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[Rowgirl]

Hi, I was diagnosed in March T2 diabetes. Initially my hba1c was 50 then improved to 45 with diet and Metformin 500mg morning and evening. I lowered my carb intake, and I thought I'd worked it out. But over the past couple of months my blood sugars have fluctuated between 6 and 25. I have cut out bread in any form completely now and I've been trying to work out what's ok to eat and not. I must admit it's been a bit of a struggle, I spoke to my gp and my hba1c last week was 67. I have an telephone appointment with the diabetic nurse on Wednesday. I've also lost nearly 2 1/2 stone since March. I'm now 9stone 7lbs, without trying. I'm at a bit of a loss what to do next? Maybe I need to be even more strict with carbs. I've been reading threads about foods, I thought bananas were ok but not now, my blood sugar was 19 after a banana this morning.

 

[ert]

Hi, I was diagnosed in March T2 diabetes. Initially my hba1c was 50 then improved to 45 with diet and Metformin 500mg morning and evening. I lowered my carb intake, and I thought I'd worked it out. But over the past couple of months my blood sugars have fluctuated between 6 and 25. I have cut out bread in any form completely now and I've been trying to work out what's ok to eat and not. I must admit it's been a bit of a struggle, I spoke to my gp and my hba1c last week was 67. I have an telephone appointment with the diabetic nurse on Wednesday. I've also lost nearly 2 1/2 stone since March. I'm now 9stone 7lbs, without trying. I'm at a bit of a loss what to do next? Maybe I need to be even more strict with carbs. I've been reading threads about foods, I thought bananas were ok but not now, my blood sugar was 19 after a banana this morning.

Weight loss without trying is never a good sign. You should ask for a c-peptide test and antibody test to rule out type 1 diabetes. In the meantime, it would help to follow a very low carb diet, or at least testing before and 2 hours after to stop eating the foods which cause your blood sugar to spike. And if you find your blood sugars are constantly above 13 mmol/l and you feel ill, you should phone 111.

 

[Rowgirl]

Weight loss without trying is never a good sign. You should ask for a c-peptide test and antibody test to rule out type 1 diabetes. In the meantime, it would help to follow a very low carb diet, or at least testing before and 2 hours after to stop eating the foods which cause your blood sugar to spike. And if you find your blood sugars are constantly above 13 mmol/l and you feel ill, you should phone 111.

Weight loss without trying is never a good sign. You should ask for a c-peptide test and antibody test to rule out type 1 diabetes. In the meantime, it would help to follow a very low carb diet, or at least testing before and 2 hours after to stop eating the foods which cause your blood sugar to spike. And if you find your blood sugars are constantly above 13 mmol/l and you feel ill, you should phone 111.

Thank you for replying. I'm trying to be pro active, I will reduce my carb intake further until I speak to the diabetic nurse on Wednesday. And enquire about the blood tests you mention.

 

[Geordie_P]

19 is a bit high to be honest, but bananas are truly terrible, so that might be the answer. However, I think ert above has a good point about ruling out T1- perhaps do that first, and then you'll know where you stand.

 

[Rowgirl]

19 is a bit high to be honest, but bananas are truly terrible, so that might be the answer. However, I think ert above has a good point about ruling out T1- perhaps do that first, and then you'll know where you stand.

Thank you, Bananas a now a no go. I'll certainly talk to the Diabetic Nurse about all of this. I've tried bread in various types, that's a no go to. I had half a roll 4 weeks ago on a day out and felt very unwell. That's why I contacted the gp. My sugar was 25, I was very dizzy, unfocused and had to lie down in the car for an hour.

 

[ert]

Thank you, Bananas a now a no go. I'll certainly talk to the Diabetic Nurse about all of this. I've tried bread in various types, that's a no go to. I had half a roll 4 weeks ago on a day out and felt very unwell. That's why I contacted the gp. My sugar was 25, I was very dizzy, unfocused and had to lie down in the car for an hour.

