Low Carb, fat free, and very low protein diets

[Royjk]

Just before Christmas I started on the next part of my advetures with type 2 diabetes.
So, I have just spent the past four weeks getting my mind around a low carb diet, to help lower my HBA1c and it has shifted from 103 down to 76 mmol/l which I am quite pleased with. I have good morning finger blood test results due to the insulin injections, and I feel that for the first time I am getting the hang of all this stuff. I read the diabetic code book by Jason Fung so I know my periferal neuropathy will never go away, and other symptoms are also here to stay, but thats ok, thats life we cannot always have what we want.
Now I have a new challenge because dealing with the carbs, and already having a low fat diet, coincidentally increased my protein input. I found more meat, fish, eggs and nuts on the plate. I really now need to be on a very low protein diet as well, and I dont yet know how that works if I remove all the foods I eat to avoid carbs I have nothing left on my plate. It seems that I may need to do more carbs to balance out the reduction in protein. Any advice gratefully recieved.
Royjk

 

[Antje77]

There are only 3 macronutrients, fats, proteins and carbs.
So yes, if you go low on all 3 there is nothing left on your plate.

Why do you avoid fats, and why do need be on a very low protein diet?

 

[Rachox]

Low carb is sensible for keeping blood sugars under control. However you don’t say why you need low fat and low protein. As @Antje77 says if you reduce the three food groups you end up with nothing!

 

[Royjk]

Hello @Antje77,

Since getting diabetes 4 years ago I have also picked up 3rd stage CKD, and that needs very low protein to extend the time until serious treatment. So I have been doing lots of veg, and little protein. Also I have been a bit lactose intolerent all my life, so lots of fatty foods or anything made with butter is out.
Royjk

 

[Antje77]

Also I have been a bit lactose intolerent

What do you mean with 'a bit' lactose intolerant?
Most people with lactose intolerance can have butter because the amount of lactose is so small. The same goes for many cheeses, especially the hard ones.
And there are things like lard, you can fry your veggies in it, no lactose, almost no protein.

 

[Royjk]

Hello @Antje77
Well a bit is a way of describing something serious. I have found that I go into shock when my stomach receives the butter, and the smell is absolutly revolting. Usually a couple of shots of strong spirit or hot black coffee with a few hours sleep take away the effects, if I accidently consume and butter. So I avoid butter and anything that I think may have butter in it. Fats are good it is true, one of my favourite cakes was fruit suet pudding. But under the low carbs, the sugar and flour are now off the menu. I can no longer fry my chips in oil or fat, as the potatoes have too much in the way of carbs so chips are out.
It is true I do not avoid all fats but a great proportion of them come from milk.
Royjk

 

[lovinglife]

Also olive oil, coconut oil, oily fish, avocado, nut oils, sesame seed oil,

 

[Royjk]

Hello @lovinglife

Yes it is true that I can start to consume some of these oils, which I do not at the moment. But my problem is the very low protein diet which I have broken in order to reduce carbs in my diet.
Royjk

 

[MrsA2]

I used to believe I was lactose intolerant, especially milk, but since going low carb have found I was the equivalent of sugar/carbs intolerant.

Since going low carb all my "lactose intolerant" symptoms have gone away and I now enjoy cheese and yoghurt and even the odd, small icecream without it affecting my bg levels or causing "issues"

A bg monitor will show you which foods are good for your bg, as we are all individuals, only you can determine which of your health issues must take priority

 

[Melgar]

I am lactose intolerant. I got diagnosed as an adult. My Gastro specialist gave me the breath test, which showed I was lactose intolerant. Milk products, iced cream etc in particular caused serious symptoms. I could consume butter and hard cheeses as @Antje77 states. Some suggested I try lactaid to help with digestion, but if you are lactose intolerant be careful. I reacted very badly to it. Apparently many people with lactose intolerance are unable to take that enzyme, me included.
For other reasons I am now unable to tolerate any fats, including olive oil, nothing to do with my lactose intolerance.

 

[Royjk]

Hello @MrsA2

I have never eaten cheese, yoghurt or ice cream in living memory, I always did lollies or sorbet, and never found a need for any milk products, so I think that I would be unlikely to lose a lifetime allergy just like that. Although I do take medicene with a lactose warning. So I think I may have spent a lifetime on a low fat diet.
You are correct that I must prioritise my health issues, at the moment and for the past four weeks I have been sure that diabetes is a problem. But there are a lot more illnesses out there that can be more serious, that was always my attitude since the doctor originally told me that I am a diabetic.
So back to my problem, I look for advice on how to balance a low carb diet with a low protein diet safely.
Royjk

 

[lovinglife]

Did your specialist calculate your protein for you @Royjk? My brother has CKD 4 and he has to calculate his protein by his weight, height and how much exercise he does- he also had cardio myopathy after 3 cardiac arrests which caused the CKD and he does manage to eat a moderate amount of lean protein- sorry if I’m teaching my granny how to suck eggs but I’m trying to find ways to help you.

Edited to add

He’s not diabetic but his cardiologist recommended a low carb diet one meal a day with one snack so he has the majority his protein with his main meal then a small amount with his snack, often peanut butter which also is good for fats with some veggies - celery etc

 

[Royjk]

Hello @Melgar

I tried some special tablets for this allergy when I was in my early 30's, but the allergy continued, and I eat very carefully.
Royjk

 

[Royjk]

Hello @lovinglife

So my nefrologist did not recommend a level, but he did give me some special food/tablets to ensure I got the essential amino acids while I am on the low diet and eating veg. Internet says I should do 0.55g per KG of body weight, but I have just this minute read that for diabetics with CKD the recommendation is twice that at 0.9g per KG of body weight.
Thats from the kidney foundation.
So just like that I have doubled my allowance. Thank you for pointing me in a good direction. I just need to keep under the level.
No worry about teaching how to suck eggs, must have learnt that 65 years ago.
Royjk

 

[lovinglife]

Hello @lovinglife

So my nefrologist did not recommend a level, but he did give me some special food/tablets to ensure I got the essential amino acids while I am on the low diet and eating veg. Internet says I should do 0.55g per KG of body weight, but I have just this minute read that for diabetics with CKD the recommendation is twice that at 0.9g per KG of body weight.
Thats from the kidney foundation.
So just like that I have doubled my allowance. Thank you for pointing me in a good direction. I just need to keep under the level.
No worry about teaching how to suck eggs, must have learnt that 65 years ago.
Royjk

Glad I could help but please do check with your neurologist that what you’ve done is ok for you