Newly diagnosed, confused and worried

[Antje77]

With these high fat diets, even though you say they’re good for diabetes, are they not clogging up your heart etc?

When I was diagnosed with diabetes my lipids were out of whack as well. They quickly went right back to what is considered healthy after cutting carbs, upping fats, starting insulin (I'm T1) and getting my blood glucose down.
So I can't say for sure if it's the change of diet or the normalising of BG that caused my lipids to go back to normal, but upping the fats definitely didn't hurt.

 

[Lobsang Tsultim]

My lipids have dropped down to normal levels too. The thing is type 2 diabetes has a slow progression if you don’t get your blood sugars under control so you’ve got time to experiment with different choices. Many of the slimming world recipes are easily adapted to a higher fat lower carb regime (my sister helpfully sent me many when i was diagnosed). Use your meter and you’ll be able to see what works for you

 

[Rachox]

Thanks for the tag @Antje77 and hi @vaulterrise.

Here’s some info on UK meters, and to be clear I have no commercial connections with any of the companies mentioned.



HOME HEALTH have the Gluco Navii, which is a fairly new model and seems to be getting good reviews.

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-produ...ose-meter-test-strips-choose-mmol-l-or-mg-dl/



Links to the strips for future orders:

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/glucose-navii-blood-glucose-test-strips-50-strip-pack/



Then they sell the older SD Code Free, details to be found here!

https://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/codefree-blood-glucose-monitoring-system-mmoll-or-mgdl/





SPIRIT HEALTHCARE have a meter called the Tee2 + which is quite popular:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...e2-blood-glucose-meter?variant=19264017268793



The strips are to be found here:

https://shop.spirit-health.co.uk/co...py-of-tee2-test-strips?variant=19264017367097



If there is a choice of units of measurement then ‘mmol/L’ are the standard units in the UK, ‘mg/dl’ in the US, other countries may vary.



Don’t forget to check the box if you have pre diabetes or diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for all meters and strips)

 

[ajbod]

NO

 

[Antje77]

NO

What are you replying to?

 

[ajbod]

To the question of clogging up arteries, as i hit post reply, loads more posts popped up.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks both.

My problem is most of my meals are in conjunction with my wife on Slimming World, but it looks like if I adjust that to reduce carbs and add a bit of fat it may help.

With these high fat diets, even though you say they’re good for diabetes, are they not clogging up your heart etc?

My husband and I often eat the same meals, but I just leave out the carbs and up the fats. More veg and mayo (and in my case, meats) for instance, as I forgo the spuds he does have. I can cook the same meal, we just don't eat the same portions/proportions. If for instance, spaghetti is on the menu, leave the pasta to her and go for konjac noodles or courgetti yourself. There's loads of work-arounds. Thing is, Slimming World isn't geared to the metabolically challenged... Their diet goes from the assumption that you can process carbs, which you can't. If she can do what works for her, then why can't you do what works for you? You both apparently need a diet that suits you, so... Make it suit.

You mention veggie, I take that it means you do actually use eggs and cheese? Because those can bulk up a meal with fats and protein just fine. Being a vegetarian is difficult when it comes to low carb, high fat, but by no means impossible.

Good luck!
Jo
PS: Did get my cholesterol down on this too. Have a heart murmur, and loads of hartdisease in the family, so not something I'd just gamble with.

 

[Billy H]

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with T2 the day before yesterday after a blood test that showed I had 96mmol. I’m a 38 year old male and while I’m overweight I have no family history (except an uncle) of diabetes. I’m worried, confused and I’ve spent the last couple of days going back and forth between crying and feeling confident I can change things. At the same time I’ve seen studies that show the younger you are when diagnosed the greater risk of death from seemingly everything. I can’t believe I’ve done this to myself and I’m going to have to try really hard not to resent what I’ve done. I look at my two young kids and just feel gutted, like I’ve betrayed them because I’m so at risk now.

My doctor is pleased it was caught ‘early’ though I’m more scared of the risks of having it so young. She thinks I can put it into remission too, which is my goal now.

I’ve been eating healthily with my wife doing Slimming World and me joining her, and have lost just over half a stone in a month. I’m now 18st 5lbs, so a long way to go. I have an appointment with the doc in a couple of weeks where they’ll presumably talk about diet etc. Theres so much conflicting stuff online about carbs so I’ve no clue what to do until then, other than generally eat healthily. I’m vegetarian, so I don’t know if that makes things harder.

The other thing I’m getting my head around is alcohol and how I’ll need to reduce it. I’m not a big drinker (few beers or whisky on a weekend) but I’ve got a festival and multiple weddings this year and will need to stick to just a few drinks vs a lot. As a (relatively) young millennial lad, enjoying a few drinks with mates is the crux of my social life. I’ve seen the metformin warning btw and my doc says a few drinks every now and then is something that’s fine so I’ll go with her approach.

I did ask about monitoring because I’d consider getting a Libre or something else since I’m anxious about finger pricking but my doc doesn’t think I need to monitor anything at the moment. Not sure if that will change.

Anyway, hello. I’m lost, upset, scared and ready for change.

There's no need to be upset about your diagnosis - I was relieved when I was diagnosed with T2 5 years ago, and over the moon when the diagnosis was revised to LADA two weeks ago.
I knew something wasn't right and I couldn't do much without falling asleep, even at work or in training courses. The treatment for T2 gave back some of my life but going onto insulin has been a total game changer - two weeks in and I'm already managing my own insulin doses and I feel great.
Just relax and watch the changes as your life improves. I will say you need to be informed and make sure your healthcare providers don't take a 'one size fits all' approach. Remember diabetes is as individual as the people who are affected and you need to take responsibility for asking your GP/nurse/consultant to explain their decision making, and don't be afraid to challenge them.

 

[Billy H]

My husband and I often eat the same meals, but I just leave out the carbs and up the fats. More veg and mayo (and in my case, meats) for instance, as I forgo the spuds he does have. I can cook the same meal, we just don't eat the same portions/proportions. If for instance, spaghetti is on the menu, leave the pasta to her and go for konjac noodles or courgetti yourself. There's loads of work-arounds. Thing is, Slimming World isn't geared to the metabolically challenged... Their diet goes from the assumption that you can process carbs, which you can't. If she can do what works for her, then why can't you do what works for you? You both apparently need a diet that suits you, so... Make it suit.

You mention veggie, I take that it means you do actually use eggs and cheese? Because those can bulk up a meal with fats and protein just fine. Being a vegetarian is difficult when it comes to low carb, high fat, but by no means impossible.

Good luck!
Jo
PS: Did get my cholesterol down on this too. Have a heart murmur, and loads of hartdisease in the family, so not something I'd just gamble with.

One of the things I found out was, as long as I stay disciplined and aware, I can eat pretty much anything veggie. My main tip would be to try to avoid veggie foods coated in breadcrumbs - a burger that has 5g carbs can be pushed up to 50g if coated in breadcrumbs. My favourite treat is a Domino's pizza (Margareta) and I try to have that once a month. My 'get out of jail' card is a long walk if I get a high blood glucose reading that I cannot mitigate for.
I know it sounds a bit sad but I love using my food diary and have created my own because the one I was given by the DNS was too basic and didn't take everything into account. Being aware of what you eat gives you control - last week I have two burgers that had 110g carbs. To combat the massive hit I ate a bag of peanuts to slow the uptake of carbs and went for a walk. It worked a treat but I won't do that again.