Hi, I'm Anna

[anna_fran]

I was diagnosed diabetic last week and this morning I had my first appointment with the DN. I have been given a monitor to check my BG and a few starter strips but will have to buy my own thereafter. I haven't used it yet. I am also being put down for a diabetes education day, which will happen in about 3 months. Having done a lot of research in the last week, I decided I wanted to try the LCHF approach. DN said to follow whatever worked for me (and the next bit is a bit confusing) but I still need carbs for energy and I should watch my cholesterol it was 5 at last test but they prefer it to be 4 for diabetics. Has anyone had cholesterol problems with any of the LCHF diets? She sort of contradicted everything that I had read. I was also prescribed Metformin. Which I'm really not sure about taking, if I can control it by diet.

I'm 59
Have a husband and adult daughter
I have 3 cats
I can't remember the rest of the questions.

 

[dawnmc]

Its a bit of a myth that you need carbs for energy, don't worry you will soon be come an expert. It should really say low carb healthy fat, which you get from avocado, olive oil, nuts etc. Bit like the Med diet but without the bread.
Oh and welcome.

 

[Hiitsme]

Hi @anna_fran and welcome
I will tag @daisy1 for her really helpful information for newcomers.
I found testing helpful in working out which foods worked for me. There are carbs in vegetables so unless you give up those you will be having some carbs. I eat lots of veg so most of my carbs come from veg, I would also encourage healthy fats as @dawnmc suggests.

 

[Daibell]

Hi. Yes, it's myth that you need to take carbs for energy. Yes, they do provide foods the body can turn to glucose but so do fats, proteins and some veg so you don't actually need carbs. Ref cholesterol, the important thing is the lipids breakdown and ratios not so much the total. The 4mmol thing for diabetics is merely an invention by NICE with little scientific basis. This website shows what the good ratios are for LDL, HDL and Trigs. The LCHF diet may not change the total much but usually improves the ratios.

 

[totsy]

Hi and welcome

 

[Freema]

welcome Anna I too had high colesterol but it disapered when I went low fat low carb and 1000 calories 3 month and lost 16 kg..

 

[ellagy]

Hello Anna, and welcome to the forum

 

[anna_fran]

welcome Anna I too had high colesterol but it disapered when I went low fat low carb and 1000 calories 3 month and lost 16 kg..

Wow Freema, low fat and low carb, if I had that sort of self discipline, I wouldn't be in the position I'm now in. It will have to be one or the other for me I'm afraid. Well done and thanks for replying

 

[Seaweed1984]

I'm not sure on the metformin part. But is that the only med? Were you diagnosed as a type 2? My dad was diagnosed as type 2 and he controlled his diet and got good physical activity and he was able to control his very well with that. Think that worked for him for a few years before had to start insulin. (Not sure if was partially from drinking too much or if was inevitable because diabetes runs so thick in my family) I've done a lot of research where diabetics can control a lot of their symptoms by diet and exercise would be something to look into but of course consult with a physician and keep close eye on things to monitor health.

 

[anna_fran]

Hi @anna_fran and welcome
I will tag @daisy1 for her really helpful information for newcomers.
I found testing helpful in working out which foods worked for me. There are carbs in vegetables so unless you give up those you will be having some carbs. I eat lots of veg so most of my carbs come from veg, I would also encourage healthy fats as @dawnmc suggests.

Thank you

 

[anna_fran]

I'm not sure on the metformin part. But is that the only med? Were you diagnosed as a type 2? My dad was diagnosed as type 2 and he controlled his diet and got good physical activity and he was able to control his very well with that. Think that worked for him for a few years before had to start insulin. (Not sure if was partially from drinking too much or if was inevitable because diabetes runs so thick in my family) I've done a lot of research where diabetics can control a lot of their symptoms by diet and exercise would be something to look into but of course consult with a physician and keep close eye on things to monitor health.

Yes, metformin is the only med. Thanks for the reply.

 

[anna_fran]

Hello Anna, and welcome to the forum

Thank you

 

[anna_fran]

Hi. Yes, it's myth that you need to take carbs for energy. Yes, they do provide foods the body can turn to glucose but so do fats, proteins and some veg so you don't actually need carbs. Ref cholesterol, the important thing is the lipids breakdown and ratios not so much the total. The 4mmol thing for diabetics is merely an invention by NICE with little scientific basis. This website shows what the good ratios are for LDL, HDL and Trigs. The LCHF diet may not change the total much but usually improves the ratios.

Thanks for the info and replying

 

[anna_fran]

Its a bit of a myth that you need carbs for energy, don't worry you will soon be come an expert. It should really say low carb healthy fat, which you get from avocado, olive oil, nuts etc. Bit like the Med diet but without the bread.
Oh and welcome.

Thank you

 

[anna_fran]

Hi and welcome

Thank you

 

[Seaweed1984]

Hi @anna_fran and welcome
I will tag @daisy1 for her really helpful information for newcomers.
I found testing helpful in working out which foods worked for me. There are carbs in vegetables so unless you give up those you will be having some carbs. I eat lots of veg so most of my carbs come from veg, I would also encourage healthy fats as @dawnmc suggests.

I agree with you in veggies. A lot of research I have done recommended fresh vegetable and some fruits and protein foods like tuna etc. I've been eating a lot of vegetables and healthier proteins and my insulin intake has been cut down a lot.

 

[Freema]

Wow Freema, low fat and low carb, if I had that sort of self discipline, I wouldn't be in the position I'm now in. It will have to be one or the other for me I'm afraid. Well done and thanks for replying

i do eat mostly vegetarian foods for evening supper that makes it far easier to eat low fat and few calories... vegetable Soup is a fine way to Loose weight too... with a lot of beans

the first 3 days on 1000 calories you can have a headace... thereafter you do not feel so hungry... I did chew some sugarfree gum in the first weeks i all the hours not eating.... from 19 0´clock untill next day 12 o´clock

 

[carty]

It is interesting that you can eat lots of beans @Freema many diabetics find that they spike their BGs but later than the usual 2 hour test so as usual test but test again later maybe 3 hours or more
CAROL

 

[Freema]

It is interesting that you can eat lots of beans @Freema many diabetics find that they spike their BGs but later than the usual 2 hour test so as usual test but test again later maybe 3 hours or more
CAROL

okay didn´t know that, but maybe thats why my blood glucose is higher the next morning then ? but my blood glucose has never been higher than 7,5mmol spiking and that was only once ...

usually my spikes are only 1-1,5mmol over what before eating... maybe because my overall calorie intake is so low

 

[13lizanne]

I was diagnosed diabetic last week and this morning I had my first appointment with the DN. I have been given a monitor to check my BG and a few starter strips but will have to buy my own thereafter. I haven't used it yet. I am also being put down for a diabetes education day, which will happen in about 3 months. Having done a lot of research in the last week, I decided I wanted to try the LCHF approach. DN said to follow whatever worked for me (and the next bit is a bit confusing) but I still need carbs for energy and I should watch my cholesterol it was 5 at last test but they prefer it to be 4 for diabetics. Has anyone had cholesterol problems with any of the LCHF diets? She sort of contradicted everything that I had read. I was also prescribed Metformin. Which I'm really not sure about taking, if I can control it by diet.

I'm 59
Have a husband and adult daughter
I have 3 cats
I can't remember the rest of the questions.

Hi Anna , I'm Anna also but I'm older than you, have a husband, three sons and no pets at the moment. Welcome to the forum you will find lots of support here and lots of information which will help you gain control over your diabetes. Looking at your username, are you Scottish?