Need To Seriously Drop Down My Hba1c And Turn My Life Around.

[NewTD2]

I hope this helps mate -

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb

Low carb high fat diet = less insulin

 

[akindrat18]

There are diet drinks available at KFC - there is a shop around the corner from us and on the few occasions I have gone in to buy chicken I have also bought a diet drink - I think there was diet pepsi available pepsi max and cans of diet drink.
It seems rather odd - I mean - if someone came to the counter and said they were a diabetic - would you just say - oh there's nothing you can eat or drink? Surely you'd be able to list the things most suitable and give carb counts ?

The only high sugar drink that we do at KFC is Pepsi. Tango and Lipton Peach Ice Tea are classed as low sugar drinks and Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Max Cherry, 7UP Free, Robinson's A&B as no sugar drinks.

KFC sell a variety of salads, some that a pretty low carb.

If you get free food at work why not try these instead of popcorn chicken and the like?

Only you can make the decisions, the answer to all your issues will come from you.

The plain salad that they do is just apollo lettuce, sweetcorn and garlic dressing.

Can you not pack cold cooked chicken drumsticks, and have those with a nice green salad, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber etc? Or 3 boiled eggs with salad. Cold lamb with some cheese, nuts, gherkins?, or cooked sausages and veg. Working in KFC I am sure that they have a microwave so you could even make up a batch of chicken and veg soup and warm it up at work. Make up some minced beef with plenty of veg and take to work. If you don't make allowances for you Diabetes you are heading for some serious health issues. Just needs some planning

I can pack a cold salad with meat, but its keeping it chilled at work that is the problem as their is no fridge to put it in and the microwaves are only used for cooking beans, gravy, corn and rice. I just can't put what I want in as the microwaves are coded.

 

[Diakat]

Try a small cool bag with ice pack for keeping things cold.

 

[zand]

OK @akindrat18 I am hearing the excuses creeping in now. If you really want to do this then you will whatever hurdles are in your way.

My advice is to have a big breakfast of low carb fried sausages, bacon, egg. If eating at work during your 10 hour shift is such a big problem, then don't eat until you have left work. Obviously it's not so easy for you as for me because you are on insulin and need to take care there.

Don't look for the problems, look for the solutions.

 

[DCUKMod]

@akindrat18 - Have you called the Diabetes UK helpline or advocacy service? They are around to support you working through some of those work related (as well as other things). They could be able to help you get some changes made to your working regime - like time for testing etc.

They can be contacted here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/teens/help-and-support/we-can-help/careline

Their advocacy pack is here: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2017-09/Advocacy pack_EmploymentV3-Jan2016_0.pdf

 

[Mike d]

OK @akindrat18 I am hearing the excuses creeping in now. If you really want to do this then you will whatever hurdles are in your way.
Don't look for the problems, look for the solutions.

Not like this is a road we've not travelled @zand

 

[akindrat18]

OK @akindrat18 I am hearing the excuses creeping in now. If you really want to do this then you will whatever hurdles are in your way.

My advice is to have a big breakfast of low carb fried sausages, bacon, egg. If eating at work during your 10 hour shift is such a big problem, then don't eat until you have left work. Obviously it's not so easy for you as for me because you are on insulin and need to take care there.

Don't look for the problems, look for the solutions.

I've got the solutions, it's just difficult changing what I eat. I had a bowl of eat natural cocoa and almonds with milk for breakfast, when I could have had some bacon, eggs, chorizo and halloumi cheese. I just want something to eat straight away when I get up and not interrupt my family.

And as for work, I will be quitting KFC and finding a new job as it is way too stressful, especially yesterday as only some staff had a break, but the smokers were allowed a smoke break, even the assistant manager left an hour early and I had a measly 15 minutes over a 9 hour shift, which was suppose to be a 1 hour split break. Me and a few other staff have had enough of it.

 

[zand]

I've got the solutions, it's just difficult changing what I eat. I had a bowl of eat natural cocoa and almonds with milk for breakfast, when I could have had some bacon, eggs, chorizo and halloumi cheese. I just want something to eat straight away when I get up and not interrupt my family.

