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Newbie. Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce myself.

D

Diane O

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Carer/Partner
Hi everyone, my name is Diane, I live in East Sussex with my Husband Richard, who I recently registered on the forum. I don’t have diabetes myself, but Richard was diagnosed with T2 on 23rd December 2024, and we’ve both found it so very overwhelming. I’ll be 77 this year and Richard will be 75. He doesn’t use the internet, he’s never used it and has no idea how to, so if it’s ok I’ll be using the forums on his behalf, and for myself of course. I need as much information as he does, so whatever help all you lovely kind people can give me, I can then pass on to him so he can read it for himself. That way I can keep him informed and involved.

I’ve spent many hours every day trawling through the internet, and have watched many YouTube videos trying to find the right things for him to eat, and what to avoid, but there are so many conflicting views, I find it all so confusing, but I must do what I can to help my husband get through all this to be able to manage it properly.

The doctor gave him some medication for a badly swollen left foot, but following a recent blood test, he phoned again and told him to stop taking it as it had deteriorated his kidney, so he’s now got a different medication to try. He’s got to have a kidney function blood test on 4th Feb to see where he’s at with it now. He’s not on any medication yet for his diabetes, but was just told to watch his carb intake.

He told me he saw an ad on tv for Diabetes UK, so I checked it out immediately, and very soon realised this is the place we need to be, it’s brilliant.

I’ll look forward to hearing from you as I use the forums, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have for either or both of us, or fill in the personal questions that are listed etc and thank you so much for any much needed help and advice you can give. It’ll be very much appreciated by us both. So happy to have found the forums.

Kind regards

Diane on behalf of Richard
 
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Diane O said:
Hi everyone, my name is Diane, I live in East Sussex with my Husband Richard, who I recently registered on the forum. I don’t have diabetes myself, but Richard was diagnosed with T2 on 23rd December 2024, and we’ve both found it so very overwhelming. I’ll be 77 this year. Richard’s nearly 75. He doesn’t use the internet, he’s never used it and has no idea how to, so if it’s ok I’ll be using the forums on his behalf, and for myself of course. I need as much information as he does, so whatever help all you lovely kind people can give me, I can then pass on to him so he can read it for himself. That way I can keep him informed and involved.

I’ve spent many hours every day trawling through the internet, and have watched many YouTube videos trying to find the right things for him to eat, and what to avoid, but there are so many conflicting views, I find it all so confusing, but I must do what I can to help my husband get through all this to be able to manage it properly.

The doctor gave him some medication for a badly swollen left foot, but following a recent blood test, he phoned again and told him to stop taking it as it had deteriorated his kidney, so he’s now got a different medication to try. He’s got to have a kidney function blood test on 4th Feb to see where he’s at with it now. He’s not on any medication yet for his diabetes, but was just told to watch his carb intake.

He told me he saw an ad on tv for Diabetes UK, so I checked it out immediately, and very soon realised this is the place we need to be, it’s brilliant.

I’ll look forward to hearing from you as I use the forums, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have for either or both of us, or fill in the personal questions that are listed etc and thank you so much for any much needed help and advice you can give. It’ll be very much appreciated by us both. So happy to have found the forums.

Kind regards

Diane on behalf of Richard
Click to expand...
Welcome both!

Diane, it's a bit risky giving so much personal information on an open forum - anyone can see it. I suggest you press the edit button below your post and delete your surname and DOBs.
 
@Diane O welcome to the forum. I'm not as Internet savvy as younger people but it is good advice not to put full names and dates of birth and maybe just we live by the sea in Sussex is sufficient. There is a direct message facility if you want to impart more personal matters.
I was diagnosed in July. I was overweight and had some symptoms but I asked for the test. I originally cut out processed meat cake and pastry and limited bread. When I got the result I cut out rice pasta too. I was eating fish and lots of veg and didn't feel hungry. I lost 2lbs a week which I found a joy. In September I was put on a drug which required a certain level of carbs and I felt off course. I have lost weight and my blood glucose is now 44 in the prediabetic range.
You don't need to ban food though if your husband drinks drinks with added sugar change to artificial sweetening or water and if it is in tea or coffee gradually reduce it.
If your husbands hba1c is low ( the normal test to diagnose diabetes] he can probably lower it sufficiently by reducing carbs and moving more eg a ten minute walk after food or stair climbing or even standing washing up. If his mobility is poor swimming is an excellent exercise indoor pool rather than outside at the moment.
Unless he has health problems that would make it a bad idea a traditional fry up can be low carb - miss out hash browns and beans and perhaps have just half a piece of toast.
I have a mushroom omlette or Greek style yoghurt ( full fat ) with nuts seeds and berries.
Look under nutrition for carb value.
The diabetes UK site has lots of info and a learning zone.
I don't now eat pasta I have bought an alternative from Holland and Barrett. I have limited potatoes a lot and have cut out rice. Watch portion size of carbs. I've actually eaten a half portion of shepherds pie with extra veg. Some veg is high carb. Generally if it is below ground. Just have smaller portions. Fruit which grows in UK is OK apples berries pears but other fruit is high carb.
I found this GP site very informative and under weight it has a link to websites all of which are useful eg moseley, freshwell and caldesi.

