Newbie

[Valkyrie]

Hi, just to say hello and thank you for the add to the community.
I've had pre-diabetes for 8 or 9 years with my HbA1c rising through the pre-diabetes range.
My weight crept up during Covid and the last 2-3 years I've not really looked after myself spending time working from home and looking after my elderly parents.
I lost mum 12 months ago and dad 5 months ago - both heart related causes. They both had Type 2, managed by medication.
I had my annual blood tests in January this year and my HbA1c had risen to 48 - diabetic.
I had a 2nd test a couple of weeks ago to confirm but it had dropped to 47 - not diabetic.
I've not felt well since dad died - so tired all the time. I put it down to stress and grief but I think it's most likely diabetes. Time to take action.
I downloaded the book by the Newcastle doctor to understand more about reversing the high readings.
I definitely need to lose weight (at least 3st) so I've opted to try shakes to kick start it and re-introduce calorie controlled/small portions of healthier food following the initial weight loss.
I had an apt with the practice nurse yesterday to get the ok. She advised to make sure the shakes were sugar free and gave me the link to this site as well as referring me to a diabetic programme.
I'd really appreciate any comments or tips from anyone. Thank you

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry to hear that you have lost both parents in the last 12 months. That is tough! Especially when you were involved caring for them. It is hard work but it leaves a big hole when they go.

I don't believe the shakes need to be "sugar free". I think the important thing is that they are nutritionally balanced and of the right calorie count. Doing the Newcastle diet is somewhat different to following a low carb approach, where we might keep a closer eye on carb intake including sugar. Some areas, GPs and nurses can actually refer you onto a soups and shakes programme based on the Newcastle diet through the NHS but outsourced to private companies, where they provide the shakes and support with following the programme and transitioning back onto food I believe. I don't think it is available in all areas yet and perhaps your nurse hasn't heard of it but worth asking.

 

[Felinia]

Hello and welcome. So sorry for your losses - it will take time as you grieve. I suspect your tiredness is your body healing from the stress and strain of the very difficult time you have been having, first caring for your parents, then settling their affairs. I believe diabetic symptoms at the pre diabetic level are quite unusual.
Whatever means you adopt to lose weigh and reduce your HbA1c, it must be sustainable. I would advise moderation, rather than abstinence, and don't chastise yourself for the occasional slip up - that's normal. As the weight comes off I'm sure you will have more energy. My friend lost her husband 4 months ago after 15 months of nursing. She's not diabetic but she also felt very tired for some time afterwards. She is slowly picking up, and has planned a holiday in 3 months, as something to look forward to. She is also making time for friends and picking up with her hobbies.
As for eating tips, I make up my shakes with 2/3 water and 1/3 unsweetened almond milk, to get the nutrients without too many carbs. Rather than packet soups, I make my own with vegetables and home made stock.

 

[Valkyrie]

Hi and welcome.

So sorry to hear that you have lost both parents in the last 12 months. That is tough! Especially when you were involved caring for them. It is hard work but it leaves a big hole when they go.

I don't believe the shakes need to be "sugar free". I think the important thing is that they are nutritionally balanced and of the right calorie count. Doing the Newcastle diet is somewhat different to following a low carb approach, where we might keep a closer eye on carb intake including sugar. Some areas, GPs and nurses can actually refer you onto a soups and shakes programme based on the Newcastle diet through the NHS but outsourced to private companies, where they provide the shakes and support with following the programme and transitioning back onto food I believe. I don't think it is available in all areas yet and perhaps your nurse hasn't heard of it but worth asking.

Thanks for your kind reply.
I'm waiting to hear from the diabetic programme team the nurse referred me to; I'll mention the shakes and soups programme to them but as the nurse didn't mention it, it might not be in my area, or maybe it's only for those diagnosed.
Thanks again for your reply and observations.

