Energy

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Has anyone got any low carb ideas to boost my energy I am a skinny type 2 and can eat only very low carbs I have started taking Magnesium again which has helped before but I wondered if anyone has any food ideas
Carol
 

LittleGreyCat

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,233
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Diet drinks - the artificial sweeteners taste vile.
Having to forswear foods I have loved all my life.
Trying to find low carb meals when eating out.
Has anyone got any low carb ideas to boost my energy I am a skinny type 2 and can eat only very low carbs I have started taking Magnesium again which has helped before but I wondered if anyone has any food ideas
Carol

I must ask why you think your food is to blame for lack of energy?

Often the answer is more exercise, if this is possible.
 

Tophat1900

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,407
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Uncooked bacon
Has this been a problem for a long time? Or only since starting low carb?

Sometimes fatigue can have many different causes.
 

NicoleC1971

BANNED
Messages
3,451
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hard to suggest specifics but your GP could check your vitamin B12 and iron levels (if female). Are you on metformin? Here's a list of foods containing vitamin B12 which will also assist in your absorption of magnesium:
  • Beef, liver, and chicken.
  • Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
  • Milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • Eggs.
 

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I have been low carb ing for 10 years since I was diagnosed with diabetes but have had less energy lately I am very active but I don't have time for exercise as such I just wondered if anyone had found anything particular that just gave them an energy boost Apart from some sunshine of course
Carol
 

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hard to suggest specifics but your GP could check your vitamin B12 and iron levels (if female). Are you on metformin? Here's a list of foods containing vitamin B12 which will also assist in your absorption of magnesium:
  • Beef, liver, and chicken.
  • Fish and shellfish such as trout, salmon, tuna fish, and clams.
  • Milk, yogurt, and cheese.
  • Eggs.
Thank you for that ,my iron is fine I take a B vitamin that has plenty of b 12 I eat lots of all your suggestion s (except clams ) !!
Carol
 

Brunneria

Guru
Retired Moderator
Messages
21,889
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Yes. My first reaction on reading your OP was to think Vit D, Magnesium, B12, iron, folate and thyroid...
but life is about a lot more than nutrition. If you don’t have time for exercise, then you have a lot going on, and that in itself may be the problem. But ‘a lot’ and ‘too much’ are lines that only you can draw.

As for the serum calcium, look into K2. That would help a lot with it.
Andyou could always sunbathe. I say this as someone whose hatred of sitting in the sun is legendary. But hey, some people like it. ;)
 

Tophat1900

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,407
Type of diabetes
Type 3c
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Uncooked bacon
I'd probably look at vitamin, mineral levels to start with, as has been already mentioned. If you can talk your GP into looking into them.
 

kitedoc

Well-Known Member
Messages
4,783
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Dislikes
black jelly beans
If you look at Youtube Dr Phinney nutritional ketosis and keto adaption you will see his comments on those on low carb diets needed more salt than otherwise.
 

DCUKMod

Master
Staff Member
Messages
14,298
Type of diabetes
I reversed my Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@carty - I would suggest you ask your Doc to run a decent panel of bloods for you, but including a broad range of vitamins and thyroid profile. An off-balance thyroid can wreak havoc with energy levels (as well as other things). Additionally, for some vitamins and slso for thyroid hormones, just being in a wide range doesn't mean you're at a good level. Some things have to be at the higher or lower ends of the lab assays.
 

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
@carty - I would suggest you ask your Doc to run a decent panel of bloods for you, but including a broad range of vitamins and thyroid profile. An off-balance thyroid can wreak havoc with energy levels (as well as other things). Additionally, for some vitamins and slso for thyroid hormones, just being in a wide range doesn't mean you're at a good level. Some things have to be at the higher or lower ends of the lab assays.
Thanks for that, I always get thyroid check and lots of bloods done because of my calcium levels ,the nurse who takes my blood calls me the lady with the funny calcium ! My just retiring GP was like a dog with a bone until he found out what the problem was so if I don't feel more energy soon I will see if he is still there or I will just have to train a new one!!
Carol
 

Stephen Lewis

Well-Known Member
Messages
207
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Hypocrites, liars, donald trump (no capitals for emphasis)
Someone with more medical knowledge can correct me but it seems that an easy way to give your body more energy is to increase the calories. You don't need to use carbs, and being skinny it sounds like your body is using existing internal protein. I am low carb and do not need to actively increase my fat intake as it automatically went proportionately higher as I changed my diet. Increase the fats so your body has more calories without using protein. Even with higher fats my cholesterol levels are at the low end of normal.
 

