New and nervous

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I’m looking at various meal plans and they all have zero pasta/bread/rice. I don’t mind reducing but I’m not never having them at all I’d starve!

Cost is the thing that’s worrying me most though.
 
Thank you @rebrascora but you mention pork scratchings so not veggie and type 1 so as you said that makes a difference.

Don’t know for sure if type 1 or 2 for me but I suspect type 2.

I’ve deleted that app it’s utterly useless for me, if others find that method helpful all power to you but it’s absolutely not for me and in my opinion they don’t have the qualifications to give the info. GPs yes but not dietitians or as far as I can tell really diabetic specialists in any way.
 
Sorry, I didn't spot that you were vegetarian, but I wasn't specifically suggesting those foods for you, but just that it is helpful to find other low carb treats instead of your usual "go to" high carb comfort food.
I was initially assumed to be Type 2 so I started low carb with the hope of reversing it. It subsequently turned out that I am Type 1 and so, yes I use insulin, but I still follow a low carb way of eating to help me manage my disordered eating. I am sorry that my experience was not helpful to you.
I wish you luck in finding what works for you.
 
Thank you

No I know you weren’t suggesting them for me I was just saying that I don’t think people who aren’t veggie or understand vegetarianism properly are really going to be able to advise me - and that applies to hcps also. Also feel that the cost side of things isn’t taken into account either. It’s very frustrating.
 
LucysLostSister said:
Diagnosis received today after 2nd blood test yesterday. Hbc1 was 103!

Dr wants to start me on metformin but I have problems with a lot of meds and mum also didn’t get on well with this med.

Also told to address diet and exercise now. Diet obviously I can do but I don’t know WHAT to do. Not eaten yet today. That’s one of my bad habits I don’t feel hungry don’t eat sometimes all day then binge af night. I know I’m fat and need to lose weight, was doing well on that a couple years ago but then moved house last year and it went to pot and I’ve lazily not got back on track.

This is certainly a kick up the backside on that score!

I’m shocked how much it’s upset and thrown me, in tears here.
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Hi, it can be a lot to take in at the beginning but you are not alone and there is a lot of support available. You may get a referral invite from Oviva or one of the other NHS funded programs which I highly recommend you take up. My GP surgery referred me a week or so after my diagnosis. It is a 12 week app based learning and support program with your own designated support person. They will help you get up to speed with everything you need to know about your diabetes and lifestyle changes that can help you. Ask your GP if you don't get an automatic referral. I believe you can also refer yourself once you have been diagnosed. It really is not as scary as it first seems once you know what you are dealing with. And don't be afraid to ask anyone on here, we are all in the same boat and there is no such thing as a stupid question.
 
Thank you I know you’re trying to help

No such thing as a stupid question? I may be about to test your resolve there.

Quite honestly 12 week learning and support programme is the LAST thing I need. It’s only been a day and I’m already fed up with when I click a link (not just this site) on what appears to be a clear and straightforward article/piece of info instead of clear concise info I’m getting swathes of science I have zero interest in or need of before I can glean the smallest bit of info that is useful.

I just want a very simple, clear guide to what I can eat (that fits with my likes, what I can eat and lifestyle) when to eat it, I want meds (If any) that I can cope with that don’t mess up my others, which are also crucial to my health and well-being potentially more so than dealing with the diabetes. Is that such a big ask?
 
LucysLostSister said:
I don’t think people who aren’t veggie or understand vegetarianism properly are really going to be able to advise me
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You don’t have to be vegetarian to understand a vegetarian diet and understand budgeting. There’s plenty of meat eaters on a budget who rarely eat meat because of the cost. If you’re not willing or able to change the types of food you eat just eat exactly the same foods as now but smaller quantities, your carb intake, weight and food costs will all still drop.
 
No you don’t have to be a vegetarian to understand vegetarianism but I do think you have to have learned about it. It’s not as simple as swapping out meat for a meat substitute as many seem to think - inc hcps and people writing dietary guides online as I’ve learned today is prevalent.

Budgeting I think is more complex than people understand too, or certain people. It’s expensive to be poor is true. I’ve been on benefits in one shape or another for 20 years inc when I was working full time. It’s all well and good giving advice like “there’s that special offer” “bulk buy” which you can only do if you have the upfront costs, can get to and from the required shops with the shopping in tow and get it into the flat in my case (3rd floor no lift), aren’t limited by food intolerances etc, and can store the items safely.

Similarly, sorry, but “just eat less” I found wasn’t sustainable when I was losing weight. I needed to replace what I wasn’t eating (this included cutting back carbs) with something else to fill the gap or else I would get too hungry and give in to cravings. So I increased veg, fruit, protein, but the same stuff as I’ve always eaten. Just with the diabetes from what I’ve read today it’s not that simple and I don’t wanna mess up and make myself really ill in terms of lack of nutrition as much as the diabetes or by being so hungry i give up.
 
