Low carb is the way to go says my diabetes consultant

goodnews123 said:

You are fortunate to find an enlightened GP, or Diabetic Nurse or GP.
With all these fantastic postings regarding no sugar, and low carbing, why do the NHS guidelines continue with the awful garbage about a balanced diet.

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How is the "eatwell plate" remotely "balanced"? It has an entire third which is glucose!

Totally totally agree with all the above members.....low carbing between 35 and 60 has totally changed life for me ...lower BGs (was in the 11/12s now in the 5/6s waiting for results of my next Hb1ac) ...lower blood pressure (down from 185/100 to 140/70) ......Insulin down from 24/34 to 18/20 .....and losing weight (lost 1 and 1/4 stones after 8 weeks of low carbing) ....and most of all enjoying filling and creative foods without bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or processed foods of any description (everything that diabetic consultant had told me to eat 8 years ago) Wish I had read this forum ages ago!!!

I was diagnosed pre-diabetic in April with a HB1AC of 47 ...DN said low-sugar low -fat diet and retest in 6 months. I said I would go back to the Atkins diet then and she was agast and said she wouldn't advise that...from reading posts from you wonderful people on this website...I think LowCarb is definitely the way forward for me. :grin:

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Medics, Nurse Specialists and Dieticians working in the NHS get all het up with cholesterol numbers.
Funny how those in the private clinics and who have books and regimes of their own to market ( and appear successful because of their feasible arguments) have the completely opposite stance. This goes for control of diabetes and hypertension too.

NHS = high carb, low fat diet, ( minimal saturates, and maximum poly unsaturates), with plenty of exercise "to get the weight off"......'cos you're a lazy, greedy lot out there, who haven't got a clue about your medical condition. And keep counting the CALORIES!!!! And we need to keep the pharmacology industry and the food industry sweet because the government needs the money to run the NHS, to eventually put you on the waiting list for bariatric surgery/ heart bypasses/amputations.


Private sector = minimal carb, use of plenty of fats from animals, and some from unrefined vegetable sources, a certain degree of exercising to keep your body supple, and your heart healthy. And don't worry about the silly calorie in: calorie out theory, its based on bunkum which people with a semblance of intelligence, which is the majority of the general public, can understand.

Yet those same people in the private sector, in UK, were probably trained in the NHS, but have had to escape because they were too intelligent, and honest, to continue spouting poorly researched advice.
I remain a great proponent of the Welfare State. It 's just that medicine and food production policies have been degraded into a desperate state of affairs, whereby professionals are not permitted to voice their true opinions, for fear of vilification by big industry or poor journalism, forcing them to keep their heads down, as they, too, have mortgages to pay!





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lrw60 said:

Hi badcat,

Update on my visit to the db nurse. Still clear of diabetes with a HbA1c level of 37, it was 56 in 2009. My weight is now 12.5 stones which is about 78kg. It was 17.8 stones, 113kg in 2009. I didn't get to see my nurse as she left me an answerphone message saying to make another appointment in 6 months. All in all a good day! For me it was losing weight that did the trick. Low carbing is now something I have to include in my lifestyle. It's very difficult for a vegitarian who does,'t eat eggs or fish, or of course any meat, to addopt a low carb lifestyle. Or perhaps I am not putting enough effort into it. I need one of the TV chefs to write a new cook book. 'The low carb vegitarian/vegan but still delicious cookbook'. Put me down for a copy. :thumbup:
Lee.

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Hallelujah! I am not the only vegetarian diabetic finding it hard to eat 'properly'.
Can you tell me Lee what you do actually eat. I have been vegetarian for 35 years and my staple diet has been cheese and various carbs with the occasional lentil dish thrown in but now I have admitted I have a problem and need to start low carbing I am at a loss what to eat.
I too don't eat eggs (unless made into a scrummy now forbidden quiche), fish or meat.
All ideas gratefully received.

Me too. Turns out more like a fritatta, but that's probably my cooking skills!

