Hiya, I am Neely type 2 and just can't get my head round it. Don't seem to be able to take it all in, I take 1500 mg metformin and ok with them, stopped eating sugary things but rebelled yesterday and had chocolate. Read loads of stuff on here about diet and carbs, is it really just cutting down on carbs or should I be doing anything else. Been a yo yo dieter for years so no what healthy eating is, feel so different now I know I am diabetic almost as though you tell just by looking at me, is this normal to feel this way? Would be interested to hear from other people new to this lark
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Can't get the hang of things
- Thread starter Doris06
- Start Date
Truffle
Well-Known Member
Hi Doris,
Welcome to the club! I'm sure Daisy will give you the usual welcome post but don't worry you will get the hang of it eventually.
The main thing is to cut down on your carbs - however low you feel comfotable with and obviously that includes cutting out all sweet things.
Just make a start and the rest will follow.....
Welcome to the club! I'm sure Daisy will give you the usual welcome post but don't worry you will get the hang of it eventually.
The main thing is to cut down on your carbs - however low you feel comfotable with and obviously that includes cutting out all sweet things.
Just make a start and the rest will follow.....
Truffle
Well-Known Member
It is really up to you how low you go! I eat below 30g a day which in basic terms means that I only eat meat, fish, eggs, cheese, green veg, aubergine, cream and some nuts. If you like cooking and experimenting you can make wonderful things as you can use garlic, ginger, herbs, lemon juice etc... Some people find this too restricting and like having small amounts of brown rice and new potatoes but I find it easier just not to be tempted. For a treat I have sugar free jelly with cream!
You could try going as low as possible just to see how it affects your bs levels and then add in a few more carbs if you are not happy. Sometimes you can feel a bit tired and lethargic to start with but it doesn't last long so just try and ride through it.
You could try going as low as possible just to see how it affects your bs levels and then add in a few more carbs if you are not happy. Sometimes you can feel a bit tired and lethargic to start with but it doesn't last long so just try and ride through it.
Help to get you started.
Veg: Yes, there are carbs in veg, but usually very tiny amounts, choose veg that grows above ground as they have less than those grown underground.
Fruit: This is a very difficult one. Most of us can't tolerate banana's, grapes or melon. The best fruits are those ending in berry; strawberry, raspberry, blueberry etc. If you don't have a meter I strongly advise you to invest in one, and test.
Obvious carbs: Bread, pasta, rice, potato's and wheat. Cut them down, as far as you can. The bread most of us eat is Burgen soya and linseed as it has lower carbs, I still struggle with it, and make my own with flaxseed. Potato's, new are better than old, and a roast potato is possibly an even better choice as the fat slows the absorption of the carbs. Rice, the best one to try is basmatti rice, some T2's can tolerate it in small amounts. Pasta, try the tri coloured variety, again some can tolerate in small amounts. Eat and test is the only sure fire way to know.
Eat meat, fish, seafood, dairy and veg. Nuts are also good, as are seeds, but beware they are calorific. Stay away from the low fat variety and go for full fat options, much better for a diabetic. There are concerns the fat may push up cholesterol, but my experience of people here shows a low carb high fat diet sends cholesterol down not up.
You MUST invest in a meter, it's the most important thing in a diabetics arsenal. Some GP's will prescribe strips, others won't. It's a bit of a postcode lottery. I get them now, I didn't initially. I bought an SD codefree meter, you can get them on Amazon or ebay, and they are the cheapest strips, between £4.99-£6.99 for 50.
I am an ultra low carber, less than 20g a day, as I don't tolerate carbs at all. I hope you manage better than me, as it will be easier to keep good control. I only manage by being really strict with myself. Good luck.
Veg: Yes, there are carbs in veg, but usually very tiny amounts, choose veg that grows above ground as they have less than those grown underground.
Fruit: This is a very difficult one. Most of us can't tolerate banana's, grapes or melon. The best fruits are those ending in berry; strawberry, raspberry, blueberry etc. If you don't have a meter I strongly advise you to invest in one, and test.
Obvious carbs: Bread, pasta, rice, potato's and wheat. Cut them down, as far as you can. The bread most of us eat is Burgen soya and linseed as it has lower carbs, I still struggle with it, and make my own with flaxseed. Potato's, new are better than old, and a roast potato is possibly an even better choice as the fat slows the absorption of the carbs. Rice, the best one to try is basmatti rice, some T2's can tolerate it in small amounts. Pasta, try the tri coloured variety, again some can tolerate in small amounts. Eat and test is the only sure fire way to know.
Eat meat, fish, seafood, dairy and veg. Nuts are also good, as are seeds, but beware they are calorific. Stay away from the low fat variety and go for full fat options, much better for a diabetic. There are concerns the fat may push up cholesterol, but my experience of people here shows a low carb high fat diet sends cholesterol down not up.
You MUST invest in a meter, it's the most important thing in a diabetics arsenal. Some GP's will prescribe strips, others won't. It's a bit of a postcode lottery. I get them now, I didn't initially. I bought an SD codefree meter, you can get them on Amazon or ebay, and they are the cheapest strips, between £4.99-£6.99 for 50.
I am an ultra low carber, less than 20g a day, as I don't tolerate carbs at all. I hope you manage better than me, as it will be easier to keep good control. I only manage by being really strict with myself. Good luck.
IanD
Well-Known Member
One of my staples is ground almonds - it's low carb, & a good for protein, fat & fibre. I use it to make a porridge, usually with coconut flour, flax seeds & soya milk; & also in place of wheat flour to make a bread/cake, along with eggs baking powder & other non-cereal flours. It's very versatile.
I gave a talk to the Hounslow cardio/diabetes group on "my experience with low carb." I'll add the link.
I gave a talk to the Hounslow cardio/diabetes group on "my experience with low carb." I'll add the link.
IanD said:
I do all my baking with either flaxseed, almond flour and coconut flour or a mixture. I have just ordered peanut flour as another alternative when baking. Much better for you than wheat flour, and much lower carbs. I even make my own bread as I struggle with even Burgen.