https://newforestpcn.co.uk/network-services/diabetes-metabolic-health/

Good luck.
 
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Diane O said:
Hi everyone, my name is Diane, I live in Hastings East Sussex with my Husband Richard, who I recently registered on the forum. I don’t have diabetes myself, but Richard was diagnosed with T2 on 23rd December 2024, and we’ve both found it so very overwhelming. I’ll be 77 this year and Richard will be 75. He doesn’t use the internet, he’s never used it and has no idea how to, so if it’s ok I’ll be using the forums on his behalf, and for myself of course. I need as much information as he does, so whatever help all you lovely kind people can give me, I can then pass on to him so he can read it for himself. That way I can keep him informed and involved.

I’ve spent many hours every day trawling through the internet, and have watched many YouTube videos trying to find the right things for him to eat, and what to avoid, but there are so many conflicting views, I find it all so confusing, but I must do what I can to help my husband get through all this to be able to manage it properly.

The doctor gave him some medication for a badly swollen left foot, but following a recent blood test, he phoned again and told him to stop taking it as it had deteriorated his kidney, so he’s now got a different medication to try. He’s got to have a kidney function blood test on 4th Feb to see where he’s at with it now. He’s not on any medication yet for his diabetes, but was just told to watch his carb intake.

He told me he saw an ad on tv for Diabetes UK, so I checked it out immediately, and very soon realised this is the place we need to be, it’s brilliant.

I’ll look forward to hearing from you as I use the forums, and will be happy to answer any questions you may have for either or both of us, or fill in the personal questions that are listed etc and thank you so much for any much needed help and advice you can give. It’ll be very much appreciated by us both. So happy to have found the forums.

Kind regards

Diane on behalf of Richard
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum to you both, it is fantastic you are there to support your husband in his recent diagnosis. If he has not yet been put on any medication it suggests he is not too far into the diabetes zone, the diagnostic threshold is an HbA1C result anything over 47mmol/mol. It is useful to find out what it is as it will indicate how much work he will need to do. My other half adopted my low carb approach so we essentially have the same meals, but he has a few extras. I followed the principals in this Freshwell program but there are meal plans to suit various tastes or you can just look at the recommendations and do your own thing which is what I did with success. The link will point you in the right direction https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
The reason information can be very confusing is there is no one size fits all as everybody's tolerance of carbohydrates is different so they need to tailor their diet to what suits them and it may also depend on what medication they may be taking.
 
Sorry you've had to join us on behalf of your husband but welcome from me, too @Diane O . It's a steep learning curve but we're here to help.
 
Hi @Diane O & Richard welcome to the forum, good job he saw the advert on TV for Diabetes UK & you found this fabulous forum
You said you were overwhelmed that is normal, until you start to understand through knowing more about the best foods to eat and the best way to manage things

one piece of advice I would like to give, remember anything you want to know just ask, you will find there is a wealth of knowledge and shared experiences that you & Richard will be able to learn from
 
Hello @Diane O and Richard. Welcome to the forum. I was diagnosed early last year and like you did a lot of on line research. Fortunately I was given information about Diabetes UK website and this forum. Both excellent sources of information and advice from people living with diabetes or caring for someone with diabetes. Whatever your concern, ask away. Someone here will have had a similar experience and can share their knowledge.
It is a shock being told you have diabetes and it will take your husband a bit of time to come to terms with it. Your support will be invaluable. Make any changes at a pace you both feel comfortable with.
 
