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Food glorious, food...

drillingcat

drillingcat

Member
Messages
13
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
...and not so glorious.

I'm really starting to get down in the dumps about this whole diabetes lark and I've only been diagnosed T2 for about 2 months! :(
Even though I've attended a 3 week course run by my local NHS that explained everything, it went in one ear and out the other.

I have NO IDEA what I can and cannot eat. This whole low-carb thing is driving me crazy! I'm starting to get sick to death of salads for lunch and then I have no idea what to have for dinner. I'm testing as often as possible to see what foods effect me and what doesn't, but so far the former outweighs the latter.
And just when I'd started to like pasta I can't have that, nor potatoes, or bread... :x

So my query is this (and I realise it's probably been answered a million times over!): WHAT exactly do you eat?!
What do you have as a snack? I know we can have a little of everything in moderation, but I'm trying to get my waist down to see if that helps my BS.

:oops:

Yours confused and depressed,
DC
 
My suggestion,get either Collins carb counter or Collins calorie counter and start planning your meals with what you like to eat.There's no reason you have to just eat salads(unless you really love salads of course)Keep your carb level per day down to about 100 or so(the low carbers will probably say this is too high but you need to get used to the whole counting carbs thing before you experiment with low carbs).Lose the waist? That requires some form of exercise,stepping twisting,lifting weights ,swimming etc.Take it a step at a time,eventually it will all come together but don't try and do everything at once.
 
I sympathise. When I first decided to follow the low-carb route, I was really determined to go the whole hog and cut out carbs.but then I felt like you. I got really down and took some advice to take it a step at a time. I found this much easier and bearable. I decided to tackle my main meal of the day first. My main meal of the day is certainly a smaller portion too. I either have no rice, potato, pasta or pastry or if I'm starving,which doesn't really happen often now, the tiniest portion. (one piece of new potato or a dessertspoonful of pasta or rice) I just have meat, fish, eggs,cheese and plenty of veg or salad.Perhaps some berries and cream or yoghurt if I fancy it.Since doing that, I have been able to reduce my insulin and my readings a couple of hours later are usually around 5 - 6 mark, which I am thrilled with.
I am still having my "trill" for breakfast.(I call it trill because it resembles that brand of bird food....well, you get the idea!) For lunch,I'll have something like scrambled egg on a slice of seeded bread or sardines on toast or small sandwich(I always eat seeded bread)or home-made soup and a piece of fruit. My readings are practically spot on now all the time.So you see, even though, I've only cut the carbs DOWN not OUT, it has had a huge benefit.Fergus makes a low-carb. bread and I shall be trying that recipe someday soon, as I I'd like to see what effect that would have on my lunch or brekkie readings.I really can recommend cutting DOWN on carbs instead of cutting out.I've also cut out crisps. Oddly enough, I don't actually snack much now but when I'm really desperate I have a square or two of really dark chocolate. I'm only human!!! :wink:
With regards to weight loss......I've lost 11 lbs in about 2 months.....just by doing the things above.
Keep at it and I'm sure you'll reap the benefits too.
 
tbh - I dont think u are alone in feeling like this it is such alot to take in .

Why don't you ask for another appointment at the surgery - you may be need to sit down with the nurse and dietitians again. Don't worry it happens alot . I always suggest a pen and paper to make notes - i always do that in case i forget!
 
Drillingcat, I suddenly remembered that I wrote a little poem when I felt as you do, so I've copied it again below, especially for you.

I'm really trying to stay "low-carb"
But finding it so hard.
My mood keeps changing daily,
As I crave all foodstuffs barred.

I've tried to think of other things
But running through my head
Are thoughts of spuds and pasta
And chunks of crusty bread.

I just can't get excited
Over salad,veg and meats
I've really tried but failed
To enjoy those low-carb "eats".

I don't smoke or drink alcohol.
I eat a balanced diet.
And when I heard of low-carb
I really had to try it.

I started off so very well
And full of good intention
But now I'm simply going ape
At every "low-carb" mention.

My readings have gone mad again
I cannot fathom why.
I'm feeling so confused
And I've even had a cry.

You lot are so supportive
And I know this sounds pathetic
But please tell me I am normal....
For hating being DIABETIC!
 
Drilling cat, so you`ve been told the facts of life but didnt listen. Ok no prob nobodies perfect. Try this for focusing the mind.
Close your eyes one or both
Imagine you have lost a lot of wieght ( say the right leg !!! )
Still with one or both eyes shut
try walking to the door on one leg

That is the reality of not getting your head round your circumstances. Ultimately there is only one person can do it no matter how much well intentioned support you may recieve. Harsh maybe but you still have some time. USE IT WISELY

Dave P
 
Sixfoot, drilling cat has only been diagnosed for two months. I think perhaps you could be a little kinder and more supportive. Drilling cat is trying to low-carb, so IS trying to do something positive and most of us so shortly after diagnosis go through a spell of finding it hard to come to terms with.
Also, as someone who is in extreme pain herself right at this moment from suspected neuropathy and terrified of what that may bring, I don't really like your shock tactics wording myself.
 
