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How to talk to your doctors about food? What can we admit too?

R

ringi

Well-Known Member
Messages
3,365
Type of diabetes
Type 2
What do we say when they ask us if we are keeping to low fat? How much information should we hide from them? What if our GP ask us what we have for breakfast and we have bulletproof proof coffee?

This GPs provides some of the answers...................

 
I don't lie to my DSN - why should I?
I've pushed back against the Diabetese Specialist GP as well when she wanted me to go on statins.
Then again I have a very good GP practice and they are impressed with my BG and weight control on LCHF so no real issues.
 
I admit to it all. Its the only way to move forward. My endo knows when my diet is good my hba1c is better. Not in none diabetic range nor prediabetes range but definitely better.
 

Thanks for that - only about 12 minutes in so far but what she says about asking "what do you eat" is spot on for this forum!
 
Mine knows I eat a ketogenic diet. He’s never said anything other than I don’t have to keep my A1C that low as long as I’m not hypoing, which I’m not. ( other than the rare , odd , no reason one. )
Actually told me my bs was better than his lol. And non diabetic range
 
ringi said:
What if our GP ask us what we have for breakfast
Click to expand...
I told my GP, that I have replaced four slices toast with omelettes with various low carb fillings with black coffee for breakfast.

I always get a big toothy grin from him, just like the green smiley 'cept he is Sri Lankan.
 
I just mentioned the low carb part as high fat makes it sound like I load up with the stuff rather than just not worry about it. My GP and DN are happy to let me get on with it if the results are good.
 
Why do you think we hide details about what foods we eat?

My endocrinologist, GPs, dsn are totally behind my being in ketosis.

If they believe that what is working, why would they insist on changing what is working?

This is why a food diary can convince your medical practitioners that you have control and seeing the benefits!
 
We lambaste our HCPs when we feel we aren't getting the whole story, whether about self testing, diet or whatever, and yet some think it's OK to be economical with the truth about a key part of our personal management and lifestyle?

I discuss my approach with my Doc and she comments. She has no issue with my approach, based on my results and general health, but admits not many are so diligent. Our consultations are pretty frank.
 
Having been told to reintroduce carbs to stall weight loss by my DN I think it is a waste of time to discuss it with her, however, I will press the point because I think that I should sew the seeds of doubt in her mind. It was she who recommended microwavable rice and later complained of the symptoms of colitis...
 
I say something like:
"I avoid ready meals and takeaways etc as they often contain hidden sugar and over processed food."
 
I talked openly about it in my first consult and regretted it as I was immediately dissuaded from following a low-carb diet. The nurse I see for my yearly checks is not exactly the consulting type and won't brook any deviation from Eatwell so I don't bother talking to her about it. However, with my GP, the results speak for themselves and as a result she's totally on board with LCHF, provided it's something I can stick to. I think the answer at the end of the day (which is the advice I got from some people on here) was that so long as your health / blood sugar control is maintaining or improving with whatever it is you're doing, then nobody can *make* you do any different. Just smile, nod and then go out and do what you know works for you.

If you're not familiar with the science then LCHF does fly in the face of common sense and is not NHS-approved. I can't blame them for being slow to turn around on this issue.
 
I was honest about eating low carb and my DN asked me what a typical day's food was. I told her, she asked if I could maintain that way of eating, I said yes, and she wrote "well done" on my results sheet! She did mention the Eatwell plate as an after thought, but I guess that was so that she could tick that box!
 
I am as honest as possible with my doctor. If Everyone misleads their doctor and does not tell them what they are doing to achieve good Results. How can we then criticize them for following and recommending a dietary regime we believe does not work . Doctors are not mind readers they know about diets that are out their
if thousands of patients on a L.C.H.F. diet were to explain what they are doing The Medical community would discuss this and maybe start to tell Diabetic Nurses to start telling patients to use it.
If some of you keep leading your Medical advisers to believe the present system is working. THEY WILL KEEP ON USING IT
 
If I tell most HCPs "high fat" they will not be happy, but if I say lots of olives and avocados along with oily fish and lots of green veg while advoiding eating/drinking anything that results in my BG being more then 2 higher 2hr after a meal, along with advoiding all processed food, they will be very happy.

By presenting the information in the way they like, and giving pratical details, I can keep them happy along with making it possible for them to tell others to do the same.

(This talk is by the doctor who I emailed for advice when I first started LCHF including asking her how to present to it my GP, her responce was very helpful.)
 
I never, ever, ever refer to my way of eating as LCHF as I think the name has the potential to initiate the screaming ab-dabs in anyone unfamiliar with some of the science. I don't necessarily think it describes how I eat best anyway. I describe myself as eating reduced carb, with balancing fats. If anyone asks what that means I explain the carbs aren't my best friends, but having given some of them up, I make up the balance with fats, and that stops my weight dropping.

For almost anyone used to eating akin to the Eatwell Plate, my way seems very odd, but I don't lie about what I eat. I just describe it in a way that allows them to visualise it for themselves.

I don't get any flak when using that approach.
 
I have been eating low carb for about 40 years when I could get away with it - I just wish I could have secretly taped the interview I had when I was found out during my second pregnancy - the guy went manic - threatening all sorts that he would organize so I had to eat properly.
I read my paper notes once - the things in there were so insulting, and not entirely accurate.
Doctors I have had contact with have not been nice people.
One at the maternity hospital offered me a test for Turner's syndrome as my sister's daughter has it. On the condition I agreed to have a termination if the test was positive. He told me that it was for the best as Turner's syndrome children are mentally subnormal. At the time my niece was working as a solicitor's clerk.
 
I haven't eaten breakfast since I was 16 now 53, was told that was all wrong, and I would be I'll, I said ok, and to this day I still don't eat breakfast, only coffee, bend the truth still do best way for me
 
I have had three reviews with my GP since my diabetes diagnosis. The first two I didn’t specify that I was eating low carb (moderate fat) and seeing my weight and HbA1c going down my GP just congratulated me and said those immortal words “carry on what you’re doing”. On my third review last month, after the congratulations and keep it up comments I just said, I’d like to tell you how I did it. I said low carb and he was all for it! After all my skirting round it!
 
I never have a problem talking to a gp about this. But that's because I have never ever, not once seen a gp about any of it. I have seen a diabetic specialist nurse (once) and she forgot to book a retinopathy check. If it had not been for this forum I wold not even have known about them. I phoned up and a receptionist booked an appointment for me. But she did tell me to use the eatwell guide.
Also dx with hypothyroidism at the same time, given results over the phone, prescription left at reception. Impossible to get to see anyone, so have now given up and get all my info etc from forums, dr google and friends. Pay for my own blood tests.

so---I never worry about what to tell gp, because I am never asked.
 
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