Hello, I am 44 and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a couple of weeks ago. My HbA1C was 76, so pretty high. I feel 100% healthy so my diagnosis was a bit of a shock. I do have family history of Type 2 (mother and grandmother) and I had gestational diabetes in both pregnancies. I have been prescribed Metformin which I started yesterday. Evenually I will be on 2000mg each day. I was given my blood glucose monitor when I saw the diabetic nurse this week. My levels are high at around 8-14 every time I measure. I have been taking my bg just before eating and two hours after. Is there any way to quickly bring down my levels? Honestly I am freaking out and pretty confused about what to eat beyond avoiding white carbs and all sugar. For example this morning I had fat free greek yogurt but I am wondering whether the lactose in that is 'bad'. Certainly my blood sugar didn't seem to like it. I would be very grateful for any advise. Thank you.
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Newly diagnosed - started testing and worried about high bg
- Thread starter shawdb
- Start date
- Status
Shells2909
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi there!!! And welcome, I'm a newbie too but wanted to reassure you there's lots of lovely people in this forum who have lots of experience to offer.
I immediately reduced my Carb intake. If you are a meat eater then meat will be your best friend! I also increased my activity levels from practically zero to between 5 and 7000 a day upto now and already noticing glucose levels in single figures so it does help.
Good luck, you're amongst like minded people here
Michelle xx
I immediately reduced my Carb intake. If you are a meat eater then meat will be your best friend! I also increased my activity levels from practically zero to between 5 and 7000 a day upto now and already noticing glucose levels in single figures so it does help.
Good luck, you're amongst like minded people here
Michelle xx
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @shawdb , I am glad that you have found us, and hope that we can help you with your enquiries. I am not sure how clear you are on the cause of T2, so forgive me if I am repeating things you already know.
With T2 the body is not able to process the amount of glucose that the body is making, as there is not enough insulin or it does not work well enough. The glucose comes from any carbohydrates that you eat. This includes all carbs, not just sugars. These come from things like pasta, potatoes, rice as well as many pre-prepared meals, as well as the more obvious cakes and biscuits. A good start would be to find out how many carbs you are eating at each meal. The information comes from the back of packets, weighing what you eat, and a bit of calculating, and there is always google to help.
It is great that you have been given a test kit, and are already using it to test both before meals and two hours after. The rise in your BG after the meal will show you how the carbs have impacted on you. When I started working out mine I was surprised at how many carbs I was eating, many from unexpected places. I also found that some ‘healthy’ foods just didn’t work for me. This information can help you to make swaps to lower carb options and /or reduce portions sizes. Some activity for 15 minutes after a meal will also help to use up some of the glucose. A record of what is happening for you will help you to make appropriate choices.
Keep in touch and keep the questions coming.
With T2 the body is not able to process the amount of glucose that the body is making, as there is not enough insulin or it does not work well enough. The glucose comes from any carbohydrates that you eat. This includes all carbs, not just sugars. These come from things like pasta, potatoes, rice as well as many pre-prepared meals, as well as the more obvious cakes and biscuits. A good start would be to find out how many carbs you are eating at each meal. The information comes from the back of packets, weighing what you eat, and a bit of calculating, and there is always google to help.
It is great that you have been given a test kit, and are already using it to test both before meals and two hours after. The rise in your BG after the meal will show you how the carbs have impacted on you. When I started working out mine I was surprised at how many carbs I was eating, many from unexpected places. I also found that some ‘healthy’ foods just didn’t work for me. This information can help you to make swaps to lower carb options and /or reduce portions sizes. Some activity for 15 minutes after a meal will also help to use up some of the glucose. A record of what is happening for you will help you to make appropriate choices.
Keep in touch and keep the questions coming.
Vonny
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @shawdb and welcome from a fellow type 2. I also started out with an hba1c of 76 in April and, following advice on carbs from this forum have managed to reduce mine to 37.
It's not just "white" carbs, carbs are carbs whatever colour they are. Having said that, I can tolerate an occasional slice of wholemeal bread, but not white. We are all different and if you keep a food diary you'll be able to reduce your monitoring as you begin to see patterns in what you are eating. It's great that you are using your monitor so early on...I didn't get mine until I joined this forum and it has been the best thing I've bought this year!
Best wishes 🙂
It's not just "white" carbs, carbs are carbs whatever colour they are. Having said that, I can tolerate an occasional slice of wholemeal bread, but not white. We are all different and if you keep a food diary you'll be able to reduce your monitoring as you begin to see patterns in what you are eating. It's great that you are using your monitor so early on...I didn't get mine until I joined this forum and it has been the best thing I've bought this year!
