Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes

[Grogg1]

any advice on what meter to buy ?

I haven't bought as given one by GP but seen recommended https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-Glucose-Monitor-Monitoring-Testing/dp/B0068JAJFS

You need extra strips, normally sold in packs of 50. Lancets last ages as very few change them every time they test.

 

[Debbie k]

Okay you eat severely limited amounts of potatoes, bread, rice and pasta. You eat plentiful amounts of healthy protein like fish, chicken, butter, tofu.
You eat limited amounts of berries. You ditch other fruit for a while and then test to see how you react to them. Bye bye cakes and biscuits except as an occasional treat.

Bread - I followed recommendations on here for Burgen sliced loaf from supermarkets. Lower carbs and I have 1 slice a day.

hanks for info on bread i will go look tomorrow , i have a really big problem i dont like fish or meat an ts def bye bye chocolate , cakes and biscuits

 

[Ljc]

Hi Debbie, Welcome. We do have some vegetarians on her, hopefully they will be along soon, we also have some great cooks on here, who put recipes in the, food /carbs queries and recipe forum.

If you like dark chocolate esp 75 + then you can have a couple of squares.
In the newbies say hello here forum there is a pinned section called , useful links for people new to diabetes, (my iPad is playing up and not putting the right links) scroll down to the T2 section , amongst other things their is info on testing your blood, a book you can get , all about the 1st year of type 2 diabetes .

When your first told you have diabetes, it does come as a shock, especially as most of the time you leave the doctors with insufficient info to start with , however you have found us quickly. Ask lots of questions

Their are sugar free sweets and choc, my advise is only eat them if your constipated, they are grand cure for that.

Unless your gp practice is very enlightened , it is unlikely you will be given a glucose meter unless you are on medications that can cause hypo's (low blood glucose)
The cheapest one to self fund is the SD Codefree from Amazon or directly from Homehealth,
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
we use the mmol/l measurement in the Uk
It's the testing strips that can work out expensive the SD Codefree test strips are around £7 for 50, high street brands are between £15 to £25 , when your testing before and two hours after meals , cost is important

 

[Debbie k]

Hi Debbie, Welcome. We do have some vegetarians on her, hopefully they will be along soon, we also have some great cooks on here, who put recipes in the, food /carbs queries and recipe forum.

If you like dark chocolate esp 75 + then you can have a couple of squares.
In the newbies say hello here forum there is a pinned section called , useful links for people new to diabetes, (my iPad is playing up and not putting the right links) scroll down to the T2 section , amongst other things their is info on testing your blood, a book you can get , all about the 1st year of type 2 diabetes .

When your first told you have diabetes, it does come as a shock, especially as most of the time you leave the doctors with insufficient info to start with , however you have found us quickly. Ask lots of questions

Their are sugar free sweets and choc, my advise is only eat them if your constipated, they are grand cure for that.

Unless your gp practice is very enlightened , it is unlikely you will be given a glucose meter unless you are on medications that can cause hypo's (low blood glucose)
The cheapest one to self fund is the SD Codefree from Amazon or directly from Homehealth,
https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/
we use the mmol/l measurement in the Uk
It's the testing strips that can work out expensive the SD Codefree test strips are around £7 for 50, high street brands are between £15 to £25 , when your testing before and two hours after meals , cost is important

thanks lin im not a vergetarian either my family say im fussy is understatement , ive heard about diabetic chocolate or sweets good if constipated which im not but if ever was then i would have them 🙂 , ill be buying one tomorrow

 

[Ljc]

thanks lin im not a vergetarian either my family say im fussy is understatement , ive heard about diabetic chocolate or sweets good if constipated which im not but if ever was then i would have them 🙂 , ill be buying one tomorrow

They'll sure give ou a good clear out lol.
Fussy is good 🙂 As your not vegetarian, the following have a great big green tick after them providing you like them of course.
Butter, cream, cheese, eggs cooked anyway you like
If you happen to like sausages or burgers the very high meat content ones are best as they are lower in carbs , I've just tried Heck sausages I will buy them again.
Veg that grows above ground is better than the high carb veg that grows below ground eg potatoes , swede and turnip .
You need to remember three things, any changes you make must be sustainable , this is a marathon not a sprint and that exercise is good and helps with BG (blood glucose ) control

 

[Debbie k]

