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To snack or not?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luna21
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Luna21

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I'm a newly (3 weeks ago) diagnosed type 2 diabetic, and wondering if anyone can offer me any advice on when to eat food?

Obviously when I'm hungry :wink: but is it better to have 3 meals a day with no snacks, or incorporate healthy snacks into your daily diet?

For instance lunch today. I had a slice of Burgen bread with chicken and large salad, and I wanted to finish it off with a piece of fruit. So would it be best to have the fruit with the meal, or later as a snack on its own?

I am assuming that it's best to keep your glucose levels steady throughout the day if possible? So would having snacks make a huge difference?

Also, loads of questions here, is it better to try and keep your glucose levels at a 'normal' level every day, or can you average a weekly score, so long as it's within the normal(ish) parameters?

I am not testing at the moment, as I see the diabetic nurse this week, and fervently hoping I can get a monitor and test strips on prescription, as I really am determined to get myself under control. If she won't play ball, I'll have to fork out for the equipment myself as I can't see how we can be expected to help ourselves with diabetes, if we can't test ourselves regularly? It seems ludicrous.

Thanks,any advice would be welcome.
 
Hi Luna21. Welcome to the forum.

I quite agree with you, testing also seems more important to me if you are controlling diabetes with just diet. Nurse at my surgery had been told not to give out monitors willy nilly (whatever that means)
I have other medical issues so I was able after a little coertion to get a monitor, but was told once the test strips ran out that was me. so I get them off E'bay.
Monitors are quite reasonably priced too, if you can't get one from the nurse.

I've been low car dieting for 6 weeks and have lost 21lbs. I do have snacks, I have a handful of Brazil nuts, a piece of fruit or a greek style yogurt.
bgs are usually around 4s and 5s with a few 6s here n there.

I don't snack at night though,( being a serial dieter for over 20 years) I still can't get my head around eating after a certain time at night lol.
I go to bed most nights very hungry, but still can't bring myself to eat.

Try talking to your nurse about a monitor. you never know you might get lucky.
Good luck
vonbon
 
Hi. There are different views on smoothing food intake versus having just the 3 meals. I tend to favour the smoothing view to minimise blood sugar spikes. Opinions also vary on whether a high average blood sugar is better or worse than even higher but short-lived spikes. Do get a meter. Most manufacturers will provide one free; give them a call, look at their websites or the Diabetes UK Balance mag. They make their profits on the test strips which you can also buy on the web at lower cost and some suppliers provide them VAT free. I've also bought some on eBay at half price but watch out for the strip end-date and possible illegal copies.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I think a glucose monitor is going to be an essential for me too. I suppose only by monitoring my own levels will I know what affects me and what's the best way to eat ie snacking between meals or sticking rigidly to 3 meals a day.

Vonbon,that's a great result for you in the amount of weight you have lost already! :thumbup: I'm hoping I've lost a bit or I'm going to be really gutted, as I've stuck to both low carbs and low calories rigidly for the last three weeks.

Daibell, thanks also for advice about monitors and strips. I have a gut feeling that I'm not going to be 'allowed' them from the surgery. I've tried for a free one, but it seems that many suppliers will only give you one if you are Type 1 or on insulin. :(
 
When i wad diagnosed as type 2 i wasnt given amything other then tablets got all info online. I bought my own tester and got the testing strips and lancets on perscription but from what i understand each place has different rules

I have been told 3 meals and 3 snacks is best a day but my snacks are usely an apple or a handfull of dried fruit just to keep me going. I think everyone have their own preference though i found it curbed my hunger a bit i also found out pop corn is a fantastic snacking food to

I hope you manage to sort out a tester i think its stupid they arnt given out to type 2 diabetics. Im hoping for the best



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I couldn't make it through the day if I didn't snack. I have peanuts in the afternoon and they work on two levels - one just being food, and secondly they're an appetite suppressant. They hit the spot much more effectively than fruit.
 
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