Hello

[SurreyFifties]

Hello everyone
I have recently joined and have been reading through threads, it’s evident that there is so much experience and knowledge to benefit from.

I was diagnosed Type 2 in Match 2022 with an Hba1c score of 98 after I had bought a home test from Amazon. I’m on 4 x 500mg metformin daily plus statins. iwas a little overweight but having gone largely carb free for last four months I down by 15kg to 80kg.

Feeling quite confused by it all, will have my first review in 2 weeks.

look forward to learning from you all,

March 2022 hba1c 98

 

[Valley1]

Hi, I totally understand how you feel. I was in shock when I was originally diagnosed in 2019 and after a year of trying to get used to a low carb diet my blood glucose level started to came down. However, after this I was under some stupid illusion that my diabetes was gone, so didn’t make much effort, which had disastrous results! I‘m now on a strict low carb diet and I’ve joined the gym. I think reducing the bad carbs combined with exercise is the way to go. It’s good you’ve lost some weight and you are on Metformin. Hopefully your review will be positive news. Good Luck!

 

[SurreyFifties]

Hi, I totally understand how you feel. I was in shock when I was originally diagnosed in 2019 and after a year of trying to get used to a low carb diet my blood glucose level started to came down. However, after this I was under some stupid illusion that my diabetes was gone, so didn’t make much effort, which had disastrous results! I‘m now on a strict low carb diet and I’ve joined the gym. I think reducing the bad carbs combined with exercise is the way to go. It’s good you’ve lost some weight and you are on Metformin. Hopefully your review will be positive news. Good Luck!

Hi, thanks, that’s a good point and I’ll remember that though starting from such a high level I think it’ll be a while before I can even get into the ‘managed’ region. I actually think that carbs have always been a problem for me with a long history of IBS which has now vanished with a no carb diet.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, thanks, that’s a good point and I’ll remember that though starting from such a high level I think it’ll be a while before I can even get into the ‘managed’ region. I actually think that carbs have always been a problem for me with a long history of IBS which has now vanished with a no carb diet.

Many people have said their IBS has improved with a low carb dietary regime. Bringing down your blood glucose from a high level is better done slowly as it is less likely to cause problems with your eyes and nerves. I reduced my carbs to 70g per day and had eye issues for several months, I didn't realise why until I read on here it could be a problem. It is quite hard to do a no carb diet as here are carbs even in lettuce. I hope you have increased protein and healthy fats to compensate for the low carb.
Good luck with your next test.

 

[Vonny]

Well done on your weight loss @SurreyFifties 🙂 And for sorting out your IBS.
For me, carbs (especially bread) are the food of the devil!
You may well be surprised (and pleased!) at your next review. Keep up the good work and let us know how you get on.

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @SurreyFifties and well done on the weight loss that you have already managed.
What have you replaced your carbs with in your diet?

Are you testing your glucose levels in between your reviews?
The Practice nurses will often say that this is unnecessary, but many on here find it useful to show them the impact of specific foods/portion sizes and this can help them to make adjustments. Others choose to use a Freestyle Libre sensor to gather data. There is plenty on here to read about the different ways people help themselves to come up with their own plan.

Each of us has to find what works for us in managing our diabetes

 

[SurreyFifties]

Many people have said their IBS has improved with a low carb dietary regime. Bringing down your blood glucose from a high level is better done slowly as it is less likely to cause problems with your eyes and nerves. I reduced my carbs to 70g per day and had eye issues for several months, I didn't realise why until I read on here it could be a problem. It is quite hard to do a no carb diet as here are carbs even in lettuce. I hope you have increased protein and healthy fats to compensate for the low carb.
Good luck with your next test.

Thank you, that’s interesting regarding eyes. At the DESMOND course they said I had to have a minimum of 130g of carbs, this would push my bg sky high. I’ll look at the symptoms for eyes on here. I imagine I’m getting about 80g counting yogurts, fruit, vegetables, milk etc

 

[SurreyFifties]

Welcome to the forum @SurreyFifties and well done on the weight loss that you have already managed.
What have you replaced your carbs with in your diet?

Are you testing your glucose levels in between your reviews?
The Practice nurses will often say that this is unnecessary, but many on here find it useful to show them the impact of specific foods/portion sizes and this can help them to make adjustments. Others choose to use a Freestyle Libre sensor to gather data. There is plenty on here to read about the different ways people help themselves to come up with their own plan.

Each of us has to find what works for us in managing our diabetes

Hi

yes I did have a finger prick thing but the readings were so variable, I recently got a libresensor and it’s great for identifying bad foods for me - basically anything from grains.

im eating lots of leafy greens, broccoli, meat and cheese, I like the diet but need to stop dropping weight now.

 

[ianf0ster]

Hi

yes I did have a finger prick thing but the readings were so variable, I recently got a libresensor and it’s great for identifying bad foods for me - basically anything from grains.

im eating lots of leafy greens, broccoli, meat and cheese, I like the diet but need to stop dropping weight now.

To stop dropping weight just eat more protein and more fat. - Just not too much more since if you really let yourself go it is actually possible to gain weight eating low carb if you over-eat on proteins and fats.
I added about 20 grams of protein and 50 grams of fat to stabilise my weight after the weight loss phase. I gained back 7lbs in 6 months while my HbA1C was still slowly reducing to the normal range.

 

[SurreyFifties]

To stop dropping weight just eat more protein and more fat. - Just not too much more since if you really let yourself go it is actually possible to gain weight eating low carb if you over-eat on proteins and fats.
I added about 20 grams of protein and 50 grams of fat to stabilise my weight after the weight loss phase. I gained back 7lbs in 6 months while my HbA1C was still slowly reducing to the normal range.