Read the posting , "i was told but it went in one ear and out the other ". The mind wasnt or couldnt be focused on what was important. Perhaps i could have been more sympathetic and pointed him to Hanadrs posting on Amputation Numbers rising or any of the other postings on " My feet hurt ". As for caring and support check out any number of my responses to requests.

Dave P
 
Chocohollic, I hope Drilling cat reads your last posting. I have. It answers the point more starkly than anything i could have composed. You have something which i dont -- The experience of the circumstance. You know first hand what it can do, and its consequences on you. I hope you will consider telling others who for whatever reason cant or indeed wont make the changes that may at very least delay the onset of complications.
I believe that to be a very positive outlook

Sincerely
Dave P
 
Thank you for all your kind words and I particularly loved your poem chocoholic! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who's truly [going mad] struggling.

I think I have the collins calorie counter book somwhere already sue, so I'll certainly try measuring things out. As for the excerise side of things, I have so far invested in a bargain basement treadmill, bike and even a Wii fit!! I use the treadmill every night, the bike every weekend (weather permitting!) and the Wii when I have chance.

ally - You're right, perhaps I should request a one on one review with the nurse. It's just she's not that helpful or sympathetic!

Thanks sixfoot, that makes me feel so much better...
When I say it went in one ear and out the other, I meant it's just SO MUCH to take in at once, not that I wasn't listening! I honestly couldn't be taking this condition more seriously if I tried! :shock:

As for today, let's see what wonders I can find to eat...!
 
drillingcat said:
...and not so glorious.

I'm really starting to get down in the dumps about this whole diabetes lark and I've only been diagnosed T2 for about 2 months! :(
Even though I've attended a 3 week course run by my local NHS that explained everything, it went in one ear and out the other.

I have NO IDEA what I can and cannot eat. This whole low-carb thing is driving me crazy! I'm starting to get sick to death of salads for lunch and then I have no idea what to have for dinner. I'm testing as often as possible to see what foods effect me and what doesn't, but so far the former outweighs the latter.
And just when I'd started to like pasta I can't have that, nor potatoes, or bread... :x

So my query is this (and I realise it's probably been answered a million times over!): WHAT exactly do you eat?!
What do you have as a snack? I know we can have a little of everything in moderation, but I'm trying to get my waist down to see if that helps my BS.

:oops:

Yours confused and depressed,
DC
Click to expand...

Right.....As I've highlighted I think the focus of our answers should be on answering Drilling Cat's questions.He/she obviously wants to do something about diabetes ,just doesn't know what and that is definitely where we can help.We all had total confusion after being diagnosed.Some ,'get it' quite quickly,others take a while.The fact that drilling cat is asking these questions is proof that he/she is moving on from denial/confusion to the first steps in taking control.Let's assist.
 
Can I suggest a very useful book that may help you understand more about diabetes and its complexities. Its the type of book thats useful at first and to come back to.
The First Year Diabetes Type 2
Gretchen Becker (its a US book the their is a UK edition)

The Author goes into a some detail about different types of diets but not until 'later in the year'
This is what she says about initial diet which I think is good sense. First a reminder.

'dietary recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes are highly controversial'
(Thats why there is so much contradictory advice on this forum! and why if I told you what I eat it would be completely different to what another person says)

1) Try out the diet that your own doctor/dietitian has suggested.
(as Ally says go back to them and take notes if necessary, did they give you handouts on your course? if so reread them)
Give the plan some time to work trying to follow it carefully.
2) Monitor your response to the suggested plan/ checking blood glucose (testing fasting BS and post meal if possible) monitoring weight loss (if necessary) and noting what happens to your cholesterol levels. ( Ask yor doctor what your results were initially and compare them when you next have your blood tests)
3) If during this period you feel that things are not working out well then research alternatives.
Remember she says
'there is no single 'diabetic diet', and you need to find out what works for you'
Click to expand...

Also can I add, that for blood glucose control diet is not the only element. Exercise also plays a very important role.
 
Since there are only 2 routes to dealing with this thing,1) let it take control and you take the consequences or 2) learn all you can and you take control and be healthy. There isn't really a middle road.
I would recommend to anyone to get a copy of Richard Bernstein's Complete Diabetes Solution. I think it's the definitive book. I'd get a later edition than I have if it wasn't so expensive.
I don't think I've ever had a question that Bernstein doesn't tackle and as a trained scientist, I can take what I need from him.
 
Awww poor drilling cat, I know its all so confusing and overwhelming at first and you want to do it all right from the beginning and all this information overload makes you just go and run away and scream.

