Has anyone tried Low Carb Program?
I am thinking about giving it a go but I don't want to waste money.
Thank you
I am thinking about giving it a go but I don't want to waste money.
Thank you
Low Carb Program
- Thread starter ebbie0201
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I registered when it was free but didn’t really use it, I found the Diet Dr website better:
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
EDIT Please excuse my manners, just noticed that’s your first post. Welcome!
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb
EDIT Please excuse my manners, just noticed that’s your first post. Welcome!
Resurgam
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I got onto it whilst it was still free - I can't recommend it, it is so slow, later 'weeks' are locked and it takes ages to get the information which could, quite honestly, be given in minutes. There is 'support' - things to fill in, but I couldn't honestly be bothered faffing about with it. It might well suit some people but it isn't for me.
Guzzler
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Hello and welcome to the forum. Tagging @daisy1 for the info pack offered to all newcomers.
You can get all the information about low carb dieting as well as other dietary options to help you manage Type 2 Diabetes or Pre Diabetes right here on the forum. Just ask and we will help and support you all the way because we were all newbies once and can well remember what it is like. Have a read around the forum while you wait for Daisy's post.
You can get all the information about low carb dieting as well as other dietary options to help you manage Type 2 Diabetes or Pre Diabetes right here on the forum. Just ask and we will help and support you all the way because we were all newbies once and can well remember what it is like. Have a read around the forum while you wait for Daisy's post.
lucylocket61
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Although I find the dietdoctor website useful, I dont like that it tells you to stop all bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and beans. Not all of us have to go that low carb, and can eat some of the ones I mentioned.
so I recommend reading around the whole of this website, not only the forums. There is a wealth of free information on here.
Welcome to the forum @ebbie0201 . Your best bet is to get a blood glucose meter and start testing how different foods and amounts of food affect you. There is some good info here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-testing-for-type2-diabetes.html
so I recommend reading around the whole of this website, not only the forums. There is a wealth of free information on here.
Welcome to the forum @ebbie0201 . Your best bet is to get a blood glucose meter and start testing how different foods and amounts of food affect you. There is some good info here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-testing-for-type2-diabetes.html
Last edited:
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Hi there Ebbie - The Low Carb Programme has been extremely successful. The following YouTube presentation is Charlotte from this site, outlining some of the results people have achieved.
The video is from a conference that took place about a year ago. I have seen interim figures, but wouldn't be able to accurately remember them to safely quote, so I'd say the video could be worth the watch.
Good luck with it all, and feel free to stick around the forum too!
shelley262
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I tried it early last autumn when it was free and for first few months it was excellent for me. It helped me to take it slowly and reduce carbs with info. Then discovered dietdoctor site and also intermittent fasting and moved more to keto and intermittent fasting but couldn't have started with keto I needed the transition period and also liked the monitoring side of the site and still record my measurements on there even though I'm now six months in and nearly at my personal targets. It also helped me adjust slowly so didn't get the dreaded keto flu!
Hi and welcome. You don't need to spend any money or join any program. Just follow the low-carb advice around these forums and you'll find it works. Go for a daily carb intake of 150gm or less if you can and go for complex higher-GI carbs when you can. Have enough fat and protein to keep you feeling full. It works for my wife and myself.
ickihun
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What money would you be wasting? Veg and protein snacks can be used even not low carb.
What we're you thinking of starting like? Any meal plans?
lucylocket61
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lucylocket61
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ickihun
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WHAT?
I wish them luck.
Any decent book is less than that. I'd want a 1-2-1 consultation on-line for that. Dr Bernstein's book helped me more.
Alexandra100
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It all depends how you like to learn. I prefer books and I strongly recommend Jenny Ruhl's "Your Diabetes Questions Answered". That comes a lot cheaper @£11.95 paperback or £7.66 Kindle, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Diabe...=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1519248446&sr=1-3
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Anyone who signed up prior to it becoming a subscription service continues lifetime membership.
Alexandra100
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I agree, Dr Bernstein's book is a great classic, but perhaps a bit demanding for a beginner? There are lots of articles and little videos on his site totally free http://www.diabetes-book.com also lots of free help on Jenny Ruhl's site http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/ and on the Diabetes UK site, come to that.
ickihun
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caroline_92
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The other book worth considering, that is generally to be found cheap in major UK supermarkets, is Michael Mosley 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet.
I found the low carb online programme really slow and frustrating and that is before you had to pay for it!
I found the low carb online programme really slow and frustrating and that is before you had to pay for it!
daisy1
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@ebbie0201
Hello Ebbie 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 be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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:
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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Hello Ebbie 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 be able to help.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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
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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
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.
How much money do people waste on junk food that may eventually make them sick?
Much information is available free on the internet if you have time to research it all and the self discipline to apply it. A single book may be cheaper than the whole low carb program but won't offer as much follow up support.
Other more expensive programs are available.
I found that the low carb program suited me best because it paced the information carefully over several weeks, during which users can see gradual improvements (sometimes amazingly rapid ones) which keep them motivated to continue.
If the low program had been available years ago, it would have saved me thousands of pounds in costs that our 'free' NHS does not cover - like hospital parking, petrol or taxis to distant hospitals, books, private consultations when GPs hadn't time to explain things in detail.
