Newly diagnosed

[Anita63]

Hi I was just diagnosed last week and am struggling with what I can and can’t eat, the doctor just told me I had type 2 diabetes but didn’t offer any help or support, what should I be doing??

Thanks x

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi I was just diagnosed last week and am struggling with what I can and can’t eat, the doctor just told me I had type 2 diabetes but didn’t offer any help or support, what should I be doing??

Thanks x

Did they tell you what your HbA1C test result was as that will indicate how far you are into the diabetic zone 48mmol/mol is the threshold.
If not then you should ask as that will determine how much work you will need to do, and the dietary approach that will be suitable will also depend on if you were prescribed any medication. If not or it was only metformin then a low carb approach will be OK. This link will point you in the right direction, do read the introduction as it explains a lot and it is a regime that is based on a suggested no more than 130g carbohydrates not just sugar per day. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Should have also added the book or app Carbs and Cals is really useful as it gives carb values for different portion sizes of a whole range of foods so it helps making better choices.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the carb values so you can see where some savings can be made. Better to reduce your carbs gradually over a few weeks as that will avoid any issues with eyes and nerves.

 

[Taighnamona]

Hi Anita, you’ve come to the right place for info and advice … welcome.
Do you have any idea of your A1c?
Are you on any medication? Tell us a little bit of what you normally eat each day.
Some of us treat with diet only, some are on oral meds and some like me are on injectables… in my case insulin but only after many years of diet ( wrong one!) oral meds etc.
what works for me is low carbs around 50-75gms daily. Others work on around 130gms and some others manage on 20-20.
Lots of factors impinge on your ability to make choices for managing your diabetes and others will be along shortly with more info and advice.
Best wishes going forward.

 

[Alan44]

Hi @Anita63 and welcome to the forum.

The first thing to do is not panic, once we know your HbA1C result we will know better how to help and direct you.
Generally, Weight, Diet and exercise is a good starting point, so ask as many questions as you wish, just don't panic

Alan 😉

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Anita63

Glad you have found us 🙂

 

[Anita63]

Did they tell you what your HbA1C test result was as that will indicate how far you are into the diabetic zone 48mmol/mol is the threshold.
If not then you should ask as that will determine how much work you will need to do, and the dietary approach that will be suitable will also depend on if you were prescribed any medication. If not or it was only metformin then a low carb approach will be OK. This link will point you in the right direction, do read the introduction as it explains a lot and it is a regime that is based on a suggested no more than 130g carbohydrates not just sugar per day. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Should have also added the book or app Carbs and Cals is really useful as it gives carb values for different portion sizes of a whole range of foods so it helps making better choices.
Keeping a food diary of everything you eat and drink with an estimate of the carb values so you can see where some savings can be made. Better to reduce your carbs gradually over a few weeks as that will avoid any issues with eyes and nerves.

Welcome to the forum @Anita63

Glad you have found us 🙂

The test result was 69 and I have been given 500mg of metaformin to take twice a day.

 

[Leadinglights]

The test result was 69 and I have been given 500mg of metaformin to take twice a day.

Yes that is quite a way into the zone but not as high as many who have reduced it down by a combination of meds and more importantly diet.
The Low carb approach like the Freshwell one would be very suitable and there are various menu plans to try to see if they suit or you can just follow the principals and do your own thing. But do something you must.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Anita63
Very pleased that you have found us. You have already had some suggestions.
Fire away with any other questions hat arise. Nothing is considered silly on here. Just ask.

 

[Anita63]

Yes that is quite a way into the zone but not as high as many who have reduced it down by a combination of meds and more importantly diet.
The Low carb approach like the Freshwell one would be very suitable and there are various menu plans to try to see if they suit or you can just follow the principals and do your own thing. But do something you must.

Thank you so much I will do some more research as my doctor really wasn’t very helpful he said I wouldn’t need to change my diet as the tablets would even things out!

 

[harbottle]

Thank you so much I will do some more research as my doctor really wasn’t very helpful he said I wouldn’t need to change my diet as the tablets would even things out!

Your doctor is an idiot.
1000mg of Metformin a day won't lower it much, and probably not at all if you continue with the same diet.

 

[Taighnamona]

Your doctor is an idiot.
1000mg of Metformin a day won't lower it much, and probably not at all if you continue with the same diet.

I concur! I was given poor dietary advice many many years ago when I was pre diabetic that resulted in my developing full blown diabetes and a lifetime of meds including insulin now.
In the last 18 months I’ve gone low carb, lost weight and reduced my meds and A1c from 67 to 41 to 39.
You’ve made a great step joining the forum. Metformin is unlikely to get you results on its own. A change in dietary habits is essential too. If you can, get yourself a meter so you can test which foods raise your glucose

 

[Jodee]

Hi Anita, welcome.
Make contact with the diabetic nurse in your surgery or go back to your doctor and ask for a referral to the Desmond education course for type 2 diabetes.

