Hey,
Thanks for your reply.
I think if they recommend low-GI I would want to try that before low carb as it's less extreme. I really wouldn't want to cut out fruit and veg.
All carbs do eventually turn into glucose yes, but with starchy carbs they're released into your bloodstream slower so will cause less of a spike. Also, I'm not type 2 and do not have a problem with spikes in blood glucose levels, and I would worry about losing weight or what to eat (I don't eat meat and avoid eggs and dairy) following a low or no-carb diet.
I'm really glad you have found a solution and that your current diet is working for you
I can understand what you are saying, even my specialist endocrinologist recommended low GI from my first appointment, but I was still having hypos after hypos, my daily intake for example, was porridge (rolled oat) no milk, no sugar just water.
For lunch I would have a low GI meat sandwich, and a banana. Or a baked potato with filling. Then for tea, meat and two vegetables always!
All this was the recommended diet for those like us, who had problems with hypoglycaemia. Eat every three hours to stop having bad hypos!
Because I had to keep a food diary, the evidence was unbelievable.
Regardless of how low GI I went, carbs regardless of GI levels were the trigger for the reaction of an overshoot.
Only very low carb would help stop this.
Hi both,
Thanks for your replies.
I will definitely ask them what they think. They wanted to see what my insulin levels were doing before doing a 72 hour fast, so I'm not sure whether they will do one or not.
@Lamont D that's interesting that yours lasted longer and you had higher BGLs after the glucose. How much glucose were you given for your OGTT? I had 113ml of that horrible thick liquid! I've never had a problem with my sugars being too high, only going too low.
My control isn't very good at the moment... Obviously I had to have a load of sugar for this test and I will definitely have a hypo if I eat sugary things, but often it takes me by surprise and I'll have a hypo after eating a normal healthy meal. I have an appointment with a dietitian on 23rd and I imagine they're going to advise a low GI diet.
When I first saw the endocrinologist she thought it was related to autonomic dysfunction (I have a diagnosis of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) but my neurologist disagrees, so I have no idea.
Anyway I appreciate you both replying and I will definitely let you know what they say
My dosage of that yukky stuff was 75g.
I have what is known now as 'Late Reactive Hypoglycaemia' which means my Hypoglycaemia happens later than yours after about three to four hours, hence the eat every three hours advice!
I believe that I have a more extreme overshoot than you, because of the higher glucose levels I get. I do eat a lot of salad vegetables but my intolerance to starchy vegetables is the worst, potatoes are the worst.
Fruit, I have a small apple every day, strawberries, raspberries as a dessert, in small portions, so you don't have to miss out on certain foods.
This is why a food diary is really important because by the results you can determine how your favourite foods affect you. There are more alternatives to meat and starchy carbs than you would believe.
For every carb there is an alternative very low carb alternative.
In my case a carb is a carb and does effect my reactive hypoglycaemia, because every time I have more than 5% carbs per meal, I will go hyper and then go hypo.
Their is a mechanism in your brain or gut that sends messages to and from your brain, this determines how much insulin response you get, it is different every time because of portion etc.
So many factors determine how your body uses insulin, but always too much because of the overshoot, insulin resistance, is not recommended, only stopping the overshoot by going very low carb will do this!
It is your choice in the end no matter who advises you, I can only offer my experience of this condition for the past decade or so.
Keep safe, keep asking and keep a food diary for a few months and then decide, this is a life time condition.
The main reason I stopped eating carbs as much as possible, was my health improved so much. I had to find my balance of protein, veg and fats.
If you are like me, only natural saturated fats can I tolerate. I have trouble digesting veg oils, Palm oils, olive oil and most other plant based oils. But this is me, not you!
Coconut oil is probably the best vegan alternative.
Best wishes