Don't know what to eat?? No carbs, no sugar?

[Freida_vkfan]

Newly diagnosed, and I am lost on what I should be eating. Am I watching sugar? Am I watching carbs? What is a good average daily total of these to start with? Unfortunately I don't like eggs or fish which is what I've seen suggested a lot, and I'm really feeling lost on what to eat. Are the whole grain noodles ok? Or not any wheat at all? I've read that the food packages deceive, what am I looking for on the label? I think I've read so many articles that I am now even more confused. I have type 2 and I was given metformin. And do I never get pizza, cupcakes, or beer again? I'm feeling completely overwhelmed and a but depressed, which will have me reaching for bad food.

 

[Tophat1900]

In addition to what's already been posted, how about some dairy, full fat cream or full fat Greek yoghurt?

Green leaf veggies are ok, brocolli.

You can make fathead pizza. Google that one if interested.

Check out www.dietdoctor.com for lots of info on stuff like this.

Low carb dieting generally limits to 130g of carbs per day. So you could experiment with lesser amounts and test your levels to see what happens. This will take time.
Keto around 20g

Hope you have a meter to test with? This is an invaluable tool.

 

[jjraak]

Good advice above @Freida_vkfan .

I also come from that meat / dairy liking background,
but many others on here make great progress with a vegetarian or vegan diet.

For me fish was a NO .
But I actually like prawns, crab & lobster. Just not the smelly fish. who knew.


Diet doctor, as said is a great resource to see just what foods are better for us ( lower numbers best)
This was my GO TO page for ages
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/visual-guides

As for packets/ food etc
In the UK it's just the CARBOHYDRATES I look for on a packet.( Per 100 or per slice)

Under 5 per 100 it goes IN the basket
Between 5- 10..Mmhh it's a debate how much of it I'll eat and how tasty it will be.
(Tomato sauce is a good example, I use less now, but early on I used more, but it's only a small splodge so imho opinion it was worth the hit)
Over 10 per 100, it better be a special occasion.
Or it's back in the shelf and move on

Other may disagree, but early on. It's hard to be a saint.

Few of the processed foods/microwave meals will pass that carb test , so shopping while slower, because your reading labels (well done)
Does mean you can avoid vast swathes of the food aisles...which speeds things up.

I found personally having good snacks in the fridge helped enormously for those 'weak' moments

To open the fridge and not find the old naughty items was sad,
But to then have a small collection of emergency rations to nibble on, that didn't require me to cook a whole meal, helped.

Greek yogurt and REAL strawberries or blueberry, raspberries added sweetened the yoghurt, made it much more enjoyable
And if yoghurt full fat, more filling then expected
( Fat free means they add something to make it taste nice. Sweetener. So not good for us )

A small handful of nuts..
Won't seem much but given time also very filling
Pepperoni or dried meats offer a tasty hit.
A piece of cheese, on a slice of Ryvita can take the edge off
(Ryvita 5 carbs per slice, makes my cut and gives the crunch I miss )
Real butter not spreads .yum

And when only chocolate will do
Lindt and others do dark chocolate 80% and up

An acquired taste, but like many I prefer it now,
And a piece or two is enough for me now

 

[Brunneria]

@Freida_vkfan

hi and welcome

could you just confirm which type of diabetes you have been diagnosed with? And which (if any) medication you are on?

i see from your other post that you have been given metformin, but is that all? It would be very helpful if you completed your profile with the details, to help members know how to answer your questions.

regarding food, don’t worry. You are in the middle of a big adjustment, but things do get better!

it is the carbs that you are checking on food packaging. Sugars are just a type of carb. Starches like rice, pasta, bread and potatoes are also carbs.

don’t worry about having to give up pizza - as mentioned above, you can bake your own ‘fathead’ pizza bases, or use another low carb alternative. Thin bread bases have a lot less carb than deep pan.

 

[becca59]

@Brunneria @Freida_vkfan states they are type 2 in the original post. For me who accesses via the forum it is important for that information to be in the original post.

 

[Brunneria]

Oops, sorry @Freida_vkfan
Missed the part where you said T2
Thanks for mentioning it. It makes a big difference to the advice you get

 

[Daibell]

Hi. For labelling read the back/small print and Total carbs. Ignore front of pack Traffic Light labelling as for us it's rubbish unless you want to gain weight. Personally I don't worry about the amount of carb per portion but the daily total which I suggest you might want to start with 150gm/day. BTW nothing is banned so just don't overdo it everyday! Also not all alcohol is bad for BS gain. Wine and spirits can be OK in sensible amounts.

 

[jjraak]

Hi. For labelling read the back/small print and Total carbs. Ignore front of pack Traffic Light labelling as for us it's rubbish unless you want to gain weight. Personally I don't worry about the amount of carb per portion but the daily total which I suggest you might want to start with 150gm/day. BTW nothing is banned so just don't overdo it everyday! Also not all alcohol is bad for BS gain. Wine and spirits can be OK in sensible amounts.

Agree about ignoring traffic lights front of packs, @dailbell

Just to clarify as OP is new member, so the clearer the better

i Presume you mean each meal amount, not the individual portions of that meal

because wouldn't you need to know individuals portion amounts to make find out that daily total
hence checking the carbs as per pack/item etc.?

Meal 1 = 25 grams carbs
meal 2 = 30 grams carbs

daily total 55 grams carbs.

personally i aimed below 100 grams carbs per day.
but we are all individuals and what works for one may not work so well for others.

 

[Freida_vkfan]

Wow, so much to think about and to know. I don't like fish, the texture creeps me out, weird, I know. I do like beef, chicken, and pork, but it gets expensive to eat that every day, plus the time to cook with working so much and kids. I love love cheeses thankfully that is ok. It's going to take me a bit to get used to eating like this, in the meantime, I'm trying to stop wanting stuff like lasagna and ice cream. As for drinking, is something like vodka and water/tonic better than beer? But the metformin days not to drink, so I'm confused on that. I thank you all for taking the time to read and answer my questions. And I don't have a meter, but I will look into getting one

 

[MrsA2]

Lasagne is easy, just replace the pasta sheets with either pre sliced cheese, gouda is good, or cabbage leaves. Use meat and tomato sauce as usual but replace white sauce with mozzerella and cream.
To adapt any recipe just Google it with the word keto, eg keto lasagne and lots of recipes will pop up.
Cook ahead most meals so you don't arrive home hungry with nothing ready. Family just add carbs to theirs.
Vodka and soda better than beer, yes, but I'd not know anything about medication

 

[jjraak]

i like beers, but do more often choose vodka with Indian tonic water.
(be careful of fever tree, checks carbs contents )

 

[Resurgam]

Leek is good for lasagne. Use the outside cut into rectangles to replace the pasta, then chop the inside to add to the sauce.
It needs to be a bit dryer than the pasta version or it will be too liquidy.