Janiept said:

Hallelujah! I am not the only vegetarian diabetic finding it hard to eat 'properly'.
Can you tell me Lee what you do actually eat. I have been vegetarian for 35 years and my staple diet has been cheese and various carbs with the occasional lentil dish thrown in but now I have admitted I have a problem and need to start low carbing I am at a loss what to eat.
I too don't eat eggs (unless made into a scrummy now forbidden quiche), fish or meat.
All ideas gratefully received.

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I have found it very difficult to eat enough of the right thing. When I became diabetic I just cut out high sugar foods, not high carb ones. I managed to eat a well ballanced diet where it easy to keep my daily cals at 2000/2500. Even going on the Weight Watchers diet was easy. My cals dropped to a level that would help me lose weight. I was still eating a good selection of high carb foods. Now I am trying to lower my carb intake, from at least 200g per day before finding this site, to somewhere between 100-150g per day now. There is no way I can see of getting my cals above 1500, cartainly nowhere near 2000. My protein is nearly where it should be and my fat intake is mainly about half what it should be. I don't eat much cheese, but it seems to be a good way to go. I don't eat much in the way of nuts, but again I should try to incorporate them somehow. I eat a lot of butternut squash, peas, runner beans, tomatoes, some potato, low sugar baked beans 1/3rd tin per meal, small portions of pasta, just the normal veggie meals really. I eat low fat yoghurt because I haven't found a high fat yog that is both low in sugar and has some taste! I can't stand plain jog. Perhaps plain yog with some nuts ground up in it? I was lucky not to have found this site before I became meds free. I can still eat my 60g of porridge each morning and get no effect. If I was seriously low carbing it I would have to cut down on the porg and my cals etc would suffer more. Even though I am eating enough to not feel hungry, I would like to eat more.
My main meal yesterday was butternut squash diced and fried in some oil and spices then baked in the oven. I fried up a diced onion and loads of diced mushrooms. I added 2/3rd of a tin of low sugar baked beans (just to use them up). Absolutely glorious! The baked beans and cooking oil provided most of the cals and fat, the other veg was there as tasty filling bulk. For my sweet I had slices of red and white grapefruit, which I can now eat (I hope!) since coming of my statins, sliced strawberries and some low fat cream. I should have normal cream of course, but old habits etc. I keep buying the low fat. 1 small glass of white wine kept it company. I will be having paella some time this week, my friend will have assorted seafood with hers, I will have butternut squash. I find it impossible to adopt a low carb diet, and still keep the meals tasty. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Lee.
PS. Just off out to do shopping, I will buy a high fat/low sugar natural yoghurt and try it with nuts. It sounds yukky, but so did a peanut butter and beetroot sandwich until I tried it! 1 slice of low carb bread of course.

Irw60
that looks like a lot of carbs there... in fact that looks like a lot of food...
60g of porridge is a lot of porridge! Baked beans have a lot of carbs in - I love 'em but I won't be eating them any more. Butternut squash is also fairly high as is beetroot. Low fat yoghurts almost always have masses of sugar - have you tried full fat greek yoghurt?

Why are you worried about calories anyhow? Are you still trying to lose weight? If so just reduce your carbs and meal sizes. You are diabetic, sugar (carbs) are your enemy, as is any excess weight, so you need to keep that at the lower end of healthy.

stuffedolive said:

Irw60
that looks like a lot of carbs there... in fact that looks like a lot of food...
60g of porridge is a lot of porridge! Baked beans have a lot of carbs in - I love 'em but I won't be eating them any more. Butternut squash is also fairly high as is beetroot. Low fat yoghurts almost always have masses of sugar - have you tried full fat greek yoghurt?

Why are you worried about calories anyhow? Are you still trying to lose weight? If so just reduce your carbs and meal sizes. You are diabetic, sugar (carbs) are your enemy, as is any excess weight, so you need to keep that at the lower end of healthy.

