Berkshire reverend tip featured in new book of tips on living with diabetes

Berkshire reverend tip featured in new book of tips on living with diabetes

A Caversham curate who has Type 2 diabetes is backing the launch of a new campaign and free book, '100 things I wish I'd known about diabetes', sharing her tips on living with the condition with others who have been affected by diabetes.

The free book, published by Diabetes UK, is full of everyday tips offered by people living with diabetes for other people living with diabetes, their families and friends.

Margaret Dimmock, 72, is an assistant curate in two local parishes for the Church of England and was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2014, a few months after a stroke, a complication associated with the condition.

Of over 1,100 tips submitted, Margaret provided the following tip on eating and drinking and this is one of 100 tips featured in the book:

Low fat foods like yogurts can sometimes be higher in sugar, so always check the ingredients on the label.

She said: “I gave the tips as I wanted to give helpful lifestyle ideas to other folks who have helped me. I am a member of Diabetes UK and find the magazine, Balance and their recipes interesting.

“Since my diagnosis, it was helpful that I had the usual appointments with a dietitian so I gradually began to change my diet by cutting out added sugar and saturated fats most of the time and to date I have lost 24lbs.”

With new figures release today by the charity showing that 700 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes in the UK - that's one person every two minutes[1] - the charity says that people often say their diabetes diagnosis leaves them isolated and with unanswered questions. To help people get a better understanding of their condition and some key things about it, the charity has enlisted the support of Margaret and others with experience of diabetes to share advice across every aspect of life with the condition, from going on holiday and eating out, working out and managing diabetes alongside work, relationships and more.

Margaret said: “I gave the tips as I wanted to give helpful lifestyle ideas to other folks who have helped me.”

Jill Steaton, Diabetes UK South East Regional Head, said: “We are really grateful to Margaret for drawing on her own experience of living with diabetes to share advice with others who are affected by the condition in our new book.

“Every two minutes someone is diagnosed with diabetes and people often tell us they are left in despair and feel like they have no-one to turn to. But that doesn't need to be the case. People with diabetes are the real experts in living with the condition and this is why we have published this book, bringing together pieces of advice from people with the condition across every part of life with diabetes. Having this book is like having a best friend in the room who knows exactly what you are going through and who can offer tried and tested advice. Whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, if you've just been diagnosed or you've had diabetes for many years, this book offers invaluable support and insight.”

All tips submitted were reviewed by the charity's clinical team and the final 100 tips included in the book were shortlisted by a panel of people with diabetes.

The book also contains tips from Diabetes UK celebrity supporters including actor Jonny Labey, rugby player Chris Pennell and Sky News's Stephen Dixon, all of whom have Type 1 diabetes.

TV presenter Philip Schofield, whose mother and brother both have Type 1 diabetes, and The Hairy Bikers' Si King, whose wife and son both have the condition, also contributed to the book.

Actor Jonny Labey, who has Type 1 diabetes, said: “No-one should feel alone with their diabetes. Managing diabetes can be a challenge but it doesn't have to stop anyone from achieving their goals. The great thing about this book is it shows how we can all support each other and this is not something we have to face all by ourselves. That's why I'm so glad to have contributed to the book. I'd advise anyone with diabetes – whatever type they have – to get hold of a copy now.”

To order a free copy of the book, call Diabetes UK on 0800 035 5626 or visit http://www.diabetes.org.uk/100things

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For further media information please contact Sylvia Lambe on 01372 731 365 or the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 020 7424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk

For urgent out of hours media enquiries only please call 07711 176028. ISDN facilities available.

Notes to editor:

Tips of celebrities mentioned in release:

Jonny Labey has played Paul Coker in EastEnders since April 2015, and has also appeared in the West End musicals In the Heights and White Christmas and the award-winning film 'Soft Lad'. As well as supporting Diabetes UK, Jonny is also an ambassador for Diabetes Jersey.

“Just because I go hypo from time to time doesn't mean I'm a 'bad diabetic'. It just means I've miscalculated my insulin or that my body's going through a change. There are so many factors that can affect your blood sugar that you should never take it personally.”

Philip Schofield presents This Morning on ITV and has also presented ITV's coverage of the Royal wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Dancing On Ice and The Cube.

“If you're going out for dinner with family or friends with diabetes, it's helpful to pick a restaurant where they can have a quick look at the menu online first. And try to pick somewhere that gives you all the options – if they're trying to go easy on the carbs, don't plump for a restaurant that only serves pizza!”

Chris Pennell plays rugby for Worcester Warriors and England.

“When exercising, test before, during (if possible) and after. See how exercise affects your levels to help you adjust your control for next time. Bear in mind when you have last eaten and injected as this will impact how quickly your blood glucose can change. Choose snacks such as dried apricots to help maintain your blood glucose levels during exercise and keep plenty of fluids close by. Some types of exercise will lower your blood glucose, some will actually raise it. That is why testing is so important!”

Si King is one half of The Hairy Bikers, whose cookery and travel shows appear on BBC2.

“If you enjoy baking, but want to cut back on the amount of sugar you're using, try using fresh or dried fruit, like bananas or raisins, to add extra sweetness without the added sugar.”

• 1Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and at risk of diabetes. For more information on all aspects of diabetes and access to Diabetes UK activities and services, visit www.diabetes.org.uk
• 2In the UK, there are 4 million people who have diabetes of which 549,000 people have Type 2 diabetes but don't know they have it because they haven't been diagnosed. 11.9 million people are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and if current trends continue, an estimated 5 million people will have diabetes by 2025.
• 3Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications. Diabetes is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age in the UK and is a major cause of lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.
• 4People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. About 10 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 1. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it's not to do with being overweight and it isn't currently preventable. It usually affects children or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses - taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity
• 5People with Type 2 diabetes don't produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce doesn't work properly (known as insulin resistance). 85 to 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2. They might get Type 2 diabetes because of their family history, age and ethnic background puts them at increased risk. They are also more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if they are overweight. It starts gradually, usually later in life, and it can be years before they realise they have it. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition, tablets and/or insulin can be required.
• 6For more information on reporting on diabetes, download our journalists' guide: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Global/Homepage/News/Journalists_Guidance_Update_2015.pdf






[1] Figure based on newly diagnosed figures from the 2011/12 and 2012/13 National Diabetes Audit (Health and Social Care Information Centre), extrapolated up to the whole population with diabetes indicated by the Quality and Outcomes Framework data for the equivalent years and divided by two to give an annual average