Hello everyone . I got diagnosed with type 2 on Monday so I’m very new and very confused about it all. I am overweight so hope will lose weight which I’m hoping will help. I have no clue on what I can and can’t eat and at 74 feel changing the way I have always eaten will be hard. Any help would be appreciated…..Pam
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- Thread starter Motherhen
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Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hello and welcome.
If you are an uncomplicated type 2 then the best advice is to remove the high carb foods from your meals and replace them with lower ones.
Do you know your Hba1c result? It helps to know it as that indicates the severity or otherwise of the present situation and gives some guidance about how long it could or should take to return to normal.
It seems that there is not just one condition which is labelled type two - there are some who eat low carb, need no medication and are back to normal in 6 months, whilst for others there is more going on - but trying the simplest option first seems a good idea.
A low carb way of eating means that any meat, fish or seafood, eggs, cheese, full fat yoghurts and cream are fine as they have no or very little carbohydrate content.
There are quite a few low carb veges and salad things which are fine to add flavour and variety and to bulk out meals. I set a limit of 10 percent carbohydrate on everything except very dark chocolate - but I have just one square of that at a time, and not every day.
If you are an uncomplicated type 2 then the best advice is to remove the high carb foods from your meals and replace them with lower ones.
Do you know your Hba1c result? It helps to know it as that indicates the severity or otherwise of the present situation and gives some guidance about how long it could or should take to return to normal.
It seems that there is not just one condition which is labelled type two - there are some who eat low carb, need no medication and are back to normal in 6 months, whilst for others there is more going on - but trying the simplest option first seems a good idea.
A low carb way of eating means that any meat, fish or seafood, eggs, cheese, full fat yoghurts and cream are fine as they have no or very little carbohydrate content.
There are quite a few low carb veges and salad things which are fine to add flavour and variety and to bulk out meals. I set a limit of 10 percent carbohydrate on everything except very dark chocolate - but I have just one square of that at a time, and not every day.
Ljc
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Hello @Motherhen , welcome to the forum. Firstly try not to panic ok , as with the right info and some changes diabetes is a condition that can be well managed. And you have come to the right place for info @nd cyber support. .
A few questions for you to help us give you more appropriate advise.
What was you Hb1ac result m it’s given as a number , ie 78 or the old % , 9.3 .
Have you been put on any medications for diabetes.
Now we do get to eat good tasty food, we sure don’t live in lettuce and fresh air .
Protein in all it’s forms is fine.
And providing you don’t have a condition that requires you to cut down , good fats are fine too .
It is the carbohydrates we need to reduce esp the starchy ones . Sugar is just another carbohydrate , which is already included in the carbohydrate content on the nutritional label in the back of packs and tins .
Till you find good substitutes that you like , fill up on vegetables at dinner.
Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint ok, so don’t make drastic changes at the mo, as you don’t yet know how the various carbohydrates affect you , you see we are all different in this respect , some like @Drummer are very sensitive to carbs others are not .
Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes, we will do our best based on what has worked fir us
Many have found this book helpful .
not sure if it’s the latest edition
Also check out the T2 section of the learning zone by clicking on the orange panel near the top of the page
A few questions for you to help us give you more appropriate advise.
What was you Hb1ac result m it’s given as a number , ie 78 or the old % , 9.3 .
Have you been put on any medications for diabetes.
Now we do get to eat good tasty food, we sure don’t live in lettuce and fresh air .
Protein in all it’s forms is fine.
And providing you don’t have a condition that requires you to cut down , good fats are fine too .
It is the carbohydrates we need to reduce esp the starchy ones . Sugar is just another carbohydrate , which is already included in the carbohydrate content on the nutritional label in the back of packs and tins .
Till you find good substitutes that you like , fill up on vegetables at dinner.
Diabetes is a marathon not a sprint ok, so don’t make drastic changes at the mo, as you don’t yet know how the various carbohydrates affect you , you see we are all different in this respect , some like @Drummer are very sensitive to carbs others are not .
Ask all the questions you need to about diabetes, we will do our best based on what has worked fir us
Many have found this book helpful .
not sure if it’s the latest edition
First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Marlowe Diabetes Library): Amazon.co.uk: Becker, Gretchen: 9780738218601: Books
Buy First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Marlowe Diabetes Library) Illustrated by Becker, Gretchen (ISBN: 9780738218601) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
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Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi Pam and welcome from an overweight 71 year old! It would help to know your HcA1c and if you've been given medication, as that will enable us to tailor our help. Also an idea of your current daily diet. If you are only just in the diabetes range some simple tweaks might enable you to reduce your blood glucose.
The starting point is to work your way through the Learning Zone for Type 2. I suggest one module a day, so you can take it in. There is one about food, one about exercise, and one about the regular tests you will need. There's lots of other information, but those 3 are probably the best starting points. I also suggest you compile a list of questions as you go along, so you can ask either your GP or Diabetic Nurse, and to keep a food diary. I have an online and phone app which does all the hard work for me. You will need to weigh your food - no guessing - but if you keep digital scales and a clear bowl on your worktop, it takes a matter of seconds to weigh and tap in.
