For those on low carb - do you ever have bread or potatoes?

Oldvatr

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Curious question, @Oldvatr

Can you feel the difference?
I mean the difference between your old, higher bg and the newer, poss in ketosis?

I am convinced I can feel a difference, but I am never quite sure whether it is better because of becoming fat adapted, or better from leaving the nasty carb symptoms behind. If that makes sense...
Good question too. Actuallly I have not noticed any major difference, and cannot tell if I have actually gone into ketosis mode. I am getting readings comsistently in the 3.5 to 5.5 range now, and the liver dumps have stopped. I am losing more weight, by my waistline seems to be expanding a little, but this may be the bulletproof coffee I now take to up my weighr.

I remember when my hbaic dropped from 105 down to 53, that I found myself skipping down the stairs one day, but recently I have been feeling muscle weak, which may be from .low carb (without ketosis). i have tried using ketostix, but nothing registers yet. So I supppose my answer is NO, I do not notice any difference.
 
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bulkbiker

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Gosh, that looks interesting Fido78, is there a recipe for it? Or rather an English translation for the recipe?

I also found the recipe for: Rødbede-rösti, which I believe is Beetroot Rosti?
Shame I can't understand them, they look so nice. And I've been looking for a beetroot rosti recipe for a very long time... sigh.
Like this one?

https://www.cookipedia.co.uk/recipes_wiki/Beetroot_rösti

However beetroot is pretty high carb 10g per 100g so maybe wait a while...
 
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Fido78

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Gosh, that looks interesting Fido78, is there a recipe for it? Or rather an English translation for the recipe?

I also found the recipe for: Rødbede-rösti, which I believe is Beetroot Rosti?
Shame I can't understand them, they look so nice. And I've been looking for a beetroot rosti recipe for a very long time... sigh.
Hi FranOnTheEdge:
On this link: http://www.vangelyst.dk/thomas-rode-stenalderbrod-paleo-bread/
In the top on the menu, press translate, then go to recipes to find the bread :)
 

Peadair O Brionn

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I’m newly diagnosed type2 only 1 week ago . I didn’t know anything was wrong with me . Please could you tell me what symptoms do you get if you eat potatoes or pasta etc when apparently you shouldn’t . I was eating all of these things up to last week and wasn’t aware of any I’ll effects . The only thing I’ve noticed since starting to read this group is some pains in my calves and I’ve had a couple of bad muscle spasms about 3 or 4 in the last 4 months . Are these the type of thing I should be looking at . I’ve done a medium carb diet about 3 yrs ago and lost 3 stone but stopped smoking 2 yrs ago and put it back on so I’ve been on a med carb diet for about 4 weeks now and gave lost about a stone . But I’ve had some pasta and bread and even potatoes
 

Mbaker

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Hi @Peadair O Brionn some get no symptoms or are just used to what has become the new norm for them.

For those who react like I did, then poor eyesight / blurred vision, higher blood pressure, increased cholesterol, tingling in the fingers and toes, sleepiness and needing to see often are some of the symptoms, in addition to laying down internal and probably external fat.
 
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LouWilk059

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Welcome! You'll find that most T2s will have reduced their carb consumption to help lower blood glucose. Tagging @daisy1 who will provide you with excellent info for newbies. You'll find everyone here quite friendly and helpful.
 
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bulkbiker

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I’m newly diagnosed type2 only 1 week ago . I didn’t know anything was wrong with me . Please could you tell me what symptoms do you get if you eat potatoes or pasta etc when apparently you shouldn’t . I was eating all of these things up to last week and wasn’t aware of any I’ll effects . The only thing I’ve noticed since starting to read this group is some pains in my calves and I’ve had a couple of bad muscle spasms about 3 or 4 in the last 4 months . Are these the type of thing I should be looking at . I’ve done a medium carb diet about 3 yrs ago and lost 3 stone but stopped smoking 2 yrs ago and put it back on so I’ve been on a med carb diet for about 4 weeks now and gave lost about a stone . But I’ve had some pasta and bread and even potatoes
I'm guessing that you aren't testing your blood sugar levels. If you were you would see spikes when you ate carbohydrate heavy meals which is why a lot of us avoid them. Do you eat... feel stuffed... then really tired? Symptom of too many carbs.
 
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daisy1

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@Peadair O Brionn

Hello and welcome to the Forum :) Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask as many questions as you like and someone will help.

BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 235,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
  • Reduce your carbohydrate intake
  • Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
  • Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
  • Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
  • 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
  • structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
  • self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.

  • Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why

  • Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
 
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Anfalas

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Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
I /the wife counts my carbs ,, if I want potato.. pasta or another high carb foods .. she will adjust the amount and the rest of the meal accordingly .. I found out the hard way that saying I wanted veg pie, chips and mushy peas .. honestly you could have fitted it on the top of a pickled onion jar lid ... I know this because this is what my wife dished it up on ... just to prove her point of no foods being off limits. If you can eat potato or other high carb foods with out it affecting your blood sugars ... then its no problem .. I keep my sugars under 7.8 2hrs after eating, mostly lower than this. So the choice is yours


I need your wife! <3
 

Motherhen2014

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I reversed my Type 2
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At home I will have cauliflower potato which is very nice but may
Me a make up last me three days.I am not a lover of pasta but will have 6 chips if I am out and don't like pasta. If I eat potatoes my readings are high For a long time.
 
