Type 2 Newbie

[Mickyd1969]

Hi All

Ok, just been told, a couple of days ago, out of the blue, that I have type 2 Diabetes, and still trying to process it!
My head is now full of questions about what I can and shouldn't eat! Seems the hardest part is planning family meal times? A lot of what I should eat, are things my wife and daughter don't like. (Wife hates veg and onions, daughter hates fish and jacket potatoes)

This is going to be challenging..

Mick

 

[mashedupmatt]

Hi @Mickyd1969 and welcome to the forum - any diabetes diagnosis is a big shock but you have found the right place for advice & support here - ask any questions you may have, and someone will always pop along and try to help and have a look at the learning zone (it's the orange link at the top of the page) which contains small bite-sized modules to help you at this very early stage in your journey - Glad you have found us

 

[Taighnamona]

A lot will depend on your A1c result as to where you are on your journey. I found out too late on my journey that nhs advice to eat complex carbs leads to worsening diabetes and more and more meds to manage the condition. I wasted lots of years being ill.
For the last year and a half I’ve been on low carb high fats and my A1c numbers are now in remission. I’ve lost weight and am feeling the best I’ve ever done. I live on meat, chicken, eggs, fish, cheese plus some green veg and maybe about 50gms of carbs per day. No potatoes, very little pasta and bread.
Good luck on your journey. Don’t panic… there’s time to make small changes with big impact.

 

[Mickyd1969]

A lot will depend on your A1c result as to where you are on your journey. I found out too late on my journey that nhs advice to eat complex carbs leads to worsening diabetes and more and more meds to manage the condition. I wasted lots of years being ill.
For the last year and a half I’ve been on low carb high fats and my A1c numbers are now in remission. I’ve lost weight and am feeling the best I’ve ever done. I live on meat, chicken, eggs, fish, cheese plus some green veg and maybe about 50gms of carbs per day. No potatoes, very little pasta and bread.
Good luck on your journey. Don’t panic… there’s time to make small changes with big impact.

What's A1c??
Mash Potatoes, pasta and white bread are probably what I eat the most! Going cold turkey on them is a real problem!

 

[saffron15]

@Mickyd1969 welcome to the forum. I had the news in July and left to get on with it. I love jacket potatoes but have only had one since diagnosis. If you look on the back of packaged foods carbs are under nutrition. I was told not to eat more than 200 carbs a day but when first diagnosed i ate 80 to 120. Later with a change of medication I increased it to 130. Many people eat lower than that. Cut out or reduce added sugar in dr8nks and on cereal. Go through what you are eating. If it is sugary scale back or stop. As far as everything else decide what to drop replace or reduce size of. I occasionally buy a cottage pie from our WI market sometimes I eat half a portion sometimes I eat it all with extra veg. Only you know what you want to eat. I have had some new potatoes this week, once with fish another time with meat. In each case just one ( large) potato. I've stopped pasta and rice and bought alternatives. At the moment I've stopped buying bread as I'm greedy but will have bread with soup or a sandwich if out. I limit the amount of pastry. I found it was losing weight which was good. Try and move more even a ten minute walk after eating or stair climbing.
Moseley and Caldesi have suitable recipes though some are very low carb, The freshwell site/app is helpful. I have 10% Greek yoghurt plus berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast or eggs. I sometimes have a fry up out without hashbrowns or baked beans. Try to change slowly so as not to shock your body.
This site has a lot of info including bottom left links to the websites

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

 

[Taighnamona]

A1c is the number from your blood test that would have put you in the diabetic range for your doctor to diagnose you. Some tough dietary choices ahead for you as our bodies can’t deal with all those carbs.
Even brown bread is as problematic as white but possibly cutting down rather than cold turkey might be helpful.

 

[saffron15]

What's A1c??
Mash Potatoes, pasta and white bread are probably what I eat the most! Going cold turkey on them is a real problem!

Hba1c is standard blood test for diabetes. It measures over last three months. My first was 69 and second a month later was 64. You usually have two tests to make sure. You could just reduce portion size of bread potato and pasta for now. At this time of year a few new potatoes would be better than mash or you could add celeriac or swede. I've bought some pasta substitutes from Holland and Barrett edamame pasta and a red lentil one. 48 and above is diabetic. I got down to 44 in December but am on medication. Increasing exercise reduces blood sugar.

