Paranoia and fear in low carb community

[Sad21+]

Just to add- I eat peanut butter too- sometimes mixed with cream.

Ok I'm gonna have to try this. Thank you.

 

[Sad21+]

One of the first low carb books I read (a US publication) just about shouted on every page that I'd better do as they said, or I was going to die in absolutely horrible ways. Other books were more soothing with a "you can do this!" attitude, and some conflicting advice. And that was before I even hit YouTube.

Lots of people online have something to sell. Scaretactics are part of achieving this, it seems. So what do you do? Trust your meter. It'll tell you whether something's hogwash or no. And it's not trying to sell you on some dogma, it'll just let you know what is working specifically for you. I can't eat pulses. Maybe you can. There are no absolutes because to quote Python: "We're all individuals!". So go from there. You're both going to be okay.

Thank you so much. Yes there is a alot of scaretatics and it did work. You are right. Sometimes I'm afraid to test. But I won't know until I do. Thank you so much. I hope all is well. Please look after yourself.

 

[Sad21+]

To be fair you’ll get fanatics in any way of life, especially if they have something to sell. You will find “anti” veganism in some keto and carnivore groups because that way of eating is typically high carb and because dairy and meat are such large part of many keto plans and essential to carnivore. I say anti but depending on where and how’s it’s presented it can simply be pro animal produce because of it nutritional benefits to a type 2 on low carb rather than anti anything other than foods which damage us.
Suffering with mental health, depression and anxiety is tough. And can lead us to make less than ideal choices, see things in a distorted way and become a vicious downward circle. Your shame is part of that distorted thinking I believe. You have done nothing wrong. You are learning to make choices differently now you have new information. That is admirable not shameful.

Practically it may help to not confuse yourself with numerous sometimes conflicting sources. Unfortunately there are some very dictatorial ones out there. Stick to just a couple of factual and supportive ones. I believe the best website to start on is dietdoctor.com. There are recipes, food lists and visual guides and explanations of what and why foods are better or worse for type 2 and low carb. No need to pay for subscription loads is there for free. Then if you do Facebook there’s a group called Low carb in the U.K. by Nikola Howard. Many there do it for weight loss not just diabetes but it’s non judgemental and doesnt have hard, harsh and ridiculous rules and importantly doesn’t mix up USA info with U.K. info (another potential source of confusion)

do you have a meter? That will tell you what’s better, or not, for you. It will take a while but you’ll build up a set of safe meals for you both that you don’t need to worry about. It won’t happen overnight but that’s ok, it will happen

Thank you for this. You have been a godsend. I'm going to make notes. Yes you are right its a journey and it scares me shitless. But I will take it day by day. Thank you for your kindness and advice. This means alot. please look after yourself. Thank you .

 

[Sad21+]

To be fair you’ll get fanatics in any way of life, especially if they have something to sell. You will find “anti” veganism in some keto and carnivore groups because that way of eating is typically high carb and because dairy and meat are such large part of many keto plans and essential to carnivore. I say anti but depending on where and how’s it’s presented it can simply be pro animal produce because of it nutritional benefits to a type 2 on low carb rather than anti anything other than foods which damage us.
Suffering with mental health, depression and anxiety is tough. And can lead us to make less than ideal choices, see things in a distorted way and become a vicious downward circle. Your shame is part of that distorted thinking I believe. You have done nothing wrong. You are learning to make choices differently now you have new information. That is admirable not shameful.

Practically it may help to not confuse yourself with numerous sometimes conflicting sources. Unfortunately there are some very dictatorial ones out there. Stick to just a couple of factual and supportive ones. I believe the best website to start on is dietdoctor.com. There are recipes, food lists and visual guides and explanations of what and why foods are better or worse for type 2 and low carb. No need to pay for subscription loads is there for free. Then if you do Facebook there’s a group called Low carb in the U.K. by Nikola Howard. Many there do it for weight loss not just diabetes but it’s non judgemental and doesnt have hard, harsh and ridiculous rules and importantly doesn’t mix up USA info with U.K. info (another potential source of confusion)

do you have a meter? That will tell you what’s better, or not, for you. It will take a while but you’ll build up a set of safe meals for you both that you don’t need to worry about. It won’t happen overnight but that’s ok, it will happen

