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Bs Before And After Food?

T

taffy

Member
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11
Recently been prescribed Metform for type 2 and obviously now want to look after myself.

Unfortunatley, I have had very little and bordering on no advice of my doctor and struggling to get to grips with what I can eat etc etc?

The only advice the doctor has given me is a A5 leaflet with some very basic advice on suitable food eg wholemeal bread etc.

Seems like this forum is the place where I am going to educate myself and stay healthy as possible.

I have purchased a Accucheck Compact Plus meter myself and have heard on this forum that some people test 1 hr before food and 2Hrs after to see the effect of the food they have eaten on thier Bs.

Is this the best way to see what works for me to stablise my Bs :?:

Also testing in the morning, Is that recommended and the Norm too :?:

Sorry to sound like a complete nugget here but am real confused and want to do the best to control the situation.

Thanks for any help/advice offered.
 
Hi Taffy,
First off your not a "nugget" your question is one that we have all asked, it can be very confusing dealing with diabetes but stick with us you'll find loads of help here.

Testing before and after meals is essential to find how different foods affect your BS, a test 2hrs after your meal will show the way to adopt a diet that suits you. I found also a 1hr test after meals can show any high spikes. Push your doc to get test strips on prescription it can be expensive buying them yourself.

Check out the website below this will give a good insight into BS testing.

http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/

Regards Graham
 
I'm not surprised you're confused. I've never been so mystified!

Read around the forum - it'll take a while to get the general gist. But in a sentence - keep average BG (or average waking BG) low and keep spikes below 8 or so. Easier said than done.

Tubs details the full metal breakfast testing regime in Ask the experts; before eating, after 1 and 2 hours, waking and retiring. Personally, I'm measuring waking BG and trending it. Once every week or two, I do the full testing schedule, before and plus 1 and 2. I usually try to mix a full day test with different foods to see the impact of different meals.

Read around, see what works for other people, don't worry. Approach it logically :D
 
Hey thanks for the support and top advice.

Thanks for the link above too thats been a great help too. I now know I need to keep my spikes below 7.8

Had a new One Touch Ultra 2 meter given to me today by a friend which was great!!

Little concerned today though as I was rushed lunch time in work and ended up having a fishshop dinner. Small Curry,chips with a sausage in batter, I dont normally make a habbit of this type of junk food but it was this or nothing today!!

I tested after an hour after and the reading was 16. Not believing this I tested again 30mins later and it was 17.9

There was a work collegue also with Type two and has been for many years now, he was astonished and said his had never risen above 12 ever? He advised me to test again tomorow AM first thing and if its still that high to visit the doctors on Monday!!

Should I be concerned about this and take his advice on board?

Again anybodies views/comments appreciated here

Im frightened to eat anything at the moment!!!
 
Hi taffy,
Your choice of meals was unfortunate and would have raised your blood sugars significantly.
If your readings go higher than 20 then I would advise A,@E.
I know those carbs are tempting but you really do have to limit them and keep testing to see how they affect you. Have a good read around the forum and see what others are advising with regard to diet and visit the forum that Graham advised. It is a lot to take in but you will get there.
Bread, rice, pasta, potatoes and cereals are the main culprits and anything sugary including cakes, biscuits, pies,fruit drinks and full strength fizzy drinks.
Any more questions, please keep asking. We were all new once and it is a minefield to begin with.

Hope this helps,
Catherine.
 
Thanks for that..

I feel normal with no side affects I think?

If it went higher that 20 what sort of symtoms would be expected?

Cheers
 
Hi taffy,
High blood sugars would mean,
1. Peeing a lot
2. Feeling drowsy.
3. Feeling sick.
4. Thirsty and maybe extremely hungry.
5. Blurred vision.
Other tips for keeping your blood sugars normal are, exercise. This doesn't mean running a marathon or enrolling in an an expensive gym. Walk more and try and make it brisk.
Also try and drink more water as this flushes out the toxins.

Anything else, please ask.

Catherine.
 
Thanks for the advice again!!

Tested this morning and was 7.3 and 11.9 after egg, beans, toms & bacon. Resisted the temptation of toast, black pudding and fried potatoes..

Had to buy some test strips and had a shock to find out they were £25.00 for 50. Will be pushing for these on pescription definatley..
 
Getting better taffy!! How long after the breakfast did you test? If it was 2hrs after you may have to rethink the beans.
Don't forget that whilst your friend may be a great help to you in your management, the two of you could eat the same meal and have different results. You have to sort out a plan that works for you.
Regards,
Catherine.
 
The 11.9 was 1Hr after breakfast. It was 9.2 2Hrs after!! Looks like the beans are of the menu now too :(

2 Scrambled egg on one piece of wholemeal bread for dinner. 9.4 1Hr after and 7.3 2Hrs after.

This is going to be tuff, didnt realise there was so many Carbs in so many different foods.

Cheers
 
Taffy,
You could try a smaller portion of beans, that might do the trick or get some heavily seeded bread for a slice of toast.
Keep up the good work and remember that it is trial and error and takes a while to get the hang of it.
Catherine.
 
All good info qnd links thanks!!

Had two small wholemeal seeded ham baps with some cherry toms for dinner and found myself upto 16 1Hr after. This is crazy!!!

Rang and spoke to my doctor to try and get a prescription for strips over the phone only to be told im testing too much.. I only told him i was testing 3times a day too.

He asdvised me that 1 hr testing after food is too soon and a lot of peoples Bs would raise to 11 after an hour.

He recommended that I only test in the moring as I am a newly diagnosed type 2?? whatever differance that makes??

On leaving the conversation I was advised to test two hours after if i really wanted. Got my strips though so im still going to Test Test Test!!
 
Hi taffy.

Think you are learning that what you eat can have a significant effect on your Bg levels.
Looks like the Bread may not be such a good, healthy thing after all ? I cannot touch, Bread unless it is very low Carbohydrate. My Bg spikes alarmingly.
There are other things that will have the same effect. Trial and error is what it is all about. You will soon find a Diet which is good for you by testing, before meals and 1hr and 2hrs after.
Keep a food diary too so you can log the 'bad' foods and the good ones too. Be prepared for some surprises along the way ?
 
taffy said:
He asdvised me that 1 hr testing after food is too soon and a lot of peoples Bs would raise to 11 after an hour.
Click to expand...

<sigh> no wonder diabetes is a progressive disease

HELLO those people are DIABETICS!!! And if they aren't it's only because they haven't been diagnosed yet.
 
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