Good luck.

 

[Leadinglights]

I have replied in the other thread you joined in but points covered by others here.

 

[HayleyR]

Hi @Mickyd1969 and welcome to the Forum 🙂 It's very daunting when you are first diagnosed but glad you've joined the Forum as there is a lot of help and support available, just ask away. You may find this helpful to give you an idea of portion sizes and carbs: Carbs & Cals | Dieting & Calorie Counting Books & App.

 

[Mickyd1969]

@Mickyd1969 welcome to the forum. I had the news in July and left to get on with it. I love jacket potatoes but have only had one since diagnosis. If you look on the back of packaged foods carbs are under nutrition. I was told not to eat more than 200 carbs a day but when first diagnosed i ate 80 to 120. Later with a change of medication I increased it to 130. Many people eat lower than that. Cut out or reduce added sugar in dr8nks and on cereal. Go through what you are eating. If it is sugary scale back or stop. As far as everything else decide what to drop replace or reduce size of. I occasionally buy a cottage pie from our WI market sometimes I eat half a portion sometimes I eat it all with extra veg. Only you know what you want to eat. I have had some new potatoes this week, once with fish another time with meat. In each case just one ( large) potato. I've stopped pasta and rice and bought alternatives. At the moment I've stopped buying bread as I'm greedy but will have bread with soup or a sandwich if out. I limit the amount of pastry. I found it was losing weight which was good. Try and move more even a ten minute walk after eating or stair climbing.
Moseley and Caldesi have suitable recipes though some are very low carb, The freshwell site/app is helpful. I have 10% Greek yoghurt plus berries and nuts or seeds for breakfast or eggs. I sometimes have a fry up out without hashbrowns or baked beans. Try to change slowly so as not to shock your body.
This site has a lot of info including bottom left links to the websites

Diabetes & Metabolic Health | New Forest PCN

newforestpcn.co.uk

Some good tips... thanks.
I have never even looked at carbs before, so going to be a learning curve to try and take them into account.
I never have sugar in my tea/coffee, I drink Pepsi Max, which is sugar free, and water from the fridge. I have started having canderal on my Wheetabix instead of sugar, and had to cut out Honey in porridge and Crunchy Nut Cornflakes :-(
I think my biggest challenge will be Mash, Bread and Pasta, as we do eat a lot of it in out house!

 

[Mickyd1969]

Hba1c is standard blood test for diabetes. It measures over last three months. My first was 69 and second a month later was 64. You usually have two tests to make sure. You could just reduce portion size of bread potato and pasta for now. At this time of year a few new potatoes would be better than mash or you could add celeriac or swede. I've bought some pasta substitutes from Holland and Barrett edamame pasta and a red lentil one. 48 and above is diabetic. I got down to 44 in December but am on medication. Increasing exercise reduces blood sugar.

Good luck.

Ah... ok, that makes sense.
I have had the results from my initial blood test, which, (according to the diabetic nurse, and the reason she called me in), was 95. So guessing that's pretty high.
I had another yesterday, and scheduled for another next month.

 

[saffron15]

Yes that's high. I see from another post you are on metformin. I was placed on metformin three weeks after second test. At that stage I had already cut out sugary foods and some carbs. I needed to lose weight and was delighted to discover it was coming off steadily. I realised the protein and fat was stopping my hunger. I found it more difficult in the winter where potato and bread feel right. Summer eating is much easier. At first I was quite restrictive but never went below 80 carb. It was never keto. I found initially metformin kerbed my appetite so I would take tablets with breakfast and lunch in case I didn't feel like supper. This forum and the resources are life saving.

I actually now enjoy my yoghurt breakfast. Depending on time inclination and finances you may find a BG monitor useful so you can test how your food choices affect you. I might have some real pasta at home ( small portion) but I went to a pasta restaurant and decided i don't process pasta well. You might want to check cereal choices eg type or portion size.

 

[Kingsleyh]

Welcome. I was recently diagnosed with T2. My hba1c was initially 131 but is now come down to 97. I've found this forum very helpful to get more information and support than what I've gotten from the hospital and GP. I've read that with the right diet you can really lower the blood sugar to a good level - I'm currently aiming for my hba1c to get down to 48. After this I'll be focusing on how to lower it more and keep it there.

