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Sooooo diabetes huh?

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D

Deb2809

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi everyone,

I was just diagnosed yesterday, my HBA1C was only 52 so not so high. I have an appointment in a few weeks for education, and I have to do a food diary. When they say education, can anyone tell me a bit more please? Is it going to be a lecture?

Thanks

Debbie
 
Welcome Debbie,

I have never attended a course so can't tell you much (anything) about them, however, you will learn a lot from the members of this forum
 
Hi Debbie and welcome 🙂 I did go on a DESMOND course, it was very informative in relation to how diabetes affects my body, but the nutritional information didn’t work for me, they suggested low fat and moderate carbs, I preferred to follow the information from those here on the forum who have experienced diabetes and that was low carb and high good fats, I cut out all pasta, rice, potatoes and bread (other than Burgen bread, soy & linseed low carb). My numbers dropped steadily and surprisingly so did my weight 😉 I guess it’s personal choice, my advice would be go and experience what they are offering but also read as much as you can here, then ask any questions you might have to help you make your own mind up :D​
 
Thank you both for your replies, I’ll see what they say when I go back. The information they gave me was 20 years old( the original date was on there) im surprised with all the further knowledge gained they haven’t updated it!
 
The course I went on was DEREK ( Diabetes Education Revision in East Kent) It was more of a discussion group than a lecture. They had a huge reproduction of the 'eat well' plate in the middle of the group and lots of plastic food and we were encouraged to put it in the right part of the plate - to be honest I felt as if I had gone back to playschool. Advice I found on the forum was more use to me personally, and I could come back to it when I needed inspiration or clarification on things. Do go to the course though, as it is a learning experience.
 
Hi @Deb2809, and welcome to the forum. I second what the others have said - most of my knowledge has come from this forum. I did go on a DESMOND course but the diet advice was pretty dated as CathyB said, and oddly enough we had to shuffle plastic food around too, as kentish maid reported about the DEREK course.

Keeping a food diary is a good idea, as is self testing - this will probably be poo-pooed as not necessary, but most of us here have found it invaluable in taking control.

Do let us know how you get on, and whether you were lectured! :D
 
Carbs do most of the damage. In T1 & T2. It is a balancing act. Exercise, Food, &Insulin or Tablets. Good luck & welcome 🙂
 
Ummm nope me either I’ve never been on a course well saying that I did go to a meeting at the hospital but that was just telling us how to eat what not to eat ect I knew already as diabetes is on both sides of the family but I don’t really take much notice of the hospital I was given a carb book from a very dear friend and it’s helped a lot but I think they are all lectures lol
 
Info helps a lot in this game. If I get the chance I go to all meetings with info. 😎
 
I was told the most ridiculous things on the three part 'education' course - that a good choice for all diabetics was baked beans and baked potatoes, for instance, so I took everything revealed to me in the same spirit and dumped the literature in the rubbish bin on the way out.
 
While I was learning what I could eat I had a nice baked potato filled with shrimp & mayo.... I was really pleased with myself, thinking that this is a nice wholesome meal... Came back with BG in the 16's.... Reality check!!!! That was one of the memorable meals; starting to get my mindset turned toward Low Carb.
 
Keep reading the forum, you will learn loads. At diagnosis I spoke with a trainee doctor who was also type 1. She told me that after 6 months I will know more about MY diabetes than the medics. She was right
 
Deb2809 said:
Hi everyone,

I was just diagnosed yesterday, my HBA1C was only 52 so not so high. I have an appointment in a few weeks for education, and I have to do a food diary. When they say education, can anyone tell me a bit more please? Is it going to be a lecture?

Thanks

Debbie
Click to expand...
Hi Deb,
Welcome. I went on an Xpert education course after my diagnosis. There was a single 2 hrs taster session and then a full 6 week course (2hrs per week for 6 weeks). It was fantastic and really helpful. No lectures, no judgement. Just sound advice and explaining different dietary options for controlling blood sugars. Also things like how to read food labels, effects of exercise and lots of recipes too. It really mirrored the advice on here.
However, I think it's a postcode lottery which course you get offered?
Good luck anyway xxx
 
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