New to this

Porridge is something that works for some and not for others - the only way to check is to test. Use full milk if you want and add cream.

Likewise with fruit, reduce tropical fruits and have berries instead - but again we all react differently so test how they affect your BG.

Hmm, well I had to give up my beloved porridge, it spiked my blood sugar through the roof. Same with most fruit.

It sounds like you don't test your blood? If you don't have a test kit my advice would be to get one. In my opinion, it's the best tool kit you will ever have. How else will you understand your reactions to food? Armed with that knowledge and if you are decided on a LCHF way of life, you should be able to tailor your lifestyle to suit you.

When I worked, I got up at around 4.30 too and porridge was wonderful. It might take some work on your part to find something to replace it but it will be worth it.

So, get a blood testing kit if you don't have one, read everything on here that you can about LCHF and go for it! It's quite exciting actually, a whole new way of doing things!

Good Luck

Yep, that's the case with the vast majority of T2s I'm afraid, so if you want to test (and why wouldn't you want to) you have to buy your own. SD Codefree from Amazon and elsewhere is a popular cost-effective choice.

Ruler said:

I was reading a report on one kit which said that the strips were expensive to buy

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Codefree is the cheapest I have found. About £12 for the meter and anywhere from £5-7 for 50 strips. That's a heck of a lot less than most brands.

The most common reason that doctors don't prescribe meters to type 2s is cost. The arguments they justify this decision with don't stand up - it all comes down to money.

The irony is that if they prescribed cheap meters and strips, instead of expensive ones (type 2s don't need fancy ones), then the NHS would save money in the long run - testing leads to lower BG levels, leading to fewer diabetic complications, leading to less medication and therefore savings.

Ruler said:

Hi I am trying to read all I can about low carb diet as I need to lower my blood sugar level (particularly for an operation) and I also need to lose some weight. However, initially I would like advice on two constants in my life.

1. I am up at 4.30 each morning and have always started the day with porridge made with semi-skimmed milk. When I first was diagnosed with diabetes the hospital said the best breakfast is porridge. However I have read that this should be avoided if on a low carb diet. Is that true? Would it be possible to go on a low carb diet and still have porridge or is that a no-no?

2. For my mid morning break at work about 10.30 I usually have an apple and two satsumas. How does this work out with low carb?

As these have been two constants in my life over the past couple of years I thought I would start here to see if any changes are needed and then work from there.

Any comments appreciated

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I'm afraid I can't answer your questions. I would like to, but we are all unique. Porridge and fruit shoot my BG up too high. But you may be fine with them.

Testing is the only way to know.

Mind you, even if porridge is a problem for you, don't give up. There are low carb porridge options out there. Oat bran and ground almonds is great. Portion control makes a huge difference. It is all a learning curve.

Good for you for doing research! That is a big step to find the best way to manage your diabetes. I don't eat any porridge anymore as it gives me a carb slump, feel tired and spikes me also . Apple's and satsumas are ok for me in small amounts every now and then

I had to change it all really, and find that eggs and bacon reheat well the next day. I have to prepare everything the night before to be able to eat the way I need to. Now, this is my second round of low carbing, with 5 years in between. This time, all my symptoms returned and I discovered sugars of 10-13 and it jolted me to action. Within 10 days now, my daytime sugars are between 5 and 7. Giving up porridge etc will be worth it if I can regain the control and veer off the complications I see every day at work in operating theatres.

Ruler said:

Thanks for that comment. How many strips would normally be needed each day?

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Well, it is usually best to test enough to track your reactions to regular food items. Once you know the basics of how your body reacts, you may drop the testing down to a few times a week, or just when you eat a new food.

Full on (some might say excessive) testing, would be
On waking
Before you eat a meal/snack
1 hr after starting the meal/snack
2 hrs after starting the meal/snack
And every hour after that until your BG returns to normal

Very few of us test that often! And it would work out a bit expensive!!!

Personally, I tested everything (out of fascination - I mean, who knew that a slice of bread had such a bad effect?!?) for about a month, then forgot about testing at all for nearly a year.

I'm now testing about 5 times a day:
On waking
Pre breakfast (I track my dawn phenomenon)
Before evening meal
2 hours later (this is my weak point of the day. I just love my puds)
At bedtime

It costs about £21/month.
About 70p a day

Peace of mind is priceless