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- Thread starter Magnet99
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Hi @Magnet99 t and welcome to the forum.
The best help for most Type 2 diabetics is just to cut down on carboydrates. Many of us didn't reduce calories at all, just replaced some of the carbs we ate with more protein an (traditional) fats.
Testing of your own (we are all different) body's reaction to the carbohydrates in our food, is the key step toward getting Type 2 diabetes. It's the carbohydrates we eat (all of then except for fiber) which convert to glucose and if more than we can handle cause our Type 2 Diabetes. And when I say all I mean all - even so called healthy ones like fruits and whole grains - even oats. Fortunately (for Type 2's, Fats have no effect on Blood Glucose (and don't even make us fat like carbohydrates do, and Protein has only a small delayed effect on Blood Glucose. Out of the 3 macro nutrients (Carbs, Proteins and Fats) the only one we can live without is carbohydrates.
Step 1: As a Type 2 your GP is extremely unlikely to provide a Blood Glucose Meter and test strips on prescription. Those on Insulin or glic do get them because those medications can cause dangerous ultra low Blood Glucose situations called 'hypos'. So get yourself a BG meter.
These are the most popular ones in both the 2 main UK based Diabetes Forums:
SD Gluco Navii
Spirit Healthcare TEE2
They are similar prices and the test strips cost around £8 per pot of 50. Since you will be testing most meals initially, you will almost certainly need 3 pots (150 test strips) to start with.
Step 2. Test just before each meal and then 2hrs after 1st bite. The increase from the meal (at that point) should be less than 2.0 mmol. Also if possible the after meal readings should be no more than 8.0mmol. Don't concern yourself with readings at other times.
Step 3. Adjust your portion sizes of the higher carbohydrate food items based upon the BG spikes you see in your testing. Or make substitutions to lower carbohydrate foods.
Cereals are carbohydrates, so make a poor choice for breakfast. Eggs (without bread/toast) have only minute traces, the same with hard cheeses, meat or fish. Of all the fruits, berries have lower/lowest carbohydrates and tropical fruits (banana, mango, pineapple, grape, orange) have the highest. Thus almost all of us are OK with a handful of berries with some full fat greek style yogurt either as a breakfast or as a desert, you might try adding some seeds to that .
The best help for most Type 2 diabetics is just to cut down on carboydrates. Many of us didn't reduce calories at all, just replaced some of the carbs we ate with more protein an (traditional) fats.
Testing of your own (we are all different) body's reaction to the carbohydrates in our food, is the key step toward getting Type 2 diabetes. It's the carbohydrates we eat (all of then except for fiber) which convert to glucose and if more than we can handle cause our Type 2 Diabetes. And when I say all I mean all - even so called healthy ones like fruits and whole grains - even oats. Fortunately (for Type 2's, Fats have no effect on Blood Glucose (and don't even make us fat like carbohydrates do, and Protein has only a small delayed effect on Blood Glucose. Out of the 3 macro nutrients (Carbs, Proteins and Fats) the only one we can live without is carbohydrates.
Step 1: As a Type 2 your GP is extremely unlikely to provide a Blood Glucose Meter and test strips on prescription. Those on Insulin or glic do get them because those medications can cause dangerous ultra low Blood Glucose situations called 'hypos'. So get yourself a BG meter.
These are the most popular ones in both the 2 main UK based Diabetes Forums:
SD Gluco Navii
Spirit Healthcare TEE2
They are similar prices and the test strips cost around £8 per pot of 50. Since you will be testing most meals initially, you will almost certainly need 3 pots (150 test strips) to start with.
Step 2. Test just before each meal and then 2hrs after 1st bite. The increase from the meal (at that point) should be less than 2.0 mmol. Also if possible the after meal readings should be no more than 8.0mmol. Don't concern yourself with readings at other times.
Step 3. Adjust your portion sizes of the higher carbohydrate food items based upon the BG spikes you see in your testing. Or make substitutions to lower carbohydrate foods.
Cereals are carbohydrates, so make a poor choice for breakfast. Eggs (without bread/toast) have only minute traces, the same with hard cheeses, meat or fish. Of all the fruits, berries have lower/lowest carbohydrates and tropical fruits (banana, mango, pineapple, grape, orange) have the highest. Thus almost all of us are OK with a handful of berries with some full fat greek style yogurt either as a breakfast or as a desert, you might try adding some seeds to that .
- Relationship to Diabetes
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Welcome to the forum @Magnet99
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found us.
We are a friendly, welcoming community of people all muddling through our own diabetes stories, and sharing experiences, hints, tips, worries, triumphs and disasters.
The thing about diabetes is that there is no one, single approach that will work for everyone. Different people will have very different approaches, different aspirations, and will even react to the same foods in very different ways, and it's a matter of working out what works for you. 🙂
As you can see, for some people it is about numbers and precision, for others it's a much more relaxed and organic approach. There are no 'right' answers. Just different options that you can try, and see what 'fits' for you. What you feel comfortable with. So take things gradually, and ease your way into it.
So ask lots of questions, share your worries, or just feel free to rant and moan. We understand.
Many newcomers on the forum have found Gretchen Becker's book Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year is a handy introduction. It is written by an American, but it translates well for over here too. 🙂
Let us know how you are getting on
SB2015
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