Hello From a Newbie

piiwan58

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello Everyone,

I am Kevin and am new here.

I joined up as I've recently been diagnosed as being pre-diabetic and my doctor didn't really offer any guidance other than "look on this website".

I found out that as I also have high cholesterol, he should really have been more informative.

Anyway, I look forward to conversing with you guys and listen to any advice that may be offered.

Thanks
Kevin
 

Andy12345

Expert
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6,342
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hi, welcome :)

the advice the doctor gave you is the best advice I've ever heard a doctor give out

ask questions when you get them :)
 
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sanguine

Well-Known Member
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3,340
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Welcome Kevin, ask away.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Hello Everyone,

I am Kevin and am new here.

I joined up as I've recently been diagnosed as being pre-diabetic and my doctor didn't really offer any guidance other than "look on this website".

I found out that as I also have high cholesterol, he should really have been more informative.

Anyway, I look forward to conversing with you guys and listen to any advice that may be offered.

Thanks
Kevin
Hi Kevin, (piiwan58)
Welcome
Good advice from doc. As pre-diabetic you could, possibly avoid progression to T2, or even get back to non-diabetic status.
Lots of good advice on forum from folks who have done just that. Though I do realise how overwhelming a diagnosis can be.
I also notice from your avatar pic that you will get on with at least one forum regular. She also likes ironing, but that is not a pre-requisite to posting on here.
Best of luck, and I hope you get everything you need from forum
Pipp
 
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mo1905

BANNED
Messages
4,334
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Type 1
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Insulin
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Rude people !
Welcome to the forum Kevin. Have a browse through the various pages then ask any questions you may have. Take care, Mo
 
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daisy1

Legend
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Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum :)

Although you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, looking after yourself properly could help prevent progression to full diabetes. To help you, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

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 nearly 100,000 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-and-whole-grains.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 bloodglucose 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.
 

piiwan58

Member
Messages
9
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thanks for your welcomes guys, I should have put this clearer...

When I wrote the doctor suggested "this" website, I didn't mean this forum in particular, he was referring to an NHS website.

Should have made that clear, nice to meet you all.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Thanks for your welcomes guys, I should have put this clearer...

When I wrote the doctor suggested "this" website, I didn't mean this forum in particular, he was referring to an NHS website.

Should have made that clear, nice to meet you all.
Serendipity then?
Hope it lives up to expectations.
 

popsy

Well-Known Member
Messages
522
Type of diabetes
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Tablets (oral)
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Crowds of people, my idea of hell would be a huge gathering of any sort!

Heights, scare me to death!
Liars, cheats. poseurs, any kind of violence, thieves and people who take advantage of others.

The way the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

Global warming, the melting ice caps, whaling..I mean what for?!

Cruelty

Having to give up my eat everything philosophy..and I really really dislike consequences.
Hello Kevin and welcome to the best forum you will ever join! :)

There is a place on here dedicated to pre-diabetes where can learn about your condition: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/prediabetes.40/

Good Luck and even if you have ended up here by a crooked path it was the right place! :D
 
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kirzle

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I was only diagnosed with type 2 last week, I have been overwhelmed with it all, have felt like its my fault but am beginning to understand that its something that has happened. I had gestational diabetes with both my children (16 and 10). My question is that my understanding is that I need to have carbs in my diet but am now worried that I am having too many. Today I have had AllBran and milk, bean salad, cous cous and salad, big pot of watermelon, raspberries and blueberries and salmon, roast veg and brown rice! Is that ok? I don't have a blood monitor yet. Thanks for any help or advice. :)
 

this is too difficult

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,758
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
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diabetes
rr
Hi, I was only diagnosed with type 2 last week, I have been overwhelmed with it all, have felt like its my fault but am beginning to understand that its something that has happened. I had gestational diabetes with both my children (16 and 10). My question is that my understanding is that I need to have carbs in my diet but am now worried that I am having too many. Today I have had AllBran and milk, bean salad, cous cous and salad, big pot of watermelon, raspberries and blueberries and salmon, roast veg and brown rice! Is that ok? I don't have a blood monitor yet. Thanks for any help or advice. :)
That sounds like a very bad days eating for a diabetic
The salmon would be OK. You say you don't have a monitor YET. So I presume you intend to get one. Once you start testing you will see that what you assumed to be healthy foods will send your blood glucose levels soaring.
 

