I call myself that because I am not taking the meds (Metformin - 500mg) - I want to stay clear of medication - is that possible? Plus because I resisted the urge to shove the now big bag of meds in a place where the sun does not shine - when the enthused Pharmacist gleaned ' Now you don't have to pay for your meds!!!!!' - well WHOPPEEE WOOOO MR PHARMACIST< ISN'T THAT JUST GREAT !!!!
Dr Roy Taylor said that they are cheap drugs that make you eat more - they don't cure it - he says that the best way is via good old fashioned diet and exercise - but thanks for the tip about the porridge and date syrup - I'm new see, so it's helpful - no actually I did buy date syrup but haven't tried it yet - I actually use Agave nectar - don't say that is worse !!!!🙂:confused: - it has less GI than even the dates I think. Anyway, I only have porridge about 2 days week, I sometimes have my homemade muesli and on Saturday maybe a poached egg and brown toast - and then throughout the day minimise my carb intake or no more carbs. Sometimes I do intermittent fasting in the mornings.

However, definately check my BS levels after the porridge now and get back to you -
Thanks for the tips -
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
Welcome to the forum @Diadenial1

And welcome to the exclusive club that no one wants to join (what was it Groucho Marx used to say about never wanting to join any club that would have him as a member! :D 😛 )

Sounds like you’ve taken loads of information on boars, and have made some really positive changes. And huge congrats on the weight loss too. That may really help your diabetes management efforts, especially if it is weight you used to carry around your abdomen.

Many members seem to find that their waking/fasting numbers are the most stubborn and resistant to coming into line, so it’s great that you’ve seen such positive reductions in your waking levels.

Hope your follow-up HbA1c reflects the work you’ve been putting in, and the results you are seeing on your BG meter 🙂
Click to expand...
Thanks Everydayupsanddowns

Thanks for the welcome and the encouragement -

As I said in my other reply - I don't feel diabetic whatever that feels like - I know it is a strange thing to say - the GP also mumbled something that I my HbA1c was about 6.6 - didn't even know what he was talking about - he may have meant % or was it 8 - can't remember now - all I remember him saying is that if it exceeds 4 then they consider the person to be diabetic. Maybe I should ask the GP to do a CUBmC41 test - 'Can You Be More Clearer for once' test:D and stop sending me for tests - anyway - I will go when I get the appointment - hope it's good news -

Anyway, in the meantime - could you explain the stomach risk thing - was trying to explain to my hubby just now - but did a bad job of it?
 
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Hi and welcome. If you were quoted 6.6%, that converts to an HbA1c of 49mmol/mol. If it was 8% that converts to 64mmol/mol. A person is non diabetic with and HbA1c of 41mmol/mol or less, is pre-diabetic with an HbA1c between 42-47mmol/mol and diabetic with an HbA1c of 48mmol/mol or more. If you were 6.6% you are only just in the diabetic range, and hopefully by losing weight and reducing carbs you will soon be out of the diabetic range. In fact your finger prick results indicate your measures to date are working. Many GP practices these days give a person 3 months to make lifestyle changes without medication, if they are only just in the diabetic range. Metformin can have nasty side effects for a few people - of the explosive variety!
Brown versions are just as carb heavy as white versions, just slower acting. So reducing portion sizes will help. Breakfast is the trickiest meal, as it tends to be very carb heavy with cereals, bread and certain fruits. Otherwise everything you are doing sounds just fine - and you don't have to be perfect all the time - nobody is. I'm at the lower end of the diabetic scale and believe in moderation, rather than abstinence, as I don't think that is sustainable.
As for "feeling" diabetic, not everyone has symptoms - many people don't have any when first diagnosed. You just need to be aware of what you eat, and go for all the annual checks - feet, eyes, weight, blood pressure.
 
Thanks Felinia

Wow - that was all very useful - thanks a lot for taking the time out to reply - I really appreciate !!!! Glad I'm on the right track.
 
Although you are not far into diabetic numbers, I suspect that you have either had bad advice or don't quite grasp the concept of reducing the carbs to achieve reversal.
It is all carbs - brown, natural - ALL carbs.
Brown rice is still a grain with high carb content, so are oats and bread, agave nectar is a high sugar liquid, dates and apples are high sugar fruits.
You can look up the carb content or find it on the packaging. Using kitchen scales to find out the amount of a food you are eating, then calculating the carbs for the day might help with regulating blood glucose levels as checked after eating.
 
Hi Drummer thanks!!

I do understand what carbs mean - but I think that this is the best I can do - I have already drastically changed my diet - anymore - I might aswell go live on the moon - I need alternatives - it's a progress - an apple is better than a big piece of coffee and walnut cake, a can of coke and a star bar - these were all my guilty pleasures (stop taking me back there drummer, It will cause me to relapse)- I do a busy job - so I need energy -

I'm probably not going to do the kitchen scale thing - I tend to give up on that after a while - all I can do is be sensible and approach everything in moderation - but thanks for your advice -
 
You can still have diet coke and the Nature Valley Protein nut bars are low carb. As you say an apple with some cheese is better than some cake but only just. The web site sugarfreelondoner has recipes for some low carb cakes and biscuits which could be good alternatives.
Weighing things is a good idea certainly to start with as it is very easy to underestimate portion size of some of the high carbs foods.
To 'feel diabetic' one has to be experiencing symptoms and they tend to only occur when blood glucose is seriously high so taking action before that happens is a better option.
To give you some more ideas for modifying your diet and perhaps a bit more explanation about the misconceptions of certain 'healthy' foods have a look at this link, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
Diadenial1 said:
Hi Drummer thanks!!

I do understand what carbs mean - but I think that this is the best I can do - I have already drastically changed my diet - anymore - I might aswell go live on the moon - I need alternatives - it's a progress - an apple is better than a big piece of coffee and walnut cake, a can of coke and a star bar - these were all my guilty pleasures (stop taking me back there drummer, It will cause me to relapse)- I do a busy job - so I need energy -

I'm probably not going to do the kitchen scale thing - I tend to give up on that after a while - all I can do is be sensible and approach everything in moderation - but thanks for your advice -
Click to expand...
I don't know if you can still get them, but one of the things I use instead of weighing sometimes, is Rosemary Conley's Portion Pots. Mine came with a handy guide which said which pot to use for which item.
 
Leadinglights said:
You can still have diet coke and the Nature Valley Protein nut bars are low carb. As you say an apple with some cheese is better than some cake but only just. The web site sugarfreelondoner has recipes for some low carb cakes and biscuits which could be good alternatives.
Weighing things is a good idea certainly to start with as it is very easy to underestimate portion size of some of the high carbs foods.
To 'feel diabetic' one has to be experiencing symptoms and they tend to only occur when blood glucose is seriously high so taking action before that happens is a better option.
To give you some more ideas for modifying your diet and perhaps a bit more explanation about the misconceptions of certain 'healthy' foods have a look at this link, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Click to expand...
I was going to ask about snack bars any more ?
 
Diadenial1 said:
Hi everyone

I'm new here - I called myself Diadenial because that best reflects the stage I am in, in this Diabetes journey - in a bit of denial. The number 1 stands for the fact that I don't think I'm the only one out there in denial - there is a Diadenial 2,3,4 and 100 out there.
I am sure you are all lovely people, but it's not quite the community I wanted to belong to TBH- as nobody wants this diabetes.
So my story in short - I was term prediabetic a few years ago - then in Jan this year - I was eventually diagnosed with Diabetes - and I was in shock for a while - My GP did not explain it TBH - he mumbled something about my eyes and feet needing checking, putting me on a Diabetes class (I'm still waiting for) and sending me to hospital for another check up in March - he didn't even confirm if he was going to put me on meds - so after the shock I sprang into action -
1. I read 'Reversing Type 2 Diabetes' by Professor Roy Taylor
2. I adopted a no/very minimal - intentional (where I am aware food has sugar in it) or unintentional (reading labels for hidden sugars in foods).Basically, if I need to sweeten something (porridge)- choosing minimal plant based supplements or low GI sweeteners - like dates.
3. Less fruit sugars - so I have a sweet apple to control my sweet tooth. I
4. Went brown on everything - now buy a nice organic brown rice, etc - but portion control rice and not everyday
5. Less Carbs - try to fill my plate with more veg, then my protein and small amounts of carbs/ if any sometimes (brocolli rice is nice)
6. Bought a blood sugar home testing device.
7. Prep lunch at work - a varied salad and a protein - either skinless chicken or salmon and an apple so i won't be tempted to eat 'the office biscuits'.
8. I mix my own muesli and seasonings - so I know it's less salt and sugar.