FOOD: most Type 2 find that reducing their carbs lowers their blood glucose. By carbs I mean bread, potato, rice, pasta, root vegetables, processed foods (loaded with sugars) and most fruits, as well as the obvious things like cake, sweets, biscuits, pastries, sugary drinks. Diabetes UK recommends less than 130gm per day. Many of us go lower, some very low, but each have to find out what suits us best. I played around and settled on 90gm per day. Some people find substitutes, like cauliflower rice or courgetti, but if you don't think you could do that, then reducing your portion sizes and having whole grain products will help, then loading up your plate with more vegetables. This will also help you lose weight.
A typical day's food for me is B: Poached egg with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, or 80gm berries and Greek yogurt. L: Home made vegetable soup (not thickened with potatoes) or large salad with protein and light dressing (no shop made salads heavy on mayonnaise). D: Protein serving with 3/4 plate of vegetables. I do have a couple of new potatoes or a couple of slices of bread from a small 400gm loaf occasionally. So you can make a sandwich, or have egg on toast. It's all in the carb counting.
EXERCISE: This does not mean pounding away at the gym, but what you can manage. It may be a 20 minute walk every day. In my case I go to the swimming pool 3 times a week, for Aquafit, and at 71 I'm one of the youngest!!! My 68 year old friend prefers to just go early and swim lengths. My 80+ neighbour cycles twice a week. There are chair based exercises you can do at home, and during lockdown I had a mini exerciser which I could put on the table for arms, and floor for legs.
TESTS: You will need to have your feet regularly tested for loss of sensation, and eyes for retinopathy. If you are a driver you will need to be tested for your range of vision, but at 74 that would be done anyway. They will also keep an eye on your BP and cholesterol levels and check your HbA1c regularly.
If you have family you will need support from them, not criticism, or "you can't eat that". It's about healthy living and encouragement. Please feel free to ask whatever you need to know - we've all been there and asked. Best wishes
The starting point is to work your way through the Learning Zone for Type 2. I suggest one module a day, so you can take it in. There is one about food, one about exercise, and one about the regular tests you will need. There's lots of other information, but those 3 are probably the best starting points. I also suggest you compile a list of questions as you go along, so you can ask either your GP or Diabetic Nurse, and to keep a food diary. I have an online and phone app which does all the hard work for me. You will need to weigh your food - no guessing - but if you keep digital scales and a clear bowl on your worktop, it takes a matter of seconds to weigh and tap in.
FOOD: most Type 2 find that reducing their carbs lowers their blood glucose. By carbs I mean bread, potato, rice, pasta, root vegetables, processed foods (loaded with sugars) and most fruits, as well as the obvious things like cake, sweets, biscuits, pastries, sugary drinks. Diabetes UK recommends less than 130gm per day. Many of us go lower, some very low, but each have to find out what suits us best. I played around and settled on 90gm per day. Some people find substitutes, like cauliflower rice or courgetti, but if you don't think you could do that, then reducing your portion sizes and having whole grain products will help, then loading up your plate with more vegetables. This will also help you lose weight.
A typical day's food for me is B: Poached egg with grilled mushrooms and tomatoes, or 80gm berries and Greek yogurt. L: Home made vegetable soup (not thickened with potatoes) or large salad with protein and light dressing (no shop made salads heavy on mayonnaise). D: Protein serving with 3/4 plate of vegetables. I do have a couple of new potatoes or a couple of slices of bread from a small 400gm loaf occasionally. So you can make a sandwich, or have egg on toast. It's all in the carb counting.
EXERCISE: This does not mean pounding away at the gym, but what you can manage. It may be a 20 minute walk every day. In my case I go to the swimming pool 3 times a week, for Aquafit, and at 71 I'm one of the youngest!!! My 68 year old friend prefers to just go early and swim lengths. My 80+ neighbour cycles twice a week. There are chair based exercises you can do at home, and during lockdown I had a mini exerciser which I could put on the table for arms, and floor for legs.
TESTS: You will need to have your feet regularly tested for loss of sensation, and eyes for retinopathy. If you are a driver you will need to be tested for your range of vision, but at 74 that would be done anyway. They will also keep an eye on your BP and cholesterol levels and check your HbA1c regularly.
If you have family you will need support from them, not criticism, or "you can't eat that". It's about healthy living and encouragement. Please feel free to ask whatever you need to know - we've all been there and asked. Best wishes
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Reading what a few other people say with Type 3c there may well be certain foods which you don't tolerate as well as a 'standard' Type 1 will be able to and your diet will evolve into a regime which hopefully you will be able to sustain and enjoy. It may well be a bit of trial and error at first, but just take things day by day.
Type 3c ?I don't know where that assumption came from so just ignore please.
Type 3c ?I don't know where that assumption came from so just ignore please.
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Hi all thank you so much for replying. I have my first nurse visit tomorrow so will have more information on what’s what. It’s the carbohydrate bit I can’t get my head round at the moment, I’ve never been good at that type of thing. My exercises will be walking for no more than about 20 minutes as I have facet joint problems that prevent me from standing and walking too much. I don’t swim and don’t drive. Hopefully get back to you soon.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I hope your nurse visit goes well, I hope they do have experience of your specific type of diabetes.
