rubbish control

[lesleyann]

i have had diabetes for three years and have tried to ignore the fact for far too long. i have never been in control of my sugars they are almost always in the high teens (18.1 this afternoon). i now want to start looking after myself as the diabetic nurse wants me to switch from tablets to insulin. i am sick of feeling so ill. any tips would be very welcome thank you

 

[noblehead]

If you don't already get strips on prescription make sure your gp prescribes them, all insulin dependants are entitled to test strips so that they can monitor their bg closely. Good luck.

 

[Sean01]

Tommy Cooper went to his Doctor: 'Doctor, Doctor, I feel really bad in three places.' The Doctor replied: 'stop going to those places'. You know what makes you ill. stop going there and good luck. (Your answer was in your question. You CAN do this.)

 

[amgrundy]

Hi lesleyann my BG readings were 19.3 in Jan this year I was told I had had it for a few years and never knew, that's another story for the doctors to work out. Now I am down to single numbers and have lost weight feel healthier and test 2-3 times a day now. It frightened me so much I watch what to eat and cut portion sizes right down, I do cheat a little and have a healthy snack in between meals think we all do, we have to have some pleasure, its just now knowing what I can and can not eat, you will get there just have patience. It has been a life changing ordeal for us all.

 

[ladybird64]

Hi Lesley. Going onto insulin isn't the worst thing in the world, and it doesn't hav to be permanent, I know a few people who are now able to manage on tablets after making dietary adjustments (quite big ones). But, I have a feeling that you are having problems with what you are eating, and maybe still eating too much of the stuff that will be putting your sugars up.

What does a typical days diet look like for you, any snacks and stuff? Be honest, and maybe we can make some suggestions, because you sound really overwhelmed at the moment x

 

[lesleyann]

Hi lesleyann my BG readings were 19.3 in Jan this year I was told I had had it for a few years and never knew, that's another story for the doctors to work out. Now I am down to single numbers and have lost weight feel healthier and test 2-3 times a day now. It frightened me so much I watch what to eat and cut portion sizes right down, I do cheat a little and have a healthy snack in between meals think we all do, we have to have some pleasure, its just now knowing what I can and can not eat, you will get there just have patience. It has been a life changing ordeal for us all.

thank you for replying i have cut portion sizes down but could do better with my choices

 

[lesleyann]

Hi Lesley. Going onto insulin isn't the worst thing in the world, and it doesn't hav to be permanent, I know a few people who are now able to manage on tablets after making dietary adjustments (quite big ones). But, I have a feeling that you are having problems with what you are eating, and maybe still eating too much of the stuff that will be putting your sugars up.

What does a typical days diet look like for you, any snacks and stuff? Be honest, and maybe we can make some suggestions, because you sound really overwhelmed at the moment x

i try to eat healthy but could make more changes. think i need to do some test to find out whats best for me it feels like i havent any control at the moment. would you know if i can ask the doctor to see a dietician?

 

[ladybird64]

Well, you could, but they are often advocates of the Eatwell plate, which isn't always the best thing for diabetics? I don't think you need tests Lesley, just some old fashioned advice and support. What do you have for breakfast, lunch, dinner?

 

[lesleyann]

today i have had cornflakes, crumpets and chicken and veg and an orange

 

[Kyi]

Hi Lesleyann, I too am starting to look after myself better than I have been in the past. I am trying to lose weight as well as having better Blood Glucose readings. Tell us a bit more about yourself, are you wanting to lose weight, are you controlling what you eat/portions, do you suffer with any other illness. I have been depressed for many years and ignored my diabetes because of it. Last year I took control back of my depression. This year I am taking back the control over my weight and hopefully the diabetes. I am a binge eater. I do not eat sweet stuff and laugh every time I hear someone say a sugar tax is the answer to diabetes and obesity. Its not. Taking control of your carbs seems to be a great start. If you are not losing weight as well as controlling blood glucose you will need a different diet than just cutting back carbs. To maintain weight you need to make sure your calories in are high enough to lose weight you need to make sure you have less than you need. Both will try to cut back carbs to control the blood sugars. Ask as many questions as you need. If you need support or just feel like a rant have one, you will get out of the forums what you put into them, Some people just come to read and never comment. Just remember we are all in the same boat for different reasons.
Good luck with your journey.