LucysLostSister said:
No you don’t have to be a vegetarian to understand vegetarianism but I do think you have to have learned about it. It’s not as simple as swapping out meat for a meat substitute as many seem to think - inc hcps and people writing dietary guides online as I’ve learned today is prevalent.

Budgeting I think is more complex than people understand too, or certain people. It’s expensive to be poor is true. I’ve been on benefits in one shape or another for 20 years inc when I was working full time. It’s all well and good giving advice like “there’s that special offer” “bulk buy” which you can only do if you have the upfront costs, can get to and from the required shops with the shopping in tow and get it into the flat in my case (3rd floor no lift), aren’t limited by food intolerances etc, and can store the items safely.

Similarly, sorry, but “just eat less” I found wasn’t sustainable when I was losing weight. I needed to replace what I wasn’t eating (this included cutting back carbs) with something else to fill the gap or else I would get too hungry and give in to cravings. So I increased veg, fruit, protein, but the same stuff as I’ve always eaten. Just with the diabetes from what I’ve read today it’s not that simple and I don’t wanna mess up and make myself really ill in terms of lack of nutrition as much as the diabetes or by being so hungry i give up.
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I give up, you’ve come here asking for suggestions. Everyone here is giving up their time to make decent and practical suggestions to help you improve your health. Every single suggestion someone makes you just make up a reason why you can’t change whatsoever.

If you don’t want to change your diet at all that’s fine, but own your decision to manage diabetes with medication rather than diet, instead of asking for help and then basically telling everyone that none of their suggestions will work for you. You’re really not anywhere near the first vegetarian diabetic on a budget.
 
tesco slim shakes made with their creamfields uht skimmed milk works out at 77p per meal (£2.31 per day £16.17 per week plus some veg portions at a few £s for a few pre prepared bags so lets call it £20 a week for all food needs)
Look into the newcastle diet which was a strategy developed for type 2 remission HERE which make use of non specific brand shake based eating (and tesco slim shakes are okay to use)
Only prep you need is a small bit of veg in the microwave (also small freezer friendly) and to mix the shakes and milk in a shaker cup.
A few boxes of shakes and some milk shouldn't pose a storage issue if that's all you are eating (can decant into a tub for reducing storage space) and can buy a bunch at a time (and get tesco to deliver them on the flexi saver slots if need be) which should one way or another reduce the need to haul shopping up and down the stairs.

Other brand of slimming shakes are fine too if tesco is a problem but I do think they are about the best value for money.
Can also take out the mental toll of trying to work out what you can or can't eat and give yourself a break in that department.
 
I haven’t dismissed all of them and certainly not without consideration. I just know what will and won’t work for me. Everyone has their own things they know will work for them.

In the last 24 hours I’ve already halved the amount of pasta, rice and bread I normally use, increased veg & protein and I’ve not had any snacks at all, I’ve had no sugary drinks.

I’ve done an Asda order that’s very different to what I usually order, I’ve included items you and others have suggested as alternatives to certain items I regularly eat. I’ve found some I hadn’t heard of and included those. But I do think from what I’ve read today, not so much on the forums but more on this site and others similar there isn’t a good understanding of either vegetarianism or what it’s like to live on a tight budget.
 
gll said:
tesco slim shakes made with their creamfields uht skimmed milk works out at 77p per meal (£2.31 per day £16.17 per week plus some veg portions at a few £s for a few pre prepared bags so lets call it £20 a week for all food needs)
Look into the newcastle diet which was a strategy developed for type 2 remission HERE which make use of non specific brand shake based eating (and tesco slim shakes are okay to use)
Only prep you need is a small bit of veg in the microwave (also small freezer friendly) and to mix the shakes and milk in a shaker cup.
A few boxes of shakes and some milk shouldn't pose a storage issue if that's all you are eating (can decant into a tub for reducing storage space) and can buy a bunch at a time (and get tesco to deliver them on the flexi saver slots if need be) which should one way or another reduce the need to haul shopping up and down the stairs.

Other brand of slimming shakes are fine too if tesco is a problem but I do think they are about the best value for money.
Can also take out the mental toll of trying to work out what you can or can't eat and give yourself a break in that department.
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Thank you. I do appreciate the time taken.

Tesco don’t deliver here hence asda, I do get why you thought it was a good suggestion but for one thing those shakes upset my stomach and also it’s not really sustainable I need to find a sustainable diet long term for me don’t I? That’s what I am trying to achieve.

So I’ve ordered lots of veg (but that includes ingredients for soup and ratatouille), protein (quorn and eggs, tofu is tricky as smaller packs out of stock and once opened has to be used quickly) some low carb fruit, dairy, going to try the low sugar baked beans I’m sure they’ll be fine, eggs, nuts, non wheat crispbreads, wholemeal bread small loaf so smaller slices of bread too, cheese, jacket potatoes, ingredients for stir fry sauces rather than ready made which are shockingly high in sugar!, diet sodas and more herbal tea.

Does that sound like I am on the right track?

Do I need to change how I cook? I use fry light for stir fries and a little olive oil to sauté the veg I’m having with pasta.

