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LittleSunflower

LittleSunflower

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello everyone, it’s been a good while since I posted anything on here. How are you all?
I have been attending the NHS Diabetes prevention programme for a few months, learning and educating myself more about the world of Type 2.
I recently had my first HBA1C since the diagnosis of ‘prediabetes’ last spring. It’s not looking good for me as the results are now in the diabetic range; I have to have another test soon and take it from there.
I’m really struggling with how to completely change my diet to put it into remission. I definitely feel I need support from a dietician but I’m not sure that’s a possibility within the times we’re living in.
I am not overweight but more on the verge of being underweight again (history of disordered eating).
Can anyone offer some advice, slowly changing my diet or a way to increase my exercise?
Thank you

HBA1C results; First 43, second 47, current 51
 
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Do you know what your HbA1c number was on the last test? This will give us an idea of where you are on your journey.

You have four tools at your disposal. Firstly diet. Carbs need to be reduced or removed. The body rapidly breaks down carbs into glucose. This is all carbs not just sugar so potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, tropical fruit etc are not good. A lot of T2 diabetics (including me) eat Low Carb High Fat diets (LCHF). Secondly exercise will help lower your blood glucose. If you combine these two then you are likely to see the benefits from the third tool at your disposal which is weight loss. Finally you have medication.

In terms of low carbs I cook much the way I always have but remove (or replace) the carby bits. So tonight I am cooking chilli and I'll have a bowl of chilli (no rice). Alternatively you can look for substitutes such as cauliflower rice. If you give us an idea of your typical diet I'm sure we can make suggestions. As for exercise, walking is good, I have an exercise bike but road cycling is also good. Jogging etc also works well.
 
Hello @adrian1der, thank you for the information. I have added my hba1c numbers at the bottom of my post for you to see.
My diet is not good at all, especially having been in lockdown. I find myself skipping breakfast. Lunch - half a wholemeal wrap with plain corned beef, a little matchbox size of cheese, some unsalted plain crisps & either some pineapple or an apple. For dinner - I’ve been trying lean meat in low fat sauce, added veg with tri colour pasta.. but I find myself going shaky a few hours later after eat meal; I assume this is due to the carb intake I’m having? I don’t have a good relationship with food so always go towards the sugary and sweet stuff to keep my energy levels up. I have cut chocolate bars and such out of my diet though which is a big change for me. The little changes such as the whole meal wraps and no sugar in my drinks has definitely made me feel better but I need to make a big change in regards to the meals I am consuming because this is no way of living. I do not need to lose weight, in fact I’d like to gain some as I’m at the lower end of the scale.
I have started the at home workouts, either 10 or 20 minute sessions a couple of days a week to get me started and I enjoy a good walk.
 
Hi @LittleSunflower

I am not a breakfast fan. Usually a couple of mugs of tea for me. For your lunch I would drop the tortilla. Have some more cheese instead. The fat in the cheese will keep you feeling full for longer. The crisps are also not good. Substitute with pork scratchings if you need something crunchy. Pineapple is very high in sugar and best avoided. Apples can also be tricky. Fruit wise your best bet is anything with berry in the name - blueberries and raspberries are my personal favourites. The pasta is also high in carbs. The traditional low calorie diet is not your friend as a diabetic. You have three types of food - carbs, fat and protein and the best diet for managing diabetes involves limiting carbs which leaves you with only fat and protein. Don't be mislead by whole grain wraps - carbs are carbs
 
@Anitram no, I haven’t counted how many in a typical day before.
 
Hello @LittleSunflower You say you’re a bit underweight - has LADA/Type 1 been ruled out?

If it has, then with the disordered eating you mentioned, would you find a set meal plan easier to follow? Not so much thinking or temptation that way.
 
LittleSunflower said:
Hello everyone, it’s been a good while since I posted anything on here. How are you all?
I have been attending the NHS Diabetes prevention programme for a few months, learning and educating myself more about the world of Type 2.
I recently had my first HBA1C since the diagnosis of ‘prediabetes’ last spring. It’s not looking good for me as the results are now in the diabetic range; I have to have another test soon and take it from there.
I’m really struggling with how to completely change my diet to put it into remission. I definitely feel I need support from a dietician but I’m not sure that’s a possibility within the times we’re living in.
I am not overweight but more on the verge of being underweight again (history of disordered eating).
Can anyone offer some advice, slowly changing my diet or a way to increase my exercise?
Thank you

HBA1C results; First 43, second 47, current 51
Click to expand...

Hi LittleSunflower,

Welcome back to the forum! I just wanted to pop in and say hi and also to provide some info on our site. I notice that you mention that you've experienced disordered eating, do you have any support with that in general?

Making significant changes can be challenging at the start so it's worth getting some support around changes that are right for you. We have some info on our site that may be of use so please do check it out https://www.diabetes.org.uk/search?...UK#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=eating disorder&gsc.page=1.

It might also be worth giving our helpline a call on 0345123 2399 so you can talk through your specific concerns and they can point you in the right direction.
 
It reads as though you are limiting the things you can eat and then eating carbs, and carbs and more carbs, and they are not sources of energy - if anything they make you feel hungry and lethargic.
Lean meat low fat - why? Then you add in pasta - that is really not going to help, how could it?
Why not make a lovely big pot of meat with normal amounts of fat on it, so the sauce glistens and is full of flavour, then add either a big salad or a low carb stir fry - maybe steam some cauliflower and then mix it with cream cheese or coleslaw - things full of nourishment not carbs.
 
