Diagnosed 2 months ago, still adjusting

[Element137]

Thanks, all. And thank you for the encouragement! My next set of blood work isn't until next month, so I feel like I'm just plodding along not really sure I'm doing the right things. I don't have a lot of trust in my diabetic nurse - as soon as I was told this was likely the problem with me, I started researching and had read A LOT of this forum before meeting with her, and the first thing she gives me is a pack saying 'eat starchy carbs' which seemed to go against everything you guys were saying.

I'm glad I made the decision to just crack on with low carb - it is clearly having an effect, and hopefully my next set of blood work will show that with the numbers not just weight loss.

I hadn't considered the lack of salt - that's a really good point that I'll be sure of consider when cooking now. I am definiely eating less processed food. I work on the road a lot, and have spent years relying on fast food or easy meals I can pick up between meetings.

I don't expect my readings to be low every time, I'm comfortable with the very occasional untentional spikes whilst I still get my head around this, and I have already allowed myself a couple of 'meals off' which ended up being no where near the readings I imagined, and I guess that's because I'm approaching it from a different angle. I'm not just eating a higher carb meal without thought, because I want it, but because I already know what my level is, what carbs I've had for the day, what is a reasonable intake and unlikely to cause problems. I don't want this to sound like I'm eating carbs all of the time, I really am not, but when I've been out (had a run of family birthdays!) I've not let myself get stressed out by menus, but instead thought about what to eat prior to those meals out, what to leave on plate, what I can let myself have within reason, etc.

It's a brand new way of thinking for someone who has always been extremely body positive and truly believed people can and should 'do what they want' - I still believe that, but I now have a different set of parameters to work within when applying that to myself. It's a mind shift, I guess, but it's working so far.

It was the morning readings and ongoing way of life that scared me the most, I think. But just interacting with people in the same boat has already lifted my outlook on it.

It sounds like you are already well on the way to getting your head around this - your attitude is spot on - getting this condition under control can be surprisingly quick - I went through similar emotions after being diagnosed, why me, life is ruined, never be able to enjoy meals out again, etc, etc - I am now fitter, lighter, healthier than ever before - eating out is enjoyable, just adapted that's all- never had a problem finding stuff to eat on most menu's- and found its easy to ask for alternatives to carbs ( more veg, etc ) - once you get your head around everything, and you feel like you are in control, its gets a lot easier, very quickly - don't be afraid to ask questions here.

 

[Element137]

It was the morning readings and ongoing way of life that scared me the most, I think. But just interacting with people in the same boat has already lifted my outlook on it.

Fasting BG hardest to get under control - I still get the odd wonky one now after a year - its the factor you have the least control over - try not to focus too much on it to start with - initial focus on keeping post meal spikes low as possible - in the short term I focussed more on the difference between pre-meal and post meal levels rather than worrying about what the actual levels were. It may feel a bit overwhelming at this stage, but it does get easier.

 

[Element137]

I was also only diagnosed in June this year, took me 18 days to get an appointment with the diabetic nurse at my practice and if I'm honest I have received not just more but also a better class of information from this forum.
The nurse told me I could eat 2 slices of bread a day every day, thats what got me into this mess.
Now ordered a meter and assosiated kit and plan on using it to learn what actually spikes me over the next 6mths to a year.

Reference open minds, prepare to have you mind blown unlearning everything you thought you knew about nutrition. Its a pity that some of the Health care Professionals we come into contact with are still trotting out the same old flawed advice reference what you should be eating, with an open mind you will see how many alternative, and more effective methods there are to manage this condition. Keep us posted !

 

[TazziT]

Ok so my meter and other stuff arrived early this morning so I have now done my first full day of testing and I'm actually happy with the results.

