weight loss

BBW

Newbie
Messages
1
I have been newly diagnosed with Type II. I was gaining weight before and I thought when I was diagnosed, I would get serious about losing. I can't seem to do that. I crave sweets and carbs especially bread. I love to cook and entertain and just can't seem to get motivated. I know all the reasons I should but it doesn't help. Are there any suggestions that might help me? Thanks.
 

daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
Hi BBW and welcome to the forum :)

You will probably find that cutting the carbohydrates you eat will help both your weight and your levels. As you cut the carbohydrates down you will find that you crave them less. Have a read of this advice about diet and carbohydrates in this information we give to new members. I think you will find it helpful.


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 30,000 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

Another option is to replace ‘white carbohydrates’ (such as white bread, white rice, white flour etc) with whole grain varieties. The idea behind having whole grain varieties is that the carbohydrates get broken down slower than the white varieties –and these are said to have a lower glycaemic index.
http://www.diabetes.co.uk/food/diabetes ... rains.html

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

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.
 

Merluna

Active Member
Messages
28
Hi BBW!
I have not long been diagnosed and was a real carby before! I loved fresh white bread and butter, potato and best of all pasta!
I have found that with some items there are alternatives such as celeriac or sweet pot to substitute spuds, burgen soya and linseed bread is really lovely and whole wheat pasta!
I have been really disciplined with myself and although my levels are not down as low as I would like they are 100% better than they were!
What surprised me was when we went out for a Chinese on sat, I was dreading the rice in a massive bowl for all to share! Would I be able to resist!! Well turns out yes!!! I had 3 prawn crackers, chicken and mushroom soup starter and I ordered myself 2 main course meat dishes, made sure they were not sweet sauces stuffed my face with tender beef and cashew chicken and didn't miss the rice one bit!
You can do it! Just find alternatives that suit you, I also find I crave the old carbs less now too and feel loads better and have lost 1/2 a stone in 2 weeks!
Oh yes and for those sweet moments Harley's do low sugar jellies with only 1g of carb! Be careful tho as the sweetener can have a laxative effect if you have too much! I especially like the blueberry and blackberry one!
You will get there be strong :)
 

Merluna

Active Member
Messages
28
Oh yes and a friend of mine who loves baking and is also diabetic said there are some fab bread recipes she uses that are low gi! Sorry I can't suggest/give you any as baking is something I don't really have the time or inclination to do! ;0)
Why don't you set yourself a challenge to bake things you can eat but no one else will know are diabetic friendly things! See if your guests guess! :)