Starting again - help please

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LucysLostSister

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have basically mentally taken the summer off. Bad habits have crept back in and I need to get control back.

While I was actually away on holiday (staying with a friend who is a food blogger but is also very health focused) my bgs were actually within healthy range much of the time. Since returning I’ve got lazy plus had some other health issues to deal with that messed things up.

So! I am going to try and eat much like I did on holiday again, after all I could do it then.

Asda delivery yesterday so lots of fresh healthy things in, but also treats I need to resist or at the very least limit!

Can I please use this thread for

Accountability
Advice
Motivation
Meal and snack ideas

I’m on gliclazide 40mg which they want to double I’m trying to avoid if I can, I think I can based on holiday experience.

Todays morning/fasting bg 15.6

At the moment I am thinking :

BREAKFAST : plain yogurt & a few berries OR marmite on toast OR avocado on toast OR scrambled eggs OCCASIONALLY a small bowl of cereal

LUNCH : Baked potato and cottage cheese or small portion reduced sugar beans

OR Small portion beans on toast (for toast actually Warburtons thins)

OR scrambled eggs/omelette

OR one thin as a sandwich filled with mayo/cheese/veggie slices

Plus “crudités” (instead of my usual crisps! So carrots, peppers, celery that kinda thing, low sugar jelly pot, small portion fruit and maybe a low sugar cereal bar type thing.

DINNER : spaghetti carbonara (small portion spaghetti, veggie bacon, a vegetable of some sort usually cherry tomatoes, one egg, black pepper and veggie Parmesan for the sauce) I was eating this on holiday and my bg as I say was often within healthy range

OR pesto pasta (small portion pasta, lots of veg, home made pesto sauce which is fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil and veggie Parmesan)

OR pasta with tomato sauce (small portion pasta, lots of veg, sauce is passata, tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, garlic, basil, oregano, black pepper)

OR Stir fry (quorn pieces, lots of veg, half sachet of sauce or home made sauce or even just soy sauce, small portion rice or cous cous)

OR casserole (as we’re coming into winter) (quorn pieces, lots of veg, stock cubes, herbs, sometimes garlic, marmite, served with small portion of mash or baked potato or just a buttered thin)

OR “oven dinner” (breaded veggie something like veggie fingers or quorn escalope, lots of steamed veg, served with small portion mash)

LATE NIGHT SNACK : what I really struggle with, I’ve tried not having but always succumb so I’m trying to make it as healthy as possible.

Small portion crackers (I have wee Melba toasts, cheddars or crisp breads) with cheese/veggie slices, “crudités” again, low sugar jelly

Mostly drink water now with a diet soda sometimes with lunch or dinner depending how I’m feeling.

Thoughts? Suggestions for meals/snacks?

Todays breakfast - plain yogurt with a few strawberries and a few blueberries.

I’ve also joined the local gym and heading there for my first visit this morning. It has a pool I love to swim, but also has usual gym equipment and various exercise classes, I have a dodgy knee so quite limited on physical exercise out of the water but they have programmes and PT that are experts in joint issues, plus classes inc yoga, Pilates, tai chi, low impact aerobics and aqua aerobics.
 
To give an idea on my breakfast when it’s yogurt and berries it’s not even in a bowl I use a ramekin to keep portion small.
 
Hello @LucysLostSister ! It's great that you're reaching out for support and making positive changes for your health. It sounds like you've had your fair share of challenges lately, but remember that setbacks are just stepping stones toward progress.

Your plan to get back on track with your diet is fantastic. You've shown that you can make healthy choices, especially during your holiday. It's all about finding that balance and regaining control.

Your meal ideas are a great starting point! Breakfast with plain yogurt and berries is a wonderful choice, and incorporating options like avocado on toast or scrambled eggs provides a good balance of nutrients. Your lunch and dinner options sound delicious and full of veggies, which is fantastic for managing your blood sugar.

As for late-night snacks, it's understandable that this can be a tough time for many. Your strategy of choosing healthier options like crackers with cheese or veggies is a smart way to satisfy those cravings without derailing your efforts.

And congratulations on joining the local gym! It's fantastic that you're exploring different ways to stay active, especially with your knee concern. Aqua aerobics and swimming can be wonderful low-impact options, and you have a variety of exercise classes to choose from as well.

Remember, progress is a journey, and you're taking the right steps toward achieving your goals. The fact that you're seeking accountability, advice, and motivation in this forum shows your determination. We're here to support you every step of the way, so feel free to share your successes, challenges, and thoughts anytime. Keep up the great work, and keep believing in yourself!
 