Fasting/Pre Breakfast 5.7
2hrs Post Breakfast 5.5
Pre Lunch 5.5
2hrs Post Lunch 5.8
Pre Dinner 5.1
2hrs Post Dinner 6.5

I think it was strawberries that caused the first 6 of the day, I will mark them as one to test alone soon. Me thinks the portion was to large but they were getting to soft an I hate throwing food away.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Pretty impressive numbers @TazziT

Just a word of warning about testing strawberries (or any other fruit) on its own. The advice is always to eat fruit with a meal and not as a stand alone snack. Portion size was probably the culprit, although I wouldn't be concerned about a 6.5 after evening meal providing it was on its way down and not on its way up or stable for 3 or 4 hours.

 

[TazziT]

So not to sure what happened to my bloods overnight but hit 7.2 at 0730hrs this morning, highest reading since I started testing.
Dropped to 6.7 before breakfast at 1000hrs (1 duck egg and 15g cheese as an ommlete) Green tea and one black single espresso
Dropped to 5.3 at 1220hrs
dropped to 4.9 at 1330hrs before lunch (1 stick celery, 1tspn peanut butter, 1 tblspn humus, 45g lean ham and 2 sml chilli peppers stuffed with goats cheese) Green tea. and just over 2pts of water throughout morning.

Last nights evening meal was 1700hrs = 2 sml Salmon fillits fried with a little butter and lemon juice, 30g french beans 30g each of petti pois and sweetcorn. 2hrs after this I was 6.1. After this all I had to eat was 4tblspns of Skyer vanilla yougart about 2100hrs.

I tend to drink plain tap water all day normally about 5 or 6pts throughout the day.

I would appreciate any advice as, read elsewhere on the forum that fish and chicken are no no's?

 

[Bluetit1802]

I would appreciate any advice as, read elsewhere on the forum that fish and chicken are no no's?

You read this on the forum? Other than vegetarians and vegans, we are all encouraged to eat chicken and as much fish as possible. They are good for us.

Our morning fasting readings are very unreliable and it is wise not to put too much emphasis on them. Our before and after eating rises are far more important and you seem to be doing well in that. A lot of things can affect morning fasting, including a restless night, disturbed sleep, full bladder, and so on, not to mention Dawn Phenomenon (liver dumps). Also, did you re-test that 7.2 if it was a lot higher than expected? Please don't be concerned about it. Record it and move on.

 

[TazziT]

You read this on the forum? Other than vegetarians and vegans, we are all encouraged to eat chicken and as much fish as possible. They are good for us.

Our morning fasting readings are very unreliable and it is wise not to put too much emphasis on them. Our before and after eating rises are far more important and you seem to be doing well in that. A lot of things can affect morning fasting, including a restless night, disturbed sleep, full bladder, and so on, not to mention Dawn Phenomenon (liver dumps). Also, did you re-test that 7.2 if it was a lot higher than expected? Please don't be concerned about it. Record it and move on.

Yes it was on this site, I will go back over the threads I have been reading to see if I can find it again.
Thanks for the advice, as I tend to wake early and breakfast late is it worth dropping the early morning fasting test?

 

[Pinkorchid]

Thanks, all. And thank you for the encouragement! My next set of blood work isn't until next month, so I feel like I'm just plodding along not really sure I'm doing the right things. I don't have a lot of trust in my diabetic nurse - as soon as I was told this was likely the problem with me, I started researching and had read A LOT of this forum before meeting with her, and the first thing she gives me is a pack saying 'eat starchy carbs' which seemed to go against everything you guys were saying.

I'm glad I made the decision to just crack on with low carb - it is clearly having an effect, and hopefully my next set of blood work will show that with the numbers not just weight loss.

I hadn't considered the lack of salt - that's a really good point that I'll be sure of consider when cooking now. I am definiely eating less processed food. I work on the road a lot, and have spent years relying on fast food or easy meals I can pick up between meetings.

I don't expect my readings to be low every time, I'm comfortable with the very occasional untentional spikes whilst I still get my head around this, and I have already allowed myself a couple of 'meals off' which ended up being no where near the readings I imagined, and I guess that's because I'm approaching it from a different angle. I'm not just eating a higher carb meal without thought, because I want it, but because I already know what my level is, what carbs I've had for the day, what is a reasonable intake and unlikely to cause problems. I don't want this to sound like I'm eating carbs all of the time, I really am not, but when I've been out (had a run of family birthdays!) I've not let myself get stressed out by menus, but instead thought about what to eat prior to those meals out, what to leave on plate, what I can let myself have within reason, etc.

