Self Medicating With Food...Diabetes, Support?

[73kittycat73]

Hi, I've tried to word/start writing this a few times, so I hope it comes out OK...But, today I have finally realized that I eat junk/sweet food to self medicate.
I have type 2 diabetes and have been 'getting away' with it for a while, but I'm starting to feel the effects of eating sweet food. If I eat chocolate before bed for example, I get terrible cramps in (Mainly my left) calf. Recently I have cut down on chocolate as it was making me feel like crap after eating it. I take depression and anxiety tablets and they make me tired so I thought it was them. However I have really noticed recently that eating it makes me so wiped out afterwards.
Today I was bored so ate a bit of cheesecake. Boy did I feel like shit afterwards. I was still feeling a bit rubbish a few hours later so I decided to dig out the old blood sugar testing kit. My blood sugars were17. In the dangerous category. (A non diabetic person should be between 7.1 to 10.0). It has given me a shake, and a wake up call.
I went to my Sainsburys delivery (Due Sunday.) and have taken all the sweet things out, including Pepsi Max. I drink 2ltrs of the stuff a day (I get 'cotton wool' mouth from the medications I take for depression/anxiety and just water does nothing.). I have read conflicting articles on whether Pepsi Max spikes your insulin so have taken them out my list too. I tried finding a decent drink that wasn't full of sugar or artificial sweeteners, I couldn't find any! So I have ordered some fizzy water and orange squash (With sweeteners.) to have it very diluted for some flavour.
However, like I said, it's only just clicked that I self medicate with food (Sweet stuff being the most.). I know I'll be back to craving even later tonight, or definitely tomorrow, so I was wondering if anybody would like to join me on cutting down on junk food. We could come on when we are craving, or just for some support generally. If you're doing it to loose weight that's fine too.
I hope I haven't gone on...I just wanted to be honest (With myself too.) and start a new, healthier, way of eating.

Yes it does. Geek yoghurt is thick but it's low carb and high protein so I like it. The skinny syrup loosens it up a bit and makes it nice and sweet!

Might have to get some with my next shop and try it then. Thanks for the tip.

You know what, I had a post all sorted in my head last night and today it's mainly gone poof. I wanted to know if I post too much, dominate the thread? (Please be honest, I can take it.) I think I have undiagnosed Autism, and I do have social anxiety, even online so don't always see the social cues. WreckTangled you have been brilliant, keeping the conversation going, engaging in chat, needing me to post back. Thank you. Thank you to all who have posted in this thread. It's really appreciated. If I need to step back a bit, please let me know. I'd hate to be stiffling conversation with each other. Thank you.

Weighed myself today. 28 days ago I was 14stone. Today I am 13st 2lb! I lost 12lbs. :D I really think giving up a lot of the PepsiMax helped that.

It's your thread so you have to post to keep it going I get anxiety posting on threads too which is why I only stick to a couple.

Wow that's an amazing weight loss! Have you noticed a difference in how you're feeling (mentally and physically?)

We had heavy snow here this morning but it didn't settle. I did some steps in the kitchen listening to a podcast and folding some washing and I've done a lower body workout. I want to go on a walk after lunch but I'm not convinced the dc will want to come with me.

Aww, thanks for the understanding. You do very well here with your posting too.
With the weightloss, I have noticed my anxiety is better, my back doesn't ache anymore when I'm stood up for a while and the difference in fatigue is amazing. Totally different. I want to loose another stone at least. I think cutting down the PepsiMax really helped this time.
Well done on the exercise! I decided to brave it outside but it was cold. Found a walking video on YouTube in case it's cold again tomorrow and then I don't have to go out in it!
Did you end up going on a walk? I hope you had a nice time.
Got a mobile hairdressers coming on Wednesday. Currently my hair is all one length, about just past my shoulders. Am having it cut short. Time for a change!

Wow! Well done of that weight loss!! @73kittycat73. You’re doing great!!

@WreckTangled I obviously sent the snow to you!!

Been gorgeous here today. Managed to walk four miles today! In much pain today though with my arm, could gladly chop it off. Soaking in a red hot bath to try and ease it.

Obviously lost the ability to write coherently! Well done ON that weight loss!!

Thank you PaperMonster
Well done on the 4 miles!
Sorry to hear about your arm. Hope the bath manages to help.
It was sunny on occasion here today but when it went in and the wind comes out it was rather chilly! I think it's going to be the same tomorrow. I would prefer to do an outside walk (It helps with the agoraphobia.) but if it's as cold again as today, and inside walk it is.

I did get on my walk and ds enjoyed it once he was out. Have ended on 11143 steps which will do nicely.

The snowflakes were the biggest I've ever seen! Warm and sunny this afternoon though, so bizarre.

73kitty I'm glad you're feeling the benefits of the weight loss. Maybe if it's cold again tomorrow you could just go into the garden for ten minutes for some fresh air then back in for your steps or go out for ten minutes after your steps then it'll feel like you did the whole walk outside the vitamin d will be good for you.

Forgot to say about my sewing- just started after very many years. Been and bought more fabric today - daughter’s going to end up with lots of skirts this summer!

