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shock diagnosis

1

123Rachel

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Type 2
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Hi, I was diagnosed with Type 2 yesterday, total shock, as have had no symptoms, I'm not on any medication and neither is it in my family. I'm not particularly over weight, am vegetarian but probably eat too much processed food. Trying to figure out what I can eat and what's best not to but it is rather confusing! I don't really know anyone with this and feel a bit of shame that I've got it, like it's my fault because of what I eat or not doing enough exercise (I do 3/4 30 mins sessions a week and play netball once a week).

it's all feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment, husband is being supportive and said he'll change what he eats so we can do this together but contacting others with this may be really helpful for me
 
Welcome......you will find this site a mine of info......just beware that everyones experiences and ways of dealing with diabetes is different....what works for them might not work for you

Im similar to you.....no family history....no symptoms....cause is medication/treatment for something else last year

My way of dealing with it has been to cut down......not always cut out......the bad stuff...... everything in moderation......its working for me so far........i dont look at calories just carbs......cut down procesed food.....taters/rice/pasta.....sugar in general

Good luck on your journey.......just remember you are not alone......this site is full of support
 
Do you know what your HbA1c result was? This is the blood test that led to your diagnosis. It would have been above 47 for a diabetes diagnosis, but what you need to do in terms of diet will depend on how far over the line you are.
 
You've done the right thing by joining a forum! Post all your questions on here - don't keep any of them bottled up inside.

To start with just eat healthily and not too many carbs. At some point you will most likely visit a nuitritionist who will advise you on portion size etc.
 
Martin.A said:
Do you know what your HbA1c result was? This is the blood test that led to your diagnosis. It would have been above 47 for a diabetes diagnosis, but what you need to do in terms of diet will depend on how far over the line you are.
Click to expand...
My HbA1c level was 55, not sure how 'high' that is in relation to diet. I've been put on Metformin, which I've started today, so far no side effects!
 
Fazza said:
You've done the right thing by joining a forum! Post all your questions on here - don't keep any of them bottled up inside.

To start with just eat healthily and not too many carbs. At some point you will most likely visit a nuitritionist who will advise you on portion size etc.
Click to expand...
It's the carb thing that gets me as not sure how i'll manage without bread, pasta etc or maybe i just need to go to wholegrain etc
 
@123Rachael welcome to the forum. I was very shocked when I was diagnosed last July. The blood test is described as an hba1c and is worked on an average reading over last three months. My surgery confirmed by way of second test a month
later. Are you prepared to share what reading you have? Above 47 is diabetic. Usually if it is below 59 Doctor will give you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes eg diet and movement. This would depend on if you have other health conditions.
I went low carb and ate between 80 and 120 carbs. Later I was on a different drug that needed me to up my carbs.
First advice is don't panic, second is to make changes gradually.
The usual first choice drug is metformin if it is suggested ask for slow release.
Many people have substantially reduced their reading by diet and exercise eg 10 minute walk after eating.
This website from the nhs in Hampshire has lots of info and links. You may well have fat round your middle even if you are not overweight. I've sortedby cutting out pasta and using substitute from Holland and Barrett using cauliflower rice instead of rice and substantially reducing bread and potatoes. Check amount of carbs in fruit and nut you enjoy and reduce portion if carby or switch to different fruit or nut. I now have full fat Greek yoghurt with seeds and berries for breakfast.
The site at bottom left labelled low carb has links to freshwell which has a vegetarian meal plan, caldesi and moseley
The freshwell site has a good infographic.
Do ask anything. The website connected to the forum has recipes and a learning zone

newforestpcn.co.uk

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk newforestpcn.co.uk
 
I eat wholemeal bread where possible, but I prefer the 50/50 stuff which is what I tend to eat more of and of course I use a low fat spread instead of the full fat version.

Until you've have your first HbA1c test (and subsequent ones to see if you're getting better or worse) you wont know what to do. It will take time for you to work out what you need to do (as we are all different).

My personal advice to you is just eat healthily for the time being and then listen to the advice you'll be given from your Nurse at the GP Surgery.

