Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this past February.

ellenaj52 · July 2016

I have been battling with my weight my whole life. I went through the era that encouraged us to eat low fat and high carb. Well, instead of losing weight with this advice I simply gained weight and the scale steadily went up. I questioned whether or not I was insulin resistant. I had not been to a doctor for a physical in 9 years. Thus, I had a complete physical a few months ago. When blood was drawn my fasting blood sugar was 126, just at the cut off for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. My A1c was 6.7. I had to see a dietician after the diagnosis. According to the advice of the American diabetic association she said I could eat 2-4 carbs per meal. A carb consists of 15 grams of carbohydrate. I was angry as I was also charged over $600.00 for her advice in two sessions. I knew that was too much carb for me. That is what I had been eating! I got books from the library on diabetes and especially liked a book by Mark Hyman. He advised lowering the carb intake and eating more of the good fats. If it is low fat leave it in the grocery store! She was advising me that I could eat almost 200 grams of carbs per day. I did not listen to her advice. I now keep my carbs at no more than 75 per day and I am eating adequate fat. Guess what? I have lost 20 pounds! It is not a no carb diet, but low carb. I eat moderate amount of protein. Also now that I have a diabetic meter I can check my blood sugar twice a day or whenever. It does not lie. My sugars have been excellent. Plus, again this is the first time in my life that I can see results.
I found a site on line. For women it said that under 50 grams of carb per day(very low carb) is for severe blood sugar problems, 50-75 grams per day (Low carb) for weight loss and blood sugar regulation, 75-150 grams (moderate carb) to maintain weight, and over 150 (high carb) for physically active people or a fast metabolism. All I can say is it is working, I am finally losing,not hungry. I need to watch the carbs the rest of my life, but eating the good fats makes it less of a drudgery. Perhaps the diabetes diagnosis was a blessing in disguise? Also make sure when you are counting carbs, count the carbs in all foods you eat and drink, fruits, vegetables, etc. Everything!

SnazzIT · July 2016

Thanks for the advice! will now take heed as I love my carbs.

meritage4 · July 2016

I too am type 2 and eat lower carb than my dietican reccommends. Works for me an 39 lbs gone.
Just checked my diary and I usually eat 75 to 150 g of carbs.

jburtonpdx · July 2016

I was just diagnosed within the last 2 weeks. Same thing - struggle with weight my entire life.... Very active physically but there is no way to out exercise a bad diet....
The thing is my wife had started doing things like the paleo diet several years ago - at the very least she started managing what she was eating. She was taking an active role in deciding what to consume. I continued just eating whatever I wanted...
I just started testing my blood sugar as of Tuesday of this week. Within a day I could see the difference in what foods I was eating and the impact on blood sugar - both immediate impact and over the course of the day.
I had started using MFP the previous week. It feels like a habit already to log what I am eating so that is helping.
I am doing a lower carb and paleo'ish diet - meats and vegetables. Luckily we have tons of recipes and my wife is very experienced cooking this way.

I'm going to miss pop tarts but I want to live...

ForMe2No · July 2016

I was diagnosed maybe 5 or more years ago. I started my weightloss journey in 2015 and using MFP. I really didn't pay too much attention to my carbs. I focused on getting my sodium to and below the recommended daily allowance and that naturally improved everything else cause that meant cooking at home and little to no eating out. Dr. took me off all meds including diabetes medication in January of this year. I just looked at my diary and my carb numbers are all over the place...125 to 219 a day. I think the higher numbers are mostly from days when I have more fruit because I rarely eat white potatoes or rice but I do have some type of bread every day. Usually 100 calorie honey wheat. I don't use my meter as much as I used to but when I do it is typically 70+ before meals and 80 to 90+ after meals...depending upon what I ate. I eat 3 main meals a day and about 3 snacks in between and exercise 6 to 7 days a week. I go for blood work next week.

I love my carbs especially bread so if I ever go on a low carb diet it was not intentional.

I didn't want to do anything that I couldn't sustain for the rest of my life. But everyone is different and need to do what works for them. I just shared this to say that you don't have to give up carbs to control your diabetes. Everything in moderation. To date I'm down 122lbs with anywhere between 10 and 18lbs to go. I wish you all the best.

AngelaCS12 · July 2016

I was diagnosed yesterday. I have no idea where to start and what to do. Looking to connect with people here.

rwhyte12 · July 2016

AngelaCS12 wrote: »

I was diagnosed yesterday. I have no idea where to start and what to do. Looking to connect with people here.

Sorry to hear. A friend of mine was told she was prediabetic and her doctor told her to cut the carbs down to a minimum and when eating them to eat just whole wheat and some of the ancient grains.

She is still prediabetic but she doesn't have a brain fog. Feel free to friend me.

Mamahick12 · July 2016

rwhyte12 wrote: »

AngelaCS12 wrote: »

I was diagnosed yesterday. I have no idea where to start and what to do. Looking to connect with people here.

Sorry to hear. A friend of mine was told she was prediabetic and her doctor told her to cut the carbs down to a minimum and when eating them to eat just whole wheat and some of the ancient grains.

She is still prediabetic but she doesn't have a brain fog. Feel free to friend me.

I was also diagnosed as prediabetic. My weight loss has been slower than I would prefer (less than 2 lbs a week). Feel free to add me as well. I could use the motivation from someone who is in the same boat as me as well as give motivation.

