Newbie trying Newcastle diet.

andcol

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Retired Moderator
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3,176
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
Dear Andrew, we have spoken before about the fact my doctor did not want me to test with a metre and that you and others on the forum thought that I should. The problem is I have purchased the metre can do the prick test but have no idea what the results mean. Can you or anyone else give me an overview. Panic is starting to set in, I am a need to know kind of person so that I can make the necessary changes. Thanks again.

So here we go... In my words and as I experience

If you didn't eat (ie fasting) then your body should keep you somewhere between 3.8 mmol/l and 5.4 mmol/l (depends on how long and what you ate). This is known as your fasting level. My base level is 4.8 mmol/l with small deviation (about +- 0.3mmo;/l ) and if I ate a lot of protein then I will go to 5.4 mmol/l. When you eat your blood glucose levels rise and this starts from about 30 minutes after eating rising until a peak value and then falling. This rise period peak and fall period are all affected by what you have eaten, how much exercise you have done, how you are feeling, etc. Normally you would peak at somewhere between 7.0 and 8.5 but this varies again by individual and largely on how this meal compared to others in previous days. If you had had a lot of carbohydrates compared to the previous days then you will peak higher. Generally you shouldn't see peaks much above 10 but I have read 11.1 is some form of cut off if the body is working correctly (can't remember source).

After you peak (low fat meals will be at about an hour and high fat anything from 90 mins to 150 mins - well that is true for me) your Blood glucose levels fall towards your baseline level (generally you will be there at 5 hours but not always - again dependent on many factors esp protein quantity).

The 2 hour (and 3 hour) provide a measure of how well you return back to normal.

Important things to remember are:
1. Don't Panic over readings
2. Meters have an inbuilt inaccuracy of 10 to 15% (read the meters/strips leaflets). So a reading of 6 could easily be 6.6 or 5.5
3. Because of all the variables you are looking for trends and behaviours and not always exact numbers.
4. Once you understand your bodies reactions you only need to test sparingly to have a good grounding on how it is behaving
5. Once a month do a test meal to ensure you still see what you would expect to see. When you are at this stage I would say an HbA1c alone would be good enough except the NHS do these yearly which is pointless.
6. To get to understand how you react do some extensive testing every 30 mins or more frequent with various meals. You only need to do this a few times.
 
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The little white hen

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
So here we go... In my words and as I experience

If you didn't eat (ie fasting) then your body should keep you somewhere between 3.8 mmol/l and 5.4 mmol/l (depends on how long and what you ate). This is known as your fasting level. My base level is 4.8 mmol/l with small deviation (about +- 0.3mmo;/l ) and if I ate a lot of protein then I will go to 5.4 mmol/l. When you eat your blood glucose levels rise and this starts from about 30 minutes after eating rising until a peak value and then falling. This rise period peak and fall period are all affected by what you have eaten, how much exercise you have done, how you are feeling, etc. Normally you would peak at somewhere between 7.0 and 8.5 but this varies again by individual and largely on how this meal compared to others in previous days. If you had had a lot of carbohydrates compared to the previous days then you will peak higher. Generally you shouldn't see peaks much above 10 but I have read 11.1 is some form of cut off if the body is working correctly (can't remember source).

After you peak (low fat meals will be at about an hour and high fat anything from 90 mins to 150 mins - well that is true for me) your Blood glucose levels fall towards your baseline level (generally you will be there at 5 hours but not always - again dependent on many factors esp protein quantity).

The 2 hour (and 3 hour) provide a measure of how well you return back to normal.

Important things to remember are:
1. Don't Panic over readings
2. Meters have an inbuilt inaccuracy of 10 to 15% (read the meters/strips leaflets). So a reading of 6 could easily be 6.6 or 5.5
3. Because of all the variables you are looking for trends and behaviours and not always exact numbers.
4. Once you understand your bodies reactions you only need to test sparingly to have a good grounding on how it is behaving
5. Once a month do a test meal to ensure you still see what you would expect to see. When you are at this stage I would say an HbA1c alone would be good enough except the NHS do these yearly which is pointless.
6. To get to understand how you react do some extensive testing every 30 mins or more frequent with various meals. You only need to do this a few times.