Also I do have a meter. Even though the doctor told me not to Test

 

[Sad21+]

Most of the information on these web sites have something to sell or some other agenda where as sites such as this one have people posting who are dealing with diabetes and trying to help others .There are lots of recipes and support It has been invaluable to me and many others Hang in there !!!
Carol

Thank you. I'm noticing this. Yes I will hang on. Thank you stay safe look free yourself. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Sad21+]

Unfortunately at least in developed western countries, diet and exercise have become the new religions and the debates are easily as controversial and polemic as is anything related to religious opinions! Tragically it now also appears that dietary guidelines for the past 50 years may be skewed if not completely wrong...possibly with lots of different food industry lobbies involved, so you are definitely not alone in feeling confused about who/what to believe.

As others have said above, however there are no black and white answers and no one size fits all. It is a matter of adopting an approach that works for you and your mother - ideally this needs to be one that allows you to control your BGs most of the time, but importantly also you are both comfortable doing over the longer term without too much stress.

If you haven't found it already check out dietdoctor.com A Subscription site but loads of recipes, info for free. It is unashamedly low carb, but is constantly adding new menu ideas to cope with all eating styles (except junk food!), including vegetarian, vegan, budget, keto, etc.

Yes it can be confusing and overwhelming. Yes I'm going to keep looking at diet doctor many here have mentioned it. Thank you for this. Very much needed.

 

[Sad21+]

I am a T2D of some 30+ years now, and I used to have my sugar levels bouncing off the ceiling, and I was maxed out on my orals with an HbA1c of 108. I went Low Carb, and aimed for Keto which I achieved for a while, but I like you found it to be restrictive and regimented, so I backed off a bit. I am now eating about 100 to 150 gms a day, so not keto, and I use a small dose of orals as part of my control regime. My HbA1c last week was 42, which is a slight increase from last year (40)

As others have said, you could start with a few staple meals that you have already tested for, then experiment with new ideas. You will need to use a meter to test before and afters, but if you keep a food diary, then you can add to it as you go, eventually it will become second nature, and making the shopping list becomes a doddle in time.

For instance, my breakfast is a fry up with bacon, egg, mushroom, some salad things, and a cheese slice on buttered toast. It is a full plate meal and I repeat it every day. I have tested it many times, and I know it is safe for me, and I know exactly what to buy each week to cover it. If my daughter does my shopping, I just say the usual and she knows what to get.

Firstly congratulations for getting you sugar levels lowered. That's fantastic. And I hope you are proud. Yes I just need to test more. And you are right I need to keep a food diary. I haven't thought of that . Great idea. Thank you for your advice. And take care of yourself. Honestly this is amazing.

 

[Sad21+]

Please have a look at https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/60-seconds and the list of lovely things to eat, with a list of things to avoid or only eat very occasionally as a treat. https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/foods#foodlist

Stay away from U-Tubers and stick to advice given on this forum - we are all diabetics of one sort or another and are here to learn and help.

Thank you. You are right I'll stick to here. Even though some of hose YouTubers are doctors. But I'm going to feel less overwhelmed talking to people here. I really do appreciate the links . Thank you for this. Very much appreciated.

 

[Sad21+]

People on this website have experience. Youtube information is generalized and would advise, so may not be specific or reliable depending on the expertise of the individual on the website.

Yes I appreciate this. I didn't think about that. I'm going to keep getting my advice and help from here. And less from YouTube. I appreciate this. Thank you very much.

 

[Sad21+]

Bang ON, @VashtiB

you been looking through my kitchen windows..

great advice.
.

So sorry to see you so distressed by the food, @Sad21+

it is as said a big step, so be kind to yourselves.

i tried hard and failed many times, but i eventually got there.

I know, as @VashtiB describes the meals i can have that are low carb, the snacks i CAN have waiting for those snacky moments

it's always hardest at first i imagine, well it was for me.