As far as carbohydrates goes, it is not just sugar but basically starchy foods so bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals and things made with flour like cakes, biscuits and pastry. Fruit also has carbohydrate in the form of fructose and other 'sugars', sugar itself is of course sucrose. But all these foods require insulin either that produced by your body or if it can't then by injecting manufactured insulin in order to be metabolised and supply energy to your body.
People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin but because they take insulin then as long as they match their carb intake to the insulin or strictly speaking match the insulin to carb intake they do not have to have a reduced carb diet unless they choose to do so. However somebody with Type 2 diabetes they usually are still producing insulin but either cannot utilise it properly or they do not produce enough which is why for them a reduced intake of carbohydrate is necessary as well as often some medications.
I suggest you make a list of questions for your nurse as it is easy to forget when being bombarded with information.
I don't know if you have treatment for your facet joint problem but I had that and a chiropractor sorted it out very effectively.
But even a 20 min walk will help with your blood glucose levels as well as helping to keep you mobile, the worst thing I found was sitting for any length of time.
As far as carbohydrates goes, it is not just sugar but basically starchy foods so bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, breakfast cereals and things made with flour like cakes, biscuits and pastry. Fruit also has carbohydrate in the form of fructose and other 'sugars', sugar itself is of course sucrose. But all these foods require insulin either that produced by your body or if it can't then by injecting manufactured insulin in order to be metabolised and supply energy to your body.
People with Type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin but because they take insulin then as long as they match their carb intake to the insulin or strictly speaking match the insulin to carb intake they do not have to have a reduced carb diet unless they choose to do so. However somebody with Type 2 diabetes they usually are still producing insulin but either cannot utilise it properly or they do not produce enough which is why for them a reduced intake of carbohydrate is necessary as well as often some medications.
I suggest you make a list of questions for your nurse as it is easy to forget when being bombarded with information.
I don't know if you have treatment for your facet joint problem but I had that and a chiropractor sorted it out very effectively.
But even a 20 min walk will help with your blood glucose levels as well as helping to keep you mobile, the worst thing I found was sitting for any length of time.
SB2015
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
Welcome to the forum @Motherhen
You have already had lots of useful advice so I will just add my encouragement for you to ask any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here.
You have already had lots of useful advice so I will just add my encouragement for you to ask any questions that arise. Nothing is considered silly on here.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Hope your appointment goes well @Motherhen
Do ask about your HbA1c result, which will help you understand how far past the threshold your diagnosis came at, and whether you are likely to need a few small tweaks, or a more substantial overhaul of your current menu 🙂
Do ask about your HbA1c result, which will help you understand how far past the threshold your diagnosis came at, and whether you are likely to need a few small tweaks, or a more substantial overhaul of your current menu 🙂
Ljc
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
83 is high but many of us including me were much higher at diagnosis , so don’t panic ok.
You might find this book helpful .
First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Marlowe Diabetes Library): Amazon.co.uk: Becker, Gretchen: 9780738218601: Books
Buy First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (Marlowe Diabetes Library) Illustrated by Becker, Gretchen (ISBN: 9780738218601) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
www.amazon.co.uk
Felinia
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
2 Shredded Wheat biscuits are 30gm carbs. Good fibre but I personally would not have that many carbs in one meal. Half a tin of baked beans is 31.2gm carbs, so the same comment applies. On the rare occasions I have cereal, I have one Oatibix with 40gm blueberries and unsweetened almond milk, which comes to 19gm carbs. When I have baked beans, I have just 100gm, which is 15.6gm carbs
Drummer
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
All things made from grains are going to be high in carbohydrate, because that is their nature.
My personal daily intake is 30 to 40 gm a day, as that is what keeps me in the normal range for blood glucose after eating.
It isn't really complicated, it is just made unclear by all the advice to eat things more suitable for finishing fatstock on a farm than a Human.
Unfortunately how many carbs you can have a day and how you react to them in terms of your blood sugar varies from person to person. There's a book I've found really helpful 'carbs and cals' which gives the carb value and portion sizes in photos. It's also available on an app. I use a blood sugar monitor to see how my body reacts to different meals. It does appear complicated but gets easier as you get to know which foodstuffs suit you.
Because shredded wheat had all green traffic light I assumed it was fine, obviously not.
I wish there was a list of foods that were low so I could print it out. I know I must be thick not getting my head round it. I’m having chicken stir-fry tonight is that ok.
I wish there was a list of foods that were low so I could print it out. I know I must be thick not getting my head round it. I’m having chicken stir-fry tonight is that ok.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
The traffic light system can be confusing as the green for sugar does mean low sugar but not necessarily low carbohydrate. The information you need to look at is the total carbohydrate often in small print on the back or side of a packet.
You might find the book or app Carbs and Cals useful as it gives carb values of a whole range of foods. You could go through that to make your own list of low carb foods, remember anything starchy, or sugary will be high carb but protein and dairy and green veg will be low carb.
Somebody said with veg if they grow under the ground they will be high carb, on the ground medium carb and above ground low carb. There will be exceptions of course.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yes, you should find it very useful, it was my bible.
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