Diagnosed today

Hi and welcome,

It is very confusing at first. We have all been in your position, and I can assure you it doesn't last long. It is necessary to read round the forum and also the main website, which is full of excellent information. Take a deep breath, have a cup of tea (or a small glass of red wine) and read as much as you can on this forum and website.

Your nurse is right to avoid carbs and sugar, but I wonder if she has any idea just how many carbs there are in Weetabix!!! (26g in 2 biscuits) and then add on the milk and your blood sugar levels will hit the roof.

You first need to learn that ALL carbohydrate turns to sugar once eaten, so you need to learn how to read nutrition labels on your packaged foods and to look for the total carb content, which will be listed as grams per 100g. (or %)

You also need a meter, because without one you are working blind. With one you will soon work out which your danger foods are, and which your safe ones are. In my opinion they are essential tools.

Tagging @daisy1 who has a valuable introductory post for newcomers.

but please dont feel deprived there are loads of options for delicious treats that diabetic actually can eat
https://ketodietapp.com/Blog/category/Recipes?page=1

Hi. It's good that the nurse has some awareness of the problem with carbs but then mentions Weetabix. You can have some carbs and even Weetabix but keep them down to one and in preference have eggs and bacon. Do get hold of a meter but you will have to fund the strips yourself.

MarkR 2 said:

I was diagnosed today and am now feeling lost and confused. Nurse said to have no carbs, sugar but them said weetabix were a good breakfast choice. She didnt give me a meter to measure bg just a prescription for Metformin.

All the advice online is frying my brain and i dont know where to start.

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Must be frustrating to receive good advice (no carbs) and then have it completely contradicted with the comment about weetabix

Hi, just popped in to say welcome Mark, to the best corner of the internet for us Type 2s!

Hello,
I agree with the comments already made, I was diagnosed in October, I felt overwhelmed too at first. Take your time to come to terms and adjust, it’s not as difficult as it seems and if you are motivated to improve your health and reduce your blood sugar levels I recommend trying low carb food choices. There are lots of enjoyable foods that can improve your health and results can be achieved quite quickly. I am forever thankful that I found this wonderful site, there are lots of supportive people here and we have all been where you are. In time you will be one of those who is welcoming, supporting and cheering on other newly diagnosed and confused members.
Good luck Mark.

@MarkR 2

Hello Mark and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
  
  
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
  

Beware of brown varieties of pasta, rice etc...they are just white ones with little brown coats on. Test when you eat them as you may be shocked at how they raise your sugar levels.
Crisp and chocolate alternatives, pork scratchings are very low/no carb depending on the make and high percentage dark chocolate above 85% is much lower carb than milk chocolate.

MarkR 2 said:

I was diagnosed today and am now feeling lost and confused. Nurse said to have no carbs, sugar but them said weetabix were a good breakfast choice. She didnt give me a meter to measure bg just a prescription for Metformin.

All the advice online is frying my brain and i dont know where to start.

Click to expand...

Hope this helps mate -
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb

MarkR 2 said:

My wonderful missus does all of the cooking and already weighs everything and she enjoys the calorie counting and has already started to carb count all of my foods that she makes from scratch and is busily changing our food shop to include brown versions of pasta etc. But my issues will be snacking as I love chocolate and crisps! Do you have any tips on varieties I can have a treats as I'm aware that I will have to cut back on the amount of treats I eat.

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Hi Mark, I have a daily treat of between 25 to 30 grams of very dark chocolate, my personal favourite is Lindt 90%
I no longer eat crisps but enjoy small packs of pork scratchings or homemade salami or chorizo crisps, I used to make these by baking in the oven, however recently another forum member discovered that by microwaving them between layers of kitchen paper towels gives great results, very quick and extra crispy.
I also recently made low carb lemon cake, the recipe can be found on the website everyday sugar free and pizza made using the recipe from diet doctor website is also good, made as a meal or cut into smaller portions to have as snacks.
Hope some of these suggestions are helpful

Avoid 'high carb, high-glycemic, starchy' foods such as cereals, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, white rice, pasta, noodles, bread, flour, tropical fruits, fruit juices, peanuts, sweetcorn, sauces with hidden sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods.

