BG 4's-5's questions ???

Hi there,

So, over the last couple of days I have been very happy, in general terms by BGs had been more or less constant at all times across the day, no big jumps, no spikes.

My lower BG has been 4.1 (after my first day exercising) and my highest one has been 5.9 (fasting and at the very beginning of the last 8 days)

I am liking very much this predictability thing, so far I am pretty much having the same breakfast everyday (with very small variations), and lunch and dinner are 3.5-4oz of protein, plus 2 cups of green salad or green veg. I don't feel hungry, or light headed, neither I have had cravings in all these days.

But today, I'm not in a great mood, admittedly it was a bad start of the day for lots of reasons starting with going to bed so late at night and not sleeping as many hours as usual. I've been craving something sweet although all my blood and everything else is perfectly fine. I feel moody, grumpy and upset.

I couldn't find my dark chocolate in the cupboard so I need to go out and busy some, I am not chocolaty but I know it increases serotonin levels and I wanted a pick up (rather than eating berries that will increase my blood sugar but not necessarily my serotonin levels).

I am also wondering if it might be the combination of been in such a normal sugar levels range after months probably running really high... I just don't feel quite right today or it might be tiredness from the exercise (just 40min a day of brisk walk????? don't think is that much).

Any experiences going on this low BGs for a while? What should I expect?

Also, after reading so very often over the last weeks (6-8 times a day), I kind of feel overwhelmed, yes, it really has worked, but maybe now I should approach it differently since my levels are more or less constant? if so, how often and when?

Thank you guys in advanced

s_k_s said:

Probably more stress induced rather than as a result of low levels. I have been low carbing religiously for 2 months and it's only natural to get cravings. I tend to find I comfort eat when I get stressed.

I think i read a joke on here which went something along the lines of "Question what do you have if you get sweet cravings - Answer = diabetes!".

Have a look at the Low Carb forum and the thread What have you eaten today. Many ideas in there for what you can eat to satisfy any cravings without doing much harm to your blood sugar levels. Yougurt and berries or cream and berries seems popular. You can drizzle a bit of honey if you really want the sweet taste. Have a look at the Chia seeds recipe on the thread again with berries. That is quite filling.

If you want to go a step further there are many recipes on there if you are into cooking and have the time.

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I had Low Carb several times in the past, before being diabetic, cravings weren't a problem. I think, as you said, the stress is what's causing it, I would say is emotional eating than anything else. I don't want to give in though, my levels are beautiful, my weight is coming off, and there is valentines dinner tomorrow... so need to be as good as I possibly can lol.

I have to say, sweet cravings are not common in my life, I would crave more starches and savoury food. Therefore the question, as it feels odd to me.

DeejayR said:

Sounds like you're walking on a tightrope of perfection ... worried you may fall off, and maybe the Valentine's Day dinner will topple you? Do something relaxing and don't worry

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I checked out the menu hehehe as I chose the restaurant myself hehehe...I'm relatively safe if I don't fall into temptation lol

Naahhh no perfection here whatsoever, fear.... lots of fear about the consequences of not keeping blood sugars under control...

Been off the wagon several times in the past...

Bluetit1802 said:

Your body needs time to adjust to your new regime of eating. The first few weeks of very low carb can be difficult and make you feel ****. Carbs are addictive, and the withdrawal symptoms may make you "out of sorts" and craving stuff. Personally I never experienced this because I didn't go cold turkey. I reduced my carbs gradually over a few months. I took the tortoise route rather than the hare route, and that worked for me. If you so desperately want to see 4's to low 5's at all readings, then stick at it. Things will get better.

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I have always done low carb cold turkey (but I wasn't diabetic then)... Atkins induction really... never had a problem with cravings after the first three days. Going cold turkey just felt natural to me, but I suspect this time, because my BG was so high and now I am diabetic it's a different story... if the body its used for the last, lest say 5 months, been running high in sugar, it will definitely be a shock to it to go back to a normal 4 - 5... me thinking :S

DeejayR said:

Sounds like you're walking on a tightrope of perfection ... worried you may fall off, and maybe the Valentine's Day dinner will topple you? Do something relaxing and don't worry

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Yeah... going for a walk... and it started raining lol not my day... sigh... still going though and dance in it