 

[Valkyrie]

Hello and welcome. So sorry for your losses - it will take time as you grieve. I suspect your tiredness is your body healing from the stress and strain of the very difficult time you have been having, first caring for your parents, then settling their affairs. I believe diabetic symptoms at the pre diabetic level are quite unusual.
Whatever means you adopt to lose weigh and reduce your HbA1c, it must be sustainable. I would advise moderation, rather than abstinence, and don't chastise yourself for the occasional slip up - that's normal. As the weight comes off I'm sure you will have more energy. My friend lost her husband 4 months ago after 15 months of nursing. She's not diabetic but she also felt very tired for some time afterwards. She is slowly picking up, and has planned a holiday in 3 months, as something to look forward to. She is also making time for friends and picking up with her hobbies.
As for eating tips, I make up my shakes with 2/3 water and 1/3 unsweetened almond milk, to get the nutrients without too many carbs. Rather than packet soups, I make my own with vegetables and home made stock.

Hi,

Hello and welcome. So sorry for your losses - it will take time as you grieve. I suspect your tiredness is your body healing from the stress and strain of the very difficult time you have been having, first caring for your parents, then settling their affairs. I believe diabetic symptoms at the pre diabetic level are quite unusual.
Whatever means you adopt to lose weigh and reduce your HbA1c, it must be sustainable. I would advise moderation, rather than abstinence, and don't chastise yourself for the occasional slip up - that's normal. As the weight comes off I'm sure you will have more energy. My friend lost her husband 4 months ago after 15 months of nursing. She's not diabetic but she also felt very tired for some time afterwards. She is slowly picking up, and has planned a holiday in 3 months, as something to look forward to. She is also making time for friends and picking up with her hobbies.
As for eating tips, I make up my shakes with 2/3 water and 1/3 unsweetened almond milk, to get the nutrients without too many carbs. Rather than packet soups, I make my own with vegetables and home made stock.

Hi, and thank you for your welcome and kind comments. Yes, it's been a tough time but hopefully the tiredness will ease. I did think that I could have been starting with diabetic symptoms but does seem unlikely at this stage.
I hope your friend continues to make progress.
I appreciate your thoughts on 'moderation rather than abstinence' and the need for sustainability. This makes perfect sense.
Maybe I need to adopt a combination of shakes, homemade soups and small portions of healthier food options (including carbs).
A lot to learn and get on with!
Thanks again

 

[Leadinglights]

I think for those who are only at the pre diabetes stage the soups and shakes would be a bit overkill when some modest dietary changes are probably all that is needed and would be sustainable for the long term.
This like may give you a few ideas where you could make some changes using some of the principals in the do's and don'ts in the introduction. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Of course there is nothing to stop you buying soups and shakes from somewhere like Tesco which some have used.

 

[Felinia]

Hi,

Hi, and thank you for your welcome and kind comments. Yes, it's been a tough time but hopefully the tiredness will ease. I did think that I could have been starting with diabetic symptoms but does seem unlikely at this stage.
I hope your friend continues to make progress.
I appreciate your thoughts on 'moderation rather than abstinence' and the need for sustainability. This makes perfect sense.
Maybe I need to adopt a combination of shakes, homemade soups and small portions of healthier food options (including carbs).
A lot to learn and get on with!
Thanks again

Your plan sounds very like mine. Today for breakfast I'll have a Tesco Slim shake made up with water/almond milk. For lunch I am having poached egg on small toast, with grilled bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. Dinner will be roasted gammon with cauliflower cheese, green beans, carrots and sprouts. In the summer I have lots of salads, and I also have lots of eggs in some form or other. Overall with my daily extras like milk and a small treat, it's just under 1200 cals and 72gm carbs for today. Lots of ideas and pictures on the forum Food/carb queries and recipes. I plan first thing each morning using an app - it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

 

[Valkyrie]

Your plan sounds very like mine. Today for breakfast I'll have a Tesco Slim shake made up with water/almond milk. For lunch I am having poached egg on small toast, with grilled bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. Dinner will be roasted gammon with cauliflower cheese, green beans, carrots and sprouts. In the summer I have lots of salads, and I also have lots of eggs in some form or other. Overall with my daily extras like milk and a small treat, it's just under 1200 cals and 72gm carbs for today. Lots of ideas and pictures on the forum Food/carb queries and recipes. I plan first thing each morning using an app - it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