Thank you all so much, I really appreciate your advice and help. And a big thank you for advising me of the safety aspect, I hadn’t thought of that but I’ll definitely be more mindful of it.
We haven’t been told anything about hba1c yet or what 47mmol/mol is so we don’t know what it all means,what it is or how you test for it as my husband was only diagnosed 2 days before Christmas, and still hasn’t been able to see a doctor yet, so it’s really scary. All he was told on the phone when he was given the diagnosis was watch your carbs


 
Thank you all for your kind welcome and for all your lovely replies of support, it means so much to us both. We’re really going to enjoy and appreciate all you lovely kind people on the forum.
 
Diane O said:
Thank you all so much, I really appreciate your advice and help. And a big thank you for advising me of the safety aspect, I hadn’t thought of that but I’ll definitely be more mindful of it.
We haven’t been told anything about hba1c yet or what 47mmol/mol is so we don’t know what it all means,what it is or how you test for it as my husband was only diagnosed 2 days before Christmas, and still hasn’t been able to see a doctor yet, so it’s really scary. All he was told on the phone when he was given the diagnosis was watch your carbs
Click to expand...
It is likely that the blood tests he had, a sample from his arm and sent to the lab would have included the test used for diagnosis of diabetes where anything over 47mmol/mol would indicate a diabetes diagnosis. It is rather a long time to be waiting for an appointment to discuss the result, it would be worth ringing your surgery to ask the result.
There is no need to be scared as IF the result had been worryingly high I would think they would have prescribed medication immediately.
Just take time to read the information and you will see there is plenty he can eat whilst still reducing the carbohydrate intake.
 
Hi and welcome to you both from me too.

Great that you have come to the forum to learn in order to support Richard. Would you be able to tell us how his diagnosis came about? ie was he suffering some symptoms or was it just picked up through a routine blood test? If he had symptoms, is he comfortable with you telling us what they were. That information can give us an idea of how significantly he has strayed into "diabetes territory" in the absence of that HbA1c result.

HbA1c is the name of the blood test used to diagnose diabetes and anything above 47mmols/mol gets you a diagnosis, but how much higher can be quite important.
For instance if it is just 50 or so, then some minor tweaks to his diet and perhaps becoming a little more active, like a walk after meals if you are able, can make a big difference, but if it is up at 80 or above then that suggests things are more seriously amiss and it may take more significant changes and probably some medication too. There are people here including myself who were into 3 figures at diagnosis, and now have it well managed and have suffered no ill effects and in fact some of us are very happy to report that the lifestyle changes as a result of that diabetes diagnosis have caused us to actually be fitter and healthier than we have been for many years, so getting that kick up the backside from the diabetes diagnosis has made us realise that we need to look after ourselves better and be healthier.
I am 6 years down the line with it and I would say that it has added years of better health to my life rather than shortened it..... but that is because I know I have to make an effort with my diet and exercise to keep myself healthier..... And I still eat tasty, filling food, it is just different to what I used to eat. Changing my diet has also improved a number of other significant health issues, so there have been many benefits to come from my diabetes diagnosis. Hopefully Richard will be able to look back in a few years and feel the same way.

It is confusing and overwhelming at first and we all felt like that and made a good few mistakes buying things that we thought were good choices only to find they weren't so good, but diabetes is a pretty slow moving foe and as long as you make slow steady changes, mostly in the right direction, there is every chance that you can keep it well managed and in it's place and live a full healthy life. We often say that "Diabetes is a marathon and not a sprint!" so make small sustainable changes to your lifestyle. Nothing bad will happen today or tomorrow or next week, but if you become complacent and ignore it for long periods of time9 months or years) and don't manage it well, it will not ignore you and you run the risk of developing unpleasant complications. Mostly it is pretty invisible which is why some people find it so easy to bury their head in the sand and ignore it until sadly it turns and bites them, but look after it well and it should cause you very little if any problems.

Finding slow, steady, sustainable changes and mostly keeping to them is the way to keep it check and hopefully like me and others here, Richard will soon be feeling 10-20 years younger and fitter and happier.
 
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Hi Diane - no silly questions on this forum so you can tell us anything you want (except remember its a public forum so bear that in mind!) and ask us anything too - we aim to provide helpful replies, not criticisms.

Question for you - do you do the cooking and shopping? If so, can you already identify what contains a lot of carb and what doesn't?
 