If you go out for a meal with some friends, pick the healthiest option - I always go for some sort of salad. Cut back on the sweet treats and take it from there.
 
saffron15 said:
@123Rachael welcome to the forum. I was very shocked when I was diagnosed last July. The blood test is described as an hba1c and is worked on an average reading over last three months. My surgery confirmed by way of second test a month
later. Are you prepared to share what reading you have? Above 47 is diabetic. Usually if it is below 59 Doctor will give you an opportunity to make lifestyle changes eg diet and movement. This would depend on if you have other health conditions.
I went low carb and ate between 80 and 120 carbs. Later I was on a different drug that needed me to up my carbs.
First advice is don't panic, second is to make changes gradually.
The usual first choice drug is metformin if it is suggested ask for slow release.
Many people have substantially reduced their reading by diet and exercise eg 10 minute walk after eating.
This website from the nhs in Hampshire has lots of info and links. You may well have fat round your middle even if you are not overweight. I've sortedby cutting out pasta and using substitute from Holland and Barrett using cauliflower rice instead of rice and substantially reducing bread and potatoes. Check amount of carbs in fruit and nut you enjoy and reduce portion if carby or switch to different fruit or nut. I now have full fat Greek yoghurt with seeds and berries for breakfast.
The site at bottom left labelled low carb has links to freshwell which has a vegetarian meal plan, caldesi and moseley
The freshwell site has a good infographic.
Do ask anything. The website connected to the forum has recipes and a learning zone

newforestpcn.co.uk

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk newforestpcn.co.uk
Click to expand...
My Hba1c level was 54 the first time and 55 the 2nd time so the diagnosis was confirmed then with my Glucose blood test being 13.4 I think. I've been put on Metformin which I've started today. I've just read such different advice - eat bananas, don't eat them, eat porridge, don't eat it etc, it's so confusing. I'll have a look at the links thanks and look at what it says on the Diabetic Uk website and see if i can make some sense of it. thanks
 
123Rachel said:
It's the carb thing that gets me as not sure how i'll manage without bread, pasta etc or maybe i just need to go to wholegrain etc
Click to expand...
I'm surprised you are on metformin with that reading. My reading was 64 at end of July by December it was 44. I found first two weeks metformin bunged me up then 3 to 4 tablets I went loser. I'm now on one tablet.
I got myself a bg kit ie fingerprick and decided pasta spiked my blood too much we all vary how we respond to different carbs. I bought a pack of cauli and broccoli rice in h and b some edame noodles and red lentil pasta. I eat bread out but not at home. The nurses say seeded is better but it still has carbs. I've read that new potatoes in their skins are less carby than old.
Make sure you enjoy your food. You will soon get the reading down
 
Hello and welcoe to the forum. You have come to the right place to learn about your dubieties. No shame in having it, its just one of those things. Feel free to post as much or as little as you like. Remember no question to small to large or to silly. Good luck in your diabetic journey
gail
 
123Rachel said:
My Hba1c level was 54 the first time and 55 the 2nd time so the diagnosis was confirmed then with my Glucose blood test being 13.4 I think. I've been put on Metformin which I've started today. I've just read such different advice - eat bananas, don't eat them, eat porridge, don't eat it etc, it's so confusing. I'll have a look at the links thanks and look at what it says on the Diabetic Uk website and see if i can make some sense of it. thanks
Click to expand...
You may find this link helpful as there is good explanation but also a vegetarian meal plan so you will be able to get an idea of what you can eat. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Unfortunately wholemeal or brown versions of foods are just as many carbs as the white so no better, but there are many swaps that you can make for lower carb alternatives.
Many have riced cauliflower or edamame bean or black bean pasta or spiralised courgette which are much lower carb or mashed swede, celeriac or butternut squash instead of potatoes.
You will need to eyeball the nutritional labels on pre-prepared foods for the carbohydrate value. It is all carbohydrates which convert to glucose so reducing carbs is an important factor in reducing your HbA1C. Where you are is not desperately high and some GP would give people 3 months to make dietary changes before prescribing medication, a pity yours hasn't
 
Hi @123Rachel and welcome to the forum
Nobody chooses to get diabetes so don't blame yourself. Most people could probably benefit from improving their diet and doing a bit more exercise, BUT they don't all become diabetic.
Your hbA1c results show you are not too far into the diabetes zone so some tweaks to your diet and exercise will make a difference. Have a look into the suggestions posted and try a few to find out what works for you.

I am also on metformin and fortunately had very little side effects. Other people cannot tolerate it and have to take alternatives or just stop taking it and manage their diabetes by diet and exercise. Diet does not necessarily mean losing weight unless you need to, but thinking about portion size and carbohydrates (including sugars) you consume. It's primarily carbohydrates that your body converts to glucose, adding to excess amounts you already have in your bloodstream.
It is perfectly natural to feel bewildered at diagnosis. Getting advice and support from this forum helped me get my head around all this new information. Family support is very important so it's lovely to hear that your husband is getting actively involved in helping you on your diabetic journey.
 
