The moderation pendulum

I know I am a persistent questioner, but I find composing the question crystalises my mind, and your responses help formulate my next phase plan. Of course, we’re now onto Plan N, or is it O?

For additional context, I am Type 2, no medication.

So, todays query is:

Having wrestled my numbers into good shape, I am now running continually in non-diabetic ranges. My 7, 14, 30 and 90 days averages are 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.8 respectively, with my all-time average (since the end of October) running at 5.2. Last time I recorded over 6.0 was 11th December (aside from one potential rogue in February at 6.1). Last I was over 7.8, which I believe is the non-diabetic post-prandial upper limit, was 13th November, after lunch. I often have scores in the 3s, and feel fine on those. No hypo signs or discomfort.

So, I’m slowly re-introducing some foods; mainly those I miss most, so that’ll be fruit for some time, in order to see what I can now accommodate. It’s just so hard watching our bananas ripen, and our neighbour’s mango tree start to bear fruit. I could so easily gorge on those for days alone! I’m also eating a bit more, generally, as my weight is still dropping, albeit slowly now. I have lost 2kg since getting back here at the beginning of March, but I have no more to lose.

So, now my mental wrangle is; should I be trying to maintain my levels at the lowest possible score, irrespective of where that lies in the non-diabetic ranges, or should I be moderating my approach to try to reflect the scores of a wider diet, but still within the non-diabetic ranges? Allowing myself a higher postprandial score feels like I would have much more flexibility. My highest post-prandial score in the last 2 months is 6.0 on the 10th February.

I know I asked a similar question immediately after my last HbA1c, but my self-testing scores have notched down again since then.

I know so much of this is personal choice, relating to strictness of control, but my challenges to myself are whether by continuing to restrict my diet I may be reducing my body’s ability to deal with the odd heavier carb day, should I have one. I’ve read a little about the pancreas acting today with reference to yesterday’s actual requirements. So a higher carb day will produce more insulin both today and tomorrow. Or, am I best continuing to “rest” my pancreas from the carbs, so that it can be “fittest” to react to the odd day of relative carb-fest. That’s something I can’t find an answer too, and I sort of fear it may come down to individual physiology?

I don’t intend to revert to my pre-diagnosis diet, but my challenge to myself is the scope of where I allow the” moderation” pendulum to swing.

My last HbA1c was 37, with another not due until August. I am considering having a diabetic profile run here, where I can walk into the lab and self-request it (and pay for it, obviously), at the end of April, just to ensure my cholesterol is staying reduced , though I have added a bit more fat. If I am going to make changes to my approach, I would definitely have an up to date profile done as my benchmark.

Comments anyone?

(Sorry to be so long-winded.)

I'm a fabulous 57.

I'm rather hoping I have many exciting years ahead of me.

Thanks guys.

I'm pretty OK with my diet at present, aside from the modest calorie deficit, which also has to be addressed. In considering that, it has been an opportune time to think about how I add those calories - by additional fat, or a few additional carbs. From time to time, I would love more fruit. I live in a tropical paradise, and yet need to avoid the local fruit. That's my main "temptation. The flip side is I'm a little nervous of dabbling too much and finding myself well off the straight and narrow.

I'm well away from the NHS, in a place with a pay-as-you-go health system, so I'd rather stay away from needing that, if I can.

Equipoise - please don't feel concerned that I may be managing my diabetes by committee or forum. That simply wouldn't happen, but I do appreciate the many, many years of diabetic experience this forum holds, and I am a firm believer that once a wheel has been invented, I don't need to invent it all over again.

Andrew - I appreciate any reintroduction of carbs would have to be in a controlled, measured and reviewed fashion. I have my spreadsheets and macros too.

And Andy - happy if this starts your own thought processes off.

I think I probably have more thinking to do on this, but I would be happy to hear others' input or experience if they have any.