Best wishes 🙂
Thank you for your kind replies. I have switched to lower carb and I am filling in what I eat into my fitness pal but my carbs are still higher than the amount i’ve seem here in the forum. I am pretty active due to children and a dog that gets an hours walk each day so usually easily hit my 10k steps per day. Is full fat greek really better than low fat? I was worried about full fat being bad for cholesterol/heart health? Honestly i’m so confused! Thank you for the warm welcome. It is impressive how people have turned things around.
Ljc
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Hi welcome to the forum. As others has said, you don’t need to go low fat,
1) as your reducing carbs your body needs to get it’s fuel from somewhere else, that is fat and protein.
2 ) full fat products often taste much nicer and have a better consistency
3) it keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
4) lower fat options can be higher carb than the full fat versions
Unles you have a medical problem that requires you to go low fat , I would not worry about opting for normal fats some have even found it lowers their cholesterol levels.
Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint, you don’t want to lower your BG levels too quickly as that can cause complications to your micro vascular system.
any changes you make must be sustainable longe term.
But the occasional treat is fine . I’m thinking of Christmas here.
We all become avid nutritional label readers on her but not the traffic light system on the front , we normally just check the carbs on the nutritional label on the back.
Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes as with the right info rou can gain control over your diabetes.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
1) as your reducing carbs your body needs to get it’s fuel from somewhere else, that is fat and protein.
2 ) full fat products often taste much nicer and have a better consistency
3) it keeps you feeling fuller for longer.
4) lower fat options can be higher carb than the full fat versions
Unles you have a medical problem that requires you to go low fat , I would not worry about opting for normal fats some have even found it lowers their cholesterol levels.
Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint, you don’t want to lower your BG levels too quickly as that can cause complications to your micro vascular system.
any changes you make must be sustainable longe term.
But the occasional treat is fine . I’m thinking of Christmas here.
We all become avid nutritional label readers on her but not the traffic light system on the front , we normally just check the carbs on the nutritional label on the back.
Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes as with the right info rou can gain control over your diabetes.
Good luck and please let us know how you get on.
Fagor
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I'm T1, but my views on carbs.
I count carbs in cereals, bread, rice and pasta. Don't forget fruit, and also watch out for items like yoghurt, some have very low fat but very high carbs (some Alpro have carbs and fat about 2.2%). Beans and pulses depend on quantity - if a small amount probably ignore or count a small amount. Highly processed food/ready meals tend to have high sugar/salt/fat. I am also suspicious of anything labeled "healthy".
"Brown" carbs may be better as they work over a longer period and peak lower, but not everybody likes them. And they are still carbs. Also you may find you are more sensitive to some foods, we are all different.
As SB2015 says, read the nutrition labels. Use the carbs per 100g and the weight you are eating to find your carbs input. Watch out for carbs per portion - some portions are very small and you might need several.
It will take a while but it should become easier. And your BGs should also settle - you've just been diagnosed and you need to adjust to new meds. You sound active which will also help.
As usual, this is longer than expected, hope you get some benefit.
J
I count carbs in cereals, bread, rice and pasta. Don't forget fruit, and also watch out for items like yoghurt, some have very low fat but very high carbs (some Alpro have carbs and fat about 2.2%). Beans and pulses depend on quantity - if a small amount probably ignore or count a small amount. Highly processed food/ready meals tend to have high sugar/salt/fat. I am also suspicious of anything labeled "healthy".
"Brown" carbs may be better as they work over a longer period and peak lower, but not everybody likes them. And they are still carbs. Also you may find you are more sensitive to some foods, we are all different.
As SB2015 says, read the nutrition labels. Use the carbs per 100g and the weight you are eating to find your carbs input. Watch out for carbs per portion - some portions are very small and you might need several.
It will take a while but it should become easier. And your BGs should also settle - you've just been diagnosed and you need to adjust to new meds. You sound active which will also help.
As usual, this is longer than expected, hope you get some benefit.
J
rebrascora
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- She/Her
My medical professionals told me to go low fat and low salt and no alcohol and no sugar... I then started testing and gradually whittled all my carbs down as well until the final carb rich food I gave up was my morning porridge to get an in range reading. A diet like that is unsustainable. I too was reticent about eating more fat having been bombarded with "fat is bad" propaganda most of my life. It always made me wonder how my Dad ate lots of saturated fat and yet he had the heart of an ox.
