Hi I am new to the forum. I am Type 2 and on no medication at present. Blood sugar around 7.5. I am vegetarian and cannot find a diabetic vegetarian diet anywhere. Has anyone seen one, tried one? Thanks.
Vegetarian Diet
- Thread starter EvieMay
- Start Date
I am not sure what is a "diabetic diet".
Many people with type 2 diabetes on this forum eat a low carb diet.
Some will suggest this is not possible if you are vegetarian.
However, I do not believe it is necessary to become a carnivore to manage your diabetes, especially if you eat dairy and eggs.
We are all different in terms of what our body can manage. Therefore, it is a good idea to measure what your body can manage.
For example, some people find they can tolerate slow carbs like porridge. Others find this sends their blood sugars into orbit.
Common advice is to keep an honest food and drink diary for a week where you measure how many carbs you eat and look for ways to reduce them.
For example, some people replace rice with cauliflower rice, some people replace noddles with spiralised courgettes, potatoes can be replaced by swede, ...
Also, if you get a finger prick tester, you can test what impact this food has on your body - test before you eat and 2 hours later. If your body can tolerate the meal, your BG should rise no more than 2mmol/l.
I am sure some people with type 2 will comment soon.
Remember, this is a marathon, not a spring. In fact, some people find reducing their BG too fast can cause other problems.
Finally, take a look at the Vegetarian sub forum where you may get some more tips:https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/vegetarian-diet-forum.71/
(And don't let the carnivores put you off!)
Many people with type 2 diabetes on this forum eat a low carb diet.
Some will suggest this is not possible if you are vegetarian.
However, I do not believe it is necessary to become a carnivore to manage your diabetes, especially if you eat dairy and eggs.
We are all different in terms of what our body can manage. Therefore, it is a good idea to measure what your body can manage.
For example, some people find they can tolerate slow carbs like porridge. Others find this sends their blood sugars into orbit.
Common advice is to keep an honest food and drink diary for a week where you measure how many carbs you eat and look for ways to reduce them.
For example, some people replace rice with cauliflower rice, some people replace noddles with spiralised courgettes, potatoes can be replaced by swede, ...
Also, if you get a finger prick tester, you can test what impact this food has on your body - test before you eat and 2 hours later. If your body can tolerate the meal, your BG should rise no more than 2mmol/l.
I am sure some people with type 2 will comment soon.
Remember, this is a marathon, not a spring. In fact, some people find reducing their BG too fast can cause other problems.
Finally, take a look at the Vegetarian sub forum where you may get some more tips:https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/vegetarian-diet-forum.71/
(And don't let the carnivores put you off!)
JoKalsbeek
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- Type of diabetes
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Just try to go low carb within what you feel comfortable with eating. Eggs and (hard) cheeses are low to no carb, so if those are still on your menu, that'd be grand. Vegetarian low carb eating is relatively difficult and rather narrow, as a lot is rather carby. But apparently it can be done, as the link @In Response gave you proves. Just, you know, test around your meals, see what works for you and what doesn't, and make sure you get enough protein and fats. https://www.dietdoctor.com/search?s=vegetarian might help some, too.
Good luck!
Jo
No! I keep seeing this mentioned but I know of a number of low carb vegetarians who eat a very varied diet.
In my experience anyone who becomes interested in food whether vegetarian, low carb, gluten-free, ... can be more creative than those who do not follow the same diet.
As well as dairy and eggs, things like tofu, quorn, seitan are all high protein very low carb and that does not include the greater variety of meat alternatives that are available now if you want.
I hope to eventually dispel the myth amongst meat eaters that low carb vegetarianism is "relatively difficult and narrow".
I’m a vegetarian and on low carb and I’m finding it ok.
I’ve got cheddar, feta, paneer and Parmesan in the fridge at the moment and they can be really different from eachother and offer quite a variety of meal options.
I’m also eating a fair amount of tofu and again have got in quite a wide range of nuts. It’s cost a lot up front but it means I feel I have some choice.
I’ve been making things like tofu & limited veg curry in coconut milk and serving it on raw courgetti, aubergine & mozarella bake with leafy salad, paneer & spinach curry with cauliflower rice. I’ve got 5% fat yoghurt in fridge and have that with seeds & a bit of stewed fruit. I can’t quite believe I’m not hungry, it’s been quite mind over matter as I thought without lentils / rice / bread i couldn’t get full. But I’m finding it ok. Good luck with it
I’ve got cheddar, feta, paneer and Parmesan in the fridge at the moment and they can be really different from eachother and offer quite a variety of meal options.
I’m also eating a fair amount of tofu and again have got in quite a wide range of nuts. It’s cost a lot up front but it means I feel I have some choice.
I’ve been making things like tofu & limited veg curry in coconut milk and serving it on raw courgetti, aubergine & mozarella bake with leafy salad, paneer & spinach curry with cauliflower rice. I’ve got 5% fat yoghurt in fridge and have that with seeds & a bit of stewed fruit. I can’t quite believe I’m not hungry, it’s been quite mind over matter as I thought without lentils / rice / bread i couldn’t get full. But I’m finding it ok. Good luck with it
I also chop onions, mushrooms, courgettes in bulk. Then each morning I add that to an egg or two to make an omlette. Sometimes I add cheese & maybe sprinkle seeds. Filling, quick, and doesn’t cause me a spike.
JoKalsbeek
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- Messages
- 6,619
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
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I apologise. I keep forgetting others can eat more than I can. (Tofu and such don't mix well with my other conditions, so for me, it would be narrow and far from do-able.).
Some days it's easier than others to, as we Dutch tend to say, look beyond the tip of our own nose.
Thank you for your replies. They are very helpful and I will try your ideas and receipes.
