new to the club

[notmez]

Morning,
Just recently diagnosed with type 2. So recent that I haven't even seen the specialist nurse yet which is due later this week.

I went in for a routine blood test to check on my high cholesterol (taking statins), generally don't hear anything back from the blood tests and I have to chase up to see if its better/worse than the previous test, but this time they called me the same day they got the results. I was in to see the doctor within the hour, they prodded, poked me and took new samples and told me a few days later I'm type 2.

i've been started on metformin which will slowly dose up every week over the month.

my diet is generally okay but I have become very inactive for the last few years so I want to get into good habits and change. Since the day they told me I’ve been going out for a short walk everyday and making small changes what I eat and drink.

i'm interested in how my food impacts this, what/how i can make improvements.

 

[Felinia]

Hello and welcome
Can you tell us what your HbA1c was, as that will help us best advise you? If you can't remember, please ask the nurse so you know what your starting point is. An HbA1c of 48+ is diabetic. The very quick recall either means a good GP practise, or your result was quite high.
My first suggestion is to work your way through the Learning Zone (orange tab above), one module a day at a time, so you take it all in. Suggest you start with food, then exercise, and make a list of questions for your nurse. Then if you do not have one, get an app that measures cals, carbs and exercise. MyFitBit or NutraCheck are popular, but there is a cost involved with some.
Metformin is usually the first medication, which as you say, is built up over a number weeks. Some people can tolerate it, but it can cause tummy problems, which can be a real issue, especially for working people. If the problems don't settle after a few weeks you can request the slow release version which I take. But there are other medications. If your HbA1c is less than 60, you can request trying to reduce your blood glucose by lifestyle changes (eating patterns and exercise). I was lucky as my GP did permit it, but not all do.
You say your diet is quite good, but what is good for non-diabetics may not necessarily be good for diabetics. Most Type 2 diabetics follow a reduced carb diet, one way or another. That means cutting back or replacing bread, potato, rice, pasta, cereals, most fruit, processed food, as well as the usual suspects of cake, biscuits, sweets, pastries. Sounds a bit off putting at first but it's a great opportunity to try new foods and flavours. It is suggested 130gm carbs a day or less, but everyone is different, so it's a question of trial and error. I experimented and settled on 90gm a day. But it is best to reduce slowly, as too quickly can affect the eyes.
Many people get a blood glucose monitor, so they can record the impact of various foods. Different foods affect people different ways. I can take a couple of new potatoes or a small slice of bread, but not rice or pasta. Others have different carb intolerances. I measured 10 times a day for the first couple of weeks until I worked things out, and now I just test for new foods. I'm sure someone will post about the current best monitor to get.
Walking is good exercise, and you can build up as your fitness improves. I'm typing this having just got back from the swimming pool, and my neighbour cycles. Then there are things you can do at home - plenty of videos and YouTube.
That's just the basics. I'm sure you will have plenty of questions, so please ask away. Nothing is silly - we have all been where you are now. Best wishes

 

[john e]

Hi and welcome. you could try the NHS healthy living app, its free and guides you through a programme of exercise and diet well worth a try

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi notmez, welcome to the forum.

Good to hear that you've been able to start making small changes as that's the key to getting on top of things.

As a type 2, diet plays an important part in managing diabetes and you generally want to look into reducing carbs and sugars which seems simple but you do have to watch out for the hidden carbs in things we previously considered healthy such as porridge for example.

We've got lots of info on the main site as kindly advised above so do have a look around and feel free to reach out if we can help in any way.

 

[notmez]

Hi John - thank you i'll check the app out.
Hi Felinia, Cherrelle - thank you for the messages.

i dont remember what was said on the first visit as it was rushed but i will ask the nurse when i see them this week. i do remember the doctor mentioning a number in the 40s being high and mine was 80 so i would guess but will confirm later that this is the reading you mentioned for HbA1c.


the diet point is a great one and most of my questions for the nurse will be around that, however the changes i have already made fit in with what you have said. im not measuring weighing and recording everything i eat yet but i have just started with some of the easy to do simple changes.

breakfast - instead of cereal or white toast or croissants i've switched to porridge for now but i know that is still high.
lunch - remove the bread instead of a sandwich increase the salad and plan to skip the crisps most days
afternoon snack, 1 apple and celery stick and 2inch bit of cucumber and a dip or something instead of the crisps or chocolate bar.

my diet is mostly vegan\vegetarian with some occasional fish and quite light on dairy due to intolerances but its 70+% home cooked so it will be easy for me to make changes as i find out more about what i need to do.


i don't want to cut out anything because i wont be able to do it but i think my plan is to heavily reduce most of the list you suggested slowly over a few weeks.


the metformin tummy problems started pretty quickly but so far haven't got any worse than if i would drink a glass of milk

the blood glucose monitoring is on the list of things i wanted to speak to the nurse about.

I'm just sitting here now having my lunch after doing just over 2 miles and will hopefully get out for 1 mile this evening if it cools down.

i know i will have plenty of questions but its all still a bit new meaning i really cant think of anything but reading through the other posts and questions in the forum is really helpful so far.

thank you

 

[Felinia]

I'm going to try this out. 10 servings for £7.99 so not cheap. It contains coconut, cinnamon, nuts (almonds), seeds, coconut oil and I'll have it with unsweetened almond milk. Try anything once!!

Keto Hana Cinnamon Keto Granola Keto Diet Vegan Grain Free Dairy Free Plant Based No Refined Sugars Gluten Free 1.2g Net Carbs Breakfast Cereal - 300gr/0.6lbs​

 

[Leadinglights]

I'm going to try this out. 10 servings for £7.99 so not cheap. It contains coconut, cinnamon, nuts (almonds), seeds, coconut oil and I'll have it with unsweetened almond milk. Try anything once!!

Keto Hana Cinnamon Keto Granola Keto Diet Vegan Grain Free Dairy Free Plant Based No Refined Sugars Gluten Free 1.2g Net Carbs Breakfast Cereal - 300gr/0.6lbs​

I discovered the Keto Hana granola but as it is quite pricy I mix it 50/50 with Lizi's low sugar granola so it comes out at about 30g carb per 100g. I have about 20g on Greek yoghurt and berries for breakfast.