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Brand new to all this...

Z

Zero the Hero

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5
Good morning

Last Friday evening, my doctor called me to tell me that I have Type 2 Diabetes. As the tests that she'd done were for an entirely unrelated matter, I was quite shocked. Really shocked, to be honest. I had reduced my sugar content some years ago - I never ate chocolate, sweets and always had a starter, rather than pudding. I didn't drink very much either. My only warning had been stomach fat. I'd planned on living happily, well-fed and health-concern-free, pretty much for ever.

This week, with the incredible support of my fiance, who is having the vicarious experience herself, I've bought my BG meter and bathroom scales and started, what I can only describe as the most directionless journey I have ever taken. This is so new and, were it not for her, I'd be clueless. I started a food diary (spreadsheet) dotted with BG readings. My hope is that I'll be able to tailor what works and what doesn't according to the BG effects. My first appointment with a diabetes practitioner is tommorrow. From what I've seen on this forum, peoples' experiences of these vary quite widely.

Incredibly, starting last Sunday I have done my first exercise in 30 years. Now that I have typed that last sentence, it occurs to me that this may be a contributing factor...

Reading through the forum posts, I'm struck by the sheer quality of advice and ideas. I suppose that anyone reading this has been, or is currently going through, the same experience as I am. I've never used a 'forum' before as I'm not a massive user of the internet, but it seems that everyone is friendly and helpful. It's almost worth giving up pasta for...
 
Hi Zero. I’m also new to t2 and I’m struggling to make sense of all the advice and instructions thrown at me. I’ve found this resource so much more helpful than anything from my GP. The main thing I’ve learned, even over the past few days, is to take it step at a time. The doctor told me to essentially cut out carbs and sugar and do loads of exercise and I found it completely overwhelming and unrealistic. I’ve just signed up to Low Carb Program to see if that helps me manage my carb intake, and have started doing BG checks and recording the results. I think it’s going to be a long road to feeling in control and understanding it all but being on these forums has really helped me feel less confused and isolated we’re all in this together ✊
 
Welcome to the forum @Zero the Hero , the club no one wants to join. However this is a great place for advice and support.
Have a read of this blog from one of our members, it’s very helpful:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/
I eat low carb, take a moderate dose of Metformin and test my blood sugars regularly, and having just passed my 5th diaversary and I still keep non diabetic numbers.
Signed: another spread sheet geek!
 
Thank you for the reply.
I think you are absolutely right; it does seem that unrealistic advice is the most unhelpful - won't succeed and makes you feel worse. Getting good information that is relevant to my own circumstances is going to be just as important as cutting carbohydrate.
These forums will be so important to people like you and me.
 
Hi @Zero the Hero & @Lulu0909 .

Welcome to the club no one wants to join.:D

I'd agree a lot of conflicting information out there, much of it from those meant to help us & who should know better


From my experience & what I have read on here
My simple overview is
Our bodies are like a pot.

We keep putting carbs/sugar in from birth until one day the pot spills over..hello T2D.

Conventional wisdom from many docs is just try to avoid some carbs but eat others (white bread bad - brown bread good, etc ).

Maybe ok for some but as T2D, we struggle coping with carbs of any sort

So shouldn't our goal be to REDUCE the carbs in our pot, not just accept the spills and keep topping up constantly ?

Which for me, was were LCHF came in.

Meat that looks like meat.
Veg that looks like veg
Cooked by me
Spices herbs salt added by me
Higher fats, became better fats in my kitchen

Fat left on meat, butter not Marge, full fat anything rather then low fat this & that
(So no buckets of lard on toast, required ;) )

And the path to better BG & HBA1c levels is
Beset by minefields currently unseen in your kitchens, fridges & diets

A meter will help identify the more undesirable foods for a T2D.

You'll test a lot early on, so if buying a meter be careful of strip costs.

But as your knowledge increases about what food result in better BG levels, that testing everything tails off, because You should have a repertoire of meals & dishes you know give good results .(bacon & eggs, snyone :happy: )

So that unseen minefield in your kitchen will soon have a safe path to walk on, from fridge to cooker to table.


I would suggest most find it hard at first
So try not to do it all in one day

The natural result as You learn what's not so good & swap that out for foods that better fit a T2D,
Is that your choices will tip your food balance from the left side of carb heavy TO the right side of carb light over time

Sad news is some old favourites may have to go or be rather limited in enjoyment :sorry:

But on the bright side, other foods You might be suggested to consider, may just become new favourites..:)
(Mine was leeks .never used, love em now )

Best tip.
We took ages to get sick/DX
Take the time to get this right for YOU.

Finding a meal plan & foods you enjoy is the secret to sustaining this lifestyle, I believe.

We're all travelling in the same direction ,
So don't be afraid to ask for help.:)
 
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Zero the Hero said:
Real world, practical knowledge and advice like you have given, is enourmously valuable to both me and my partner. Thank you all, very much.
Click to expand...
Then you sound like I felt, once i found here.
And so many others did the same for me.

It's a pleasure to join others giving something back to newcomers

When I found this forum, i couldn't believe so many had found a way to balance eating AND living with T2D

I'd listened to docs sage advice, for six weeks and next test my HBA1c was worse :banghead:

and after almost being afraid to eat anything, I was constantly starving & didn't think I could live like that ..no day had any joy in it :sorry:

I found myself here, listened and read many tales of success with LCHF .

I Dipped a toe in, saw better results.
Each week a little further in, until one day I was fully submersed.

Numbers wandered down, HBA1c went from 57 aug 2018..to 40 June 2019. Normal..hurrah.

(had been 42 Jan 2019 so 15 point drop over 3/4 months, began LCHF Oct 2018 & Went from 17st down to 13st..(a 40 waist to 34)
But back to normal figures has a nice ring to it :happy: )

Some on here did better, some took longer, we're all different.
But I'd say well worth trying.

Bonus +....was I lost that 'hungry' feeling over time ..you know, that constant checking the fridge for what I can eat next :rolleyes:

I eat better, I eat my fill, and many days it's only one meal, and when it's two meals, the other can sometimes be more of a snack.

I was gobsmacked how satisfying/ how far a few nuts, berries, yoghurt could get me.

Best of luck on your journey and finding a way that suits YOU :)
 
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