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When and how often to eat

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eyeboy

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Hi guys. I thought I had a handle on my T2 diabetes, but my last appointment with a diabetic nurse has sent me spiralling!

My belief was that eating at regular intervals was the best way to go, but my diabetic nurse told me to only eat when I'm hungry. This doesn't really fit in around my work schedule, but I've been trying and it hasn't helped. I've been advised to eat a low carb, high fat diet because I can't afford to lose weight (my BMI is towards the lower end of normal) but my cholesterol is climbing. I've tried apple cider vinegar which reduces my spike after breakfast a little. I've also tried chia seeds which sent my post-breakfast spike higher than ever!

What do you guys do with regard to eating? Same time every day? When your hungry? Skipping meals? Any and all views welcomed.

Thanks in advance.
 
My approach and fitting in with work is as follows, breakfast at 6.am, lunch between 1-2pm, supper 7.30ish. I don't really snack, but do have a delicious bounce protein ball at about 11am. If I want anything else it is either handful of almonds, teaspoonful of cottage cheese. I try and keep carbs to 100-130 gms daily. I never skip meals I get too hungry. It is a simple routine but works for me. It takes time to work it out.
 
That’s weird @eyeboy If your weight is low, you’d think the nurse would be encouraging you to eat regularly. What are your blood sugars like?

How were you diagnosed with Type 2? Are you on any meds for it?
 
I eat pretty regularly, and I find that my hunger pattern is pretty in tune with that pattern, as inka says it seems strange to hear that your nurse said that - and certainly pretty inconvenient for anyone with a daily schedule. Did she definitely say ONLY when you’re hungry? I’m just wondering if she meant eat more if you’re hungry between meal times if your weight is low. Hope you find what works for you.
 
Inka said:
That’s weird @eyeboy If your weight is low, you’d think the nurse would be encouraging you to eat regularly. What are your blood sugars like?

How were you diagnosed with Type 2? Are you on any meds for it?
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I take metformin, 2x500mg after breakfast and 1x500mg after dinner (also take atorvastatin and ramipril). I was diagnosed due to the presence of retinopathy, but totally symptom free. HbA1c was 100 at diagnosis but now 42. Sugars currently range between 4.8 and 7.5 hourly average over the last week according to the CGM I'm using but they can go as low as 3.5 at night or as high as 12 after breakfast including toast.

My last diabetic review threw me - my height is 5' 10.5" and I weigh 10st 7lbs. She said I need to keep my calorie intake up, but advised eating less frequently - I thought little and often was better than infrequent big meals. As I say, the nurse's advice has sent me spiralling as it seems to go against all the other advice out there.
 
I've been following your other post as well. I'd suggest low carbs, high protein (rather than high fat). I too have high cholesterol and a severe reaction to statins, so my GP actually recommended I have a mini cholesterol lowering drink at breakfast (supermarket own brand are cheaper and just as effective). Like most people I follow a regular pattern, and your DN's advice surprised me. Breakfast between 8am-9am, lunch 12pm-1.30pm, dinner 5pm-5.30pm as I'm retired. I actually rarely feel hungry, which I think is a side effect of my medication, and because I drink a lot of fluid (water, mint tea and decaf coffee).
 
I was always under the impression that routine is key, that's why the suggestion to change to an as-and-when approach surprised me. I've ignored it, because it just doesn't fit in with my work schedule. I typically have breakfast between 6:15 and 6:45, lunch break between 13:00 to 14:00 and dinner between 18:30 and 19:00. That's what I'd always done and it worked in the past.
 
One way that people find successful is low carb but normal fat rather than high fat or low fat and the reduction in carbs can be beneficial in reducing cholesterol in some people. By having enough protein and healthy fats that will help to keep your weight stable. It seems you have managed with whatever you have been doing to get your HbA1C down to pretty well normal.
When I was working I would have breakfast at 7am, lunch if I had time between 1 and 2pm and dinner at 8pm but only drinks in between but now retired breakfast is later but the other meals at a similar time, but If I only ate when I felt hungry I would never eat.
This link may give you some ideas for meals you could have which are low carb https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
eyeboy said:
I was always under the impression that routine is key, that's why the suggestion to change to an as-and-when approach surprised me. I've ignored it, because it just doesn't fit in with my work schedule. I typically have breakfast between 6:15 and 6:45, lunch break between 13:00 to 14:00 and dinner between 18:30 and 19:00. That's what I'd always done and it worked in the past.
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I would stick with it if that is what has suited you and it has worked in getting your HbA1C down and your other reading look good.
I would have thought your nurse would have been happy.
 
