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Food lists or particular diet, where?

Mrsmac247

Mrsmac247

Well-Known Member
Messages
232
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
So I've read the diet doctor website and other various Low Carb websites, but must admit I still feel confused or like I am chasing my tail with what I can eat, what I should eat in moderation and what not to eat (well, I kinda got that part!) I think I need something more directive under the low carb umbrella!

Often I find that websites conflict with the information that is given in terms of what is considered low carb so I am wondering...

  • Apart from the LCHF title, are you following a particular known or unknown diet? what I mean is are you following a prescriptive diet? I ask because I feel as though I need more guidance and a greater breakdown in food lists to help me plan.
  • Do you know any book, or website which gives a good in depth break down of food lists?
It was only yesterday that I had a hissy fit in Tesco's as I realized that the lovely green beans I have been eating; replacing rice has as much carbs as carrots which are not recommended!
 
I can't help with any book but don't automatically exclude carrots or green beans (or anything else) just because some people struggle with them; it doesn't automatically mean that you will. If your blood glucose has been good after eating green beans then keep eating them. That's why people on this forum say eat to your meter as we are all so individual in what affects our blood glucose.

I can eat green beans without problem. I also had butternut squash soup and was fine and many people have to avoid that. It's all individual. Just keep eating and testing to find out what works for you.

Aldi 75% dark chocolate is fine for me too (and tastes even better than carrots or green beans!) :)
 
@bobrobert, just had a look at the link and it is very interesting, I have one of his books from many years ago the Low GL diet somewhere in the cupboard:angelic: it may be worth me digging it out and having a look!

@PerfectStorm yes my BG's have been ok...although I've run out of strips so been in the dark for a few days lol it was just annoying when stocking up on veg last night to see the carb levels! I think I'm one of those people that need hand holding with diets so the more prescriptive the better!
 
Whatever way you decide to manage your diabetes, the plan will be unique to you. Your tolerances and preferences are unique and your meter is the best tool, without it you will never know how foods are affecting you.

I read a post this morning where a person could tolerate all animal fats except butter. Unless you are eating carrots by the ton I would suggest that a small portion combined with other veg, protein and fats may not raise your blood sugars but how will you know if you do not try? That is the whole idea of testing before and after meals. If there was a blueprint for management then we would all be copying it.

Don't be so hard on yourself and remember that it takes a while to get your head round it. Some people think it will happen overnight and then get disappointed when it doesn't. This is a marathon and not a sprint.

You need to relax and accept that this is going to take a while. Your frustration will cause stress to you and this will raise your blood sugars.
 
@catherinecherub that was me with the butter - nothing to do with diabetes, but having my gallbladder removed. But as you say, it's indicative of how individual our eating plans need to be - and that they're constantly evolving.

@Mrsmac247 If I were you - in the early stages of an LCHF lifestyle - not to get too hung up on the tiny numbers - until you get settled on it and start to fine tune it. As you said elsewhere, your BG control is currently very good, so you're establishing a routine to maintain that, rather than drastically improve it (as I'm trying to do, to minimise the insulin I need).

Think in terms of the bigger picture - you have to consider both portion sizes and improving meals overall - so think relatively, rather than getting too hung up on the individual carbs. For example, you said you had been replacing rice with green beans. A significant dollop of green beans on your plate will be about 3g of carbs. The same volume of rice would be at least 40g of carbs, a small baked potato would be similar - so you've already shaved 37g of carbs off your daily load in that one modest adjustment to one meal - do that with 21 meals a week and you're making a significant improvement in your carb intake and resulting glucose control. Surely that's all good?! :D

Green beans are also highly nutritious in other ways too and full of fibre, so I personally would eat them with impunity - but your meter will tell you if you can do that - and it will depend on how hard core you're going LCHF - I'm not, I consider most veggies to have more value to me nutritionally and well-being wise than the incidental carbs they contain - but that's me - I just don't want to spend too much time worrying about it.
 
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Thanks guys, definately will take on board some of the advice given here. Part of my reasonsing for posting the questions is that I want to try and understand as much as I can and take on board the changes that I need to make. You are right, i do get frustrated, partially at myself for even having to break down food in this way and partially because I feel a bit lost without direction. I want to get to the stage where my BG is under control and out of the diabetic range as well as realising that I have aroun 3 stone to loose to be within the recommended BMI range.