It may be that its all on line now, so you may be able to self refer. Check out this page;

Diabetes education: learning to look after your diabetes

Having diabetes doesn't have to rule your life. It can feel overwhelming, but no matter how long since your diagnosis, you can benefit from support and information. It’ll help you manage your diabetes, so it's easier to live with and reduces your risk of developing complications. Ask your doctor...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Reducing carbs can help as well as regular exercise.

 

[ChannelSwimmer]

Hi I was just diagnosed last week and am struggling with what I can and can’t eat, the doctor just told me I had type 2 diabetes but didn’t offer any help or support, what should I be doing??

Thanks x

Hi Anita welcome to the forum! 🙂

When I was first diagnosed my diabetes nurse the GP surgery referred me to an education group with a dietician (it was all online) which really helped. I've also got a counting carbs book and the diabetes UK recipes helped me massively! I tried not to tell myself I couldn't have certain things (mainly because I craved them even more! ) but I allowed myself to have things in moderation.

I found that meal planning helped - I started having eggs, tomato's, spinach and a quarter of avocado on wholemeal toast (1 slice) for breakfast and having more fish in my diet.

I would recommend checking out the "swaps" page on the diabetes UK website for more information!

 

[Anita63]

Hi Anita welcome to the forum! 🙂

When I was first diagnosed my diabetes nurse the GP surgery referred me to an education group with a dietician (it was all online) which really helped. I've also got a counting carbs book and the diabetes UK recipes helped me massively! I tried not to tell myself I couldn't have certain things (mainly because I craved them even more! ) but I allowed myself to have things in moderation.

I found that meal planning helped - I started having eggs, tomato's, spinach and a quarter of avocado on wholemeal toast (1 slice) for breakfast and having more fish in my diet.

I would recommend checking out the "swaps" page on the diabetes UK website for more information!

Thank you so much this is very helpful.

 

[Anita63]

Hi Anita, welcome.
Make contact with the diabetic nurse in your surgery or go back to your doctor and ask for a referral to the Desmond education course for type 2 diabetes.

It may be that its all on line now, so you may be able to self refer. Check out this page;

Diabetes education: learning to look after your diabetes

Having diabetes doesn't have to rule your life. It can feel overwhelming, but no matter how long since your diagnosis, you can benefit from support and information. It’ll help you manage your diabetes, so it's easier to live with and reduces your risk of developing complications. Ask your doctor...

www.diabetes.org.uk

Reducing carbs can help as well as regular exercise.

Thank you - those chocolate biscuits are a curse 😉

 

[Anita63]

I concur! I was given poor dietary advice many many years ago when I was pre diabetic that resulted in my developing full blown diabetes and a lifetime of meds including insulin now.
In the last 18 months I’ve gone low carb, lost weight and reduced my meds and A1c from 67 to 41 to 39.
You’ve made a great step joining the forum. Metformin is unlikely to get you results on its own. A change in dietary habits is essential too. If you can, get yourself a meter so you can test which foods raise your glucose

Thank you I didn’t listen to the doctor and have been researching on my own. You have done really well.

 

[Anita63]

Your doctor is an idiot.
1000mg of Metformin a day won't lower it much, and probably not at all if you continue with the same diet.

Thank you - you did really well, congrats!

 

[Maz2]

Welcome to the Forum. I see many posters have already given good advice. It is worth cutting down carbs like breakfast cereal, bread, pasta, rice and potatoes. Also chocs, biscuits, cakes etc.

There are some good books around that the late Michael Moseley wrote. HIs wife Claire has a couple of books as well which are useful. There is also a good book called "Reverse your Diabetes" by Dr David Cavan who is a specialist in diabetes. He is referring to keeping better control rather than complete reversal as it is not possible for everyone to reerse it completely. There are recipes which are low carb on the internet too. Some are quite high in fat which I prefer not to do but others here feel differently. The lowcarbfreshwell site is good.

 

[silver minion]

Hello @Anita63 and welcome to the forum. Plenty of advice regarding dietary options given already. I can only add that carb reduction in addition to medication has certainly helped me since diagnosis earlier this year. Have you been advised about a foot check appointment and eye test for possible diabetic retinopathy? These should be regular annual tests. Hopefully you have seen a nurse with more training in diabetes since your unhelpful doctor's appointment.

 

[Anita63]

I concur! I was given poor dietary advice many many years ago when I was pre diabetic that resulted in my developing full blown diabetes and a lifetime of meds including insulin now.
In the last 18 months I’ve gone low carb, lost weight and reduced my meds and A1c from 67 to 41 to 39.
You’ve made a great step joining the forum. Metformin is unlikely to get you results on its own. A change in dietary habits is essential too. If you can, get yourself a meter so you can test which foods raise your glucose

How do the test work, what am I looking for? I will pop to boots tomorrow.