It is now believed by a growing number of scientists that the low fat health advice was based on flawed and even cherry picked data nearly 70 years ago and that the carbs which have been added to foods because the natural fat has been removed are more likely a cause of Cardio Vascular Disease. It may certainly have lead to the diabetes and obesity epidemic we are currently part of, because fat keeps you feeling full for longer. Strip out the fat and you get a glucose spike from the carbs, but then your levels drop and your brain registers that drop and tells you that you need to eat because your glucose is getting low..... this is why we feel peckish a couple of hours after eating a meal and want snacks all the time. If you eat full fat products and less carbs, you stop wanting those snacks and in fact stop feeling hungry. I just eat 2 meals a day (breakfast and evening meal) most of the time and I am very active through the day but just don't feel the need to eat then. I enjoy the food that I have because it is tasty and wholesome and it sustains me rather than giving me quick high and then the cravings. Losing weight has been so much easier since I cut the carbs and ate more fat and my cholesterol levels which are a little higher than NICE guidelines for diabetics (currently 4.8) are slowly reducing despite eating a lot more than normal fat.... I now eat quite a lot of fat (cheese, eggs, fatty cuts of meat, nuts, avocado etc ) to maintain my weight and provide energy now that I am a normal BMI and I feel fitter and healthier than I have for a long time.
My consultant says, just "keep doing what you are doing"
It is now believed by a growing number of scientists that the low fat health advice was based on flawed and even cherry picked data nearly 70 years ago and that the carbs which have been added to foods because the natural fat has been removed are more likely a cause of Cardio Vascular Disease. It may certainly have lead to the diabetes and obesity epidemic we are currently part of, because fat keeps you feeling full for longer. Strip out the fat and you get a glucose spike from the carbs, but then your levels drop and your brain registers that drop and tells you that you need to eat because your glucose is getting low..... this is why we feel peckish a couple of hours after eating a meal and want snacks all the time. If you eat full fat products and less carbs, you stop wanting those snacks and in fact stop feeling hungry. I just eat 2 meals a day (breakfast and evening meal) most of the time and I am very active through the day but just don't feel the need to eat then. I enjoy the food that I have because it is tasty and wholesome and it sustains me rather than giving me quick high and then the cravings. Losing weight has been so much easier since I cut the carbs and ate more fat and my cholesterol levels which are a little higher than NICE guidelines for diabetics (currently 4.8) are slowly reducing despite eating a lot more than normal fat.... I now eat quite a lot of fat (cheese, eggs, fatty cuts of meat, nuts, avocado etc ) to maintain my weight and provide energy now that I am a normal BMI and I feel fitter and healthier than I have for a long time.
My consultant says, just "keep doing what you are doing"
adrian1der
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I've posted this before but thought it might be useful on this thread. This is my seven day average waking BG from diagnosis. I started eating low carb and was already exercising more. It took six weeks to come down from around 8 to between 5.4 and 6.0. Don't expect instant results but if you work at it you will see the results
Really insightful and helpful responses. Rebrasora your post makes so much sense to me. I've started today with a feeling of optimism which was not how I felt throughout yesterday. Adrian your chart was also very useful as I guess I was expecting my bg to immediately reduce with a change in my diet. Low Fat greek yogurt is out. I'm going to go as low carb as I can and will continue to monitor bg and I will hopefully see a shift in the right direction soon. Thank you again.
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome. I found I had to experiment to find the right level of carbs that suited me. I found my online website an invaluable tool for keeping track of my carbs and calories, and see you use something similar. When I went too low on carbs, I actually felt ill, and eventually settled for 75gm per day +- 15gm. For the first few weeks I tested religiously and found out which foods shot my blood glucose up, and which did not. For example, I can't eat apples, but I can manage a slice from a small medium cut wholemeal loaf. It took 3 months to reduce my HbA1c from 57 to 48. Now I know what to eat and just test new foods.
I must confess lockdown, the inability to get online deliveries of the right foods for the first 6 months, and the closing of the swimming pool did shoot my HbA1c up, Hopefully, following a non COVID illness, I have now got things back under control. Nobody's perfect!
I must confess lockdown, the inability to get online deliveries of the right foods for the first 6 months, and the closing of the swimming pool did shoot my HbA1c up, Hopefully, following a non COVID illness, I have now got things back under control. Nobody's perfect!
Sutherland53
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Shawn and welcome to the club ! I’m also a newby but I’ve learnt so much in 2 weeks on the forum is fascinating!! I was advised to get an app called NutraCheck it’s brilliant!! it gives you all the carbs info on every food you can imagine and then calculates it all for you ! saves a lot of messing around if you search for let’s say Aldi beans it brings them up with all the info and then lists all the other makes like Heinz or Sainsbury’s etc along with a picture of the product!! I can’t thank this forum enough for recommending it! give a try, App Store on your phone and then search for nutracheck, good luck with your journey .
D
Deleted member 25429
Guest
Have you tried going for a walk even a short one can help
Maca44
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I am a few weeks into type 2 and my first BG reading 14, like you I was freaked out until I joined in here so slowly I began to understand things abit better which calmed me down.