They'll sure give ou a good clear out lol.
Fussy is good 🙂 As your not vegetarian, the following have a great big green tick after them providing you like them of course.
Butter, cream, cheese, eggs cooked anyway you like
If you happen to like sausages or burgers the very high meat content ones are best as they are lower in carbs , I've just tried Heck sausages I will buy them again.
Veg that grows above ground is better than the high carb veg that grows below ground eg potatoes , swede and turnip .
You need to remember three things, any changes you make must be sustainable , this is a marathon not a sprint and that exercise is good and helps with BG (blood glucose ) control

thank you so much for that i love burgers an sausages , cheese i cant eat doesnt agree with me at all , im still getting my strength back after dvt and pe i have days i can walk alot and days i cant as i have post thrombotic syndrome and can be very painful to walk at times , i wont let it beat me and wont let this beat me either , thanks for advice

 

[Bubbsie]

Hi Debbie...just reading over your posts...good advice given above so won't repeat it... lots for you to think about...it is very early days so do take your time...no rush...diabetes can be controlled/managed however it is a life long condition...therefore its important you find a regime that is suitable for you...and sustainable long term...I believe testing is essential in lowering/controlling your blood glucose (BG)...I am a 'fussy' eater...like you I also take blood thinners...so with an added complication it may seem even more daunting to try to lower those BG's...at the moment I am managing my diabetes reasonably well...my Warfarin levels are another matter (but getting there)...there are a couple of books I have relied on... one is Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...herself a diabetic...who takes you through her first year as a diabetic month by month...the second is.called Warfarin & You...by V.B.Blake...gives you a comprehensive list of vitamin K foods...the effects of alcohol...supplements and so on...available on Amazon...both easy to read...comprehensive and easy to digest (no pun intended)...good luck...ask what questions you need to...anything at all...no judgement or disapproval here...good luck...be interested to hear your progress.

 

[Debbie k]

Hi Debbie...just reading over your posts...good advice given above so won't repeat it... lots for you to think about...it is very early days so do take your time...no rush...diabetes can be controlled/managed however it is a life long condition...therefore its important you find a regime that is suitable for you...and sustainable long term...I believe testing is essential in lowering/controlling your blood glucose (BG)...I am a 'fussy' eater...like you I also take blood thinners...so with an added complication it may seem even more daunting to try to lower those BG's...at the moment I am managing my diabetes reasonably well...my Warfarin levels are another matter (but getting there)...there are a couple of books I have relied on... one is Type 2 Diabetes The First Year by Gretchen Becker...herself a diabetic...who takes you through her first year as a diabetic month by month...the second is.called Warfarin & You...by V.B.Blake...gives you a comprehensive list of vitamin K foods...the effects of alcohol...supplements and so on...available on Amazon...both easy to read...comprehensive and easy to digest (no pun intended)...good luck...ask what questions you need to...anything at all...no judgement or disapproval here...good luck...be interested to hear your progress.

im not on warfarin i am on one of newer medications Apixaban but glad to know im not only one out there whos fussy eater

 

[James 048]

Hi ive been waiting for my blood test results to come back and now been diagnosed diabetic , im now in shock and dont know what to do , doctor wants me to try changing my diet first before i am put on medication , ive got to go see diabetic nurse next week till then im in dark what to eat or not to eat , do i need to test my blood sugar levels every day ???

HbA1c 6.5
plasma fasting glucose 10.3

Hi Debbie
Warm welcome to the forum. As other members have already stated when most of us were first diagnosed with D we panicked ,worried ,were angry ,sad asked why me .
Once you get over this and get to know what food is good for you and whats not quite alot of us guys and girls find we are healthier in general than before been diagnosed.
I wish you well for the future (you will be OK )
Just keep asking any questions or raising any concerns on the forum as these valuable guys and galls will have the answer .

 

[Debbie k]

Hi Debbie
Warm welcome to the forum. As other members have already stated when most of us were first diagnosed with D we panicked ,worried ,were angry ,sad asked why me .
Once you get over this and get to know what food is good for you and whats not quite alot of us guys and girls find we are healthier in general than before been diagnosed.
I wish you well for the future (you will be OK )
Just keep asking any questions or raising any concerns on the forum as these valuable guys and galls will have the answer .

thank you james for welcome , i have already been angry with myself then sad an not even 2 days since diagnosis , i went shopping today lets say what normally takes an hour took 3 checking all ingredients , havent bought a monitor yet as was told by a women in Boots who also turned out to be diabetic not to buy one as i will be given one by my doctor, i will be checking up on monday morning as soon as surgery is open if not will get one off Amazon, waved goodbye to chocolate and crisps last night lol and no none passed my lips at all , Bread has been changed as well , can we have diet coke ? or is that not allowed ? what about diluted juices ? otherwise im trying to get my head round all this , i want to thank you all for welcome and support

 

[James 048]

Debbie I'm no expert lv ,I was adviced to stay away from all fizzy drinks ,perhaps someone will follow this post .
I personally just drink water ,I used to need sugar in tea,coffee + loved my 6pk of coke every othe day but believe me when you get to grips with this you won't think twice about saying no . Try your best to have yourself as relaxing weekend as possible ,hopefully your doctor will provide you with meter . I will keep my fingers crossed for you ,try no to worry you will be fine ,.
PS il keep my fingers crossed for you fo doc appointment on Monday , keep your chin up and between your GP ,practice nurse and the good people on this forum we will keep you right .

