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Newcastle Diet day 1 !!

i was wondering too - a good read. But - does @KeithAnd know about the sub-forum 'Low calorie diets' (which the Newcastle Diet is), in the 'Food and Nutrition' section . He might want to write up his experiment with himself in there as an ongoing thing? So more folks will read it looking for that topic? And, from my own experience too - lots of mutual support with others doing the very low calorie diet via different means and so on, lots of good discussions about Prof Taylor and the Newcastle University dept. co. Just a plug and a wee yoohoo from me.
 
ravensmitten said:
Happy to jump across to one of @Oldvatrs threads or make one of our own :)

Could be possible @KeithAnd, am I right in thinking you are now on day 10? (to bring the subject back to your good self.)

How are you getting on with it all?
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Day 11 today and seem to be doing ok, thank you. I've got my appointment with the diabetic nurse on Monday, so that will be day 14 and I'm hoping she will support me as much as everyone on this forum is. I'll pop an update in here. Here's some of my learnings to-date:

I'm finding the 3xshakes and 3-4 portions of vegetables are keeping any hunger pangs at bay, there's been 3 occasions when I've not managed to fit a 3rd shake into the day and thinking that won't impact anything too much. I find them extremely sweet and 'milky' and have been using either skimmed milk or half semi-skimmed milk and half water. Being honest, I don't find the shakes difficult but finding the only meal of the day so far has been homemade soups, vegetable curry and salads which after 10 days is getting a bit boring but still tolerable (I know there's plenty of other options). I'm not feeling the need to 'snack' at all, so had no requirement (yet!) for kale crisps or carrot sticks/salsa. Reading Prof. Taylors book the ND diet isn't so much about the shakes/soups but the calories and balanced nutrition, so I'm wondering if something like this would be acceptable with some iceberg lettuce and tomato as a replacement to 1 of the shakes on the odd occasion:

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Salads have come along way in the last 10 days and I find that additions of beansprouts, broccoli and jalapenos makes them enjoyable. In general, Nando sauces from the supermarket seem to be more 'acceptable' to the guidelines than most of the low fat dressings.

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Overall, it's early days but feeling fit and well with no symptoms. The 'ND' says to avoid exercise but I really enjoy cycling and often do around 100 miles per week. I was a bit cautious this week so just went out for 15 miles or so and borrowed my partners electric bike, just in case I suddenly ran out of energy but that didn't happen fortunately. I'm not really planning anything too strenuous in the next few weeks but trying to keep busy and active.
 
It is possible to do a ND style very low calorie diet using real food instead of, or as an alternative to shakes. The Fast 800 series has loads of recipes
 
AloeSvea said:
i was wondering too - a good read. But - does @KeithAnd know about the sub-forum 'Low calorie diets' (which the Newcastle Diet is), in the 'Food and Nutrition' section . He might want to write up his experiment with himself in there as an ongoing thing? So more folks will read it looking for that topic? And, from my own experience too - lots of mutual support with others doing the very low calorie diet via different means and so on, lots of good discussions about Prof Taylor and the Newcastle University dept. co. Just a plug and a wee yoohoo from me.
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That’s great, thanks for that. I’ll definitely check it out
 
Goonergal said:
Been following this thread with interest. A few years back @bulkbiker did a real foods version involving lots of eggs and bacon. Just found the thread here: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/should-this-be-the-ultimate-diet.125320/ it’s made me nostalgic for a few members no longer posting!
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Wow a real blast from the past in the days when threads were allowed to wander slightly off course.. from the BEND to the home OGTT. And yes some well loved characters who we haven't seen for a while..
Over the past couple of years I've piled on a few pounds so maybe it's time for another stab at the BEND regime..
 
AloeSvea said:
What does BEND mean, in this context :) ? @bulkbiker. (or do I have to read that link....)

ps I too get nostalgic for forum-days past where threads could wander....
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Bacon and Eggs Newcastle Diet 800 cals per day consisting of bacon and eggs once a day and coffee/teas with double cream . Bit like an "egg fast" where you only eat eggs.

@Oldvatr Hope that helps..
 
Just a quick update on day #15. Had the appointment with the nurse yesterday to discuss which medication I would be on (Statins and Metformin were mentioned 2 weeks ago). Weigh in showed a 10kg loss and BP down to normal. Had a healthy discussion on the ND and the nurse was very supportive and happy to hold off on any medication and monitor my results over the coming weeks. They are arranging a further blood test in February and another in March. I'm planning to follow the ND path, so have my fingers crossed that my HbA1c numbers will show a drop from 98. Not sure if I'm expecting too much but I feel I have to give it my best shot and at least try.
 
