Newly diagnosed type 2

[GolferPete]

Hi everyone
My names Peter and I have very recently been diagnosed with type 2. Very new to all this and am busy looking at foods which can help.
best regards

 

[Cherrelle DUK]

Hi Peter, welcome to the forum.

Glad to hear that you're working on managing your diet. Did you remember what your blood sugar and HbA1c numbers are?

You might find the following pages useful for some insight on what to eat.

I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?

If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced...

www.diabetes.org.uk

What did you eat yesterday?

It can be helpful sometimes to know what sort of things people are eating, as it might give some ideas for a more varied diet. So, I'll start off with what I ate yesterday: Breakfast - 1 slice buttered Burgen toast (my breakfast every day, I don't like to run with too much in my stomach)...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

Maggie Davey's letter to newly-diagnosed Type 2s

This disappeared from the original site, but @Alan S has managed to track it down. Rather than risk losing that link I'm posting the text here. I've had to split it over a few posts, as there is a size limit for each post and it wouldn't all fit in one! :) An open letter to the newly-diagnosed...

forum.diabetes.org.uk

 

[GolferPete]

Thanks for the info I will give them a read.
the doc did give me some numbers but head was spinning so did not write them down. I have a phone happening with her in a couple of weeks so will ask again. Should I get a blood sugar machine and be checking this. I have also completely changed my diet and in 6 weeks have gone from 15 stone to 13 st 12lbs and feeding so much better.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @GolferPete

You have already had loads of useful links highlighted. Have a good read and come back with any questions that you have.

When you are looking at your diet it is useful to focus on the carbohydrates content of your meals. All of these change into glucose once inside us. I get so fed up with the way newspapers focus just on ‘sugar’. There are plenty of other carbs. As someone with Diabetes we do not make enough insulin (or any in the case of T1) to balance the glucose in our blood stream. If you look at how many carbs you are eating you can then do swaps and/or reduce portion sizes of carbs to restore the balance. I found this basic outline useful when choosing veg
If they grow
- under the ground they are high in carbs
- above the ground they are medium carbs
- on the ground they are low carb

Keep in touch and do ask any questions on here.
Plenty of support available from a wealth of experience.

 

[GolferPete]

Many thanks
Such a helpful group
Much appreciated

 

[Leadinglights]

Welcome to the forum @GolferPete

You have already had loads of useful links highlighted. Have a good read and come back with any questions that you have.

When you are looking at your diet it is useful to focus on the carbohydrates content of your meals. All of these change into glucose once inside us. I get so fed up with the way newspapers focus just on ‘sugar’. There are plenty of other carbs. As someone with Diabetes we do not make enough insulin (or any in the case of T1) to balance the glucose in our blood stream. If you look at how many carbs you are eating you can then do swaps and/or reduce portion sizes of carbs to restore the balance. I found this basic outline useful when choosing veg
If they grow
- under the ground they are high in carbs
- above the ground they are medium carbs
- on the ground they are low carb

Keep in touch and do ask any questions on here.
Plenty of support available from a wealth of experience.

Good principal if you know how veg actually grow. I was astonished by a new fellow allotmenter (in his sixties) when digging up some carrots who said 'Oh is that how carrots grow then'. I will never forget the April Fool spaghetti tree.

 

[Vonny]

Should I get a blood sugar machine and be checking this. I have also completely changed my diet and in 6 weeks have gone from 15 stone to 13 st 12lbs and feeding so much better.

Hi @GolferPete and welcome from me also 🙂 I found blood sugar monitoring invaluable to start with. I tested just before eating and 2 hours after and kept a food diary with what I'd eaten, carb content and the reading. I don't test now unless I'm eating something new because I know what my body can and can't tolerate. Eg I know I can have a small portion of pasta, but bread will send my sugars sky high. I do still keep a food diary to keep me on the straight and narrow but don't need the constant monitoring.

Well done on the weight loss, sounds like you are going in the right direction 🙂

 

[GolferPete]

Hi @GolferPete and welcome from me also 🙂 I found blood sugar monitoring invaluable to start with. I tested just before eating and 2 hours after and kept a food diary with what I'd eaten, carb content and the reading. I don't test now unless I'm eating something new because I know what my body can and can't tolerate. Eg I know I can have a small portion of pasta, but bread will send my sugars sky high. I do still keep a food diary to keep me on the straight and narrow but don't need the constant monitoring.

Well done on the weight loss, sounds like you are going in the right direction 🙂

Wow thanks for your great advice, I am so pleased with all this fantastic info.

 

[SueCuz]

Hi Peter,
Im newly diagnosed as well so am watching all your posts to get some tips! Looks like you are off to a great start

 

[trophywench]

Not a thing that I've ever had much trouble with deciphering, as was brought up knowing exactly where all my food came from and women's magazines in my teens were very informative re diet generally, before they even invented Weightwatchers etc. However - Patti wrote this ages ago

https://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=248

Read it !

 

[GolferPete]

Hi Peter,
Im newly diagnosed as well so am watching all your posts to get some tips! Looks like you are off to a great start

Hi Sue
All very new to all this but I guess I need a blood sugar machine as my first to do list.
a bit scary but we will survive

 

[GolferPete]

Not a thing that I've ever had much trouble with deciphering, as was brought up knowing exactly where all my food came from and women's magazines in my teens were very informative re diet generally, before they even invented Weightwatchers etc. However - Patti wrote this ages ago

https://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=248

Read it !

Another great read. I can’t thank everyone so much for your great ideas.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hi Sue
All very new to all this but I guess I need a blood sugar machine as my first to do list.
a bit scary but we will survive

Another welcome to the forum @GolferPete and congratulations on your weight loss and a great start so far.

Unfortunately many GPs are unwilling to prescribe self monitoring equipment unless people are on medication which can cause hypoglycaemia. It also means that they don’t have to commit any of the surgery’s prescribing budget to it.

But many members here find a BG meter an incredibly helpful tool for tweaking and tailoring their menu to suit their blood glucose levels. 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 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50. Some other brands of meters can need strips that cost up to £30 for 50.

 

[GolferPete]

Another welcome to the forum @GolferPete and congratulations on your weight loss and a great start so far.

Unfortunately many GPs are unwilling to prescribe self monitoring equipment unless people are on medication which can cause hypoglycaemia. It also means that they don’t have to commit any of the surgery’s prescribing budget to it.

But many members here find a BG meter an incredibly helpful tool for tweaking and tailoring their menu to suit their blood glucose levels. 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 - which both have test strips at around £8 for 50. Some other brands of meters can need strips that cost up to £30 for 50.

Thanks, I will have a look at both monitors.