Welcome Paul. The first step is admitting there’s a problem , lol sorry just joking.
Which meds are you on? If it’s metformin then it helps a little but isn’t enough on its own. If it’s other stuff check my last paragraph before continuing.
Do you know what your bloods are currently like?
Mostly in here we do some version of low carb for type 2, because it works when other approaches don’t. It can help diabete, weight and blood pressure. I’ll add some links below to get you started. Meats eggs and cheese is good. Bread, potatoes and cereals not so much but then you seem to know this much already. To maintain energy it’s making sure you get enough low carb food, enough fluids, enough electrolytes and then top up with fats. Working nights is tough, I used to do rotating shifts so appreciate that. I’m sure by now you’ve worked out when your main meal is though so all the same advice still applies you’ll just have to change the clock times to suit your work pattern.
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Can I suggest you take a good look at LCHF ie low carb higher fat (than typically recommended) methods of eating (keto is just a version of this). It helps many of us lose significant amounts of weight, if desired, keep our numbers down and for some even eliminate medications and achieve remission and reduce or improve complications. Try clicking these links for more detailed explanations that are well worth readings
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog/jokalsbeek.401801/ for info including low carb made simple
And
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/success-stories-and-testimonials.43/ to show it really works and for motivation
and
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/what-have-you-eaten-today.75781/ for food ideas
also
https://www.dietdoctor.com/ for more food ideas and general info of carb content of foods. Lots of other websites for recipes out there too. Just use the term low carb or keto with whatever you fancy.
Also it’s very important to be able to check for yourself what’s happening so you can make the necessary adjustments day to day and meal by meal rather than wait 3, 6 or even 12 months and then have no idea what had what effect. Getting a blood glucose meter is the only way to do this (no matter what contradictory advice you may have heard - it’s usually budget based rather than anything more scientific). Please ask if you want any guidance on this.
IMPORTANT FOR ANYONE ON MEDS CONSIDERING LOWERING CARBS: if you lower your carbs then any glucose lowering meds may need to be adjusted accordingly to make sure you aren’t taking more than your new diet requires. It can cause a hypo if you have more gliclazide or insulin etc (this is not relevant for metformin on its own) than your new carb intake requires. Keep a close eye on your numbers and do this with your dr’s knowledge. Please don’t be put off by an ill informed out dated rubbishing of low carb diets or being told you should eat carbs to match meds, it should be the other way around.
Edit typos