- Messages
- 3
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Newly diagnosed and very frightened so much information to take in and it's overwhelming if I'm honest
It is absolutely overwhelming, and scary. But you're not in this alone, we're right here and quite a few of us have been where you are right now. Before you do a deep-dive into all things Type 2, know this: It's not the end of the world, and knowing what the problem is, is the first step to feeling better than you most likely have been.Newly diagnosed and very frightened so much information to take in and it's overwhelming if I'm honest
Well the doctors have been quite contradicting on what I can and can't eat the doctor says one thing than the diabetic nurse this morning says something else I think the diabetic nurse made more sense if I'm honest but navigating what I can and can't eat is daunting I admit my past diet was awful and I have changed that and I swim every day but I find the food side hard I've been eating lots of sweet potato which is obviously wrong I know now but i was diagnosed than for about a month left to my own devices although I did manage to lose a stone in that time I just feel overwhelmed with everything at the momentIt is absolutely overwhelming, and scary. But you're not in this alone, we're right here and quite a few of us have been where you are right now. Before you do a deep-dive into all things Type 2, know this: It's not the end of the world, and knowing what the problem is, is the first step to feeling better than you most likely have been.
Do you have any questions we can help with? There's usually someone around with answers, so... Fire away!
When someone who's supposed to be an expert, is contradicting the advice from another expert, ask someone who is impartial: get yourself a blood glucose meter, and ask it what is true for your particular metabolism. It won't act on outdated research, or some fad diet or dogma, it'll just tell you what your blood sugars are doing and how they react to the food you're eating. Test before a meal, and two hours after the first bite. You're looking for a rise of no more, and preferably less, than 2.0 mmol. Sound complicated, but really, it's all two's: Type two, rise of no more than two, two hours. Two's all the way. If you manage to keep your blood sugars in that range, the over all numbers will come down over time. How do you do that? Well, mainly it's some form or other of low carb eating. Sugar is a carbohydrate, but so are starches... And they might not start out as sugar, but they do turn to glucose once ingested. So potatoes, sweet or otherwise, can cause a spike. Same with rice, pasta, bread, cereal, most fruits (save for berries and tomatoes, in moderation). It's a bit of an overhaul of your usual diet, most likely, but try not to overcomplicate things. There are loads of sites online that come up with unpronounceable, unfindable and ridiculously expensive ingredients, but.... Rather than a spud, just have some more meat, a double portion of above ground veg, just change the portions around so you still have a filling meal. So breakfast could be eggs with bacon and high meat content sausages, lunch could be a salad with chicken, in the evening cauliflower rice with whatever spices you like, with some salmon, steak, pork, whatever. Full fat greek yog with berries or a hand full of nuts for dessert, maybe? They're just examples, but that's the main thing: keep it simple for the time being. If you're feeling adventurous, knock yourself out, but.... At this point in time, go with the easy stuff and cut yourself a break.Well the doctors have been quite contradicting on what I can and can't eat the doctor says one thing than the diabetic nurse this morning says something else I think the diabetic nurse made more sense if I'm honest but navigating what I can and can't eat is daunting I admit my past diet was awful and I have changed that and I swim every day but I find the food side hard I've been eating lots of sweet potato which is obviously wrong I know now but i was diagnosed than for about a month left to my own devices although I did manage to lose a stone in that time I just feel overwhelmed with everything at the moment
Oh, excellent. The diabetic range starts at 48... You're just 6 mmol/mol over that! Just a few changes in your diet and you should be in the prediabetic range right-quick, non-diabetic soon after. Many here have come down from more than double your HbA1c. It can be done, if you want to give it a go.My HbA1c was 54 and I have had lots of appointments and contact with the GP surgery since but it's still daunting
Yeh it's a lot to take in. I was diagnosed type 2 in May 2024. On 3 insulin tablets a day at the moment. Got my levels down to around 7 to 7.5 , you're right it's a lot to take in at first. I'm on a low carb diet. Which includes sweet potatoes and lots of wholemeal foods. Brown bread and making a lasagne with wholemeal.pasta etc. I'm lucky that I love salads with chicken in. During the day I snack on celery sticks and carrot batons. Boiled eggs and an apple for breakfast. My levels haven't gone above 8 for a while now. I know everyone is different but this is what works for me. Any questions just ask. Andy.Newly diagnosed and very frightened so much information to take in and it's overwhelming if I'm honest
Forgot to say I do a lot of walking also . I have a dog which helps. I love getting outdoors and walking everywhere. Every type 2 person I know keeps there levels lower with a good diet and exercise.Newly diagnosed and very frightened so much information to take in and it's overwhelming if I'm honest
This!When someone who's supposed to be an expert, is contradicting the advice from another expert, ask someone who is impartial: get yourself a blood glucose meter, and ask it what is true for your particular metabolism. It won't act on outdated research, or some fad diet or dogma, it'll just tell you what your blood sugars are doing and how they react to the food you're eating.
Hi Andy,Yeh it's a lot to take in. I was diagnosed type 2 in May 2024. On 3 insulin tablets a day at the moment. Got my levels down to around 7 to 7.5 , you're right it's a lot to take in at first. I'm on a low carb diet. Which includes sweet potatoes and lots of wholemeal foods. Brown bread and making a lasagne with wholemeal.pasta etc. I'm lucky that I love salads with chicken in. During the day I snack on celery sticks and carrot batons. Boiled eggs and an apple for breakfast. My levels haven't gone above 8 for a while now. I know everyone is different but this is what works for me. Any questions just ask. Andy.
Hello and welcome!Newly diagnosed and very frightened so much information to take in and it's overwhelming if I'm honest