- Messages
- 83
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
Hi all,
Just for anyone interested I thought I could post my experience on changing to a low carb diet (<40g per day max). I have done this before but got side-tracked by...carbs. So here are some results/comments for those interested:
Week before 7-day average = 12mmol/l
First week of <40g carbs ed = 6.7
Last 5 readings:7.0, 6.1, 5.8, 8.2, 6.6
Previous insulin regime: 24IU lantus/glargine (basal bolus) ed during week; 28IU on weekend. Novorapid with carbs/as needed
Current inslulin regime: no insulin during week. 2-4IU on weekends
Exercise regime (remained the same): Every weekday 1hr in morning consisting of 30min weights, 30 min cardio OR 45min weights + 15min cardio in morning with 30 min cardio at lunchtime (cardio is usually running @ 12kph)
Diet: Pervious was carb heavy, typical diet although tried to remain healthy. Low on fats and trying to avoid simple carbs. New diet only has carbs from vegetables, higher fat content overall. No milk (but do have other dairy products).
Noticable effects
- Digestion - an improvement in bloating (reduced), fewer bowel movements however no issues with constipation (!). Was worried about less fibre from things like oats/rice etc, but this has not been an issue.
- Satiable - can go longer between meals without eating. Feel fuller.
- Cravings - now down to 0. Had a really tough time from days 5-7 however this is expected at this time and also it was the weekend (where I'm used to being a little less strict with diet!). Do not get the ravenous feelings that were associated with a little bit hypo or hyper
- Energy levels - feel far more awake in morning and evening - completely different to how I was eating carbs and on isulin. Feel like I need less sleep. With carbs and poor BG management I got extremely tired, have a long commute which was difficult. Lacked much energy especially in afternoons. Hard to get up and took longer to wake compared with low carbs/no insulin
- Hypos/Hypers - none. highest been was 12mmol/l however this was at start of diet. Regularly around 7mmol/l and lowest has been 5.3.
- Attitude - much more mellow, less easily angered or getting in bad moods.
Overall, the range of BG levels I achieve using this approach for me is very stable which has led to me feeling 100x better in general. Almost how I felt before I was diagnosed although this was a long time ago so my memory may be skewed!! My BG levels are excellent, there are no hypos as no insulin used and no hypers as combination of very low carbs and high exercise means my levels stay stable. I feel it is very positive for me and hope to be able to maintain long term. I have lost 2kg of weight however I imagine this will stablise. I am around 10-12% body fat so have no need to lose excessive amounts of weight.
I would not recommend this diet to everyone or this approach (i.e. please do not stop taking insulin hearing this!) as you really have to know how your body reacts to insulin (both long and short), know how your body reacts to exercise, and in combination with insulin, and have a good knowledge of carb levels in food to keep tight under the 40g amount. You also have to be well prepared as it is difficult to just pop to the shop and buy some food if you are sticking to this. Finally, to be able to eliminate insulin you have to dedicate a decent amount of time to a good level of somewhat intense exercise most days of the week.
Hopefully some will find this interesting! I will have to see what my HbA1c levels are although having moved recently I have been rubbish at getting to the hospital for diabetic appointments...!
JD
Just for anyone interested I thought I could post my experience on changing to a low carb diet (<40g per day max). I have done this before but got side-tracked by...carbs. So here are some results/comments for those interested:
Week before 7-day average = 12mmol/l
First week of <40g carbs ed = 6.7
Last 5 readings:7.0, 6.1, 5.8, 8.2, 6.6
Previous insulin regime: 24IU lantus/glargine (basal bolus) ed during week; 28IU on weekend. Novorapid with carbs/as needed
Current inslulin regime: no insulin during week. 2-4IU on weekends
Exercise regime (remained the same): Every weekday 1hr in morning consisting of 30min weights, 30 min cardio OR 45min weights + 15min cardio in morning with 30 min cardio at lunchtime (cardio is usually running @ 12kph)
Diet: Pervious was carb heavy, typical diet although tried to remain healthy. Low on fats and trying to avoid simple carbs. New diet only has carbs from vegetables, higher fat content overall. No milk (but do have other dairy products).
Noticable effects
- Digestion - an improvement in bloating (reduced), fewer bowel movements however no issues with constipation (!). Was worried about less fibre from things like oats/rice etc, but this has not been an issue.
- Satiable - can go longer between meals without eating. Feel fuller.
- Cravings - now down to 0. Had a really tough time from days 5-7 however this is expected at this time and also it was the weekend (where I'm used to being a little less strict with diet!). Do not get the ravenous feelings that were associated with a little bit hypo or hyper
- Energy levels - feel far more awake in morning and evening - completely different to how I was eating carbs and on isulin. Feel like I need less sleep. With carbs and poor BG management I got extremely tired, have a long commute which was difficult. Lacked much energy especially in afternoons. Hard to get up and took longer to wake compared with low carbs/no insulin
- Hypos/Hypers - none. highest been was 12mmol/l however this was at start of diet. Regularly around 7mmol/l and lowest has been 5.3.
- Attitude - much more mellow, less easily angered or getting in bad moods.
Overall, the range of BG levels I achieve using this approach for me is very stable which has led to me feeling 100x better in general. Almost how I felt before I was diagnosed although this was a long time ago so my memory may be skewed!! My BG levels are excellent, there are no hypos as no insulin used and no hypers as combination of very low carbs and high exercise means my levels stay stable. I feel it is very positive for me and hope to be able to maintain long term. I have lost 2kg of weight however I imagine this will stablise. I am around 10-12% body fat so have no need to lose excessive amounts of weight.
I would not recommend this diet to everyone or this approach (i.e. please do not stop taking insulin hearing this!) as you really have to know how your body reacts to insulin (both long and short), know how your body reacts to exercise, and in combination with insulin, and have a good knowledge of carb levels in food to keep tight under the 40g amount. You also have to be well prepared as it is difficult to just pop to the shop and buy some food if you are sticking to this. Finally, to be able to eliminate insulin you have to dedicate a decent amount of time to a good level of somewhat intense exercise most days of the week.
Hopefully some will find this interesting! I will have to see what my HbA1c levels are although having moved recently I have been rubbish at getting to the hospital for diabetic appointments...!
JD