Please help me

[greg75]

Hello all,

My name is Greg and I've just been told my HBA1C is 128,I've been told it's not just a case of cutting down on normal food but changing my diet completely and I have no idea how I am going to do it.I'm due to go on a works do next week and wanting to know what I can drink but even if I don't drink alcohol I'm aware that most drinks are sugary that are non alcoholic so I'm probably not going to go.But I'm really worried that I won't change my diet there are so many things that I just won't eat regardless of whether they are healthy or not.i work nights so Ive been eating high sugar foods to give me energy but have no idea what to replace them with.

 

[SteveR]

Hello Greg. With regards drinks you should be OK with most spirits with a diet or sugar free mixer. Gin and Tonic is fine as long as it’s a diet tonic. Red wine or a dry white wine should be OK. As with all things though it’s in moderation. I was diagnosed in early August with a reading of 112 and have now got down to 48 by eating low carb foods. Basically cutting out things like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes etc, as well as obvious stuff like cakes, crisps and sweets. Others will no doubt be along shortly to give you an idea of food and exercise. However you can reduce your blood sugar readings to a healthier level if you are determined to do it and change your diet.

 

[Leadinglights]

First of all welcome to the forum, you will find lots of advice for experience people. One thing is do not panic, yes your blood glucose level at 128mmol/mol is very high.

Have you been prescribed any medication as that will influence what advice people will give.

You are right that you will have to change your diet, ALL carbohydrates convert to glucose so your intake has been too much for your body to cope with.
Basing meals on protein and healthy fats with vegetables, salad, and fruits like berries with only small portions of the high carb foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, cereals, tropical fruits.
You will get energy from having full fat dairy and protein without blood glucose being pushed up to dangerously high levels.
As far as you works do is concerned, as long as you have some choice in what you eat and avoid large portions of some of the high carb foods mentioned you should be fine, and for drinks wine or spirits with diet mixers should be fine in moderation, beers, cider or liqueurs are not so good. Having water to drink as well will help.
Have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) for a better understanding of diabetes and how to manage the condition. Please come back with any questions you have.
Diabetes is a condition that need to be taken seriously.

 

[greg75]

First of all welcome to the forum, you will find lots of advice for experience people. One thing is do not panic, yes your blood glucose level at 128mmol/mol is very high.

Have you been prescribed any medication as that will influence what advice people will give.

You are right that you will have to change your diet, ALL carbohydrates convert to glucose so your intake has been too much for your body to cope with.
Basing meals on protein and healthy fats with vegetables, salad, and fruits like berries with only small portions of the high carb foods like bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, cereals, tropical fruits.
You will get energy from having full fat dairy and protein without blood glucose being pushed up to dangerously high levels.
As far as you works do is concerned, as long as you have some choice in what you eat and avoid large portions of some of the high carb foods mentioned you should be fine, and for drinks wine or spirits with diet mixers should be fine in moderation, beers, cider or liqueurs are not so good. Having water to drink as well will help.
Have a look at the Learning Zone (orange tab at the top) for a better understanding of diabetes and how to manage the condition. Please come back with any questions you have.
Diabetes is a condition that need to be taken seriously.

This why I am always confused by doctor has advised me to not touch dairy at all.

 

[greg75]

This why I am always confused by doctor has advised me to not touch dairy at all.

And yes Metformin which I know I cannot drink alcohol with.i also suffer with ED because of my diabetes

 

[Leadinglights]

And yes Metformin which I know I cannot drink alcohol with.i also suffer with ED because of my diabetes

Unless you have any other medical conditions which preclude dairy then as far as diabetes is concerned there is no reason to avoid dairy and many people include Full fat Greek yoghurt, cream, cheese in their diet together with meat, fish, eggs, veg.
Many low fat dairy or other products have more carbohydrate than full fat.
Many people find that increasing fat does not increase their cholesterol and actually improves their ratios of LDL/HDL as long as they are reducing carbohydrates.
People on metformin do find they can tolerate a small amount of alcohol, it all depends.

