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Newly Diagnosed
- Thread starter Sammie789
- Start Date
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
Hi Sammie and welcome to the forum 
I think the best thing is to wait until you see your nurse before you buy a meter as she may give you one if you're lucky. If not, there are plenty of members here who can advise you which one to get and you may be able to get one free. As for sweetners in coffee, as long as they don't contain sugar, which I believe some do, I don't see any problem - I certainly use them.
To help you with the basics of caring for yourself, here is the information we give to new members. I'm sure you have got a lot of questions so ask them here and members will be able to answer them for you.
I think the best thing is to wait until you see your nurse before you buy a meter as she may give you one if you're lucky. If not, there are plenty of members here who can advise you which one to get and you may be able to get one free. As for sweetners in coffee, as long as they don't contain sugar, which I believe some do, I don't see any problem - I certainly use them.
To help you with the basics of caring for yourself, here is the information we give to new members. I'm sure you have got a lot of questions so ask them here and members will be able to answer them for you.
xyzzy
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 2,950
- Type of diabetes
- Other
- Treatment type
- Diet only
- Dislikes
- Undeserving authority figures of all kinds and idiots.
Hi Sammie and welcome to the forum.
All a bit of a shock when it happens and can be very confusing but try not to worry as there's loads you can do to sort things out
I was diagnosed in December last year and using the advice I found on this site I got my blood sugar levels back to normal within around a couple of months or so and I have also normalised my cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well. I have now lost over 3 stone in weight too. My doctor is very pleased how I am getting on and has advised me to keep doing what I have been doing since it's obviously working really well. Not a cure as I still have to be very careful what I eat but I feel loads better than I did.
Diet wise its really easy. Just drastically cut down or better cut out all things with plain sugar, so biscuits, cakes, sugar in tea and coffee, pure fruit juices, non diet versions of soft drinks. Next and really importantly try halving starchy foods like rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, cereals and any other flour based products. Replace what's now missing with extra meat, fish, eggs, cheese and especially vegetables. Vegetables that grow above ground are best although most of us find carrots fine. Things like yoghurt are fine as is a small amount of fresh fruit. I find the ones that end in "berry" are the best. If you don't mind artificial sweeteners things like Diet Coke are fine to drink. On the starchy foods that are left swap try brown basmati rice instead of white and brown or tri-colour pasta. The bread that most recommend is actually Bergen soya bread but some do ok with wholemeal as well.
The above diet is close to one you would be one recommended to try by the Swedish Health service. It was introduced in that country last year and the American health service and several other countries health services recommend something very similar for Type 2 diabetics. In the UK the diet guidelines are now over 30 years old and are only gradually being updated. As the UK is lagging behind you have already seen what I and other forum members recommend is different to what your are told is a good diet for you follow.
Did your doctor give you a blood meter and strips as some do and some don't? It's a bit of a post code lottery and we find the progressive surgeries are pro testing and others anti. I'll warn you the anti ones can sometimes be very vocally anti! If you find your surgery is really anti then many of us would recommend getting a meter and strips yourself. If that turns out to be the case then just ask and lots of members can help.
The reason testing is important is you should try and keep your blood sugars below 8ish two hours after eating any meal. Above the 8 value is where the dangers of complications do begin to occur according to diabetic experts. So if you can't test how will you now if what you are eating is keeping you safe? The problem is every diabetic is different so my earlier advice to halve starchy foods is just a rough guide. You may find you need to eat less than half (like me) or that you can eat more than half like others.
As you get into it all and read around the forum you may see people talking about carb counting. If you want to understand what that is just ask. It is a powerful weapon that a diabetic can use to control their condition and one that many of us use to great effect.
Good luck and keep asking questions.
Regards
Steve
PS Here's two good links about what's good to eat.
First is the lady doctor who's low carb / low GI recommendations seem to form the basis of what's recommended in Sweden
http://blogg.passagen.se/dahlqvistannika/?anchor=my_lowcarb_dietary_programe_in
Second is a good beginners guide to low carb regimes that are excellent for reducing blood sugar levels and losing weight.
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
All a bit of a shock when it happens and can be very confusing but try not to worry as there's loads you can do to sort things out
I was diagnosed in December last year and using the advice I found on this site I got my blood sugar levels back to normal within around a couple of months or so and I have also normalised my cholesterol levels and blood pressure as well. I have now lost over 3 stone in weight too. My doctor is very pleased how I am getting on and has advised me to keep doing what I have been doing since it's obviously working really well. Not a cure as I still have to be very careful what I eat but I feel loads better than I did.
Diet wise its really easy. Just drastically cut down or better cut out all things with plain sugar, so biscuits, cakes, sugar in tea and coffee, pure fruit juices, non diet versions of soft drinks. Next and really importantly try halving starchy foods like rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, cereals and any other flour based products. Replace what's now missing with extra meat, fish, eggs, cheese and especially vegetables. Vegetables that grow above ground are best although most of us find carrots fine. Things like yoghurt are fine as is a small amount of fresh fruit. I find the ones that end in "berry" are the best. If you don't mind artificial sweeteners things like Diet Coke are fine to drink. On the starchy foods that are left swap try brown basmati rice instead of white and brown or tri-colour pasta. The bread that most recommend is actually Bergen soya bread but some do ok with wholemeal as well.
The above diet is close to one you would be one recommended to try by the Swedish Health service. It was introduced in that country last year and the American health service and several other countries health services recommend something very similar for Type 2 diabetics. In the UK the diet guidelines are now over 30 years old and are only gradually being updated. As the UK is lagging behind you have already seen what I and other forum members recommend is different to what your are told is a good diet for you follow.