I hope that makes sense
 
When I was first diagnosed I worried about eating everything, the first meal I made was salmon with broccoli, green beans and mushrooms I had a before reading of 6.2 and 2hrs post 5.9 being so impressed by this I lived on the same meal for days, it was sooo boring by day four. One evening I was desperate for the taste of cottage pie and by then I had found the forum and discovered cauliflower mash. I wasn't very keen on it so the next time I made it I topped it with carrot and swede mash, I worried about the carrots but was fine with them. I then decided to try everything in my veg box, I followed the recipes on here and discovered I could eat a lot more than I first thought, discarding foods that spiked me. I kept a food diary and recorded my readings and the rest as they say is history. I lost 2 stone and have just had a health check and was told I am doing really well and all my numbers have come down, I feel so well and the fear of food has gone. You have Diabetes but your body is exclusively yours and you will find you can tolerate foods other's can't, the only way is to test all your meals and you will soon be able to throw a meal together without having to check if it's safe for you. Look at the recipe thread there is some good stuff there, well worth a browse, I found it really helpful
 
BooJewels said:
you have to consider both portion sizes and improving meals overall - so think relatively.
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I just chuckled remembered a conversation I had with my husband in Tesco the other day whilst looking at flavourings I could use to vary some of the dishes I've been making.

Him: "oh, this won't do, it's 23g carbs per 100g, you want to keep under 10g."
Me: "yes it is, but I'd have to eat 7 packets of it to get 23g of carbs. I somehow think the carb loading would be the least of my worries after eating 100g of raw paprika, pepper and stuff!" :greedy::meh::sour:

@Mrsmac247 Just seen your latest post as I'm typing. You're very, very new to this - so it's really early days - it no doubt feels totally overwhelming - but it will come, you'll gradually get to grips with it and learn what works for you and what's workable with your other circumstances - after all, it is something we have to stick to long term and settle on a level that we're comfortable with and know we can sustain. I've been doing this a long time and am just trying this as a new regime - for me. So I feel like I'm starting over a bit too. But I promise you, it will get easier as you get to grips with it.
 
Mrsmac247 said:
Thanks guys, definately will take on board some of the advice given here. Part of my reasonsing for posting the questions is that I want to try and understand as much as I can and take on board the changes that I need to make. You are right, i do get frustrated, partially at myself for even having to break down food in this way and partially because I feel a bit lost without direction. I want to get to the stage where my BG is under control and out of the diabetic range as well as realising that I have aroun 3 stone to loose to be within the recommended BMI range.

I hope that makes sense
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I know exactly what you mean!!, I like direction and someone to tell me if its ok to eat this or that. I don't like any cream, or coconut oil any of the good fats that people are using and worry I am eating to much meat! or cheese its an absolute minefield. There are people on here that have done amazing with weight loss and seems to just be falling off them. I have lost weight but only 2lbs this week and was a bit disappointed which is silly as 2lbs is a good loss just wish it was quicker as I am being so strict. J x
 
PerfectStorm said:
I can't help with any book but don't automatically exclude carrots or green beans (or anything else) just because some people struggle with them; it doesn't automatically mean that you will. If your blood glucose has been good after eating green beans then keep eating them. That's why people on this forum say eat to your meter as we are all so individual in what affects our blood glucose.

I can eat green beans without problem. I also had butternut squash soup and was fine and many people have to avoid that. It's all individual. Just keep eating and testing to find out what works for you.

Aldi 75% dark chocolate is fine for me too (and tastes even better than carrots or green beans!) :)
Click to expand...
The excluding of fruit and veg is the part that is most confusing as we have had it drummed into us how we must eat our 5 a day etc. Cutting so much out in the fruit and veg area has so far led to terrible constipation for me....I used to ''go'' every day without fail....now it is 3 to 4 days at best and most uncomfortable to say the least....(also requires several sticks of carb free dynamite :D ). So perhaps a few carbs is better than trying to go ''hardcore'' LCHF. It's a big shock to the body in itself so it has to make sense to test and see just how much our bodies can handle before totally eliminating foods for fear of carbs
 
Be patient. At least, that is what I have to tell myself. ;)

I have been reducing carbs for a month and a half and JUST this week, I feel like I can maneuver my way through a day of LCHF without over-thinking. I like a lot of variety in my meals, so maybe it is taking me longer. That said, I still am in the trial and error stage. Remember, just because you don't see a loss on the scale, doesn't mean that you aren't losing or changing shape. I just had to order new pants and my weight hasn't budged for a couple of weeks. So, it is working. And there is also that minor detail about feeling fantastic. I feel so much better these days.:D

Raw green beans are a go-to snack for me. They are sweet and crunchy. I eat them almost every day. Mushrooms are another LC food that tastes indulgent and really fills me up. Learning what you can eat and how your body responds to it takes time. You will get there. And if you have questions, everyone is so kind and helpful, so ask away!
 