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Someone with more medical knowledge can correct me but it seems that an easy way to give your body more energy is to increase the calories. You don't need to use carbs, and being skinny it sounds like your body is using existing internal protein. I am low carb and do not need to actively increase my fat intake as it automatically went proportionately higher as I changed my diet. Increase the fats so your body has more calories without using protein. Even with higher fats my cholesterol levels are at the low end of normal.
Yes I agree but I absolutely stuff myself with fat !and eat enough calories to make a little piggy happy (My cholesterol is ok too) That is why I wondered if anyone knew a boost for my energy .
Maybe I am just an enigma !!! Thanks for your help
Carol
 

Bluetit1802

Legend
Messages
25,216
Type of diabetes
Type 2 (in remission!)
Treatment type
Diet only
Not an answer to your fatigue, but you say you can't exercise, yet you say the reason is because you are active and don't have time. That activity is exercise, is it not? Just saying ..... ;)

You mention Magnesium, but are these tablets or an oil spray? If they are tablets you could try changing to an oil spray. (You just spray some on your skin and rub it in). This ensures it is absorbed better than with tablets.
 

Stephen Lewis

Well-Known Member
Messages
207
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Hypocrites, liars, donald trump (no capitals for emphasis)
I know many will think I am a 'conspiracy crazy' but on the west coast of Canada they have started spraying the sky again as the sunnier weather arrives. I know this was done in the UK 10 years ago and may still be happening. One possibility is that they are spraying aluminium oxide - very light and it reflects sunlight back into space as a 'cure' for climate change. One problem with the aluminium is that it prevents our bodies from producing energy (from a medical text book and confirmed with a medical specialist). I have had less energy this past week when the planes have been up every day for several hours. Just a thought.
 

jjraak

Expert
Messages
7,442
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
wish you well finding a solution @carty

all the above seem helpful.

for me if we're just talking food, i'd recommend greek yoghurt and some blueberries.
i seem to get a reaction like rocket fuel if i take a small bowl in the morning.

and i know it's not supposed to be good..and its a rare treat.
but today i had an apple....bgs were good..but the buzz..omg.
(sugars like that always get me buzzing, ) and the missus reckons i talk WAY too
much, when i have eaten something like that,, so it definitely has an effect on me.
again made me restless to do something, so excess energy for definite.

(going to be keeping a note of that as my go to for instant energy, if the bg's stay good)

maybe if it isn't something medical and complicated, perhaps it is just you've got used to the foods,
and need something you don't normally eat to supplement your diet.for that extra boost ?

i would say IF you try foods you don't normally eat, do, as well as eating to the meter, give them ample time to kick in..
30 mins should be adequate to check if they make any difference.

Not a hi tech answer, but sometimes the simple things can be the best place to start.

good luck finding a solution.
 

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
wish you well finding a solution @carty

all the above seem helpful.

for me if we're just talking food, i'd recommend greek yoghurt and some blueberries.
i seem to get a reaction like rocket fuel if i take a small bowl in the morning.

and i know it's not supposed to be good..and its a rare treat.
but today i had an apple....bgs were good..but the buzz..omg.
(sugars like that always get me buzzing, ) and the missus reckons i talk WAY too
much, when i have eaten something like that,, so it definitely has an effect on me.
again made me restless to do something, so excess energy for definite.

(going to be keeping a note of that as my go to for instant energy, if the bg's stay good)

maybe if it isn't something medical and complicated, perhaps it is just you've got used to the foods,
and need something you don't normally eat to supplement your diet.for that extra boost ?

i would say IF you try foods you don't normally eat, do, as well as eating to the meter, give them ample time to kick in..
30 mins should be adequate to check if they make any difference.

Not a hi tech answer, but sometimes the simple things can be the best place to start.

good luck finding a solution.
Some good ideas there I usually have my yoghurt and cream with berries in the evening after my main meal but I will try in the morning (just had some now) .Unfortunately apples drive my BGs off the planet !
Carol
 
  • Like
Reactions: jjraak

carty

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,379
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Not an answer to your fatigue, but you say you can't exercise, yet you say the reason is because you are active and don't have time. That activity is exercise, is it not? Just saying ..... ;)

You mention Magnesium, but are these tablets or an oil spray? If they are tablets you could try changing to an oil spray. (You just spray some on your skin and rub it in). This ensures it is absorbed better than with tablets.
thanks I may try spray magnesium when I have finished the tablets ,my activities are busy rather than exercise
Carol