Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Help! I have type 2 diabetes

83 replies

Diabetesnewbie · 04/02/2025 09:50

Hi All

Newbie here, posting because I have lurked for a while and I need a virtual hug and some clear info. I just got my blood test results (a reading of 50) and the receptionist says that means diabetes. I am seeing my GP this week but I am freaking out and finding conflicting info online.

  1. I am not going to tell my family or friends. I am so ashamed. My weight has been an issue by whole life.

  2. Clearly I need to overhaul my diet. Are you allowed to take occasional days off diet with Type 2? I’m thinking specifically about family meals etc where family members don’t know my diagnosis (see 1)!

  3. I am confused as to whether my priority should be low calorie/fat to lose weight (so low fat yoghurt), or low GI index (so full fat yoghurt!)

  4. I am a chocoholic (why is there no official diagnosis for this kind of thing, like alcoholism? Not actually joking) but in fact the thought if not having chocolate isn’t that awful. I hate the thought of never eating Christmas cake and mince pies again though 😞

  5. Should I monitor my blood sugar at home or wait for blood tests at intervals?

Thanks for bearing with my random list of initial thoughts. Feeling pretty fed up and could do with some wise help!

S.

OP posts:
Meltedcandlewax · 13/02/2025 23:45

Bubblegumtatoos · 13/02/2025 17:33

How old are you what do you weigh what is your BMI?

63 and I weigh 12.12 at 5 foot 3 so far too heavy. I have spoken to a couple of different doctors. They look at me in confusion when I ask about glucose monitors or changing my diet. They just tell me to take Metaformin and statins. I am just within the diabetic range. I really really don’t want to take drugs but the doctor persuaded me start taking metaformin a couple of days ago. She said take it any time, no need for food. I now find out that it can cause nausea and stomach issues in many people. She didn’t tell me that! I find all this terrifying.
I know I need to lose weight, I just need clear guidance about what I should be doing and what I should eat.

I watched the Glucose Goddess who seems to saying that so long as you eat veggies before the main dish and eat your pudding last, you’ll be fine. I can’t eat carbs really, that’s the truth of it. So I am confused .

Fishandchipsareyum · 13/02/2025 23:59

I put mine into remission eating reduced carbs. Now its back as my life became stressful. I'm trying again. We can do this! Aim for 100g carbs a day or less is my goal. 20 odds per meal. I eat 4 oatcakes at a time but only if eating them with protein ( meat or fish or eggs) or butter and cheese or full fat cream cheese. I'm a chocoholic too. Switch to dark chocolate.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 00:08

Fishandchipsareyum · 13/02/2025 23:59

I put mine into remission eating reduced carbs. Now its back as my life became stressful. I'm trying again. We can do this! Aim for 100g carbs a day or less is my goal. 20 odds per meal. I eat 4 oatcakes at a time but only if eating them with protein ( meat or fish or eggs) or butter and cheese or full fat cream cheese. I'm a chocoholic too. Switch to dark chocolate.

I have two oatcakes with soup for lunch and cottage cheese. I’m hoping cutting out breakfast will make a difference. I do try to have protein with every meal. I lost 2 stones some time ago low carbing, I’m not sure why I can’t do it now! I’ve got a lot of stress in my life and that doesn’t help.

Fishandchipsareyum · 14/02/2025 00:40

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 00:08

I have two oatcakes with soup for lunch and cottage cheese. I’m hoping cutting out breakfast will make a difference. I do try to have protein with every meal. I lost 2 stones some time ago low carbing, I’m not sure why I can’t do it now! I’ve got a lot of stress in my life and that doesn’t help.

So I read if you skip breakfast it actually makes it worse. At the moment I've been waking up with raised fasting blood sugar. So if I eat eggs or a low carb breakfast that's best.

exLtEveDallas · 14/02/2025 06:19

I've been low-carb 'lite' dieting for a year now and have lost just coming up to 4 stone and taken myself back into all 'normal' ranges blood sugar, cholesterol, BP etc.

I cut out white bread, pasta, rice for whole grain.
I only have potato once a week with Sunday Dinner
I don't have any snacks, only 3 meals a day
I get my sugar/sweet kick from a hot chocolate at the end of the day.

Breakfast is eggs and wholemeal toast, no butter/spread.
Lunch is a chunky veg soup I batch make every Sunday, or in summer a salad with cottage cheese and coleslaw made with yoghurt.
Dinner is normal ish as long as it is lean meat, lots of veg, whole grains, no creamy sauces, no cheese etc.