So yes its true, long term high bg levels do cause complications, but very often even those can be reversed.
You are doing good already you have done a course, you are asking questions, you are willing to make lifestyle changes, so you are already doing a whole lot better than many other folk in similar situations.

Chocoholic and Sue are absolutely spot on, its important that you go about it s-l-o-w-l-y, or you just will end up very frustrated and stressed out too and thats not going to do you or your bg levels any good at all.
You can start by reducing your carb intake slowly and increase the amount of vegetables maybe?
Some people manage fine this way and find they might not even have to go any lower carb, exercise helps with this too.

I have two links here for you that you might find interesting, one is from Men's Health magazine, there is even a link on diabetes and also on how to adjust to the low carb lifestyle on that page.
The other one is abuot low carb diet in general, lowering your carb intake is recommended for everyone, not only diabetics and frankly I think we start to feel better if we dont eat quite so much of the stodge?

Dont despair, it will get better as you learn more and lots of it is also trial and error but you will get there and get the better of this diabetes thing.

All the best

Karen

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.d ... 281eac____

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... aters.html
 
drillingcat said:
I have NO IDEA what I can and cannot eat. This whole low-carb thing is driving me crazy!
Click to expand...
I don't know if this will be any help, but here is a strategy that seems to work quite well for me. This approach should not be attempted by anyone on insulin (it would be downright dangerous), but it will be safe for most newly diagnosed T2s.

1. Temporary Diet
I initially went on a very simple - seriously low carb diet, temporarily. The "temporary" bit is important - this is bearable, because it is only going to be for a few weeks. While doing this I monitored my BG once per day (before eating anything in the morning). When on this sort of diet, it should come down quite quickly. If you don't get figures consistently below 7 after being on this sort of diet for a few weeks, then you need to talk to your doctor about different medications. This diet is very simple:

Don't eat:
  • Bread
  • Potatoes
  • Pasta
  • Cereal
  • Rice
  • Oats
  • Beans
  • Anything made with wheat flour
  • Bananas, yams and other starchy fruit and vegetables
  • Fruit juice
  • Cake
  • Biscuits
  • Dried fruit
  • Anything sweet (unless you are certain that it only contains artificial sweetners)

Do eat:
  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Prawns and shellfish
  • Cheese
  • Eggs
  • Quorm
  • Nuts
  • Vegetables (non-starchy)
  • Green salads
  • Tomatoes
  • Sweet peppers
  • Butter
  • Olive oil
  • Low carb crisp-bread
  • Bran (wheat bran, oat bran etc. - used as a flour substitute)

Eat in small amounts:
  • Fresh fruit
  • Milk
  • Cream
  • Plain yoghurt
  • Balsamic vinegar (on the salds!)
What I mean by "small amounts" is treat these things with caution. A satsuma is OK, but a bag of satsumas is not. A splash of milk in your tea is OK, but don't drink a pint of it!

2. Fine Tuning
Once your fasting BG is stable at a safe level (definitely below 7 and preferably below 6), then you can start experimenting with various combinations of the "forbidden" foods to see what happens. To do this you need to test rather more. I suggest that when you do this you test immediately before you eat your experimental meal, and then at 30 minute intervals while the BG is rising and once it starts to come down then test at hourly intervals until it is back where you started. Plot this on a graph, and keep notes about exactly what you ate and you will start to see how certain foods affect you.

3. The Long Haul
Armed with the information you got when fine tuning, it should be possible for you to come up with a diet that is both acceptable to you and which also allows you to keep your average BG at a safe level. This is likely to be mostly low carb, but with a few higher carb items. It should be possible to work it so that nothing is absolutely forbidden. If you have a particular yen for Black Forrest Gâteaux, then it should be possible to work a modest slice in as an occasional treat!

I have found that this works quite well for me - although Your Mileage May Vary! I am only just getting in to the third stage of this, but already I am quite happy with my diet. My fasting BG is in the 5.5-6.5 range, and although I am eating very differently from how I used to, I don't really miss anything. It still needs a bit more tweaking, I would much rather have a lower BG, but I really think that I am getting there.

What does anyone else think about this approach?
 
Sue - cheers for highlighting my main points! Perhaps I should have clarified better in the beginning! :roll:

Nellie - thank you for your suggestion on literature, i have purchased 'The First Year Diabetes Type 2 ' and am currently making my way through it; it's just good to get extra help from you guys! i like the was that in the book she states that 'YMMV - your mileage may vary' - how very true this is!

...and I shall also look into getting that book too, hanadr!

chocfish - maybe i'm just going into this a little too much? perhaps i've cut back too far and need to reign myself in a little. cheers for th links, i'm sure they'll make interesting reading.

That list seems most comprehensive diabeticgeek, thank you kindly! *copies and pastes* :wink:
 
May I also recommend Collins gem either carb counter or calorie counter, both have the amounts of carbs and it is small enough to put in your pocket when you are out or shopping.The calorie one has a good fast food section in it.
 
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