And as for work, I will be quitting KFC and finding a new job as it is way too stressful, especially yesterday as only some staff had a break, but the smokers were allowed a smoke break, even the assistant manager left an hour early and I had a measly 15 minutes over a 9 hour shift, which was suppose to be a 1 hour split break. Me and a few other staff have had enough of it.

Yes it is difficult, but not as difficult as living with diabetic complications. I would hate you to be another 'If only....'

Good idea to get another job.

You need to break that habit of needing to eat straightaway or grab a piece of cheese while you are cooking...and if your family complain buy them ear plugs lol.

Have you heard of EFT? Emotional Freedom Technique? It uses 'tapping' to help resolve emotional problems...and eating the wrong things is an emotional problem. My counsellor taught me it and it seems so silly when you first try it, but it is very powerful. I still use it now sometimes.

 

[kokhongw]

Carbs addition can be a challenge to overcome. Especially when we have become desensitized to the sweetness of glucose, we need more and more of it to feel satisfied.

We just need to make more mindful food choices. Drink plain water. Leafy veg and fatty cuts of meat. Keep it simple.

 

[pavlovsdog]

Just wondered how you were getting on akindrat?

 

[akindrat18]

Just wondered how you were getting on akindrat?

Not good. Having issues with my parents, especially my mum.

She is nosy whenever I cook and always like to add carbs in. I was cooking a chicken jalfrezi with cauliflower rice and roasted peppers on Thursday as I had a day off work. I told her I was cooking a curry earlier and she came in after work with shopping and asked me why aren't the chips or naan bread prepped. She then after eating dinner accused me of wasting food, because I didn't want the naan bread. I already told her I didn't want chips and she put some on my plate regardless.

We ended up having a big argument about it and over the counselling I was ready to go to the next day. The next day when I told her that I might be staying in the hospital as I hurt my back from falling over and my blood sugar sky rocketed, she ranted on about why I go to the hospital for every little minor illness I have and not dealing with it at home like everyone has to do and why I take time of work because of diabetes.

I have also been stressed out at work as we have had a few new starters and one of them has got a problem with me being diabetic and using my meter at work, calling me lazy for whenever I go to check them and inject my insulin. Plus the manager has left now and got a new boss who is just the worst person ever.

I have just had enough of it all.

 

[zand]

Well your Mum should know better. It's better to 'waste food' than to waste your health and your life. I have held back from saying this before because it's a very sensitive subject, but I believe your relationship with your Mum is at the root of most of your lack of self control issues, and therefore the root of most of your problems full stop. If she is trying to control you then I can see why she wouldn't want you to go to counselling, because she will be lost when the day comes that you are free of her manipulation. Carry on regardless is my advice, and I know it's not easy. I am having problems with another relative as we speak, and the games they play just to have the upper hand....jeez.

I have every sympathy with you akindrat , but you need to break free from her control. If you can do so while still living at home then that's good, but maybe you won't be able to run your own life until you leave home. Sometimes people don't want to deal with their own issues so they stop us dealing with ours. Stay strong and whatever you do keep on with the counselling and tell your counsellor what you have just written on this thread.

I understand the feeling of having had enough of it all. I have been there many times, but you can get through this, really you can.

 

[pavlovsdog]

Hi akindrat, I'm sorry to hear you're having such a difficult time. Its hard enough trying to manage but when you don't have the support of the people around you, its a nightmare. I think the only thing you can do is try to stick to your guns and do what's right for you. Whatever your mums motivation, you just have to disregard her negativity. Your health must be your priority and you can't let other people jeopardise that. If your colleague moans about you taking time out to check your bloods etc then so what? That's their problem. As I said before, you have rights and your employers should be educating staff to understand this. Please don't let these people get you down, look after your health and you will prove them wrong eventually.

 

[akindrat18]

I'm down to only one option now and that is weight loss surgery. Had an appointment with the hospital doctor and is going to refer me to the specialist in the next few months.

 

[Resurgam]

I'm down to only one option now and that is weight loss surgery. Had an appointment with the hospital doctor and is going to refer me to the specialist in the next few months.