It's a brand new way of thinking for someone who has always been extremely body positive and truly believed people can and should 'do what they want' - I still believe that, but I now have a different set of parameters to work within when applying that to myself. It's a mind shift, I guess, but it's working so far.

It was the morning readings and ongoing way of life that scared me the most, I think. But just interacting with people in the same boat has already lifted my outlook on it.

You are doing really well and you are doing all that is recommended You are not stressing about menus when you go out and found that you can have a treat sometimes. You have grabbed diabetes by the horns and achieved what some take years to do and you are controlling it so well done

 

[Bluetit1802]

Yes it was on this site, I will go back over the threads I have been reading to see if I can find it again.
Thanks for the advice, as I tend to wake early and breakfast late is it worth dropping the early morning fasting test?

If it teaches you nothing, then drop it is my advice. If it stresses you, then drop it. You could just do an odd one every now and again, but your before and after breakfasts will teach you much more.

I admit I still do mine, but it is out of pure habit, nothing else.

 

[Pinkorchid]

I was also only diagnosed in June this year, took me 18 days to get an appointment with the diabetic nurse at my practice and if I'm honest I have received not just more but also a better class of information from this forum.
The nurse told me I could eat 2 slices of bread a day every day, thats what got me into this mess.
Now ordered a meter and assosiated kit and plan on using it to learn what actually spikes me over the next 6mths to a year.

At least she didn't tell you to eat starchy carbs with every meal. Many here have Bergen Linseed and Soya bread it is low in carbs so you could have 2 slices of that also many have the Lidl protein rolls a big favourite

 

[Pinkorchid]

Ok so my meter and other stuff arrived early this morning so I have now done my first full day of testing and I'm actually happy with the results.

Fasting/Pre Breakfast 5.7
2hrs Post Breakfast 5.5
Pre Lunch 5.5
2hrs Post Lunch 5.8
Pre Dinner 5.1
2hrs Post Dinner 6.5

I think it was strawberries that caused the first 6 of the day, I will mark them as one to test alone soon. Me thinks the portion was to large but they were getting to soft an I hate throwing food away.

Absolutely brilliant levels well done

 

[ChristinaDevon]

I am newly diagnosed and trying to cope with all the changes. I am taking metformin. Can anyone recommend a low carb cooking oil spray to use. I crave an omelette but don't want to use anything bad for the waistline and haven't a clue what is best. Trawled the Internet all day but nobody mentions a brand I can find in the Supermarket. I thought someone on here might take pity on me! Forgive me if this is the wrong place to post this but I am quite elderly and hopeless on the Internet!!

 

[Bluetit1802]

@ChristinaDevon

welcome to the forum.

If you are following a low carb diet you could use olive oil, rapeseed oil, butter, lard, goose/duck fat. The only oils to avoid are vegetable oils. Not because they contain carbs but because they are bad for you in general. Providing you are low carbing, your waistline will be fine using any of these

 

[TazziT]

Can anyone tell me what if any effect missing my morning dose of Metformin would have had on my blodds throughout the day today.

My pre breakfast/overnight fasting read was 6.7 it then dropped to 6.2 at 2hrs after food (3 eggs and 15g cheadar)
Pre lunch was 5.9 and 2hrs post lunch it dropped to 5.7 (Lidl protien rolll with peppered mackrel fillet and rocket)
almost 6hrs later it was still 5.7 before evening meal (Red Thai beef curry home made using chilli's, lemongrass and coconut cream)

These readings are higher than I have been getting the last few days and carb count is ususally between 20 and 50g a day...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bluetit1802]

Can anyone tell me what if any effect missing my morning dose of Metformin would have had on my blodds throughout the day today.

It will have made absolutely no difference at all. Metformin builds up in the system, so missing a dose here and there won't make any difference. Don't worry, we all have days like that, and it's normal unless it is the start of an upward trend.