Love hearing of success stories like this, gives me hope. Sounds like even more broccoli and cheese.. thanks

 

[Leadinglights]

Thank you, that’s interesting regarding eyes. At the DESMOND course they said I had to have a minimum of 130g of carbs, this would push my bg sky high. I’ll look at the symptoms for eyes on here. I imagine I’m getting about 80g counting yogurts, fruit, vegetables, milk etc

The problem with my eyes was the near focus was all over the place, they didn't seem as if they were working together. Far vision was fine.
You can increase your fat by having full fat Greek yoghurt or the high protein yoghurts or the Kvarg deserts.
Home made soups with low carb veg like broccoli and stilton or courgette and brie or butternut squash and red pepper are good.

 

[SurreyFifties]

The problem with my eyes was the near focus was all over the place, they didn't seem as if they were working together. Far vision was fine.
You can increase your fat by having full fat Greek yoghurt or the high protein yoghurts or the Kvarg deserts.
Home made soups with low carb veg like broccoli and stilton or courgette and brie or butternut squash and red pepper are good.

I’ll look out for that (no pun intended), I think I’ve gone from 98 to around 55 HBA1C over the last 3 months.
soups sound good, snacks are a challenge, pistachios can get boring after a while, and jeez this diet is expensive!

 

[EmmaL76]

Try these if you have a m&s close by. 6.9g. Carbs, they are filling and delicious.

 

[SurreyFifties]

Try these if you have a m&s close by. 6.9g. Carbs, they are filling and delicious.

Will do! They look lush.

 

[Leadinglights]

I’ll look out for that (no pun intended), I think I’ve gone from 98 to around 55 HBA1C over the last 3 months.
soups sound good, snacks are a challenge, pistachios can get boring after a while, and jeez this diet is expensive!

If you want nuts etc the GrapeTree has nuts which are good value and lots of other goodies. A few shops but can be bought on line.
I have discovered a range of granola Keto Hana which is only about 10g carb per 100g but it is very expensive so I mix it 50/50 with a low sugar granola so my 15g portion to go on my Full fat yoghurt and berries is only 10g carbs.
Nature Valley protein nut bars, KIND or shop own are less than 10g carbs per bar.
I am always astonished how a few veggies can make a big pot of soup.
I do have the advantage of an allotment so grow lots of vegetables and fruit.
You have done really well with your reduction in HbA1C, brilliant.

 

[SurreyFifties]

If you want nuts etc the GrapeTree has nuts which are good value and lots of other goodies. A few shops but can be bought on line.
I have discovered a range of granola Keto Hana which is only about 10g carb per 100g but it is very expensive so I mix it 50/50 with a low sugar granola so my 15g portion to go on my Full fat yoghurt and berries is only 10g carbs.
Nature Valley protein nut bars, KIND or shop own are less than 10g carbs per bar.
I am always astonished how a few veggies can make a big pot of soup.
I do have the advantage of an allotment so grow lots of vegetables and fruit.
You have done really well with your reduction in HbA1C, brilliant.

Fellow allotmenteer here too! Reducing potato beds for more purple sprouting broccoli!

We have a local grape tree shop but I’ve never been in as everything looked big bags but on your recommendation I’ll go on and take a look. Oats seem especially bad for me, annoying as I love granola and porridge, started off eating loads until I got the cgm.

and thanks !

 

[Leadinglights]

Fellow allotmenteer here too! Reducing potato beds for more purple sprouting broccoli!

We have a local grape tree shop but I’ve never been in as everything looked big bags but on your recommendation I’ll go on and take a look. Oats seem especially bad for me, annoying as I love granola and porridge, started off eating loads until I got the cgm.

and thanks !

The Keto Hana granola has no oats. Ingredients: almonds (19%), coconut (19%), sunflower seeds (19%), pumpkin seeds (19%), hazelnuts (7%), sweetener: erythritol* & steviol glycosides**, butter (milk).
You could perhaps make your own.
Swiss chard is easy to grow and you can pick pretty well all winter.

 

[Gwynn]

This is such a good positve helpful thread. Some great advice too.

It looks like you are very determined and focussed. Same here. One and a half years after diagnosis and I have diabetes on the run. (Actually looking back over the data I got it on the run in months). My personal approach is low carb, higher fats, higher protein, low calorie, lots of exercise, significant weight loss. It worked for me, but everyone is different.

Good luck

 

[SurreyFifties]

This is such a good positve helpful thread. Some great advice too.

It looks like you are very determined and focussed. Same here. One and a half years after diagnosis and I have diabetes on the run. (Actually looking back over the data I got it on the run in months). My personal approach is low carb, higher fats, higher protein, lots of exercise, significant weight loss. It worked for me, but everyone is different.

Good luck

Thank you, that’s great inspiration and I love your signature ethos too. I read a book by Dr Roy Taylor about changing diet rather than reliance upon drugs. Appreciate that won’t work for everyone but so far I’m thinking diabetes has made me change a lot of things that needed changing.

 

[SurreyFifties]

The Keto Hana granola has no oats. Ingredients: almonds (19%), coconut (19%), sunflower seeds (19%), pumpkin seeds (19%), hazelnuts (7%), sweetener: erythritol* & steviol glycosides**, butter (milk).
You could perhaps make your own.
Swiss chard is easy to grow and you can pick pretty well all winter.

Swiss chard already sowed, hopefully It won’t bolt as quickly as spinach. I graze the vegetable garden several times a day.

just checked and yes I have the keto hana peanut butter granola, it’s very nice but about the same price as Gold! I sprinkle it on yogurt like truffle flakes