Dietary advice for newly diagnosed.

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Can any of you lovely people please help.

The nurses at the hospital and local surgery have given me conflicting advice and I am getting confused by what I am reading.

Drop carbs, OK, I've done slimming world in the past, I can do that.

16 hr fasting. I'm not so keen, I work hard in retail. To get up at 6 and not eat till 1pm would be a struggle. Not eating after dinner I can do. Is this an advantageous thing to do?

But, I've also read to eat 3 meals a day..

So which is it? I'm newly diagnosed, I will do my best to stick to whatever I put my mind to.. But really need to know what route to take. I'd like to hit this hard and hopefully reverse this.

Also, testing. I now have an Agamatrix to test my blood sugars but the lancets and strips seem so expensive. Any advice on where to purchase these reasonably?Preferably online. I'm getting over Covid and am staying away from the shops if at all possible. In the spirit of getting this right, I intend to be testing morning and following meals for the short term to see where I am at, so will be using a fair few.

I'm also on metformin. If that makes any difference to any comments anyone has.

Thank you all in advance.

Can you ask your gp to prescribe testing strips? They really should (although I know some are reluctant).

Have you seen a diabetes specialist dietitian? You're right that advice can vary wildly. I would start by reducing carbs & see how you get on.

Michael Moseley's blood sugar diet book is a good start.

I take it you are type 2? I am type 1 and get all my prescriptions for test strips, needles and insulin for free.
As for diet I can't see how fasting would do any good - you want to keep your sugars level and eating regularly will help. Low GI foods (get a book or app). Carbs are fine in limited quantity and there are many low GI carbs out there. Basically it's the same diet they recommend to everyone: lots of vegetables, limited meats, fats and carbs.

I am type 2, and I get all my test strips and lancets on prescription. I did get lancets over the counter once, because my online request was ignored, but they have read it ever since.

I'm supposed to see a dietitian but delays due to covid.

I just read a post on another thread that describes my back story : covid, steroids, liver problems, diabetes... It's been a busy couple of months😂

In my head, this is all temporary and part of long covid. That's why I think I'm buoyant enough to act swiftly and determindly. In my heart, I know this is likely to be long term. And it will hit me hard then. So I want to sort out a workable life plan now. While I'm still in la la land. Aka shock.

You lot are great. I thought it was just me haunting the night😂

The forums here are great: www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/ask-a-question.15/

You are me a year ago..... gout, diabetes & fatty liver!!!
If you are not on insulin you won’t get test strips which is a bit rubbish as it’s a bit like driving a car with no speedo! It is good you have some strips but if you want to Pm me I will send you a link as I buy on line. I have a cheap meter and strips and don’t need to test now I have an idea of what my body can cope with....
I recommend low carb - I couldn’t manage keto as it needed to be a long term lifestyle change. Get used to reading packaging - you are interested in carbs not just sugar. All carbs turn to sugar some quicker than others. Lost recommend fasting - if it doesn’t work for you don’t worry! In this instance try to eat 3 meals a day - preferably with no snacking ( or if you do try a high fat snack like cheese or nuts!). Get yourself my fitness pal and enter everything. Record blood sugars just before eating and 2 hours later and aim for less than a 2mmol rise. You can then see how well you cope with carbs you eat and work out what suits you.
Bit of brisk walking post a meal also helps....
I know that it is a shock and I was very embarrassed to tell people ... including my family but you will have it under control soon hopefully

Yes diabetes.co.uk is brilliant - much better than diabetes.org.uk which spouts the outdated eat well plate eg jacket potato with beans which would send my blood sugar through the roof!!!

I am reading these threads for information, diabetes.org.uk doesn't seem that bad, have read a lot of things on there that are helpful. Also diabetes.co.uk.

I just don't know how much too eat or when, I know what to avoid. Just want the nausea and wobblyness to go away.