Gezzabelle said:
The excluding of fruit and veg is the part that is most confusing as we have had it drummed into us how we must eat our 5 a day etc. Cutting so much out in the fruit and veg area has so far led to terrible constipation for me....I used to ''go'' every day without fail....now it is 3 to 4 days at best and most uncomfortable to say the least....(also requires several sticks of carb free dynamite :D ). So perhaps a few carbs is better than trying to go ''hardcore'' LCHF. It's a big shock to the body in itself so it has to make sense to test and see just how much our bodies can handle before totally eliminating foods for fear of carbs
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I used to think this too (only a week ago) and people set me straight. For example, this morning I had 2 cups of sautéed spinach with 4 oz mushrooms with my eggs this morning. That is two veggies right there. At lunch, I am having an avocado, salsa, cucumbers. So, more veggies. At dinner, there will be more. I find that I am eating more veggies now that I am not eating other carbalicious foods. I will admit that I don't eat as much fruit as I used to, but I do have it every day. Last night, I had a couple of apple wedges at dinner and my BS managed it perfectly. Today, I am going to enjoy some blueberries.

I take Natural Calm (magnesium) at night to help with sleep and it also helps with "the other" too. ;)
 
vintageutopia said:
I used to think this too (only a week ago) and people set me straight. For example, this morning I had 2 cups of sautéed spinach with 4 oz mushrooms with my eggs this morning. That is two veggies right there. At lunch, I am having an avocado, salsa, cucumbers. So, more veggies. At dinner, there will be more. I find that I am eating more veggies now that I am not eating other carbalicious foods. I will admit that I don't eat as much fruit as I used to, but I do have it every day. Last night, I had a couple of apple wedges at dinner and my BS managed it perfectly. Today, I am going to enjoy some blueberries.

I take Natural Calm (magnesium) at night to help with sleep and it also helps with "the other" too. ;)
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Thanks for all that ...especially the advice on ''the other'' lol. So I guess it really is down to try things and then see how they affect your BG. :)
 
Funny you say that, last night we picked up a bag of spinach, never had it before but fried some with some butter and garlic this morning and had it with my eggs and left over chicken from dinner. It was actually quite nice...only thing I would ad is a touch of salt. Spinach is now on the menu
 
@Gezzabelle - that was one of the benefits I was alluding to when I mentioned that "I consider most veggies to have more value to me nutritionally and well-being wise than the incidental carbs they contain" - I still eat fruit too - but perhaps more moderately than I was, but I not only fill my plate with a selection of veg or salad items and really enjoy them as part of meals, but also use them as a main ingredient. I eat some veggies raw - which my DN says requires more energy to digest and leaves them more fibrous, plus they're likely to maintain more of their nutrients too. I don't mind giving up bread, but I won't give up veggies.

Talking of which, I'm now off to make myself a big dish of cauliflower cheese for my lunch. I'll sneak a few sugarsnaps in there too. I was looking for a wicked smilie with devil horns, but there isn't one.
 
BooJewels said:
@Gezzabelle - that was one of the benefits I was alluding to when I mentioned that "I consider most veggies to have more value to me nutritionally and well-being wise than the incidental carbs they contain" - I still eat fruit too - but perhaps more moderately than I was, but I not only fill my plate with a selection of veg or salad items and really enjoy them as part of meals, but also use them as a main ingredient. I eat some veggies raw - which my DN says requires more energy to digest and leaves them more fibrous, plus they're likely to maintain more of their nutrients too. I don't mind giving up bread, but I won't give up veggies.

Talking of which, I'm now off to make myself a big dish of cauliflower cheese for my lunch. I'll sneak a few sugarsnaps in there too. I was looking for a wicked smilie with devil horns, but there isn't one.
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I 've never eaten so many veggies....I think the best thing I have done up to yet though has to be buying a smaller plate. Portion size before was much much bigger and now I surprisingly find a much smaller portion is perfectly acceptable :D
 
@Mrsmac247 spinach is one of the veggies I prefer raw - I think they call the variety 'smooth leaf' when it's sold as a salad leaf - they're a smoother smaller leaf - I shred it in my salads. Full of iron and other goodies. Just look what it did for Popeye!
 
Mrsmac247 said:
Funny you say that, last night we picked up a bag of spinach, never had it before but fried some with some butter and garlic this morning and had it with my eggs and left over chicken from dinner. It was actually quite nice...only thing I would ad is a touch of salt. Spinach is now on the menu
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Great! My egg/spinach/mushroom/butter breakfast was only 5 carbs, so not bad in my book. Salt is a good add-in, plus we need it more while doing LCHF.
 
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