type 2 diabetes

[kestral]

advice on how to live with this condition please. i have bp and take various tablets for that. any diet requirements etc would be appreciated.
thanks, alan

[smpomeroy]

Alan,
are you taking tablets for the diabetes or injections or just controlling with diet?

Suz

[lindajane1971]

There is no "special" diet for type 2 diabetes, its simply the diet we should all be on which is a healthy one!! If you also have high blood pressure then im guessing you follow a low salt diet already - add to that low "BAD" fat and limit alcohol. Try to lose weight if you need to and if you smoke - stop!!
you dont need to buy special diabetic jams etc as they can be worse for you than regular jams/sauces!!

[smpomeroy]

you can buy some great cookbooks for diabetics and there is lots of information on the diabetes Uk website as well as some nice recipes. I have been type 1 since I was 8 years old and the thinking about the types of diets one needs seems to change between carb counting and non carb counting but as lindajane said if you follow a good healthy low fat diet that should do the trick but beware hidden sugars in foods, its always worth reading the labels. Do you have a diabetic practitioner/nurse or dietician to help you understand because I think thats essential.

[kestral]

hi, the doctors havent advised on cutting any salt, sugar or fat out of my diet, i have done that myself from getting info from various people who have bp. my sons girlfriend has type 1 and my sister and brother in law have type 2. they all eat anything and everything and dont seem to bother. both my sister and brother in law are way over weight. i am as well as ive put on about 3 stone since i started taking citalipram. im visiting the hospital soon and will know more then.

regards, alan

[smpomeroy]

alan,
make sure they giove you the advice you need - insist on it as type 2 can be much harder to control than type 1 even though some people think its a less severe form of the disease it often goes undetected for longer so there are greater chance of complications. Your family who are type 2 may be able to get awsay with eating anything and everything but their average blood glucose reasongs will tell the story if they arent being careful enough. Lots of hospitals have specialist diabetic nurses and they are usually really helpful and knowledgeable. If you have any specific questions PM me.

suz