Diabetes Type 2 Support Group
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...
Have just been diagnosed with T2 diabetes. Besides medication and exercise sometimes i find it difficult to cope up with the mental trauma that a healthy person like me can have this condition.
1) Are there any particular natural foods that help control blood sugar.
2) Can a diabetic do his usual office work properly in the long run?
3) What can be done to cope up with the mentally "Down" feeling or the feeling of being cut off suddenly from social life.
Cheers !
San
1) Are there any particular natural foods that help control blood sugar.
2) Can a diabetic do his usual office work properly in the long run?
3) What can be done to cope up with the mentally "Down" feeling or the feeling of being cut off suddenly from social life.
Cheers !
San
I was diagnosed last October and otherwise had been a healthy person. I totally know what you're talking about. Eating is a part of socializing. I think I still grieve my old lifestyle and don't like the feeling of losing my health. I am getting used to sick days and feeling sad. I think everyone is different and still working on a better outlook. I've had additional health problems since the diabetes, so its complicated.
Lots of knowledge on this site....keep posting!
Ali
1. I don't think magic miracle foods exist personally. The only thing that controls blood sugar is hard work - testing, testing and more testing, and then meticulously working with the results and changing medication/diet/insulin, exercise and a balanced diet.
2. I don't see why not. Your employer may put some safeguards in place, as with any chronic condition, the first aider should be trained in what to do in the event of emergency. You yourself should be prepared and try to carry supplies of glucose, and insulin/meds if needed. It is your responsibility to monitor yourself and try to avoid emergencies if you can.
3. Why are you cut off from social life? Diabetes should not stop you socializing. Yes maybe you eat differently, but many do and there is a much greater awareness nowadays, what with people eating gluten-free, low-carb, allergies and intolerances etc.
If you feel down mention this to your doctor. They may refer you for counselling. Also look into what is available from charities, they often have helplines and offer a range of services, and can find face-to-face support groups too.
Type 2 is not a condition that only fat or unhealthy people get. I think the media is to blame for making people think it is. This misconception can be hurtful as you have discovered. In fact, weight is only one of a range of risk factors. Thin healthy people can get it, while not all fat people do.
Many communities have diabetes education centers (sometimes at hospitals) and visiting one of those===and of course consulting with your doctor==can be helpful.
I was diagnosed out of the blue over 8 years ago and the disease has not affected my work or much of anything else. The key element in any food we eat is carbs, and we want to avoid high carb (sweet stuff, piles of pasta, etc., etc), but most things we can eat in moderation. My diet is heavily Asian food (Chinese, Thai) and that works for me.
I kept a journal for the first couple years and would test every time I had a new meal or food, so see what it did to my glucose 2 hours later......we are each a bit different in what we can and can't eat. Find out what's right for you.
It is a shock to find out we are Type 2. But the upside is that we have great glucose meters and meds, and it is a controllable disease. We are a huge group, and there is a huge industry working to help us with that control.
We need not be cut off from life-----we maybe can't have the big slice of birthday cake and all that, but our friends and family value us for us---not what we eat.
Good wishes to you,.
R
Cheers!
San
no white breads, pastas, potatoes, rice..use multigrain breads and if you can find the light versions much better, if you can find the dreamfields version of pasta get that, much more diabetic friendly, and absolutely no difference in taste, try sweet potatoes, wheat rice, etc....stay away from fried foods because of the fat (keeps numbers up higher, longer) try baked or broiled. Veggies, are good so learn to eat more...yes you can have fruits.
Keep a food diary in the beginning to track your carbs etc. Read food labels watch the carb totals (think carbs not sugar since carbs are sugars)
My hubby and I eat out, I don't feel there is nothing on the menus I can't eat, I even have sweets, but because I track my carbs I make sure my desert is included...and try to average 30-45 carbs per meal and about 15-20 for a snack
I also use Sparkpeople to do this, the data base has a lot of foods with the carbs etc already, and you can add your own.
I do everything I did before, I do not allow the diabetes to control me, I do the controlling and in time you also will learn
Yes that has been my plan for the last couple of weeks. Getting my self educated to tackle this problem.
Initially i was very depressed but as time is going by, i am feeling a better control over it.
:)