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Confused

bell27

bell27

Member
Messages
22
Location
Coatbridge
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Liver!!!
Hi gang, I've been diagnosed type 2 (healthy eating) diabetes for 2 yrs now and I'm confused as ever about how many carbs is good in one item of food in addition to the sugars. I was advised by my practice nurse to go on metformin as my hbac1 levels where at 51. I did decline and have been trying very hard to cut out the junk, these levels will be checked again in 3 months time...any advice would be appreciated
 
bell27 said:
Hi gang, I've been diagnosed type 2 (healthy eating) diabetes for 2 yrs now and I'm confused as ever about how many carbs is good in one item of food in addition to the sugars. I was advised by my practice nurse to go on metformin as my hbac1 levels where at 51. I did decline and have been trying very hard to cut out the junk, these levels will be checked again in 3 months time...any advice would be appreciated
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Ignore the 'if which sugars' and stick to the total carbs. When I check food labels I would try to find something <=5g carbs per 100 g as a rough guide.
 
The sugars are carbs, not a separate item.
Anything which has sugar and/or starch will be digested and will contribute to higher blood glucose in one way or another.
When I got a meter I did various test meals and found that foods which were over 10 percent carbohydrate were not a good idea, but by eating low carb my BG levels dropped gradually then became rather erratic, and then settled down to normal levels, so I have stuck with them.
 
xfieldok said:
What do you typically eat during the day?
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Typically brown thins, salad cold meats, weetabix, coco milk, berries soya yogurt, wholemeal rice/pasta, chicken curries, beef mince and veg, fish-tuna, mackerel, salmon..
 
Resurgam said:
The sugars are carbs, not a separate item.
Anything which has sugar and/or starch will be digested and will contribute to higher blood glucose in one way or another.
When I got a meter I did various test meals and found that foods which were over 10 percent carbohydrate were not a good idea, but by eating low carb my BG levels dropped gradually then became rather erratic, and then settled down to normal levels, so I have stuck with them.
Click to expand...
I think this is what is the confusing part for me..I don' have a meter can' get one on the bus.
 
bell27 said:
Typically brown thins, salad cold meats, weetabix, coco milk, berries soya yogurt, wholemeal rice/pasta, chicken curries, beef mince and veg, fish-tuna, mackerel, salmon..
Click to expand...
You might find when testing that Weetabix (check nutritional information for carb content) will raise BG considerably. Check if cocoa milk is sweetened. Even wholemeal rice and pasta are not usually good choices. Test readings before and two hours after a meal to see if readings return to near normal.
 
dbr10 said:
Ignore the 'if which sugars' and stick to the total carbs. When I check food labels I would try to find something <=5g carbs per 100 g as a rough guide.
Click to expand...
Thanks...I need the dummies guide..hence the Confused!!
 
dbr10 said:
You might find when testing that Weetabix (check nutritional information for carb content) will raise BG considerably. Check if cocoa milk is sweetened. Even wholemeal rice and pasta are not usually good choices. Test readings before and two hours after a meal to see if readings return to near normal.
Click to expand...
 
I really appreciate the advice but I don' have a meter to check as the nhs won't give me one.
 
Lots of us self fund meters, SD CodeFree has the cheapest strips. It is the most valuable tool in the box as far as we are concerned. @Rachox has some useful links.
 
Here’s some info about meters:

Taken from a post by @Bluetit1802 as she wrote it so nicely:


The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.


Try here for the Codefree meter

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/


and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/


There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


The Tee2 is here and the meter is free.

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-blood-glucose-meter/


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
 
When you first start testing, if you test to the max, you will use around 200 per month.
 
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