The weight came off v quickly at first, then slowed to like a lb a week but I'm happy with that because the 'diet' became a lifestyle change and I don't think about it any more. I'm less strict now as well re going out and having fun because I can be!

good luck. It's a great feeling when you are given a chance to change things for the better.

taxguru · 14/02/2025 06:40

Don’t underestimate the power of exercise. I’ve been gradually losing weight and improving blood sugar levels mostly by moving more, ie just 2-3 walks per day of 20-30 minutes and using a standing desk when working on rainy days when I can’t get out.

I don’t diet as such, I eat whole meal bread instead of white, don’t put sugar in teas and coffees, only eat cake once or twice a week, but still eat potatoes, chips etc occasionally. I try to minimise processed, tinned, packet foods etc but still have packet cereals for breakfast. Don’t have time nor inclination to bother with ultra healthy food.

Ive lost around 9 stones over many years by just not stuffing myself with crap foods and daily consistent light exercise. I’ve also reversed t2 diabetes and now back in normal levels after having very high levels at the start. For the first few years, blood sugars were under control but still high.

The best thing for me was the continual blood glucose monitoring which I’ve been on for a year or so. Before that, I was blind to the detail of which foods and what activities did to my levels. I did daily finger prick tests but they didn’t give detail. Now I see from the app the minute by minute detail and I’ve got the levels right down as I can see at a glance what really pushes them up and what brings them down. Light exercise has a massive impact - I can “walk away” a lunchtime sandwich or even a portion of chips - compare eating the same without having a walk and the glucose levels are startlingly different.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 07:21

taxguru · 14/02/2025 06:40

Don’t underestimate the power of exercise. I’ve been gradually losing weight and improving blood sugar levels mostly by moving more, ie just 2-3 walks per day of 20-30 minutes and using a standing desk when working on rainy days when I can’t get out.

I don’t diet as such, I eat whole meal bread instead of white, don’t put sugar in teas and coffees, only eat cake once or twice a week, but still eat potatoes, chips etc occasionally. I try to minimise processed, tinned, packet foods etc but still have packet cereals for breakfast. Don’t have time nor inclination to bother with ultra healthy food.

Ive lost around 9 stones over many years by just not stuffing myself with crap foods and daily consistent light exercise. I’ve also reversed t2 diabetes and now back in normal levels after having very high levels at the start. For the first few years, blood sugars were under control but still high.

The best thing for me was the continual blood glucose monitoring which I’ve been on for a year or so. Before that, I was blind to the detail of which foods and what activities did to my levels. I did daily finger prick tests but they didn’t give detail. Now I see from the app the minute by minute detail and I’ve got the levels right down as I can see at a glance what really pushes them up and what brings them down. Light exercise has a massive impact - I can “walk away” a lunchtime sandwich or even a portion of chips - compare eating the same without having a walk and the glucose levels are startlingly different.

Edited

That’s very interesting, thank you. Can you tell me which glucose monitor you use?

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 07:26

Fishandchipsareyum · 14/02/2025 00:40

So I read if you skip breakfast it actually makes it worse. At the moment I've been waking up with raised fasting blood sugar. So if I eat eggs or a low carb breakfast that's best.

This is where I am
confused, as intermittent fasting is supposed to be the best thing for lowering blood sugar. About the only slightly clued up doctor I’ve spoken to recommends not eating at all for two days and eating normally the rest of the time. Certainly Michael Moseley thought fasting was the best approach. The trouble is I don’t know what to eat for breakfast. If oats raise it and so does toast even with eggs, I don’t know what to eat. I do have an omelette sometimes but I don’t really like omelettes.

I never eat white bread and don’t eat a lot of potatoes. I do think doing more exercise will help though. I also have high cholesterol! It’s a nightmare.

Palmleaves101 · 14/02/2025 07:39

I was in your position end of summer last year. Had a yearly blood test and my blood sugar came back at 89! I was 15st at the time, had been for a while.
From that day, I followed Michael Mosley's plan on the Fast 800 now low carb/high fat also 16:8.
I have had a couple of days such as parties and Xmas where I've had a desert but generally stick to it. I was tested before Xmas and blood sugar was 49, due a test again next month and hoping it's below- I do test at home and all appear normal. Down to 11st now, it is hard work though.

Aintnobodygottime · 14/02/2025 07:50

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 07:26

This is where I am
confused, as intermittent fasting is supposed to be the best thing for lowering blood sugar. About the only slightly clued up doctor I’ve spoken to recommends not eating at all for two days and eating normally the rest of the time. Certainly Michael Moseley thought fasting was the best approach. The trouble is I don’t know what to eat for breakfast. If oats raise it and so does toast even with eggs, I don’t know what to eat. I do have an omelette sometimes but I don’t really like omelettes.