KeithAnd said:
Just a quick update on day #15. Had the appointment with the nurse yesterday to discuss which medication I would be on (Statins and Metformin were mentioned 2 weeks ago). Weigh in showed a 10kg loss and BP down to normal. Had a healthy discussion on the ND and the nurse was very supportive and happy to hold off on any medication and monitor my results over the coming weeks. They are arranging a further blood test in February and another in March. I'm planning to follow the ND path, so have my fingers crossed that my HbA1c numbers will show a drop from 98. Not sure if I'm expecting too much but I feel I have to give it my best shot and at least try.
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According to Roy Taylor you need to lose another 5 kg weight to attain Nirvana (aka remission) This diet has demonstrated that it generally leads to improved HbA1c results. BUT you need to start thinking about what happens in a couple of weeks time when the intervention ends. The shake rattle and roll is the easy part - the follow on is the important part. Roy suggests you do it by portion control. That is a minefield. You will probably find yourself fighting to maintain the end weight once you return to standard fare. Have a look at the success stories thead to see how others have done it with success. Whatever you do, do not remain on the shakes.
 
Oldvatr said:
According to Roy Taylor you need to lose another 5 kg weight to attain Nirvana (aka remission) This diet has demonstrated that it generally leads to improved HbA1c results. BUT you need to start thinking about what happens in a couple of weeks time when the intervention ends. The shake rattle and roll is the easy part - the follow on is the important part. Roy suggests you do it by portion control. That is a minefield. You will probably find yourself fighting to maintain the end weight once you return to standard fare. Have a look at the success stories thead to see how others have done it with success. Whatever you do, do not remain on the shakes.
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Agree with everything you say. I think that's the reason the 3 step approach was developed following the initial trials on the shakes. I should have been clearer and said I am following the ND Programme and not just the diet. I'm definitely not planning to remain on the shakes.
 
bulkbiker said:
Wow a real blast from the past in the days when threads were allowed to wander slightly off course.. from the BEND to the home OGTT.
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Great documentation of your home OGTT @bulkbiker
But you never carbed up beforehand . . . why ???

Ever fancy doing it again but eating the 150gs of carbs for the 3 days preceeding
 
Ronancastled said:
Great documentation of your home OGTT @bulkbiker
But you never carbed up beforehand . . . why ???

Ever fancy doing it again but eating the 150gs of carbs for the 3 days preceeding
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Not really interested in shoving so many carbs into me so thought I'd do it without..
Seemed to work ok without carbing up so maybe i"m "cured" !

I should try it again sometime .. maybe when back from hols in March.
 
Quick update. Around 6 weeks from diagnosis with the first 2 weeks eating a low calorie food diet and then the last 4 weeks following the Newcastle Diet.

Booked in to get my HbA1c checked in February. The nurse said this may be too soon, so they’re checking again in March. The nurses I see have been really supportive. I’m not on any medication.

Lost just under 15kg so far. I start to gradually reintroduce food to replace the shakes in 3 to 4 weeks time, so doing lots of research to prepare for the challenges of step 2 and 3.

Constipation has been a problem and a well documented side effect, so upping the green leafy salads and taking the odd ‘Fybolgel’ with water. It has 5g carbs but can’t seem to find a ‘natural’ alternative without ghastly side effects listed! I’m not too concerned about the extra carbs as tend only to manage 2 of the 3 shakes along with the green leaves and 3-4 portions of veg a day.
 
Great to get your update @KeithAnd.

I only did the ND as a VLCD with real food, so the constipation thing did not affect me, pretty sure - both times. My gut feeling, excuse the pun, is that mainly liquid diets might indeed play havoc on our digestive system. Especially those diet-shakes which are.... odd forms of food? Maybe? That our guts don't really recognise as food?

Anyway. I have always loved broccoli and cauliflower. May I suggest that as your daily veg for a while, to help with your digestive issues during your ND? Lettuce is great as a palate cleanser I feel, and a source of additional water, but it's pretty low on the fibre and nutrition stakes? (Or am I just a hopelessly biased meat and fish eater? Willing to accept that.)
 
Quick update as into the last week of 8 on the Newcastle Diet of shakes, salad and veg. Tomato soup has been a staple and plenty salad, stir fry veg, asparagus and broccoli to help things move along!

21kg lost so far but I’m well aware I’m moving into step 2 and 3, so looking forward to the challenge.
 
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