Newly...about to start Remission program

[Maher2025]

Hello all, I have recently been put on meds for Type 2. But GP have also referred me to Momenta Newcastle Remission program.

Which I have my 1st coach session in few days.

I can’t wait to get started on this program with hope of loosing up to 15% body weight and possibly going off the meds and putting diabetes into remission.

Any help during my course would be appreciated.

 

[NMaddi1]

Hello all, I have recently been put on meds for Type 2. But GP have also referred me to Momenta Newcastle Remission program.

Which I have my 1st coach session in few days.

I can’t wait to get started on this program with hope of loosing up to 15% body weight and possibly going off the meds and putting diabetes into remission.

Any help during my course would be appreciated.

I wonder why this course isn’t offered to everyone in the north east..

 

[Martin.A]

Hi, @Maher2025 and welcome. We do have some members who have been on programmes of this kind and I'm sure they'll be happy to share their experiences. For my part I wasn't offered any courses and had to do it all myself, with great support from Forum members and none from my surgery. I learned that I had to lose some weight, adopt a low carb diet, become more active and take my medication. It took me 5 months to get my HbA1c back in to normal range, where it has thankfully stayed, by which time I was also medication free. Others have done the same. Hopefully you can, too.

 

[NMaddi1]

Hi, @Maher2025 and welcome. We do have some members who have been on programmes of this kind and I'm sure they'll be happy to share their experiences. For my part I wasn't offered any courses and had to do it all myself, with great support from Forum members and none from my surgery. I lost some weight, adopted a low carb diet, became more active and took my medication. It took me 5 months to get my HbA1c back in to normal range, where it has thankfully stayed, by which time I was also medication free. Others have done the same. Hopefully you can, too.

 

[NMaddi1]

Hi, I was offered a course but not this one. It was for 4.5 hrs per week for 6 weeks and it was 2.5 hrs by bus in each direction. Newcastle is 20mins away! Unfortunately the invite arrived by post while was on holiday. I called them the day I arrived home and all places had already been take so was put on a waiting list. GP advice was to eat what you normally eat so I decided myself to go low carb. From diagnosis at end of last Sept to end of Jan I was able to reduce HBA1c from 66 down to 44 and lost 2.5 stone. I’ve since found a Nutritionist who specialises in Diabetes who offered me some free group sessions. I’m hoping that when I go back to GP in a few weeks time that I can stop taking the Metformin.

 

[stron1n]

I am on week 3 of the Oviva T2 remission plan. I have total meal replacements with hakes/soups for 12 weeks, followed up with ongoing support for 9 months.
I'm not feeling hungry but strangely I am craving carbs & seem to spend a lot of time and energy persuading myself not to eat a dry slice of bread.
I hope this passes or the next 10 weeks are going to be super difficult.

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi, I was offered a course but not this one. It was for 4.5 hrs per week for 6 weeks. Unfortunately the invite arrived by post while was on holiday. I called them the day I arrived home and all places had already been take so was put on a waiting list. GP advice was to eat what you normally eat. I decided to go low carb myself. From diagnosis at end of last Sept to end of Jan I was able to reduce HBA1c from 66 down to 44 and lost 2.5 stone. I’ve since found a Nutritionist who specialises in Diabetes who offered me some free group sessions. I’m hoping that when I go back to GP in a few weeks time that I can stop taking the Metformin.

The Newcastle program or similar offered in different areas is basically a Soups and Shakes very low calorie based regime but with support from a consultant along the way.
I think the one you mention is something like the DESMOND course which is an education program for healthy eating for those newly diagnosed or in the at risk group. It tends to be based on the standard NHS Eatwell Plate which many find is still too high in carbs. This is why a GP surgery developed the Freshwell program which many here have followed and found very successful, this is the link https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
However you sound to have done brilliantly well with what you have been doing.

