Diabetes

[Binmanrep1]

Hiya, I'm 60 and just been informed by my nurse that I have diabetes. Now everyone goes on about healthy eating, but what I'm I looking for on the food label,s please can someone explain in layman's terms.

Regards

Matt.

[runnerguy33]

OSE.....glucOSE, high fructOSE, sucrOSE....Sugars & Syrups...if you see multiple sugars on one label key into more info...Something to ponder...the less refined or processed the food is, the easier it will be for your body to transfer its energy to you.

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Please check out the carbs section on the labels. Some foods have more carbs than others. Too many carbs can raise a persons blood sugars. Too little carbs can do the opposite and lower the blood sugars-- not a good thing.

Please visit the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation section on HealthUnlocked. Lots of information and support.

[ceejayblue]

On labels, ignore the "of which sugars" numbers under total carbs, refined sugar is a carb as is any other form of unrefined sugar (honey etc).

I would highly recommend going on to the Diabetes.org.uk website, they have lots of great information on healthy eating (don't have anything that says "diabetic friendly" that's usually full of stuff that leaves you sitting on the loo! Also, have a look at xperthealth.org.uk . They organise diabetes education on behalf of the NHS in lots of areas, I've done the course and two refresher days and found it really helpful.

Also include some exercise activity in your day it all helps. Some people will encourage you to do the Low Carb High Fat diet, but make sure you check with your GP that it is suitable for you. Although as a diabetic you need to reduce your carb intake, you may have other health issues that will preclude you from going full fat. After the recent Xpert refresher day that I did, although they gave lots of new information on fats, the consensus of the educators and those in the group was that moderation is key and a Mediterranean diet is a good one to follow.

As long as you keep you HbA1c (blood test done every 6 months) in a good level you shouldn't get any complications and hopefully you will get your levels into the non-diabetic range, although you will still be considered to be diabetic as it is very easy to dip back into it.