New to the forum

[Montyfluffydog]

3yrs ago was prediabetic and last year blood test at 48 so just over. Put on over half a stone during lockdown and my figure just went up to 80 I’m so upset I could’ve done something 3yrs ago much easier than this. Mount Everest ahead of me it seems

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Montyfluffydog

Sorry to hear that your HbA1c has risen during lockdown

Have you got plans for dropping that weight back off? Can you see changes in your lockdown behaviour (access to the snack cupboard??) that may have been involved?

What sorts of things do you eat generally?

One of the biggest questions when newly diagnosed is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you will be wanting to cut out straight away, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, pasta, bread, potatoes, pastry, grains, cereals and many fruits.

It can help to keep a food diary for a week or so (be brutally honest!) to get an understanding of what you are eating at the moment. It can help to add up the carbs in the various meals, so you can begin to see which ones have the most BG-raising potential. You might get some surprises!

Then for the full effect, you can get hold of a BG meter and add readings immediately before and again 2 hours later to see what the different meals and snacks do to your blood glucose levels.

Lots of friendly folks here who have done similar experiments, and can offer their hints and tips 🙂

 

[Ralph-YK]

Welcome to the forum Monty from a fellow T2.

 

[Montyfluffydog]

I do have a reader which was at 10 first thing in the morning before food and drink. It used to to around 5.5 so I guessed when I had my annual check it would have risen but not as much as it has. BUT I know what I’ve eaten has been every kind of wrong if I’m honest and along with a sedentary lifestyle I’ve only got myself to blame.

what I’m trying to think now is that my gp surgery has been amazing with these annual mot’s (not every area has them) so I’ve been made aware early.

So it’s losing my weight that’s the key I think. But whilst keeping to a low sugar /carb diet. I’m sticking to complex carbs like wholemeal bread and quinoa but I know white carbs to avoid.

exercise is a real effort !!

 

[trophywench]

You might find you have trouble with carbs in general - seeing as our body will! Strongly suggest you use your meter wisely as advised here -

Test, Review, Adjust

Managing blood glucose levels for type 2 diabetes. Learning how to achieve long term control by testing and diet.

loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

 

[SB2015]

I find quinoa flakes an excellent substitute for any other cereals. I make my own with quinoa flakes, coconut, nuts and seeds. With yogurt and some berries I still only get up to 20g of carbs. Whereas the usual cereals are just loaded with carbs.

The important thing is to find out what works for you, and that is where the testing comes in.

 

[Drummer]

So it’s losing my weight that’s the key I think. But whilst keeping to a low sugar /carb diet. I’m sticking to complex carbs like wholemeal bread and quinoa but I know white carbs to avoid. exercise is a real effort !!

Complex carbs are still carbs - I find no benefit in eating wholemeal anything, and quinoa is still carbs.
Losing weight is going to be good for you in general, but diabetes responds to low carb foods, which result in lower blood glucose.

 

[Montyfluffydog]

You might find you have trouble with carbs in general - seeing as our body will! Strongly suggest you use your meter wisely as advised here -

Test, Review, Adjust

Managing blood glucose levels for type 2 diabetes. Learning how to achieve long term control by testing and diet.

loraldiabetes.blogspot.com

Thanks I’ll look at this !

Complex carbs are still carbs - I find no benefit in eating wholemeal anything, and quinoa is still carbs.
Losing weight is going to be good for you in general, but diabetes responds to low carb foods, which result in lower blood glucose.

So what do you eat?

Complex carbs are still carbs - I find no benefit in eating wholemeal anything, and quinoa is still carbs.
Losing weight is going to be good for you in general, but diabetes responds to low carb foods, which result in lower blood glucose.

i just find it so difficult knowing what is best to eat especially being vegetarian. I could just cry I’m so confused

 

[trophywench]

Calling up @merrymunky for some tips - because she is at least a vegetarian, Type 2 and recently very successfully had the most gorgeous baby - and if you think managing BG is difficult - try doing it for 12 months of which 9 of them are flooded with varying pregnancy hormones when you are balancing on a liberally greased tightrope across Niagara Falls. It's bloody difficult and we have great admiration for her!

 

[Drummer]

Thanks I’ll look at this !
So what do you eat?
i just find it so difficult knowing what is best to eat especially being vegetarian. I could just cry I’m so confused

That is the most difficult situation for a type two diabetic, as it severely restricts the things you could otherwise eat freely, proteins and fats.
I find low carb stirfry mixtures are useful, both fresh and frozen, and easily obtained from supermarkets, also salad stuff if usually plentiful all year round, I roast or mash celeriac, turnip or swede. Berries are usually the best choice of fruit and can be got fresh or frozen.

 

[Montyfluffydog]

Thankyou so much that’s great advice. Love a stir fry but do you have any type of whole grain rice or anything with it ? And again with salad?

 

[Drummer]

Thankyou so much that’s great advice. Love a stir fry but do you have any type of whole grain rice or anything with it ? And again with salad?

The aim is to eat low carb foods - rice, and all other grains are high in carbs.

 

[trophywench]

It all depends on how much carb your body can personally handle, and because each body is different the amount they can handle will all be different. That's exactly why we recommend testing your BG before and after eating, so very much.

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome. 🙂 Don't panic, you'll soon get the trick of it.