Cutting down on varbs

[Tracy58]

Hi, I’ve type 2 diabetes and never tried cutting down on carbs before but I’m struggling a bit lately to keep my blood sugar down. I want to lose some weight as well but don’t really want to count calories so have decided to reduce my carbs gradually and see where it takes me. If I find my readings and weight is not going down then I can cut out some more. I’m not sure if this a good way to make a start and wd really appreciate some advice, thanks.

 

[NathonalCoalBoard71]

Hi, I’ve type 2 diabetes and never tried cutting down on carbs before but I’m struggling a bit lately to keep my blood sugar down. I want to lose some weight as well but don’t really want to count calories so have decided to reduce my carbs gradually and see where it takes me. If I find my readings and weight is not going down then I can cut out some more. I’m not sure if this a good way to make a start and wd really appreciate some advice, thanks.

I think you've got to cut carbs in the way that is likely to be sustainable. Your results will be less dramatic but this is going to need to be a change for life.
If you are taking any bp meds or gliclazide /insulin note that you should discuss how to handle those meds.
I'm type 1 and I cut carbs by doing 1 day per week then 1 meal a week. I've also dropped a meal unless I am really hungry just because eating more protein and fat fills me up.
Taking regular blood tests will be very encouraging because you will see results immediately! You could weigh yourself but I'd suggest a waist measurement is better! You can get a piece of string to do that or try on a pair of trousers that's a bit tight and see how they loosen up.
Carb addiction
I think that big reason why some people struggle with cutting carbs in spite of its being a really effective way to lose fat and reverse diabetes is that there are certain foods that we find addictive e.g. bread, chocolate. If you think that is a factor then I'd consider going cold turkey if you find that certain trigger foods are creeping in and that you are justifying it to yourself e.g. social occasion, needed comfort or have been 'good' all week and will start after the weekend etc!
Dr Unwin's wife, Jen Unwin, has written a great book about all of this which has useful recipes too:

Fork in the Road: A Hopeful Guide to Food Freedom : Unwin, Dr Jen: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Fork in the Road: A Hopeful Guide to Food Freedom : Unwin, Dr Jen: Amazon.co.uk: Books

www.amazon.co.uk

A Fork In The Road

Good luck!

 

[Tracy58]

I think you've got to cut carbs in the way that is likely to be sustainable. Your results will be less dramatic but this is going to need to be a change for life.
If you are taking any bp meds or gliclazide /insulin note that you should discuss how to handle those meds.
I'm type 1 and I cut carbs by doing 1 day per week then 1 meal a week. I've also dropped a meal unless I am really hungry just because eating more protein and fat fills me up.
Taking regular blood tests will be very encouraging because you will see results immediately! You could weigh yourself but I'd suggest a waist measurement is better! You can get a piece of string to do that or try on a pair of trousers that's a bit tight and see how they loosen up.
Carb addiction
I think that big reason why some people struggle with cutting carbs in spite of its being a really effective way to lose fat and reverse diabetes is that there are certain foods that we find addictive e.g. bread, chocolate. If you think that is a factor then I'd consider going cold turkey if you find that certain trigger foods are creeping in and that you are justifying it to yourself e.g. social occasion, needed comfort or have been 'good' all week and will start after the weekend etc!
Dr Unwin's wife, Jen Unwin, has written a great book about all of this which has useful recipes too:

Fork in the Road: A Hopeful Guide to Food Freedom : Unwin, Dr Jen: Amazon.co.uk: Books

Fork in the Road: A Hopeful Guide to Food Freedom : Unwin, Dr Jen: Amazon.co.uk: Books

www.amazon.co.uk

A Fork In The Road

Good luck!

Thanks for replying, what you say sounds like good advice for me, I’ll certainly give it a go! If I lived on my own it wd be much easier as my partner is a sweetaholic and there’s always loads of sweet stuff in the house. I’ve tried to explain to him that if it’s not in the by house I wouldn’t go out and buy it and I don’t think he has grasped how serious the consequences of diabetes can be and I’m sick trying to get through to him, he might have to go out the door with the sweet stuff lol Anyway hopefully I’ll make some progress with the carbs etc.

 

[Oldvatr]

Do whatever you feel comfortble with. Its not a sprint, but may be a mararthon. There is no prescribed formula for it and the only magic involved is that all carbs go to become blood glucose.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thanks for replying, what you say sounds like good advice for me, I’ll certainly give it a go! If I lived on my own it wd be much easier as my partner is a sweetaholic and there’s always loads of sweet stuff in the house. I’ve tried to explain to him that if it’s not in the by house I wouldn’t go out and buy it and I don’t think he has grasped how serious the consequences of diabetes can be and I’m sick trying to get through to him, he might have to go out the door with the sweet stuff lol Anyway hopefully I’ll make some progress with the carbs etc.

My husband got used to extra dark chocolate, and the sweet stuff just goes with him to his place of work. Makes my life much easier. https://josekalsbeek.blogspot.com/2019/11/the-nutritional-thingy.html might help a little with the rest of it.
Good luck!
Jo

 

[Oldvatr]

My wife was a carboholic too, and not diabetic. But we ended up with me doing the catering (LCHF) and she shared my meals. I did not stop her havng her treats. We both lost weight from the low carb diet, and my sugars behaved themselves.

 

[Outlier]

My husband is a lean fit non-diabetic, eats all the time and fills the house with things I mustn't eat. He is, however, good enough to keep it all out of sight and in places I don't need to access. That makes it a lot easier. He is also under instruction to eat it all when I am not there, and not to tell me about it.

Our supermarket trolley towers with diabetes-unfriendly food - I feel like putting a sign on it to say it isn't for me!