 

[NMaddi1]

The Newcastle program or similar offered in different areas is basically a Soups and Shakes very low calorie based regime but with support from a consultant along the way.
I think the one you mention is something like the DESMOND course which is an education program for healthy eating for those newly diagnosed or in the at risk group. It tends to be based on the standard NHS Eatwell Plate which many find is still too high in carbs. This is why a GP surgery developed the Freshwell program which many here have followed and found very successful, this is the link https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
However you sound to have done brilliantly well with what you have been doing.

I’m 20 mins along the A1 by bus from Newcastle with a bus every 10 mins or so. The course I was offered was 2.5 hrs (ish)by bus having to change 3x. NHS is a lottery.

 

[rebrascora]

I’m 20 mins along the A1 by bus from Newcastle with a bus every 10 mins or so. The course I was offered was 2.5 hrs (ish)by bus having to change 3x. NHS is a lottery.

The Momenta Newcastle Remission program is not held in Newcastle, it is based on the work done by Professor Roy Taylor and his team at Newcastle University on a Very Low Calorie (800 calories a day) Soups and Shakes 12 week diet designed to lose weight quickly in order to burn off visceral fat in and around the liver and pancreas and in many cases lead to the remission of Type 2 diabetes. The program has been adopted by the NHS in England at least but is contracted out to private organisations to run it. Moderna is one such contractor and Oviva is another running the same type of course where individuals with Type 2 who fit certain criteria are referred onto the course and are provided with the Soups and Shakes for 12 weeks followed by support to reintroduce real food once they have lost weight. The program is run in various places across the UK and I believe is done remotely, so the soups and shakes are sent out to you and you get regular online or telephone support, so I am not sure it involves travelling anywhere.

Of course sticking to such a low calorie diet can be challenging and you have to be quite committed to the idea to make it work. Some find the soups and shakes bland or don't like the flavour and some simply don't have the will power and commitment to do it, but for those who do, it can have a real impact on not just BG levels and remission from diabetes but the weight loss can also improve other health issues and improve confidence and wellbeing. The key thing is maintaining the weight loss after you return to eating real food as remission will usually be lost if the weight is regained.

 

[Drummer]

My HbA1c actually went up after 2 months eating a small meal and a Tesco shake - and I have had problems returning to my normal way of eating afterwards - plus I think my waist has expanded a little. Although the regime seems to follow the accepted protocols for weightloss, it seems that not everyone follows the script.
I had no trouble following the low calorie diet - once I reduced it down to some ridiculously low number, but possibly the easily accessible carbs in the shake caused spikes - as so n as I saw that my HbA1c was higher than expected I stopped using them and tried to go back to two 'normal' meals a day, but it seems really difficult to get back into the routine.

 

[CarolT]

Morning Maher2025. I am currently on week 13 of the NHS Pathway to Remission programme and couldn’t recommend it more highly. I lost 2st4lbs in the initial 12 weeks of products only (16% of my body weight) and my daily blood readings are around 5.5.I have an HBA1C this Thursday.

The initial weeks are tough on just the products but I definitely found week 2 the hardest - after that I got in a good routine and the time flew by. It definitely helped me to reframe the products as ‘medicine’ rather than ‘a good meal’. There is really good support on the dedicated Facebook support group so I would encourage you to join that - there’s loads of good advice and motivation. I have now started seriously taking exercise, something I just couldn’t find the energy for before, and am hopeful I’ll lose the next 20lbs over the coming months to bring me into to the right weight for my height. You’ve got nothing to lose apart from the diabetes diagnosis, so go for it.

 

[JimG]

Unfortunately, low carb diets do not suit everyone. Following surgery on my bowel (and my liver) a diet that does not give me the correct level of soluble fibre (and minimum insoluble fibre) causes problems. So, although I reduce the carbohydrates, I stick with the diet I have been recommended. The diet was recommended for reasons other than diabetes whilst taking into account the diabetes. After 14 years of tablets and watching my diet and weight, it's become a way of life.

