Hi can any let me know if they had gone on a low calorie diet (Newcastle Diet). I’m under the hospital and with the support of the diabetic diatician, I’m going to be doing this starting on September 1st.
How did you feel?
How much weight did you loss?
Side affects had?
I’ve got to have 3 slimfast shakes and 80g of veg.
I’m nervous but keen to give it a go. Any feedback is appreciated. Thank you
Hello
@diabeticnewby .
I did follow the Newcastle Diet, with medical supervision, way back in 2011. I had read and researched in advance, as had my GP, who was very supportive. I felt very positive, as it was my own decision, not something I had been pushed into.
After the second day I felt no hunger, had plenty of energy, was able to exercise ( mainly swimming and aquafit) for 6 or 7 one hour sessions a week.
I followed the restricted calorie phase for 12 weeks, then had a month break, when I ate mainly vegetables with some fish, chicken, or eggs. Then did a follow on of 9 weeks with the meal replacements. In total I lost 49 kg. More importantly, my blood glucose levels fell to non-diabetes range within days of starting.
I found for around 2 years I was able to eat anything, including high carb foods, but regained around 20kg of the weight lost. Though blood glucose remained fine. Until very recently that is, but that is another story.
I didn't have any side effects. Although I hadn't been advised to take some oil with the vegetables to prevent the growth of gallstones. I already had gallstones that were giving no bother at all as they were more the size of grains of sand. They did grow bigger and I needed gallbladder surgery after. So I hope you have been advised to have some oil with the veg?
It is also important that you do have support of those around you. Doesn't help having if people don't respect what you are doing, or trying to coax you to have a day off or criticising. Also, social occasions can be a problem. I once attended a weekend celebration in a fine hotel with 6 friends and sat through several meals, sipping mineral water, as they tucked into feasts.
I would also emphasise that if you are on medication then that needs to be reviewed regularly. I was seen by a pharmacist weekly when I was tested for ketones in urine, and had blood pressure, blood glucose and weight checked. I was also seem by the GP nurse every 2 weeks. You say you have the support of the diabetic dietician,
@diabeticnewby , but not what that support entails. Do you mean the diabetic dietician is recommending the Slimfast and vegetables, and will you be seen him / her regularly?
What many people fail to realise is that the ND is not just a period of very low carb nutrition. The follow on is just as important. The literature recommends eating less than you had prior to the calorie restriction phase. For the rest of your life.
I would recommend you read about it and prepare yourself mentally and physically before you start. It is not for everyone, but my reasoning behind it was that as an alternative to bariatric surgery, and with the possibility of solving the high blood glucose levels I had had for 6 years, it was worth a try.
This is the link to the work of Prof Roy Taylor et al.
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/magres/research/diabetes/reversal.htm
Hope this has been of some help.
Good luck, and keep us informed how you get on.
