Just looking for advice as a newcomer

[GMS 1969]

Hi. I am recently diagnosed with Type 2 (Sept, 23.) I had no symptoms and was diagnosed due to a blood test for an unrelated condition which is now resolved. I still have no symptoms and I take Dapagliflozin (Forxiga) daily.

I am 5’10” and weigh 13 stone. I have no other health problems and there is no history of any health issues in my family. I’m not overweight and eat healthily. I don’t have a sweet tooth, can’t stand fizzy drinks and never eat junk food.

Admittedly I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, but apart from getting more regular exercise what can I do?

Thanks

 

[PerSpinasAdAstra]

Hi there,

If you've read all the information booklets and learned the basics, then a good next step might be to learn about the concept of remission and how it may be achieved. The video linked below, a long interview with Professor Roy Taylor, covers a lot of ground that might be of interest to you, including steps that might apply to someone who is at a 'normal' BMI. To calculate your BMI, if you haven't done so already, I've also included a link to a calculator. Beyond that there are changes to diet, specifically reducing carbohydrate intake, that may be of use to you depending on the proportion of your current diet that comes from carbs.

Best of luck 🙂

Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults - NHS

Check your BMI to find out if you're a healthy weight for your height, and get advice on what to do next. This BMI calculator is for people over 18 years old.

www.nhs.uk

 

[GMS 1969]

Hi there,

If you've read all the information booklets and learned the basics, then a good next step might be to learn about the concept of remission and how it may be achieved. The video linked below, a long interview with Professor Roy Taylor, covers a lot of ground that might be of interest to you, including steps that might apply to someone who is at a 'normal' BMI. To calculate your BMI, if you haven't done so already, I've also included a link to a calculator. Beyond that there are changes to diet, specifically reducing carbohydrate intake, that may be of use to you depending on the proportion of your current diet that comes from carbs.

Best of luck 🙂

Calculate your body mass index (BMI) for adults - NHS

Check your BMI to find out if you're a healthy weight for your height, and get advice on what to do next. This BMI calculator is for people over 18 years old.

www.nhs.uk

Thanks for your help. I'll look into this more thoroughly when I have time. 🙂

 

[Drummer]

@GMS 1969 I wasn't going to reply and then I read that your diet is 'healthy' - red rag to a bull there.
I was eating a so called healthy diet for decades as my GP and other HCPs pressed me to follow the guidelines and fail, and protest at how badly I coped on it.
Now I eat protein and fat and feel really well - I include some carbs, but less than 40gm a day - I feel great and the type 2 is considered in remission. t is really easy as far as I am concerned.
The problem isn't sugar, or fizzy drinks or exercise, it is the blind acceptance and insistence that carbohydrate dense foods are healthy for everyone.

 

[GMS 1969]

@GMS 1969 I wasn't going to reply and then I read that your diet is 'healthy' - red rag to a bull there.
I was eating a so called healthy diet for decades as my GP and other HCPs pressed me to follow the guidelines and fail, and protest at how badly I coped on it.
Now I eat protein and fat and feel really well - I include some carbs, but less than 40gm a day - I feel great and the type 2 is considered in remission. t is really easy as far as I am concerned.
The problem isn't sugar, or fizzy drinks or exercise, it is the blind acceptance and insistence that carbohydrate dense foods are healthy for everyone.

Thanks for your reply. I’ll look into this.

 

[Leadinglights]

Yes many people feel they eat a healthy diet but that usually includes food which are too high in carbohydrates because what is healthy for somebody who is not diabetic is not so good if you are.
Reducing your intake of carbohydrates like potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, pastry, crisps and even savoury snacks, tropical fruits and fruit juice will be needed.
Basing meals on meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dairy, nuts, vegetables, salads and fruit like berries will still give options for filling tasty meals,
Have a look at this link which is a low carb approach that many have found successful, there are meal plans but I followed the principals rather than those per se. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Low carb is suggested as being no more than 130g carbs not just sugar per day, it is not NO carbs.
What was your HbA1C as that will indicate how much work you will have to do.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @GMS 1969

One of the things about diabetes is that it can be very individual. And the same approach may not appeal, or work as successfully for two different people - so it’s really a question of experimentation, and developing a ‘diabetes toolkit’ of strategies and approaches that work for you, and which you can sustain long-term 🙂

There are two main approaches to diabetes management that are popular on the forum (with many variants among them). One is to focus on weight loss, particularly weight around the abdomen which can indicate visceral fat built up around organs like the liver and pancreas, stopping them working properly. Many members using this approach find that glucose levels improve naturally as their weight reduces - particularly if using a short term intervention such as what is sometimes called the ‘Newcastle Diet’ which Prof Taylor’s research established.

The other approach is to focus on blood glucose management with a lower carbohydrate way of eating (typically less than 130g of carbohydrates a day). Reducing portions of all carbohydrates, not just the obvious sweet and sugary things, but bread, pasta, potatoes, grains, rice, and many fruits. Many members using this approach find that weight reduces naturally as their glucose levels improve.

Of course there are some that use a combination approach too!

Good luck in finding an approach that works for you 🙂