New member
- Thread starter blackmay
- Start Date
- Messages
- 13,465
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Welcome @blackmay
Many of us have found that a low carb diet is an effective way to lower blood sugar levels. Have a look around the forum - there's lots of advice around this and do post as many questions as you like, we're a friendly bunch on here.
Many of us have found that a low carb diet is an effective way to lower blood sugar levels. Have a look around the forum - there's lots of advice around this and do post as many questions as you like, we're a friendly bunch on here.
Vaper
Active Member
- Messages
- 38
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Not being in control
Hi and welcome, are you type 2 insulin dependant or type 1 on a basal bolus regime. There are different methods for both types but both are based around food/ carbs. Type 1 you need to count carbs and dose according to quantity. Type 2 you need to refine your diet to more of a Mediterranean type diet limiting carbs but more a portion Control as a pose to counting carbs. There are lots of knowledgeable people on this site that will give far more info than me. Good luck with working things out and welcome to the forum
Thanks for your welcome and kind remarks. I did not post much as I was not sure if I was on the correct place to post. Now I know I was just like to give a bit more about myself and medication. I am Type 2 and take insulin twice a day Humulin 3 and have been under the hospital consultant for a year. My 3 monthly blood tests come back very high over 111. He started me on a drug called Empagliflozin ,after 3/4 days I felt unwell so stop taken it. My GP has asked me to give it another go so restarted taken it today.Fingers crossed.
I have coronary heart disease, epilepsy and a couple of other problems so take a lot of medication daily.
Sorry if this is a bit long winded.
I have coronary heart disease, epilepsy and a couple of other problems so take a lot of medication daily.
Sorry if this is a bit long winded.
azure
Expert
- Messages
- 9,780
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Welcome @blackmay 
You're not being long-winded at all.
Humulin M3 is a mixed insulin. Don't reduce your carbs unless you speak to,your nurse and get guidance. Mixed insuljn needs set amounts of carbs at certain times, and is more difficult to adjust.
Please can members remember that people on insulin have different requirements and should not alter their carbs without checking with a medical,professional.
You're not being long-winded at all.
Humulin M3 is a mixed insulin. Don't reduce your carbs unless you speak to,your nurse and get guidance. Mixed insuljn needs set amounts of carbs at certain times, and is more difficult to adjust.
Please can members remember that people on insulin have different requirements and should not alter their carbs without checking with a medical,professional.
Liam1955
Master
- Messages
- 10,964
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Insulin
- Dislikes
- Anti-Gay People, Self Centre People, Two Faced People and Bad Language.
Hello @blackmay and Welcome to the Forum . I am Type 2 and have been using Humulin i Insulin twice daily for 3 years and also take Metformin and Dapagliflozin (the Dapagliflozin belongs to the same group as the Empagliflozin you were on). If I can be of any help? Just ask . Meanwhile - I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all new members receive on joining the Forum.
. I am Type 2 and have been using Humulin i Insulin twice daily for 3 years and also take Metformin and Dapagliflozin (the Dapagliflozin belongs to the same group as the Empagliflozin you were on). If I can be of any help? Just ask . Meanwhile - I will tag @daisy1 who will provide you with some basic information that all new members receive on joining the Forum.
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@blackmay
Hello and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
Hello and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 147,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. They're all free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
