I was diagnosed as diabetic (T2) just about a year ago - a1c was 63.
First thing I did after reading this forum was to try and control it by diet.
My first step was to get a GlucoNavii tester and a load of strips, carried on with my normal diet for a couple of days, and tested.
This is something I would recommend to any newly diabetic... plenty of testing and see what does and does not push your BG up.
I quickly found out what was raising my BG, and set about changing my diet. For example, out went the breakfast muesli, instead I now have about 200g strawberries and a sprinkling of blueberries, with double cream.
I cut out rice and pasta, most potatoes, and bread at first, also all processed foods.
Increased my intake of protein foods and natural fats, plenty of green veg (though I avoid peas.
One of my favourite meals is roast salmon, green beans and a pile of mushrooms.
Within three months I lost 10kg (and a further 5kg since) and my A1C was 39. My retinopathy has also started to reverse a little, too.
Obviously your mileage may vary, but it can be done.
I've been able to go back to my favourite Warburtons seeded bread, it helps to have a sandwich with a generous filling of protein to offset the carbs. I've also found I can have a half chicken and a goodly pile of chips (my local restaurant does the best chips I have EVER tasted) and the chicken offsets the carbs in the chips and my BG doesn't spike.
Best of luck.