 

[greg75]

I drink a lot of milk though sometimes 4 pints a day of green top milk

 

[Inka]

Diet Coke and similar are fine. Sparkling water is good too. I’m not sure why you can’t have dairy, but many dairy items are low carb eg cheese. What you’re looking to do is to cut down on the carbs.

If you’d like to list an average day’s meals for you, you’ll get suggestions of how to reduce the carbs. Also, if you can list the foods you do like, then that will help too.

 

[Leadinglights]

Just also to say metformin does not act directly on food but helps the body to use the insulin it produces more effectively so dietary changes are crucial to bringing your levels down.

 

[SteveR]

And yes Metformin which I know I cannot drink alcohol with.i also suffer with ED because of my diabetes

Most people on here will be on Metformin, I certainly am. You can drink alcohol but in moderation

 

[Inka]

I drink a lot of milk though sometimes 4 pints a day of green top milk

You’ll have to cut out that then. Drink water instead. Four pints of semi-skimmed milk is a lot of unnecessary carbs which you’d be better off ‘spending’ on food.

 

[Inka]

To give you an idea, low carb is under 130g carbs a day, and your milk alone adds up to more than 100g carbs.

 

[greg75]

Most people on here will be on Metformin, I certainly am. You can drink alcohol but in moderation

Hi Steve I've been on Metformin before and can't drink alcohol without having violent stomach cramps whilst I'm on metformin.i'm on 2000mg a day.2x500 in morning,2x500 at night

 

[Leadinglights]

I drink a lot of milk though sometimes 4 pints a day of green top milk

That is an awful lot of milk and is about 100g of carbohydrate.
If it is because you are thirsty then water would be better as you are most likely increasing blood glucose thus making you thirsty.

 

[greg75]

Unless you have any other medical conditions which preclude dairy then as far as diabetes is concerned there is no reason to avoid dairy and many people include Full fat Greek yoghurt, cream, cheese in their diet together with meat, fish, eggs, veg.
Many low fat dairy or other products have more carbohydrate than full fat.
Many people find that increasing fat does not increase their cholesterol and actually improves their ratios of LDL/HDL as long as they are reducing carbohydrates.
People on metformin do find they can tolerate a small amount of alcohol, it all depends.

I'm guessing the reason my doctor is asking me to cut out dairy is because I'm already overweight

 

[SteveR]

Hi Steve I've been on Metformin before and can't drink alcohol without having violent stomach cramps whilst I'm on metformin.i'm on 2000mg a day.2x500 in morning,2x500 at night

Ah Ok, I am on the same dosage and fortunately have not had any side effects after the first couple of weeks.

 

[greg75]

That is an awful lot of milk and is about 100g of carbohydrate.
If it is because you are thirsty then water would be better as you are most likely increasing blood glucose thus making you thirsty.

No it's due to me trying to feel full up.i work in a mental health residential.And taking meals to cook is a waste of time as they mostly go in the bin due to an emergency cropping up(I'm a lone worker)so I was drinking milk to feel full

 

[greg75]

I also suffer with poor mental health myself so not really a good combination as I tend to pig out which is why I'm in this situation

 

[Leadinglights]

No it's due to me trying to feel full up.i work in a mental health residential.And taking meals to cook is a waste of time as they mostly go in the bin due to an emergency cropping up(I'm a lone worker)so I was drinking milk to feel full

Could you take some Greek yoghurt with some nuts, or some cheese and coleslaw, boiled eggs or cooked meat with salad, all low carb and would fill you up.
Something like Nature valley or KIND Protein bars 10g carb per bar.

 

[greg75]

So when I'm at work it will be cereal,sandwiches I can't do salad because if I'm working all night it's no good in morning and as I said before milk because it makes me feel full.What I need to replace it with is energy food but what I don't want is for me being to rushing to the toilet every 5 minutes which is usually what's happening the more I drink

Could you take some Greek yoghurt with some nuts, or some cheese and coleslaw, boiled eggs or cooked meat with salad, all low carb and would fill you up.
Something like Nature valley or KIND Protein bars 10g carb per bar.

Thanks I'll give it a go