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It does seem like a lot of food, I do eat well and manage to maintain my weight plus or minus a few pounds. I tried cutting down on the porridge by halving the amount and having 30g of ground assorted nuts with it. This also meant using half the amount of milk and very little sweetner. I might have to go back to half and half if I feel I need more control over the diabetes. But Iv'e said it before and I repeat it here, I lost 5 1/2 stones and my diabetes (not cured) by eating the way I did. 200g of carbs at least per day. Today I bought some full fat Greek yoghurt. I will try some tomorrow with some ground almond if needed for taste. I am interested in your comments about calories. Shouldn't I be concerned about not getting enough cals per day? Pardon my ignorance here, I really don't know how important, or not, calories are. Protein and fat I can understand, just!

My difficulty is as I said, I lost my diabetes by eating 25 to 30% more carbs than I do now. If I maintain my weight, how important is it for me to keep reducing carbs? I feel no diabetic effects from eating the way I do, my last HbA1c on 24.5.2013 was 37. I don't know how that compares to someone who is not diabetic.

You've done really well Irw60. Brilliant in fact.
If those Hba1c figures creep up - you know what to do. :wink:

I am a Type 2 diabetic. I do not take insulin and know nothing about Type 1. My thoughts are for those with Type 2 and are strictly only suggestions.
There is absolutely no question whatsoever that low carb diets are the only way to " halt" high blood sugars.
I have known and tested this time and time again and fallen off my bike and allowed myself to eat spaghetti, biscuits, sugar etc etc.
Last week I decided enough was enough when my doctor raised my blood pressure pills and I am still on 2 metformin a day, plus a "happy" pill to help me thru the stress of a long drawn out court case. I decided to drop the metformin I took at dinner and only have the one in the morning. I also decided that, knowing low carb was the answer, cut out everything with flour in, including thickened tinned products and fruit. Since taking this stance my blood sugar has not been over 5.8. I have 2 pieces of bread during the day (low GI) and of course bread contains sugar and you cant really help this. Just dont take sugar in your drinks or eat such as ice cream, cake, pastries and biscuits or sweets or anything else which is obviously laden with sugar. Cut out (or just have 1/2 of a medium potato with dinner, (dont have bread as well) and plenty of greens. A normal days menu for me would be
Breakfast (I eat a big breakfast) 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground linseed, (you should get this at any health store, or at most large supermarkets) yes, 1/2 tea spoon sugar, and milk. The linseed I treat as any other morning cereal,(but most cereals are high carb and/or high sugar) then 1/2 slice grain bread, (vogels, burgen and such) 1 poached egg, 1 table spoon tinned or fried tomato, (Some contain sugar) any cooked meat or fish. (tomorrow its mince) and a green, say lettuce or spinach, cream mayo (nil or very low carb) Cup or two or three white tea.
Lunch. 1 piece of bread with cheese and onion plus a salad if you wish, ( or cheese or tinned fish or any other protein, with salad and mayo)
Dinner. Meat or fish ( as much as you want) (after the nuclear accident, I dont eat much fish) heaps of greens with butter in them and a bit of salt. tomato, gravy,( yes, but be sparing as it has thickening, and 1/2 slice bread. Dont be frightened to eat butter, eggs, cheese, cream, meat, fish, in fact any protein you wish, and any greens, or veg. that grows ABOVE the ground, with the exception of onions, fried boiled or raw. which are good for you and OK to have. You can eat sausages and bacon (but not too often) . Dont forget milk contains carbs, especially low fat etc. I have a good deal in tea throughout the day, but wont make a milk drink. I have now lost 3 kg in a week and expect another drop this week. I am not fat, so its not the weight that is causing my high blood sugar its pure and simple eating too many carbs. Lastly, before introducing anything into your diet, check the carbs. Capsicum (or peppers) grow above the ground and I have not checked these. Love to hear from anyone re success at this.

