LOW CARB SUCCESS STORIES

pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I think I can report success.

Diagnosed T2 about 9 months ago with HbA1c of 50 so I immediately put myself onto a low-carb diet.
Three months later I was down to 43 and I'd lost a stone in weight and 2 inches round the middle.
Six months further on, down to 41, lost another half stone and another inch but the weight and waist have stablised.

When diagnosed, I got rather vague diet advice from the medics but was given a finger-prick meter and started monitoring levels while obsessively recording details of food intake. After about 6 weeks I had enough data to "do the science" and work out what was the right carb intake for me. The data was even clear enough that I could distinguish the effects of sugar from the effects of starch and set accurate limits on each. For example, I know that 30g of starch will take me from 5.1 to 7.6 after 2 hours and it will then take 4 hours to go down again.

I'm in my 70's and fairly sedentry but I'm down to the weight and trousers-size that I was in my 20's and 30's. I didn't really want to lose weight as a goal in itself, though, because I've always been thin. I'm now even thinner. My BMI has dropped below 18 which is maybe not so good from a general point of view but at least it's not as low as it used to be when I was young and this weight because I've shrunk 3" in height with old age.

While limiting carbs, I eat fat and protein ad lib to try to keep the calories up. If I feel like a snack between meals, I eat a lump of cheese. Supper consists of an unadorned piece of grilled meat. Breakfast is a carefully-weighed bowl of cereal followed by a "full English" minus the starchy bits. This diet has become a habit now, and it's not going to be difficult to keep it going indefinitely.

"Low carb worked for me"
Impressed by your analytical approach - you deserve the improvements you have seen. Well done indeed!
 
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Helen40

Well-Known Member
Messages
120
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, I've been low carding for 2 weeks, maximum 30grams a day, chicken/fish/eggs and above ground veggies, miminal amounts of cheese and nuts. The lows were hard at first but I'm now in a great stable range which was my primary goal - bit I've not dropped any weight at all?? Feeling very discouraged
 

pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi all, I've been low carding for 2 weeks, maximum 30grams a day, chicken/fish/eggs and above ground veggies, miminal amounts of cheese and nuts. The lows were hard at first but I'm now in a great stable range which was my primary goal - bit I've not dropped any weight at all?? Feeling very discouraged
Well done on achieving a great stable range! Two weeks might be too soon to see many results - I think the body takes about three weeks to adapt/switch to fat- burning rather than glucose-burning mode.
 

Helen40

Well-Known Member
Messages
120
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Well done on achieving a great stable range! Two weeks might be too soon to see many results - I think the body takes about three weeks to adapt/switch to fat- burning rather than glucose-burning mode.
Hey, thanks for that, I will continue with very low carb, I feel a lot better, no spikes and the lows are becoming less frequent as I'm learning to adjust. I guess 2kg down is better than 2 kgs up lol
 

Paul_

Well-Known Member
Messages
504
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I started low carbing 6 weeks and 3 days ago, very soon after my T2 diabetes diagnosis.

Had an appointment with my nurse yesterday. She was delighted with my all round numbers - weight loss, blood glucose (she only begrudging looked admittedly :)), and blood pressure.

On the final one, blood pressure, I've been taken off one of my 3 tablets - down to 2 per day now. Since going low carb and losing some weight, my BP has reduced by 15 points on both systolic and diastolic.

Still not on any meds for diabetes yet either.

Early days, lots more work to do, and my next round of blood tests and hba1c in November will be the true test. However, I've been on 3 BP tablets a day for 8 years now, so this felt very personally significant to have one removed.

Thank you again to everyone on this forum for your advice, support, encouragement, and general chat that's just made this period since diagnosis far easier! I really appreciate all of it, so much more than I can adequately express in words!
 

pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I started low carbing 6 weeks and 3 days ago, very soon after my T2 diabetes diagnosis.

Had an appointment with my nurse yesterday. She was delighted with my all round numbers - weight loss, blood glucose (she only begrudging looked admittedly :)), and blood pressure.

