Welcome to the forum
@JoRo
Great to hear that you want to tackle your diabetes head-on and really get to grips with it. Good for you! Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. They often remark that they hadn’t realised jow run down they were feeling, and now have more energy, better mood, and regular health checks mean that any potential problems get spotted earlier.
One of the biggest questions in managing your diabetes is often ‘what can I eat’ and while there are obvious things like cakes, biscuits, sweets and sugary drinks that you have probably cut out already, you might be surprised how much *all* carbohydrate affects your BG levels, including rice, potatoes, pasta, bread, cereals, pastry, grains, and many fruits.
The really tricky thing is that blood glucose responses to various foods are highly individual, and it can be impossible to say which types and amounts of carbohydrate will ‘spike’ your BG without checking for yourself.
You can use a BG meter, taking a reading before and again 2hrs after eating, to see what the differences are, to identify any carbs that seem to be spiking BG (initially in a way the numbers themselves matter less than the differences between them). Once you can see how you respond to different meals, types and sources of carbohydrate, you can begin experimenting with reducing the proportion of carbs in meals, or trying different types (sometimes just having things at a different time of day makes a difference). Gradually tweaking and tailoring your menu to find one that suits your tastebuds, your waistline and your BG levels
🙂
If you are interested in this approach you may find
test-review-adjust by Alan S a helpful framework.
If you need to self fund your BG meter, the most affordable meters members here have found are the
SD Gluco Navii or the
Spirit Tee2 - both have test strips at around £8 for 50
For a bit more background information on T2, the ‘useful links’ thread is a mine of helpful information -
useful-links-for-people-new-to-diabetes
Members here also frequently recommend
Maggie Davey’s Letter and
Gretchen Becker’s book, as very helpful starting points for people looking to sort out their diabetes management.
Just remember... this is a marathon, not a sprint! Good luck, and keep asking questions
🙂
