Type 2 - a few questions, for starters...

[Energize]

Hi

I'm trying to get myself a 'Plan of Action' together now so I have some questions but there will obviously be a lot more.

So, for starters ...

Are saccharin and granulated sweeteners ok to use? I appreciate it would be good to loose my sweet tooth and get used to non-sweetened foods but there are some things I just can't manage without some sweetener.

What sort of foods do you folks have for breakfast? I have been having a bread roll,butter/spread and small amount marmalade, and a coffee. I suspect this is too much carb so guess I should be finding an alternative. I am going to try porridge but I'm not too sure I will be able to eat that! I'm not at all keen on mueselli, dried fruits etc. I would be grateful for 'grab quickly' food ideas.

Then lunch? I'm usually 'here or there', rarely at home at lunch time, so it needs to be something I can 'grab and take' really. Sorry, but I'm just not a salad eater! Again, normally I would get a bread roll, fill it with ham or Philli. A yoghurt afterwards is ok?

And then tea! A problem!!! I'm not into preparation or cooking at the moment, although I'm hoping I will have more motivation and energy once I start getting my blood sugar down to a better level (here's hoping). There are other reasons why my evening meal has to be almost 'instant' at the moment. Without 'easy fodder', it just won't work at the moment - believe me, I've tried.

Also, getting a meal for just yourself is horrible. It does really limit what is feasible to prepare and cook. I do, on a good day, cook bolognaise sauce and chilli (fresh meat and vegs stuff - not packet or jar), and freeze in portions. This is brilliant for getting out, into m/wave for 5 mins while cooking rice/pasta. However, am going to have to cut back on rice/pasta so do I just increase the sauce portion? I can't see me managing with just a small portion of rice/pasta - I get really hungry, then not fit for anything.

So, I think those questions are plenty for now. I really hope you can help re suggesting some 'quick grab' foods. I've come to realise I'm a very fussy eater - comes with only having myself to please, I suppose! I'm hoping my taste will change in due course, then enabling me to enjoy a wider range but, for the moment, it's got to be something I can cope with and go from there.

Thanks very much for all your support.
Cheers

 

[Fencer]

Hey there, hope you are well. Any advice given below is to be thought of as wrong! This is my personal experiences and not an educated viewpoint.

I bought a bag of naturally sweet. Not sure off-hand exactly what it is, but it looks like sugar and has been derived from fruits. To be used as you would normally use as sugar. I seldom use it though. I gave up sugar in coffee (was surprised how easy this was) and such like, as I figured just as easy getting used to my cuppa with no sugar as it would be getting used to it with artifical sweeteners.

For breakfast, wholegrain is my goal. I go for porridge, shredded wheat, toast, eggs, fruit, etc. Don't touch marmalade, jam, sprinkling sugar, etc.

Lunch, I manage fine with a sandwich made with wholemeal bread. Always choose the highest fibre bread that I can fine. Then a mullerlight yoghurt and a piece of fruit.

Tea, I don't drink.

Evening meal, I changed by adding in a large serving of veg and just thinking a bit better about my choices of main meal (such as I still have pasta, but changed to wholegrain variety and going for healthier meats). I watch how I cook things these days too. Grill rather than fry! Also, be careful with the "carbs with carbs" trap - don't have chips with your macaroni n cheese.

So, to sum it up, I went for getting a all-round, balanced diet. Adding in loads of fruit and veg, wholegrains and lean meats rather than sweet snacks and fatty meals.