kirzle

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
rr
That sounds like a very bad days eating for a diabetic
The salmon would be OK. You say you don't have a monitor YET. So I presume you intend to get one. Once you start testing you will see that what you assumed to be healthy foods will send your blood glucose levels soaring.
 

kirzle

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Oh my goodness, I really thought that was a good menu. In have been given a diet sheet which tells me all the good foods and thought I'd done the right thing. I am going to GP tomorrow and getting monitor then. Please could you maybe tell me why that is not a good days food. Thanks.
 

this is too difficult

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,758
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
diabetes
Oh my goodness, I really thought that was a good menu. In have been given a diet sheet which tells me all the good foods and thought I'd done the right thing. I am going to GP tomorrow and getting monitor then. Please could you maybe tell me why that is not a good days food. Thanks.
Ignore that sheet.
It is all about carbohydrates to us.
 

this is too difficult

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,758
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
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diabetes
I have been pronounced cured because of my diet. But I am as diabetic as I ever was. The NHS does not seem to have a bloody clue about diabetes. Just my opinion. Many here have done much better than me.
 
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sanguine

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,340
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Intolerance, career politicians, reality TV and so-called celebrity culture, mobile phones in the quiet carriage.
Hi, I was only diagnosed with type 2 last week, I have been overwhelmed with it all, have felt like its my fault but am beginning to understand that its something that has happened. I had gestational diabetes with both my children (16 and 10). My question is that my understanding is that I need to have carbs in my diet but am now worried that I am having too many. Today I have had AllBran and milk, bean salad, cous cous and salad, big pot of watermelon, raspberries and blueberries and salmon, roast veg and brown rice! Is that ok? I don't have a blood monitor yet. Thanks for any help or advice. :)

Hi Kirzle, welcome.

You don't need carbs in your diet despite what the NHS guidance says, and should cut out as much as you can, especially bread, potatoes, pasta and rice. So from your food today the Allbran and brown rice have to go, the bean salad and couscous you would need to test, and avoid tropical fruits like the watermelon. And bananas.

Check the labels on food, you should try and stick to those that have 5g carbs per 100g or less. There is a good book called 'Carbs and Cals' which has pictures and values for hundreds of food and meal items.

It can be confusing at first, but read around and ask questions.

Have a look at www.dietdoctor.com/LCHF. The NHS eat well plate is soooo wrong for diabetics.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Oh my goodness, I really thought that was a good menu. In have been given a diet sheet which tells me all the good foods and thought I'd done the right thing. I am going to GP tomorrow and getting monitor then. Please could you maybe tell me why that is not a good days food. Thanks.
Hello Kirzle
It all gets so confusing and worrying immediately after diagnosis.
A lot of T2 diabetes advice from GPs is to have plenty of 'good carbs'. In reality many of us find this makes blood glucose readings rise even higher.
There is some good advice from for newly diagnosed earlier in this thread. You will also get lots of sound advice to your questions from forum members.
Best wishes
Pipp
 
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this is too difficult

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,758
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
diabetes
Hello Kirzle
It all gets so confusing and worrying immediately after diagnosis.
A lot of T2 diabetes advice from GPs is to have plenty of 'good carbs'. In reality many of us find this makes blood glucose readings rise even higher.
There is some good advice from for newly diagnosed earlier in this thread. You will also get lots of sound advice to your questions from forum members.
Best wishes
Pipp
I think what Pipp means by many of us is almost all of us.