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RFSMarch

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Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
Occasionally, yes. I test before food and after (1 and 2 hours) and I adjust portion sizes accordingly.
Oherwise I stick to using cauliflower for recipes that call for rice/potatoes...sweet potato or courgettes spiralised instead of pasta.... Allows me to then indulge in the "bad" stuff once in a while and feel like I am allowing myself a portion controlled treat!
 

Peadair O Brionn

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Type 2
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Diet only
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having diabetes...... people who wear backpacks on the tube
I'm guessing that you aren't testing your blood sugar levels. If you were you would see spikes when you ate carbohydrate heavy meals which is why a lot of us avoid them. Do you eat... feel stuffed... then really tired? Symptom of too many carbs.
No I don’t test . The doc told me I don’t need to test put me on Metformin once a day and statins . That was it .
Come back and see me in 4 weeks
 

bulkbiker

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Type of diabetes
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No I don’t test . The doc told me I don’t need to test put me on Metformin once a day and statins . That was it .
Come back and see me in 4 weeks
Oh dear... a lot of find that testing is essential for good control as you can see the effects of what you have eaten then modify diet accordingly. If you can afford your own meter and strips I would thoroughly recommend getting one. You'll need the mmol/l measurements for the UK
A lot of us use the SD Codefree because the strips are the best priced. You can get it here.
https://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/
(or telephone: 01923 711511)
for the SD Codefree meter, which costs £12.98

Then there are discount codes for the strips
For the SD Codefree, the strips are £7.69 for a pack of 50 and there are discount codes available for bulk purchases:
5 packs x 50 use code: 264086 .. cost is £29.49
10 packs x 50 use code: 975833 .. cost is £58.98
Make sure that you tick the appropriate box on the on-line order form and you won't pay VAT on your meter or strips. For the bulk discount on strips for the SD Codefree, you need to complete the order (check the boxes to confirm that you are diabetic and the number of packs that you want). Then click on view basket and on the left hand side of the window you will see two boxes .. Coupon Code and Apply Coupon. Enter the relevant discount code in the first box and then click the Apply Coupon box. This applies the discount and adjusts the price .. and finally, you then proceed to checkout.
 

Motherhen2014

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I reversed my Type 2
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My doctor said I dont need to test,but I went ahead and got my own metre on spirit Healthcare I dont pay for the metre or Lancets just the tester strips at 7.50 for 50.I am so glad I did as now I know I was eating the wrong foods and going to bed with 16 on the BG meter.. They seem to think that testing our blood causes us more stress I dont agree as now I know what foods I need to avoid or be carefu of not all of them but I am learning by the help of this wonderful Forum
 

mojo37

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Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
My doctor said I dont need to test,but I went ahead and got my own metre on spirit Healthcare I dont pay for the metre or Lancets just the tester strips at 7.50 for 50.I am so glad I did as now I know I was eating the wrong foods and going to bed with 16 on the BG meter.. They seem to think that testing our blood causes us more stress I dont agree as now I know what foods I need to avoid or be carefu of not all of them but I am learning by the help of this wonderful Forum

So true !
 

Diligent500

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Type 2
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Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
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I dislike being diabetic and two heavy I am 80kg and want to get down to 50 kg very soon.
Hi to all,

I am on low carb and would only have it like @christmas and Birthdays that's it.


Diligent500.
 
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DeejayR

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Type 2 (in remission!)
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Diet only
At home I do my best to cook with as few carbs as possible. In a restaurant I do my best to have a good time. This will range from taking pride in avoiding carbs in the face of stiff opposition from an enthusiastic chef, or abandoning the programme and being a slob for an hour. That means eating all the sauces, but not all the chips or other veg, and/or a small bread roll provided it's soaked in olive oil. And no puddings, at all. I don't bother to use the Codefree before and after since in the past the results haven't seemed to relate to the food, so I'm none the wiser. My next Libre sensor is due to go on in May, and that's when I do my research.
 
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Mike d

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No I don’t test . The doc told me I don’t need to test put me on Metformin once a day and statins . That was it .
Come back and see me in 4 weeks

Ignore him @Peadair O Brionn ... you must test and the statins worry me with your leg pains. They did me no good in that area AT ALL. Anecdotal I know, but those on here who refuse to take them far outweigh those that do
 

Alexandra100

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Please could you tell me what symptoms do you get if you eat potatoes or pasta etc when apparently you shouldn’t . I was eating all of these things up to last week and wasn’t aware of any I’ll effects
It is when in a few years' time they cut your feet off and give you a white stick that you notice the difference. Or you may be lucky and die of a heart attack first. You might find this video educational, just don't watch it during dinner!
 
D

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I regularly eat low carb Spud Lite potatoes, and as a bread substitute I eat Mission Low Carb wraps.
 
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