Morning Eyeboy,
The only general advice I would give you is eat what fits into your lifestyle/ work as you are much more likely to stick to that routine longer term which is vital to manage your diabetes.
Then you can make decisions of what to eat to best balance your health considerations.
ATB
 
Posted in your other thread @eyeboy - as you will see i am in the @Wendal camp.
 
eyeboy said:
I was always under the impression that routine is key, that's why the suggestion to change to an as-and-when approach surprised me. I've ignored it, because it just doesn't fit in with my work schedule. I typically have breakfast between 6:15 and 6:45, lunch break between 13:00 to 14:00 and dinner between 18:30 and 19:00. That's what I'd always done and it worked in the past.
Click to expand...

If that’s working for you, I’d stick with it. You got your HbA1C down, which is brilliant.
 
eyeboy said:
Hi guys. I thought I had a handle on my T2 diabetes, but my last appointment with a diabetic nurse has sent me spiralling!

My belief was that eating at regular intervals was the best way to go, but my diabetic nurse told me to only eat when I'm hungry. This doesn't really fit in around my work schedule, but I've been trying and it hasn't helped. I've been advised to eat a low carb, high fat diet because I can't afford to lose weight (my BMI is towards the lower end of normal) but my cholesterol is climbing. I've tried apple cider vinegar which reduces my spike after breakfast a little. I've also tried chia seeds which sent my post-breakfast spike higher than ever!

What do you guys do with regard to eating? Same time every day? When your hungry? Skipping meals? Any and all views welcomed.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Hi,
I have been watching the Glucose Goddess who recommends Apple Cider Vinegar and on the basis of two days only it works for me. Today for breakfast I had the vinegar in water (taste almost bearable) then a small salad of spinach and tomatoes (To be improved on) then sausage and egg followed by a naughty brown toast with the tiniest amount of butter and jam. This has put mt up to 10.6 previously without the vinegar or salad but today with vinegar and salad peeked at 7.8.
So I will keep following this regime but I think I can improve it. Savoury breakfast is the key and the jam is for fun but I know its wrong!
 
The person I’m seeing at the GP surgery recommended fasting between the evening meal and first meal the next day, at least 12 hrs but 16 hrs being better. The reason he said is to encourage the body to use its energy store. We’ve evolved from our ancestors who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from and when, so our bodies have evolved to store when it can.
 
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Exflex said:
The person I’m seeing at the GP surgery recommended fasting between the evening meal and first meal the next day, at least 12 hrs but 16 hrs being better.
Click to expand...
That's what I have done since starting on my weight loss diet 15 months ago. Lost 22 kg and in remission. Even more important to me for weight maintenance now.
 
I try and eat between 9am and 5pm. Easy for me as I'm retired, but not practical for a working person.
 
Exflex said:
The person I’m seeing at the GP surgery recommended fasting between the evening meal and first meal the next day, at least 12 hrs but 16 hrs being better. The reason he said is to encourage the body to use its energy store. We’ve evolved from our ancestors who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from and when, so our bodies have evolved to store when it can.
Click to expand...
This makes sense to me if you need to lose weight.
However, the OP mentioned that they "can't afford to lose weight" so does not have the "energy stores" you mention.
Back to the question they raised: is 12/16 hour fasting the right thing to do?
 
helli said:
This makes sense to me if you need to lose weight.
However, the OP mentioned that they "can't afford to lose weight" so does not have the "energy stores" you mention.
Back to the question they raised: is 12/16 hour fasting the right thing to do?
Click to expand...
Thank you for reminding me. I should remind myself of the original question before providing a response based on my own situation, doh!
 
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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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