Sorry, I'm new to this diagnosed 2 weeks ago level of 55 told by GP to go away lose a few pounds and have bloods done in 3month
Thank you, I'm newly diagnosed, a level of 55, GP told me to go away lose a few pounds and come back in 3 months to be retested. No medicine. With regards to taking blood glucose levels I was informed to do it 3 times and take an average. I now know this was wrong. Would I be correct in saying that I have to take recordings a) first thing in the morning. B) 2 hours after meals c) before bed.
I wouldn't dream of saying that you HAVE to do something, but I will make a suggestion and give the reasons for that suggestion.
It is undisputed that when you eat carbohydrates they immediately start to convert into glucose.
Thus the most problematic foods for a Type 2 diabetic ( who tend to have high Blood Glucose because of insulin resistance) are one with carbohydrates (sugars and starches). This is all carbohydrates - even whole grains, fruit and starchy veg such as potato, carrot etc.
So the best (most direct ) way to reduce your Blood Glucose is to reduce the amount of carbs you eat (add in more protein and traditional fats where required so you eat enough calories).
But the problem with carbs is that we are all different in how many and of which types our bodies can tolerate. This is where the BG meter comes in.
At first there is no need to test except for testing the reaction to meals and snacks (but best not to snack just eat meals til comfortably full). The way to do this testing is to keep a food diary of what your meals contain and roughly how much of the carby foods. Use the BG meter by testing just before each meal and then 2hrs after 1st bite.
If the BG rise from the meal is 2mmol or less then that mean is probably OK for your body.
If not, look to reduce the portions of the most carby items or cut them out completely by substituting something less carby. For example Cauliflower and Broccoli make ultra low carb substitutes for rice (cauliflower 'rice' or 'green rice') and mashed cauliflower substitutes for mashed potato, Celeriac makes a good substitute for potato in roast or when raw and shredded for potato or for carrot in salads.
There are bean based spaghettis available in supermarkets such as Aldi. Aubergine can be used for pizza bases or for Lasagne sheets.