 

[Grazer]

Hi! Artificial sweeteners fine. I use canderel pills in coffee and canderel powder in other foods requiring sweeteners. (don't use it often) Bread roll at breakfast not great. My food is a bit like Fencer's. I have mini shredded wheat. Same carbs as all the other cereals but much lkess sugar content so lower GI (glycaemic index) Lunchtime is a sandwich (2 slices of bread) but I use Bergen Soya and Linseed bread from Sainsburys, very low GI again. Pasta is O.k, I have normal helping but use either wholewheat spaghetti or Fusilli (the twirly ones!) tricolore, low GI for both. If you have rice, they say use brown rice but Easy cook basmati is evcen lower GI.
Following this sort of regime I've got my HbA1c down to 5.5 on diet alone.
Good Luck, Malc

 

[ClaireG 06]

Breakfast for me is either greek yogurt with some berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries or blackberrys), eggs of some kind, an omlette or some kippers.

Lunch is either salad or eggs if i havn't had them for breakfast. If i am going somewhere i'll sometimes take a sarnie and use the soya and linseed burgen bread.

Dinners i eat a lot of fish and chicken with veggies. I've found i can have 2-3 new potatoes without it doing anything to my BG levels and can also have a small amount of basmati rice or pasta. If i make a curry or spag bol etc i will have less pasta but pad the meal out with veg or salad.

The only way you can really find out what works for you is by testing your blood sugars though. Test before you eat and the again 2 hrs after you eat and if you get a high reading you know you either need to avoid that food or try a smaller portion of it.

 

[anna29]

Hi, To reach a tailored made meals and grab n go foods that you like and enjoy and dont spike your BG levels , you can also request an appointment with a trained dietician 1-2-1 you can both go through the foods you do and dont like n enjoy. A list can be drawn up ready to shop n buy in with... Then you can meal plan ahead easily and slot it into your daily meal needs n grab n go lifestyle. Also keep reading the great pointers n suggestions here on the forum , pick n choose the ones that appeal to your tastes and cooking style. You can request an appointment with a dietician via your practice nurse [PN] or the diabetic specialist nurse [DSN] they will be happy to refer you to a dietician as its seen as a good positive step in the right direction. Hope this helps? Anna.x

 

[viviennem]

Hi Energize

I've just bumped the diet I use, called 'Viv's Modified Atkins Diet', up to the top of the Low-carb Diabetes Diet Forum here for someone else to read. If you are low-carbing, you might find it interesting. PM me if you want to discuss it further - portable lunches, etc. You do need to eat the veg! :shock: that's where your vitamins and fibre come from.

I've lost a stone since January (despite too much wine on occasions ), most of which has come off in the past 6 weeks when I've been off alcohol because of painkillers. The diet works for me; my cholesterol is fine, my BP is coming down as the weight comes off, and my blood glucose levels, with 3 x 500g Metformin + the diet, are nearly at non-diabetic levels.

I certainly couldn't eat the amount of carbs that (eg) malcysykes1 eats, but we all react differently to different foods. The only way to find out what you can eat is to test regularly.

Good luck!

Viv 8)

 

[captainlynne]

I can't cope with carbs so if I have bolognese, chilli or anything else like that I use boiled cauliflower or brocolli (or a combination) instead of rice or pasta. But as others have said, test and see what works for you.

 

[Energize]

Wow! Thanks to all of you, with your suggestions. I am beginning to get a picture of various foods to go shopping for. I can see me there, in the aisles, carefully reading the Nutritional Information, comparing brands etc!!! Best make sure I'm not hungry at the time too, eh!!! :wink:

Yes, it certainly seems logical, as all folks are so different and respond differently to foods, to be testing before/after until you know how you respond as an individual. So, how illogical that Drs don't like you testing!!! However, in spite of that, I have got a meter and the necessary bits, hence I am well aware my BG runs too high. Ha! If I didn't, neither would the doctor - not due a test till December!!! Sorry, one of my rants :roll:

Anyway, I'm going to check out 'Viv's Modified Atkins Diet' (thanks viviennem). I like the suggestion of brocolli/cauli with bolognaise or chilli,

captainlynne, and congratulations on loosing all that weight. Obviously the wine wasn't too detrimental, then!

