It is finally official I am diabetic

[Gezzabelle]

I haven't been here for a long time after managing my pre diabetic status fine until my recent annual blood check that revealed my HbA1c was 50 so they tell me I am officially diabetic. No matter what I eat my sugar levels go up to 14 and take hours to come down which means I just add to the already too high a reading when I have my next meal which leads to the merry go round of high readings. I got told I am diabetic and am yet to be given any medication of any kind so I am not sure how it will all pan out. Right now I despair and await the medical ''genius's'' to decide if they are going to actually help me or just go on sending me appointments to check my feet and eyes.

 

[Rachox]

Hi @Gezzabelle , sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Your HbA1c is only just into the diabetic range. You may be able to get back to prediabetic, or even non diabetic levels by just reviewing what you eat. Could you tell us what you eat in a typical day? We maybe able to help you tweak things.
And remember your health care professionals are there to advise not dictate, so if you want to try diet alone , no meds then tell them that’s what you’d like to do.

 

[Gezzabelle]

I don't eat huge amounts of food and rarely cook since I lost my husband. A typical day is a slice of wholemeal toast with butter and a coffee....milk but sweetners not sugar. Lunch is a small wholemeal roll with wafer thin ham or cheese with coffee and dinner is usually a shop bought pice of cod in a light batter with a few peas or baked beans. Treats will be a ginger biscuit or a square of dark chocolate. I have 4 chicken nuggets sometimes..(hardly a crime surely) and I appreciate my diet isn't very healthy but I cannot get to shops daily so have to rely on a delivery every week or two and frozen foods. I really need to take a look around the forum to see what everyone is eating as I have become complacent and lazy where food is concerned

 

[Rachox]

You could try reducing the carbs further than you have, maybe cut out the bread, batter, and biscuits, change to lower carb vegetables, peas and beans (strictly pulses) are higher than things like brocolli and cauliflower.
For more ideas, have a read of this blog written by @JoKalsbeek one of our members:
https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html

 

[Gezzabelle]

Thanks for the advice as I said I have become very lazy and eating the way I do has become more habit than enjoyable. I have looked at the amazing food some eat on here and had forgotten all about bacon and eggs mushrooms etc. I must make more effort. I will be speaking to my doctor on Wednesday so I may know more about how they plan to treat it.

 

[Lamont D]

Hi @Gezzabelle,
It's sad to hear about your diagnosis but it's good to hear from you after all this time.
I would second @Rachox advice about the nutritional thingy.
Another thought is fresh food.
Cooked by you, portions frozen, the range is vast.
I get the lazy bit, I truly do, and I have fell off the wagon a few times myself.
Maybe a weekly delivery, or a nearby butcher, greengrocers, it doesn't have to be frozen factory food.
I now cook a gammon joint every Friday, for the weekend. Eggs with that is brill.
Best wishes.

 

[Gezzabelle]

Hi @Gezzabelle,
It's sad to hear about your diagnosis but it's good to hear from you after all this time.
I would second @Rachox advice about the nutritional thingy.
Another thought is fresh food.
Cooked by you, portions frozen, the range is vast.
I get the lazy bit, I truly do, and I have fell off the wagon a few times myself.
Maybe a weekly delivery, or a nearby butcher, greengrocers, it doesn't have to be frozen factory food.
I now cook a gammon joint every Friday, for the weekend. Eggs with that is brill.
Best wishes.

Thanks so much...to be honest I thought it would never happen as I had been pre diabetic for so long. I don't even know what happens if I get given medication for it... can I eat more or do I still have to eat low carb etc. My biggest weakness is bread and all the low carb versions taste awful and cost a fortune as does the flour to make your own. I will find out Wednesday hopefully what the doctor is going to do regarding medication and meanwhile will have to give some serious thought to my diet and shopping. This forum was my first place to run to as the community are and always have been so helpful and supportive, I am very confused about what they tell me to eat at the surgery....brown rice and pasta, wholemeal bread and cereals and lots of things that I know will spike my sugar like crazy and if I dare say low carb I get ''that look'' as they refuse to embrace it

 

[Resurgam]

Thanks so much...to be honest I thought it would never happen as I had been pre diabetic for so long. I don't even know what happens if I get given medication for it... can I eat more or do I still have to eat low carb etc. My biggest weakness is bread and all the low carb versions taste awful and cost a fortune as does the flour to make your own. I will find out Wednesday hopefully what the doctor is going to do regarding medication and meanwhile will have to give some serious thought to my diet and shopping. This forum was my first place to run to as the community are and always have been so helpful and supportive, I am very confused about what they tell me to eat at the surgery....brown rice and pasta, wholemeal bread and cereals and lots of things that I know will spike my sugar like crazy and if I dare say low carb I get ''that look'' as they refuse to embrace it

