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NHS Diet Advice for Diabetes

NHS advise that there is no special diet advice for people with diabetes
NHS advise that there is no special diet advice for people with diabetes

In the UK, current 2011 NHS diabetes diet advice is that there is no special diet for people with diabetes.

Many people with diabetes focus on the carbohydrate content of their meals and prefer a low-carb diet for tight blood glucose level control.

The NHS (and Diabetes UK) recommend a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt and contain a high level of fresh fruit and vegetables.

NHS dieticians

Earlier this year, top NHS dieticians were reported as providing the following tips for people with diabetes.

Together, these can be said to sum up the NHS approach to controlling type 2 diabetes with diet.

  • Eat plenty of starchy carbohydrates
  • Eat carbohydrate foods with a low GI
  • Avoid high GI foods, especially between meals
  • Eat regular meals and healthy snacks
  • Don’t miss breakfast
  • Don’t skip meals
  • Avoid all unhealthy/hydrogenated fats
  • Choose low-fat dairy products
  • Check food labels
  • Choose lean meat and remove fat and skin
  • Avoid fried and fast food, and baked goods
  • Keep hydrated and avoid binge-drinking
Your Comments
 
This is palpably wrong. No one ought to recommend a high carb diet for diabetes. Read 'Sugar Nation' by O'Connell and other books. I wouldn't go over board on fruit either. Go for lots of fish, oily fish, salmon, sardines, lots of lovely veg. Cut out all diet foods, processed foods. Drink water. Avoid alcohol.
Posted by Lydia, London on Saturday, January 28, 2012
If anyone remembers their school biology lessons with salivary amylase and starch they will remember that the piece of bread (brown or white) you just ate will already be in the process of being converted to glucose by the time it reaches your stomach. I agree with a previous poster. Search for "Dr Bernstein diabetes" or "dsolve diabetes" and you can find out how to get blood glucose levels back to those of a non-diabetic.
Posted by Jess Hurch, N.E. Scotland on Thursday, December 01, 2011
I was diagnosed type 2 in June of this year and I must say I am shocked at the lack of support for diet. I have seen a dietitian once. Considering diet plays a big part in this condition I have been very disappointed in the service. On the NHS website it states that a plan would be implemented to help regulate diebites. Not so, just as every one seems to be stating - here's the tablets just get on with it
Posted by Elizabeth, Glasgow on Saturday, November 19, 2011
How can eating loads of carbs be helpful for a diabetic? I've been type 2 for 2 yrs now and before that developed gest. diabetes and went on insulin in 2nd month of pregnancy. What I found was that bread, whichever it was: white, brown, wholemeal, seeded... any kind, played havoc on BSugar levels, worst than a bar of chocolate. And yet, doctor's advice is eat 'plenty of carbs'! Are they 'experimenting' on us?
Posted by TU on Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I am 69 and just been diagnosed type 2. Like many people I have spoken to doctors/nurses and certain websites all tell you what not to eat but never tell you what you can eat. It would be nice if someone would come up with a seven day set of menues i.e breakfast, lunch and dinner so we the befuggled can actualy eat without worrying.
Posted by John Whyment, Lincoln on Saturday, July 23, 2011
My Mother has just come out of hospital last Monday having gone in with very high blood sugar levels which have now been reduced but she still wants to buy sugary things! How can I get her to eat sensible snacks and the right kind of carbs for her diet? I am seriously worried about her health; her weight has dropped dramatically and is thin and haggered looking. All in the past 2 years since my Father died. I really have tried to tell her but she will not listen and I do not want her in hospital again. Any advice?
Posted by Dana H, Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Could somebody provide a good daily diet to follow? ie Monday through Sunday. That would be a good help to me.
Posted by david graham, lincoln on Saturday, June 25, 2011
I have been type 2 for nearly 2 years. I have seen a doctor 3 times in this time. I just apply for a repeat perscription for metformin every 2 years. I have had no advice on diet, just told to cut down on sugar, eat a lot less fat and to look after my feet!!! Any help/advice on what I should be eating would be appreciated because the NHS are not providing much support at all.