What seems to be working for me is a gradual trend towards low carb, so just continual small changes every day/week towards eating low carb, increasing exercise and focusing on finding foods that work well for me.

It sounds like for you mash, bread and pasta is going to be your main area to start reducing and finding alternatives. I was previously a bread, chocolate, cakes and pastry person - so all the high sugar bad foods, but I've managed to steer away from those and replace with low carb versions.

I have been getting some low carb sweet stuff from fitbakes bakery, and switched out morning cereal for eggs.

hope that helps

 

[Mickyd1969]

Welcome. I was recently diagnosed with T2. My hba1c was initially 131 but is now come down to 97. I've found this forum very helpful to get more information and support than what I've gotten from the hospital and GP. I've read that with the right diet you can really lower the blood sugar to a good level - I'm currently aiming for my hba1c to get down to 48. After this I'll be focusing on how to lower it more and keep it there.

What seems to be working for me is a gradual trend towards low carb, so just continual small changes every day/week towards eating low carb, increasing exercise and focusing on finding foods that work well for me.

It sounds like for you mash, bread and pasta is going to be your main area to start reducing and finding alternatives. I was previously a bread, chocolate, cakes and pastry person - so all the high sugar bad foods, but I've managed to steer away from those and replace with low carb versions.

I have been getting some low carb sweet stuff from fitbakes bakery, and switched out morning cereal for eggs.

hope that helps

Totally relate! Chocolate, Cakes and Pastry - love a pork pie! :-(

 

[Leadinglights]

Totally relate! Chocolate, Cakes and Pastry - love a pork pie! :-(

Check out the web site sugarfreelondoner for low carb cakes, biscuits etc.
Chocolate not too bad if you go for dark chocolate and a small amount.

 

[snowball12]

Sorry you have Type 2 diabetes. Good news is that it can be managed! but your carb intake will have to be reduced. I hope you like vegetables. It's not easy but can be done. Look online for Low Carb Diet and aim for 130g per day. No more pork pies I'm afraid! We are here for you

 

[JITR]

Ah... ok, that makes sense.
I have had the results from my initial blood test, which, (according to the diabetic nurse, and the reason she called me in), was 95. So guessing that's pretty high.

Yes, 95 is seriously high. Ask your family to support you get into the leftmost segment in the next 6 - 12 months.

Here is a link to Dr Kate Andrews' Freshwell Meal Planner and Red, Amber, Green foodlists. Hopefully they will get you there.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Welcome to the forum @Mickyd1969

Good luck finding your way through the options and alternatives to find a menu and set of strategies you enjoy, can stick with, and that works for you.

There are a range of different meal plans here which may give you some ideas - some based around reduced calorie intake for weight loss. Some based around lower carb intake to target blood glucose management.

Meal plans and diabetes

Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...

www.diabetes.org.uk

 

[Mickyd1969]

Thanks for the tips guys...
Used to love food shopping, but went to Tesco today and hated everything about it!
Feels like we now need two lots of food shopping.. 'normal' food for the family, and then stuff that I can eat.

Good news is, that my Blood Pressure tests came back within margins, so no medication for that. Just cholesterol and sugar levels to bring down.

Anyone got any recommendations for bread?
Was used to Hovis Soft White, which family love, but I need to change. Was thinking of switching to 50/50? Not much I know, but saves buying two separate loaves.

 

[Drummer]

Some good tips... thanks.
I have never even looked at carbs before, so going to be a learning curve to try and take them into account.
I never have sugar in my tea/coffee, I drink Pepsi Max, which is sugar free, and water from the fridge. I have started having canderal on my Wheetabix instead of sugar, and had to cut out Honey in porridge and Crunchy Nut Cornflakes :-(
I think my biggest challenge will be Mash, Bread and Pasta, as we do eat a lot of it in out house!

Sorry but the weetabix, cornflakes and porridge are all just as much carbs as the sugar.
Some people can cope with porridge, but you do need to test yourself - my gut just sees it as a challenge - like peas and beans, it hammers every last carb out of everything I swallow.