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Hungry

lynnedeloo said:
The doctors will not fund the cost of a meter and apparently whilst on Metformin I will not have highs or lows.
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The doctor will need to prove his statement about metformin and blood sugar. As many on site have noted the doctor will be have to eat his words - any reading of diabetes written by Diabetes organisations (which will have been endorsed by doctors who are expert in diabetes) and many other articles will refute his words. ? time for a new GP??
 
Bluetit1802 said:
It isn't your fault. The NHS continues to promote carbs with every meal despite so much evidence that this is the wrong diet for us. You haven't lost your way. You have been following all the advice from the NHS and your doctor, but it hasn't got you anywhere. Doctors are not infallible. You will do much better to learn from fellow diabetics - which is what we all are on this forum. If you buy yourself a meter and start testing before you eat and 2 hours after first bite, you will see instantly what carbs are doing to you.

I understand you have to watch out for vitamin K in your foods because of the warfarin. Presumably you have a list of foods you need to keep to a minimum and which you can eat freely? If you stick to that, but reduce all the main culprits (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals and most fruits) and increase the natural fats such as dairy foods, eggs, cheese, avocado etc. you will be off to a good start. Let a meter tell you which carbs suit your body, and which don't. We all have different tolerance levels to these foods. That is why we need a meter.
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Thank you for that, Things are going to change from tomorrow!!
 
You haven't lost your way, you are just searching for a new path as the old one is not getting you anywhere!
I too was diagnosed a few years ago with an HbA1c of 104.
I took all the advice I could get from all sources, much of it conflicting, but was lucky enough to stumble across this forum and the LCHF idea.
I started by writing a list of all the possible protein sources that I could eat. I do not eat meat so that left fish, other seafood, eggs, cheese, full fat plain yoghurt, pulses, lentils, nuts and other products like Quorn and tofu. Each meal is now based on a protein source with non-starch vegetables.
e.g.. Today B. Scrambled eggs and smoked salmon.
L. Grilled calamari with green salad, smoked almonds
D. Poppadum, vege curry, Dahl, yoghurt and very nice new pink grapefruit gin and sugarfree tonic.
This way of eating is now second nature.
 
kitedoc said:
The doctor will need to prove his statement about metformin and blood sugar. As many on site have noted the doctor will be have to eat his words - any reading of diabetes written by Diabetes organisations (which will have been endorsed by doctors who are expert in diabetes) and many other articles will refute his words. ? time for a new GP??
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It isnt just my GP it is the diabetic nurse as well. They have the same attitude that I dont need a meter.

I have asked repeatedly what can I eat. They say carbs with every meal. and reduce sugar. I cannot eat too much fruit or veg because of the warfarin.
 
lynnedeloo said:
It isnt just my GP it is the diabetic nurse as well. They have the same attitude that I dont need a meter.

I have asked repeatedly what can I eat. They say carbs with every meal. and reduce sugar. I cannot eat too much fruit or veg because of the warfarin.
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They are just quoting the company (NHS) line. A mind is like a parachute. It is only works when it is open.
 
Hi @lynnedeloo

Unfortunately, the NHS doesn't actually give the best of advice in order to get control of blood glucose, as already mentioned above. This is a fact, although there are exceptions, of course, but in the minority. This includes both GPs and Diabetic nurses in the surgery. I remember, when first diagnosed and given a piece of paper regarding diet advice, the first line said 'increase carbohydrates'. Even then, I knew this couldn't be right so that was the first example of total confusion. 10 yrs later, I'm still given bad advice, in my opinion. I really struggle to have any respect for the DIabetes Nurse when she has this 'brain washed' attitude.

It's common for Type 2s to be told we don't need to test!!! Basically, it's likely to be a cost thing but, to me, it belittles the seriousness of not controlling Type 2.

Another thing that I find difficult to hear about is that, in many surgeries, Type 2 is considered 'chronic' and can only get worse, eventually potentially leading to needing insulin. Well, that idea is very much out-dated and is only 'chronic' because of the way it's treated or the patient 'mis-manages' it.

Carbohydrates, be it sugar, starch, grain, pastry, bread, potatoes etc, they are converted into glucose in the body. Our bodies do not need carbohydrates but we do need proteins and fats. Without carbs, the body adapts well and eating fats will help feeling satiated for longer.

It's certainly good to hear you have taken the above posts on board and you will get a lot of help and advice here. Well done for taking the steps to get here. You'll get there ... :)
 
lynnedeloo said:
Hello,

I have been a diabetic for a few years now and it is controlled by diet and metformin SR 1500mg per day. Just recently I have been feeling very hungry. I am not sure if I am eating enough during the day. Today I had porridge and a small banana for breakfast. A ham and cheese sandwich for lunch followed by 2 shortbread biscuits (dont usually have any biscuits) and chicken pie and cauliflower for tea and a yogurt.

