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Type 2 Newly Diagnosed

nbenn said:
Hi jokalsbeek,... I really appreciate your message, I feel as though I've got to do this and don't do that ,do this do that... I feel pressured to do something now...
I really want to and how you've described the alternatives sounds really good especially the alternative pasta...im gonna take my time in choosing my own diet but the suggestions you make sound good with the exception of meat and fish (I don't really eat either)... but like you say where's there's a will there's a way...
If you have any other suggestions to alternative food suggestions please let me know..
Thanks nbenn
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You sound like someone who's used to being healthy. I've been having to do this, or stop doing that, take this or leave so-and-so for over three decades due to various chronic conditions, and I'm 39. I guess I'm kindof used to making life-changing adjustments, but I can see it can be extremely overwhelming and off-putting when diabetes isn't "just another box to tick" in your medical history. And I had a lot of issues ticking that box, even with the prior experience! It's a horrible condition to have to get used to living with, but you really can. You're right, you need to take time to find out what works for you. Be it a change in diet, meds or a combination of the two. But please, do make choices eventually, when you feel you're informed enough . Your bloodsugars really are dangerously high, we're not just saying that to scare you.

I use cauliflower-rice a lot to replace rice and potatoes. I usually add bacon and cheese, but you can leave the bacon out, of course. Can also add cherry tomatoes or mushrooms, spinach, eggs etc. It's quite versatile. Can even be used as a pizza base! People here are known to make things with almond or coconut flower, make coconut porridge as an alternative to the actual stuff... Dietdoctor.com has the recipies for you. I'm not much of a cook or baker, but one can get quite creative. Just make sure you enjoy what you eat: it makes sticking with a diet a lot easier if you don't hate your meals!
 
I'm back to the docs in September..i have a Accu-chek mobile which I was using 4/5 times a day but now I check on a morning and a couple of hours after evening meal(usually around 9pm). I am looking at food differently & looking for alternatives for things like pasta, rice , chocolate buiscits, jacket pots & bananas (I do like my bananas).. I'm finding it hard at moment but reading the replays I'm getting I feel encouraged to persevere.. it's gonna take me time. I don't want to rush into this diet or that diet I know I'm gonna make mistakes with choices of food my biggest concern is I don't really eat meat or fish or other sea food...
As it's summer I am eating quite a few salads but it's not something I want to eat all year round. I'm sure I'll get there with trial n error and with the help of this site and others...
 
It's not a cookie, but close... ;) https://www.dietdoctor.com/recipes/low-carb-chocolate-fudge

And everyone makes mistakes when figuring out their diet. That's why testing's handy. I kept peaking after a certain dish and couldn't figure out why at first. Turns out I'd calculated the condiments wrong (one brand was okay, the one I was using wasn't!), and I'd been rather liberal with those. Since a diet is highly personal, it's a lot of trial and error, because one may be able to deal with something and the other can't. Or only in the morning or evening. It's not a cut and dry diet you can blindly follow, though Dr. Jason Fung's books will help a great deal if you're interested. But since we all have varying levels of insulin resistance and insulin-output, it's good to give yourself some time. Took me about 3 months, 5 books and half the internet to figure my diet out (my two dieticians were rather useless), because I didn't have this place then to ask my questions. That would have sped things up considerably. Just don't feel like you have to know everything yesterday. It's a lot to process, and even more to learn and implement. It'll be okay. Really.
 
nbenn said:
i have a Accu-chek mobile which I was using 4/5 times a day but now I check on a morning and a couple of hours after evening meal(usually around 9pm).
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What are the readings you have been getting @nbenn?
 
I'm averaging 12.1 on my accu chek mobile... for the first week I was testing 4 or 5 times a day... but now I'm only testing first thing on a morning which usually comes in around 9 or 10 and I'm testing a couple of hours after evening meal which as come in as high as 18 but that was a bad day I'm usually around 12 or 13, which compared to a few wks ago I was averaging 21 plus I'm pretty pleased.. I know I've got a long way to go but the support advice I'm receiving from everyone on this forum is amazing..
 