As you are only in the low range of diabetes levels you could still have some bread but cut out a lot of the high carb foods.
Personally I resent paying for foods coated in carbs, and as for people who should know better advising new diabetics to eat carbs, carbs and more carbs - well - they shouldn't.
I had trouble with my lower legs and feet after the first jab for Covid - I did think I was in serious trouble, and I resorted to getting around in a mobility scooter, which I still do as it is giving me the freedom to go out and about without worrying about the expense of using the car. Being able to get to the shops almost for nothing is making such a difference to my budget.
I have a big freezer, so I buy large packs of meat or fish - not coated in anything, divide them into separate portions and freeze them, then put them into a bag or box and write on when frozen, and what it is. Lidl seem to be the cheapest for what I buy most of.
I was into seriously high levels with my type 2, but was soon in remission by avoiding grain, potatoes and things high in starch or sugar.
When starting out I bought a blood testing meter so I could see how my meals affected my blood glucose levels.

 

[Gezzabelle]

As you are only in the low range of diabetes levels you could still have some bread but cut out a lot of the high carb foods.
Personally I resent paying for foods coated in carbs, and as for people who should know better advising new diabetics to eat carbs, carbs and more carbs - well - they shouldn't.
I had trouble with my lower legs and feet after the first jab for Covid - I did think I was in serious trouble, and I resorted to getting around in a mobility scooter, which I still do as it is giving me the freedom to go out and about without worrying about the expense of using the car. Being able to get to the shops almost for nothing is making such a difference to my budget.
I have a big freezer, so I buy large packs of meat or fish - not coated in anything, divide them into separate portions and freeze them, then put them into a bag or box and write on when frozen, and what it is. Lidl seem to be the cheapest for what I buy most of.
I was into seriously high levels with my type 2, but was soon in remission by avoiding grain, potatoes and things high in starch or sugar.
When starting out I bought a blood testing meter so I could see how my meals affected my blood glucose levels.

That's really helpful and thank you so much. I have just been getting a shopping list together in an attempt to change my diet and a couple of bags of Basa fillets is top of the list instead of the battered fish fillets I usually get... much better value and seriously much healthier. It is a whole new thing having to think more about what I eat that's for sure. I will still have my slice of wholemeal toast for breakfast as that is the thing that gives the lowest rise out of everyything I eat and would be a sacrifice too much to lose it. Eggs can play a big part in my new eating too....nice cheese omelette ...crispy bacon and tomato or a few mushrooms springs to mind....(thinks hard to remember if all those foods are allowed lol )

 

[IanBish]

I have looked at the amazing food some eat on here and had forgotten all about bacon and eggs mushrooms etc.

I used to eat potatoes with virtually every meal before my diagnosis. But since then I have mushrooms instead of potatoes. And scrambled eggs, I love too. I still eat potatoes (mainly roasted and mashed) but not much, and not too often. At your HbA1c some smallish changes should work. Eat things you like, but eat them less, and in smaller amounts.

 

[Gezzabelle]

I used to eat potatoes with virtually every meal before my diagnosis. But since then I have mushrooms instead of potatoes. And scrambled eggs, I love too. I still eat potatoes (mainly roasted and mashed) but not much, and not too often. At your HbA1c some smallish changes should work. Eat things you like, but eat them less, and in smaller amounts.

Thanks for the tips... most helpful I think my problem is I got an air fryer and fell into the trap of chicken nuggets and processed, fast food. Time to address that and use it to make healthier options.

 

[IanBish]

Thanks for the tips... most helpful I think my problem is I got an air fryer and fell into the trap of chicken nuggets and processed, fast food. Time to address that and use it to make healthier options.

I use the air fryer for steaks, chicken legs and roast potatoes, mainly. I'd ditch the (ultra) processed food, not just for the diabetes, but for your overall health.

 

[Resurgam]

That's really helpful and thank you so much. I have just been getting a shopping list together in an attempt to change my diet and a couple of bags of Basa fillets is top of the list instead of the battered fish fillets I usually get... much better value and seriously much healthier. It is a whole new thing having to think more about what I eat that's for sure. I will still have my slice of wholemeal toast for breakfast as that is the thing that gives the lowest rise out of everyything I eat and would be a sacrifice too much to lose it. Eggs can play a big part in my new eating too....nice cheese omelette ...crispy bacon and tomato or a few mushrooms springs to mind....(thinks hard to remember if all those foods are allowed lol )

I have cauliflower, cabbage, courgette, celery - also tomatoes, mushrooms, two types of frozen stir fry, ready made salads, coleslaw, eggs, bacon, cheese, chicken thighs to do in the air fryer - I throw in a whole pack and have them on hand for different meals during the next few days/
My dinner tonight was lamb chops and mushrooms with a small serving of peas.
More mushrooms tomorrow with eggs - to finish off the pack.
Just getting rid of the coatings can get rid of a lot of carbs.

