Thanks + food tips for Type 2?

[MaryH]

Hi - many thanks to everyone that has greeted me so warmly. Can anyone pass on their tips to me for resisting eating too much of the wrong foods. Are blood self-testing readings a good guide to any damage I might be bringing on as these readings have been OK so far? Do health problems come without any warning? I'm type 2 and on medication.

 

[Steff]

hi there mary firstly I would say on the resisting of eating to much bad foods, its a case of using your common sense and realising when your type 2 if you can control it you can go through diabetes without alot of trouble the fact is if you do eat the wrong food to often you will get sick and , No food needs to be totally banned it just has to be cut down on and eating moderatly and sensibly,if like you say your readings are ok at the moment thats good , these self testing kits are a great guide to showing you what foods raise and what foods lower your blood sugars so it's good your using one, On the diabetes bringing on health probs without warning side if things well diabetes has all sorts of side effects we just dont think about for emample i had an op in november i had no idea why but it was an absess brought on by high glucose levels in my body and that was a symptom of diabetes, it was a warning sigm to me and since diagnosis i have tryed my best to stay on the straight and narrow but im only human and sometimes i do steer to the odd bar of choc or packet of crisps but i do it sensibly i dont overload.

 

[Caroline]

Can't add too much more to what Steff has already said, sensible eating and testing are the way to go.

I have tried to swap sugary foods for fruit, which helps, have lots of vege. Where possible go for low fat options (chicken, fish etc). A balanced diet allows something of everything in it.

Where possible go for whole meal and wholegrains as they are slow release carbs and don't make you spike as quickly. No food is a sin in moderation so a little chocolate, or some cake or a couple of biscuits as a treat wont do any harm.

It is very much trial and error and regular testing. Don't skip meals if you can avoid it, take your medication regulalry, come here and have fun.

 

[Northerner]

Hi MaryH, I've moved your thread to the General messageboard as it will be seen by more people there, hope you don't mind!🙂

 

[Copepod]

Mary - to answer your question about health problems (usually called "complications"). The risks of all complications are lower with lower blood glucose levels, but the odd high result doesn't mean you'll get complications immediately - home blood glucose tests for type 2 diabetes are more for you to see how various foods affect you. With type 2 diabetes, there is often a period of time before diagnosis and treatment start, so damage may have already started. Your GP surgery or hospital clinic should carry out an annual review, including blood tests, to monitor blood glucose levels (HbA1c measures over 2 - 3 months) and cholesterol, blood pressure, urine tests to monitor kidney function, eye examination to look for retinopathy (damage to backs of eyes) etc. This means that problems should be detected at an early stage and action taken if appropriate.

Apart from diet and medication (not always required, may be tablet or injectable insulin or Byetta), keeping fit and active is also very important - so hope you find something active to enjoy if you're not already doing some.