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Three weeks (& Christmas too) before I see a nurse

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PamDee

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Aside from a vague "I know it's Christmas but try to cut back on sugar" from the doc. I'm a bit lost, and I despite half expecting it, a little shocked, so I left without asking more.

From this forum (THANK YOU!) I think I'm Type 2 since I'm nearly 60 and overweight. The only info' I have so far is "46" somethings. HbA1c ?? (I'm guessing that isn't too bad since he was very casual about it) I don't drink or eat meat and have brown rice & bread in preference to white anyway.

Cakes and sweets are my downfall. One treat a day, or stop them entirely? Is there anything else I should watch please? The holidays will be an ideal time to eat healthier, since I have time for cooking. I'm just trying to figure what to do/try and what to avoid completely. Anything to feel less tired!
 
Ok 46 mmol/mol isn't too bad and welcome to the forum. I will tag @daisy1 to give you some very good information. I think the doctor is probably correct in that cutting out all sugar will probably work for you at this stage. I will be hard over Christmas (I was diagnosed this time 2 years ago. The best thing you can do is to lost weight (you say you are over weight). I did this and reversed my T2 from a much worse starting position than you.
If you want more help then please ask

Merry Christmas
 
as said, thats not too bad. I would start with all sugar and fruit juice, see how that goes. The next step would be wheat and wheat products. It would really help if you bought a meter to check your bloods. it will give instant feed back to how you are going.
 
Thanks guys. I saw Daisy's basics which were a big help. Your replies help a great deal.

Back to dieting for me, and now reading ingredients for sugars too! Fruit smoothies were a diet staple, so that will need a rethink too. Thanks for the tips and well done Andrew.
 
Hi and welcome. The advice you've had so far is great. Christmas is difficult when things like mince pies are 40gm of carbs (mainly sugar). The good news is that alcohol isn't too bad and wine and spirits are pretty good. The calories are there but they won't raise blood sugar (beer can). Carry on with low-GI carbs where you can but just keep the daily total down. Use artificial sweeteners in hot drinks. My wife uses Canderel when making fruit crumble etc to reduce the overall carbs. Proteins and a sensible amount of fats are fine so enjoy any meat or fish over Christmas.
 
As an additional thing you could try and that is replace your bread with something like bergen linseed and soya bread (you can get it in supermarkets) or LIDL high protein rolls. I and many others report a much smaller rise in glucose levels eating these compared to normal white or brown bread

Fruit smoothies are evil... You have broken down or the fiberous bonds in the fruit and therefore going to get a much increased rise.

Can I recommend you ask your doctor to also check your vitamin D levels if they havent already. It is an essential hormone in the bodies glucose cycle which many are deficient in.
 
Thank you all for taking the time to respond. It's much appreciated. Having facts is a big help towards calming down, and I have time to adjust & tinker with the diet over the next 12 days. I have taken notes!
 
Hi @PamDee and welcome to the forum! If your HbAic was only 46 you are lucky (in a way), as that would be in the prediabetes range of 42-47. You are diabetic if you go to 48 or over. Once you become diabetic you always will be classified as diabetic, but you have time to bring you Blood Glucose level down and avoid that.

Don't worry about not being able to see the Nurse for 3 weeks. He/she probably won't tell you much more than to cut out sugars, cut down on starchy foods (carbohydrates), eat portions that are no bigger than your fist, and eat 5 portions of vegetables/fruit per day.
That's all my practice nurse told me, and also to use foot cream and to wear shoes indoors.

Have a read through the threads, there is a lot of good advice on diet and suitable food. Cut out sugar as much as possible, cut down on carbohydrates, and eat more vegetable and proteins (fish, eggs, meat and cheese). A Low Carbohydrate High Fat diet does seem to work well in reducing HbAic. Mine came down from 49 on diagnosis in September to 44 on my retest three months later with a LCHF diet and exercise.

When you do get to see your nurse you could ask to be referred for a diabetes management course. But anyway don't worry about it too much, you can bring your HbAic down. Have a Happy Christmas and a Healthy New Year!
 
Hi @PamDee - I certainly wouldn't worry about a 3 week wait to see the nurse. From my perspective that's pretty fast. I was diagnosed at the beginning of September and still haven't seen the nurse!
Apparently she is 'running a little behind' lol.
Try to enjoy your christmas. Eat sensibly following all the advice you find on here. If you find it too hard to avoid treats altogether, then my advice would be to aim for much less than 1 or 2 treats per day.
I appreciate its not something everyone can do, but I've found I can be happy just having a little taste of what close friends or family are eating. For example if my hubby has a slice of cake, I might pinch a small mouthful. It makes me feel less 'deprived'.
I hardly ever do it now. I still have the odd treat - but I'm strict with myself and make sure its something like a fortnightly affair as opposed to the several treats a day I used to enjoy!
Good luck with everything and if you get down and despondent get on here and let off steam! We are all in the same boat xx
 
What lovely people here to take such care with your replies. You have both cheered and informed me. Thank you all for the reassurance and advice. I have made copious notes & continue to read!
 
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