Recently diagnosed as diabetic

I totally agree about not relying on the internet to get advice on a diabetic diet. I am a retired RN. Trust me, there is a lot you need to learn about controlling your blood sugar with what food you eat, what activity you do and your mental state. It is VERY important you see a dietician who specializes in Diabetes. She will help you learn how to make a meal plan, individualized for YOU. I also highly recommend you ask your doctor to refer you to a diabetes nurse specialist. If you have a hospital near you, you can call and ask if they have a diabetes program or a diabetes education center. Many hospitals have them, some are free of charge.

In the meantime, Do TRACK your meals. I know it's a lot, but it is seriously important for you, your doctor, dietitian and any other health professional to see how your food intake is working. Tracking your meals is just part of managing your diabetes management, but it's vital.

The Spark D (Diabetes) meal plan is safe to use. It has been reviewed by medical health professionals on SparkPeople. Just some advise, the Spark D meal plan is NO substitute for seeing a dietitian and a diabetes nurse specialist. Diabetes is not simple and sometimes difficult to control. You need to learn what to do. There is no one way fits all. There is no cookbook method for diabetes management. It takes time, but you can learn everything. You are not expected to do this alone. I would call your doctor and speak to his nurse or at least the receptionist and tell her you to need a referral to a diabetes dietitian, A referral to a diabetes nurse specialist would be optimum.

Blessings and good luck!

Please get a certified diabetic nurse. There is too much swimming around the internet to figure what is real. She can really help you with a diabetic diet and that will be a lot to keep you on track. Your doctor should be able to recommend one

Here are some suggestions that have greatly helped my DH:

--Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs

--The End of Diabetes Book by Joel Fuhrman

-- End diabetes without pills:
www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2009nl/dec/diabet
es.htm

I recently lost a family member who relied totally on insulin and did no other changes in their life. Good that you are here and taking it seriously. Best of luck!

Mrslivingwell
McDougall Plan Coleader

I benefitted completely from learning and applying Dr. Atkins plan combined with Paleo foods. I suggest reading his full lifetime plan.

Thanks for your help.

Agreed for the dietitian referral! Most insurance plans will pay for at least a few sessions a year, especially with a diabetes diagnosis. Ask if they have a dietitian who is a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), who is further trained in not just the nutrition aspect but understands all the medications, etc.

In the meantime, try not to consult Google too much if you can help it. There is some good info out there, but there is also some really, really bad info, especially when it comes to nutrition! Here are a couple basic things I try to teach my new diabetic patients, when they just get their diagnosis and too much info would be overwhelming (as I'm sure you're feeling now!).

1. Understand what a carb is, and what foods have them. They're not just in bread, rice, pasta and desserts...they're also in fruits, vegetables, milk, condiments, etc.

2. Try to space your carbs out throughout the day. Your body (with the help of any diabetes medications you may be prescribed) has a better time processing smaller amounts of carbs a little at a time rather than all of your daily carbs in one meal.

3. Always try to pair your carbs with a fat and/or protein source. This will lessen the effect the carb has on your blood sugar. Always have crackers in your desk? Keep a jar of peanut butter or some cottage cheese to spread on. Have a small serving of nuts with an apple, etc.

4. Increase your daily physical activity. It doesn't have to be running miles or spending hours at the gym lifting weights....pick something you enjoy and could do consistently.

You need to ask your Dr for a referral to a Registered Dietitian who specializes in Diabetes. Then you will get accurate recommendations from someone who is fully qualified to give them based on YOUR health needs. It isn't a one-size-fits-all where it comes to this advice under these circumstances and that includes the amount of carbs recommended for you.

In the meantime I suggest that you go to this page on SP, and read the articles AS WELL AS join the Spark D Free Diabetes Management Program.
www.sparkpeople.com/resource/living-with-d
iabetes.asp

In the meantime, weigh all of your food for increase accuracy and enter it all into the Nutrition Tracker. When you go to your Dietitian appointment, take printouts with you to give him/her because it will save them a load of time and provide accurate information rather than trying to rely on memory, which in cases like this tends to be a bit faulty.

I can speak from experience that this will help to set you on your way.

Good luck,
Kris

Edited by: SLIMMERKIWI at: 8/29/2019 (06:01)

I was diagnosed last Thursday (Aug 22/19) as being a Type 2 diabetic. I was not given anything other than to track my blood sugar. I know I should be following a diet and other than Amazon books or Google, I have no idea what to learn or do. I need help guys!!!