Newly diagnosed.

[Anne the artist]

I only got diagnosed last week. I am 76. Apparently my reading were just over normal. I had several blood tests. My readings were 5.3 each time, not fasting. I have been told cutting the cars will do the trick. I get tested again in 3 months. We have read everything we can about lifestyle change. I have limited myself to approximately 150gms of cars. 3 slices of toast, one sandwich for lunch and low carbs at dinner. We are vegan, with the odd day off, so am interested in the amount of rice, pasta and potatoes. I am having 1 cup. I never eat sweets, choccies or sugar in tea or coffee. Is that a out right?

 

[Northerner]

I only got diagnosed last week. I am 76. Apparently my reading were just over normal. I had several blood tests. My readings were 5.3 each time, not fasting. I have been told cutting the cars will do the trick. I get tested again in 3 months. We have read everything we can about lifestyle change. I have limited myself to approximately 150gms of cars. 3 slices of toast, one sandwich for lunch and low carbs at dinner. We are vegan, with the odd day off, so am interested in the amount of rice, pasta and potatoes. I am having 1 cup. I never eat sweets, choccies or sugar in tea or coffee. Is that a out right?

Hi Anne, welcome to the forum 🙂 Do you have any family history of diabetes? It is something that can happen as you get older, I have a friend who was diagnosed aged 72, just as his mother was. I'm interested to read that you were 5.3 on your blood tests, as this is considered normal and non-diabetic - a diagnosis is normally only given when levels are above 7.0 fasting on two separate occasions. It's difficult to be specific on the amount of carbs that is appropriate, as people's tolerances can vary a great deal. I would suggest that, where possible, you exchange or reduce the carby items in your diet and choose more blood-glucose friendly options e.g. you might try cauliflower rice instead of ordinary rice, or sweet potatoes instead of ordinary ones (confusingly, 'sweet' potatoes are generally better!). Ideally, you would be testing your blood glucose levels before and after eating to determine the effect of your food choices, but there may be no need for now, just making wise choices may mean that your next test in 3 months will show an improvement 🙂

I'd recommend reading Maggie Davey's letter, which gives a good overview of how to approach diabetes in order to manage it well 🙂

 

[Drummer]

Hopefully you will respond to that amount of carbs and those foods, as eating low carb seems particularly problematic for vegans.
I can recommend copious amounts of low carb veges, as they seem to be a powerful tool to control blood glucose, but do be prepared for disappointments if you test your blood glucose at home (low cost meters can be got mail order) as such things as porridge, sweet potato and legumes all cause me to spike even though for some people they are fine.
Do make every effort now, though - I can only eat 40 gm of carbs a day now, not due to concerns about blood glucose levels, but because I put on weight so fast on even a few extra gm of carb.

 

[Anne the artist]

Thank you, Drummer. I've looked at the porridge amounts, I have 1 cup, with some blueberries,or 3 slices of toast, 45 carbs. The pulses are OK as I only get 1/4 tin. The red kidney beans are worst. According to the Society, I'm harly over normal at 5.5, non fasting. I don't need to check yet. I can only do what the Doctor suggests, I'm booked in to see a dietician. So not too worried. There's none in my family.

 

[Drummer]

I am probably being over cautious, as my own daily limit is 40 gm, and I have maybe 10 gm at breakfast and the rest later in the day - it is works for you that is all that matters.