Type 2 diabetes

xbrenx

jaynespain wrote: »

Thanks all. You have given me plenty to think about. I need to put a bit more thought into this then. I naively thought I could just buy different bits and bobs aimed at diabetics. Maybe I could do her a really nice fruit hamper instead! I think she would like that.

Mojisola wrote: »

Doesn't she have to limit the amount of fruit she eats?

Yes she does - although it's natural sugar, it's still sugar and has to be treated carefully.

Your best bet would be to ask what she might like. (I realise this takes away the surprise element though). There are plenty of recipes online that use sweetener instead of sugar and flour substitutes maybe she'd love a well thought out cake?

jaynespain

Gosh! I really am in the dark about diabetes! I had no idea she would need to limit fruit! I guess I need to spend a bit of time doing some research! Thankyou.

teddysmum

jaynespain wrote: »

Gosh! I really am in the dark about diabetes! I had no idea she would need to limit fruit! I guess I need to spend a bit of time doing some research! Thankyou.

There are recommended portions such as one apple or a handful of grapes. A friend of my husband's was told to avoid bananas by his GP, but the dietician used for people when first diagnosed said it was nonsense but that just ripe were best as they have more sugar content when overripe and mushy.


Anyone going to a local Diabetes UK meeting would probably be amazed that they were offered tea (with or without artificial sweetener) and a couple of biscuits, including custard creams. (part of the in moderation mantra).The dietician also told me that something equivalent to snack sized Mars Bar would be fine, as a treat.

Mojisola

teddysmum wrote: »

There are recommended portions such as one apple or a handful of grapes. A friend of my husband's was told to avoid bananas by his GP, but the dietician used for people when first diagnosed said it was nonsense but that just ripe were best as they have more sugar content when overripe and mushy.

From other forums, it seems people react differently to foods. While there are general guidelines that everyone should know, the only way to know how your body deals with a variety of foods is to get your own blood sugar tester.

pmduk

Mojisola wrote: »

While there are general guidelines that everyone should know, the only way to know how your body deals with a variety of foods is to get your own blood sugar tester.

The NHS is unlikely to prescribe testing strips for type 2 patients unless you are one of the minority taking a medication that can cause hypos.

Mojisola

Mojisola wrote: »

From other forums, it seems people react differently to foods. While there are general guidelines that everyone should know, the only way to know how your body deals with a variety of foods is to get your own blood sugar tester.

pmduk wrote: »

The NHS is unlikely to prescribe testing strips for type 2 patients unless you are one of the minority taking a medication that can cause hypos.

I know - that's why I said "get your own blood sugar tester".

MonkeyDr

teddysmum wrote: »

There are recommended portions such as one apple or a handful of grapes. A friend of my husband's was told to avoid bananas by his GP, but the dietician used for people when first diagnosed said it was nonsense but that just ripe were best as they have more sugar content when overripe and mushy.

Most people with diabetes will be fine with bananas in moderation.

Just be aware that people may have other medical conditions or complications from the diabetes itself that affect the specific dietary advice given to them - some people get very high potassium and need to cut (/severely reduce) their banana intake to help with this.

To reiterate: my point is that often advice is personalised, NOT that the majority of people with diabetes can't enjoy the odd banana.

pogofish

Mojisola wrote: »

I know - that's why I said "get your own blood sugar tester".

And if they do, remember to sign the declaration that at least gets the VAT taken off. Strips off-prescription are expensive enough as they are.

But they are more responsive and accurate than the dipstick tests that doctors used to provide for type-2 - and getting a good idea of how your blood glucose varies across the day is a very good idea whatever your stage of diagnosis.

lessonlearned

jaynespain wrote: »

I would like to make my mum a xmas hamper of treats she can enjoy that would be ok for someone diabetic. I have been looking in the Free From aisles in supermarkets but cant find anything that clearly states its fine for diabetics? Can anyone suggest things I could buy? Or is there somewhere that stocks diabetic foods? What do I look out for on labels? Is it 'sugar free' I need to look for?

Thanks

What about a different kind of hamper. Toiletries, bath goodies, make up etc

teddysmum

MonkeyDr wrote: »

Most people with diabetes will be fine with bananas in moderation.

Just be aware that people may have other medical conditions or complications from the diabetes itself that affect the specific dietary advice given to them - some people get very high potassium and need to cut (/severely reduce) their banana intake to help with this.

To reiterate: my point is that often advice is personalised, NOT that the majority of people with diabetes can't enjoy the odd banana.

The point is that a dietician who specialises in diabetes told me that bananas were fine, but it was the friend's GP non -specialist practice nurse who told him they were not suitable.


Diabetes UK did express concern that some GPs were lacking in knowledge of diabetes (I actually found this in the case of a friend,who was given drugs and left without any suggestion of trying diet and exercise or any other advice on where to get help),so I know whose advice, I'd take.