The inside of your body couldn't care less, frankly, whether whatever is made using eg wholegrain flour or white refined - all it's interested in is the carbohydrate contained in it because it breaks down the carbohydrate content first before it starts to break down and extract the glucose from any protein or fat as well - which it does and it's the glucose obtained from the food delivered to the bloodstream that keep the body - and brain! - working properly. It breaks down the food using firstly, enzymes then insulin. In type 2 diabetes either for some reason the body can't keep up the flow of insulin or plenty of insulin but the body can't utilise it properly - ie insulin resistance.

Sounds complicated? - that's because bodies ARE complicated! but it's not necessary to fully comprehend every slight detail, only that blood glucose increases depending on the food we eat, the major contributor to that being the carbohydrate content. So - start to cut down on that.

A reduced amount of rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and root veg. Still some carb in green leafy veg but so little in comparison you'd probably have to eat about half a ton of cabbage to get the same amount of carb as you would from about a pound of spuds! Cut down then preferably out, sugar in hot drinks asap. Cut down on the obvious things like cake, biscuits and anything with shortcrust and flaky/puff pastry.

A lot of vegetarians get protein from beans but, not all beans are equal. They have differing amounts of protein and also, different amounts of carbohydrate - so, do your homework on that aspect before just automatically reaching for your usual choices.

This is a lowER carbohydrate way of eating - not a NO carb one!
 
123Rachel said:
Hi, I was diagnosed with Type 2 yesterday, total shock, as have had no symptoms, I'm not on any medication and neither is it in my family. I'm not particularly over weight, am vegetarian but probably eat too much processed food. Trying to figure out what I can eat and what's best not to but it is rather confusing! I don't really know anyone with this and feel a bit of shame that I've got it, like it's my fault because of what I eat or not doing enough exercise (I do 3/4 30 mins sessions a week and play netball once a week).

it's all feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment, husband is being supportive and said he'll change what he eats so we can do this together but contacting others with this may be really helpful for me
Click to expand...
Hello and welcome @123Rachel. Please don't blame yourself - often type 2 is blamed on the diet or lack of exercise but it really is down to being unable to cope with the amount of carbohydrate in the modern diet.
Processed food tends to be high in carbs and seed oils, for cheapness, but it doesn't give you diabetes.
If you look at the starches and sugars in your diet and see what you can reduce or replace it would be a good start.
Ordinary type 2s - there are more exciting and exotic options - can usually reduce their numbers to normal by reducing the carbs they eat - bananas are not normally an option, but such things as oats are peculiar - some people must digest them more easily than others, as for some they make blood glucose levels shoot up and others can manage them just fine.
Reducing carbs, increasing protein and natural fats is usually very effective, and you are not really high on the diabetes range - my HbA1c was 91 back when I was diagnosed, but it was normal (just) in 6 months and I didn't even have to try hard.
 
Hi @123Rachel and welcome to the forum!
I'm sorry that you've had to join us but please know you are not alone. Diabetes can be caused by many different factors so there's absolutely no use in being hard on yourself about that, as it can turn into a guessing game and will get you nowhere. Instead look at things that you can change now to improve your wellbeing. With the numbers you've mentioned, it might not even have to be that much of a change, though likely changing some of the overly processed food into something you can make at home yourself would be a good place to start.
A lot of useful links and info have already been shared so I won't repeat what folk have said, but please do use this platform to help you in any way you might find useful. Questions, discoveries, rants or victories - whatever it might be. There's still a lot of stigma and misinformation out there surrounding this diagnosis, but do know that you're here with people who understand. <3
 
Hi @123Rachel as others have said welcome to the forum. The sense that we are responsible for having diabetes is irrelevant, we cannot change the past and trying to figure out what we did that may have resulted in diabetes adds no value all though I think a lot of diabetics (me included), in particular type 2, start off down that road. My advice is ignore the cause and focus on the management going forward.

Cutting out things like pasta/rice/potatoes/bread can seem like a big thing to do but there are lots of substitutes out there that can be used such as celeria or swede for mash, red lentil penne pasta or the H&B edamame bean or black bean noodles for linguine. There are also lots of recipes for alternative breads whether the Freshwells fat head dough rolls or flax seed rolls or the recipe on this site (https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/low-carb-bread.115859/#post-1408680) for bread rolls using vital wheat gluten.

My diabetes nurse encouraged me to go the low carb route to bring my HbA1c down (as well as sticking me on Metformin) and as part of that advised I would need to boost both protein and fats to ensure that I still got the calories I needed. I think that for a vegetarian this might be a little harder but then again who knows it might be easier than I think.

Good luck with the changes you make, your HbA1c is not overly above the pre-diabetic range so some small modifications to diet and other lifestyle elements may have a big impact you need to get the condition under management.
 
Welcome to the forum @123Rachel

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad you have found us.

Let us know how things go as the weeks progress 🙂
 
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