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Advice about my VLC diet

Sirzy

Sirzy

Well-Known Member
Messages
266
Location
Glasgow
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Insulin
So I've been low carbing (about 30gs of carbs a day) since my diagnosis around two and a half years ago (I don't currently take any medication, just diet controlled at the moment), and this really suits me and helps keeps my blood sugars in the normal range. But I've recently been diagnosed with a stomach condition called SIBO and have been told to follow a SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) to help treat this. So far I'm finding it really tough going as it's very restrictive in terms of what I can eat and I'm really missing the little 'treats' I was allowed to eat when I was just low carbing, and which aren't allowed on this diet. I'm also having some odd symptoms, similar to how I felt when I first started LC after my diagnosis (legs like jelly, headaches, extreme fatigue) and I'm putting this down to my carb intake going from around 30gs to around 15gs a day.

The thing is, this has been going on for about a week now (I've been on the diet a week too) and I'm wondering when it's going to pass, I can't remember how long it lasted the first time round after my diagnosis, but as I've spent the last week pretty much comatose on the sofa and feeling awful, I'm not sure if I can put up with it much longer! I'm also not allowed to snack on the diet and I'm guessing this isn't helping with the tiredness. Can anyone tell me if they've had similar experiences after starting VLC diets and how long it was until they felt human again?!

Sorry for rambling on so much :)
 
Wow, that's amazing :) I am guessing that any huge dietary change is bound to have ill effects whilst your body readjusts to it :( you may have to just wait it out, keep an eye on bgs though, I wished I could help, best of luck with it
 
Thanks Andy :) Sounds daft, but it only occured to me today that my symptoms could be diabetes/low carb related, I've been putting it down to something called 'die-off', but realistically it's probably due to the VLC diet. I'm supposed to follow this diet for a month (or maybe three!!!) but it's soooo hard to stick to, I haven't slipped up yet, but I don't think I could do it for the rest of my life, it' s just too restrictive, I really hope I can get back to my 30gs of carbs eventually, that seems to suit me so much better :(
 
incredible that you have the reverse problem to many :) i get it though i think i would struggle now to change
 
You could try sauerkraut as long-term treatment if you can find the live variety. A forkful once or twice a day might help to get it under control but you need to persistent, it takes a couple of months or so I have heard. Kimchi might have the same effect.
 
We discovered sauerkraut in a German restaurant. It is served hot and has a few carraway seeds for extra flavour. We buy the Bavarian sauerkraut that we find in some branches of Waitrose. I prefer the Bavarian over the Polish version.
 
That may well be the case, but that is the way I like to consume sauerkraut. It still tastes nice. BTW, I am enjoying my cauliflower rice with some butter stirred into it.
 
Good grief 15g a day that's really tough. The lowest I ever managed just for one day was 14. Like you say 30 is achievable and gives variety. A very quick read on Wikipedia says sibo can get treated via antibiotics so take it you've tried that?



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I'm feeling a bit better today, not so foggy headed, I've still got the jelly-legs though! Sauerkraut is a good idea, but isn't it made from onions? Onions are a no-no on the diet I'm following, so everything is a bit bland. I'll have to look up what kimchi is and see if it's allowed! xyzzy, I'm trying a herbal approach before going down the antibiotics route, clinical trials have shown that the herbal antimicrobials are slightly more effective than antibiotics, but the diet and treatment takes 3 months instead of two weeks. I'm starting to think I should have just gone with the antibiotics in the first place 'cos I never thought the diet would be so tough, I'm having carb cravings and have been dreaming about toast and scones...not good! I'm drinking about 1.5-2 litres every day Mud Island Dweller, maybe I should up this if I can.
 
That's interesting, I have black olives in brine on my salads, maybe I should add a side off them with everything I eat, thanks for the tip :) Unfortunately pizza is definitely off the menu!
 
Sirzy said:
I'm feeling a bit better today, not so foggy headed, I've still got the jelly-legs though! Sauerkraut is a good idea, but isn't it made from onions? Onions are a no-no on the diet I'm following, so everything is a bit bland. I'll have to look up what kimchi is and see if it's allowed! xyzzy, I'm trying a herbal approach before going down the antibiotics route, clinical trials have shown that the herbal antimicrobials are slightly more effective than antibiotics, but the diet and treatment takes 3 months instead of two weeks. I'm starting to think I should have just gone with the antibiotics in the first place 'cos I never thought the diet would be so tough, I'm having carb cravings and have been dreaming about toast and scones...not good! I'm drinking about 1.5-2 litres every day Mud Island Dweller, maybe I should up this if I can.
Click to expand...

No onions in the ingredients list http://www.waitrose.com/webapp/wcs/...0001-7473-Kuhne+sauerkraut.html?storeId=10317
 
Kimchi and sauerkraut both made from fermented cabbage, kimchi is lovely, anything but bland, in fact it can take your head off depending how much chilli it has in it. Never tried to make my own but apparantly not that hard, recipes available online and on youtube. It is available in cans also.


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