Newly diagnosed and confused!

[Christopher Shaw]

Hello all!
Yesterday I had my blood test back and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not quotes sure how severe, but I've been put straight on tablets, with a view to insulin, once I've had another blood test. The doctor was fantastic, but I've been left confused!
He said simply put, my body doesn't need any sugar as I can't process it, but what do I eat and drink that is concidered low/sugar free and safe while medication kicks in to help my sugar levels out? Everything seems to have some sugar content, for example I've had plain weetabix with a small amount of milk and a banana for breakfast, but after looking, skimmed milk has 4.7g sugar / 100ml and a banana 15g!! This seems loads, so I'm now a little worried!! Help!!! Thank you

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Hello to you Chris.

I was in the same boat last month.

Everyone in here has been, and they will all provide help.

Only way is up as you will see.

 

[Christopher Shaw]

Thank you!
Obviously I am not testing my blood sugar levels yet, as I was only sent away yesterday with the instruction of simply NO Sugar! But am finding myself looking at every sugar level on every food and confused on what to eat and drink!
What's a safe level in foods and drinks? I have a no added sugar cordial with less than 0.2g of sugar per glass, is this safe or should I just stick to water?
Diet/Coke Zero? They have sweeteners, is this just as bad?

 

[h884]

Hi Chris, it is a lot to take in. Stick to sugar free drinks. There is some useful information on this forum for those newly diagnosed which should help you

Helen

 

[Copepod]

Welcome to the forum, Christopher.

No added sugar cordials labels to be checked and interpreted carefully, as sugar content is sometimes expressed for both undiluted and as served in eg 200ml portion. So, as 0.2g in a glass ix virtually zero, I'd go for that. You're right to read tables on back, as some squashes / cordials can have quite high fruit juice content, and your body doesn't differentiate from where sugars come, whether fruit or granules extracted from cane or beet.

 

[Ljc]

Hi Christopher Welcome to the club that no one wants to join but hey you're here and this forum is a good place to be.
I clearly remember being told exactly the same thing when I got the results of my first blood test that was back in the early 90s.
As you learn more you'll find it is a bit more involved than avoiding sugar, but don't worry it's not bad at all, we get to eat good tasty food ! and don't worry we'll help.
Beware the term 'no added sugar' it could have quite a bit of natural sugar in it, it's just that they haven't added any more. As has already been said sugar is sugar no matter if it's natural ie honey, fructose or white granulated stirred into tea.
I know all this must be daunting to you atm but don't worry , you'll soon get to grips with it.
Do you know what the second blood test is for.

 

[Pine Marten]

Hello all!
Yesterday I had my blood test back and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not quotes sure how severe, but I've been put straight on tablets, with a view to insulin, once I've had another blood test. The doctor was fantastic, but I've been left confused!
He said simply put, my body doesn't need any sugar as I can't process it, but what do I eat and drink that is concidered low/sugar free and safe while medication kicks in to help my sugar levels out? Everything seems to have some sugar content, for example I've had plain weetabix with a small amount of milk and a banana for breakfast, but after looking, skimmed milk has 4.7g sugar / 100ml and a banana 15g!! This seems loads, so I'm now a little worried!! Help!!! Thank you

Hi Christopher, welcome. It's not just sugar, its the starchy carbs in things like bread, potatoes, rice and pasta which we need to reduce or cut out, and increasing green leafy veg. Things like eggs, cheese, and meat are all fine. Are you taking Metformin? It's not inevitable by any means that you will need to go onto insulin - tell us a bit more about your diagnosis and we'll try and answer any questions.

Cutting down on carbs, increasing exercise and losing weight if necessary will all help to bring your blood glucose down. There are lots of recipes and food suggestions here on the forum, and you will also find lots of support and encouragement.

 

[Bill Stewardson]

Chris, I'm the same, everyone on here will chip in (not we eat the chip) and you will be pleasantly,surprised at the available stuff you can have.

In one month you will be advising another newbie.

 

[Wirrallass]

Hi Christopher and a warm welcome to our friendly helpful & supportive forum. We'll endeavour to answer as many questions as you may wish to ask. Asking is the first step to learning how to manage your diabetes. We've all been where you are and we know that being dx (diagnosed) initially can be a daunting prospect and overwhelming.

As said above, it's the carbohydrates in food & liquids that is the main factor to watch out for and by reducing these in your diet will contribute to keeping your bgls (Blood glucose levels) low being Type 2. Take a look in the thread *What did you eat yesterday*

Also there's the Carb&Cal Counter book which you will find a useful guide which you can buy from Amazon approx £10 it's a very useful guide with over 1700 food photos. Photo attached below. There's also a pocket size guide for when out & about.