On the final one, blood pressure, I've been taken off one of my 3 tablets - down to 2 per day now. Since going low carb and losing some weight, my BP has reduced by 15 points on both systolic and diastolic.

Still not on any meds for diabetes yet either.

Early days, lots more work to do, and my next round of blood tests and hba1c in November will be the true test. However, I've been on 3 BP tablets a day for 8 years now, so this felt very personally significant to have one removed.

Thank you again to everyone on this forum for your advice, support, encouragement, and general chat that's just made this period since diagnosis far easier! I really appreciate all of it, so much more than I can adequately express in words!
That's superb progress and very good to hear - well done! Despite the work and inconvenience of low carb, it can enable change and thus gives hope.
 
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saky

Well-Known Member
Messages
406
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I started following low carb diet slowly after getting HBA1C of 5.9% in 2019. I lost weight (13.5 kg) in all and eat 80g to 100 g of carbs per day.
I do intermittent fasting also as it helps me in managing polyphagia(frequent hunger). Now my HBA1C is stable.(ranges from 5%-5.3%)
 

paf147

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
First post and a positive one.

From being diagnosed with type 2 in march with a Hba1c reading of 51, I decided to take action.

I've been on the Newcastle diet of 3 shakes a day and veg for 8 weeks, with 2 weeks normal dieting before I found it and have reduced my Hba1c to 36 and have put my diabetes into remission and lost 3 stone in the process. Well happy

I'll continue to use this valuable resource to ensure it doesn't return through.
 

lovinglife

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Messages
5,427
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
First post and a positive one.

From being diagnosed with type 2 in march with a Hba1c reading of 51, I decided to take action.

I've been on the Newcastle diet of 3 shakes a day and veg for 8 weeks, with 2 weeks normal dieting before I found it and have reduced my Hba1c to 36 and have put my diabetes into remission and lost 3 stone in the process. Well happy

I'll continue to use this valuable resource to ensure it doesn't return through.
Excellent progress well done :)
 
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pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
First post and a positive one.

From being diagnosed with type 2 in march with a Hba1c reading of 51, I decided to take action.

I've been on the Newcastle diet of 3 shakes a day and veg for 8 weeks, with 2 weeks normal dieting before I found it and have reduced my Hba1c to 36 and have put my diabetes into remission and lost 3 stone in the process. Well happy

I'll continue to use this valuable resource to ensure it doesn't return through.
Very well done! :) And welcome to the forum, too! :)
 
D

Deleted member 595336

Guest
Hi I was originally on this forum in 2013 and the support and dietary advice I received at that time was fantastic.
I was involved in the trail and publicity of the Low Carb Program and I still advocate that a lower carb diet works.
I'm almost 12 years lower carb and increased activity lifestyle and so far don't need medication.

Lower carb isn't new . In my teens my gran and dad followed what was called a portion diet . The portions were carbs e.g. bread , potatoes , apples, biscuits etc ( nobody ate rice / pasta much in those days lol).

I've rejoined to keep up to date with any new tips etc and keep my motivation.
I originally tried Keto but it isn't sustainable for me so I try to keep below 100gms and I am active throughout the day, walking swimming, Aquatrim are my go to things.

I try different things to keep things fresh , I intermittent fast a couple of days a week , skip breakfast, and that helps too.

I am aware that my pancreas might not always be efficient enough and like my dad / gran I might end up on medication. Hopefully that won't be for a while.
 

pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi I was originally on this forum in 2013 and the support and dietary advice I received at that time was fantastic.
I was involved in the trail and publicity of the Low Carb Program and I still advocate that a lower carb diet works.
I'm almost 12 years lower carb and increased activity lifestyle and so far don't need medication.

Lower carb isn't new . In my teens my gran and dad followed what was called a portion diet . The portions were carbs e.g. bread , potatoes , apples, biscuits etc ( nobody ate rice / pasta much in those days lol).