Thank you so much, its a very scary thing this diabetes. I have so many fears about becoming my mother who had a constant deterioration from being diagnosed. She ended up in a wheelchair, lost a toe and was losing here foot when she died. I just needed I steady hand to help guide the ship. I have eaten no carbs today and for lunch had an homemade chicken and roasted veg soup (so I new exactly what was in it). One hour after eating my pick test was 7.1 (OK result), I will test it again in another hour. I am also going to test after adding a new food at meal time. Thanks again.
 
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Clivethedrive

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Messages
3,996
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Jogging
Hello everyone,

Just got back form my specialist appointment the news is good, my HbA1c as at 19.03.15 was 36 that's 5.4 in old money. We were both thrilled he has taken me off my Forxiga 10mg altogether and kept me on 4 x 500mg metformin a day. With a view to review all bloods again in tens weeks. My dietician has given me a 1200 cal a day diet to start next Tuesday and booked me in at the gym next Wednesday. Feeling brilliant, like its all heading in the right direction.
Well done ::))
 
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The little white hen

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Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
Moved onto real food not slim fast this week and its been great. Started on same amount of calories but all real food. Then build up a little at a time throughout the week to 1200 calories a day. As predicted by the veterans I have put on a few pounds (two altogether) so not that bad. I would just say that I think slow and steady is the best way. I had cheese for the first time last night and it upset my stomach, something that was not a issue before. So at the moment I am no carbs, starchy veg of any kind and only white protein. Had chicken with mustard & lemon last night and a veg gratin (cheese) it was wonderful. all the family ate it too and not a carb in site. I will post tomorrow with final results and some pics or before and after.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I am up and running with VLCD/ND again.

Even though I am a veteran ND success, I will humbly beg your support in my quest to rid myself of at least 2 stones, and to see a better HbA1c than 41 at next test end of May. Nothing I eat seems to spike BG levels, and I have certainly tried to. So I have to act before my luck runs out.

I have been so impressed with the results of you recent ND folks. Well done, but be aware the initial ND phase was the easy part. You have to stay vigilant about maintaining a decent weight and BG levels.
 
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The little white hen

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
I am up and running with VLCD/ND again.

Even though I am a veteran ND success, I will humbly beg your support in my quest to rid myself of at least 2 stones, and to see a better HbA1c than 41 at next test end of May. Nothing I eat seems to spike BG levels, and I have certainly tried to. So I have to act before my luck runs out.

I have been so impressed with the results of you recent ND folks. Well done, but be aware the initial ND phase was the easy part. You have to stay vigilant about maintaining a decent weight and BG levels.

We will be here for you as you stood by us. Just remember this is a positive move forward. Good luck.
 
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The little white hen

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
Last day of ND yesterday after a transitional week up to 1200 calories. I have lost 25 1/2lbs in total (stayed the same this week) and just under 14% of body fat. My HbA1c is down from 52 to 36 and I lost 4 1/4 inch from both my stomach and waste (also stayed same this week). I start the 10 week gym program through dietician tomorrow and I feel happy and confident. I wanted to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all of those who have been so supportive over the last 8 weeks. I hope to pay the debt forward by supporting others. If you want to read the full details visit the blog at http://www.thelittlewhitehen.com/blog/facing-life/its-over/. I will post some before and after photos later. Thanks again guys.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Last day of ND yesterday after a transitional week up to 1200 calories. I have lost 25 1/2lbs in total (stayed the same this week) and just under 14% of body fat. My HbA1c is down from 52 to 36 and I lost 4 1/4 inch from both my stomach and waste (also stayed same this week). I start the 10 week gym program through dietician tomorrow and I feel happy and confident. I wanted to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all of those who have been so supportive over the last 8 weeks. I hope to pay the debt forward by supporting others. If you want to read the full details visit the blog at http://www.thelittlewhitehen.com/blog/facing-life/its-over/. I will post some before and after photos later. Thanks again guys.
Well done.
Keep posting.
 