 

[Ieva DUK]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum from me too! It’s great to have you here and brilliant to hear you’re starting the Momenta Newcastle Remission programme soon. That’s a really positive step, and it sounds like you’re heading into it with the right mindset and clear goals.
Feel free to share updates or questions as you go - as I'm sure you can already tell, lots of people here will be more than happy to support you through the journey. Wishing you all the best for your first session!

 

[Leadinglights]

Unfortunately, low carb diets do not suit everyone. Following surgery on my bowel (and my liver) a diet that does not give me the correct level of soluble fibre (and minimum insoluble fibre) causes problems. So, although I reduce the carbohydrates, I stick with the diet I have been recommended. The diet was recommended for reasons other than diabetes whilst taking into account the diabetes. After 14 years of tablets and watching my diet and weight, it's become a way of life.

When people are juggling multiple conditions people have to find the best compromise they can and that does become a new way of eating just as if low carb suits people then that is their new normal.
You have obviously found something which is right for you.

 

[Maher2025]

Morning Maher2025. I am currently on week 13 of the NHS Pathway to Remission programme and couldn’t recommend it more highly. I lost 2st4lbs in the initial 12 weeks of products only (16% of my body weight) and my daily blood readings are around 5.5.I have an HBA1C this Thursday.

The initial weeks are tough on just the products but I definitely found week 2 the hardest - after that I got in a good routine and the time flew by. It definitely helped me to reframe the products as ‘medicine’ rather than ‘a good meal’. There is really good support on the dedicated Facebook support group so I would encourage you to join that - there’s loads of good advice and motivation. I have now started seriously taking exercise, something I just couldn’t find the energy for before, and am hopeful I’ll lose the next 20lbs over the coming months to bring me into to the right weight for my height. You’ve got nothing to lose apart from the diabetes diagnosis, so go for it.

Hi CarolT, thanks for your reply. Yes I am looking forward to starting it very soon.

I may have lots of questions and requests for tips once I get going.

1 question for now is…I do lot of walking now around 3-5mls per day. Did you do any form of exercise including walking for the first 12wks? Or would this be bad as you are only consuming 900cals a day?

Thanks

 

[CarolT]

Hi CarolT, thanks for your reply. Yes I am looking forward to starting it very soon.

I may have lots of questions and requests for tips once I get going.

1 question for now is…I do lot of walking now around 3-5mls per day. Did you do any form of exercise including walking for the first 12wks? Or would this be bad as you are only consuming 900cals a day?

Thanks

They suggest that you carry on with any exercise you already do, but probably not to start anything too new and strenuous until you have a better idea of how you’re going on with the products. There’s a couple of fellas in my cohort who walk in excess of 10 miles a day and they found it fine. I definitely started walking during the 12 weeks. Ask away as you go forward, but you’ll get an invitation to the Facebook group once you start and you’ll get a good balance of information from there.

 

[Maher2025]

Hi All, Another question….I understand you can only have 50ml of milk a day with Tea/coffee when on 1st stage of remission. But I usually use Skimmed Milk Powder for my Tea/coffee.

How does 50ml calculate in powder form? I.g how many teaspoons?

Thanks

 

[Martin.A]

Hi All, Another question….I understand you can only have 50ml of milk a day with Tea/coffee when on 1st stage of remission. But I usually use Skimmed Milk Powder for my Tea/coffee.

How does 50ml calculate in powder form? I.g how many teaspoons?

Thanks

Does the nutritional information on the pack show 'as prepared' information as well as the obligatory per 100g, with instructions on how to make (say) a pint?

 

[Maher2025]

Does the nutritional information on the pack show 'as prepared' information as well as the obligatory per 100g?

Hi Martin, please see attached Photo of back of the tub….hope you can translate it. As I can’t understand from 2/3 teaspoons point of view?

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi All, Another question….I understand you can only have 50ml of milk a day with Tea/coffee when on 1st stage of remission. But I usually use Skimmed Milk Powder for my Tea/coffee.

How does 50ml calculate in powder form? I.g how many teaspoons?

Thanks

If you make the powder into liquid milk according to the instructions which we can't see then 100ml would be 5.1g carbs (about the same as normal milk.