Did your doctor give you a blood meter and strips as some do and some don't? It's a bit of a post code lottery and we find the progressive surgeries are pro testing and others anti. I'll warn you the anti ones can sometimes be very vocally anti! If you find your surgery is really anti then many of us would recommend getting a meter and strips yourself. If that turns out to be the case then just ask and lots of members can help.
The reason testing is important is you should try and keep your blood sugars below 8ish two hours after eating any meal. Above the 8 value is where the dangers of complications do begin to occur according to diabetic experts. So if you can't test how will you now if what you are eating is keeping you safe? The problem is every diabetic is different so my earlier advice to halve starchy foods is just a rough guide. You may find you need to eat less than half (like me) or that you can eat more than half like others.
As you get into it all and read around the forum you may see people talking about carb counting. If you want to understand what that is just ask. It is a powerful weapon that a diabetic can use to control their condition and one that many of us use to great effect.
Good luck and keep asking questions.
Regards
Steve
PS Here's two good links about what's good to eat.
First is the lady doctor who's low carb / low GI recommendations seem to form the basis of what's recommended in Sweden
http://blogg.passagen.se/dahlqvistannika/?anchor=my_lowcarb_dietary_programe_in
Second is a good beginners guide to low carb regimes that are excellent for reducing blood sugar levels and losing weight.
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
C
chris lowe
Guest
Hi Sammy,
It's quite a shock to be diagnosed, we all experience it. First thing is don't panic. Your first visit to the nurse will explain quite a few things and she will probably reccommend that you go on a DESMOND course at your local diabetic unit at the hospital. This will give you lots of information, but most of us on this forum ignore the advise about starch carbohydrates and find that reducing our carbs helps to regulate our blood sugar levels. There is lots of advice on the website for low carb recipes and ideas. I have finally come round to feeling that diabetes isn't the end of the world (yet) and have used it as a reason to get my lifestyle in order with healthy eating, losing weight and exercising. Good luck with the nurse appointment and ask any questions on the forum you can think of even if they seem a bit daft - believe me we've probably hear them!
It's quite a shock to be diagnosed, we all experience it. First thing is don't panic. Your first visit to the nurse will explain quite a few things and she will probably reccommend that you go on a DESMOND course at your local diabetic unit at the hospital. This will give you lots of information, but most of us on this forum ignore the advise about starch carbohydrates and find that reducing our carbs helps to regulate our blood sugar levels. There is lots of advice on the website for low carb recipes and ideas. I have finally come round to feeling that diabetes isn't the end of the world (yet) and have used it as a reason to get my lifestyle in order with healthy eating, losing weight and exercising. Good luck with the nurse appointment and ask any questions on the forum you can think of even if they seem a bit daft - believe me we've probably hear them!
sassygirl
Newbie
I was diagnosed a few days ago.
Am quite angry at the moment as I'm convinced that this is a result of taking statins for the past 10 years following a mild heart attack.
Whilst appreciating that the cocktail of drugs I have to take for my heart keeps me alive, the frustration is that I have very little control over their side effects. I take Co-enzyme Q10 as I know statins reduce it and I eat a very healthy diet and almost no processed foods additionally my alcohol intake is only 1-2 units a week and is frequently zero.
I have now rejoined a gym as I defaulted 5 years ago and got very lazy as well as gaining 3 stone so I know my portion control needs serious attention also.
At present my GP has not prescribed medication and I want to keep it that way!!!! he is also arranging for a retinal scan .
I am determined to keep this under control by diet and would appreciate any advice especially with regard to carb intake.
My Hba1c thingy is 6.635% I think ....the lab result was given as 49 so have assumed that this was 000/ml
Am quite angry at the moment as I'm convinced that this is a result of taking statins for the past 10 years following a mild heart attack.
Whilst appreciating that the cocktail of drugs I have to take for my heart keeps me alive, the frustration is that I have very little control over their side effects. I take Co-enzyme Q10 as I know statins reduce it and I eat a very healthy diet and almost no processed foods additionally my alcohol intake is only 1-2 units a week and is frequently zero.
I have now rejoined a gym as I defaulted 5 years ago and got very lazy as well as gaining 3 stone so I know my portion control needs serious attention also.
At present my GP has not prescribed medication and I want to keep it that way!!!! he is also arranging for a retinal scan .
I am determined to keep this under control by diet and would appreciate any advice especially with regard to carb intake.
My Hba1c thingy is 6.635% I think ....the lab result was given as 49 so have assumed that this was 000/ml
sassygirl said:I was diagnosed a few days ago.
Am quite angry at the moment as I'm convinced that this is a result of taking statins for the past 10 years following a mild heart attack.
Whilst appreciating that the cocktail of drugs I have to take for my heart keeps me alive, the frustration is that I have very little control over their side effects. I take Co-enzyme Q10 as I know statins reduce it and I eat a very healthy diet and almost no processed foods additionally my alcohol intake is only 1-2 units a week and is frequently zero.
I have now rejoined a gym as I defaulted 5 years ago and got very lazy as well as gaining 3 stone so I know my portion control needs serious attention also.
At present my GP has not prescribed medication and I want to keep it that way!!!! he is also arranging for a retinal scan .
I am determined to keep this under control by diet and would appreciate any advice especially with regard to carb intake.
My Hba1c thingy is 6.635% I think ....the lab result was given as 49 so have assumed that this was 000/ml
Being pro active like you are is in my opinion the best way to go. You spend so much time fighting to get yourself controlled, you don't have time to worry.
Welcome to the forum, and ask questions, as much and as often as you like. There is almost always someone around who can help, of has been or is going through the same things. Don't let the diabetes grind you down, you can master it, not it you.
Good luck on your journey.