I think I may go too long without eating something.

My HbA1c is always around 54 which my doctor says is okay.

I make sugar free flapjacks but need ideas for quick snacks that can be bought.
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there are some excellent links in your thread from a few years ago: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/newly-diagnosed-and-confused.67479/
in case you forgot about them. They will keep you going with info until Daisy 1 comes along.
 
My jaw dropped when I saw how high carb your diet was - first and foremost diabetes is an inability to deal with carbs - but for lucky type twos simply reducing the daily intake of carbs resolves the problem.
Reducing carbs causes the over production of insulin to slow and probably stop, my liver has shrunk and softened - my waist is 8 inches smaller, I have lost weight without trying, I feel so much younger, far more energetic and motivated - I can only recommend low carb eating, and in your case, ignoring what your HCPs instruct - how can carbs with every meal be good for someone who is having high blood glucose levels - your Hba1c is not super high but it could be far closer to normal without all those high carb foods.
I suggest counting up how many carbs you were eating every day, halving it and using a meter to check your blood glucose two hours after starting to eat a meal. Perhaps for a while test just before starting to eat as well, so you can see exactly how the food affects you.
I liken not using a meter to driving with a broken speedometer and relying on the speeding fines to assess how well you are managing to make guesses.
You might find that you can cope with some carbs - different foods affect different people differently. I am perhaps unlucky in that I digest carbs really well and really fast, so have to avoid all high carb foods, but others find that they can manage with porridge or potato that has been cooked, chilled and then reheated - but you do need to get a meter in order to test out the possibilities.
 
@lynnedeloo
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful.

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 235,000 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
Reduce your 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 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
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
This video by Drs David and Jen Unwin about Success for People with Diabetes in Primary Care and Beyond should prove informative.
 
Bluetit1802 said:
It isn't your fault. The NHS continues to promote carbs with every meal despite so much evidence that this is the wrong diet for us. You haven't lost your way. You have been following all the advice from the NHS and your doctor, but it hasn't got you anywhere. Doctors are not infallible. You will do much better to learn from fellow diabetics - which is what we all are on this forum. If you buy yourself a meter and start testing before you eat and 2 hours after first bite, you will see instantly what carbs are doing to you.

I understand you have to watch out for vitamin K in your foods because of the warfarin. Presumably you have a list of foods you need to keep to a minimum and which you can eat freely? If you stick to that, but reduce all the main culprits (bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, cereals and most fruits) and increase the natural fats such as dairy foods, eggs, cheese, avocado etc. you will be off to a good start. Let a meter tell you which carbs suit your body, and which don't. We all have different tolerance levels to these foods. That is why we need a meter.
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The NHS is now moving towards promoting Low Carb. Currently am on Preventing Diabetes course, they are suggesting a find the best option for you approach, and Low Carb is one of the options.
 
SlimLizzy said:
The NHS is now moving towards promoting Low Carb. Currently am on Preventing Diabetes course, they are suggesting a find the best option for you approach, and Low Carb is one of the options.
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That is encouraging, but I bet they’re simultaneously, and inexplicably, pushing low fat? Or most likely “vegetable” oils still.

Small moves though. Hopefully the sands are shifting, because I’m getting tired of people unnecessarily having their feet and legs amputated :sorry:
 
Jim Lahey said:
That is encouraging, but I bet they’re simultaneously, and inexplicably, pushing low fat? Or most likely “vegetable” oils still.

Small moves though. Hopefully the sands are shifting, because I’m getting tired of people unnecessarily having their feet and legs amputated :sorry:
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nope, vegetable oil is a def no-no, unless it is cold pressed olive or rapeseed. Low fat is being discussed, but in a "we need to debunk this myth way" Was amazed to be told butter and lard are healthy fats.
 
SlimLizzy said:
nope, vegetable oil is a def no-no, unless it is cold pressed olive or rapeseed. Low fat is being discussed, but in a "we need to debunk this myth way" Was amazed to be told butter and lard are healthy fats.
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Fantastic! Very promising. You’ve made my morning :D
 
lynnedeloo said:
I cannot eat too much fruit or veg because of the warfarin.
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Well, you are half way there. Fruit is full of fructose (sugar) and is not always a good choice for us. The very best fruits to eat are strawberries and raspberries, but only in small quantities and always with cream or full fat yogurt as part of a meal. Not as a stand alone snack. Sometimes a small apple is OK for some people, but your meter will tell you that. Also tomatoes are fine in small portions. Tropical fruits such as oranges and bananas and also grapes are the worst ones. Fruit juices and smoothies are to be avoided.

As for vegetables, I never have been a big veg eater, but I manage very well on the few I do eat. Most people on here do eat a lot of veg but as long as you get all the vits and minerals your body needs, they are not compulsory by any means.
 
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