Hello @LittleSunflower

Sorry to hear your A1c is creeping up despite your best efforts and trying hard with the Diabetes Prevention Programme information you have been given.

If does sound like the suggestions you have been following just have a little too much carb in for your metabolism. Reducing your portion sizes of carbs (rather than trying to do away with them altogether) may be all that you need. You could try increasing ‘good fats’ in a Mediterranean diet style, olive oil, oily fish, nuts and seeds... which will help you feel fuller for longer and give the extra calories you need to maintain your weight.

Do try not to fall into the trap of reaching for sweet and sugary things ‘for energy’, because when you struggle to absorb the carbs properly and the sugary carbs just end up sloshing around in your bloodstream unable to escape, the high BG can make you feel less energised and more lethargic than you were!

You are only just over the threshold, so a few tweaks and swaps could be all you need 🙂
 
Inka said:
Hello @LittleSunflower You say you’re a bit underweight - has LADA/Type 1 been ruled out?

If it has, then with the disordered eating you mentioned, would you find a set meal plan easier to follow? Not so much thinking or temptation that way.
Click to expand...
@Inka Hello. I had a blood test last year to look at whether or not it is Type 1 (as this is already in the family) but my doctor said we’re looking more at Type 2. I can’t remember the exact information he gave as it’s been nearly a year since.
Yes, I believe following a meal plan would benefit me but I can also be a very picky eater, especially with textures, such as seeds and nuts etc so I struggle in that sense too. It’s a bit all over the place it seems. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it.
 
Anitram said:
I think you maybe need to make a start as otherwise you could be getting through more carbs than you think. Carb information is printed on packaged foods and can be found online for fresh produce so it's quite easy to start totalling up what you're eating, though in some cases it might require that you weigh out your portions. Really, it's the only way to know.
Click to expand...
What is the recommended daily carb intake? Is there a guide to this?
 
Cherrelle DUK said:
Hi LittleSunflower,

Welcome back to the forum! I just wanted to pop in and say hi and also to provide some info on our site. I notice that you mention that you've experienced disordered eating, do you have any support with that in general?

Making significant changes can be challenging at the start so it's worth getting some support around changes that are right for you. We have some info on our site that may be of use so please do check it out https://www.diabetes.org.uk/search?q=eating+disorder&op=Search+Diabetes+UK#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=eating disorder&gsc.page=1.

It might also be worth giving our helpline a call on 0345123 2399 so you can talk through your specific concerns and they can point you in the right direction.
Click to expand...
Hello @Cherrelle DUK I followed the link you sent but was unable to self refer myself. It lead me to the bEAT website where I spoke with a lovely lady whom advised I speak with my GP again about receiving some help again from a dietician or along those lines.
I will consider the helpline and appreciate the information you provided, thank you.
 
If the diabetes prevention program I was referred onto is anything to go by although had some useful aspects focussed on a low fat and calorie diet and made little reference to reducing the carbohydrate content except to mention cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks. Very much pushing the NHS Eat Well plate.
I watched a prime video Fat Fiction which although quite long and American which was very interesting and gave credence to the LCHF way of blood glucose control. Many of the people in their study had lost weight, come off all their diabetic medication and felt much healthier.
 
Leadinglights said:
If the diabetes prevention program I was referred onto is anything to go by although had some useful aspects focussed on a low fat and calorie diet and made little reference to reducing the carbohydrate content except to mention cakes, biscuits and sugary drinks. Very much pushing the NHS Eat Well plate.
I watched a prime video Fat Fiction which although quite long and American which was very interesting and gave credence to the LCHF way of blood glucose control. Many of the people in their study had lost weight, come off all their diabetic medication and felt much healthier.
Click to expand...
Yes, I agree it is educational in that aspect but I find it difficult to understand what needs to be done for me, as it’s group focused. As to why I’ve been putting lean meat with low fat sauce, cutting out the sugar in tea, limiting chocolate biscuits and switching white bread to wholemeal wraps type thing.
Someone commented above my diet is like I limit myself and then have carbs, carbs and more carbs which in turn will make me hungry (which it has been doing and makes total sense) but that’s what the programme has kind of taught me to do so I thought I was doing better. Some information can be very confusing and conflicting.
 
LittleSunflower said:
@Inka Hello. I had a blood test last year to look at whether or not it is Type 1 (as this is already in the family) but my doctor said we’re looking more at Type 2. I can’t remember the exact information he gave as it’s been nearly a year since.
Yes, I believe following a meal plan would benefit me but I can also be a very picky eater, especially with textures, such as seeds and nuts etc so I struggle in that sense too. It’s a bit all over the place it seems. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it.
Click to expand...

Next time you speak to the surgery you could ask what they tested and what the results were maybe? I always like to know exactly what was done and the result personally.

If you like meal plans, then maybe you could borrow a few suitable books from your library and then buy what appeals to you? LCHF isn’t the only way of dealing with Type 2, and a more individual plan might suit you better. No plan is ‘the best’ if you can’t keep to it or it doesn’t suit you or your life.
 
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