Phoenix55 said:
Hi @nbenn , please do not leave it until September to make a start changing your diet. Order the packs of strips for your meter online and tick the box that asks if you are diabetic, that way you don't pay VAT and it is considerably cheaper than buying them in the High Street. I found keeping a food diary more of a bind than the testing, but both were essential for me to find out what my body can no longer tolerate. We are all different, so what one can eat in small doses another can not tolerate. If you use the meter as a tool to find out what is going on inside your body as a reaction to the food you have eaten then you will begin to see patterns. Berries are better than bananas as fruit for diabetics, usually things that grow above the ground are also fine, watch out for below ground vege and potatoes//pasta/bread cut out as far as possible. Be wary of anything that is labelled 'low fat', it often has sugar of various sorts added to make it palatable. When shopping you want to look for items that have less that 10g/100g carbs. It takes an age the first few weeks because you have to find and read the labels, but it does get quicker. Even reduced sugar items spiked my bg
Your body is used to the high levels at the moment so you may experience some side effects by reducing your carb intake, but these pass and you will feel healthier than before. By increasing your fat intake you stop feeling hungry, and your body changes to using that as fuel, it has not done that so much in the past because it takes effort and the body is economical. Leave the chocolate biscuits, buy a pack of the highest percentage chocolate that you can find, put it in the fridge and treat yourself to a square at a time. It really is sufficient for a chocolate 'hit'.
You are not alone in not understanding where the diagnosis came from, I almost had a row with my DN about what I was eating, how often I had dieted because I was marginally overweight but nowhere near obese, and my close family history does not have anyone with diabetes. The forum here has been so friendly and helpful with helping me to take back control of my body.
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I started making a note of everything I ate, how much I ate & what time I hate I was then texting and recording that also.... what a drag... I've stopped doing this...
I don't eat breakfast and very rarely do I have anything substantial for lunch, evening meal used to be bigger than recommended but not anymore.. my worst thing is picking & still is though not so much buiscits more toast or bananas...
I'm working on it and I'm making progress though probably not as quickly the nurse/doctor would like but I've got to do it my way, right or wrong if I don't I feel as though I'm being pushed to doing this n that and I know I'll just turn round and say (f--k it) excuse my language.. and just carry on as before...
The help, advice and links given on diabetes UK is amazing .. and I thank you all..
 
If you must eat toast, then wholemeal bread is usually better than white. I eat a couple of slices of wholemeal toast sometimes and find it doesn't spike my bg levels.
The lowest carb widely available bread is Burgen Soya & Linseed which is sold in most large supermarkets.
 
@nbenn when first diagnosed, people go through a whole range of emotions, why me, anger, devastation, denial. It takes a good while to get your head around things and is overwhelming at first. Do lots of reading. You will get far more help from this forum than you are likely to get from your surgery.

Testing need not be forever. Once you have a grip on your food and your numbers are improved you can test less.

Don't think of it as a diet. It is a change in your lifestyle.

I have been low carb/keto since November. It took me around 3 weeks to get over carb withdrawal. All of a sudden the cravings went. I no longer wanted to pick. Of course I occasionally get hungry. 30g of peanuts is surprisingly filling. Or walnuts. A few olives, bit of cheese. Lookup chocolate keto mug cake. It takes about 70 seconds in the microwave and the quantity is enough to split into 2 ramakins. Serve with double cream.

I don't suppose you would join us at the meeting that @Debandez is organising on September 1st.
 
xfieldok said:
@nbenn when first diagnosed, people go through a whole range of emotions, why me, anger, devastation, denial. It takes a good while to get your head around things and is overwhelming at first. Do lots of reading. You will get far more help from this forum than you are likely to get from your surgery.

Testing need not be forever. Once you have a grip on your food and your numbers are improved you can test less.

Don't think of it as a diet. It is a change in your lifestyle.

I have been low carb/keto since November. It took me around 3 weeks to get over carb withdrawal. All of a sudden the cravings went. I no longer wanted to pick. Of course I occasionally get hungry. 30g of peanuts is surprisingly filling. Or walnuts. A few olives, bit of cheese. Lookup chocolate keto mug cake. It takes about 70 seconds in the microwave and the quantity is enough to split into 2 ramakins. Serve with double cream.

I don't suppose you would join us at the meeting that @Debandez is organising on September 1st.
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Thanks for tagging me in @xfieldok

I agree with everything said above. The diagnosis comes as a shock. Emotions run wild. I was diagnosed in December. Found this forum. Never looked back. Moved forward in a positive direction to where I am today. Having reduced my hba1c to non diabetic levels. I am 50lbs lighter and I've never felt healthier. Never ever dieted. Couldn't lose a pound before I found LCHF way of eating (woe). I reached my goal because of the help and support found on here. Not through my surgery. And you can do it too. I'm just putting together a resume of the event to be held in Birmingham on 1st September. I just have to get it okeyed by diabetes.co.uk who are kindly supporting us. Once they get back to me with the ok I can post it and I will make sure you are tagged in. You have come to THE BEST PLACE.
 
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Hi everyone.. I thought I was doing so well, not massive improvements but improvements non the less... I was so chuffed my bloods was less than half it had been when diagnosed on Friday 13th... Im enjoying reading the forum and looking at differnt ideas i really felt great about my diabetes and life.. then whollop....
I've had such a **** past few days, If it's not one thing then it's another then another I'm so ........! you wouldn't believe how I feel At moment..
My bloods have risen to worse than diagnosed... (my own fault)... it's just life is **** at the moment... anyway sorry to winge to whoever reads this... sorry bye
 
nbenn said:
Hi everyone.. I thought I was doing so well, not massive improvements but improvements non the less... I was so chuffed my bloods was less than half it had been when diagnosed on Friday 13th... Im enjoying reading the forum and looking at differnt ideas i really felt great about my diabetes and life.. then whollop....
I've had such a **** past few days, If it's not one thing then it's another then another I'm so ........! you wouldn't believe how I feel At moment..
My bloods have risen to worse than diagnosed... (my own fault)... it's just life is **** at the moment... anyway sorry to winge to whoever reads this... sorry bye
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Hello I am sorry you feel so bad right now. I get the impression that you are young so if so it must be hard to change your way of life. HOWEVER eating low carb food will pay so many dividends, more than you realise. It does take a while to get used to and find out how it all works for you but the most IMPORTANT thing is for you to get your blood glucose levels under control. Then you will feel and look better than you can imagine. Give it a good chance. Best wishes.
 