anna29, I've seen a dietitian some time ago, who agreed bought salads & pasta and yoghurts would be ok but clearly not. I've eaten so many of those bought bowls of pasta salad things that I can't face them much now - besides, am again getting indigetion (stress related) so not the best of things to be eating, perhaps. Hence a major rethink. I am considering as to whether another trip to the dieticians would be helpful, as she will say, as ever, 'eat more carbohydrate'. I think it might be worth me testing before/after various carbohydrate foods to see what is happening, then will be armed with 'evidence' if I see a dietician. Unfortunately, I feel the 'Diabetic Nurse' at the surgery just 'ticks the boxes' rather than listens/hears what you say so, again, I think I need to be armed with 'evidence' before seeing her.

A few of you mentioned the Burgen bread so it would be worth me trying out. I'll get some.

Once I can manage to get back into the habit of cooking vegs, that will help a lot. I do enjoy steamed brocolli, cauliflower, carrots, peas, mushrooms. Yes, it would also be good to have a few new potatoes if the carb value works out to be ok for me.

I'll have to check out the cereals. It maybe some yoghurt on some sort of 'nicer' mueselli might be (just) palatable but will clearly have to watch the sugar contents. I'm thinking yoghurt might make it just that bit easier to eat (oh, it's like what I used to feed my horse on!!! - well, nearly :lol: )

So, 'food for thought' as they say. Thank you all very much. There is lots of help and tips in all the messages. I appreciate it very much.

 

[goldfish_21]

Just an idea for breakfast - I have soy yogurt (which is lower in carb than normal yog and in my opinion tastes better), with fruit (strawberries or raspberries are favourite) and a small handful of shops own brand 'allbran' type cereal. I find this is the best way for me to cram in one of the 'five a day' along with a bit of fibre, not too much carb for me, and still make it palatable especially as I often dont feel like eating first thing but have to because of the tablets. Also it's dead quick to make - just slop everything into a bowl and eat

(That post could do with re-wording a bit but am tired and think it just about makes sense so am going to leave it)

Vicky

 

[angieG]

Just an idea for breakfast - I have soy yogurt (which is lower in carb than normal yog and in my opinion tastes better), with fruit (strawberries or raspberries are favourite) and a small handful of shops own brand 'allbran' type cereal. I find this is the best way for me to cram in one of the 'five a day' along with a bit of fibre, not too much carb for me, and still make it palatable especially as I often dont feel like eating first thing but have to because of the tablets. Also it's dead quick to make - just slop everything into a bowl and eat

(That post could do with re-wording a bit but am tired and think it just about makes sense so am going to leave it)

Vicky

I do the same but have nuts and flaxseed instead of the allbran with my soya yoghurt and berries(making it even lower carb). If I'm going to work the next day I usually pile it all in an airtight pot the night before and then all I have to do the next morning is get it out the fridge and eat it.
Have been having fresh strawberries lately while they are in season but Tesco do bags of frozen mixed berries that are very tasty. Just add them in the pot with everything else the night before and they are thawed by morning.
Regards
Angie

 

[Dougie22]

I've been pretty luck and have found through testing that I can handle a limited amount of wholemeal bread, muesli or potatoes. I was diagnosed about Easter and have lost a couple of stones.

For breakfast I have Jordans Muesli (lots of nuts an oats, quite a few carbs but low GI so better), wholemeal toast with squished on banana (I steal my wife's weight watchers wholemeal bread) or Total 0% fat yogurt with some rasperrries or blueberries (or both) and a spoonful of muesli to give it bite.

If it's warm, I can get away with meat or tuna salad at lunch (or, if cold, soup). Like you, I'm not a big salad hand so I alternate with mixed leaves, carrot salad from M&S and three bean salads. Otherwise it's the wholemeal bread again but with less bread and more protein than I used to have (chicken, smoked salmon and light Philly, etc)

Hunger in the afternoon is tackled with fruit if I can stand it, or basic crackers (peppered in my case) and light cream cheese.

