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Rose Marzola

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi my name is Rose and have just joined the group. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes just before Christmas and I'm still trying to get my head round it. There is so much to learn of what you can and can't eat or even drink. I am struggling to take it all in.

Thank you for letting me join


Regards Rose
 
Hi Rose and welcome to the forum 🙂

Have you been given any medication or are you trying diet and exercise first?

Are you testing your BG at home? I wouldn't say "can" and "can't" eat, we all tolerate things differently and different amounts of things, this is where self testing can prove very useful, by testing before eating and then again 2 hours after you could build your own diary of "safe" foods, ideally 2 hours post meal you'd be looking for no more than a 2-3 mmol rise, if its more then it doesn't necessarily mean you have to cut it out, try a smaller portion first, add fat and protein to it then if you still can't get it to work then maybe look at limiting how many times you have it etc

If you have any specific questions then please do feel free to ask them, we're a friendly supportive bunch with lots of knowledge between us 🙂
xx
 
Welcome from me as well. When people first get diagnosed it seems either they are given no information as to how to start to manage the condition or they get so overwhelmed by information they don't know where to start. So just take it slowly, read around the forum and the learning zone at your own pace, ask any questions you have and people will be only too willing to help. As Katyz says some details of your meds if any and the sort of meals you have will help us to give some suggestions.
Keeping a food diary helps you see what you are actually eating in the way of carbs and where you can make some substitutions or reduction in portion size but that can depend on what meds you may be taking, what your HbA1C is and if you need to lose weight so if you are happy to give that info people can give appropriate advice.
 
Hi and thank you for such a warm welcome. I am on Metformin at the moment building the dosage up as I was ill so had to break off for a few days. I have been told to watch my carbs but it virtually cuts out all the basics of any meal so bit confused on that one. I cook all my own meals and I have not been asked to self test yet but I suppose that will come soon xx
 
Hi Rose, welcome to the forum.

Yes, when you're first diagnosed, there can be an overload of info to contend with but it does get easier.

You might find this page useful as it gives a simple overview of what to eat https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/enjoy-food/eating-with-diabetes/i-have-type-2-diabetes.

Everyone is different which is why testing your BS is important and can help to guide you re which foods are having a positive impact on your BS levels.

If there's anything we can do to help, please do let us know.
 
The main element of a meal in my case is the protein - a proper meat and veg girl here. But could be a sandwich, so the filling is the most important bit and the bread merely holds the filling in so I can eat it reasonably easily without dropping it everywhere - or it could be pasta with sauce - with meat in it or a casserole or eg chilli con carne (literal translation from the Spanish - chilli with meat) or chicken etc curry with rice or chicken casserole or fish and chips etc.

Nobody said we can't eat the spuds the bread the rice or the pasta - but we just can't make it the main element of the meal. So first try having one less spud, one less serving spoonful of rice or pasta and see what the before and after blood tests reveal. If still too high, have a bit less of the carby bit and test before and after that. The ONLY thing I have ever completely given up eating because it sends my blood glucose so high - is bananas which as it happens I'm not all that fond of anyway. Prefer fruit that has some juice and I can manage a small apple or pear or an 'easy peel' little orange (satsumas etc) or a handful of either strawbs or rasps OK. You can eat the berries as they are - or pop them in a nice glass dish and cover em with cream - and make yourself feel indulgent eating them.
 
Rose Marzola said:
told to watch my carbs but it virtually cuts out all the basics of any meal so bit confused on that one.
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Hi @Rose Marzola and welcome from me as well.
Being a home cook is a great start. Try the thread "What did you eat yesterday?" - lots of great recipe ideas. I'm eating a better and more varied diet now than before I was diagnosed.
 
Hi @Rose Marzola and welcome to the forum.

Carbs are the bits that change into glucose. So yep we need to watch them. That doesn’t always mean cutting them out completely, it can also be reducing portion size. You could also make swaps to lower carb options.

You have already had loads of other info so I will just encourage you to come back with any questions that arise.
 
Hi @Rose Marzola - the GP is unlikely to offer you a spot glucose monitor and many T2s ending up self-funding - but do ask the question! If you are lucky and they lend you a machine and give you a prescription for strips and lancets, you may need to fund additional stocks - especially strips. I have found testing invaluable.
 
Rose Marzola said:
I have not been asked to self test yet but I suppose that will come soon
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as @EllsBells has said you are unlikely to be asked to do this, as you aren't on hypo causing medications then they don't have to supply you with anything to test at home, that's why we have so many self funders on the forum because so many of the medical "professional's" don't encourage Type 2's to test and solely go on hba1c which can be misleading xx
 
Rose Marzola said:
Hi and thank you for such a warm welcome. I am on Metformin at the moment building the dosage up as I was ill so had to break off for a few days. I have been told to watch my carbs but it virtually cuts out all the basics of any meal so bit confused on that one. I cook all my own meals and I have not been asked to self test yet but I suppose that will come soon xx
Click to expand...
The basics of my meals are the meat, fish, sea food or eggs, cheese etc.
I have stir fries, salads, stews, along with the main foods. Rather than carb heavy options I make - for instance, curries using chopped cauliflower rather than rice. I cook swede rather than potatoes with the chicken or joint.
Instead of pasta and white sauce in lasagne I use leeks and cheese.
I find that my meals are very tasty and nourishing and that quite a few people prefer them to 'ordinary' dishes.
 
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