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Very newbie
- Thread starter Becks2307
- Start date
- Status
Vonny
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Hi @Becks2307 and welcome to the forum, although I'm sorry you've had to join us!
Overwhelmed is an excellent description of how we feel on diagnosis. Overwhelmed and bereft was certainly how I felt. It will take time to adjust, and you will probably need to change your eating regime. I lost 5 stones but it never felt like a diet because I knew it had to be sustainable. Even if you aren't overweight and a TOFI (Thin outside, fat inside), you'll probably need to make changes to your diet, reducing not only the amount of sweet stuff you eat, but also carbs such as bread potatoes, rice and pasta. If you struggle with that, just try to get through one day at a time and soon your body stops craving the carbs.
Did the doctor tell you your HBA1c? (48 and over if diagnosed as diabetic). Did he put you on any medication?
BTW, my mum was diagnosed at 75 with T2 and lived for another 6 years before dementia got her, so no reason to worry about dying young! I'm sorry you lost your dad at an early age, but it's not a foregone conclusion so try not to worry.
No questions are considered silly on this lovely forum. No one will judge you, they will all just be very supportive, so welcome aboard 🙂
Overwhelmed is an excellent description of how we feel on diagnosis. Overwhelmed and bereft was certainly how I felt. It will take time to adjust, and you will probably need to change your eating regime. I lost 5 stones but it never felt like a diet because I knew it had to be sustainable. Even if you aren't overweight and a TOFI (Thin outside, fat inside), you'll probably need to make changes to your diet, reducing not only the amount of sweet stuff you eat, but also carbs such as bread potatoes, rice and pasta. If you struggle with that, just try to get through one day at a time and soon your body stops craving the carbs.
Did the doctor tell you your HBA1c? (48 and over if diagnosed as diabetic). Did he put you on any medication?
BTW, my mum was diagnosed at 75 with T2 and lived for another 6 years before dementia got her, so no reason to worry about dying young! I'm sorry you lost your dad at an early age, but it's not a foregone conclusion so try not to worry.
No questions are considered silly on this lovely forum. No one will judge you, they will all just be very supportive, so welcome aboard 🙂
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Welcome from me also. If you give a bit of information about your diagnosis then people can give you some suggestions about how to ease yourself into a new dietary regime that should help you reduce your blood glucose.
Ideas have changed about what is the best dietary approach so you may be surprised that it may may somewhat different from the old ideas.
Thank you!
My HBA1c is 54 and my BMI is 34 (I think!). So lots of weight to lose and diet changes. I stopped smoking 3 weeks ago - before diagnosis - and it’s going to be tough to keep that going and give up the chocolate and cakes!
Thank you ☺️
My HBA1c is 54 and my BMI is 34 (I think!). So lots of weight to lose and diet changes. I stopped smoking 3 weeks ago - before diagnosis - and it’s going to be tough to keep that going and give up the chocolate and cakes!
Thanks. Tips on satisfying my chocolate cravings and what I can eat for snacks would be awesome. Meals aren’t too bad, although need to work out how to still eat pasta - my favourite food!
Vonny
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
At 54, you're not too far into the zone. I was 76 and there are people here who started out in 3 figures and who have successfully got back to "normal". So some tweaks should be enough.
It may be worth investing in a testing kit. If you test before eating and then 2 hours after you'll get a feel for what you can and can't eat. It should be around 2.5 mmol difference. Any more and it looks like you may be sensitive to that particular carb. It could be that you can tolerate pasta...we are all different. I use a Gluco Naavi, but there are a couple of alternatives which I'm sorry I can't bring to mind at the moment.
For snacks, cheese and nuts are a good alternative to chocolate and cake. For a yummy pudding add a few chopped nuts to strawberries and slather in double cream. Despite years of being told to eat low fat, it turns out that fats aren't bad for you. They also keep you feeling full longer. I'm sure others will be along soon with ideas for you x
PS, huge pat on the back for stopping smoking...I still sneak an occasional one! 😉
It may be worth investing in a testing kit. If you test before eating and then 2 hours after you'll get a feel for what you can and can't eat. It should be around 2.5 mmol difference. Any more and it looks like you may be sensitive to that particular carb. It could be that you can tolerate pasta...we are all different. I use a Gluco Naavi, but there are a couple of alternatives which I'm sorry I can't bring to mind at the moment.
For snacks, cheese and nuts are a good alternative to chocolate and cake. For a yummy pudding add a few chopped nuts to strawberries and slather in double cream. Despite years of being told to eat low fat, it turns out that fats aren't bad for you. They also keep you feeling full longer. I'm sure others will be along soon with ideas for you x
PS, huge pat on the back for stopping smoking...I still sneak an occasional one! 😉
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I use edamame or black bean pasta as it is substantially lower in carbs than normal pasta. Is is more expensive but with plenty of the sauce you don't need much.
Dark chocolate is what many people find OK, Aldi have some good ones Moser Roth.
If you are into baking then the website sugarfreelondoner has recipes for low carb cakes and biscuits but even so it is better to re-educate your taste buds and have less sweet things.
Snacks, cheese, olives, nuts, protein nut bars like Nature Valley but it is better to have filling meals with plenty of protein and healthy fats so you are not tempted to snack.
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Stopping smoking is brilliant and I'm sure you will feel better from it.
You say meals are OK but many think they eat healthily but sadly it is not so if Type 2 diabetic.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet, there are various menu plans or some good principals to follow. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
You say meals are OK but many think they eat healthily but sadly it is not so if Type 2 diabetic.
Have a look at this link for some ideas for modifying your diet, there are various menu plans or some good principals to follow. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
Thank you so much. Will keep an eye out for that pasta. Is lentil pasta ok?
I’ve pretty much cut out all sweet things; I do let myself have 2 squares of 85% dark chocolate though. Given I was having big bars of dairy milk, chocolate muffins, Lidl choc chip cookies (delicious btw!!) & more… I think I’ve done pretty well so far! Have managed to lose just over 1kg since Tuesday
Trying to get to grips with more protein - I don’t eat meat that much.
Will take a look at that website as well.
Thanks again x
Lucyr
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
There’s plenty of non meat protein options, tofu, beans, eggs, yoghurt, whatever vegetarian proteins you normally have etc
Leadinglights
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
The nutritional information on say Sainsbury's web site say a 200g portion of cooked red lentil pasta is 45.6g carbs which I would regard as pretty high only slightly less than wheat pasta.
Do you eat fish as that is protein.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welcome to the forum @Becks2307
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and about losing your Dad at a young age
Sounds like you are doing brilliantly so far! Well done for leaping into action and deciding to tackle this head-on. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years, but never quite managed to.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes like you have been doing can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
Keep at it, and keep asking questions! Look forward to hearing your progress over the coming months 🙂
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, and about losing your Dad at a young age
Sounds like you are doing brilliantly so far! Well done for leaping into action and deciding to tackle this head-on. Try not to be disheartened about your diagnosis, many people on the forum later reflect that their diagnosis became a sort of catalyst which prompted them to make positive changes towards a healthier and more active life. Perhaps changes that they had been intending to make for years, but never quite managed to.
Often you don’t realise how weary, worn down and lethargic you have been feeling. Erratic and elevated blood glucose levels can be exhausting and are linked with low mood, but this may have come on quite gradually. Making a few positive changes like you have been doing can give you more energy, a clearer mind, and a brighter outlook. Plus the regular checks you get after a diagnosis with diabetes mean that any potential problems may be spotted earlier, and can be sorted out sooner.
Keep at it, and keep asking questions! Look forward to hearing your progress over the coming months 🙂
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