High blood sugars make my eyesight blurry and I feel nauseous and headachy. Remember to drink loads of fluids as dehydration is a problem when your blood sugars are this high. If they stay high (above 13 mmo/l) for an extended period of time phone 111 as you haven't been formally diagnosed yet.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thank you, Bananas a now a no go. I'll certainly talk to the Diabetic Nurse about all of this. I've tried bread in various types, that's a no go to. I had half a roll 4 weeks ago on a day out and felt very unwell. That's why I contacted the gp. My sugar was 25, I was very dizzy, unfocused and had to lie down in the car for an hour.

Not surprised it made you feel so unwell. Sorry you went through that!

What are you eating/drinking on an average day now? Just in case there's more banana-like pitfalls, we might be able to help sort it out.

Going low carb can cause weight loss, but if you feel even slightly worried you can request GAD and C-peptide tests to rule out a different type of diabetes.

 

[Rowgirl]

Not surprised it made you feel so unwell. Sorry you went through that!

What are you eating/drinking on an average day now? Just in case there's more banana-like pitfalls, we might be able to help sort it out.

Going low carb can cause weight loss, but if you feel even slightly worried you can request GAD and C-peptide tests to rule out a different type of diabetes.

Thank you, I do drink a lot of water day and night, and coffee in the morning. I'm not a fizzy water or fruit juice drinker, but I do like a glass of white wine occasionally . Over the past few months i've been discounting foods that don't work. Eg bread, porridge, now bananas, any biscuits, pastries, sweets etc. In fact I eat the most veg in my house. I think when I first got diagnosed in March, I walked around the supermarket despondent, as most items have carbs, and I was a bit at a loss, and probably went off eating enough, as I knew what not to eat but not actually what to eat. I'm trying to be more active now and look at different recipes. I tried diabetic cake baking, but to be honest they taste more like cake omelet, so i'd rather not.

 

[Rowgirl]

This morning I had bacon, and a slice of black pudding. And a greek yoghurt. My blood sugar 14.7mmol.

 

[ianf0ster]

This morning I had bacon, and a slice of black pudding. And a greek yoghurt. My blood sugar 14.7mmol.

Watch out for carbs (fillers) in black pudding (and in cheaper sausages).

 

[Rowgirl]

Watch out for carbs (fillers) in black pudding (and in cheaper sausages).

Thank you, I thought a little bit was ok, but obviously not.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thank you, I thought a little bit was ok, but obviously not.

Try some high meat content sausages instead.

 

[MrsA2]

And a greek yoghurt.

And was that yoghurt plain.?
Some of the flavoured greek yoghurt have a lot of sugars and thickeners in. You want one that on the ingredients just says milk (or milk and cream).

 

[Rowgirl]

And was that yoghurt plain.?
Some of the flavoured greek yoghurt have a lot of sugars and thickeners in. You want one that on the ingredients just says milk (or milk and cream).

Hi, I eat unflavoured greek yogurt. But I see from reading around the forum to still check the carb contents.

 

[Rowgirl]

I've been reading around the forum and blogs and finding lots of useful information. I suppose the main one was in a blog about the myths surrounding diet. I've been told to eat healthy, but I generally did eat healthy. To loose weight, but my bmi is 22, to exercise, I exercise most days, swim, row, yoga. I'm 57, a semi retired neonatal nurse, was it all the night duty I worked over 35 years, that has caused this to happen?? Anyway, if I understand what i'm reading, it's not about eating a healthy non diabetic diet. It's about excluding, not just reducing carbs and sugar? This is maybe where i've been going wrong, i've been reducing, but my blood sugars remained high. I spoke with the diabetic nurse briefly, i've to increase the metformin, and have a healthy diet. Unfortunately she didn't want to discus me or my woes, and couldn't get off the phone quick enough! So, I need a plan.
1. Make a list of non carb foods
2. Make a list of big non no's.
3. Check blood sugars, to see what works.
4. Look out a few recipes to keep variety.
5. Try not to become obsessed and low in mood.
Is there anything i've missed?

