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

Kentoldlady1 said:

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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Sad thing is you are probably far healthier for it!

Kentoldlady1 said:

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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Same here, told I was diabetic by doctor on 1st June last year with a level of 48, I know only just in the marker for diabetes, did some typing on his computer to arrange a telephone interview with the diabetic team at hospital, lasted 10 mins at most to make an appointment to do a two afternoons learning the specs of diabetes. Had a follow up A1c blood test end August and got my bloods down to 37. No conversations, appointments told I need another 6 months time....I got all my info from you guys here and glad I did, thanks guys.

I think it's important to tell your GP what you've been eating. It will educate him and he can pass it on to his next patient

If I’m ever asked about my diet by an HCP I reply with “you’ll be pleased to know I don’t eat carbs, I mean, what diabetic eats carbs these days”.

A couple have been overjoyed at the news, one locum many years ago practically punched the air. The rest just do the blinky fish impression.

DCUKMod said:

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.

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This is a really good point, I do this too though I wasn't conscious of it. I always say "low carb" and then if they ask more I will explain that if you're taking the carbs out you need to replace it with fat. Once they get that any fat you ingest is basically burned up in the place of carbs they're fine with it.

It took my parents a while to get on board too, after a lifetime of being told to eat low fat, though after seeing the benefits they've reduced their carbs as well. There's a surprising amount of scepticism still floating around after Atkins was a big deal that affects their way of thinking - the way that was characterised as "shovel as much bacon and fat down your throat as you like" (and all the reports on how Atkins himself as a fat guy when he died) was scandalous.