nbenn said:
I'm averaging 12.1 on my accu chek mobile... for the first week I was testing 4 or 5 times a day... but now I'm only testing first thing on a morning which usually comes in around 9 or 10 and I'm testing a couple of hours after evening meal which as come in as high as 18 but that was a bad day I'm usually around 12 or 13, which compared to a few wks ago I was averaging 21 plus I'm pretty pleased.. I know I've got a long way to go but the support advice I'm receiving from everyone on this forum is amazing..
Click to expand...
nbenn said:
Hi everyone.. I thought I was doing so well, not massive improvements but improvements non the less... I was so chuffed my bloods was less than half it had been when diagnosed on Friday 13th... Im enjoying reading the forum and looking at differnt ideas i really felt great about my diabetes and life.. then whollop....
I've had such a **** past few days, If it's not one thing then it's another then another I'm so ........! you wouldn't believe how I feel At moment..
My bloods have risen to worse than diagnosed... (my own fault)... it's just life is **** at the moment... anyway sorry to winge to whoever reads this... sorry bye
Click to expand...
Hi @nbenn. I hope you are feeling better today. You do need to look at what you are eating. High bg levels are going to make you feel worse, physically and mentally.
It sounds like your bg levels are now in the 20s. Usually readings in the 20s means you do need medical treatment urgently and should go to A&E. I am not a doctor but it does sound to me as if you might be Type 1 and should be treated with insulin. Am A&E doctor might be able to determine what you need.
 
nbenn said:
Hi everyone.. I thought I was doing so well, not massive improvements but improvements non the less... I was so chuffed my bloods was less than half it had been when diagnosed on Friday 13th... Im enjoying reading the forum and looking at differnt ideas i really felt great about my diabetes and life.. then whollop....
I've had such a **** past few days, If it's not one thing then it's another then another I'm so ........! you wouldn't believe how I feel At moment..
My bloods have risen to worse than diagnosed... (my own fault)... it's just life is **** at the moment... anyway sorry to winge to whoever reads this... sorry bye
Click to expand...

As someone who was misdiagnosed initially, due to my age, even though I’d lost a shed load of weight and was drinking my weight in water, I would push for further investigations. Those numbers seem awful high to me. If you are indeed a type 1, without insulin you will fail to correct that. Misdiagnosis is very very common. I found that out at a diabetic event. The room was full of misdiagnosed people.
 
Hi - I’m not surprised you are emotionally up and down. This is hard on top of whatever other daily stress you have to cope with.
This is a long term condition that needs a long term plan. If you fall off the rails for a couple of days, don’t beat yourself up just recognise it and get back on plan.
I wrote a blog about my first 50 days with T2. Its in the blog section of this site and some of it might resonate with you.
You’re not on your own.
 
Testing first thing in the morning is not particularly helpful to newly diagnosed T2's. There's something called the dawn phenomenon where the liver dumps a load of glucose into our system to get us ready for the day.

It is usually the last number to come down.

When I was diagnosed my numbers were in the 20's. Watching them come down was very satisfying. Putting the figures into mySugr app really motivating. In 6 months I got my numbers down from 122 to 35.
 
Life has a habit of kicking us when we are down. You had made improvements, you can do the same again but learn from this experience. What was the trigger? Did you stop eating low carb or has your body gone into revolt? If the latter then seek help from your HCP. If you stopped eating low carb then we all have days when we fall off the wagon - it is a birthday/Christmas/wedding/christening/family event/social event/evening out with friends etc. Whinge away, but you are the one who has to pick yourself up and get back on board. Take a small step at a time, start somewhere but make that start and let us know how you progress so we can cheer you on.
 
Thanks for all your words of encouragement, I really appreciate it..
I've been really ill this past week or so with flu ..
On top of that my food intake as been less than a thousand calories a day .. also I've been trying to break my flu with exercise (road cycling) probably more than i should of done so...?
My glucose if up and down, but not as bad as I thought it would be...
I'm holding my own around 13/14 high & as low as 10/11 low average..
Its really hard to change my diet in one instance, everyone seems to expect me to do so asap as in yesterday but I just can't, I'm working on it slowly.. .
My biggest concern is that when my glucose level is low ( around 8 mmol) I'm usually up through the night vomiting .. could this be because of the flu which I've had now for over a week or that my calories are not what they should be... .. or could it be just something eles.... thanks..
 
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