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Type 2 vegetarian and struggling :(

J

julesXjaguar

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi.
Great to read posts on here. Thank you.
I was diagnosed T2 just over three years ago. I am in my mid fifties, and have been Vegi (eat fish occasionally) most of my life.
Baked potatoes were a staple of mine...also brown whole rice...and, thankfully, the Soya and Linseed bread.
So hard to go Low Carb as a Vegi...most foods spoken of are meat. I became Vegi for moral reasons and will not change.
I am struggling to get sugars down...about low 60s at last check up.
On Metformin and Forxiga...and wish I could go without meds.
Tired...exhausted...all the time. Work 44 hours a week as an active delivery driver. Dr advises more exercise...but tired just working!
Live on my own...apart from my wonderful cat.
Worrying about the future...how to establish a good diet...and much more besides. Very despairing mostly.
I have already developed lower leg neuropathy...eye problems (blood vessels enlarged in last two years...and last night a scary episode of retinal migraine. )...and have put on a bit of weight, tho not overweight.
My cholesterol is about average...and all other tests (every three months) check out ok.
Diet is my problem.
Any help, advice, anything very gratefully received.
Thank you all.
Julie
 

hey and wecome here julesXjaguar

do you eat very many nuts of all kinds ? avocadoes and other very fat plant-food

I don´t know if you have heard of which importance the special compounds of omega 3 oils EPA and DHA is for the healthy brain ... and that it is essential to get these in a at least weekly basis to keep the brain optimally healthy, maybe your tiredness could be a result from that kind of deficiencies , my daugther is a vegetarian as well and therefor I have excamined what the special problems could be longterm for vegetarians and vegans and taking fish-oil is essential for the healthy brain or krill-oil or if prefered some kind of algea-oils though not containing much of the mentioned EPA and DHA...

also the importance of vitamin B12 suplementation in vegetarians and vegans...

I´ll put a video in here where a very knowing nutrient scientist who himself is a vegetarian is doing a lecture on the latest statistic of deseases and deficits among vegetarians and vegans
he has a somewhat anoying voice or way to use his voice but has some very important information

<iframe width="854" height="480" src=" " frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Hi Julie, I lived most of my life with type 1 and have been vegetarian for the most part. I remember being diagnosed in the 70's and how they were challenged with the vegetarian diabetic issue... but here I am still vegetarian, remarkably healthy since my transplant(s) no longer diabetic but still eating the same way. basically a Mediterranean diet but no meat... a little fish every now and again. it is all about balancing - I thrive on avocados, nuts, ginger lemon .. love brown rice, quinoa, and I am pretty much gluten free. and verging on vegan. For me it was never a problem, you get your protein from your legumes ( lentils etc) I use olive oil and my good cholesterol is amazing and the bad is really low. I exercise a lot... but nothing over the top, yoga, tai chi and qigong along with plenty of walking. You can find plenty of articles online and I am sure you can find a good dietician to help tailor your dietary needs. Don't stress, it is possible to lead a perfectly healthy diabetic/vegetarian diet.
Bon appetit ,
Susy
 
Thank you so much Freema and Susy.
When I can afford it I aim to go to a Nutritionist I know of...bit pricey atm!
I take omega 369 or flaxseed oils...and Multi Vits and Minerals...plus Starflower and extra Vit C.
I eat Quorn and other good quality ready meals...finish work late so rarely feel like cooking! Also quite nocturnal in habit!
I DO love cooking when I have my day off.
I just can't get the sugars down no matter how I try...worries me a lot. Never had too sweet a tooth...and my Docs initial advice was "everything (sensible!) in moderation"
I read of "miracle" supplements/herbs etc to lower sugars naturally (my ideal). But find them difficult to incorporate in simple meals/ready meals. Turmeric for example. Do these work?
I would love to be med free and in control of sugars...is it possible?
X
 
Beware of supplements!!! ( I learned the hard way) Turmeric is a great anti-inflammatory but anything out of a bottle is not the solution and yes I do take supplements but only those recommended by my treating docs. Eating all natural foods and doing your own cooking is the best solution - I cook all the time even when I come home tired from work... sure it will be something easy if I am too tired. Ready meals are not good for you... they are good for the days you just don't have time, but read the labels, too much salt etc. Ye I have them for those days too, but those are for my "bad food" days! Yes moderation and never say never.
there are plenty or recipes online:
http://www.diabetes.org/mfa-recipes/recipes/vegetarian.html - not sure if the link will work for you but you can always google vegetarian diabetic recipes - honesty it is fine... moderate carbs.. watch for the glycemic index and make sure to get enough protein ... good luck !
 
Hi @julesXjaguar Welcome to the forum. I will tag @daisy1 as she has helpful advice for new members.

I have read several times on here that you should reduce your carbs gradually if you have eye problems as a sudden drop may be harmful. I will tag @Dark Horse who seems to be knowledgeable about eye health - Is there truth in this?

As you enjoy cooking, I would suggest batch cooking and freezing so that you always have something healthy on hand after a day's work. We have a vegetarian sub-form on site if you fancy joining us http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/vegetarian-diet-forum.71/ Fish oil is not essential for anything unless you are a sea creature.

I drink turmeric paste in warm almond milk most days for breakfast and think it has improved my bg levels. Not a scientific study, just my experience. Here is the recipe I use http://www.whereismyspoon.co/turmeric-paste-for-golden-milk/ I also take a supplement of B12 and alpha lipoic acid as I read on this form that it could help with my stabby feet symptoms. They have definitely helped me. If you take metformin for a long time it can cause B12 problems so worth taking if you have any signs of neuropathy, in my opinion.

Yes, you can low carb as a veggie. It takes a little bit of forward planning, but is worth it to have more energy and better bg control. Keep your chin up and give your kitty a cuddle from me
 
Thank You Avocado Sevenfold.
Kitty cuddled... ...even tho she skittled my porridge and coffee as I left for work...just home now to clean up! Ed The Cat was covered in it...but she is very clean now!!!
Folk are SO nice on here...so helpful...make you feel at home, and not struggling alone. Bless your hearts.
I will certainly join the vegi sub forum...thank you again.
I think I will invest in a small freezer and do as you suggest.... anything I cook usually goes in the fridge and lasts me three days! Thank you again to everyone for help and advice. XXX
 
Regarding eye health, rapid improvement in diabetic control is thought to temporarily increase the rate of progression of diabetic retinopathy specifically. Some people suggest a moderate rate of improvement of diabetic control reduces the risk of this.
 
@julesXjaguar

Hello Julie and welcome to the forum Here is the basic information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you want and someone will be able to help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 210,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
 
Hi Julie, Just checking - do you have a meter to test your reactions to foods or are you relying on your hba1c results? Ed The Cat might be trying to tell you something about porridge!
 
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