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Gradual Low Carbing..?

I don't think you need to. The most important thing is that you choose an approach that is sustainable for you. There is no point in suddenly going "cold turkey" and then giving upa few weeks later. Yo-yoing in and about of ketosis is a pretty bad idea I think.

I went straight onto <30g when I was diagnosed (having found and read Bernstein very quickly). The only bad part about it was dealing with the "false hypos" as my metabolism adjusted to more normal BG levels (although I can still remember the amazing feeling of calm and lucidity that I encountered when I first encountered "regular" BG levels.

Some people suggest that you shouldn't drop your BG levels too quickly, because it increases the risk of retiniopathy (I think).

Depends what you mean by "Really Low Carbing" if you mean "VLC" (say <50g) I don't think it's a good idea to hang around in the 50 to 100g level for too long (it's kind of a "twilight zone" between fat and sugar burning). It'd probably better to stick it out at <50g for a few until your metabolism is properly adjusted.
 
It's gonna be different for everyone. For me, I can only go cold turkey on the carbs. I know that if I eat any refined carbs (even brown bread/brown rice) I get the cravings. So, for me at least, it's just easier to not have any carbs at all (except from non-starchy veg).
 
Same here Patch. Spent a few years fighting cravings off and on until I got a grip and now ULC. Any tiny amount of carb set off a craving, even a bl**dy sundried tomato!

wiflib
 
I went for the gradual option as quite frankly I was scared of my bodies reaction when going against my GP's recommendation of a high carb approach.

I took my time and with the support of my BG meter, and the fantastic information and support on this forum, I cut out or reduced the carbs which gave me spikes. Then I decided to keep cutting the carbs and I have now got down to under 30gms of carb on most days baring my one treat of the week, Sunday Lunch, when I push the boat out and must have ...Oh...at least 50 gms. :D

During the time from diagnosis to to-day I have seem my BG go down gradually and since VLCing my my BG levels seem to have stabalised at around 5.7 on both before and 2 hour meal tests. Still unsure what to do about my meds but it's early days and another thread.
 
I would just add that as a type I David you might want to take it slower as this will give you more time to adjust your insulin. As you reduce your carbohydrate you will certainly need to reduce the amount you use to cover meals... I also found on low carb that I had to start covering protein by slightly increasing my background insulin during the day...
 
catza said:
During the time from diagnosis to to-day I have seem my BG go down gradually and since VLCing my my BG levels seem to have stabalised at around 5.7 on both before and 2 hour meal tests. Still unsure what to do about my meds but it's early days and another thread.
Click to expand...

would you mind telling me what sort of levels you were getting before low carb?

Thanks!
 
Bit difficult to say really as I jumped in feet first at the first hint that I may have Diabetes. When I got my first high sugars blood test in mid February I started testing with a borrowed kit, Thank You dear sister in law, and I was getting high 8s with an increase to 9s on my 2hr tests and my test results keep getting a tad higher each day. Cheers NHS for your standard high carbohydrates guidance!!!

I was very lucky in that I realised I was one of the people that probably had to change to a lower carb/hi GI diet so I did so and within the following week my levels dropped quite quickly to high 7s/8s. They then stalled until I had my Glucose Tolerance test in early March and I had my fears confirmed. Started lowering my low GI carbs immediately and tests have shown a slow drop in levels. I have been VLC a week now and have seen the gradual drop continuing. The weight loss has been a welcome side effect.

I realise I am lucky with my starting rates being relatively low but if doing low carbs work for this caboholic they should work for anyone, fingers crossed.
 
I am sure you will tp. How long have you been doing the Mega low carb diet?
 
So we have been doing it for the same length of time :) If you want, start a new thread and we can have a support thread for us new low carbers. I feel guilty as I have started off in a better position than a lot of members but I still have ways to go and huge amounts of weight to lose.
 
David,
Borofergie mentions that retinopathy may possibly get worse if you reduce your glucose levels too quickly. This is a very real phenomena It would be as well to make sure that you have had a clear retinopathy check before making any attempt to lower your levels quickly. If there is any background retinopathy you should lower levels slowly.
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/retinop ... ession.htm
It is perfectly possible to use your pump to gain acceptable levels and eventually low levels without moving overnight (or even at all) to an extremely low carb diet.
 
I'm very low card and i think I started gradually and then did a big jump. It's a long time ago! now I find I can handle a LITTLE carb. The ocasional slice of Burgen, a square of Lidl's hazelnut dark chocolate, a few crisps. Always in SMALL porions, but I'm now working on keeping bedtime ANd Fasting BGs in the 4s.
It doesn't matter how tyou do it, as long as it suits you.
Hana
I just noticed my carbs seem to be associated with FAT.
 
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