Has your GP supplied you with a meter kit so you can self test your bgls to keep control of your diabetes - or advised that you attend an education Course about diabetes management?

Bananas contain lots of sugar so best avoid them - at least until you begin to test your own bgl to see if you can/cannot tolerate them. We call grapes 'sugar bombs' so try to avoid them too.

Exercise is paramount too so do try to do this on a regular basis - walking cycling swimming etc if you able.

It's worth reading the book 'Diabetes for Dummies' by Alan L Rupin.
***Does anyone have the link for this book please?

I have recently bought Schweppes Slimline lemonade - zero carbs zero sugar zero calories but have yet to self test. I also drink up to 1ltr of water daily, sometimes more. Some others here drink more than this.

I'm sorry for the lengthy post but hope the info herein is helpful to you. We are here to accompany you on your diabetes journey, take care x
WL

 

[Steff]

Hi Christopher a warm welcome to the forum hope joining helps you as much as it did when I joined 8 yrs ago

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum Christopher. 🙂 You'll soon get the hang of everything, just keep reading on here, they know what's what.

 

[PinkGrapefruit]

Hello all!
Yesterday I had my blood test back and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not quotes sure how severe, but I've been put straight on tablets, with a view to insulin, once I've had another blood test. The doctor was fantastic, but I've been left confused!
He said simply put, my body doesn't need any sugar as I can't process it, but what do I eat and drink that is concidered low/sugar free and safe while medication kicks in to help my sugar levels out? Everything seems to have some sugar content, for example I've had plain weetabix with a small amount of milk and a banana for breakfast, but after looking, skimmed milk has 4.7g sugar / 100ml and a banana 15g!! This seems loads, so I'm now a little worried!! Help!!! Thank you

Hi Chris, welcome.

I'm a few months down the track from you and learnt a huge amount from the good folk on here and online. I have fundamentally changed my diet, lost weight, and got fitter all of which has now taken me off the meds. It's trial days. But all positive.

Please look at my signature for some useful diet info. I avoid pasta, rice, potato, and bread. Eating lots of salads for lunch and protein with veg for tea. Curry with no rice and veg sides instead. Cauliflower rice, cauliflower cheese. Love sugarsnap peas. And this bags of steam veg. Breakfast some love car muffins with peanut butter (make a batch then slice and freeze) you bang them in the toaster and - they are ok! But just lately a few berries for breakfast. I am a big fan of Nine Bars - they do a peanut one which is 8.4g of carbs and is satisfying enough to almost be a Meal replacement. I usually have one a day before I drive home.

Everything has sugar (just about) but you are in control of it now. Mon Capitain!

 

[Bubbsie]

Hello all!
Yesterday I had my blood test back and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Not quotes sure how severe, but I've been put straight on tablets, with a view to insulin, once I've had another blood test. The doctor was fantastic, but I've been left confused!
He said simply put, my body doesn't need any sugar as I can't process it, but what do I eat and drink that is concidered low/sugar free and safe while medication kicks in to help my sugar levels out? Everything seems to have some sugar content, for example I've had plain weetabix with a small amount of milk and a banana for breakfast, but after looking, skimmed milk has 4.7g sugar / 100ml and a banana 15g!! This seems loads, so I'm now a little worried!! Help!!! Thank you

Hi Christopher...it is a lot to take in initially...confusing...frustrating...can be intimidating even...however...it will get better once you have some idea of what you are dealing with...lots of very helpful advice given regarding diet...what to avoid...what to look for...so I won't repeat it...I would recommend a fantastic book which will help you to understand your diabetes...Type 2 Diabetes The First year by Gretchen Becker...herself a type 2 diabetic...she takes you thought her first year month by month...answers so many questions...the ones we all have had ...why me...how did it happen...testing your blood sugar levels...and much more...it is such an easy read...for me it helped me to understand it wasn't my fault I was diabetic...why it was important for me to test my blood sugar levels...how to do that...when to do it...don't worry too much at this stage...it may take you a while to find a routine that works for you...sadly some of our health care professionals are not so well informed...give advice that in my opinion is often outdated...that's the beauty of the forum...you can ask as many questions as you need to here...get advice & suggestions from those that live diabetes...those that manage/control their blood sugars...honestly it does/can get better...give yourself some time...no point in rushing...good luck...keep us updated.