I never eat white bread and don’t eat a lot of potatoes. I do think doing more exercise will help though. I also have high cholesterol! It’s a nightmare.

Edited

People get tied in knots because we’ve had the idea of ‘breakfast foods’ dinned into us. You can eat whatever you feel like any time of day, only limited by how much time you have to prep it!

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 07:51

Yes but surely control of blood sugar is about spacing meals out , not eating too much in one go, always having protein ?

Aintnobodygottime · 14/02/2025 07:56

I really sympathise as there’s just so much advice out there that contradicts itself. I had gestational diabetes and ended up forcing myself to have breakfast when I have barely ever eaten it just because I was told it would regulate my blood sugars, and that was when I realised I just needed to have whatever I liked eating that was ‘safe’ rather than try to navigate breakfast foods as, other than eggs, they are a carb fiesta.

That was all before intermittent fasting became something people talked about and obviously I naturally do it by not having any appetite till lunchtime!

Winter2020 · 14/02/2025 07:59

Ask your doctor if Mounjaro is safe for you.

Ask if they are able to prescribe it due to your blood sugar readings or if you would have to buy it yourself.

Mounjaro works on your blood sugar as well as making you feel more satisfied by food making it much easier to lose weight.

Even using Mounjaro you would lose weight due to a calorie deficit but it would be much easier to follow the diet of your choice.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 08:01

I have, they look puzzled and say they can’t prescribe weight loss jabs.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 08:02

Aintnobodygottime · 14/02/2025 07:56

I really sympathise as there’s just so much advice out there that contradicts itself. I had gestational diabetes and ended up forcing myself to have breakfast when I have barely ever eaten it just because I was told it would regulate my blood sugars, and that was when I realised I just needed to have whatever I liked eating that was ‘safe’ rather than try to navigate breakfast foods as, other than eggs, they are a carb fiesta.

That was all before intermittent fasting became something people talked about and obviously I naturally do it by not having any appetite till lunchtime!

It really is confusing isn’t it? Not having breakfast cuts my calorie intake down a lot and that’s good in itself.

Aintnobodygottime · 14/02/2025 08:11

Your GPs sound totally pants to me, which isn’t helping.

Get yourself a GM which will help you understand better what foods spike you and what don’t. Everyone’s bodies react differently and need to understand what triggers a rise in YOU. Experiment with skipping breakfast to see what happens to your sugars if you do. I had my highest BG on waking too and was finally able to agree with the specialist at an antenatal appointment that forcing myself to eat food that sent it even higher, even minimally on no carbs, was a pointless activity and stopped - I went for a brisk walk every morning instead which did wonders for my levels. (Actually a short brisk walk after every meal was a brilliant way of stopping spikes.)

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 08:13

Yes the GPS are utterly hopeless It’s just ‘take the drugs’ .
Can you recommend a glucose monitor?

Aintnobodygottime · 14/02/2025 09:01

They all do the same thing. I had a basic finger prick one. There are far more advanced ones now that you attach to yourself and give you a continuous reading which are probably a lot more helpful as the finger pricks are giving you point in time and spikes could easily be missed.

BIWI · 14/02/2025 09:26

It's worth knowing @Meltedcandlewax that doctors get very little, if any, training about food and nutrition. Hence just wanting to prescribe drugs.

DancingFerret · 14/02/2025 09:33

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 08:13

Yes the GPS are utterly hopeless It’s just ‘take the drugs’ .
Can you recommend a glucose monitor?

Do you know what your blood glucose reading was (it'll be a number over 48)?

You've had some good not so good advice so far; please do yourself a favour and head over to diabetes.co.uk and diabetes.org.uk. Both sites are chock full of the sort of help you need; and the forums have some very informed posters.

There are two types of monitors - the one where you wear a patch on your arm which gives a real time reading, has graphs which chart your blood glucose, and most importantly, shows the immediate effect of the foods you've just eaten. They're quite expensive, but do offer free trials to some people. The other option is a finger prick blood tester. With that, you are only able to see the effect of food by testing just before the first mouthful and then two hours afterwards. what you'd be looking for is "spikes" - a rise of 2 mmol is a spike.

