Its not always about weight

Clacksman

Newbie
Messages
1
Most of the advice available to Type 2 diabetics is targeted at weight loss. So what can you do if you are not overweight? I was diagnosed in 2004. I was 5ft 9in and 11 stone in weight. I weigh less now, about 10st 8. My BMI has always been between 20 - 23 since then. I can't afford to lose a significant amount in weight. I have always eaten a good diet, high in vegetables, and I keep two dogs so am quite active for my age (77). I am on 60mg Glyclazide MR + 100mg Sitagliptin in the morning, and at dinner I take 4 x 500mg Metformin MR.
My HbA1c was 68 at my last clinic in June, down from 79 last February and my clinic nurse thinks this is now good enough and is not proposing any change to my medication.
What should I do? More exercise, more veg and less carbs?
 

xfieldok

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,182
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Less carbs, more fat and protein to maintain your weight

Welcome to the forum, tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack.
 

Rachox

Oracle
Retired Moderator
Messages
15,810
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi and welcome.
Well done on the HbA1c reduction you’ve achieved so far. However are you happy with your HbA1c at 68? I wouldn’t be! Can you tell us what you consider “a good diet”? A healthy diet for non diabetics isn’t always good for Type 2s. Also do you check your blood sugar levels at home? If so what are your readings like?
If you’re happy to provide this info we maybe able to help you improve things.
 
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Smallbrit

Well-Known Member
Messages
284
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
There are indeed some of us on this forum who are type 2 and don’t conform to the stereotype. I had a HBA1C of 89 at diagnosis and similar BMI to yours. I’m 5ft 0” so was 8st 3-6lbs then.

In my case, I have not been on any meds and lowered my HBA1C to 76 by increasing exercise alone and not diet, then lowered it to 48 by following a very reduced carb diet. I inadvertently lost 7 lbs by doing that, so had to up my fat intake to stop the weight loss. So it’s a low carb, high fat type of eating, which quite a lot of people on this forum follow, that can keep glucose levels at more manageable levels.

I’m sure more people will be along with useful advice in the morning, but welcome to the forum!
 
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daisy1

Legend
Messages
26,457
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Cruelty towards animals.
@Clacksman
Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. Ask as many questions as you need to and someone will 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 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.
 

Cricket_Balls

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi Clacksman

I share your frustration (I'm 6'4" tall, slim all my life, very fit, 84kg, BMI around 22.5)
Since being diagnosed a few years ago so much of the advice has been about losing weight.

1 of the things that really annoys me is when diabetes gets mentioned on, say, news programmes & the reporter states something like 'linked with being overweight/obese' that I feel like punching the TV, or better still the reporter (I'm normally very easy-going & not inclined to violence - honest guv!)

Assuming there isn't 1, it's a shame the Diabetes Forum, which does provide lots of good info/advice, doesn't have a 'sub-section' for those of us who don't want to lose weight/want to increase weight

I've found quite a few low carb foods (not cheap tho') that have a fair number of calories &/or protein in them which help me

Suspect there are more knowledgeable people around than me

Good luck!

PS an interesting 'nom-de-plume' btw
 
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KK123

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,967
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi Clacksman

I share your frustration (I'm 6'4" tall, slim all my life, very fit, 84kg, BMI around 22.5)
Since being diagnosed a few years ago so much of the advice has been about losing weight.

1 of the things that really annoys me is when diabetes gets mentioned on, say, news programmes & the reporter states something like 'linked with being overweight/obese' that I feel like punching the TV, or better still the reporter (I'm normally very easy-going & not inclined to violence - honest guv!)

Assuming there isn't 1, it's a shame the Diabetes Forum, which does provide lots of good info/advice, doesn't have a 'sub-section' for those of us who don't want to lose weight/want to increase weight

I've found quite a few low carb foods (not cheap tho') that have a fair number of calories &/or protein in them which help me

Suspect there are more knowledgeable people around than me

Good luck!

PS an interesting 'nom-de-plume' btw

Hi cricket, can you tell us what foods you are referring to? I am sure there will be cheaper versions that do the same job.
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Most of the advice available to Type 2 diabetics is targeted at weight loss. So what can you do if you are not overweight? I was diagnosed in 2004. I was 5ft 9in and 11 stone in weight. I weigh less now, about 10st 8. My BMI has always been between 20 - 23 since then. I can't afford to lose a significant amount in weight. I have always eaten a good diet, high in vegetables, and I keep two dogs so am quite active for my age (77). I am on 60mg Glyclazide MR + 100mg Sitagliptin in the morning, and at dinner I take 4 x 500mg Metformin MR.
My HbA1c was 68 at my last clinic in June, down from 79 last February and my clinic nurse thinks this is now good enough and is not proposing any change to my medication.
What should I do? More exercise, more veg and less carbs?

Hi and welcome,

Even those of us that needed to lose weight when we were diagnosed soon find ourselves in a position where all the excess weight has disappeared and we need to maintain our slim selves. It can be done with a low carb diet that includes plenty of proteins and fats. It requires a set of bathroom scales, a food diary, and most importantly a blood glucose meter. Then, with a bit of effort, most of which is pleasurable, we manage to maintain our weight and keep non-diabetic blood glucose levels.

Whilst exercise is good for body and soul, it isn't necessary to go overboard. Dog walking has kept me on the straight and narrow.

With all that medication you are taking your blood glucose levels should be a lot lower than your HbA1c of 68 infers, and your nurse is being far too generous. As others have said above, if you can tell us what kinds of foods you eat on a daily basis - maybe a typical days menu, we will be able to spot something to help you.
 

Cricket_Balls

Member
Messages
24
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi cricket, can you tell us what foods you are referring to? I am sure there will be cheaper versions that do the same job.

Hi Bluetit1802

Here's a few things I enjoy (NB I have always tried to enjoy food; it's more than just fuel)

For breakfast most days 3 poached eggs on 3 slices of low carb bread (I get my bread from the Low Carb Megastore; am sure there are other retailers but to minimise P&P I buy from just 1) & butter. Have tried to make own bread from ingredients & packs but have never managed to bake decent low carb bread.

From LCM love their 'Flatout' flatbreads – great bases for make-your-own pizzas with whatever you fancy: mushrooms; olives; chicken; prawns; asparagus; parma ham; etc; etc

& the multi-grain bagels – with Philadelphia cream cheese & smoked salmon or ham or....... are perfect when playing/umpiring cricket or not playing/umpiring. Often have Dietisnack crisps – quite nice but a lttle salty

CiaoCarb ProtoGriss Breadsticks: a good alternative to bread with soup, also with cream cheese; my favourite is Chive or I add a chopped spring onion or 2 to plain cream cheese

I guess for anyone on a very low carb diet some/all of the above would be a 'no no' but they seem to be OK for me

Time for breakfast: 2 sausages; 2 rashers of bacon; 2 poached eggs; 4 small mushrooms. Just wish I could have a really good 'fried' bread but grilled bread just doesn't cut the mustard

PS are bluetits low carb? blackbirds are but definitely not in pies ;)