Hi from a Type 2
- Thread starter Velour
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Resurgam
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It was easy for me as I had an old meter which belonged to my mother in law and I bought lancets and strips for it so I could see just how high some foods sent my blood glucose, and what level of carbs I could eat over the day to have my levels gradually dropping week by week - it does averages.
It was quite difficult to start off with, as despite doing low carb for a long time I had been trying to lower my cholesterol by diet for over a year. Once I began to lose weight all was fine.
It was quite difficult to start off with, as despite doing low carb for a long time I had been trying to lower my cholesterol by diet for over a year. Once I began to lose weight all was fine.
Indy51
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The free online low carb program provided by this forum is a great place to start:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb/
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/lowcarb/
Hiitsme
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Hi and welcome @Velour
I will tag @daisy1 who will post a helpful guide for newcomers.
I found a meter most helpful as testing before a meal and 2 hours after showed me what I could eat and what was better avoided. We are all different so testing would allow you to see how different carbs affect your blood sugar. For me the worst thing was breakfast cereal. In the early days I was having about 50g of carbs a day. Lots on here have a lot less. A meter would help you see what your body can cope with.
I will tag @daisy1 who will post a helpful guide for newcomers.
I found a meter most helpful as testing before a meal and 2 hours after showed me what I could eat and what was better avoided. We are all different so testing would allow you to see how different carbs affect your blood sugar. For me the worst thing was breakfast cereal. In the early days I was having about 50g of carbs a day. Lots on here have a lot less. A meter would help you see what your body can cope with.
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mean people , gardening , dishonest people , and war.
why can't everyone get on........
Hi @Velour
a warm welcome to the forum !!
as you are diagnosed type 2 you will be very lucky to have a GP that will prescribe you a meter and test strips.
if you do not get them prescribed ----------
the most cost efficient of these is the SD codefree --- link here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...8&qid=1483053360&sr=8-2&keywords=sd+code+free
do keep posting with any queries and somebody will be along to support !!
all the best !
a warm welcome to the forum !!
as you are diagnosed type 2 you will be very lucky to have a GP that will prescribe you a meter and test strips.
if you do not get them prescribed ----------
the most cost efficient of these is the SD codefree --- link here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Codefree-G...8&qid=1483053360&sr=8-2&keywords=sd+code+free
do keep posting with any queries and somebody will be along to support !!
all the best !
Johnjoe13
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Hello Velour and welcome I'm fairly new here too and. Also on metformin and trying to cut down the carbs with the help of a meter. I bought the SD Codefree from homehealth.co.uk and the strips are cheap too, probably the best buy and I was recommended it here on this site. If you buy it make sure you order the mmo/l type and state you are diabetic when asked so you do not pay the VAT. I'd buy a box of lancets too as well as some extra test strips, and there is a discount for 5 boxes of strips which is 264086 or you can just buy less it's up to you.
Energize
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Hi @Velour
Welcome to the forum. You'll be able to get lots of very valuable information here. Just ask your questions and you'll get answers, although some opinions may differ a bit. We're all individual and our diabetes affects us all differently in many ways, hence the variety of opinions/experiences, but that's all to the good
As for how many Carbs to eat, again this is an individual thing. Some can tolerate some carbs whereas others can't and just 'spke' or levels rise. It's up to you as to how high/low you prefer your levels to go but many aim for a non-diabetic's range although not all achieve this.
As already mentioned, a glucometer is essential (in our opinions) if you are wanting to achieve some degree of control. This is usually contary to the advice given by the 'professionals' at the surgery/hospital. Also, the usual advice of the 'Eatwell Plate', to eat Carbs etc, is not the advice many of us will follow, as you have probably already realised
Once you have a meter, for which you'll undoubtedly have to fund your own test strips, you will then be in a position to test immediately before, and then 2 hours after, eating your meal and will be able to see the effect of the carbs you have eaten, and therefore can reduce any carbs that raise your blood glucose level too much.
Keep reading and researching and discover what is best for YOU as we're all individual. Well done for finding this forum
Welcome to the forum. You'll be able to get lots of very valuable information here. Just ask your questions and you'll get answers, although some opinions may differ a bit. We're all individual and our diabetes affects us all differently in many ways, hence the variety of opinions/experiences, but that's all to the good
As for how many Carbs to eat, again this is an individual thing. Some can tolerate some carbs whereas others can't and just 'spke' or levels rise. It's up to you as to how high/low you prefer your levels to go but many aim for a non-diabetic's range although not all achieve this.
