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Hi Everyone.

J

Jan Mountain

Member
Messages
8
Location
Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Fish, lazy people and my diabetic nurse !
I was told December 23 I might have diabetes by a seriously rude and annoying practice nurse. Completely ruined my Christmas as you can imagine, it was an important one as well as I had a heart attack in August and Christmas had become my focus point. I was confirmed type 2 diabetes end of January and put on 500mg metformin 2 x a day.I have allways struggled with weight since the age of 8 and so have allways had to watch what I eat. I had managed to lose 2 stone over a period of 2 years and promptly put 3 and a half stone on betwen the end of August and the begining of December. I had not eaten any different or taken less exercise. My GP is insistant it is not related to any medication I was put on for my heart, Bisoprolol, Ramipril, Atorvastatin and Clopidogrel, and that I had merely overeaten and taken no exercise. So feeling very low and fed up, I resorted to trying to find dietary advice on internet and have now slowly driven myself mad. I am trying to cut down carbs but I am wondering whether I can eat a portion of carrot or parsnip may be once a week. I could really do with some help, I asked to be referred to a dietician and the nurse from hell said it was not neccesary. So I am left trying to sort out what is ok or not to eat and am begining to give up. I have bought a meter today and find that despite all my efforts my bg is stil 8.8 which is exactly what it was back in December !
 
HI and welcome. There is a lot of information on this website about suitable lower-carb diets but perhaps I can make a few points. First set yourself a daily target limit of, say, 150gm or even less. This means reading all the packaging labels and understanding fresh fruit and veg. In general root veg are fairly high in carbs so just keep them down. For fruit a few things such as bananas, nectarines and similar sugary fruits are best avoided or have only occasionally. A you may know bread, pasta and rice should be kept small and wholegrain where possible. I have eggs and bacon for breakfast and a little home-made muesli with cold milk. Go for protein and some fats with the veg. The meter will help guide you. Carrots are best eaten raw as cooking breaks down the starch and the same applies to hot porridge and so on. Keep at it and you will win thru. My wife who is not diabetic has been seriously low-carbing for the last year in phases and is now back to her marriage weight having lost several stone; it does work but requires good discipline. Good luck
 
I have been type 1 diabetic for 56 years, I put on a lot of weight a few years ago and was given a diet by my then hospital dietician. I managed to lose a couple of stone at least. One friend suggested it was similar to weight watchers and years later I used it again and so did friends at the same time, which spurs you on.

Daily amount
1 pint skimmed milk
1oz spread or 1/2oz butter

Breakfast - bran flakes/porridge toast

Lunch - either egg, 2oz meat, 5oz fish or 2/3oz cheese.
With salad as much as you like and 2 egg sized potatoes.
A yoghurt or piece of fruit for desert

Dinner
As above.

I was so full up, I'd add celery and grated carrots. I was allowed carrots and I eat them now and parsnips, only not as much as the other vegetables.

I hope this is of help to you. Good luck.







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Daibell said:
HI and welcome. There is a lot of information on this website about suitable lower-carb diets but perhaps I can make a few points. First set yourself a daily target limit of, say, 150gm or even less. This means reading all the packaging labels and understanding fresh fruit and veg. In general root veg are fairly high in carbs so just keep them down. For fruit a few things such as bananas, nectarines and similar sugary fruits are best avoided or have only occasionally. A you may know bread, pasta and rice should be kept small and wholegrain where possible. I have eggs and bacon for breakfast and a little home-made muesli with cold milk. Go for protein and some fats with the veg. The meter will help guide you. Carrots are best eaten raw as cooking breaks down the starch and the same applies to hot porridge and so on. Keep at it and you will win thru. My wife who is not diabetic has been seriously low-carbing for the last year in phases and is now back to her marriage weight having lost several stone; it does work but requires good discipline. Good luck
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Thank you very much for the information, I am so relieved to have found some help at last. I have found many suggestions on here and they have helped to clear my mind a bit so may be now I can focus better on getting that 3 1/2 stone off which I personally think will lower my bg. Thank you
 
Hi Jan

Weight loss will almost certainly help with blood glucose, as will exercising if you can.

If you want to post some typical meals/drinks you will et some comments and advice on things you can adjust .

Keep some records and you may notice patterns

Good Luck
Cara
 
Thank you Cara, I managed to cut out most of my carbs yesterday, mere fluke really cos I was so upset with everything and just did not want to eat. My typical breakfast is unsweetned low fat natural yoghurt and blueberries or a berry fruit of some kind, linch usually soup or 2 crispbread with marmite and a yohurt or piece of fruit. Dinner I think has been my main problem as I have been chomping my way through potatoes carrots and parsnips all on the same plate, will only have a small portion of one from now on,meat. I do not ever buy ready meals or processed foods as I am suspicious of what is in them. I am allergic to fish and also have to watch the amount of fat I consume due to gallstones and of course heart disease. My cholesterol is normal to low, it did dip to 2 until I badgered my doctor into letting me stop some of the statins they had me on.
 
I would see your doctor, and ask to be referred to a dietician that can advise for both your diabetes, and your heart condition.
Do you have any follow up at the hospital you were treated at, who could then refer you from there?
 
Hi Douglas99, no I have no follow up at the hospital but do have a very good group I belong to for people that have had heart problems. My GP also along with the practice diabetic nurse say's it is not necessary to see a dietician. I feel I am getting some where now as I have had so much good advice from people on here I feel a lot more hopefull and more cheerfull in myself which is all good and will help me to deal with things better.Thanks for your suggestion.
 
Hi Jan and welcome to the forum. You have already received a lot of useful advice but carry on asking questions and you will get plenty more answers.
 
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