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Re: I'm new to this and need help and advice

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Topbloke

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi, to introduce myself. I'm a 49 year male diagnosed in Jan 22 with type 2. Controlled by metformin (3 x 500g)/diet/ exercise. Jan 22 hba1c 55, Apr 22 hba1c is 36.

In my naivety, I expected access to a face to face diabetic clinic and dare I say it, a diabetic nurse and perhaps even a dietician. It's not happened......

I've transitioned to a high protein, low carbs diet. However it is a fair criticism that I cut too much from my diet too soon. But I was just doing my best on my own. At the moment, I'm looking for advice in what I can eat or drink in the hour before driving just to perk me up in terms of my concentration and general alertness. I'm struggling with eating fruits etc. So any suggestions in other directions, would be gratefully received. I'm thinking jelly babies ??? But obviously don't want to harm any future hba1c results.

I was brought up that sugar is needed for energy, concentration etc. So now that I'm restricted, I'm a bit lost ! But I'm thinking with my latest hba1C results (36), there is a little leeway in having a sugar allowance or occasional treat ???

Hope to hear from you.

Thanks 🙂
 
Topbloke said:
Hi, to introduce myself. I'm a 49 year male diagnosed in Jan 22 with type 2. Controlled by metformin (3 x 500g)/diet/ exercise. Jan 22 hba1c 55, Apr 22 hba1c is 36.

In my naivety, I expected access to a face to face diabetic clinic and dare I say it, a diabetic nurse and perhaps even a dietician. It's not happened......

I've transitioned to a high protein, low carbs diet. However it is a fair criticism that I cut too much from my diet too soon. But I was just doing my best on my own. At the moment, I'm looking for advice in what I can eat or drink in the hour before driving just to perk me up in terms of my concentration and general alertness. I'm struggling with eating fruits etc. So any suggestions in other directions, would be gratefully received. I'm thinking jelly babies ??? But obviously don't want to harm any future hba1c results.

I was brought up that sugar is needed for energy, concentration etc. So now that I'm restricted, I'm a bit lost ! But I'm thinking with my latest hba1C results (36), there is a little leeway in having a sugar allowance or occasional treat ???

Hope to hear from you.

Thanks 🙂
Click to expand...
Welcome, well done on your success despite the lack of support.
If your meals are fulfilling in terms of protein and healthy fats there should be no need to start having 'sugary' snacks but go for things like nuts or the protein bars like the Nature Valley or KIND or shop own which are all less than 10g carb per bar.
The occasional 'treat' is usually fine as long as they then don't become the 'norm' and can help to stay on track. Chocolate eclairs are quite good but you may find your tastes have changed and you would now find things too sweet.
Some people make low carb cakes using almond flour which look very good, recipes on sugarfreelondoner website.
 
We don't actually need carbohydrate - it is perfectly possible for Humans - and many mammals - to live well on protein and fats.
I am just about to go off to a morris event - just playing the music for Anonymous morris - they are a bit lively but I drive, walk around play my melodion etc with no need of sugar or starch - in fact, it would not be at all easy if I decided that sugar would give me energy - it never did before and my observations were ignored right up to the time I was a full blown type 2 diabetic.
There are various recipes for baked goods which are low carb, but if I ever make them I need to reduce the sweetener right down as my perception of sweetness is very much increased, so much so that I made icecream and incorporated peas and beetroot (in different batches) - having pulverised them in my Nutribullet device. I added salt to the pea icecream, and it tasted like peanut butter.
 
Hi @Topbloke
If you really feel you need some carbs then I suggest a low carb snack rather than a sugary one. For example some nuts or even Greek Yogurt with a handful of berries or even a couple of squares of 85% cocoa solids grated into it. Sugars on their own give you a spike in energy followed quickly by a drop and so actually make things worse. Better to have something digested more slowly.

Yes, for some perhaps even many there is some more leeway once in remission- but only a little!
Also personally I wouldn't say you are quite in remission yet because your HbA1C hasn't been in the non-diabetic range for over 6 months yet.
This is probably why you are not fully fat adapted. If you were then you would feel full of energy even after fasting for more than 24hrs. We have over 5 days supply of energy that we carry around in our fat cells (even athletes with very low body fat).
 
If your concern is about feeling fatigued whilst driving long distance then I would suggest a cup of coffee or a can of diet cola to stimulate you rather than something sweet. You don't need sugar or carbs to be alert or have energy.

If you are just craving or fancying something sweet that is different and you need to consider why you are wanting those foods. The chances are it is boredom and/or habit in which case turning the radio/CD and listening or singing along might do the job. I like to listen to Radio 4 whilst driving because it stimulates my mind and that keeps me alert. I used to buy sugar free sweets to eat in the car because it was a habit that I had formed. I don't need them anymore but I went through a spell of a few months when they were useful. These sweets often still have carbs so eating too many will affect your BG levels and also potentially give you the trots as they can have a laxative effect if you eat more than a few and you are sensitive to them. I used to use the Sula ones (the rhubarb and custard were really good) or supermarket own brands. They are just like little boiled sweets in a box. I have broken the habit and now have no need of them.

Needing carbs or sugar is a fallacy and can be a slippery slope to falling off the wagon with your diet, but if you can ration it to 1 or 2 jelly babies as an occasional treat or perhaps just a couple of squares of dark chocolate (the chocolate will provide caffeine and a little sugar) then give it a go, but for me, unless I portion out the small amount (I usually keep 2 in a pouch for hypo treatment) I will just continue to eat one more and one more until I have lost portion control and half the bag is gone. On a long journey of say 2 hours or more, 2 jelly babies are not going to last 5 mins or make any significant difference to your concentration, so there isn't really much point and a lot of temptation because sugar often makes you want more sugar.

By the way, many congratulations on your fabulous HbA1c reduction. Great result and good luck sustaining it.
 
Welcome to the forum @Topbloke

Congratulations on your terrific HbA1c reduction!

I’d allow myself a little dietary leeway in your shoes 🙂
 
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