I think for those who are only at the pre diabetes stage the soups and shakes would be a bit overkill when some modest dietary changes are probably all that is needed and would be sustainable for the long term.
This like may give you a few ideas where you could make some changes using some of the principals in the do's and don'ts in the introduction. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Of course there is nothing to stop you buying soups and shakes from somewhere like Tesco which some have used.

Hi, thanks

I think for those who are only at the pre diabetes stage the soups and shakes would be a bit overkill when some modest dietary changes are probably all that is needed and would be sustainable for the long term.
This like may give you a few ideas where you could make some changes using some of the principals in the do's and don'ts in the introduction. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Of course there is nothing to stop you buying soups and shakes from somewhere like Tesco which some have used.

Hi and thanks for your kind reply.
Going the full Newcastle route would definitely be overkill!
I've settled on a mix of a shake for breakfast, homemade veg soup for lunch and a low carb/calorie controlled/portion controlled evening meal for now to get the weight moving.
Your link is great for low carb info. Thank you

 

[Valkyrie]

Your plan sounds very like mine. Today for breakfast I'll have a Tesco Slim shake made up with water/almond milk. For lunch I am having poached egg on small toast, with grilled bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. Dinner will be roasted gammon with cauliflower cheese, green beans, carrots and sprouts. In the summer I have lots of salads, and I also have lots of eggs in some form or other. Overall with my daily extras like milk and a small treat, it's just under 1200 cals and 72gm carbs for today. Lots of ideas and pictures on the forum Food/carb queries and recipes. I plan first thing each morning using an app - it keeps me on the straight and narrow.

Hi! Your plan is where I'm aiming for. I've started off on two shakes/soup and a low carb/calorie/portion controlled meal per day to give me the encouragement I need to begin. Later down the line I'll re-introduce lunch and watch the scales to see what effect it has and adjust - 1200 seems doable.
My downfall has always been spuds/rice/bread/cake/biscuits - eating for comfort basically. I've cut these out for now but will re-introduce in much smaller quantities and wholegrain/wholewheat versions. Will probably/hopefully leave cake and biscuits as a very occasional treat.
I hate feeling hungry though - does the protein from eggs help to keep you fuller for longer?
Thanks for the tip on planning each day - can I ask which app you use?
Thanks again.

 

[Felinia]

Hi! Your plan is where I'm aiming for. I've started off on two shakes/soup and a low carb/calorie/portion controlled meal per day to give me the encouragement I need to begin. Later down the line I'll re-introduce lunch and watch the scales to see what effect it has and adjust - 1200 seems doable.
My downfall has always been spuds/rice/bread/cake/biscuits - eating for comfort basically. I've cut these out for now but will re-introduce in much smaller quantities and wholegrain/wholewheat versions. Will probably/hopefully leave cake and biscuits as a very occasional treat.
I hate feeling hungry though - does the protein from eggs help to keep you fuller for longer?
Thanks for the tip on planning each day - can I ask which app you use?
Thanks again.

Hi. I use NutraCheck as it is UK based. I think you get a week's free trial, then there is a fee. Last time I looked it was around £30 for 6 months. I keep full by piling my plate with veggies as you can see below. If I get the munchies I drink sparkling water (can't stand the sugar free diet drinks but they may suit you). The gas fill me up! I get a 400gm Warburtons wholemeal loaf with no added sugar, as it is one of the the lowest carb breads. I now find other breads too sweet - you can taste the difference.

 

[djdave]

I use NutraCheck as it is UK based. I think you get a week's free trial, then there is a fee. Last time I looked it was around £30 for 6 months.

Me too. They reduced their subscription a while ago, now £35 for a year (12 months) I believe. I timed my renewal just right and got it on special offer for £28