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Irishmist66

Well-Known Member
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Hi there I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on Monday. I'm so very scared. Blood sugars very high last night 26 had go out hours to get k tones checked I had one and sugars checked 2 hours later they were down to 18. I don't know much yet to I get called to clinic. Are diabetic biscuits and chocolate ok as I'm struggling to know what to have with a cuppa. Reading some of these posts they seem high in carbs help
 
Hi, and welcome to the forums. I guess many of us have been in the same place as you. When you were told you had Type 2, did they tell you what your HbA1c reading was? For me, the good news was that a low-carb lifestyle brought my blood glucose levels down really quickly - within four months - and took away a lot of the symptoms I'd been having. It isn't as scary when you realise it's within your control.

In the UK you can't advertise biscuits and chocolate as "diabetic" any more, so I'm unclear about what you're referring to. Both biscuits and chocolate (until you get to the bitter high cocoa levels) are generally very high in carbohydrate and sugar - and for these purposes they're essentially the same thing. There are also carbs in milk.

Has anyone talked to you about doing your own testing, before and after you eat? You need a glucose monitor and test strips, and the recommended way is to test immediately before eating and at two hours afterwards. That way you can see what impact the food you ate has on your levels.

I found it worked for me to reduce my carb intake to around 20g/day - that's the rough equivalent of one apple. Other people manage without being so extreme - 100-150 g/day. The thing is, we are all different and you need to find out what works for you.

I found this forum a great source of advice and support after I was diagnosed. I don't want to swamp you with too much information too quickly, but my best advice would be to read through the forums, look at the success stories, and don't be afraid to ask questions.

Best of luck.
 
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Hi thanks for your reply they said my reading was 24. Yes I am testing myself since yesterday with a machine they gave me. Still readings all over 20. I'm reading and see carbs seem to be a big thing. I guess it will take time to find what does and doesn't work.. is there anything you say totally no to.
 
No sugar
No honey
No bread
No pasta
No rice
No oats
No cereals
No cakes
No biscuits
No crisps or similar snacks
Over time you may be able to reduce this strictness a little
Meantime you eat:
Meat
Fish
Eggs
Dairy including cream, cheese and yoghurt
Vegetables (lots)
Nuts
Olives
A small amount of berries. Try to avoid other fruit until your numbers are down

Sounds harsh, but there a reason, it works!
 
That 24 is the "snapshot" instant reading. The HbA1c is a sort of three-month rolling average and is an indication of long-term trends.

As far as what I say no to - I'm the same as MrsA2 (no relation). I'd add "no beer" - well, maybe one every month or so - and no root vegetables - potatoes etc. I found need to avoid pastry in particular as it sends my figures high very quickly.
 
@KennyA it's all just a minefield for me right now. I'm scared to eat and I'm constantly hungry. Guess will take time. Yesterday I had white rice and two small slices white baquette ended with reading of 32 scared me witless
 
The colour of the carbs makes no difference, you'd probably have the same high result from brown bread and brown rice.
It's interesting and alarming to see isn't it, but oh so motivating. I bet you haven't had bread or rice since!
 
@Mrs a thank you it sure is scarey. Was going try switch to wholemeal but looks like it's rice and bread are my triggers. Having steak tomorrow so will do big salad with it. Thank you for all the advice
 
Hello and welcome @Irishmist66

It's great news that you have a meter- you've already seen the benefit of having feedback on what you eat.

You've had a list of nos so I thought it may be helpful to have a list of 'yes food'

So I'll start in the morning- yes to coffee with cream rather than milk. You could also have almond milk (unsweetened) but cream is great once you get used to it.
Yes to bacon and eggs, maybe add some mushroom or some avocado
Yes to greek yoghurt (unsweetened and full fat) with a few berries.

Lunch- yes to smoked salmon with some avocado or salad (light on the tomatoes and cucumber. but add cheese- I like feta- again full fat is great)
yes so 'good' sausages- low carb high meat sausages
yes to boiled eggs
swap bread for lettuce in sandwiches
cold meat with cheese

Dinner- steak, chicken, fish with salad

There is a lot more low carb food around but start with simple meals and gradually experiment.

Good luck!
 
You'll find it easier to keep off the carbs once you've been doing it a little while, and if you can keep to the lists above, it's very likely your numbers will get a lot better, and you'll start feeling a lot better. There's a big silver lining, and you starting with steak and salad sounds like a great move. Good luck with it!
 
Irishmist66 said:
@KennyA it's all just a minefield for me right now. I'm scared to eat and I'm constantly hungry. Guess will take time. Yesterday I had white rice and two small slices white baquette ended with reading of 32 scared me witlessView attachment 55164
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Well, rice and bread have a lot of carbs so you'll see high readings on your meter. You know that now, nothing to be scared of.

I found I was never hungry on low-carb because I had plenty to eat - meat, cheese, nuts, olives, fish, eggs, dairy, green veg, some berries now and then. I can cope with kidney beans etc as long as I rinse as much starch off as I can. Enjoy your food.
 
I would just add that its a myth that starches (potatoes in any form, bread, rice and pasta, cereals) fill you up because its the protein that keeps you full for longer. For lunch I sometimes have three scrambled eggs (eggs are great any which way) and that keeps me full for a long time, packet of cold meat with a side salad. Think of the most interesting part of a sandwich: the filling and put a pile of that on your plate. Cauliflower whizzed in a processor makes great “rice” and freezes well to microwave in 5 mins. Any protein and green veg good for supper. I have Bolognese with green beans instead of spag.
If I could give just two essential bits of advice it would be test before and two hours after eating and keep a diary of successful meals, second ALL the starches convert to sugar inside you so are enemies. The first 3-6 months are a learning curve. Btw if your doctor provided the meter they may not agree with so much testing but its your tool to learn whats good or bad and as time goes on and you have a bank of safe meals you will likely use less strips. To me not testing in those first months would be like taking your chances crossing a busy road with a blindfold on! Good luck!
 
Irishmist66 said:
Yeah I only test 4 times a day now at wake up before midday meal before eve meal and bed time
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You really need to test two hours after a meal so you can see the difference between before and after which will illustrate how the food affected your BG.
 
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