It is i think a whole change of expectation.

it used to be about the joy of flavours and tasting.
so i'd eat anything.

now i'm more picky, it's still a joy and it's flavoursome, but it's also
the food to power me through o the next fuel stop

now i am not so amazed at how a small handful of nuts can keep me fuller for longer then expected.

the way some veg can just MAKE a meal, when added to meat, works for me.

for all the experts etc, the ONLY thing that made me eat this was was the meter.

Personal recommendations on here did kindly guide me, but it was the real time proof of the meter that convinced me to eat more of it each day until i was a low Carber.

I doubt i have been really hungry anywhere near as much as i was pre DX
2 meals a day now suffices and then sometimes that first meal is really just a snack.

Remember it's a marathon not a sprint.

we took years to get sick, so take the time to adjust, and heal.

take the moment to discover foods you can enjoy that don't spike you.


it's hard at first adjusting, but so worth it.

Best wishes to you & Mum.

This means alot reading this. Your advice and help made me feel less on edge. I needed this. You are absolutely right. I will test more and try not to give up. Great advice. I will remember this. Thank you so much. You are so kind.

 

[Sad21+]

Be warned - I took up with some morris dancers after diagnosis and in normal times would be gallivanting off all around the county several times a week - Maypoles are often involved.

Wow that sounds amazing. I would love to go out more. I suspect that's what played a role in mine and ms diagnosis. Thank you for this. And it sounds fun.

 

[Sad21+]

I think it helps a lot when you can get information from people who have direct personal experience rather than those who just have an opinion on the matter.
I have been lambasted for not eating e vegan diet, yet not one person will actually give any advice on managing diabetes eating the diet they advise. I draw my own conclusions.

You are right. I'm just gonna stick to here now. Alot of these experts are doctors so I felt I had to listen. But i have over done it with consuming too much information. I'm going to take a break and stick you here. I really do appreciate this and and everyone one here. I think you and everyone is amazing. I'm so indebted to you all . Thank you.

 

[Lamont D]

Hi,
I have been through the mill and suffered anxiety and depression.
I have a condition that is food orientated and because of the lack of research and dietary advice that didn't work for about twenty years.
I have used a food diary since 2012, I used testing for every food I enjoyed and some I didn't. I have not eaten some of my favourites since. (Chip buttie).
I know now what I can eat and can't and some I won't, regardless of dietary advice.
I don't have the choice of eating what I shouldn't. Otherwise I will start the rollercoaster ride of yo yo blood glucose levels. Having hypos and getting ill all because I trigger too much insulin. The symptoms start again.
But sticking to food that is healthy for you, not what others recommend. You have to find that balance of protein, fats and carbs you can eat, it all depends on what your meter is telling you.
You won't believe that I have been so ill due to the basic healthy nutritional carbs.
I have had a cat scan a few weeks ago and other than wear and tear of being over mid sixties (OAP!) I was told that I am now fitter and healthier than a long, long, time ago.

I have to be resolute in my dietary approach, you and your mum can have a treat every now and then.

Be kind to yourself, use the steps you use for your anxiety, baby steps, it took me quite a while to get to a point where I could stop the experimenting and just eat healthy for me. And surprise, surprise it worked!

By the way, what you get on YouTube and other sites are labels, saying you are this,
that or the other. The treatment is the most important not what others tell you what you are allegedly!
My label is Late Reactive Hypoglycaemia, but even though my body works differently, the low carb, higher fat with salad vegetables, and because I'm not Keto, vegan, carnivore or anything else. It works for me!

 

[HSSS]

Also I do have a meter. Even though the doctor told me not to Test

Ignore the dr in this respect. It’s cost based mostly. If they admit you should test they can’t justify not providing a meter and strips which they aren’t generally authorised to do. That and not understanding how a type 2 can use one to test food as opposed to a type 1 using it for insulin doses and avoiding hypos etc.

