• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Frustrated!

trinity0097

Well-Known Member
Messages
211
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Just back from the dietician at the hospital. Very little praise for getting my blood sugars to within normal ranges and losing 1.5 stone in nearly 8 weeks. Apparently if I don't eat starch I will lose brain function and I don't want that now do I.....?! Instead I am told to eat more fruit and carbs in order to feel more confident in my diabetes, even if that means I have to take more medication. I was feeling confident, in doing LCHF. I knew I needed to try and get in more veg and also more fat, as I think I'm doing too much protein and not enough fat as my weight loss is stalling. She also recommended I do a DESMOND course - well if they are going to tell me to eat more carbs I don't see why I should bother taking a whole day off work to be told to eat more of the stuff that makes my blood sugar rise!?

Frustrated!
 
Hi Trinity

Congratulations on your improved bg levels and weight loss. You obviously have a good handle on it. I always say, if these dietician want to treat their own diabetes with plenty of carbs, then good luck to them. It's your body, your responsibility and you know yourself best. I'd ignore them. I refused the Desmond course so it wouldn't be fair for me to comment on that.

Best wishes for your continued good health. Great profile pic, by the way
 
Yes it is frustrating when you know more than they do and they are only interested in trotting out the same old advice time and again. Don't jeopardise your relationship with your diabetes care team though, they may come in useful one day and in the computer age nothing is forgotten.
Just smile politely.
 
Well done on your progress so far and for sticking with what you feel is right for you. I went on a Desmond and although it was, er, interesting, it was of little value to me so you may not want to lose a day's work.
 
I doubt they will look after me, this was someone from the hospital and they don't really want anything to do with me as I'm T2, but because I was diagnosed in A&E not with my GP I initially came under their care. Seeing my practice DSN nurse tomorrow. Metformin is not agreeing with me, even after 2 months, so I want the slow release version I think!
 
Well done with your progress, don't let the numpties knock you off course (you won't of course!)
 
Did Desmond course wouldn't take a day of work for it, Trying not to be too negative about it, if your body can cope with fairly high carbs it might be ok, otherwise I have learnt more from people on here than I did from Desmond
Jan
 
Well done for getting your bloods under control and losing the weight, you must be feeling great about it.

NHS Promoting obesity and diabetes since 1984
 
It's a similar situation here in Canada. Diabetes educators, dietitians and nurses are instructed that humans absolutely need at least 130g of carbs a day to maintain brain function. I consume about that much per week and I am functioning better than ever. Since I have been diagnosed type 2 I have not had more than 2 consultations each with the 1 dietitian, 2 nurses and 5 doctors I have seen. It's really hard to get them trained in LCHF at this rate as they keep moving to different locations and I never see them again. However, I'm hoping my current diabetes nurse will be around for a while and I can get her to see the light. I'm hoping that I can show her that type 2 diabetes does not always get progressively worse (as she was taught) if treated properly with the right diet.

I agree it can be very frustrating dealing with the healh care system when it doesn't seem to understand the basic concept that eating lots of carbs is bad for blood glucose levels.
 
A heart surgeon was on Sky news this morning doing paper reviews, one story was about Cameron eating some food (I know, I know) and they talked about one chap called Blair or something and he ate a hot dog...the heart surgeon said he would ditch the bread and eat just the sausage and onion, which drew derision from the other guests and one newscaster...the surgeon remarked that he wouldn't want those nasty carbs!!!! The news anchor who is a vegetarian asked the surgeon for a diet plan...so I do think the tide is turning...it's probably waist height at the moment but definitely turning the right way
 
My consultant steered me to a very low carb diet, I doubt if I get 130g a week, it has done me no harm.
He also said to increase my veg intake especially in salads. Not the cooked or starchy ones of course.
Spinach is something I would never had thought to eat raw, but having it in a baby leaf salad, a bit of beetroot, tomatoes etc wonderful with protein especially in this weather.

The tide is turning, ignore them! you know it makes sense!
 
NHS dieticians recite what the current guidelines are (actually, much the same as practice nurses and GPs, you would think they had never gained a degree in their field).
I had issues with dietary advice from an NHS dietician when my late husband was ill. He was terminal and they were stressed about his weight loss, advocating extra sugar in just about everything. I am not expecting them to understand my diabetes when my appointment comes around.

Having said that, my DN did say, watch the carbs at my first appointment.
 
My DN never told me about Carbs i followed what she said for two years that is a good serial for breakfast, at least 4 slices of brown bread per day low fat yogurt and sugar free jelly...chuckles cant stand the sight of jelly now ...then i found this forum and this is where I found out about watching carbs...I find the forum a mine of information wish i had found it sooner
 
I am just glad I did find this forum within a week of being diagnosed! I've got (I hope!) at least another 45 years to live with this, so better to get it right from the start!
 
Well done on the weight loss and BG control - you would think that would be worthy of a bit of praise if nothing else - you must be doing something right
 
Like many of us if it works for you carry on. Smile and nod at the dietary advice your DN/GP dietian gives you the EAT TO YOUR METER, the best advice I was given by the forum
 
I feel your frustration!! I've had the same experience here in Oz. Type 2 but using insulin. I've been told to eat more carbs than I ever usually would, then told to loose weight within next three months so I can undergo fertility treatment. I even questioned the low fat theory v higher sugar content and received some response that is 30 years out of date. It's hard to feel like you are taking the right steps for your health, when you are ignoring information from health professionals that just doesn't add up. I'm glad I have found so much info from others walking the same path as me. Thanks all! Trust your instincts and keep learning.
 
trinity0097 said:
I am just glad I did find this forum within a week of being diagnosed! I've got (I hope!) at least another 45 years to live with this, so better to get it right from the start!
Click to expand...
i agree with your sentiments, without this site i would be unhappily hoodwinked into eating carbs for every meal and not learning to piggyback things onto the backs of slow release carbs. I've learned so much and also been given the confidence to try things out for myself......and yes, i saw the dietician and did the DESMOND course
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…