I don't why your GP has immediately put you on Metformin, but what I will say is some doctors (and diabetes nurses) are dinosaurs when it comes to controlling diabetes.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 10:09

DancingFerret · 14/02/2025 09:33

Do you know what your blood glucose reading was (it'll be a number over 48)?

You've had some good not so good advice so far; please do yourself a favour and head over to diabetes.co.uk and diabetes.org.uk. Both sites are chock full of the sort of help you need; and the forums have some very informed posters.

There are two types of monitors - the one where you wear a patch on your arm which gives a real time reading, has graphs which chart your blood glucose, and most importantly, shows the immediate effect of the foods you've just eaten. They're quite expensive, but do offer free trials to some people. The other option is a finger prick blood tester. With that, you are only able to see the effect of food by testing just before the first mouthful and then two hours afterwards. what you'd be looking for is "spikes" - a rise of 2 mmol is a spike.

I don't why your GP has immediately put you on Metformin, but what I will say is some doctors (and diabetes nurses) are dinosaurs when it comes to controlling diabetes.

It certainly seems that way. I took a look at the websites above but that is what confused me. Am I allowed bread or not? Pasta or not? Breakfast or not? Oats or not? So much conflicting info. I need to get a glucose monitor.

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 10:10

My reading is just into the diabetes range.

taxguru · 14/02/2025 10:47

There really is no alternative to working things out for yourself as to what works for you. There's so much conflicting advice, you really don't know where to turn nor what to believe. Trial and error is the only way and the best way to do that is a continuous glucose monitor - yes, they're expensive, but you don't need them forever, just 2-4 weeks would give you a good insight as to what types of food that you currently eat cause levels to rise and what causes them to fall. You just need to be organised, i.e. don't change too much at once as you wouldn't know what was good and what was bad.

I agree with others about GPs, and diabetic nurses not really able to offer proper advice. In my experience, they're mostly hopeless and just trot out the same wording of the official NHS guidance booklets. I've spoken to several diabetic "specialist" nurses and their spiel is often word for word from the booklets, i.e. reduce mangos and bananas - well I don't eat mangos and bananas anyway! Even the GP surgeries "diabetic specialist" doctor who I once saw just told me to join some Facebook groups for meal planning and sugar control advice - really helpful (not) and he was supposed to be their specialist! I also saw a couple of NHS dieticians who were equally clueless when it came to real actual advice! I am not surprised at all that we're in the grip of an obesity epidemic because the NHS as a whole is completely incompetent when it comes to weight management and all that goes with it.

Early morning spikes are a very common problem. There's a special name for them which I think is the "dawn phenomenon" but there is conflicting advice about what to do about it or whether it even matters.

Moderate exercise and general movement after eating is vitally important and something I've learned from wearing my continual glucose monitor. If you don't move your body after eating, the blood sugar levels (for me anyway) just languish at a relatively high level for many hours. A brisk walk, or even vacuuming/cleaning the house for 15-20 minutes actually causes the blood sugars to spike a bit higher, but then it comes down far quicker and levels out much lower, so the "average" between meals is lower than if I hadn't exercised. It seems to force the body to process the foods quicker.

DancingFerret · 14/02/2025 11:14

Meltedcandlewax · 14/02/2025 10:09

It certainly seems that way. I took a look at the websites above but that is what confused me. Am I allowed bread or not? Pasta or not? Breakfast or not? Oats or not? So much conflicting info. I need to get a glucose monitor.

Given that your reading is just into the range, it does sound as if you have "Dinosaur Doc" variety of GP who thinks the only way to treat the condition is to throw medication at it.

My reading was 51 at diagnosis. I tackled it head-on by buying a finger prick test kit (TEE+2), reducing, but not cutting out entirely, the obvious culprits - pasta, potatoes, bread, etc - and testing religiously. Also, and this is key, I kept/keep a set of scales on a worktop to weigh the carbs, and worked out that 150g of mashed potato is too much for me, but 100g has no effect at all. It's all about elimination, and then adding back in the right quantities the foods you can eat (I can't eat porridge at all). Finger prick testing and scales are what worked for me, you might find a different strategy.

It's a learning curve, but once you've got used to it, you'll naturally avoid an excess of carbs and be able to spot them. Try and avoid ready meals, etc, and always look at labels.

No-one apart from my DH knows about my diagnosis; it's perfectly possible to enjoy meals with others without them realising - simple cuts like having one roast potato instead of two, half a bread roll or none with soup, etc.

I don't enjoy tea or coffee without sugar, and even though I take only about half a teaspoon, it does mount up, so now I use Pure Via erythritol instead. Tesco sell it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread