Newly diagnosed diabetes

[Dznypal]

Just got the news last week. I’ll be starting metformin and seeing a dietician.
I know I’ll have to make changes but any recommendations.
I was sent once before to a dietitian and was told I should measure my food
She said you can have half a cup of spaghetti noodles. I was so hungry after eating that. It was a spaghetti dinner though I just didn’t eat the noodles.
Or sandwiches I know bread isn’t good so what can be used. She mentioned eating a hamburger with just half the bun.
Wasn’t easy with toppings.
I’m not a fan of wheat bread or anything like that.
Just wondering how you dealt with this
Does metformin help if you want to treat yourself to say one cookie or half a donut or even a soda.
Thanks for any and all advice

 

[CdnCarrie]

You need to fill up on protein - meat, cheese, etc.

I do only eat the bottom half of the burger bun. And only drink diet soda when I have soda.

 

[lanejudy]

Pasta and bread are the hardest for my family. Try to focus more on the protein and veggies, those are largely no or low carb. I try to make sure there are 2 veggie dishes on the dinner table each night, with just a small starch and obviously the protein. Hopefully your doctor has provided some guidelines to you and/or the dietician. Usually sweets aren't totally off-limits for T2 but you do need to watch and not each too many each day or even every day. That might mean a cookie (or 2 small ones) one day. Or a donut. Or a full-sugar soda (have you tried the zero sugar or diet versions?). Just not all 3 on the same day when you have a big sandwich for lunch and pasta meal for dinner. Wheat bread may be "healthier" in a sense, but it's really no lower carb than white bread. Our doctors approve of fresh fruits but watch the portion size.

 

[cabanafrau]

Probably one of the most productive changes you can make is no soda.

 

[EACarlson]

The thing that killed me was and is potato chips. It's changing how you eat so that you're eating more meat, cheese and veggies. Fruits are very high sugar, bread and pasta can spike sugar something horrible. It will take a while for your stomach to resize to what you actually need. You're body has gotten used to a higher than normal sugar level and you're stomach has stretched to accommodate enough food to keep it there.

I was diagnosed with a pre diabetic condition in 2003, changing from regular to diet pop delayed full on diagnosis until 2008 and I've been on insulin pretty much ever since. My starting A1c was 11.8, now I'm down to 6.6.

 

[MIGrandma]

I was diagnosed with type 2 in 2003. Started on Metformin, in later years other medications were added. I stopped the Metformin on my own as the pills were getting harder for me to swallow. That’s when I discovered I didn’t have IBS, as the “bathroom issues” I had for OVER 20 YEARS completely disappeared. It was the Metformin causing them!

I am on Jardiance, and Trulicity. And recently started insulin using the Lantus Solastar pen, injecting 15 units nightly. The “bathroom issues” have come back somewhat since I started the insulin, but not as severe as with Metformin.

When I was newly diagnosed I met with a nutritionist, she said no food was off limits. Portion sizes were important and planning. Like if you were going to a birthday party and having a piece of cake have a salad for dinner. Lots of fresh greens and vegetables. Limit carbs. Good luck to you.

 

[Dznypal]

Sorry just thought of another question. Yesterday we had guacamole with chips. I looked up the guacamole which said it was ok to eat but of course not the chips.
So does the guacamole sort of counteract the chips.
Also will the metformin then counteract what I eat
Thanks for the advice. I trying to get things going as fast as I can.
The dr said I’m just over the limit with A1C of 8.2.

 

[MIGrandma]

Probably one of the most productive changes you can make is no soda.

Yes, it was hard for me to give that up but I switched to sparkling water. It is the fizz I crave. I squeeze a fresh lemon or lime slice in it.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Not a diabetic but it runs in the family which is one of the reasons I’ve been on a low carb maintenance regime for decades.
I eat bun less burgers with coleslaw, cottage cheese and lettuce leaves, not that pre shredded iceberg stuff, leaves.

Sandwiches are either bread-less or open faced. When bread-less I’m basically eating a salad or lettuce cups. I add various nuts to salads to bulk them up.

If you’ve a soda love, try switching to seltzer/club soda solo or with a bit of juice added. Overtime, you’ll find most commercially prepped sodas too sweet; same for a lot of prepped sweets and snacks. Eventually you may also find the idea of eating snacks redundant as well.

Eat lots of vegetables. You may find yourself eating less meat in time.

 

[Dznypal]

I don’t like the idea of having to do so much thinking and planning just to eat.
I usually just don’t eat then.
Which I know isn’t good for anyone.
The sparkling water upsets my stomach.
Actually so does diet soda it’s whatever is put to take the place of sugar.

 

[NYCgrrl]

don’t like the idea of having to do so much thinking and planning just to eat.

Do you pay attention to your car’s maintenance?

I don’t own one but look at my diet as what’s needed to help keep my life’s engine working properly. The analogy might help .
I plan to be around to annoy my children for many decades to come…

 

[EACarlson]

Sorry just thought of another question. Yesterday we had guacamole with chips. I looked up the guacamole which said it was ok to eat but of course not the chips.
So does the guacamole sort of counteract the chips.
Also will the metformin then counteract what I eat
Thanks for the advice. I trying to get things going as fast as I can.
The dr said I’m just over the limit with A1C of 8.2.

8.2 isn't bad. Metformin should help and with a diet change, I think you'll be fine. @MIGrandma is right, beware of the side effects of the metformin. It does cause some loose stool and diarrhea issues. For me, once my system got used to it, it wasn't too bad, but I understand for some it's much worse.

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry just thought of another question. Yesterday we had guacamole with chips. I looked up the guacamole which said it was ok to eat but of course not the chips.
So does the guacamole sort of counteract the chips.
Also will the metformin then counteract what I eat
Thanks for the advice. I trying to get things going as fast as I can.
The dr said I’m just over the limit with A1C of 8.2.

You want to look at the number of carbs in a serving. Guacamole is only 2-3 grams of carbs in a serving, but a serving is 2 Tablespoons. If you were eating chips and dip, you may have had more than 2 TBSP. Still not bad. The chips -- assuming tortilla chips -- is 22g in 15 chips. So again portion size is important. Was this a snack or a meal? A general rule of thumb is to keep snacks at 15grams of carbs and meals at less than 60g of carbs.

I recommend downloading a good app that will help to look up the carbs in the foods you eat. You'll eventually get to know them but at first an app is a good resource. I have CalorieKing but there are lots of different apps.

 

[NAB]

Your number should go down with the Metformin. They are sending you to someone that will help you with your diet. My numbers were like yours . Mine told me if you have a chicken dinner with fries and a bun . Have the bun or the fries not both. Little changes.

Some foods will affect you differently. I can’t eat popcorn that sends my numbers crazy. Get a monitor and check your numbers 2 hours after you have a meal.That we help you decide what you should maybe cut down on or not have it to often. You will be able to have treats but not as many like someone said.

Yes cutting portions down will help. Like half a bagel over a whole one etc.

 

[focusondisney]

Also will the metformin then counteract what I eat

With Diabetes, your body isn’t producing enough Insulin to process the carbohydrates you’re eating. You end up with too much glucose (sugar) circulating in your blood which causes damage to your body organs. Metformin helps your body produce more insulin, but it still doesn’t produce enough insulin to cover unlimited carbohydrates. So you still have to adjust your diet & limit them.

 

[Dznypal]

The guacamole and chips were a side for lunch. I’m pretty sure I didn’t have more then 15 chips though and just dipped in the guacamole didn’t pile it on.
As the example of a chicken dinner I really don’t eat buns much except for sandwiches and burgers. Actually I really don’t eat a whole order of fries.
Most of the time we go out to eat we’ll split meals and get an extra soup and we’re both full
Keep the advice coming. It really helps

 

[cabanafrau]

I don’t like the idea of having to do so much thinking and planning just to eat.
I usually just don’t eat then.
Which I know isn’t good for anyone.
The sparkling water upsets my stomach.
Actually so does diet soda it’s whatever is put to take the place of sugar.

Respectfully, you're making an awful lot of excuses about making any changes. That's only going to dig you in deeper and faster as time goes on. Your best protection is eating better and exercising more.

I suggested soda as one of the easier changes to make because cutting it out shouldn't leave you feeling hungry. Maybe my opinion on that is skewed because I only drink soda for a migraine because it doesn't really agree with my stomach. Diet soda is actually worse IMO, but that's just my opinion. If sparkling water doesn't do it for you drink regular water. You can always use lemon, lime, orange slices or even some berries to flavor it for some variety. Make iced tea, branch out with different varieties so you don't get bored or have non-caffeine options. Try kombucha packets in water, different varieties of flavors and offer probiotic benefits.

You mentioned spaghetti -- switch out the pasta more often for spaghetti squash. Watch your portion when you do use the pasta.

Cutting out soda, avoiding super processed and/or the most unhealthy carbs like doughnuts and limiting your indulgences to options that are relatively healthier in comparison will allow you to still feel indulged when you decide to splash out, but won't send you spiraling into a string of bad choices. Cut out the biggest offenders and make the easiest changes and you will gradually find yourself in a more moderate pattern where you don't feel unsatisfied or burdened by the choices available to you. Take the time to figure out a cookie or two that isn't an absolute sugar/carb/trans fat bomb that you can enjoy as a treat. Make your own flavored ice pops with fruit and water to have on hand.

 

[NAB]

Oh yes exercise! Even if it is a 20 min walk after a meal. My numbers are always high in the morning .Doctor suggested a walk after my dinner .

I well tell him my numbers are creeping up he just tells me you got to move!

 

[Cadiewampus]

I think its been two years since doctor said I had it. Put me on metformin but couple months later added Jardiance. My last blood work before I started my A1C was right at 7 and my fasting glucose was 140. Just had check up last week and A1C was 6 and glucose was 84. Lost 30 lbs without really trying too hard. Biggest change for me was I gave up alcohol and beer. However that had to do more with me waking up and deciding I was tired of feeling like crap. Really I just try to watch sugar intake. I was never much of a pasta eater. I do like sandwich's but other than that not much of a bread eater. I might have 1 a week . I use Dave's Killer bread White done right but they do have a great variety.

https://www.daveskillerbread.com/

 

[Cadiewampus]

I don’t like the idea of having to do so much thinking and planning just to eat.
I usually just don’t eat then.
Which I know isn’t good for anyone.
The sparkling water upsets my stomach.
Actually so does diet soda it’s whatever is put to take the place of sugar.

You may want to try LMNT electrolyte powder packets for water. No sugar which is why I don't like the liquid IV packets.

https://drinklmnt.com/collections/s...mental labs&utm_content=SEM Branded LMNT - PM