 

[lesleyann]

Hi Lesleyann, I too am starting to look after myself better than I have been in the past. I am trying to lose weight as well as having better Blood Glucose readings. Tell us a bit more about yourself, are you wanting to lose weight, are you controlling what you eat/portions, do you suffer with any other illness. I have been depressed for many years and ignored my diabetes because of it. Last year I took control back of my depression. This year I am taking back the control over my weight and hopefully the diabetes. I am a binge eater. I do not eat sweet stuff and laugh every time I hear someone say a sugar tax is the answer to diabetes and obesity. Its not. Taking control of your carbs seems to be a great start. If you are not losing weight as well as controlling blood glucose you will need a different diet than just cutting back carbs. To maintain weight you need to make sure your calories in are high enough to lose weight you need to make sure you have less than you need. Both will try to cut back carbs to control the blood sugars. Ask as many questions as you need. If you need support or just feel like a rant have one, you will get out of the forums what you put into them, Some people just come to read and never comment. Just remember we are all in the same boat for different reasons.
Good luck with your journey.

thank you i have lots of other medication depression and high blood pressure and more besides. i would like to loose weight and have cut my portion sizes down loads think youre right and i need to look at what carbs im eating. thanks for your kind reply

 

[Minigman_]

May I suggest you read Patrick Holfords 'say no to diabetes' . It's very informative about the effects of high GI and GL foods on your blood glucose levels. Corn flakes and crumpets are basically almost like eating glucose. Like you I ate a few bad choice items. Now I am on a low GL diet my levels and well being have massively improved.

 

[lesleyann]

May I suggest you read Patrick Holfords 'say no to diabetes' . It's very informative about the effects of high GI and GL foods on your blood glucose levels. Corn flakes and crumpets are basically almost like eating glucose. Like you I ate a few bad choice items. Now I am on a low GL diet my levels and well being have massively improved.

thanks will look for that book

 

[ladybird64]

Hi Lesley, I think you'll find quite a few of us have other medical probs that we have to take Meds for, so that's nothing unusual. If you have depression (I do too), motivation can be hard to conjure up and I think too much info can actually be a turn off.
Maybe better to start with the basics, one meal at a time. Cornflakes and crumpets are both high carb so better avoided. Any cereal is high carb, and porridge can raise levels too. How about trying eggs? Scrambled with maybe some bacon, or
If money is tight, some slices of cold ham? Full fat natural yogurt with some berries, maybe with some sweetener added? Try and avoid cereal and bread, test your levels 2 hrs after.
Chicken and veg is great, but do you know that potatoes are carby? If you can, halve your normal portions of spuds, rice and pasta, replace it with an extra veg or salad. If you post what you eat, we can give you suggestions to tweak it to make it something you enjoy, but something that won't increase your levels.

You don't need to be alone with this, I'm sure you can take it on and beat it into submission!

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

I think that Patrick Holford book is a useful read for people with slight glucose intolerance and maybe pre-diabetes. But by the time you have been diagnosed with T2, I think the horse has probably already bolted.

He strongly recommends low GI foods as a mainstay of the diet, and lists the glycaemic load (GL) of portion sizes. All accurate and according to the thinking when he wrote the book, but it is several years old now.

When I tried eating his way (and it is enjoyable, sustainable and interesting) it sent my BG much higher than I wanted, and tipped me into carb cravings.

I have seen several people here say that GL/GI eating doesn't work for them, and they need to control their carbs more strictly than that.

So I don't want to put you off the book - you may be one of the people that GI/GL works like a dream for - but just in case it doesn't, then you may need to cut carbs further. I did.

 

[Mike d]

today i have had cornflakes, crumpets and chicken and veg and an orange

Cereals, crumpets and oranges could do with a rethink. If you need some suggestions, search the forum (better still, ask) but I would not go anywhere near them.

 

[lesleyann]

Hi Lesley, I think you'll find quite a few of us have other medical probs that we have to take Meds for, so that's nothing unusual. If you have depression (I do too), motivation can be hard to conjure up and I think too much info can actually be a turn off.
Maybe better to start with the basics, one meal at a time. Cornflakes and crumpets are both high carb so better avoided. Any cereal is high carb, and porridge can raise levels too. How about trying eggs? Scrambled with maybe some bacon, or
If money is tight, some slices of cold ham? Full fat natural yogurt with some berries, maybe with some sweetener added? Try and avoid cereal and bread, test your levels 2 hrs after.
Chicken and veg is great, but do you know that potatoes are carby? If you can, halve your normal portions of spuds, rice and pasta, replace it with an extra veg or salad. If you post what you eat, we can give you suggestions to tweak it to make it something you enjoy, but something that won't increase your levels.

You don't need to be alone with this, I'm sure you can take it on and beat it into submission!

thank you so much for all your help

 

[Kyi]

We are all in the same boat Lesleyann, we are just a bit further in the queue for infomation. All trial and error until someone says yes thats right lol

 

[lesleyann]

We are all in the same boat Lesleyann, we are just a bit further in the queue for infomation. All trial and error until someone says yes thats right lol

thank you its nice to know im not alone