 

[Outlier]

Yep - give yourself a BIG pat on the bag because YOU are taking charge and you are going to make good things happen for your health. You rock!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

I've been reading around the forum and blogs and finding lots of useful information. I suppose the main one was in a blog about the myths surrounding diet. I've been told to eat healthy, but I generally did eat healthy. To loose weight, but my bmi is 22, to exercise, I exercise most days, swim, row, yoga. I'm 57, a semi retired neonatal nurse, was it all the night duty I worked over 35 years, that has caused this to happen?? Anyway, if I understand what i'm reading, it's not about eating a healthy non diabetic diet. It's about excluding, not just reducing carbs and sugar? This is maybe where i've been going wrong, i've been reducing, but my blood sugars remained high. I spoke with the diabetic nurse briefly, i've to increase the metformin, and have a healthy diet. Unfortunately she didn't want to discus me or my woes, and couldn't get off the phone quick enough! So, I need a plan.
1. Make a list of non carb foods
2. Make a list of big non no's.
3. Check blood sugars, to see what works.
4. Look out a few recipes to keep variety.
5. Try not to become obsessed and low in mood.
Is there anything i've missed?

I think you've pretty much covered it. And yeah, making lists and notes helps, because it gets overwhelming and after a while you get a little cross-eyed trying to remember it all. (Until it becomes second nature, which happens sooner than you might think. ).

To put a few things straight: the term "healthy diet" is very much open for debate. What is healthy? Plenty of fruit? Because that's high in sugar, and the vitamins don't compensate for that if you can't process them. Low fat? Because that's what's been hammered into us for the past 50 decades or so. (Before that, diabetes T2 did happen, but not in the pandemic proportions it's going around now!). So, a healthy diet? Guess it comes down to what is healthy for each individual person. You have a metabolic condition, so you're better off limiting carbs. Cutting them out entirely is hard. I know, because I've more or less done it. (Almost zero carb, on a carniviore diet. If I have carbs, they're in my cream). There's some foods that are better to just cut entirely, others you can go for in moderation, others you can go to town on. Try to focus on the things you can have, because there's still plenty of options for you. Even when going to McDonalds, believe it or not.

It's almost unavoidable to not be a bit obsessive at first, because you have to take so much into account around a meal, but that passes as you get used to think and don't ave to measure every meal anymore. And as for low in mood, well... I think you'll perk up if you see the positive impact your changes are having on your blood sugars. That meter's going to be very motivational for you, I'm sure.

You're off to an excellent start and you've got a good grasp of this.... Better and sooner than I did! You'll be fine.
Jo

 

[Rowgirl]

Yep - give yourself a BIG pat on the bag because YOU are taking charge and you are going to make good things happen for your health. You rock!

Thank you so much. On reflection the last few months have been a bit overwhelming, I see a way forward now, hopefully.

 

[Rowgirl]

I think you've pretty much covered it. And yeah, making lists and notes helps, because it gets overwhelming and after a while you get a little cross-eyed trying to remember it all. (Until it becomes second nature, which happens sooner than you might think. ).

To put a few things straight: the term "healthy diet" is very much open for debate. What is healthy? Plenty of fruit? Because that's high in sugar, and the vitamins don't compensate for that if you can't process them. Low fat? Because that's what's been hammered into us for the past 50 decades or so. (Before that, diabetes T2 did happen, but not in the pandemic proportions it's going around now!). So, a healthy diet? Guess it comes down to what is healthy for each individual person. You have a metabolic condition, so you're better off limiting carbs. Cutting them out entirely is hard. I know, because I've more or less done it. (Almost zero carb, on a carniviore diet. If I have carbs, they're in my cream). There's some foods that are better to just cut entirely, others you can go for in moderation, others you can go to town on. Try to focus on the things you can have, because there's still plenty of options for you. Even when going to McDonalds, believe it or not.

It's almost unavoidable to not be a bit obsessive at first, because you have to take so much into account around a meal, but that passes as you get used to think and don't ave to measure every meal anymore. And as for low in mood, well... I think you'll perk up if you see the positive impact your changes are having on your blood sugars. That meter's going to be very motivational for you, I'm sure.

You're off to an excellent start and you've got a good grasp of this.... Better and sooner than I did! You'll be fine.
Jo

Thank you, when this all started Feb/March, I looked briefly at this site. I'm so pleased I looked again last week, I felt alone in my choices, but I now realise there are a lot of others working through it as well.

 

[Lainie71]

Watch out for carbs (fillers) in black pudding (and in cheaper sausages).

Black Farmer sausages are nice and no nasties - they do not spike my bg. Chopped some up last night with spicey cabbage and beans spouts