I can't see how having weightloss surgery is going to stop the 'you need carbs' nagging. You could end up with all the disadvantages and no progress if it goes on and you can't make the right choices for yourself.

 

[zand]

I'm down to only one option now and that is weight loss surgery. Had an appointment with the hospital doctor and is going to refer me to the specialist in the next few months.

Honestly, I don't know how you will manage it. @ickihun has to lose weight before her surgery and have a very low cal diet. She has fought very many health battles to get to this point and is so keen to lose weight she will do anything to achieve it. I don't see how you will manage to stick to the diet both before and after surgery. I'm not being nasty, I know I couldn't go through with it myself and I have shown more resolve to lose weight than you in the past 5 years or so. This is the last resort and definitely not the easy option.

How do your family feel about this? They haven't supported you in your efforts so far and you will really need their support now.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I agree with @zand It is not an easy option. You will have to follow a very restrictive diet beforehand or they will turn you down - and I mean VERY restrictive. Then afterwards you will not be able to go back to eating as you do now. Please do a lot of reading about it. @ickihun may see this and come along with more detailed information.

 

[ickihun]

@akindrat18 I think your team has referred you so you can take advantage of the bariatric teams help, which isn't always surgery.
You get assessed by the bariatric psychologist for eating disorders and whether the op would be compatible for you. Throughout you are supported by the dieticians... who are now low carb savvy.
My diabetic team advised me to try the 800cals after low carbing at less than 150carbs causes me palpitations and without my normally very effective metformin I've had to increase my insulin units. Which has gave me gained weight and has undone my hard work.
So.....
I'm current on the thinking of "if at first I don't succeed, try and try again". Hence this very low cal diet which is fairly low carb but definitely not 'no carb'.
Unfortunately not just have I no metformin support but I have to take 3 tablets a day which are sugar coated for IBS. It's a bu#mer!
Since starting 800cals I'm on reduced insulin units, already.

I am having the op as I know the 800cals milk shake diets actually has put me in remission in the past (pre-diagnosis) and I know if I wasn't hungry all the time I'd skip through it. So easy to make a shake compared to leek sheeted lazanya etc.

I hear what you say about work and I've found it much easier to start a new job as an injecting diabetic than being tablet dependant then insulin dependant. Staff don't often accept your extra need. Even though they should. Sounds like a bit staff training is needed.
You can only look after yourself in such circumstances. It's not selfish but a necessity.
Can your diabetic team not recommend better insulin routine? Mixed insulin before food? So before breakfast and before dinner? Testing at same time as insulin?
I'm not medically trained so I cannot advise about your insulin but does your hospital appointment need cause problems at work? As you MUST attend your diabetic appointments.
You will have far far more hospital appointments preparing for bariatric surgery mind.

Might be best to try a good regime now as the team will insist on it?
The team are a huge support thou which I feel you would benefit from.

 

[zand]

I'm down to only one option now and that is weight loss surgery. Had an appointment with the hospital doctor and is going to refer me to the specialist in the next few months.

I've been thinking about this. Weight loss surgery is the only option you haven't yet tried, that it is true. Or you could try some of the other options again? If it were me the threat of surgery would make me think twice about lapsing on my low carbing, it might just be enough to give me enough resolve to succeed this time.

 

[pavlovsdog]

I've been thinking about this. Weight loss surgery is the only option you haven't yet tried, that it is true. Or you could try some of the other options again? If it were me the threat of surgery would make me think twice about lapsing on my low carbing, it might just be enough to give me enough resolve to succeed this time.

I agree with you @zand. My last hba1c had gone up again which meant increasing my insulin, which galvanised me into getting control over my diet. I have since started the Newcastle diet, have come off insulin altogether and have already lost a substantial amount of weight in a short period of time. Surgery is a drastic option and I think in your case @akindrat18, bariatric surgery will not help stop a bad relationship with food, that is something you have to work on yourself. If however, you have access to a psychologist as part of the referral process, this may help you work through some of the issues you have around diet and food