All I did was reduce my carbs from day one but made sure I didn't feel I was missing out so changed brand of bread to Burgen which is lowish carb, for bread anyway, cut out all raw sugar etc. I fill my plate with veg and eat chicken or fish so have a really satisfying meal also lots of berries with full fat greek yog and a few raw nuts. No juice just sparkling water but I still have coffee X 2 per day with abit of honey.
I also use Myfitnesspal to log everything and look at carb content when shopping, my levels have become stable and within range just making small changes and, for now, testing before and after meals to see what brings BG up. The new year will be slowly starting walking again but as with food you have to enjoy whatever you do if you panic and change too much are you going to stick to it as this is long term just take your time.
All I did was reduce my carbs from day one but made sure I didn't feel I was missing out so changed brand of bread to Burgen which is lowish carb, for bread anyway, cut out all raw sugar etc. I fill my plate with veg and eat chicken or fish so have a really satisfying meal also lots of berries with full fat greek yog and a few raw nuts. No juice just sparkling water but I still have coffee X 2 per day with abit of honey.
I also use Myfitnesspal to log everything and look at carb content when shopping, my levels have become stable and within range just making small changes and, for now, testing before and after meals to see what brings BG up. The new year will be slowly starting walking again but as with food you have to enjoy whatever you do if you panic and change too much are you going to stick to it as this is long term just take your time.
Sutherland53
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Shawdb and welcome, I don’t think there is anyway of rapidly gaining an acceptable BG reading but you’ve come to the right place to be able to find reasonable readings shortly. This forum has some amazing information and support. I was like you a couple of weeks ago, my BG reading were 9.1 pre dinner and 11.4 post dinner, today they are 6.1 and 7.5 respectively and I’m eating really, really well like you I’m fit and healthy, went for my yearly physical and was amazed to be told I was Type 2 diabetic with a reading of 58. When I look back at my diet it was terrible really, chips/bread with everything, typical male, pies, anything with a high carb content !!, my dinner today had 3.2 grm off carbohydrates content and I really enjoyed it along with a big dollop of double cream in my coffee !! you will pick up loads of tips for your meals, it’s surprising really, and I’ve lost almost a stone in weight in about 3 weeks so the advice I’ve got off the forum is spot on !! At the moment can I advise 2 things that have helped me, 1st go to Apps in your phone and download an app called nutracheck, it’s absolutely brilliant and well worth it, the 1st month is free, it will guide you through all the options, I’ve opted for the Low Carb diet, this app will give you a target or daily goal, what’s fascinating is, let’s say your having bacon, eggs, beans and sausage for dinner, type in the search bar say Aldi beans and it will bring up how many carbs/calories and then show you in pictures all the other stores that sell beans like Tesco’s, Morrison’s, M&S Waitrose, Coop etc as well as giving the carb rating for your bacon, eggs/ mushrooms etc, have a play with it, I find it invaluable for meal planning and snacks ☺️2nd make sure your fingers are really clean before taking your BG reading and don’t forget that these readings are not always accurate and can be out by as much as 15% as I’ve been informed
I really hope you enjoy your journey with the forum, relax, at least you’ve got a diabetic nurse to guide you as well, all I got from my GP was a prescription for Sukkarto and to go back in 6 months
Again very reassuring responses. Thank you. I will definitely download nutracheck. I already use My Fitness Pal but up until diagnosis I only tried to stay within calorie limits and didn't worry too much about the carb level. Obviously that is different now! This week I have missed breakfast every day as I didn't feel hungry and my blood sugar was high. I have been avoiding carbs with every meal. Does fasting help with blood sugar levels?
Yesterday my readings were
9.6
8.7
8.7
6.5
8.0
11.3
This morning I have had (full fat!) greek yogurt. My pre breakfast reading was 9. It will be interesting to see what difference having breakfast has on my blood sugar.
I have been having my twice daily cappuccino with skimmed milk. I looked up the different levels in different types of milk. I was quite shocked how much higher skimmed milk was. I have always had skimmed milk as that is the taste I prefer. I think I may need to find a lower carb option. I am not a fan of cream and I don't think I could stomach that in my coffee.
Yesterday my readings were
9.6
8.7
8.7
6.5
8.0
11.3
This morning I have had (full fat!) greek yogurt. My pre breakfast reading was 9. It will be interesting to see what difference having breakfast has on my blood sugar.
I have been having my twice daily cappuccino with skimmed milk. I looked up the different levels in different types of milk. I was quite shocked how much higher skimmed milk was. I have always had skimmed milk as that is the taste I prefer. I think I may need to find a lower carb option. I am not a fan of cream and I don't think I could stomach that in my coffee.
trophywench
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
If you insist on skimmed milk, forget the cappuccino and have flat white with a splash, otherwise eschew skimmed as much as possible - because you need so much LESS blue top (normal fat) in drinks to achieve the same end taste result.
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