For dinner, my wife usually cooks and it's meat or chicken, small amount of potatoes or rice and some kingd of veg (carbs much smaller than before diagnosis), fruit and small ice cream or similar or yoghurt. Some of the instant meals for a tenner, etc are quite good. We like the M&S warm checken salad for example, that takes 3 minutes to cook in the microwave (although a little expensive for everyday).

The main difference I've found is that I really have to think about food now, prepare in advance so as to avoid bad choices made in a hurry (at work for example) and read the labels.

I've been using my meter to get 2 hour readings and building up a list of menus that I know I can handle without spiking my BG. After quite a short period, you end up with a reasonable listy of choices that you know will be ok and you can then concentrate your meter readings on new combinations or amounts.

I think you'll find it's easier than you think once you get into it.

 

[Energize]

goldfish_21, your wording was perfect!!! I really loved how you put 'just slop everything into a bowl and eat' - that's my sort of language !!! :lol: Thanks so much for your suggestion.

angieG, thanks for your tips too. I think some almonds, or whatever other nuts are OK, would perhaps be a good thing to nibble on during the morning, or afternoon.

It would obviously be worth me trying soy yoghurt. I can see I will be testing out a lot of different foods.

It's fortunate strawberries, raspberries etc are in season just now. I love them, so maybe some of these fruits with some mueselli and soy yoghurt (all made the night before even!) definitely sounds a promising way to go. That will be a good start to the day, and a good place to start on changing my diet, eh?

Thanks very much

 

[Energize]

Hi Dougie
What an encouraging post! Thx. Wow, congratulations on doing so well re weight loss, in that short space of time.

Oh, I love 'squished' banana on bread or toast!

I feel I want to significantly reduce carbs until I can get acceptable BS. While I'm sorting my diet out, though, I want to test to see how the different foods/carbs affect my BS, so I can learn what is OK and what is not.

Yes, you've put it well - "building up a list of menus that I know I can handle without spiking" and "end up with a reasonable list of choices that you know will be ok and you can then concentrate your meter readings on new combinations or amounts."

"avoid bad choices made in a hurry" - yes, definitely!!! I don't plan meals/food, suddenly realise I'm so hungry I'm all wobbly, need something 'instantly', so limits options or, being weak-willed, want to just stuff a couple of bread rolls with butter, or preferably with chocolate spread!!! Argh!!!

Your tips are really helpful. Not too sure about the 'peppered' crackers, though :shock:

You mentioned light cream cheese - is that low fat/low carb? I do usually have some Philli in the fridge. I'm not 'allowed' to eat cheese (potential dangerous interaction with meds), although I do occasionally (whoops! Did I say that? ) but I gather cream cheese is sort-of OK. Actually, thinking about it, there is a very long list of foods I'm supposed to avoid - and yes, yoghurt is one of them!!! Oh what!!! Well, I do eat yoghurt, a lot, and haven't yet had a problem. Hmmm, life is full of risks, eh???

So, you see what I'm up against? Not only a fussy eater but with imposed restrictions on top of diabetic issues. I'll need to check the 'high' risk foods on the list, methinks! :roll:

Thanks everyone, keep the suggestions and ideas etc flowing ... I really need to get to grips with this all, for my sanity, if nothing else!!! :lol:

 

[Dougie22]

The crackers ar Jacobs flatbreads "salt and cracked black pepper" from Tescos. They are about 6 inches by one inch so quite substantial and 41 calories and 7.3g of carbohydrate each. Light philly is pretty low too if you put it on in moderation but the combination can keep me going till dinner in a way that a piece of fruit doesn't.

My key has been to not allow myself to get hungry.

The dietician suggested replacing with oatcakes which I also like but they are generally more calories and not as visually substantial. Remember what works for me may not work for you.

 

[ailz]

I've taken to having Staffordshire Oatcakes. 35.1 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. You grill/microwave/fry them. They are lovely with bacon or cheese or eggs - or rolled around a banana.

