[kensjo63]

HI, My name is Jo. I was diagnosed last week. The doctor basically handed me a meter, told me to take the 'diabetes Class" and talk to the nutrisionist. (Kaiser Perm) No diet, no explanations, just see ya in six weeks. She gave me cholestoral Meds and told me to take an asprin every day.

I call the 800 number and the class isnt until Dec. and I am not allowed to see the nutritionist until after I take the class??

So what do I do now? I have been watching my sugar intake and they are gradually coming down. But I have no idea what to do, all I want is a food list and I am good. I tried doing some reading on the internet and I am now totally over whelmed and confused,

Any advice is appreciated...

Hugs
Jo

[mortis505]

Hi Jo and welcome to DF! Try and avoid or limit foods that are high in Carbohydrates as these will raise your blood sugar. Paste, rice, breads and potatoes can have a detrimental effect on your glucose readings. I'd also recommend that you get the book, The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed (First Year, The) by Gretchen Becker and Allison B. Goldfine. It should help out alot.

[princesslinda]

Hi Jo, welcome! Mortis gave you great advice. You'll really enjoy reading the Becker book...I still refer back to it.

I encourage you to test your blood sugar often. Testing 2 hrs after your first bite of food will allow you to see how different foods affect your bloodsugar, and help you make smarter food choices. I was given a blood sugar goal of 140 or less 2 hrs after my first bite. When first diagnosed, I kept a food journal, listing everything I ate and corresponding blood sugars. Before too long I had a good list of "safe" foods to chose from and eating wasn't as stressful as it was at first.

Hope you post often, ask lots of questions and learn all you can about this new chapter in your life.

[CookD]

Hi Jo,
Welcome to the forum. You've found a great place to gather information and support. The people here are so generous with their time and experience.
A list of foods to eat is complicated as each person is different but a good place to start is to lower your carbohydrate intake. No white foods like pasta, rice or white bread. It can seem overwhelming now but after a few months of reading and testing it will be much easier.

[patricia52]

Welcome Jo. I am glad you joined us. I agree with the others. The white foods are your enemies. Another thing that will help is to get at leat 30 minutes of exercise on most days. If your numbers are coming down then you are doing the right things. Don't get discouraged. Keep us posted and keep reading other posts. B/4 long you will be advising others.

[shutterbug]

Welcom to DF!

Diabetes class and nutrionist are not related (in my opinion). Although it would be beneficial to go to the class first to learn about D.

[kgm0612]

Hi Jo & Welcome to the forum.

My advice........test often, limit your carbohydrate intake and get in some form of exercise (walking) if you're not already doing so.

Karen

[davef]

Jo welcome to the forums, you have found a great source of information and have been great information so far. I would also highly recommend the Becker book, I found it easy to read and very informative. I actually started reading it again for a refresher after 8 months.

As has been said, watch your carbs, test often and exercise. I must say I would not be at all impressed with your Doctor, but sadly his approach is not unusual.

Feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, scared, down and guilty are all normal reactions to being diagnosed. The good news is that being diagnosed is not the end of the world and for many of us it has been a real turning point and the start of a healthier life.

Things get much better and easier. Now that you have to forums you have people to turn to for help and support. Ask lots of questions and you will do fine.

[ReadMyLips]

My doctor didn't help me either when I was diagnosed. He gave me some articles to read, a prescription for a monitor and Metformin, and said he'd see me in a month. I was so upset that I cried for two weeks!! I finally found a wonderful nurse that specializes in Diabetes education and she was wonderful. She told me I could actually eat anything as long as I watched the portions and tested two hours after the first bite to see how it affected by BS. This really helped me learn what I could eat, and what was not good to eat. I found out that I could eat carbs,but not very much. I think testing is the best way to see how different foods affect your blood sugar. Good luck!

[buttons]

welcome to the forums... I too am new here, but not new to diabeties. I often feel confused. It took me five years to get into Diabetic school... alll because I was riding on the river de nile...Ha.....still, I eventually found my way and believe it or not , I did better in those first five years.

Course that is the way diabeties works...and then comes along elderberry years and other parts not working so well.

The advise here is right on it .. exercise, keep to low carbs and test often so you can see how your foods are moving your Blood Sugars.

I try /work at remembering this mind -fooler... It is just for today that I can not eat my favorite foods and sweets.... tomorrow is another day... and it truly is one bite at a time, one day at a time.

If we have to have diabeties... at least we have the advantage of having it in 2008... with a little bit of work , we dont have to have complications... kidney failure, eye failure and neuropathy.. best luck

[the terminator]

Hi Jo,
Maybe it has been a while since the older diabetic members receied a diagnosis. What a horrible way to be treated. If it were me, I'd fire the doctor, and Kaiser. My initial diabetic doc was a staff doc at the hospital. The nurses and doctor made dog gone sure that I knew how to test, and do the shots. I had two 45 minute sessions with the nutritionist in my hospital room. I had to read two books, and watch 5 videos. That is what you need.

You may be stuck with KP, I don't know, but the service that you have received is in need of drastic improvement. If you can, go to any physicians office that handles diabetic patients. Get a GOOD BOOK about diet and food prep. You can find what you need there. Don't cheat yourself. Here is a good link to check food values.

Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Apples, raw, with skin [Includes USDA commodity food A343]