Well I have no idea what I can eat. Keep getting told not to eat carbs. Do no eat bread, pasta or rice. I was diagnosed the week before christmas 22. I went to bed for 2 days and did not eat a thing so worried I will increase my sugar levels. I am now a bit better, but everything has sugar carbs salt and fat in it. Its a mind field and when family say "not sure what's wrong with you its not the end of the world" that doesn't help. I asked my practice nurse what I could eat and was told I would need to ask a dietician. So stuck in limbo told I have it and just to get on with it.
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What to eat
- Thread starter sandy669
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Southerngirl64
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- Type 1.5 LADA
Hi, I was given this meal plan by my diabetic dietician, she said I need to eat carbs as I am now on insulin. She also said they don’t count the carbs in vegetables. Nimble bread is very low in carbs And it tastes ok. I was very low carb for 5 years +, it is hard to change. Good luck
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Leadinglights
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Oh dear that is not very helpful. People with Type 2 diabetes have a problem with carbohydrates and if their intake is more than their body can cope with then blood glucose will rise to a level which can cause symptoms and if it remains high long term then it can cause damage to eyes and nerves so it is important to make some lifestyle changes that will reduce it.
You have been told not to eat carbs, so people follow a low carb diet but that does not mean NO carbs. How much that is how many grams of total carbs not just 'sugar' that people can tolerate is very individual but a good starting point is no more than 130g per day. But there is still plenty you can eat as meat, fish, eggs, chesse, many vegetables and salads are pretty low carb so there are many options for tasty meals. This link may help you with some ideas for that approach. https://lowcarbfreshwell.co.uk/
Some people find a low calorie or shakes-based regime suits them but what ever you choose has to be enjoyable otherwise it will not be sustainable long term.
The book or app Carbs and Cals is a good resource as it gives carb values of various portions of a whole range of foods. There are other apps as well people find useful.
What may be suitable for you may depend on any medication you are taking for your diabetes.
Leadinglights
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This may be very suitable for you as you are on insulin but may be too carb heavy for a Type 2 managing their diabetes with diet or diet and oral meds.
Meat, fish, green veg. Base your meals around that and you won't go far wrong.. some cheese and dairy should be fine too.
Avoid starch and stodge and don't worry about the fat that comes along with the aforementioned foods.
D
Deleted member 21371
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Have a look at
www.diabetes.org.uk
It has some good advice.
I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat?
If you've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, one of the first things you might be worried about is food. You’re likely to be faced with what seems like an endless list of new tasks. Medical appointments, taking medication, stopping smoking, being more active and eating a healthy, balanced...
It has some good advice.
Transistor
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You haven't mentioned what your HbA1c blood reading was and this gives a good indication of how much work needs to be done. If you don't know then ask your doctor's office to send you the result.
< 42 normal.
42 - 47 pre-diabetic.
> 47 diabetic.
Start looking at the carbohydrate contents of your food. I have a simple rule for shopping: if the label says carbs are greater than 10% (10 g per 100 g) then I put it back on the shelf unless I'm going to eat it in very small quantities. You can see the results in the graph below (but it won't be the same for everyone).
< 42 normal.
42 - 47 pre-diabetic.
> 47 diabetic.
Start looking at the carbohydrate contents of your food. I have a simple rule for shopping: if the label says carbs are greater than 10% (10 g per 100 g) then I put it back on the shelf unless I'm going to eat it in very small quantities. You can see the results in the graph below (but it won't be the same for everyone).
Last edited:
Lucyr
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@Transistor its over 47 that’s diabetic not over 49
D
Deleted member 21371
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That must be an extreme low carb diet, keto in fact?
circa less than 200 calories a day from carbs.
So below 50g of carbs a day?
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This downloadable e-book (free) has some good general guidance on enjoying food with diabetes
There’s no one single approach that suits everyone. Some members find it’s better to focus on moderating their total carbohydrate intake, while others aim for weight loss by reducing calories.
There are a variety of meal plans here, which might give you some ideas
www.diabetes.org.uk
It’s usually best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
There’s no one single approach that suits everyone. Some members find it’s better to focus on moderating their total carbohydrate intake, while others aim for weight loss by reducing calories.
There are a variety of meal plans here, which might give you some ideas
Meal plans and diabetes
Eating nutritious, healthy and downright delicious food is that bit easier with our meal planners. We've created multiple different weekly meal plans to suit all types and tastes. They're nutritionally balanced, are calorie and carb counted, and can help if you want to lose weight. They also...
It’s usually best to make changes to your menu and activity levels gradually - partly because they need to be sustainable long term, but also because very rapid and sudden changes to blood glucose levels are harder on the fine blood vessels, and changing things more gently will give your body time to adapt.
Diabetes is a serious condition, but it’s also one that can usually be managed well with a few changes and adaptations - it’s something that you can learn to live well with, and it shouldn’t stop you doing things you enjoy.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on 🙂
Transistor
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
You're right - that's the most common range although there seems to be some variation. I've corrected my post.
Transistor
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I only counted carbs for two days immediately after diagnosis and I was able to achieve < 50 g per day. (I created a spreadsheet, weighed what I ate and looked up the carb content on the packaging or on the Internet and multiplied them out.) Once I had a feel for it I stopped counting and just watch my blood glucose level to determine how I'm doing - along with my max of 10 g / 100 g supermarket rule.
I guess it is pretty much a keto diet. My wife was already on one to smooth out energy levels (it worked!) so it was easy for me to switch over.
Southerngirl64
New Member
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- Type 1.5 LADA
So sorry, it was not my intention to give wrong information.
Leadinglights
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It was not a criticism more a comment. It is very difficult when people manage their condition in a variety of ways and when people who are Type 2 trying to reduce their blood glucose by diet only and they say they are advised to follow the NHS Eat Well Plate which can be too high in carbs I am compelled to say that it may only be OK for some as everybody is individual in their tolerance of carbs.
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