TrailNurse · July 2016

AngelaCS12 wrote: »

I was diagnosed yesterday. I have no idea where to start and what to do. Looking to connect with people here.

Start tracking your carbs like your life depended on it....because it does! Track everything you put in your mouth and keep your carbs at 50-75 until your blood sugars and HBA1C are under control. Like the OP said, it will be a life long battle for you. Message me if you need help.

P.S. "typical" registered dietitians will kill you.

ladipoet · July 2016

TrailNurse wrote: »

AngelaCS12 wrote: »

P.S. "typical" registered dietitians will kill you.

100% agree. A few years ago, I too was diagnosed as pre-diabetic. I changed my lifestyle around completely after that because Type 2 Diabetes runs in my family. I exercise every day now and follow a LCHF WOE and the best news of all is that I'm no longer pre-diabetic (woot)!

RedsGirl73 · July 2016

Thanks for sharing! I too am a type 2 diabetic and have been to two different dieticians which told me the same load of crap they tried to feed you. I ate that way and had uncontrolled diabetes for years with doctors adding meds at every visit. Just recently I have decided that they didn't have a clue as to what would work for me. The doctor even told me that I was a brittle diabetic and said that I would be on meds for the rest of my life. I wasn't going to accept that so I recommitted to mfp, changed my diet, and have lost 23 lbs so far. The issue I am having now is my blood sugars being too low. Sometimes I wake up shaking in the middle of the night. When I check it is usually in the 50s. I am eating carbs but I need to adjust my meds. Again thanks for sharing and good luck on your journey.

ksz1104 · August 2016

AngelaCS12 wrote: »

I was diagnosed yesterday. I have no idea where to start and what to do. Looking to connect with people here.

I was diagnosed last week! Friend me and we can support each other!

klbrowser · August 2016

I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic in 2005. I already ate a generally healthy diet, but inherited the disease anyway. What helped me was to eat more frequent but smaller meals to keep the glucose levels steadier. I switched to eating four times a day with meal sizes that resemble most people's snacks. Most of my protein comes from lean, minimally processed sources. With the carbs, lots of veggies, especially of the low starch variety, and whole fruit every few days in small amounts (no juices - the pulp and skin of whole fruit provide fiber). I do eat grains, but only gluten free whole grains (like quinoa) in small portions. I weigh/measure EVERYTHING to ensure my portions are correct and never allow myself to eat seconds. Ever since I made these modifications, my A1C has been 6 or less, which is non-diabetic. I have been off all diabetes medications for three years. I recommend if you are well enough to exercise regularly as much as you can as this will help too. Do not despair - healthy lifestyle is the biggest factor in managing type 2 diabetes.

Annageorge25 · August 2016

Thanks for the advice.

DiaryOfaThickFitWoman · August 2016

klbrowser wrote: »

I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic in 2005. I already ate a generally healthy diet, but inherited the disease anyway. What helped me was to eat more frequent but smaller meals to keep the glucose levels steadier. I switched to eating four times a day with meal sizes that resemble most people's snacks. Most of my protein comes from lean, minimally processed sources. With the carbs, lots of veggies, especially of the low starch variety, and whole fruit every few days in small amounts (no juices - the pulp and skin of whole fruit provide fiber). I do eat grains, but only gluten free whole grains (like quinoa) in small portions. I weigh/measure EVERYTHING to ensure my portions are correct and never allow myself to eat seconds. Ever since I made these modifications, my A1C has been 6 or less, which is non-diabetic. I have been off all diabetes medications for three years. I recommend if you are well enough to exercise regularly as much as you can as this will help too. Do not despair - healthy lifestyle is the biggest factor in managing type 2 diabetes.

I approve the post above. Diabetic as well . Add me if you like.

tahennessy1 · February 2017

I was just diagnosed two weeks ago. 6.5 A1C. The doc said to lose between 10 and 20% of my body weight. I bought a glucose monitor to check every AM. Some days it is high, like 156, and some days it is low, like 112. I will have to keep an eye on my food tracking on MFP to see what I ate the day before and how it affects my numbers. The comment to control carbs like my life depends on it is good ... thanks to whomever that was in this thread. I don't eat gluten because it makes me itch, and I don't eat sugar because it creates goo in my nasal passages, so I'm ahead of the game on that - but it is also something I've already cut out and my numbers are still high. I am, however, a big fan of rice, potatoes, and cheese. I also bought a spin bike and downloaded the Peloton app on my iPad. I've been faithful spinning for 30 minutes each day, three days on and one day off, since the diagnosis. I hope to get up to an hour a day, but I'll be patient. I just visualize 100/160/fit (glucose/weight/results) when I ride.

lokihen · February 2017

Just to add an alternate point of view. I'm also type 2, but I never track/restrict my carb intake. Just by controlling my calories and exercising regularly, my blood sugars have been steadily decreasing. I fully expect my doctor to reduce my metformin dose at my next A1C check.

jennilee1074 · February 2017

I too was told up to 60 carbs per meal and 15 per snack. I find that I eat foods I shouldn't because I think i can go up to those numbers. I've been gaining weight. Back to lower numbers for me. My first 3 months I was very strict and went from an a1c of 9.8 to 6.8.

Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this past February.

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