- As impressive as this sounds - I still have what i call spontaneous 'naughty days' - which after I say - 'just get back on track the next day'. Mainly, naughty days can occur when I have not pre planned my meals for the day.

So, I've lost 1 stone and 3-4 pounds - During this time, I cancelled the gym because I was in denial with that - i wasn't going because I'm too busy with lots of active things I do and a busy job - so now I try to exercise by walking more. Still on my weight loss journey - my blood sugar are about 5 - 5.5 fasting am and two hours after eating about 7-7.7 - not good at doing the night readings - is that OK, I haven't even started taking the meds - which I found out later the GP sent the prescription to Chemist - yea that one beginning with 'M' - I would like to wait until I have had the HbA1c test at the hospital to see what I am doing is making a difference -
NB- I also have high BP - which is controlled with meds - but have noticed good readings since weight loss

Anyway, thanks for reading my long post - promise my others will be shorter - just want to learn more about how to manage Diabetes - any tips would be good.
Click to expand...
Brilliant . You are quite ahead of me. Found out last Wednesday. When I had the phone call from the nurse they were useless except giving me a link to this site. Read through the whole of this post. You’ve provided me with some help already. I have some great help on my Newb introduction but I have loads of very specific questions don’t like to keep asking. I was going to ask about bars . I love all types of potatoes which is a no no but I like rice . I’d assumed that was out. You might find me lurking on this thread
 
Diadenial1 said:
Hi Drummer thanks!!

I do understand what carbs mean - but I think that this is the best I can do - I have already drastically changed my diet - anymore - I might aswell go live on the moon - I need alternatives - it's a progress - an apple is better than a big piece of coffee and walnut cake, a can of coke and a star bar - these were all my guilty pleasures (stop taking me back there drummer, It will cause me to relapse)- I do a busy job - so I need energy -

I'm probably not going to do the kitchen scale thing - I tend to give up on that after a while - all I can do is be sensible and approach everything in moderation - but thanks for your advice -
Click to expand...
Energy doesn't only come from carbs - and an apple was not the only high carb food I listed.
There are many recipes for low carb baked goods so it really isn't progress. Coke comes in zero carb versions.
You only need to use kitchen scales until the size of portions you can deal with becomes clear.
 
Diadenial1 said:
Hi everyone

I'm new here - I called myself Diadenial because that best reflects the stage I am in, in this Diabetes journey - in a bit of denial. The number 1 stands for the fact that I don't think I'm the only one out there in denial - there is a Diadenial 2,3,4 and 100 out there.
I am sure you are all lovely people, but it's not quite the community I wanted to belong to TBH- as nobody wants this diabetes.
So my story in short - I was term prediabetic a few years ago - then in Jan this year - I was eventually diagnosed with Diabetes - and I was in shock for a while - My GP did not explain it TBH - he mumbled something about my eyes and feet needing checking, putting me on a Diabetes class (I'm still waiting for) and sending me to hospital for another check up in March - he didn't even confirm if he was going to put me on meds - so after the shock I sprang into action -
1. I read 'Reversing Type 2 Diabetes' by Professor Roy Taylor
2. I adopted a no/very minimal - intentional (where I am aware food has sugar in it) or unintentional (reading labels for hidden sugars in foods).Basically, if I need to sweeten something (porridge)- choosing minimal plant based supplements or low GI sweeteners - like dates.
3. Less fruit sugars - so I have a sweet apple to control my sweet tooth. I
4. Went brown on everything - now buy a nice organic brown rice, etc - but portion control rice and not everyday
5. Less Carbs - try to fill my plate with more veg, then my protein and small amounts of carbs/ if any sometimes (brocolli rice is nice)
6. Bought a blood sugar home testing device.
7. Prep lunch at work - a varied salad and a protein - either skinless chicken or salmon and an apple so i won't be tempted to eat 'the office biscuits'.
8. I mix my own muesli and seasonings - so I know it's less salt and sugar.

