What can I eat?

[MacJ]

I have recently been diagnosed with borderline diabetes. My yesterday early morning before food blood test was 6.1.
My medication for the Diabetes is Metformin 500Mg.
I am confused as to what I can and can't eat.
Bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice are high in colesteral so I am told.
So what does one have for a main dinner?
Are there any recomended meal lists?
I have cut out sugar, sweets, chocolate, and sweet biscuits so far.
I should add, that I am 72 years old, 5'7" and now weigh 10 stone 12Lb. Having already lost 4 lb in the month that I cut out the above.

 

[Northerner]

I have recently been diagnosed with borderline diabetes. My yesterday early morning before food blood test was 6.1.
My medication for the Diabetes is Metformin 500Mg.
I am confused as to what I can and can't eat.
Bread, potatoes, pasta, and rice are high in colesteral so I am told.
So what does one have for a main dinner?
Are there any recomended meal lists?
I have cut out sugar, sweets, chocolate, and sweet biscuits so far.
I should add, that I am 72 years old, 5'7" and now weigh 10 stone 12Lb. Having already lost 4 lb in the month that I cut out the above.

Hi MacJ, welcome to the forum 🙂

It can be confusing as there are conflicting opinions on what you can eat, depending on where you look or who you ask. Generally, what you are looking for is food, or combinations of foods, that convert to glucose in the blood slowly. All carbohydrate type food converts to glucose - bread, potatoes, rice, pasta, sugar, cereals etc. (note that these are not high in cholesterol, so don't be concerned about that when eating them), but what is important is the rate at which this happens.

Different people find that they can tolerate some foods more than others. So, for example, some people can eat cereal for breakfast, but others find that this will raise their blood sugars too quickly so they avoid it. The only real way of knowing is to test your blood sugars, preferably before eating then an hour after. You won't have to do this every time, as you will get to know the effects of different things and what is best for you.

One diet that works on the principles of slow-release, ideal for people wishing to maintain good, even blood sugar levels is the GL diet. I found a useful book on this subject - read my review by clicking on this link:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=7337

Also, although you are 'borderline' diabetic, you should regard yourself as having diabetes, and follow the lifestlye recommended for the condition.

Try reading Maggie Davey's letter to newly diagnosed Type 2s:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5836

and also Jennifer's good advice:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=5835

Plus, a book I always recommend, as do many others here: Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year by Gretchen Becker (amazon link)

Good luck, and do please visit us any time if you have any questions, or just to let off steam 🙂

 

[Vicsetter]

Hi again Macj, welcome to the T2s, that makes life a bit simpler (I think). You can eat whatever you like. 6.1 fasting reading is good in my book!
What you need to do is adjust your diet to decrease your intake of fast acting carbohydates (not cholesterol)(that is your white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes). That doesn't mean cutting them out altogether though.

You've done the right thing cutting our sugar, sweets and sweet biscuits. Chocolate can be high in sugar, but if you only eat a little and the 70% or more dark chocolate that will be OK.

Main dinner , whatever takes your fancy, cut down the potatoes to maybe 1 or 2 instead of 3 or 4, reduce the pasta to 70g dry instead of 100g, things like that. I find it helps to try and pack flavour into meals rather than quantity. Fat can affect and prolong the conversion of food to sugar, so if you do fancy some white bread, have some peanut butter or olive spread on it. Don't overcook your pasta, it's harder to digest if it's al-dente and thus better for you.

You mentioned cholesterol, is this a problem as well?
Have you been given a meter and test strips so you can test?
If you have then use it before each meal and then after the meal (about 1 hour). This will give you an idea of what foods do what to you.

 

[Tezzz]

Hi,

You can eat almost anything. The important bit is the quantitites. My personal choices would be the Lower GI (Google it) foods, less fat and salt - and of course easy does it with the sugary things!

Can I suggest you have a look at www.bloodsugar101.com. There is some useful info there. It's an American site but the info is still relavant.

Personally, I believe the best way to find out how much you can eat is to invest in a Blood Glucose Meter. My personal goal is to keep my Blood Glucose readings below 8 mmol/L an hour and a half after eating. I also walk a lot to get my exercise in and keep the doctor happy.

 

[MacJ]

Thanks for your replies, I shall study the recomended links.
I do have blood test kit that I have been using.
As for fatty foods, I have been off them for some time. Well its the wife that does not buy them, Not even much red meat.
Exercise. I have bicycles, and I use them when I can. I rather go on a bike than take the car when possible. Having had my working life involved in motor transport, I would rather let someone else do the driving.
I also take the dog out three times a day.
Also when weather permits, I meet up with my mates and we fly our model airplanes. Sometimes this envolves some hikes to recover them.😱

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for your replies, I shall study the recomended links.
I do have blood test kit that I have been using.
As for fatty foods, I have been off them for some time. Well its the wife that does not buy them, Not even much red meat.
Exercise. I have bicycles, and I use them when I can. I rather go on a bike than take the car when possible. Having had my working life involved in motor transport, I would rather let someone else do the driving.
I also take the dog out three times a day.
Also when weather permits, I meet up with my mates and we fly our model airplanes. Sometimes this envolves some hikes to recover them.😱

Sounds like you're doing all you can to stay healthy Mac, good stuff! 🙂