 

[Dave W]

Diet coke is ok, juices a bit more complex - depends on dilution rate. Bread is a bit more difficult - I found that any bread spiked mine, but have just discovered that Lidl High Protein rolls don't spike mine.
Hang off buying a meter until you see what Doc says. If you are lucky you may get one.
You'll soon get used to reading the labels in supermarkets as well as knowing which pre-packed foods are ok for you.

 

[Grogg1]

I'm good with Lidl rolls too plus 1 slice of Burgen loaf.

 

[grovesy]

thank you james for welcome , i have already been angry with myself then sad an not even 2 days since diagnosis , i went shopping today lets say what normally takes an hour took 3 checking all ingredients , havent bought a monitor yet as was told by a women in Boots who also turned out to be diabetic not to buy one as i will be given one by my doctor, i will be checking up on monday morning as soon as surgery is open if not will get one off Amazon, waved goodbye to chocolate and crisps last night lol and no none passed my lips at all , Bread has been changed as well , can we have diet coke ? or is that not allowed ? what about diluted juices ? otherwise im trying to get my head round all this , i want to thank you all for welcome and support

Even if the Doctor does give you a meter they don't always prescribe unlimited strips.

 

[Mark Parrott]

I have no added sugar cordial & have no problems with it. Water is too boring for me.🙂

 

[Ljc]

Diet or Zero drinks are fine. Just make sure when your in a cafe, restaurant or bar that the fizzy drink is actually diet . I have been caught out like that before, the supposedly diet drink came up in a glass, my BGs went through the roof.
Now I only accept diet fizz if it comes in a bottle or can that's clearly labelled diet or zero.

 

[Ditto]

Hello and welcome to the forum, Debbie K. 🙂

I hope you do get a meter. I think I'll go and see if I can get one, y'never know, but both me and my sister, recently diagnosed, weren't given anything nor seen by anybody. We are going on a course though which should be good. 🙂 I was offered bariatric surgery instead and this week much hilarity ensued when my other sister, I have two, who has insulin diabetes for 20 years, was offered liposuction. We're still laughing.

 

[Debbie k]

Hello and welcome to the forum, Debbie K. 🙂

I hope you do get a meter. I think I'll go and see if I can get one, y'never know, but both me and my sister, recently diagnosed, weren't given anything nor seen by anybody. We are going on a course though which should be good. 🙂 I was offered bariatric surgery instead and this week much hilarity ensued when my other sister, I have two, who has insulin diabetes for 20 years, was offered liposuction. We're still laughing.

Ditto you have been seen by anyone that isnt right at all , i would complain , i fell abandoned by my doctor , gives me results makes me an appointment to see DN ( diabetic Nurse ) will need eyes checked feet checked then off you go , i have no idea if ill be given a monitor come friday , that what women in Boots said to me , but no harm trying to see if get any , surely they are monitoring you Ditto? ,

 

[Debbie k]

Again thanks everyone for help advice , i am still getting my head round it , nearly committed murder at weekend my other half sat there eating a bag of crisps did i give in an have a bag nope have i killed him nope was close to it but decided dont like prison food so hes in dog house along with dog right now serve him right tormenting me like that lol . watching what i eat in carbs is there a limit to how much you can eat a day ?

 

[Ditto]

Ditto you have been seen by anyone that isnt right at all , i would complain , i fell abandoned by my doctor , gives me results makes me an appointment to see DN ( diabetic Nurse ) will need eyes checked feet checked then off you go , i have no idea if ill be given a monitor come friday , that what women in Boots said to me , but no harm trying to see if get any , surely they are monitoring you Ditto? ,

I'm maligning my surgery and it's me that's at fault. Doc told me I had D but I blanked it for nearly a year. 😱

He did offer a D course but I must have ignored that too. I'm going on it now, next month, with my sisters. I'm still embarrassed that all three fat sisters are diabetic. Know for a fact we'll be piling into the canteen after and I'll be hard put to stop my sisters gorging on the puds!

I might have been more aware if they'd have given me a meter. I feel they should do that with all new patients. Maybe ask them to pay if they can afford it? I think the 'equipment' really brings it home and would stop people being in denial like I was. I continued pigging out, can't believe I did that. I'm a food addict but having D has nipped that in the bud now I've accepted my chronic condition. 🙄

Ask your hubby to eat his crisps out the back door! 😉