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What to feed my newly dianosed Type 2 husband?

M

mrsaverage

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Sorry to re-post this but I am really confused and worried

Last Wednesday my husband aged 63 and physically active was diagnosed with what I assume is type 2 - he's only seen a doctor about 8 times in his life and only went because he had a skin condition, then blood tests revealed this.

This was a big shock for him and he didn't really take in what the GP (who he's never met before) said, except try diet first, if that doesn't work then it's tablets. She implied he's 'marginally' diabetic and the number he remembers is 7 ???? What might that mean?

I asked what diet she'd suggested he said No Carbohydrates and stop eating sweets/biscuits/cakes -which he doesn't, he rarely has a sweet yen at all . WHY wasn't he given something on paper????

So I came on the net and mostly read that the best diet is loads of veg, low-fat protein plus plenty of wholewheat carbs (bread, pasta, potoatos), but then I see other advice that says no carbs at all.

We already do wholemeal bread and pasta, quite a lot (but probably not enough) veg, but he does love good red meat and EGGS (we have our own 3 hens).

OK, he may be difficult, but he's MY difficult and I don't want him to die! So can anyone on here tell me what I should do re feeding him? He's got more tests to come but I just want to get going right ASAP. mrsaverage

Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:52 pm
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Mrs.A. You need to think Carbohydrate.Cut out all obvious sugars like sugar in tea/coffee for example.Biscuits ,cakes,things like that.Cut down the portion size of any starchy carbs such as Potatoes,rice,pasta and bread also any flour based products.Eat plenty veggies,meat,fish ,eggs etc.If you are buying commercial products read the label.Look at the total amount of carbs not just the sugar part of it.Simple sugars put your blood levels up quickly but the carbs,especially starchy carbs convert 100% to glucose and also raise your blood sugar levels.Be aware that anything ending in 'ose' or 'ole' is also a form of sugar.Don't bother with products that are labelled 'diabetic' these are usually overpriced and contain sweeteners which have a nasty effect on the bowel! :cry:I recommend getting a carb counting book such as Collins Gem carb counter,or calorie counter,either is good so that you can plan the amount of carbs he eats. Just reducing the amount he now eats by half with have a positive effect on his blood sugars.Once you get a blood testing meter then you can begin to find out which foods he can eat without to much effect.
 
Mrs.A. I suggest that you and your husband contact the GP and request an appointment with a dietician. They should give you sensible advice on what diet your husband should adopt. I have avoided giving you direct advice as I do not know if there are other factors that should be considered, e.g. weight loss.

Hope this helps. :D

Steveee
 
Hi Mrs A welcome to the forum.
And well done for getting straight to the point - which foods have the greatest impact upon diabetes control. Your GP deserves great credit for suggesting your husband does exactly what the Brish National Formulary suggests at diagnosis - carbohydrate restriction. One reason this is the recommendation is that blood sugar levels may return to normal by doing this alone, with no need for oral medication.
Diabetes, in essence, is a failure or impairment of carbohydrate metabolism - the body cannot safely tolerate the glucose that carbohydrates deliver to the bloodstream. Restricting carbohydrate intake is the simplest, safest means of addressing this problem. By carbohydrates we generally mean all sugars, obviously, but also starches (pasta, potatoes, rices, wheat products are the big 4). None of these things are an essential part of the diet and their restriction, or elimination, will have immediate benefits in blood glucose control.
Fresh, natural foods including all meats, fish, green vegetables, nuts, eggs and dairy foods have all the nutritional benefits you will ever need, but with a much reduced capacity to produce glucose. Take a look at the Success Stories thread to see the immediate benefits that people have experienced when they adopt these principles.
Unfortunately, many of us have yet to meet a dietician who will endorse this approach, largely because their training is based upon some very out of date thinking. Be careful.

Best wishes,

fergus
 
Mrs A
A simple start to this new life
Meat, fish, cheese, eggs, Fresh leafy veggies. a FEW berries.
you no longer need to worry about fats. You never did really, but the "received wisdom" was strong. A day's suggestions
breakfast
bacon and eggs
Lunch
tuna mayo in half an avocado
dinner
grilled pork fillet, brussels sprouts cauliflower.
look up the food thread for more suggestions
 
G'day Mrs A

I usually save space by giving a link to a page where I have some answers, but I don't drop in here often and this question is so basic that I will post it in full.

What to Eat Until You Get Your Meter.
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2008/ ... meter.html

Every so often a newly diagnosed person arrives on the various forums I read who has no meter and is unlikely to get one for a period. Of course, I suggest they don't delay in correcting that, but that doesn't help in the short term. So this page is some suggestions for people in that position. Not advice for a permanent menu, but as a temporary measure until a meter is available and blood glucose testing can be started.

These are broad guidelines that should help minimise post-meal blood glucose spikes without jeopardising overall nutrition. Note that these are just my opinion, I'm a diabetic, not a doctor. If you are on insulin you should discuss them with your doctor - but if you are on insulin you should also have a meter.

Minimise:

Anything made in a bakery.
Pasta.
Rice.
All wheat products.
All corn products.
All cereals and other processed grains.
Starches - especially root vegetables.
All sugared drinks - sodas, sport drinks, milk.
All juices.
All fast foods.
And ignore colour, fibre content, or advertising hype about wholegrain or low-GI.

Be wary of:

Fruits, good in small portions, possibly harmful in large portions.

Maximise

All vegetables, apart from root vegetables.

Use in appropriate portions:

Fish
Meats (trimmed well of fat)
Eggs
Beans
Nuts
Avocado

Those lists are not exhaustive but I think you'll pick up the trends.

Note the title; he needs to get a meter and start using it. When he does, get him to read this: http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/ ... djust.html
 
I admit I'm a bit lazy - I keep a couple of diabetic ready meals in the freezer in case my partner is hungry and I'm not around, or if I need to put together a really quick meal for him.

Post edited to remove the commercial advertising
Dennis
Senior Moderator
 
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