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Very poor eating habits and type 2

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JT01

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Hi there, I'm just wondering if their is anyone who has a poor diet and how they manage their blood sugar levels.
 
JT01 said:
Hi there, I'm just wondering if their is anyone who has a poor diet and how they manage their blood sugar levels.
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Many find it a priority to make some changes to their diet in order to manage their blood glucose levels. There are some good suggestions in this link which may be suitable depending on what medication you are taking.
lowcarbfreshwell.com

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com lowcarbfreshwell.com
In what respect do you feel your diet is poor?
 
Leadinglights said:
Many find it a priority to make some changes to their diet in order to manage their blood glucose levels. There are some good suggestions in this link which may be suitable depending on what medication you are taking.
lowcarbfreshwell.com

Freshwell Low Carb Project - Home

lowcarbfreshwell.com lowcarbfreshwell.com
In what respect do you feel your diet is poor?
Click to expand...
I'm not currently on any medication, seeing the nurse again in 3 weeks. I don't eat all day and in the evening I can only manage 2 pks of crisps.
 
JT01 said:
I'm not currently on any medication, seeing the nurse again in 3 weeks. I don't eat all day and in the evening I can only manage 2 pks of crisps.
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You should ask for a referral to a Dietician when you see the Nurse and please do, as 2 packets of crisps is definitely not advised as you won't be getting enough nutrients
 
JT01 said:
I'm not currently on any medication, seeing the nurse again in 3 weeks. I don't eat all day and in the evening I can only manage 2 pks of crisps.
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There's barely any nutritional value in a packet of crisps (around 50% carbohydrate and not much else) so as @mashedupmatt says, if that's all you're eating you'll be deficient in essential nutrients, as well as minerals, protein and healthy fats. Since diet is such an important part of BG management I'd be surprised if anyone is able to successfully do so on a poor diet.
 
What is making it difficult to eat differently? For example is it about finding time to eat, cost of food, not managing cooking, textures and unfamiliar foods being difficult to eat, anxiety about eating, worries about gaining weight, or something else?

One thing that you might be able to do that isn't diet related, is to increase how much you exercise. Depending on what you do already that could be anything from chair exercises to walking to more strenuous exercises. Just find something that's a small step up from what you're doing already and start there.
 
JT01 said:
Hi there, I'm just wondering if there is anyone who has a poor diet and how they manage their blood sugar levels.
Click to expand...
hi @JT01 think it’s good that you found this forum, as already highlighted by others the nutritional value of crisps is zero
not good for anyone (as a meal) hopefully you take a look at the suggestion of the freshwell program (not something I used myself) but I’ve steered a few others in that direction who were themselves eating a poor diet previously
hope your up coming appointment with your DSN goes well, and between any help you can get via dietitian/ freshwell or whatever route you go down
you get your BG levels under a stable & good control to be healthy
 
JT01 said:
Hi there, I'm just wondering if their is anyone who has a poor diet and how they manage their blood sugar levels.
Click to expand...

As I recall from another of your threads, you can only bring yourself to eat two packs of crisps a day and nothing else.

If you were to consult clinical psychologists, like Dr Jen Unwin*, they might ask 'Do you really want change your diet?' and 'Where would you like to be in a year's time?' After some discussion their key question would be something like, 'What will you do today as a first step to where you want to be?'

A few thoughts:

- As it happens my granddaughter had an op a couple of days ago which means she can't swallow and will have to feed herself through a straw for a few weeks. So as a first step I am wonder if you could manage a very small glass of soup, or a smoothie something made with a blender, before washing it down with a cup of tea.

- Another first step could be to put some spread or dip onto one of your crisps. Or try a vegetable crisp.

- In the paper this week there was a story about someone who overcame a peanut allergy by building up from very small amounts of peanut (peanut butter?). That was under medical supervision as I recall.

- You get the idea, baby steps in one direction and then another.

I hope other members of the forum with experience of these matters will have some better ideas.

Good luck

* Jen Unwn has written a well received book, 'A Fork in the Road', about changing eating patterns, no least her own. It might be just what you are looking for.
 
@JT01 a couple of bags of crisps isn't a lot to have every day. Are you underweight at all?

If that's all you are eating, do you have lots of cups of tea or other drinks through the day?

Just trying to understand.
 
Thank you so much for all the information and advise you have all shared, I really appreciate it.
I will definitely discuss this more with the nurse.
I don't even know why I find it impossible to eat differently, even if someone else made me something I just can't face eating. I am actually over weight ( BMI 33 ). I'm not worried about eating and gaining weight or anything like that. In fact I would probably lose weight if I could eat proper. I do have 3 coffees in the morning then it's water. As for exercise I do what I can manage, which is often not a lot as I have fibromyalgia.
I am on a lot of medication as well.
 
JT01 said:
Thank you so much for all the information and advise you have all shared, I really appreciate it.
I will definitely discuss this more with the nurse.
I don't even know why I find it impossible to eat differently, even if someone else made me something I just can't face eating. I am actually over weight ( BMI 33 ). I'm not worried about eating and gaining weight or anything like that. In fact I would probably lose weight if I could eat proper. I do have 3 coffees in the morning then it's water. As for exercise I do what I can manage, which is often not a lot as I have fibromyalgia.
I am on a lot of medication as well.
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Have you had your thyroid checked out recently? If a bit wonky, it can result in a slowed up metabolism, amongst other things.

Purely as a matter of interest, when was the last time you had a main course?
 
JT01 said:
Thank you so much for all the information and advise you have all shared, I really appreciate it.
I will definitely discuss this more with the nurse.
I don't even know why I find it impossible to eat differently, even if someone else made me something I just can't face eating. I am actually over weight ( BMI 33 ). I'm not worried about eating and gaining weight or anything like that. In fact I would probably lose weight if I could eat proper. I do have 3 coffees in the morning then it's water. As for exercise I do what I can manage, which is often not a lot as I have fibromyalgia.
I am on a lot of medication as well.
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Your HbA1C puts you just in the diabetic zone 48 is the threshold but if you are eating so little it is surprising that it is even that high unless it is the medications you are taking, for example steroids can increase blood glucose but it would be the lack of nutrients, protein and vitamins that I would be concerned about and may actually be making your other conditions worse.
Speaking to a dietician may help you.
 
Yes Ive had full blood tests done recently, twice within 2 months. Everything came back fine apart from the 49 result. I take Morphine, Duloxatine, Quetiapine, statin, omeprazole and Naproxen.
I honestly can't remember the last time I had a main meal!!
 
JT01 said:
Yes Ive had full blood tests done recently, twice within 2 months. Everything came back fine apart from the 49 result. I take Morphine, Duloxatine, Quetiapine, statin, omeprazole and Naproxen.
I honestly can't remember the last time I had a main meal!!
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It could be that the medications are affecting your appetite but finding something more nutritious might help. Is it you do not like other foods or just can't be bothered.
Even a yoghurt with some berries would be more nutritious.
 
I just can't face anything else. I think I will get some of those small kids yoghurts, see if I can manage it. Small step but worth the try.
 
Well done that seems like a really good step, and also that you're going to talk to the nurse about it.
 
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