New member - need support please

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Chav1977

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone, just popping on to say hello

i was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic a couple of years ago and was doing okay on one 500mg Metformin tablet twice a day. Fast forward to this week, not so okay! HbA1c is up at 63 so Metformin has been upped to 1000mg twice a day. I have always felt overwhelmed with this diagnosis, angry and upset but obviously I need to get over that, and crack on with getting a handle on things, lose weight and hopefully get my blood sugars in check. However, it’s a minefield out there and information confusing and conflicting. Do I do Fast 800, 5.2, med style or just watch portions. My dilemma is one of the reasons for registering with Diabetes.org so I can get support and advice from like-minded people who are on their diabetes control journey or indeed those who have reversed it.

Heres to a positive week, with some lower BG readings

Best wishes everyone - thanks for reading
 
Chav1977 said:
However, it’s a minefield out there and information confusing and conflicting. Do I do Fast 800, 5.2, med style or just watch portions. My dilemma is one of the reasons for registering with Diabetes.org so I can get support and advice from like-minded people who are on their diabetes control journey or indeed those who have reversed it.
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Welcome to the forum @Chav1977

Well yes… you could try any of those approaches. There is good trial evidence and/or compelling anecdotal accounts that they all can be successful for different people, but none of them work for everyone. So if you try one that you like the sound of and it doesn’t work for you, don’t take it too hard - just regroup and try a different strategy to see if that one ‘clicks’ for you, or suits your particular diabetes and metabolism (everyone’s diabetes is slightly different).
 
Is there a particular approach you are instinctively drawn towards? Or one which you think might suit you as a starting point?
 
Chav1977 said:
Thanks so much - that is good advice. I’ll hopefully get a plan of action and take it slowly. I’ll have to learn to accept that I’m in it for the long haul, I guess!
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You are absolutely right, you are in this for the long term which is why whatever way you choose really has to be enjoyable as it need to become your new way of eating as otherwise you can find yourself back to square one.
I found following the principals in this link very easy and was successful for me as it has been for many, it is a low carb approach, https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
I think I’m drawn to the Med style of diet - seems more sustainable in the long run, although will still need some “gravy” dinners, stir fries and curries along the way
 
Thanks Leadinglights - I will have a look at that low carb Freshwell site - might be just what I need to get me on track
 
Chav1977 said:
Hi everyone, just popping on to say hello

i was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic a couple of years ago and was doing okay on one 500mg Metformin tablet twice a day. Fast forward to this week, not so okay! HbA1c is up at 63 so Metformin has been upped to 1000mg twice a day. I have always felt overwhelmed with this diagnosis, angry and upset but obviously I need to get over that, and crack on with getting a handle on things, lose weight and hopefully get my blood sugars in check. However, it’s a minefield out there and information confusing and conflicting. Do I do Fast 800, 5.2, med style or just watch portions. My dilemma is one of the reasons for registering with Diabetes.org so I can get support and advice from like-minded people who are on their diabetes control journey or indeed those who have reversed it.

Heres to a positive week, with some lower BG readings

Best wishes everyone - thanks for reading
Click to expand...
Hi, I understand the way you are feeling, but don’t panic you can get this under control. My BG at diagnosis was 81, but after 3 months was down to 52. I have lost about 10Kg in weight mainly by reducing my intake of crisps, biscuits and carbs such as potatoes, pasta,rice and bread. That said I haven’t cut these out entirely and still have some of these occasionally. I swapped toast or cereal for breakfast for full fat Greek yoghurt with blueberries and strawberries or bacon and eggs. I would recommend getting a BG meter and testing before and 2 hours after meals. You can find lots of info on this site regarding which meters are best and what readings to aim for. I was just pleased when my readings started to creep down, even though I still get a few higher than I would like.
I don’t know much about these reduced calorie diets etc, but I guess it depends on how much weight you are aiming to lose.
Good luck with whichever method you choose, but there are plenty of people that have turned it around from a much higher level than 63. Try and find something that you enjoy and can sustain for the long run.
 
