Been In Denial T2 For A Couple Of Years

Frankie11111

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi All

This is my first posting as I have had a huge wake up call. Sorry for the long post but have been in denial for 2 years and eaten what I liked and not done anything as I have thought am ok am healthy.......
Had T2 for 2 years now and my blood sugar has slowly crept up from about 7 but it has just hit 9 and am on metformin and lyxenetide to try and lower my blood sugar.
Had my review and my nurse has said that I am getting close to needing insulin and I am thinking ****! I actually need to do something.

I am looking to restrict my carbs to about 45g a day but am scared stiff about doing this. I have never managed to diet very successfully I exercise regularly so am fairly fit for my size I am just not very good at controlling what I eat.
Any advice as I really don’t want to go onto insulin

X
 
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bigsi1984

Well-Known Member
Messages
88
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Hello. I’m sure there will be some others along with advice before long and @daisy will post some welcome info.

I have had some success since diagnosis and my diet has changed to Low Carb High Fat. However, I do not restrict myself when I go out for a meal or a family celebration. I try to make better choices, such as a mixed grill, but I will have the chips. Once a month or so I will have a kebab or pizza when the family gets a take-away and I do test regularly.

For me the odd day here and there does not negatively impact my overall results. I think it's the getting started that can be hard. For me I did things in small steps, for example I started by changing mainly my breakfasts and then included lunch and worked up to dinner.

Snack wise, almonds are my go to and there are studies that show a small amount of almonds after a meal can contribute to lowering spikes. In terms of chocolate I have two squares of Lindt 90% per day, usually with almonds as it tastes great.

Defo get a blood glucose meter and test, that way you can figure out the foods you can enjoy. Also there are some great alternatives to regular carbs available cheaply. I buy green rice from Iceland that takes 3 minutes in the microwave. It is broccoli, kale, spinach, sewaeed and cauliflower blitzed up. If I have a curry I have it with green rice and it tastes the same as for me rice is just there for texture.

Morrisons sell a ready meal that I use for lunch some days called Eat Smart Counted Roast Chicken Dinner. It's chicken in gravy with carrots, peas and 3 new potatoes. It comes with a stuffing ball but I bin that. The whole thing (including stuffing ball) is 15g carbs. It scratches a potato itch and I cover all the veg in butter to make it extra tasty. Worth checking out if you can.
 

Frankie11111

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hello. I’m sure there will be some others along with advice before long and @daisy will post some welcome info.

I have had some success since diagnosis and my diet has changed to Low Carb High Fat. However, I do not restrict myself when I go out for a meal or a family celebration. I try to make better choices, such as a mixed grill, but I will have the chips. Once a month or so I will have a kebab or pizza when the family gets a take-away and I do test regularly.

For me the odd day here and there does not negatively impact my overall results. I think it's the getting started that can be hard. For me I did things in small steps, for example I started by changing mainly my breakfasts and then included lunch and worked up to dinner.

Snack wise, almonds are my go to and there are studies that show a small amount of almonds after a meal can contribute to lowering spikes. In terms of chocolate I have two squares of Lindt 90% per day, usually with almonds as it tastes great.

Defo get a blood glucose meter and test, that way you can figure out the foods you can enjoy. Also there are some great alternatives to regular carbs available cheaply. I buy green rice from Iceland that takes 3 minutes in the microwave. It is broccoli, kale, spinach, sewaeed and cauliflower blitzed up. If I have a curry I have it with green rice and it tastes the same as for me rice is just there for texture.

Morrisons sell a ready meal that I use for lunch some days called Eat Smart Counted Roast Chicken Dinner. It's chicken in gravy with carrots, peas and 3 new potatoes. It comes with a stuffing ball but I bin that. The whole thing (including stuffing ball) is 15g carbs. It scratches a potato itch and I cover all the veg in butter to make it extra tasty. Worth checking out if you can.
 

purplepenguin

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi Frankie

You’ve done the first great thing in the road to control by signing in here. There are so many wonderful people here to give you advice, motivation and a supportive ear when you need it.

I was in the same position, except I was in denial much longer. I then had a huge scare which set me in the route to low carb and Keto, and I’m slowly turning the corner.

Look at Ditch the carbs website as it has great recipes that leave you feeling full. The first two weeks of low carb won’t be much fun while your body gets rid of all the glucose from carbs but after that you’ll feel like a new person.

Daisy should be along soon with her newbie info, I can’t tag her on the app for some reason but I’m sure someone else will do it. Read all her info, and also diet doctor.

Final piece of advice, get yourself a meter and test regularly. Ignore any nurse or doctor who says you don’t need one because they are so beyond wrong. How can you change your diet unless you know what each food does to you?

Welcome, again. Ask as many questions as you have, we will try to answer as best we can.
 

Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi All

This is my first posting as I have had a huge wake up call. Sorry for the long post but have been in denial for 2 years and eaten what I liked and not done anything as I have thought am ok am healthy.......
Had T2 for 2 years now and my blood sugar has slowly crept up from about 7 but it has just hit 9 and am on metformin and lyxenetide to try and lower my blood sugar.
Had my review and my nurse has said that I am getting close to needing insulin and I am thinking ****! I actually need to do something.