 

[Gezzabelle]

I have cauliflower, cabbage, courgette, celery - also tomatoes, mushrooms, two types of frozen stir fry, ready made salads, coleslaw, eggs, bacon, cheese, chicken thighs to do in the air fryer - I throw in a whole pack and have them on hand for different meals during the next few days/
My dinner tonight was lamb chops and mushrooms with a small serving of peas.
More mushrooms tomorrow with eggs - to finish off the pack.
Just getting rid of the coatings can get rid of a lot of carbs.

Thank you!!! I think I am getting my head around it all with everyones help and great advice. I want to avoid medication for it if I can so I need to change my diet to the right things. I did it once before way back in 2015 and the doctors told me NO WAY must I eat low carb high fat but if I remember rightly I lost 2 stones in weight and put my HbA1c right back where it needed to be

 

[Outlier]

I am a very lazy cook and love good food. As well as the great suggestions you have already received, I recommend my Lumpy Soup, into which everything goes in the meat and leafy veggies line, plus a stock cube, mushrooms, any non-carby leftovers, butter (yes you can, it's really okay/safe/good for us no matter what the low-fat dieticians repeat) or olive oil - or both. Herbs if you like them (I do). Boil a kettle, fill the pan, bring to a simmer, whack on the lid and it cooks itself. Thrifty, and good on the days when you just can't be bothered.

 

[Gezzabelle]

I am a very lazy cook and love good food. As well as the great suggestions you have already received, I recommend my Lumpy Soup, into which everything goes in the meat and leafy veggies line, plus a stock cube, mushrooms, any non-carby leftovers, butter (yes you can, it's really okay/safe/good for us no matter what the low-fat dieticians repeat) or olive oil - or both. Herbs if you like them (I do). Boil a kettle, fill the pan, bring to a simmer, whack on the lid and it cooks itself. Thrifty, and good on the days when you just can't be bothered.

That sounds delicious thank you! I have put it on my list of new foods to make. Today is officially day one of putting serious thought and effort into putting this diabetes thing back where it belongs...in to remission!!

 

[Chris24Main]

Bacon and sausage in an air fryer do very well...

and don't forget that with low-carb high-fat, things like double cream and veggies fried in lots of butter come back on the menu. Dark Chocolate rules.

It's really quite freeing to understand that you don't need to count calories if you can cut out the sugars and starches. It sounds like you can do a lot by making small changes.. good luck..

 

[Gezzabelle]

Bacon and sausage in an air fryer do very well...

and don't forget that with low-carb high-fat, things like double cream and veggies fried in lots of butter come back on the menu. Dark Chocolate rules.

It's really quite freeing to understand that you don't need to count calories if you can cut out the sugars and starches. It sounds like you can do a lot by making small changes.. good luck..

Your words really made me focus and lifted me out of being so worried about it all. I have already got my eggs, bacon and chicken in for food over the next day or two and am getting a big shopping list ready. I love the no counting calories bit... I hadn't even thought of that Chocolate and double cream allowed is music to my ears Thank you so much for all your help and guidance! This forum is, without doubt going to get me through this <3

 

[Daphne917]

@Gezzabelle I find that bread rolls and ordinary bread pushes my BS up higher than I’d like but have found that I can get away with Warburtons White Danish and/or low sugar brown bread, Tesco Seeds and grain (the small loaf) or Hovis 50/50 crustless - all of which are between 8 and 12g of carbs per slice. I normally have 1 slice at a time loaded with filling. However I do seem to be able to tolerate more carbs than many on this forum so it might not suit everyone.
Good luck on getting your levels back down

 

[Gezzabelle]

@Gezzabelle I find that bread rolls and ordinary bread pushes my BS up higher than I’d like but have found that I can get away with Warburtons White Danish and/or low sugar brown bread, Tesco Seeds and grain (the small loaf) or Hovis 50/50 crustless - all of which are between 8 and 12g of carbs per slice. I normally have 1 slice at a time loaded with filling. However I do seem to be able to tolerate more carbs than many on this forum so it might not suit everyone.
Good luck on getting your levels back down

Thank you so much for the information!! I love bread so much and to not be able to have it is something that I dread. I compromised this morning and had half a slice of toast instead of a whole slice and that was fine but hardly a solution. I have ordered some Hi-Lo Seeded bread from Sainsburys and hope it will be here tomorrow. It's hard to get hold of and expensive for the tiny loaf it is. I will definately give your suggestions a try at some point. Right now I am hitting the NO Carbs hard and hoping to get things back on track. I refused medication today for it so now the pressure is on to make it happen. My biggest crime has been too much bread/rolls and processed food for saving time and little effort. Now it's time to put things right