How do you cope with carbs after remission?

[Flora123]

I’m genuinely puzzled how people cut out carbs completely? Even a carrot has carbs! Do they just eat protein and fat? Surely unhealthy and unsustainable and BORING. My husband was diagnosed with type 2 over twenty years ago but has brought down his blood sugars by eating a low carb diet (under 100g daily) since January. He has lost around 5 stones in total and has been able to drop some medication. However, I still struggle to find meals to make that are tasty and low carb, especially in winter when salads often don’t appeal. Basically I fill our plates with various vegetables and a portion of protein. The trouble is, at 70, we have been brought up to think of a balanced meal as meat or fish, a few vegetables and potatoes, rice or pasta, and it’s been hard to break that pattern, often followed by a dessert. Eating out is fraught with problems as most menus follow that pattern and I’m tired of the chips with everything attitude. With so many struggling with weight and diabetes, you’d think some pubs and restaurants would offer alternatives but few seem to.

I always ask for a substitution of veggies or salad for the chips. I’ve never been refused and often get both! Just ask b

 

[Deleted member 475901]

I was diagnosed with T2 a year ago. I take 500 mg Metformin tablet once daily. I'm female and 69 years old last week. I've been "pre diabetic" for donkeys years - literally. I was never told what this actually meant. Within 12 weeks of being told I was Type 2 diabetic - I lost 2 stone - down to 12 stone - 5'8" - I've been a "true" vegetarian for 35 years. To lose the 2 stone, I lived on cheese/wine/cream etc.,! Hardly healthy eating - yet I lost all of that weight on it! I'm utterly bored and tired of eating "non carb" foods, and miss sooooo much my "pre diabetic diagnosis" wonderful carbs. I've come to the conclusion that life's too short to be miserable like this, I could get knocked down by a bus tomorrow! As much as I enjoy reading all of your blogs, I do find that some of your comments are very much "holier than thou" regarding your "lack of carbs" diets! Well, good for you - for me - it's carbs, carbs, carbs, I've never met one that I didn't love!

Pot/kettle
If this is what you choose fine, but I'll be 69 in 3 weeks and prefer my new low carb lifestyle.
My parents both lived in their mid 90s, so I anticipate another 25 years. Hopefully with my eyes working, being able to feel my hands and feet, and with all my toes in place.
Sounds hard? Well ...
A friend who choose to eat carbs and go the drug route instead just had another toe amputated. She's back home after 5 weeks in hospital, severely sight impaired and trying to walk on one foot. She is 5 years younger than me and appears to lead a miserable life apart from being able to eat toast when she wants to. For myself, the prospect of losing my eyesight and mobility but hanging around for years after is enough of a deterrent.

I found new foods and new recipes to love, so going low carb was not a penance - low carb coconut pancakes with blueberries or cream/greek yogurt and raspberries replaced those carby cakes.

 

[Brunneria]

I think some people genuinely need to go that far for dietary solutions. Though some for academic pursuit and others as part of a crusade. Just depends on the individual. It does make sense to not cut them out completely if one doesn’t have to. I agree.

And some people choose to eat vlc/keto or even carnivore because they view is as a healthy (possibly the most healthy) way of eating.

There are many, many different people eating many, many different ways of eating, for many, many different reasons.

Fortunately we all get to choose.
And even more fortunate (and much rarer) when our choices are respected by others.