Don’t worry about the process of testing. It becomes second nature and I often don’t even feel it. For ideal conditions to test have warm, clean hands, be well hydrated. Massage your finger a little first from palm to tip a couple of times. Get the meter and strip ready but don’t fully insert the strip at this point. Set the depth on the lancet as shallow as you can and still get enough blood ie start shallow and use a bit of trial and error to see how deep to set it. (I use a accuchek fastclix and it’s brilliant). Aim the pricker along the sides of your fingerprint. Don’t use the same spot each time. Avoid the centre and the very top as these are more sensitive and if it’s a little sore afterwards (only for a few minutes at most, often only seconds or painless) those places are used more. Give it a moment or two to start to bleed. A gentle squeeze from below the knuckle if necessary. Once you have a nice drop then push the strip in the rest of the way and test when told to by the meter. This avoids rushing to get the drop formed and onto the strip. Use the strip almost like a little scoop pushing the end into the drop to encourage it along the strip.

ideally test before eating and 2 hrs later. You want a rise of no more than about 2mmol in that time. Less is even better. If it’s more you had more carbs than you are able to process and you should rethink quantities or whether to have it at all. No opinions, no sales pitch - just numbers to educate you.

 

[Oldvatr]

Firstly congratulations for getting you sugar levels lowered. That's fantastic. And I hope you are proud. Yes I just need to test more. And you are right I need to keep a food diary. I haven't thought of that . Great idea. Thank you for your advice. And take care of yourself. Honestly this is amazing.

Thank you. I have one more comment to add. Your bgl meter is only a tool you can use to make decisions from. Do not let it rule your life. You may see results that frighten you witless, but relax, it will be better tomorrow and you can usually live with the occasional woopsie. Learn from those, but they are already history that you cannot change. Record them and then move on.

 

[JoKalsbeek]

Thank you so much. Yes there is a alot of scaretatics and it did work. You are right. Sometimes I'm afraid to test. But I won't know until I do. Thank you so much. I hope all is well. Please look after yourself.

Testing isn't as scary as living in the dark, not knowing. Knowledge is power, and if you know what your bloods are doing, you can act on it. Tad high? Go for a walk, fold some laundry, just do something that needs doing. Maybe take up postcard writing (Postcrossing, or just keeping in touch with people you care about), so you have an excuse to walk to a mailbox, for instance. Perfect numbers after a meal? That's one worth repeating. Bad numbers? Time to figure out why and skip that component or meal. If you know, you can act. Which is a lot more empowering than you might think now. I took back control when I got my own meter, and I ended up with hope and remission. No reason why the same can't happen for you.

 

[carty]

Ignore the dr in this respect. It’s cost based mostly. If they admit you should test they can’t justify not providing a meter and strips which they aren’t generally authorised to do. That and not understanding how a type 2 can use one to test food as opposed to a type 1 using it for insulin doses and avoiding hypos etc.

Don’t worry about the process of testing. It becomes second nature and I often don’t even feel it. For ideal conditions to test have warm, clean hands, be well hydrated. Massage your finger a little first from palm to tip a couple of times. Get the meter and strip ready but don’t fully insert the strip at this point. Set the depth on the lancet as shallow as you can and still get enough blood ie start shallow and use a bit of trial and error to see how deep to set it. (I use a accuchek fastclix and it’s brilliant). Aim the pricker along the sides of your fingerprint. Don’t use the same spot each time. Avoid the centre and the very top as these are more sensitive and if it’s a little sore afterwards (only for a few minutes at most, often only seconds or painless) those places are used more. Give it a moment or two to start to bleed. A gentle squeeze from below the knuckle if necessary. Once you have a nice drop then push the strip in the rest of the way and test when told to by the meter. This avoids rushing to get the drop formed and onto the strip. Use the strip almost like a little scoop pushing the end into the drop to encourage it along the strip.

ideally test before eating and 2 hrs later. You want a rise of no more than about 2mmol in that time. Less is even better. If it’s more you had more carbs than you are able to process and you should rethink quantities or whether to have it at all. No opinions, no sales pitch - just numbers to educate you.

I agree ,just one more tip about testing don't push the Lancet too hard into your finger you want to break the skin not the bone !!!
Carol