- As impressive as this sounds - I still have what i call spontaneous 'naughty days' - which after I say - 'just get back on track the next day'. Mainly, naughty days can occur when I have not pre planned my meals for the day.

So, I've lost 1 stone and 3-4 pounds - During this time, I cancelled the gym because I was in denial with that - i wasn't going because I'm too busy with lots of active things I do and a busy job - so now I try to exercise by walking more. Still on my weight loss journey - my blood sugar are about 5 - 5.5 fasting am and two hours after eating about 7-7.7 - not good at doing the night readings - is that OK, I haven't even started taking the meds - which I found out later the GP sent the prescription to Chemist - yea that one beginning with 'M' - I would like to wait until I have had the HbA1c test at the hospital to see what I am doing is making a difference -
NB- I also have high BP - which is controlled with meds - but have noticed good readings since weight loss

Anyway, thanks for reading my long post - promise my others will be shorter - just want to learn more about how to manage Diabetes - any tips would be good.
Click to expand...
PS gyms are a waste of time and money. Walking is one of the best exercises ever. Damn I can’t help mentioning it I’m also recovering from a stroke. NHS wrote me off but ( at the time was in a position to afford a total genius of a Nuero- physio. When I went to his first evaluation, it’s a very tough and painful regime, he asked me what I planned to do when I’ve recovered. I said I going to start jogging and going to the gym ( lovely guy but could be open ) he said you’re not , it’s the worst thing you can do . Proper exercise is doing normal things. Walking to shops. Gardening, using the stairs.
As my long time working with him continued he elaborated on that. Anyway quickly threw wheelchair out and am now completely physically capable. Bit slow but speeding up and my finger dexterity can be an issue,
The dexterity could potentially be a problem when I purchase a Monitor. This is a short post for me. Sorry to intrude.
 
Learn to read the labels on the backs of packets of foods. That is where they list the carbohydrates, the main thing s of interest are grams of carbs per 100gms of food product and total grams of cabs in the pack.
meat, fish, eggs, cheese contain next to no carbs and form a good base for breakfast and other meals. Just stretch them further with low carb veg such as leafy greens, brassicas (cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage), courgette, aubergine, celery, celeriac, swede etc. see https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/vegetables
You can change that last part from /vegetables, to /fruits or /nuts
 
manji said:
Brilliant . You are quite ahead of me. Found out last Wednesday. When I had the phone call from the nurse they were useless except giving me a link to this site. Read through the whole of this post. You’ve provided me with some help already. I have some great help on my Newb introduction but I have loads of very specific questions don’t like to keep asking. I was going to ask about bars . I love all types of potatoes which is a no no but I like rice . I’d assumed that was out. You might find me lurking on this thread
Click to expand...
Hi Manji
Well welcome to the club nobody wants to be in - I think you need to get your head straight first - because if you are like me - it was a bit of a shock - you want to say - 'what me, how did that happen then !!!!' - after the shock - (breath!!!!!!)
Listen, people on this message board have helped me more than the GP - I have learnt so much !!!
Then when you get your head around it - you think about what you need to change - my blood sugar test by the GP was 6.6%, which I learnt on this site converts to an HbA1c of 49mmol/mol.
My advice would be that rice and potatoes - very carby - think of your carbs like sugar - because these foods turn into sugar in your body - you want to have more veg with your protein food - and then very little or no carbs. I know - not fun - but you will get used to it -
 
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