Hi everyone. I've had type 2 diabetes for approximately 6 years now and have never truly got to grips with it. I've now decided enough is enough and that I have to get to grips with my diet. Im on 2 x 500mg metformin twice daily and my blood sugars are still, on average sitting about 14. I don't eat many sweet things but I do love my carbs. I'm hoping to learn how to eat properly for type 2, lose some weight and get healthier through being a member of this site and look forward to meeting you all on the forum.
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I'm new here and trying, yet again, to get to grips with type 2
- Thread starter vixen
- Start date
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Gwynn
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Great stuff. Good attitude. Good beginning.
The first step to 'getting to grips with...'
is to see that 'it can be done'.
The second step is 'wanting to do something about it'.
The third step is 'actually deciding to do something about it'.
The fourth step is to make a plan of attack and to get to know your enemy.
The fifth step is 'to engage'. Engage in the war determined to win through.
The rest of the marathon is to keep going step after step after step being determined to 'do it' in spite of set backs or nay sayers and rejoicing in the successes and constantly improving health and wellness. It's a great journey.
Well, that's how I see it. Others are way more relaxed in their approach. In fact, I suspect that there are as many different approaches as there are people !!! But success IS success for each and every one of us.
I wish you well on your journey. If we can help I am sure people here will rally round.
Is there anything in particular you want/need to understand/know?
The first step to 'getting to grips with...'
is to see that 'it can be done'.
The second step is 'wanting to do something about it'.
The third step is 'actually deciding to do something about it'.
The fourth step is to make a plan of attack and to get to know your enemy.
The fifth step is 'to engage'. Engage in the war determined to win through.
The rest of the marathon is to keep going step after step after step being determined to 'do it' in spite of set backs or nay sayers and rejoicing in the successes and constantly improving health and wellness. It's a great journey.
Well, that's how I see it. Others are way more relaxed in their approach. In fact, I suspect that there are as many different approaches as there are people !!! But success IS success for each and every one of us.
I wish you well on your journey. If we can help I am sure people here will rally round.
Is there anything in particular you want/need to understand/know?
Hi vixen, welcome to the forum.
It's great that you're wanting to get to grips with your way of eating as it can really help you manage your diabetes.
As you rightly pointed out, it's not just sugar that's the challenge but carbs. Essentially, reducing carbs tents to help with your blood sugar levels so that might be a good place to start.
It's often helpful to write down what you eat for a week and look at ways that you can reduce the carb amount by making small swaps or changes.
You can also have a look at some of the meal plans and recipes on our site for inspiration. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans
It's great that you're wanting to get to grips with your way of eating as it can really help you manage your diabetes.
As you rightly pointed out, it's not just sugar that's the challenge but carbs. Essentially, reducing carbs tents to help with your blood sugar levels so that might be a good place to start.
It's often helpful to write down what you eat for a week and look at ways that you can reduce the carb amount by making small swaps or changes.
You can also have a look at some of the meal plans and recipes on our site for inspiration. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/meal-plans
Vonny
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Snap @vixen - I loved carbs too. The good news is that once you stop eating carbs, you tend to stop craving them so much. I promised myself that when I was at target weight I'd have pie and chips to celebrate, but by the time I got there I didn't actually fancy it! So yes, the first couple of weeks are awful, but I felt so much less bloated and the sharp craving had gone so I persevered. It's definitely worth giving low carb a chance 🙂 Best of luck to you
Thanks everyone for the welcome.
I think I've just reached that stage in my life that I know I have to fix things now, before I start having to deal with more health problems.
My GP wasn't the best at describing type 2 to me. He really just told me to avoid sweet things and not to eat too much fruit.
One thing I am not too sure about is when I'm getting my diabetes checks how long shouldn't I eat for before it?
I'm definitely going to have a good look around the recipes and meal plans and try and cook more. I eat a lot of takeaway food which I know isn't helping me.
I think I've just reached that stage in my life that I know I have to fix things now, before I start having to deal with more health problems.
My GP wasn't the best at describing type 2 to me. He really just told me to avoid sweet things and not to eat too much fruit.
One thing I am not too sure about is when I'm getting my diabetes checks how long shouldn't I eat for before it?
I'm definitely going to have a good look around the recipes and meal plans and try and cook more. I eat a lot of takeaway food which I know isn't helping me.
Hi, when you say diabetes tests are you talking about the hba1c? You shouldn’t need to fast for this as it’s an overall indication of what’s been happening over the last 2-3 months with your blood glucose. Well I have never been asked to but others might ? I’m not sure about cholesterol, but I was told at my surgery that they rarely ask people to fast routinely for most test these days, mainly because people cheat and it screws up the tests. The main thing is that if any of your tests require fasting then they will let you know I’m sure and if they do it would usually be 8 hours thats why they tend to get you in first thing for those x
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi and welcome
You might get some ideas from the long running post "What did you eat yesterday". I have posted quite a lot of pictures on it. Also if you can give us an idea of your daily menu, we might be able to suggest some tweaks for you. I use quite a lot of carb substitutes, for example my best friend is cauliflower for rice and mash. I also have carrot/swede puree, roasted squash, courgetti, boodles, and you can get squash sheets for lasagne. Others will no doubt suggest other substitutes. Rather than sandwiches, I have home made soups or salads at lunch. It's surprising how quickly I didn't miss so many carbs.
You might get some ideas from the long running post "What did you eat yesterday". I have posted quite a lot of pictures on it. Also if you can give us an idea of your daily menu, we might be able to suggest some tweaks for you. I use quite a lot of carb substitutes, for example my best friend is cauliflower for rice and mash. I also have carrot/swede puree, roasted squash, courgetti, boodles, and you can get squash sheets for lasagne. Others will no doubt suggest other substitutes. Rather than sandwiches, I have home made soups or salads at lunch. It's surprising how quickly I didn't miss so many carbs.
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