Bloomin arm’s throbbing like crazy. No walking for me today, just going to relax all day!

Hello. Glad you enjoyed your walk WreckTangled, and well done on your steps. We've had a bit of sunshine today but mostly cold and overcast. I did do an indoor Youtube walking video today instead. A ten minute one, but my step counter only registered half of what I normally do walking outside.
Hi PaperMonster Sorry to hear your arm is still hurting you. I hope you managed to relax and enjoy your day? The sewing sopunds ace!
I'm going out to do my walk outside tomorrow, have a new target. I started therapy today and my homework is to try and walk to my local park. It's a very nice park so I look forward to it. That's as long as my hair goes OK! lol

Does anyone know if potatoes are good or bad for you? I tried Google and most said it was a healthy carb. Does this mean it's ok to eat?

I don't eat them because they're really high in carbs. I don't eat any starch carbs though. It's got some decent vitamins and minerals in but not great for blood glucose if eaten in big portions. I would say if you really fancy some potato salad then have some and don't restrict yourself but at the same time don't eat a whole bowl.

Thank you WreckTangled. As always forever helpful.
I'm off for the night now-butts gone numb! lol
Good luck all with your goals, and see you tomorrow!

Potatoes are a definite no-no. I had one innocent little roastie when I was checking my bloods all the time. My pre-meal level was 5 point something - my post meal level was around 15.

Wanting to chop my arm off right now. Have spent most of the afternoon/evening on the sofa watching TV spaced out on cocodamol.

I’m still eating potatoes a few times a week but I always have new ones and eat the skin which is probably better as it’s more fibre. The diabetes nurse said to cut down/avoid them but I’m struggling to know how much carbs I should be eating.

Sweet potato is lower GI which I think means it’s better?

I think low GI is soon to be outdated (just my opinion). It can encourage people to eat more carbs by thinking they're 'good'. I was just doing some googling and came across this study which is interesting.

I got 12800 steps yesterday!

Yes @WreckTangled the diabetes nurse was very definite about low carb and didn’t mention GI so I wasn’t sure it applied. But because of hearing about sweet potatoes being low GI and better I was shocked when I saw it’s similar carbs to regular potatoes.

Hey guys. Checking in again. Tough few weeks and we had my dads funeral yesterday. Now I am back on exercise and taking care of myself. My most interesting food observation was how BAD I felt physically when I had starch carbs having been off them for so long. I ate a sandwich for the first time since maybe December and within an hour I was nearly asleep. This is obviously my body shutting down as it tries to process what is in essence sugar. It really hit home to me how much hard work our T2 bodies put into starch carbs and the dramatic impact they can have.

@73kittycat73 - potatoes are no. I had 1 small roast potato on Easter Sunday with my lamb as a special treat. But they're quite bad in terms of not having much going for them apart from carbs - all the good things like vits etc can be got in other ways. Sweet potatoes disguise themselves as being better but for us T2 they aren't. I've tried switching to swede, celeriac and turnips. So, celeriac has its place but I only really like it grated with remoulade sauce in salads. Swede has turned out to be really versatile and quite tasty - I make it into chips, mash with carrots and also put it in soups and also roast it with other veg. Turnips I prefer roasted also.

Hi everyone. Thanks for the info on potatoes.
travailtotravel I'm so sorry you've had a tough few weeks. (((hugs))) So sorry about your dad. If you need to talk about him please do.
Chocolate and cake affect me the same way potatoes affect you.
Seems a bit trite to put this here after what you've gone through travailtotravel, but I had my haircut today. One side is OK, the other I really dislike.

Hope you’re ok @travailtotravel, sorry about your Dad. I like celeriac as chips. Only just discovered the delights of swede! Keep having roasted swede!

Well done on the steps @WreckTangled!

Hurrah and boo for the haircut @73kittycat73! Maybe it might be ok once you’ve slept on it?

I’m still in pain with my arm - have put some local anaesthetic cream on it today, but I suspect I need much more putting on it! Have an appointment booked with a private physio next week. Haven’t been out for a walk for a couple of days because of the pain.

If anyone likes the skinny sauces they have them in B&M for £1.99 apparently. OH just rang and asked me if I wanted any - I’ve gone for maple syrup.

I always prefer my hair once I've washed it myself after it's been cut.

I've done over 11000 steps so far, I listened to a podcast whilst stepping around the kitchen

Travail pleased to have you back

I still have two weeks to wait for my haircut! I am desperate - I used to have it done every 6 weeks, regular as. It's been 5 months now since I had it done! I kind of like it longer so it's a positive forced change but boy does it need tidying up and shaping! Also noting hair is stronger and shinier with better diet and more exercise, now I can start swimming again though I bet all the chlorine will knacker it!

Morning!

No sign of a haircut here. I know my hairdresser is working but she’s gone to ground with replying to messages.

Managed a better eating day yesterday. Trying to keep it up today and do some exercise. Might get the weights out?

Yes Please! I really like Hasfit on YouTube, have probably already said that, they're so easy to follow and a range of levels too.

I'm going to do a lower body dumbbell workout today I think. Not looking forward to going back to work Monday, how will I fit anything in?!