As already mentioned, a glucometer is essential (in our opinions) if you are wanting to achieve some degree of control. This is usually contary to the advice given by the 'professionals' at the surgery/hospital. Also, the usual advice of the 'Eatwell Plate', to eat Carbs etc, is not the advice many of us will follow, as you have probably already realised
Once you have a meter, for which you'll undoubtedly have to fund your own test strips, you will then be in a position to test immediately before, and then 2 hours after, eating your meal and will be able to see the effect of the carbs you have eaten, and therefore can reduce any carbs that raise your blood glucose level too much.
Keep reading and researching and discover what is best for YOU as we're all individual. Well done for finding this forum
Maggie/Magpie
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Hi and welcome to the forum,
I was diagnosed type 2 October, on metformin also.
Their a very friendly and knowledgeable lot on here, but as its already been stated they have learn't experience and everyone is different so there will be some variation in the replies you receive. But that can be a good thing as it offers options and its a case of discovering what suits you best. The best way to do that is to obtain a blood glucose meter and start working out what foods will or won't push your blood sugars up for example I seem to be able to get away with fruit, yet one chocolate pushed my blood sugars up to 17.1 wont be doing that again in a hurry.
Anyway ask any questions you like here big or small even if it seems stupid to you, there's always someone around to answer.
Good luck on your diabetic adventures.
Maggie
I was diagnosed type 2 October, on metformin also.
Their a very friendly and knowledgeable lot on here, but as its already been stated they have learn't experience and everyone is different so there will be some variation in the replies you receive. But that can be a good thing as it offers options and its a case of discovering what suits you best. The best way to do that is to obtain a blood glucose meter and start working out what foods will or won't push your blood sugars up for example I seem to be able to get away with fruit, yet one chocolate pushed my blood sugars up to 17.1 wont be doing that again in a hurry.
Anyway ask any questions you like here big or small even if it seems stupid to you, there's always someone around to answer.
Good luck on your diabetic adventures.
Maggie
daisy1
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@Velour
Hello Velour and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. It contains advice on carbs and levels and includes a link to the Low Carb Program which you could try. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 220,000 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:
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 free 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Hello Velour and welcome to the forum
Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. It contains advice on carbs and levels and includes a link to the Low Carb Program which you could try. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 220,000 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
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 free 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
Pinkorchid
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There is no set amount of carbs everyone is different as to how many they can eat. Most people start by cutting out or lowering the amount of starchy carbs like bread potatoes rice pasta and of course all sugar stuff which will help a lot with your BG levels
walnut_face
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Best advice I was ever given, and it was this forum was get a meter
It will tell you what food is good (and bad) for YOU. What works for others matters not, although that might work for you too, and there is no point in reinventing the wheel!
It will tell you what food is good (and bad) for YOU. What works for others matters not, although that might work for you too, and there is no point in reinventing the wheel!
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Bluetit1802
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This is why we have meters - we all have different amounts, but our meters tell us just how many and which type. Too high a rise after a meal equals too many carbs in that meal, so a detailed food diary including portion sizes is a good idea.
Freema
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Jay-Marc
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You will also find that it is not necessarily the simple amount of carb that matters but the food itself and possibly what you eat alongside it. For example, some people here can tolerate a moderate amount of oats / porridge - I can't tolerate really any at all without a spike. On the other hand I can if I choose eat a moderate amount of potatoes without the problems someone else might get. After a while of testing at a minimum at the 2 hour point all meals you can get to know what is OK for you both singularly and in combination and what is best avoided completely. You may find that ultra-low carb suits you best (and many work their way towards this anyway). Without a testing programme you won't know.
Resurgam
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I found that over a few weeks my glucose levels were dropping even though I was gradually eating more carbs - I had to go very low at first to start losing weight and getting into ketosis, so low I was going dizzy for about a day and a half. I added just enough carb to stop that, and then my metabolism accepted the changeover from carb to fat and all has been well since then.
Having the meter allowed me to check that I am starting to handle carbs better, though I am going to go on low carbing to lose weight. I can't afford to go on testing, but I know that carbs are the key to controlling blood glucose.
Having the meter allowed me to check that I am starting to handle carbs better, though I am going to go on low carbing to lose weight. I can't afford to go on testing, but I know that carbs are the key to controlling blood glucose.