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Arab Horse

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Messages
884
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Fantastic news; well done. I do hope your diabetes stays reversed and you manage to keep the weight off after such a great effort. I hope your family are very proud of you.
 
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brettsza

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Messages
1,205
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Very well done, you have been inspired and you will inspire a lot of people now to follow on your foot steps.
 
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Pipp

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Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Day 2 for me now. No hunger. No problems. Slept very well for 10 hours, but that could be due to spending the last 3 weeks living the high life holidaying and partying.

I also had a sneaky look at the bathroom scales and I weigh almost 2 kg less than yesterday. Ok, that could be water, but it feels good.
 
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The little white hen

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Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
Fantastic news; well done. I do hope your diabetes stays reversed and you manage to keep the weight off after such a great effort. I hope your family are very proud of you.

My friends and family have been great and very supportive. All the family are eating low carb at the minute and trying to find recipes we all like. I went to the library today and gor 18 books out on low carb food. We are going to sit tonight and mark with post it notes.
 
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The little white hen

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Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
Very well done, you have been inspired and you will inspire a lot of people now to follow on your foot steps.

Thank you, it was people writing about their success on the internet that made me look at the ND in the first place. We only move forward by change, the only trouble is no one really likes change so its a hard process. The more success people have the more it will be valued.
 
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Pipp

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Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
My friends and family have been great and very supportive. All the family are eating low carb at the minute and trying to find recipes we all like. I went to the library today and gor 18 books out on low carb food. We are going to sit tonight and mark with post it notes.
Brilliant. That is the way forward.
Two things I did post ND that you might want to learn from.....(sorry if that sounds smug, but I really would not like to hear of anyone else slipping up)
I took too much notice of some forum members who did not believe me and followed their suggestion to try high carb foods to see what they would do to my BG. The levels stayed fine, but the carbs were addictive, so took a while for me to be able to stop eating them.

I embraced the HF part of the LCHF diet a bit too heartily. Cheese, and nuts are also addictive for me. Alas, weight gain is almost half of the original ND loss.
 
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moonchip

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Messages
218
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Brilliant. That is the way forward.
Two things I did post ND that you might want to learn from.....(sorry if that sounds smug, but I really would not like to hear of anyone else slipping up)
I took too much notice of some forum members who did not believe me and followed their suggestion to try high carb foods to see what they would do to my BG. The levels stayed fine, but the carbs were addictive, so took a while for me to be able to stop eating them.

I embraced the HF part of the LCHF diet a bit too heartily. Cheese, and nuts are also addictive for me. Alas, weight gain is almost half of the original ND loss.

Interesting comments Pipp

At half way on the ND I've worked hard to give up carbs apart from what is recommended as part of the diet. Though I miss many 'carby' foods, I've no intention of getting back into old bad habits again. If any are taken as a treat, it will be in moderation, as an occasional 'one off' and with suitable compensation

I too am wary of the HF bit of LCHF and so post ND I aim to be more 'moderated fat' - nuts I can live without, cheese will be in moderation and most of the cheese I enjoy isn't mega high fat anyways

I'm certainly going to be a lot more 'careful' about what I eat, re-introducing a revised LCMF diet
 
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Pipp

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10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Giving up carbs was not that much of a challenge, (apart from beer and wine) because the carbs I was eating had been the NHS recommended starchy wholemeal with every meal stuff. I never really had a sweet tooth until I tried chocolate and biscuit the cheap cheerful stuff, to see if they spiked BG. once I got the taste for them it was hard to stop. I really don't regard them as treats.
 

Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Interesting comments Pipp

At half way on the ND I've worked hard to give up carbs apart from what is recommended as part of the diet. Though I miss many 'carby' foods, I've no intention of getting back into old bad habits again. If any are taken as a treat, it will be in moderation, as an occasional 'one off' and with suitable compensation

I too am wary of the HF bit of LCHF and so post ND I aim to be more 'moderated fat' - nuts I can live without, cheese will be in moderation and most of the cheese I enjoy isn't mega high fat anyways

I'm certainly going to be a lot more 'careful' about what I eat, re-introducing a revised LCMF diet

Yes, it was things like bullet proof coffee and fat bombs that caught me out. Ok since having full fat rather than low fat yogurts and real butter in moderation. Moderate amounts of butter are easy because I would no longer eat toast, or bread. I would also eat the skin of chicken, and fat on meat. It was the cream, nuts and cheese that got to me.
 

jack412

Expert
Messages
5,618
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Last day of ND yesterday after a transitional week up to 1200 calories. I have lost 25 1/2lbs in total (stayed the same this week) and just under 14% of body fat. My HbA1c is down from 52 to 36 and I lost 4 1/4 inch from both my stomach and waste (also stayed same this week). I start the 10 week gym program through dietician tomorrow and I feel happy and confident. I wanted to say a very BIG THANK YOU to all of those who have been so supportive over the last 8 weeks. I hope to pay the debt forward by supporting others. If you want to read the full details visit the blog at http://www.thelittlewhitehen.com/blog/facing-life/its-over/. I will post some before and after photos later. Thanks again guys.
well done, 25lb is a good result and with the lower BG, you must be feeling so much better
have you looked at maintenance way of eating and how much carb to put back into your diet?
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lowcarb101/a/carblevel.htm
it’s a long page and a few good video’s
http://www.dietdoctor.com/lchf
 
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The little white hen

Well-Known Member
Messages
112
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Diet only
This is me today, my profile photo is one of the few I can find when I was almost at my heaviest.. I did get bigger that the profile picture but never let people take photos. Hope it gives you ND'ers a push in those dark days.View attachment 12759 View attachment 12759 View attachment 12759
Brilliant. That is the way forward.
Two things I did post ND that you might want to learn from.....(sorry if that sounds smug, but I really would not like to hear of anyone else slipping up)
I took too much notice of some forum members who did not believe me and followed their suggestion to try high carb foods to see what they would do to my BG. The levels stayed fine, but the carbs were addictive, so took a while for me to be able to stop eating them.

I embraced the HF part of the LCHF diet a bit too heartily. Cheese, and nuts are also addictive for me. Alas, weight gain is almost half of the original ND loss.

I have been a whole grain girl for the last few years and they seem to work well for me, I had lost weight steadily since I started to use them. I am also having the odd fasting day and no carb days to try and keep insulin resistance under control. We (the family) are in a suck it and see stage at the minute. Some things they love, like fish stew others they turn their nose up at. I will share some whole grain, low carb recipes if you like.
 
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Pipp

Moderator
Staff Member
Messages
10,622
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
This is me today, my profile photo is one of the few I can find when I was almost at my heaviest.. I did get bigger that the profile picture but never let people take photos. Hope it gives you ND'ers a push in those dark days.View attachment 12759 View attachment 12759 View attachment 12759


I have been a whole grain girl for the last few years and they seem to work well for me, I had lost weight steadily since I started to use them. I am also having the odd fasting day and no carb days to try and keep insulin resistance under control. We (the family) are in a suck it and see stage at the minute. Some things they love, like fish stew others they turn their nose up at. I will share some whole grain, low carb recipes if you like.

Can't get the attachments. :(

Whole grain may be fine for others, but alas, not for me. I truly believe that following the NHS guidelines to include wholegrain and starchy carbs in every meal was a contributory factor in my weight gain and T2diagnosis.

However, if you find that you can tolerate them well without raising BG, there are some tasty meals to look forward to.
 
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