Hi,
Thank you so much for your informative post, it’s very helpful and very much appreciated. My husband had no symptoms whatsoever, but had to go for a routine blood test after being given some tablets for a swollen left foot. So you can imagine the fear we both felt when the results came back and the doctor phoned to say he had diabetes. It came as a complete shock to us both, and all he was told was watch your carbs. He had another blood test a little later, and once again the doctor phoned, but this time it was to say stop taking the tablets as they had deteriorated his kidney, so he prescribed a different tablet to try, and was then told to have a kidney function blood test in two weeks, so he’s having that on Tuesday and will anxiously await the results. Other than that, we’ve not been given any other information on what to eat or avoid, how to live with it or whether he should be testing for anything, and at the moment he’s not on any medication for the diabetes, so we’ll just have to wait and see what happens after the kidney function blood test on Tuesday. It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment, but my husband is more than happy to answer anything else you may need to know in order to help him, or to help us both. And if he should be testing, does he get a test kit of some sort from the doctor or is it something we can buy? I’m so pleased to have joined us both on the forum and very much look forward to whatever else we can learn from all you lovely and very special people. Thank you so much.
 
trophywench said:
Hi Diane - no silly questions on this forum so you can tell us anything you want (except remember its a public forum so bear that in mind!) and ask us anything too - we aim to provide helpful replies, not criticisms.

Question for you - do you do the cooking and shopping? If so, can you already identify what contains a lot of carb and what doesn't?
Click to expand...
 
Hi,
I cook occasionally, but my husband does the majority of it, and we shop together, but sometimes if there’s a few bits he wants then he’ll go alone first thing in the morning before it gets too busy. We both have no clue what contains a lot of carb and what doesn’t. We do try to check labels but sometimes the print is so small it’s difficult to read, or it may be against a wrong colour background which also makes it difficult to read but we have to try.
 
Diane O said:
Hi,
I cook occasionally, but my husband does the majority of it, and we shop together, but sometimes if there’s a few bits he wants then he’ll go alone first thing in the morning before it gets too busy. We both have no clue what contains a lot of carb and what doesn’t. We do try to check labels but sometimes the print is so small it’s difficult to read, or it may be against a wrong colour background which also makes it difficult to read but we have to try.
Click to expand...
If you shop regularly at the same shops then if you check their website as it will have the carbohydrate content of all the branded products they sell under nutritional information, the number you want is carbohydrate per 100g or per portion or each as in crackers or biscuits. You may then need to work out the carbs for the portion you are going to have. Fresh foods you can look on the internet for carb content of X.
The book Carbs and Cals is useful as it gives the carbs for various suggested portion sizes of a whole range of foods. It will become second nature to check out the information and decide on how much you can have and stay within a certain amount of carbs for your meal.
If you are aiming at no more than 130g carbs per day including drinks and snacks that equates to on average about 30-35 g carbs per meal.
Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, are all pretty well zero carbs so basing meals on those with the addition of fresh veg and salads would be a good start, avoiding cakes, biscuits, sugary drinks and high carb foods like potatoes, rice, pasta, other than in small portions and keeping an eye on how much fruit other than berries which are low carb.
 
Good to hear that he wasn't obviously symptomatic as that suggests his HbA1c result is unlikely to be very high and ties in with the doctor not yet prescribing medication.

As regards carbohydrates, there are 3 macro nutrients.... protein fat and carbohydrate. Most foods are made up of a combination of them in different proportions....
So for instance:-
Bread is mostly carbohydrate because it is made from flour (grains like wheat, oats, barley and rice are all about 65% carbohydrate) but it also contains a very small amount of protein and a very small amount of fat. Anything containing grains or made with flour is going to be higher in carbs.
Sugar is pretty well 100% carbohydrate.

Meat and fish contains a mixture of protein and fat with no carbs unless it is processed meat like sausages which have a few carbs added in the form of "rusk" to help bind it together and make it cheaper. Many of us look for high meat content sausages when we have them. Ideally 90% meat or more.

Cabbage/lettuce/broccoli etc are mostly water and fibre but contain a very tiny amount of carbohydrate and an even tinier amount of protein.

Potatoes are a starchy vegetable, so they are quite high in carbs even the sweet potatoes which are often recommended. They also contain a tiny amount of protein but mostly carbs and water.

These are just a few examples, but you are looking to choose mostly foods which are low carb to bulk out your meal and fill you up and cut back on your consumption of high carb food like bread and pasta and rice and potatoes and breakfast cereals and pastry and Yorkshire puds. Not saying Richard can't have these foods but look at halving the portion that he currently eats and finding other lower carb foods particularly leafy green veggies to bulk out his plate.

As a rough rule of thumb, veg which grow below the ground (potatoes, carrots, parsnips) are higher in carbs than those that grow at ground level (cabbage/cauli/broccoli/celeriac etc) and those that grow above ground like peas and beans are in between.
 
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