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Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
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- Thread starter hobbit123
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Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
If you are going away Hobbit I could suggest some reading for you...then when you do come back you'd be well informed for your appointment with the diabetic nurse...Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker will answer many of the questions you must have...the author is type 2 herself...she writes about her first year from diagnosis onwards month by month...she explains how/why diabetes develops...how we can manage it...there is a chapter on testing our own blood glucose...diet...avoiding carbohydrates & why that is so important...it is a comprehensive guide which I believe is essential for the newly diagnosed...if I had my way it would be available on prescription...it's available to preview on Amazon before you decide whether to buy it or borrow it from your library....if you could give us a little more information about yourself it would help the members here make the right suggestions...offer the appropriate advice...are you on any medication...do you know what the results of your blood tests were?...is there any specific you want to ask?...post it here and I'm sure one of us will be able to help.
Thankyou so much for your reply, I will look into the book definitely, until I see the nurse I'm only on High Blood Pressure Pills Lisinopril 5mg a day, I'm really after any info on foods that are a no no etc I have been told I have to lose at least 4st in weight which at the moment I find daunting, I am a female 60 yes old and live with my hubby and first grandchild due in November so need to be fit and healthy
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
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- He/Him
Hello @hobbit123
Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found the forum so soon. Alongside the book that's already been recommended (and which many members here found very helpful) you might also like to read Maggie Davey's letter.
Lots of T2s here find the best way to actively manage their diabetes is to use a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect them individually. 'Test Review Adjust' by Alan S is a good guide to how you can do that. If your surgery won't prescribe you a BG meter (many don't as a cost-cutting exercise) then the SD Codefree is one of the more accurate options with cheap test strips.
And have a read of the 'What did you eat yesterday' thread in the food section if you are after some ideas from others on food choices that might help your blood glucose levels.
Keep asking questions - nothing will be considered too obvious or silly. And let us know how you are getting on.
Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found the forum so soon. Alongside the book that's already been recommended (and which many members here found very helpful) you might also like to read Maggie Davey's letter.
Lots of T2s here find the best way to actively manage their diabetes is to use a blood glucose meter to see how different foods affect them individually. 'Test Review Adjust' by Alan S is a good guide to how you can do that. If your surgery won't prescribe you a BG meter (many don't as a cost-cutting exercise) then the SD Codefree is one of the more accurate options with cheap test strips.
And have a read of the 'What did you eat yesterday' thread in the food section if you are after some ideas from others on food choices that might help your blood glucose levels.
Keep asking questions - nothing will be considered too obvious or silly. And let us know how you are getting on.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Foods which T2 members here are generally careful about and try to moderate are anything sweet or sugary (as you might expect!) but also all carbohydrates. These all turn to glucose in the blood. So people try to reduce quantities of bread, rice, pasta, pastry, grains (including breakfast cereals), flour, fruits etc, and eat more leafy veg, meat, full fat dairy and good fats. Different people have different abilities to cope with different carbs (generally breakfast is the trickiest time) - you really you need to experiment for yourself to find out what your body can tolerate well.
Bubbsie
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The main thing to avoid hobbit is carbohydrates...not just the obvious sugary things like cakes...biscuits and so on as most believe...but carbs in general....the obvious ones such as rice...bread and certain fruits & vegetables which are starchy...there is a brilliant section in the book which tells you what diet is best for Type 2's...it's not all doom & gloom...there are some brilliant low carb recipes on the forum and if you have a look at the 'What did you eat yesterday' thread that will give you some idea of what members are eating...it is daunting initially...it does get better honestly...ironically since my diagnosis I have never taken better care of myself...anything you can do to increase your activity is beneficial...you'll make sense of it all when you're a little further in...do things at your own pace...don't rush...there's no need...good luck.
Ralph-YK
Much missed Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome to the forum Hobbit from a fellow T2.
As diabetics we have to manage carbohydrates. It's not food generally that raises our blood glucose levels. It's carbohydrates that affects our levels, (along with warm weather I gather. It's quite warm here). That's pasta, potatoes, rice, bread, breakfast ceriel etc. You can eat some of most of these things.
I suggest getting a meter. Self test before and 1-2 hours after eater. This will show you what affect food, along with any changes you make, have. Keep a food diary along with a record of your levels. After a couple of weeks you should see a pattern.
As diabetics we have to manage carbohydrates. It's not food generally that raises our blood glucose levels. It's carbohydrates that affects our levels, (along with warm weather I gather. It's quite warm here). That's pasta, potatoes, rice, bread, breakfast ceriel etc. You can eat some of most of these things.
I suggest getting a meter. Self test before and 1-2 hours after eater. This will show you what affect food, along with any changes you make, have. Keep a food diary along with a record of your levels. After a couple of weeks you should see a pattern.
Hey Hobbit, welcome! I agree with everyone else, reading is the place to start, then testing so you learn what does or doesn’t work for you. I chose the low carb option and have found it great, I cut potatoes, rice, pasta etc and upped my fresh veg, salads. Fruit is sadly something that doesn’t work for me and I do miss it, but on the upside, I can have egg & bacon for breakfast and full fat Greek yoghurt 
The only bread I use is one called Burgen, a seeded low carb option that’s tasty and handy for toast or a sandwich (usually with cheese, ham & humus 😛). So many yummy stir fries, lots of meat.....and I am losing weight without really trying! The only other thing I do is walk, I take my neighbours dog and walk for around 45 mins most nights, this really helps keep my blood glucose down. It’s doable Hobbit so keep your chin up and read the suggested threads, ask anything you like as everyone is happy to help
The only bread I use is one called Burgen, a seeded low carb option that’s tasty and handy for toast or a sandwich (usually with cheese, ham & humus 😛). So many yummy stir fries, lots of meat.....and I am losing weight without really trying! The only other thing I do is walk, I take my neighbours dog and walk for around 45 mins most nights, this really helps keep my blood glucose down. It’s doable Hobbit so keep your chin up and read the suggested threads, ask anything you like as everyone is happy to help 
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Hi Hobbit and welcome.
The only thing I would add to the above, is to take someone with you to your first appointment.
It is great to write any questions that you have from your reading and from your experience over the weeks before you’re appointment. When you get thee it is easy to miss some of what you are told, so having some there who has a copy of your questions as well as some notepaper is very useful as they can record whilst you chat. We go for a coffee after an appointment and make sure that we have answers to all of them. Anything missing can be followed up.
The only thing I would add to the above, is to take someone with you to your first appointment.
It is great to write any questions that you have from your reading and from your experience over the weeks before you’re appointment. When you get thee it is easy to miss some of what you are told, so having some there who has a copy of your questions as well as some notepaper is very useful as they can record whilst you chat. We go for a coffee after an appointment and make sure that we have answers to all of them. Anything missing can be followed up.
Grannylorraine
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Welcome to the forum, grandchildren are a great incentive to get fit and healthy.
AdeleTurner72
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome @hobbit123. I'll second everything on here about reducing ALL carbs to help get blood sugar under good control. You'll find your own way of achieving this with time and a bit of practise. Keep as active as possible. Experiment with lower carb options eg cauliflower rice or cauliflower mash instead of normal rice and potatoes.
Good luck xxx
Welcome hobbit123. Enjoy your hol but go easy on the carbs.
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