Just diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes

first of all, you're ok! there is nothing to be ashamed of, you are human and certainly not alone! i was diagnosed type 2 in august of 2018 with an a1c of 10.4.

your doctor will probably recommend changes to your diet. hopefully they will refer you to an RD for nutrition advice. they may also recommend more exercise/activity and/or medication (metformin, in my case).

it can be overwhelming at first! there is plenty of support on these boards.

best of luck!

Please please check out Dr. Jason Fung on YouTube, best thing you'll ever do

No need to panic! There’s a learning curve but you got this. I was morbidly obese with an a1c of 11 when I was diagnosed, and I’m now headed into my fourth year at a normal BMI with a1c consistently under 5.

It’s good that you are looking stuff up on your own, since doctors vary in how they treat diabetes and every diabetic is at a different point in their disease. My advice going in to a first appointment would be, don’t be afraid of metformin (it’s an appetite suppressant for some people in addition to its other effects) but ask if you can avoid other medication until you have tried weight loss and diet for six months. Ask to talk to a nutritionist, and if they have a meeting for new diabetics to learn about the disease go for it.

What has worked for me is called “eating to the meter.” Not all doctors will recommend blood glucose testing unless you are in insulin, and many will recommend testing only once per day, in the morning. That’s not the most useful way to test. A fasted morning test tells you how you are doing, but not what to do about it. Instead, test after every meal and learn how different foods affect you. If your insurance won’t cover this, buy an inexpensive meter with inexpensive strips using your own money.

Weigh and log all your food until you learn what a portion looks like and how your body reacts to it. I don’t eat low carb. Instead, I eat the number of carbs my body can handle, based on my activity level. Different diabetics react differently to the same foods. For example, I have friends who get spikes from oranges and tomatoes. I don’t, but I do get spikes from even a tiny amount of bread or rice. @joryrheanne mentioned sweet potatoes as being “okay” compared to regular potatoes, which isn’t really valid - sweet potatoes have extra nutritional value from vitamin A, but too large a portion will spike you, just like any other carb, and white potatoes have a ton of fiber, vitamin c, and are filling. You have to learn how much of each your own body can handle. No doctor is going to tell you this because it is unique to your own body. But if you test, you don’t have to guess, you can see for yourself how your body reacts and learn what to do about it.

Getting the weight off is important and for many people even 5 to 10% of bodyweight lost will greatly improve glucose metabolism. The other thing which is important is exercise. Time cardio exercise so that it uses the glucose in your bloodstream following a meal - studies have found, for example, that three ten minute walks following meals are more effective than one thirty minute walk. Strength exercise improves insulin sensitivity, so you should be doing strength as well.

My advice would be to seek holistic practitioners (ie holistic nutritionist, naturopath) in addition to talking to your doctor.

Type 2 diabetes is primarily linked to things within your control.

Try not to get lost in your feelings, and seek out a counsellor if you feel that would help you get unstuck and process things.

Do some research, and always seek answers, always. This is an exciting opportunity for you to learn more! (Especially around how to support your body with quality, whole food nutrients!)

You're amazing and whole, and your body is just crying for some attention. Listen, and give it some love! You're gonna be fine.

There are diabetes classes that you can go to. I attended a few with my mom. At that time, she had Medicare (US health insurance for those 65+) and they were free for her. I would guess, but do not know, that this would be true for some/all other insurances. Also, they may be available through the American Diabetes Association. They were very helpful in keeping her on track, diet-wise. I helped my mom figure out her diet and it was doable. Ask your doctor about the classes. Good luck.