Protein.

[caffeine_demon]

Why is protein so limited ? I'd ubnderstand if it was just red meats that were limited, but why chicken, fish, quorn and puises too?

 

[Northerner]

What makes you think protein is limited? All the things you suggest are fine and should have little effect on your blood sugar levels, but they will help to slow the digestion of any carbohydrate present in the meal, helping to keep your blood sugar levels steady. Pulses are also good as they contain fibre. The diet most frequently recommended these days is the GL (Glycaemic Load) or GI (Glycaemic Index) diet - this gives you lots of flexibility whilst helping to keep good blood sugar control. Here are a couple of links to good books on the subject:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7719

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7337

If you are following the standard Diabetes UK diet, you may find you need to modify it considerably to suit your own tastes and lifestyle. The saying goes that 'everyone is different' as different people can tolerate different foods in different amounts, so it is a case of testing, trial and error to discover what works best for you. 🙂

 

[caffeine_demon]

it was this diet..

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/upload/9831 Eating Well Type 2.pdf

says "2-3 portions of protein a day"

 

[Northerner]

it was this diet..

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/upload/9831 Eating Well Type 2.pdf

says "2-3 portions of protein a day"

Point 2 on the ten steps is the most contentious of the instructions in this particular diet as many people think this advice is simply wrong for a lot of Type 2s. As a result, people may find that they are eating more protein in their diet than recommended here, and cutting back on the carbohydrates to help them obtain better control without having to add extra medication. It's early days, and this diet may be a starting point, but I would say that you may find in time that your own needs differ greatly. Some people find that a very low carb diet is best, others a moderate carb diet. As I said, unfortunately it is a long learning process with a great deal of trial and error.

 

[bev]

Hi Caffeine_Demon,

If you eat carbs they can spike your levels high after eating - try to do some tests an hour after eating to see what effects certain foods are having. I think you are fine to eat protein instead as this is less likely to increase levels - but if eaten on its own - it can.🙂Bev

 

[Andy HB]

2-3 portions of protein a day is not an unreasonable target. I'm a meat-freak and don't seem to have had any problems adjusting my diet to meet that suggestion.

But, as others have suggested, use that information as a guide only. Adjust your diet to meet your requirements and if that means 4 portions of protein a day, then so be it!

Andy 🙂

 

[caffeine_demon]

Point 2 on the ten steps is the most contentious of the instructions in this particular diet as many people think this advice is simply wrong for a lot of Type 2s. As a result, people may find that they are eating more protein in their diet than recommended here, and cutting back on the carbohydrates to help them obtain better control without having to add extra medication. It's early days, and this diet may be a starting point, but I would say that you may find in time that your own needs differ greatly. Some people find that a very low carb diet is best, others a moderate carb diet. As I said, unfortunately it is a long learning process with a great deal of trial and error.

rightho - I've got to say that 14 portions of carbs a day seems a lot - even for a "normal" non diabetic person..

 

[Liz!]

i think the recommended carb level of the diabetic diet is scandalously high. No wonder people gain weight!

About 6 years ago I wanted to decrease my levels of insulin and had a look at the 'zone' diet. It is carb controlled. Too carb controlled actually, but I adapted it. I now eat a small amount of carbs, don't limit any salad or fruit or veg - most of my plate is taken up with veg or salad, and some protein at each meal.

Breakfast = 30g carbs

Lunch =24g

Dinner = 24g

I immediately felt SO much better - and lost 2 stone. I found that the high carb content of my diabetic diet had been stopping me eating enough fruit and veg, this one thing alone helped me feel a lot better - I used to eat the carbs first to make sure they covered my insulin.

People who are more active are going to need more CHO than this, but I only sit and write poetry in front of a computer at home and my only exercise is taking the dog for a walk!

As a side-effect, because I now no longer worry about fat content, my eczema and dry skin disappeared... i think the diabetic diet is TOO low in fat. And, even though I wasn't worrying about fat any longer, my levels improved a lot... maybe because i was eating cholesterol, but also monounsaturates (which help break down cholesterol) like almonds and olives. %.5 down to 4.2 and since changing milk to oat milk down to 3.2. Low bad fats, high good fats.

 

[Robster65]

We do probably tend to follow orders too much and should maybe tinker a bit more. I'm probably on about the same amount of carbs as when I was diagnosed at 13 (it varies day to day though).

My overall diet has changed but I tend to stick to what I know.

DO you not cover the fuit with insulin Liz (ie, count in with the carbs) ?

Rob

 

[am64]

i think the recommended carb level of the diabetic diet is scandalously high. No wonder people gain weight!

About 6 years ago I wanted to decrease my levels of insulin and had a look at the 'zone' diet. It is carb controlled. Too carb controlled actually, but I adapted it. I now eat a small amount of carbs, don't limit any salad or fruit or veg - most of my plate is taken up with veg or salad, and some protein at each meal.

Breakfast = 30g carbs

Lunch =24g

Dinner = 24g

I immediately felt SO much better - and lost 2 stone. I found that the high carb content of my diabetic diet had been stopping me eating enough fruit and veg, this one thing alone helped me feel a lot better - I used to eat the carbs first to make sure they covered my insulin.

People who are more active are going to need more CHO than this, but I only sit and write poetry in front of a computer at home and my only exercise is taking the dog for a walk!

As a side-effect, because I now no longer worry about fat content, my eczema and dry skin disappeared... i think the diabetic diet is TOO low in fat. And, even though I wasn't worrying about fat any longer, my levels improved a lot... maybe because i was eating cholesterol, but also monounsaturates (which help break down cholesterol) like almonds and olives. %.5 down to 4.2 and since changing milk to oat milk down to 3.2. Low bad fats, high good fats.

interesting... i too eat olives and almonds and walnuts to try and conteract the fat content in my diet i will try the carb plan that you have been following... what is Oat milk ?

 

[Liz!]

That carb regime is the basis. If I have fruit then of course I up the bolus to cover - mainly in the summer, when doing more exercise. i have half a grapefruit with breakfast. But in the day mainly salad - although 3 times a week I have blueberries. As many colours as possible in the salad, green, red, orange, yellow.

Once you have lost weight then you can have more... but I have found those amounts work ok for me unless i am doing more exercise.

The oat milk i have is called Oatly and you can get it in Tescos and Sainsburys and any health food shop. It is just oats, and it looks like milk! Not sure how they get it that way, but suspect water and pressing...