Posted by Traceyr, Wakefield on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Many, many diabetics find the NHS diet inadequate to control diabetes. I believe its primary function is, in fact, to help you lose weight. Which is a treatment for Diabetes. It however can cause you worse readings and for things to deteriorate, requiring more medication. Do yourself a favour and read Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. Forget that fat is an enemy, sugar (all derivatives) and high amounts of carbohydrates are. Test - test all the time, see what makes you get spikes. See the Diabetes 101 website. It's a little depressing, but you'll get some good info there. And, for the love of god, a single reading above 7mmol or an HbA1c above or at 7 are NOT good readings, whatever your GP says. I was horrified the other day to see a site recommending that if BG was below 8mmol at bedtime - to have a snack to avoid a hypo!
Posted by Dave White, Dorchester on Thursday, May 19, 2011
NHS Diet Have been reading on the above page, a comment from beredeza. Its about wanting advice on diets. The tone of the letter? Makes him/her sound very confused and low. I therefore would like to know how are things going for him/her. Dannny
Posted by grandfatherd, Wakefield on Tuesday, March 01, 2011
This is aimed at Berezda in Devon: Change your doctor! The advice and help available is so much better than that which you seem to be getting. As for diet, try to minimise saturated fats and sugar. Keep hydrated. Balance your diet. You may have other issues that affect your diabetes, on which I am not qualified to comment. Try Diabetes.co.uk DVT may be treated with warfarin or similar. I assume you're on metformin? Dont panic and dont be afraid to ask. Good luck!
Posted by circuit basher, Oxon on Friday, February 18, 2011
All diets for sufferers of type two diabetes should be based on the complete avoidance of trans fats which are produced by passing vegetable oils such as rapeseed, sunflower and corn oil over a hot nickel catalyst. Until recently this was largely done with an additional input of hydrogen thus producing hydrogenated fats. Now the hydrogen has been turned off in the main meaning the resulting oils are thinner and contain more trans isomer bonds. The resulting trans fatty acids cause type 2 diabetes, obesity, CV disease Alzheimers and many more deadly illnesses. Eat only "cold-pressed" oils.
Posted by carefixer on Thursday, December 16, 2010
In reply to Beredeza, Devon on Mon 31st May 2010, I don't know much about diet or controlling diabetes but I'd advise you to find a good kinesiologist. Make sure they're registered and if you know anyone who's been to one ask them questions. Also do things you enjoy and bring some joy back into your life, because you're worth it. Try Yoga, it'll bring balance to your mind, body, spirit, maybe thats what you're looking for?
Posted by Rachel, Ayrshire on Monday, October 04, 2010
please be aware that there are many diabetic forums on the internet, some are better than others. some actually realise it is better to take action on your own rather than wait. if you google certain user names and 'diabetes' you may eventually find a forum that actually teaches you and shows you what is going wrong instead of just rubbing your hand and telling you ' you will be ok'. YOU are in charge of YOUR diabetes. dont let others tell you how to manage it.
Posted by mcmoby69, bury lancashire on Tuesday, July 20, 2010
I've found brown rice and lasagne the best foods to keep my sugar low. Brown rice takes about 40mins to cook but it's amazing, sometimes my sugar level after eating doesn't even change and I've had a good plate full of food. Lasagne also feels like a good meal but contains hardly any pasta so is great :)
Posted by Rachy on Monday, July 19, 2010
I am type 1 diabetic. I was type 2 for just over 2 years, but there was no control and blood sugars were all over the scale; have never been able to get anyone at all to tell me what I should or should not eat. GP says I should see dietician, but can't get appointment for 5 months. Levels bounce between 11 and as high as 27. Use 20 units PM and 6 units AM Cant eat much fruit/veg as chronic irritable bowel, don't like fatty stuff and can't eat salads. Take levels every AM before eating. Totally unable to bring down the levels, and I don't want to die, which is what will happen unless these come down drastically. Never, ever have a hypo. Desperate for help. Why won't anyone tell me anything? Even the diabetic clinic dont help... just 'watch what you eat' is meaningless without details, and that's all I can get them to say! Severely diminished circulation in right leg after untreated DVT following hip operation in 1996 - untreatable.
Posted by beredeza, devon on Monday, May 31, 2010
Eating plenty of carbs is not a good way for all diabetic 2 sufferers. For some of us, it causes a spike in blood sugar levels, so for some its not advisable. Low fat products are again not beneficial to some diabetics - and so is the old saying 'everything in moderation'. I find if I eat low carbs, some dairy fat and a truly well balanced approach to my diet, I am beginning to take control. The NHS approach is not a healthy approach for me.
Posted by Yvonne Tyrrell, London on Wednesday, April 07, 2010
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