I've rejoined to keep up to date with any new tips etc and keep my motivation.
I originally tried Keto but it isn't sustainable for me so I try to keep below 100gms and I am active throughout the day, walking swimming, Aquatrim are my go to things.

I try different things to keep things fresh , I intermittent fast a couple of days a week , skip breakfast, and that helps too.

I am aware that my pancreas might not always be efficient enough and like my dad / gran I might end up on medication. Hopefully that won't be for a while.
Welcome back! :)

I'm currently doing Keto (<20g carbs daily) but it is an effort!

My go-to reference work is The Art and Science of Low Carbohydrate Living: An Expert Guide to Making the Life-Saving Benefits of Carbohydrate Restriction Sustainable and Enjoyable by Stephen D. Phinney, Jeff S. Volek (2011) Paperback
 

Jamrox

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,169
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Dislikes
Mushrooms
Garlic bread
Walking up steep hills
Hi I think I can say that I'm a lower carb success story. I was diagnosed April 2013 , was lucky to have a GP who advised that I go on DCUK and look into low carb eating. I have been following a diet of lower carb and increased activity for almost 11 years and still medication free. Yes I have gone off the rails at times but quickly get back on it.
I am a chocoholic but find a freddo or couple of squares of dark chocolate helps . I'm almost 3 stone lighter than I was in 2013 , a lot fitter and retired .
My advice would be to buy a glucose monitor and see how different foods affect your bloods, how do you know if you don't check.
I find walking really helps , if I eat too much I go for a walk and that helps me.
I couldn't do the full keto diet , it wasn't for me, made me ill and wasn't sustainable. I find that my max is 100gm carb as long as I do a 4 mile walk or equivalent exercise. It really is a balancing act
 

pdmjoker

Well-Known Member
Messages
425
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi I think I can say that I'm a lower carb success story. I was diagnosed April 2013 , was lucky to have a GP who advised that I go on DCUK and look into low carb eating. I have been following a diet of lower carb and increased activity for almost 11 years and still medication free. Yes I have gone off the rails at times but quickly get back on it.
I am a chocoholic but find a freddo or couple of squares of dark chocolate helps . I'm almost 3 stone lighter than I was in 2013 , a lot fitter and retired .
My advice would be to buy a glucose monitor and see how different foods affect your bloods, how do you know if you don't check.
I find walking really helps , if I eat too much I go for a walk and that helps me.
I couldn't do the full keto diet , it wasn't for me, made me ill and wasn't sustainable. I find that my max is 100gm carb as long as I do a 4 mile walk or equivalent exercise. It really is a balancing act
Looks like you are indeed a success story - yay! I approve your approach...

I have Montezuma's Absolute Black, 100% Cocoa, Dark Chocolate - very few carbs!
 
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Elmas

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
We have endless debates and arguments about what constitutes a healthy diet. It seems one man's carb is another man's poision.
One common concern, however, is that newly diagnosed visitors will get mixed messages from the conflicting opinions. I have therefore decided that it's time for a wee census. I know of many members who have gained control of their condition by adopting a low(er) carb diet, but then found no further use for the forum, taken their normal blood sugars and disappeared. I would like us to gather statements from diabetics who have found success by restricting their carbohydrate intake, by whatever amount.
So please let us know if you have succeeded in managing your diabetes by restricting your carbs.
If you can supply before and after figures for diet, blood sugar readings, HbA1c, weight, weight or lipids it will all help to build a picture of how real people are getting on.
Oh, and the arguments won't be tolerated here but can be continued elsewhere!

All the best,

fergus
As a T1, the best way I can summarize the benefit of low carb: “The Law of Small Numbers” from Dr. Bernstein. The less carbs, the less insulin, the less insulin, the smaller the mistakes. It’s not a cure or anything of the sort, you still have to be on your toes but it makes T1 way more manageable and makes normoglycemia possible. And if you happen to be overweight, there’s the bonus of losing weight.