Making a complete hash of it

[spriklett]

Well 12 days in after being diagnosed with Type 2 and I had thought I was doing quite well, I changed my diet, I don't really know what I was doing i just tried to cut out rubbish - my eyesight had improved (I could read the sky menu on the tv for the first time in ages) and I had lost some weight. Anyway today I bought a glucose meter from Boots since I had no idea what was happening inside (!). At diagnosis my glucose level was 19.5 😱 so armed with my new meter I took some readings today - before lunch, 1 hour after and 2 hours after and got readings of 12.4, 12.2 and 11.0. Ok not ground breaking, but I was fairly pleased as it had obvious come down and what I was having for lunch didn't seem to give me a spike. Anyway the wife is out today and my boy is over at the girlfriend's so I thought I would have a curry for my tea and now...about an hour later I am struggling to read the tv listing again so I thought I would take another reading and it is 17.2! Bugger! So I am a bit depressed now, I seem to be making a right mess of it 😡

 

[Mark T]

So you wont be having that one again possibly?

What was in the curry? - chances it was the rice that dun it depending how much you had. All starchy carbs will raise you blood glucose.

It's all a learning process, just keep on at it and you will find what works for you.

 

[Northerner]

It takes a while to discover what food to avoid and what works well for you. Did you make the curry yourself or was it a takeaway? What did you have with it - rice, naan, chapatis? Bear in mind that if your pre-meal levels are in the 12s then the rise to 17 isn't as bad a spike as it might first appear as it's a relative rise of about 5. If you can lower your pre-meal readings (which you should do given time if you continue to work at things) then the post-meal levels won't look anywhere near as bad.

There is a lot to learn and also your body has to adapt to the changes you are making, so don't be downhearted if it doesn't happen quickly - just keep trying and recording your food and readings so that you can use the information and experiences to help you make future decisions 🙂

 

[spriklett]

Thanks for the reply Mark, no I think I will cut that out. Didn't actually have any rice, had broccoli and peas with it instead. But hey yes you live and learn, guess I'll just put it down to experience and move on.

 

[slipper]

I think your meter is your best friend Spriklett, and already you are aware of food that you need to be careful with, either the type of food, or maybe the portion size.

keep at it, and before you know it, you will have a lot more control.

I write down in a book what I eat each day and what test results I have, and it helps a great deal.

 

[Robster65]

Hi spriklet. As the others have said, it's a long road you're on and you've barely started. Dont be hard on yourself.🙂

The chances are there was some sugar in one of the sauces that sent you up. Any take away is designed for the masses, who generally like things spicy but sweet so you may need to start making your own so you can trust what's in it.

It'll take a while but before long you'll be advising others on what to eat and to avoid. Testing is the best way to find out what works for you. So stick with it and expect a few shocks on the way.🙂

Rob

 

[spriklett]

Thanks for the support guys. I think I will just learn from it and move on. Start again tomorrow🙂

 

[trophywench]

Was gonna say the same as Robster - and FWIW Chicken Tikka Masala is the worst culprit ever, bar none.

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi spriklett,
diabetes is a steep learning curve. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day.
Take one day at a time if you have a bad day then there's always tomorrow. 🙂

 

[Blythespirit]

Hi spriklet. You are not making a hash of it at all. You are learning and you will get there. It all takes time and none of us get it right every time. You need to remember that you didn't become diabetic in 12 days so it's going to take a while to get things where you want them to be. You have your meter now so you can learn from it. As your levels stabalise you may well be able to enjoy a curry now and again anyway. Your meter will tell you. XXXXX

 

[Andy HB]

Hello there!

As others have said, don't be hard on yourself. Getting your diet right will be an evolutionary process (but hopefully over a shorter timescale!) 😉

I was still modifying my diet 12 months after diagnosis. I also cooked most of my food from scratch so I can control exactly what I'm eating. I avoid most cook in sauces now (they use to be my staple diet before diagnosis!).

Andy 🙂

 

[Copepod]

Sprinklet - you're doing fine, you're only 12 days into diagnosis (or 13 today?), and it's a marathon not a sprint, which neatly brings me to the other point - as well as diet and body weight, exercise / physical activity is a also very important in reducing insulin resistance and reducing blood glucose levels, and also assists in weight loss.

 

[Steff]

Sprinklett dont be to hard on yourself like everyone else has said things dont change overnight, it took a good month or so for me to get numbers that i was remotely happy with even then the odd high would creep in and knock me back.But now you have your meter your in a good place now as Slipper said your meter is your best freind now and only that will tell you whats what food wise.Diabetics that are 30+ years in are still learning it never stops so keep standing tall and use us to your advantage we are all here to help x