I've found a lovely well balanced breakfast - Wensleydale cheese with mango and ginger - protein, fat and carbs in one tasty lump - well it works for me :lol:

Ailz

 

[viviennem]

A tip for muesli is to put the milk on it the night before and put it in the fridge overnight. If you have more time make it in the morning, let it stand half-an-hour or so.

If you have problems with dairy, it may be that sheep or goat's cheese/yoghurt/milk may be okay for you - you could ask your doctor. I know that people who are allergic to cow's milk can often eat sheep and goat dairy - but of course it depends why your medication reacts with it.

I still eat ready meals on occasions, eg from Tesco - look for the ones with the lowest carb content, and count it in your daily allowance.

Viv 8)

 

[Energize]

Hi

Thanks, Dougie. The flatbreads sound 'interesting' but will check the salt content as I am on meds for blood pressure. Yes, I do like Philli light, and generally have some in the fridge, as I mentioned.

"not to get too hungry" Yes, I can understand that. Sometimes I'm just so on the go that I don't think about food until I'm so hungry that I just want to eat everything! It's hard then, eh?

You said the "dietician suggested replacing *** with oatcakes ... generally more calories..." Could you fill in the *** missing word, please??? I think it could be quite important :wink:

Brilliant help, thanks

Ailz, I've never heard of Staffordshire Oatcakes but sound rather useful to go with bacon particularly, and eggs. Could be a useful light meal. I love Wensleydale but am to avoid cheese. Very occasionally I will eat some Cheddar but I have to be very careful to only eat what I know I've been ok with, although it's always a risk for me. I really miss it. Thanks very much for all that.

Viviennem - yes, it was mentioned, maybe by you, to put milk or yoghurt on the muesli the night before and put in fridge overnight. Does that make it soggy, though? I think I would find it more palatable if it were crunchy. However, will have to experiment and see which is preferable.

Fortunately, I don't have problems with dairy products (well, none that I'm aware of). I already have skimmed milk (UHT, for convenience) and so have got well used to that and don't mind it at all now, so that's maybe something in my favour. Yippee!!!

Yes, I have eaten ready meals but am not keen on them. I don't mind so much the Sainsbury's Italian pasta dishes but I suspect they will be quite high carbs when I check them out. Will take a look though. Certainly useful to keep a couple of ready meals in the freezer and stick them in the m/wave.

I haven't had time to go shopping as yet, but maybe tomorrow (well, later today!!!) so will see what I manage to find to try. My first priority is to try out alternatives for breakfast, ie will get some yoghurt and muesili to start with, and then test. Hopefully, that will prove to be ok for me, not too high test afterwards, and last me through to lunch time. Then, I will be working on light meals, and main meals, then appropriate snacks for when necessary.

Brilliant, sounds like some progress to me, and a strategy to work on. I'm feeling more optimistic already so that's good, eh?

Thanks everyone for all your help

Cheers

 

[lister]

hi energize,
i use canderel to sweeten my coffeeif you want to replace rice you can grate colli and zap it in a micro with no water for a few seconds i tried it and it was suprisingly good.
anyway good luck with the shopping try not to be tempted with pre prepared meals including weight watchers as they help with weight control but not with sugars and salts.
i made that mistake at first.
Rob...

 

[Dougie22]

Dietician preferred oatcakes to crackers but that was without knowing any details.

I also need the "crunch" in my muesli.

 

[Energize]

Good morning

Thanks for your two messages. I'm making my shopping list now, then off to Sainsbury's. I'm quite excited about the prospect at the moment, which certainly helps, doesn't it?

Cauliflower instead of rice sounds useful and quick to cook. I use saccharin to sweeten my drinks but use Sainsbury's Slender if I want granulated so I think I'm ok on that one.

Thanks for the hint re WW prepared meals and salt/sugar content. Will watch out for that too.

Again, thanks for all your support.