Chav1977 said:
I think I’m drawn to the Med style of diet - seems more sustainable in the long run, although will still need some “gravy” dinners, stir fries and curries along the way
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I did try that one and enjoyed a lot of the recipes. My thoughts are go with what helps you snd your sugars. i tested two hours after i ate things some days this helps others it has not.
i think it has more to do with how often your bidy thinks it needs more sugar and how much your insulin resists working at a time . Thats my theory.
i would make a small goal and aim for that .
Good luck.
 
Chav1977 said:
I think I’m drawn to the Med style of diet - seems more sustainable in the long run, although will still need some “gravy” dinners, stir fries and curries along the way
Click to expand...

Sounds like a great option @Chav1977

There’s a suggested menu planner here which might get you started…

Mediterranean meal plan

Mediterranean diets have been associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure and cholesterol which are risk factors for heart disease. A Mediterranean style diet can therefore provide a great option for people with diabetes, as it could help reduce the risk of certain diabetes...
www.diabetes.org.uk www.diabetes.org.uk

Have you considered getting a BG meter to help with your experiments? If you need to self fund your BG meter, the most affordable meters members here have found are the SD Gluco Navii or the Spirit Tee2 - which both have test strips at around £10 for 50 (some brands can be nearer £30 for a pot of strips!).

With a meter you have a way of checking how you respond to different meals, and different sources of carbohydrate (eg how does your body get on with brown basmati rice vs quinoa or cous cous? and what portion-size works best for you?)

You can take a reading immediately before eating, and again 2hrs after the first bite. Ideally you’d want to see a rise of only 2-3mmol/L at the 2hr mark. It’s a very direct way of tweaking and personalising your menu, and you might get some happy discoveries along the way. Everyone responds to foods slightly differently, and you may find that something others would get a big ‘spike’ from is perfectly fine for your metabolism. So there’s no need to cut out anything based on its reputation - just tweaking and making adjustments to portion-sizes based on how your body actually responds.
 
Nayshiftin said:
I did try that one and enjoyed a lot of the recipes. My thoughts are go with what helps you snd your sugars. i tested two hours after i ate things some days this helps others it has not.
i think it has more to do with how often your bidy thinks it needs more sugar and how much your insulin resists working at a time . Thats my theory.
i would make a small goal and aim for that .
Good luck.
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Thanks - yes, small goals are a good idea. All a bit trial and error, to begin with anyway
 
Lurcher67 said:
Hi, I understand the way you are feeling, but don’t panic you can get this under control. My BG at diagnosis was 81, but after 3 months was down to 52. I have lost about 10Kg in weight mainly by reducing my intake of crisps, biscuits and carbs such as potatoes, pasta,rice and bread. That said I haven’t cut these out entirely and still have some of these occasionally. I swapped toast or cereal for breakfast for full fat Greek yoghurt with blueberries and strawberries or bacon and eggs. I would recommend getting a BG meter and testing before and 2 hours after meals. You can find lots of info on this site regarding which meters are best and what readings to aim for. I was just pleased when my readings started to creep down, even though I still get a few higher than I would like.
I don’t know much about these reduced calorie diets etc, but I guess it depends on how much weight you are aiming to lose.
Good luck with whichever method you choose, but there are plenty of people that have turned it around from a much higher level than 63. Try and find something that you enjoy and can sustain for the long run.
Click to expand...
I appreciate you reply, thanks so much! That makes me feel a whole lot better now and I feel more positive that I can turn this retched thing around. I’m so pleased I registered for this forum/site. Think it’s going to be a game-changer for me, with support and advice. I no longer feel so isolated. Thanks again
 
Chav1977 said:
Thanks - yes, small goals are a good idea. All a bit trial and error, to begin with anyway
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he he its all my life lol i think of all the errors but yes no one can say i did not try. The trouble i find is no diet lets you eat what you really like . I would say be sensible and have a little if you want to but be aware everything has consequences. Now we know we are diabetic we just need to take more care . This is a lovely forum who have helped me . Its like a big family your safe.
 