I am looking to restrict my carbs to about 45g a day but am scared stiff about doing this. I have never managed to diet very successfully I exercise regularly so am fairly fit for my size I am just not very good at controlling what I eat.
Any advice as I really don’t want to go onto insulin

X
Hello and welcome @Frankie11111
Restricting carbs is a good place to start. It is not a 'diet' as such, more a change of way of eating for ever.
The best advice I was given is to get a blood glucose meter and test before eating then at 1 hour and two hours after,. That is how to know what You have eaten is doing to your blood glucose levels.
If you are looking for inspiration, this is a good place to start.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/

Also when @daisy1 has posted her info, have a good read, and come back and ask questions.
Don't despair. You have come to a great place for support and info.
 

purplepenguin

Well-Known Member
Messages
319
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@daisy1 has great info too. Hoping this tag works!

There are a few meters that have cheaper strips, Tee2 and SD Codefree. Search for them on here as I believe there are discount codes too.
 

Freema

Expert
Messages
7,346
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi All

This is my first posting as I have had a huge wake up call. Sorry for the long post but have been in denial for 2 years and eaten what I liked and not done anything as I have thought am ok am healthy.......
Had T2 for 2 years now and my blood sugar has slowly crept up from about 7 but it has just hit 9 and am on metformin and lyxenetide to try and lower my blood sugar.
Had my review and my nurse has said that I am getting close to needing insulin and I am thinking ****! I actually need to do something.

I am looking to restrict my carbs to about 45g a day but am scared stiff about doing this. I have never managed to diet very successfully I exercise regularly so am fairly fit for my size I am just not very good at controlling what I eat.
Any advice as I really don’t want to go onto insulin

X
If you do collect a lot of recipes and treats you can, in fact, eat a lot of it is much easier instead of focussing on all you cant eat... there really are a lot of food kinds one can enjoy loads of ... when you learn it and get it under your skin and as a habbit.

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

Freema

Expert
Messages
7,346
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
but that said it is really a great idea to try being under 50 grams of carbs in total in a day, the most easy way is to eat a breakfast totally without carb or almost without carbs , like bacon and eggs or ham and cheese (and NO bread ) maybe with a few tomatoes along or cucumbers
or a steak/ beef with spinach ...
 

jayney27

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,643
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello and welcome, you have taken the first and hardest step, recognising that you have a condition that needs to be controlled.
There are lots of lovely friendly and supportive people here, we are all in this together and will be more than willing to help you.
I throughly reccomend giving low carb high fat a go, weight loss comes as a very welcome bonus the main reason for changing your eating habits should be to try and lower then maintain your blood glucose levels. I have been low carb since January after being diagnosed in October last year, I have reduced my blood glucose levels to normal, lost almost 5 stone and can say that I feel better than I have in years, I have more energy, sleep better and generally feel healthy and well.
I wish you well, good luck.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Frankie111.11

Hello Frankie 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 want 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 235,000 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
Reduce your 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 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
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

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. Most of these are 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.
 

Frankie11111

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Thank you all for your warm welcome. I feel like I have got the support on here to get started.
Today is a new day and woke up feeling positive
Had Greek yogurt and berries for breakfast. Planned today’s food. Pilchard salad for lunch and then smoked haddock with scrambled egg and veg. Does that sound ok?
I have ordered a glucometer off amazon and is time to start experimenting

Best wishes
Frankie
 

Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thank you all for your warm welcome. I feel like I have got the support on here to get started.
Today is a new day and woke up feeling positive
Had Greek yogurt and berries for breakfast. Planned today’s food. Pilchard salad for lunch and then smoked haddock with scrambled egg and veg. Does that sound ok?
I have ordered a glucometer off amazon and is time to start experimenting

Best wishes
Frankie
Great. Well done. Don't forget to keep letting us know how you are doing. Before long you will be helping and advising others .
 

DaveXF

Well-Known Member
Messages
96
Hi All

This is my first posting as I have had a huge wake up call. Sorry for the long post but have been in denial for 2 years and eaten what I liked and not done anything as I have thought am ok am healthy.......
Had T2 for 2 years now and my blood sugar has slowly crept up from about 7 but it has just hit 9 and am on metformin and lyxenetide to try and lower my blood sugar.
Had my review and my nurse has said that I am getting close to needing insulin and I am thinking ****! I actually need to do something.

I am looking to restrict my carbs to about 45g a day but am scared stiff about doing this. I have never managed to diet very successfully I exercise regularly so am fairly fit for my size I am just not very good at controlling what I eat.
Any advice as I really don’t want to go onto insulin

X

Anyone on here who denies ever being in denial is kidding themselves :)

I'm due to go back onto something...god knows what..after not taking any meds for a few years.
I tend to eat under 10g of carbs a day and I'm averaging 10mmol/l ...up from the 5's.
If the Dr wants to stick me on insulin, then OK... but that's just me.

When we are out shopping, I will aim for foods with <5% carb content.. and carb free whenever possible.
Its incredibly easy, once it becomes the habit...which takes a bit of time.
That said, if you like your fish, eggs, meats, creams, hard cheeses ( in the main) and green veg...you'll be fine.

Best of luck!
 
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AloeSvea

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,051
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Actually, @DaveXF - I have not been in denial re the T2D, and I am not kidding myself. Not in my nature, which happens. :).