Here is the advice that Ken and I, as Forum Monitors, usually give to newly diagnosed Diabetics. We hope that these few ideas gained through experience help you to gain control and give you some understanding of Diabetes. This forum doesn't always follow the recommended dietary advice, you have to work out what works for you as we are all different.
It's not just 'sugars' you need to avoid, diabetes is an inability to process glucose properly. Carbohydrate converts, in the body, to glucose. So it makes sense to reduce the amount of carbohydrate that you eat which includes sugars.
For more information on CARBOHYDRATE see here:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20306
This is NOT a low carb diet suggestion, just a reduction in your intake of carbohydrate. You have to decide yourself how much of a reduction will keep your blood glucose levels in control.
The main carbs to avoid OR reduce are the complex or starchy carbohydrates such as bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, starchy root veg and also any flour based products. The starchy carbs all convert 100% to glucose in the body and raise the blood sugar levels significantly.
If you are on Insulin you may find that reducing the carb intake also means that you can reduce your dose of insulin. This can help you to keep weight gain down as Insulin tends to make you put on weight and eventually cause insulin resistance. This should be done slowly so as not to cause hypos.
The way to find out how different foods affect you is to do regular daily testing and keep a food diary for a couple of weeks. If you test just before eating, then two hours after eating, you will see the effect of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. Some foods, which are slow acting carbohydrates, are absorbed more slowly so you may need to test three or even four hours later to see the effect that these have on your blood glucose levels.
Buy yourself a carb counter book (you can get these on-line) and you will be able to work out how much carbs you are eating, when you test, the reading two hours after should be roughly the same as the before eating reading, if it is then that meal was fine, if it isn’t then you need to check what you have eaten and think about reducing the portion size of carbs.
When you are buying products check the total carbohydrate content, this includes the sugar content. Do not just go by the amount of sugar on the packaging as this is misleading to a diabetic.
As for a tester, try asking the nurse/doctor and explain that you want to be proactive in managing your own diabetes and therefore need to test so that you can see just how foods affect your blood sugar levels. Hopefully this will work ! Sometimes they are not keen to give Type 2’s the strips on prescription, (in the UK) but you can but try!!
For TIPS FOR STRIPS see here:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19002#p173253
If you are an Insulin user in theory you should have no problem getting test strips.
The latest 2011 NICE guidelines for Bg levels are as follows:
Fasting (waking and before meals).......between 4 - 7 mmol/l...(Type 1 & 2)
2 hrs after meals........................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.....( Type 2)
2hrs after meals......................... no more than 9 mmol/l ......(Type 1)
If you are able to keep the post meal numbers lower, so much the better.
It also helps if you can do at least 30 minutes moderate exercise a day, it can be split into 10 min sessions to start with. It doesn't have to be strenuous.
The above is just general advice and it is recommended that you discuss with your HCP before making any changes. You can also ask questions on the forum on anything that is not clear.
Finally a few QUESTIONS TO ASK AT DIABETES CLINIC.
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=17091
Sue/Ken.
Gappy said:I was diagnosed a couple of months ago, what's happened for me is that the doc called me in for another blood test to see if things have stabilised, I have an appointment for my eye photo, and an appt pending with the practice diabetic doctor. As for what's happened personally, I've made changes to my diet, upped my exercise and am fitter and healthier than I've been for ages so it needn't stop you and i'm only 1 tablet a day at the moment. Already the lethargic feelings have gone the skin itching is under control so I feel a lot better from doing as i'm told, and also as I've learnt from here too, it's a fascinating challenge!
Thanks Daisy for that - I will certainly give it a try. If you dont mind me asking - what was the other medication you were taking. I have to take meds for my blood pressure - and I did wonder if that might be the cause.daisy1 said:Gillyflower,
I get bad skin itching which may or may not be caused by diabetes as I take another medication which has it as a rare side effect. I scratched until it bled. Catherinecherub from this forum suggested I rub yoghurt over where it itches and it really works and when it goes on it's instant relief. Skin instantly feels cool. You don't need to put too much on then you rub it in so it's not messy.
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