LucysLostSister said:
To give an idea on my breakfast when it’s yogurt and berries it’s not even in a bowl I use a ramekin to keep portion small.
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If you’re doing similar with all your carbs that should be ok. I did notice your baked potato for Lunch. They’re pretty carby for their size and even more so with baked beans. Do you have a set amount of carbs you aim for per meal with the Gliclazide?
 
so I’ve been eating well, exercising lots…

And I’ve gained several lbs AND my bg is high

What is going on? I don’t understand at all

Can anyone venture an explanation ?
 
LucysLostSister said:
so I’ve been eating well, exercising lots…

And I’ve gained several lbs AND my bg is high

What is going on? I don’t understand at all

Can anyone venture an explanation ?
Click to expand...
You are eating too many carbs would seem to be the obvious explanation.
To avoid high numbers I don't eat bread, potatoes or beans, nor pasta - I always get the salad tomatoes as cherry ones are bred to be far sweeter, no rice - I avoid all grain and stick to foods which are 10% carbs or less.
From past experience my blood glucose will always be under 8 at a two hours after eating test, and often under 7.
As you are taking gliclazide you need to have some carbs or you could go hypo, but it seems that you are eating more carbs than it and you can cope with.
Are you checking your carb intake?
 
I’m eating less carbs than I was though and less food generally so my bg and weight should be coming down
 
They are part of but not the main part of my diet, vegetables are the main part and as already mentioned certainly this last week I’ve been eating less overall and less carbs so it makes no sense why both my bg and weight are up?
 
Found a potential culprit in something I thought was low sugar and isn’t (jellies) so stopping those, will see what difference that makes.
 
LucysLostSister said:
They are part of but not the main part of my diet, vegetables are the main part and as already mentioned certainly this last week I’ve been eating less overall and less carbs so it makes no sense why both my bg and weight are up?
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Even though you are eating less carbs than before, do you test your BG levels before and 2 hours after eating to determine how your body is reacting to certain foods?

For me, even a minuscule amount of rice or mashed potato sky rockets my BG so I don’t eat either at all, even in small amounts. To be honest, I avoid potatoes, pasta and rice totally now. My only carby treat is bread.
 
Since I stopped processed foods completely and carbs my sugars rarely get over 8 and gone from taking 22 units of lantus to 0 I'm space of 4 weeks and without any processed sugars I thought I would be tired but I'm the opposite so much energy but can't exercise due to being in a cast.
 
I did think I reduced my carbs but found sometimes things that i thought like warburtons thins at over 16 carbs per thin soon adds up.
I agree you are doing great but i think you say yourself you need to get better results. Try
lowering your carbs and testing before and after. I found portion size helps me too. Even a low carb for one is not low carb for another. Yoghurt is not low carb for me but cream is . I mix the two now to get a larger portion . Or sometimes just have cream.
However apart from initial kick start my weight loss is lower than on other diets in the past. Blood sugars astound me. i barely go into double figures now .
It is one day at a time, or rather for me one meal
at a time.
Good luck.
i find the forum to be a wonderful place for support.
 
LucysLostSister said:
Thoughts? Suggestions for meals/snacks?

I’ve also joined the local gym and heading there for my first visit this momorning.
Click to expand...
Sorry, can't offer any specific suggestions but would like to say that you do need to eat enough. Everyone understands that eating too much is bad but eating too little is equally as bad. Having a small portion of good healthy food is good BUT not if 3 hours later hours later your so hungry you have a sneaky bar of chocolate or bag of crisps.
Personally what's got me on the straight and narrow is ensuring I have a 3 solid healthy meals a day with no eating/snacking in-between. This is especially important if your going to a gym.
 
LucysLostSister said:
I thought was low sugar
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Well done on looking into what you are eating in more detail.

Your comment about looking at ‘low sugar’ made me wonder whether you are looking at the sugar content rather than the carb content on some things. It is surprising how many carbs we find in what might be perceived as healthy foods.

As others have mentioned you might also find it useful to find out how your body reacts to specific foods. I was amazed at the impact that porridge had on my levels, as well as any other foods based on oats. Porridge had always been my go to breakfast for the winter, but I found replacing the oats with Qinoa flakes and adding lots of nuts and seeds I have ended up with a lower carb option that does not give me spikes after a meal. We are all different and it is a case of finding what works for ourselves, and testing before and again two hours after a meal can be very informative, or possibly getting the Libre free trial which would give you data for a full two weeks.

Let us know ho you get on.
 
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