Some of the advice says low fat - which taste wise I prefer always have, skimmed milk, cottage cheese, low fat plain yogurt but some says high fat is better? Confusing
 
LucysLostSister said:
I do get why you thought it was a good suggestion but for one thing those shakes upset my stomach and also it’s not really sustainable I need to find a sustainable diet long term for me don’t I?
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Nope, some people do the shakes for 8 weeks, reverse their diabetes then eat normally afterwards.
 
That’s fantastic if it works for them, everyone’s different right? I did slim fast years ago after having my daughter for weight loss, worked well for me then, tried shakes again a couple years ago and my stomach just really couldn’t handle it. Not good.
 
The reason people go for full fat or rather not low fat is that you have to replace the carbohydrates you are not having with something and that is protein and healthy fats as they do not convert to glucose, it helps to make people feel less hungry.
Obviously this is if they don't need to have low fat for other health considerations.
I think people understand vegetarianism much more now than in the past when people thought it was just a funny religion and had nothing to do with what you ate. It is much easier to find vegetarian foods. My father and grandfather were lifelong vegetarians and there was something called Savourmix which was like a stufffing mix which made rissoles and something in a tin called nutmeat brawn, otherwise it was vegetables, eggs and cheese. It was a great shock to me when I went to school and had to eat this horrible meat stuff. I do like meat and fish now but equally like veggie food and meals
 
LucysLostSister said:
That’s fantastic if it works for them, everyone’s different right? I did slim fast years ago after having my daughter for weight loss, worked well for me then, tried shakes again a couple years ago and my stomach just really couldn’t handle it. Not good.
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If you weren’t diabetic when you did it last time then you’d have absolutely no idea whether it would reverse your diabetes or not. Given your difficulties with shopping, preparing food, planning a vegetarian diet, budgeting etc then shakes seems a decent suggestion worth a try to see if it brings your diabetes into remission. Theres lots of different shakes so some will suit you
 
Ok that makes sense I may try higher fat stuff then see how I get on.

I’ve been veggie over 30 years and yes when I first went veggie it was dried mix nut roasts, sosmix, bean feast or tofu or eggs & cheese for protein. There are a lot more specifically veggie foods available now, I’m not sure there’s more understanding. Several of my daughters friends and my daughter briefly went vegan, the friends relied way too heavily on processed foods and wondered why they felt rubbish when a vegan diet supposed to be so healthy, my daughter did slightly better as she was used to how I did things even though she was omni as a kid, and I’d always discussed nutrition etc with her but she’s not really a veg lover so she struggled, she is now pescatarian as that suits her best (she has a joint disability so the fish oils are good for her).

I was raised and fed very traditional British meat and two veg, hated meat especially red meat. Went veggie initially for ethical reasons mainly, but once I had I found by accident I am apparently intolerant of red meat, almost like an allergy. So many health issues vastly improved when I stopped eating it.

But then I also know other people who tried being veggie and really struggled to absorb veggie iron sources and ended up going back to red meat at least occasionally.

Everyone is different.
 
Lucyr said:
If you weren’t diabetic when you did it last time then you’d have absolutely no idea whether it would reverse your diabetes or not. Given your difficulties with shopping, preparing food, planning a vegetarian diet, budgeting etc then shakes seems a decent suggestion worth a try to see if it brings your diabetes into remission. Theres lots of different shakes so some will suit you
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They made me so ill last time I tried and certain medications I really can’t risk not absorbing due to upset stomach, would cause major withdrawal effects, I will ask dr but I suspect they’ll say not to risk it.
 
LucysLostSister said:
That’s fantastic if it works for them, everyone’s different right? I did slim fast years ago after having my daughter for weight loss, worked well for me then, tried shakes again a couple years ago and my stomach just really couldn’t handle it. Not good.
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I did the Newcastle diet with shakes.
Others did it with a food based regime.
 
I hope I can sort myself out. Today has been a shock and upsetting.

How does this sound as a plan at least to start with?

Breakfasts - scrambled eggs OR a small bowl of wholemeal cereal with skimmed milk (sorry can’t abide even semi skimmed taste wise!) and sweetener OR yogurt and fruit (low gi fruit not my usual bananas or grapes)

Lunches - sandwich with 2 small slices wholemeal bread filled spread with mayo and filled with cheese and/or veggie deli slices OR something on 2 small slices toasted bread poached eggs or reduced sugar beans or sliced tomatoes or mushrooms OR scrambled eggs with chopped veggies and/or deli slices mixed in OR an omelette proper (eggs and no carbs for days I have carbs for breakfast?)

Dinners - small portion wholewheat/reheated pasta with sautéed veg and either pesto or home made tomato sauce OR stir fry with small portion wholewheat rice OR casserole with carrot mash OR Jacket potato with cottage cheese or low sugar beans OR Mushroom stroganoff with courgette ribbons

Snacks - small portion popcorn, carrot batons, celery sticks, unsalted nuts, piece of hard cheese, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, fruit, low sugar cereal bars - are skinny bars ok?
 
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