Eat 'above ground low-glycemic vegetables' i.e. brocolli, cauliflower, cabbages, cucumbers, peppers, brussel sprouts, courgettes, aubergines, okra, lettuce etc. and 'healthy fats' i.e. avocados, salmon, walnuts, pecan nuts, almonds, edamame beans, flax seeds, coconut oil, cheese, eggs, extra virgin olive oil for salads.

Adapt a low-carb diet -

LOW-CARB BREAD
LivLife (3.6g carb pe slice) available at Waitrose / Ocado.com
High Protein Roll - available from Lidl
Keto Bread (lots of Keto recipes on YouTube)

LOW-CARB KETO CAKES / DESSERTS
Recipes available on YouTube

LOW-CARB CELERIAC
Best alternative to potatoes. Cut in medium slices, boil for 5 minutes. Roast or Fry til brown. Tastes better than potatoes!

SUGAR ALTERNATIVE
I use Xylitol, available at Sainsbury's.
Stevia is also safe but on its own, there's an after taste.

I buy Montezuma 100% dark chocolates and Cavalier chocolates (sweetened with Stevia) from Ocado.com / Waitrose.

Always read the labels at the back for carbohydrates and sugar content.

I usually go for less than 10g carbohydrates and 0 - 0.5g Sugar.

NewTD2 said:

High Protein Roll - available from Lidl

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Lidl have unfortunately stopped selling these.

Rachox said:

Lidl have unfortunately stopped selling these.

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Oh nooooooooooo !

I'll buy donuts from Lidl instead then!

LOL !!!

NewTD2 said:

Avoid 'high carb, high-glycemic, starchy' foods such as cereals, potatoes, parsnips, pumpkin, white rice, pasta, noodles, bread, flour, tropical fruits, fruit juices, peanuts, sweetcorn, sauces with hidden sugars and carbohydrates, processed foods.

Eat 'above ground low-glycemic vegetables' i.e. brocolli, cauliflower, cabbages, cucumbers, peppers, brussel sprouts, courgettes, aubergines, okra, lettuce etc. and 'healthy fats' i.e. avocados, salmon, walnuts, pecan nuts, almonds, edamame beans, flax seeds, coconut oil, cheese, eggs, extra virgin olive oil for salads.

Adapt a low-carb diet -

LOW-CARB BREAD
LivLife (3.6g carb pe slice) available at Waitrose / Ocado.com
High Protein Roll - available from Lidl
Keto Bread (lots of Keto recipes on YouTube)

LOW-CARB KETO CAKES / DESSERTS
Recipes available on YouTube

LOW-CARB CELERIAC
Best alternative to potatoes. Cut in medium slices, boil for 5 minutes. Roast or Fry til brown. Tastes better than potatoes!

SUGAR ALTERNATIVE
I use Xylitol, available at Sainsbury's.
Stevia is also safe but on its own, there's an after taste.

Click to expand...

You appear to have missed out all meat and especially bacon. .. very remiss of you.

MarkR 2 said:

But my issues will be snacking as I love chocolate and crisps! Do you have any tips on varieties I can have a treats as I'm aware that I will have to cut back on the amount of treats I eat.

Click to expand...

I'm new here too, but not newly diagnosed (2005). Finding this forum and all these helpful people has really done me a world of good, and I know you'll 'move in here' too.

I came across this recipe for 'avotella' chocolate spread, but really it's so yummy it's more like a healthy and flabbergastingly unusual version of chocolate mousse. Here goes:

1 perfectly ripened avocado pear.
'Some' very dark melted chockolate. Preferably 85% or more. The original recipe suggests 30-35 grams, but less will do, if you are watching your carbs.
Sweetener to taste.
The recipe also suggests a little orange juice and honey, but those pesky carbs ...
Grab your hand blender and mix everything together.
Voilá, chocolate mousse for you.