Janiept said:

lrw60 said:

Hi badcat,

Update on my visit to the db nurse. Still clear of diabetes with a HbA1c level of 37, it was 56 in 2009. My weight is now 12.5 stones which is about 78kg. It was 17.8 stones, 113kg in 2009. I didn't get to see my nurse as she left me an answerphone message saying to make another appointment in 6 months. All in all a good day! For me it was losing weight that did the trick. Low carbing is now something I have to include in my lifestyle. It's very difficult for a vegitarian who does,'t eat eggs or fish, or of course any meat, to addopt a low carb lifestyle. Or perhaps I am not putting enough effort into it. I need one of the TV chefs to write a new cook book. 'The low carb vegitarian/vegan but still delicious cookbook'. Put me down for a copy. :thumbup:
Lee.

Click to expand...

Hallelujah! I am not the only vegetarian diabetic finding it hard to eat 'properly'.
Can you tell me Lee what you do actually eat. I have been vegetarian for 35 years and my staple diet has been cheese and various carbs with the occasional lentil dish thrown in but now I have admitted I have a problem and need to start low carbing I am at a loss what to eat.
I too don't eat eggs (unless made into a scrummy now forbidden quiche), fish or meat.
All ideas gratefully received.

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*Waves the vegetarian flag* I'm a veggie too. I've done a ton of recipes on here, but here are some quick and easy ones:

Cheese Savoury Rolls
Half a block of cheddar cheese (grated)
1 onion (chopped into small pieces)
2-3 tbsp of mayonnaise
5 long strips of iceberg lettuce leaves

Mix the cheese, onion and mayonnaise together to make cheese savoury (a traditional sarnie filling for veggies). Put a blob on each lettuce leaf and roll it up into a wrap shape. Eat it. It tastes great and the carbs in it are negligible. Store the left over cheese savoury in the fridge for the next few days. It lasts about 4-5 days in my fridge.

Another one is a Mexican Salad.
Lettuce leaves, sprinkled with lots of grated cheese. Add a few blobs of sour cream, salsa and guacamole and eat it. It's like a low carb nachos in flavour. I think it comes out at around 6g carbs for a big platter of it (from the salsa mainly).

anne1938 said:

Dont forget milk contains carbs, especially low fat etc. I have a good deal in tea throughout the day, but wont make a milk drink.

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A tip for tea drinkers. My mum's on my diet with me and she's a tea addict. She uses almond milk (negligable carbs in it) and a bit of double cream instead of regular milk in tea. So you can have as much tea as you want, just change the type of milk . Also, caffeine-free tea is better for diabetics as caffeine can also cause T2 diabetes.

I'm a coffee drinker and just almond milk works fine for me. I hope this helps

Claire87 said:

caffeine-free tea is better for diabetics as caffeine can also cause T2 diabetes.

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This is a new one on me. Can someone shed more light on this?

Ta

Hi

I'd be interested in this too. I am hopelessly addicted to Diet Coke and have 2 litres a day :shock: Think of the caffeine there!

Thanks
Cara

stuffedolive said:

Claire87 said:

caffeine-free tea is better for diabetics as caffeine can also cause T2 diabetes.

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This is a new one on me. Can someone shed more light on this?

Ta

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Interesting stuff indeed although I hadn't heard of any correlation previously I'd be interested to learn more..I do know for me that caffeine increases my levels but don't know if that's because I'm type 1.

When I started my diet, I did some research on it all. And a lot of the things I found suggested that caffeine was also considered one of the things that could cause T2 diabetes. At the time, I was a diet coke addict, so I just went onto caffeine free (it tastes the same anyway). For coffee, I changed over to Kenco's caffeine free, again, I can't tell the difference.

So when I cut carbs, I cut caffeine too. Can't hurt, right?

I don't know how accurate it is. I'm no scientist, but I figured why take the risk. I wanted diabetes gone, so bye bye caffeine.

Hi, for past year i have been doing low carb high fat diet (eating full fat cheese, eggs etc but in moderation). Had annual check up and Hba1c was 5.8 but cholesterol was 4.4! My GP wants it under 4 so wanted to start me on statins but i said nope i'll change my diet & assess it in another year. He then asked me to see dietician & i said def not as she wasnt very helpful last time.! Id be very grateful for any ideas suggested from you guys? Thanks in advance x

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