TarnishedHalo said:
Hi, may I add a tip that may help, use smaller plates, it kind of tricks you into thinking you're eating more than you are
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For me, filling up my normal sized plate was important so I didn't feel hungry, but filling it up with lower carb foods. I like my plate to be overflowing with salad and a big dollop of coleslaw or lots of interesting veggies and maybe a bit of pickle to give it some zing. Finding interesting and tasty ways to eat lots of veg has been the way forward for me.
 
rebrascora said:
For me, filling up my normal sized plate was important so I didn't feel hungry, but filling it up with lower carb foods. I like my plate to be overflowing with salad and a big dollop of coleslaw or lots of interesting veggies and maybe a bit of pickle to give it some zing. Finding interesting and tasty ways to eat lots of veg has been the way forward for me.
Click to expand...
vegetables to me are kinda categorised
green as in good
spinach , mushrooms, celery, cucumber, lettuce . kale, courgette, radish, asparagus, pak choi, aubergine , celeriac, green peppers, leeks, spring onions,green beans, broccoli, shallots, red cabbage, brussel sprouts, mangetout, green cabbage, red pepoers, yellow peppers, sugar snap peas, white cabbage and turnip all <5g / 100g
Orange not so good
orange peppers, pimento peppers, beetroot, carrot, onion, sweetcorn, butternut squash, peas and parsnips all <12.5g/100g
red to avoid
Potstoes, 19.6/ 100g sweet potato 21.3/100g and cassava 36.8 / 100g
i have tried to avoid orange but have started now as i feel it has made me feel deprived. So i am trying to add no more than one per day
I am getting there weight has come down . very slowly since the fast start. Need to keep going .
 
Nayshiftin said:
vegetables to me are kinda categorised
green as in good
spinach , mushrooms, celery, cucumber, lettuce . kale, courgette, radish, asparagus, pak choi, aubergine , celeriac, green peppers, leeks, spring onions,green beans, broccoli, shallots, red cabbage, brussel sprouts, mangetout, green cabbage, red pepoers, yellow peppers, sugar snap peas, white cabbage and turnip all <5g / 100g
Orange not so good
orange peppers, pimento peppers, beetroot, carrot, onion, sweetcorn, butternut squash, peas and parsnips all <12.5g/100g
red to avoid
Potstoes, 19.6/ 100g sweet potato 21.3/100g and cassava 36.8 / 100g
i have tried to avoid orange but have started now as i feel it has made me feel deprived. So i am trying to add no more than one per day
I am getting there weight has come down . very slowly since the fast start. Need to keep going .
Click to expand...
You should not be avoiding those in the orange list. They are good healthy sources of carbs and still low carb but just not the lowest carb. Maybe only have one or two options from the orange list at a time with plenty from the green list.

You are being too hard on yourself and taking things too literally.

I still have the odd potato or sweet potato every now and then but keep the portion much smaller. Mostly however, my meals are made up from the green and orange lists with meat, fish, eggs or cheese. I would far rather have 2 or even 3 items from the orange list and the rest green and nothing from the red list, because those are the tastiest. Also, things like pickled beetroot and pickled onions have no impact on my levels at all and I can eat them ad lib from the jar without issue (they are somewhat self limiting though), so you also have to factor that in, that your body may respond differently when they are pickled (even when there is sugar involved in the pickling process) and we all react differently to different foods anyway, so you may well be able to get away with some items on the orange list to the point that you can consider them green. I certainly do with beetroot.
 
rebrascora said:
You should not be avoiding those in the orange list. They are good healthy sources of carbs and still low carb but just not the lowest carb. Maybe only have one or two options from the orange list at a time with plenty from the green list.

You are being too hard on yourself and taking things too literally.

I still have the odd potato or sweet potato every now and then but keep the portion much smaller. Mostly however, my meals are made up from the green and orange lists with meat, fish, eggs or cheese. I would far rather have 2 or even 3 items from the orange list and the rest green and nothing from the red list, because those are the tastiest. Also, things like pickled beetroot and pickled onions have no impact on my levels at all and I can eat them ad lib from the jar without issue (they are somewhat self limiting though), so you also have to factor that in, that your body may respond differently when they are pickled (even when there is sugar involved in the pickling process) and we all react differently to different foods anyway, so you may well be able to get away with some items on the orange list to the point that you can consider them green. I certainly do with beetroot.
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yes , i have been having beetroot snd its not been bad at all. i have resolved at the moment i will not get into the low 5s i will accept 6 and 7”s for the time being . i suspect those that get low are either on insulin or at correct weight n fitness. Or just lucky.
Its about being happy as well as healthy.
 
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