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Diet and balance testimonial

J

Jakjo

Active Member
Messages
35
I was diagnosed with T2 about a year ago and although I have been controlling my blood sugars very well (last read from doc's was on average was 5.5 over the last 3 months) Since the time I was diagnosed I have lost 4 stone "but" in hindsight went about it the wrong way. I cut out ALL starches (brown's containing Fibre). I felt better (much!) but knew I wasn't getting the nutrients I need. I have high cholestral and it probably wasn't the best idea that I have been eating low (VERY) carbohydrate and high fat.

I reached a point where I was getting so bored of my diet and what I was allowing myself to eat I went to a NHS dietician. She was brilliant and explained about portion and balance control.

For instance, I eat burgens Linseed and soya bread by itself. My BG's go to 10. However if I have it with 3 tablespoons of baked beans, scrambled eggs, blueberries (yeah I know, weird concoction) after 2 hours my BG is down to 5.2. It really is down to balance amongst the food groups and portion control. I was even able to eat a third of a cup of Brown tilda rice, combined with chicken and cabbage the other day and I am well happy because I miss my food. I test often and as a food was somewhat of a passion of mine I am looking forward to further testing for small portions of the food I love. I do also appreciate that everyone's make up is different but I am so excited with this introduction to my life. Exercise is key also. You might eat something not so good for you but a brisk walk (or your chosen exercise) after speaks volumes.

Surely, there are more than 1 in 5 looking after this disease :)


Just my experience :)
 
Hi, my approach is similar to yours, except that I eat what everyone else does, with no 'special foods', just in sensible portions (usually smaller than my eyes think is normal!!). Luckily, I have never had a sweet tooth and always eat fresh so I know what's gone into a meal, as I do most of the cooking and have learned a lot. Homemade peanut butter (a fetish of mine), for example, is a doddle to make, provided you can source the peanuts, and no additives!! (I once made the mistake of buying some from a Pet Shop which even the birds won't touch.)

I lost 4.5 stones by eating 5 times a day, rather than one big meal in the evening, and cutting out the booze (that helped a lot). I don't let BG monitors, bathroom scales, measuring jugs or unrealistic personal BG targets control my life. On the advice of my Diabetic Nurse, I now test my BG occasionally and rely now more in HbA1C. So long as my readings are within the targets recommended, that's fine by me. Very liberating, and, I hope, a reasonable balance between controlling the condition and living a normal life. Not much point in just one or the other.

I think your comment on 1 in 5 is probably true, as I think it does take quite a lot of willpower to 'behave'. But I think there is also the other extreme where some people have let the condition take over their lives.

My upcoming, latest HbA1C test will tell me if I have been getting it all wrong!! :shock:
 
nila11 said:
Nice both of your comments, I have one question on our mind, if have possibilities to control diet on medicine?
Click to expand...

Hi, I infer from your question that you may feel that you would find it difficult to modify your eating regime without the assistance of medications etc. Apologies if I am wrong.

I don't know very much about medicines to control a diet. There are some 'fat-busting' medicines around now but I know very little about them and I would suggest you discuss this with your GP. You will probably find that you still have to modify your diet even if you are taking medicines to control it as I think it is a combined effort between you and the medicine, or low-carb diet if you choose that route.

My advice would be to try to lose weight naturally. It's a long and frustrating process but a once-off. Don't expect to lose 6lb per week etc. .. it took me 6 months to lose 4.5 stone but that was 3 years ago and I have controlled my weight since. You will still have to 'bite the bullet' in the end, even if you use medicines or low-carb diets unless you intend to stay on them forever. Otherwise, you could end up where you started.

Perhaps it would help you to speak with a dietician to review what your eating habits are now (e.g. quantities, naughty snacks etc.) and find an eating regime (I prefer that term to 'diet') that you can live with and which is safe for you. There's no reason why you shouldn't eat what everyone else around you (family etc.) eats. As the house 'chef', I find that my food preparation & servings have become instinctive and part of a normal life with a bit knowledge and research, including the information on this site and people contributing.
 
Hello,

What I was advised was for instance a fist full of rice, with a protien and high fibre vegetable. It's all about portion control. Unfortunately this didn't work for me but I am sure, will with others. My understanding is that by combining all the food groups with small portions and eating regulalry (probably more than most) it helps.
 
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