Let me introduce myself. I am 68yrs old, Med.Tech. Overweight most of my life, lately slightly obese. Very little excersize and poor diet. (Uhh, this is hard to admit). Lately I did not feel well, weak,could not walk right, gettimg even fainty. After a major cold, I really went down and was considering a doctors visit. Something was really wrong. That one faithfull morning I noticed that my urine smelled “funny”. I tested with a “dipstick” and got a shock of my life. My glucose level was over 2000. There was my answer. I am a diabetic. My fasting glucose was 264 and A1C 11%
So… I sat down with myself and had a very long talk. Either I go to the doctor and probably will be put on medication, possibly on insulin, or I get on the internet and study and read and study and read and find out if I can deal with the isue by strict diet and excersize. I decidet for the later.
Bought a glucometer and tons of strips. Started testing first thing in the morning, then before any food and 20-30min after any food. This is around August 18th. By trial and error I realized that the diets recommended on any diabetes sites did not work for me. Lowering my carbs did! My glucose started to drop when I lowered the carbs to minimum (about 10g/day), mostly from veggies and fruits. I started to walk, first day could not make it around the block, now walking daily 1.5miles in 30 min.(Sept.5th) I have dropped about 8Lbs.
I bought the software from Roche to monitor the progress. I am followingt that way my daily glucose and a trend line over time. My fasting glucose after three days went down to about 190 and during the day my lowest was about 160, highest 198. The down trend continued and yesterday my fasting was 97, this morning my fasting glucose is 89!!! During the day my highest reading is around 127,
I feel like “million bucks”, I am almost there.
What do I eat. I eat often in small amounts and the cardinal rule is low or no carbohydrates. Anything I buy is ruled by “low carbs.”, Let me stress that I am not on any specific diet such as Atkin’s or Mediteranian, just making sure I get enough protein and fiber and some fat. I use only coconut or olive oil and 0 sugar. I do occasionally use Xylitol (a fabulous sugar substitute with very low cal. and very low glycemic index) It tastes and looks absolutely like sugar. I buy only Birch tree bark Xylitol, don’t like other kinds - made in China. I do eat, eggs, Almond or Soy milk, fish (salmon, wild only, tuna, and my favorite, Tillapia), organic chicken, only skinless, cheese, mostly Mozarella or Riccota, but even fat chees like Brrie (0 carbs.), Chickpea Hummus, Avocado (only half of one at the time), cottage cheese (only 1TBS. at the time) celery any time, nuts any kind but only about 4-5 nuts at the time. Lentills are great - cooked 1-2Tbs only. NO bread, rice and only 1 potato cut in small pieces in a large pot of veggie soup. Lots of garlic. Yougurt, although I like it is not working for me. Regardless of the brand - my glucose jumps.
I do take many supplements. Multiple Vit. with added B1 and B6. Chromium Picolinate, Alpha Lipoic Acid. Nepal cactus,Dandelion,Mormodica (Bitter Melon),Gymnema sylvestre, Flax seed seed for crunchies and Pumpkin seed for snacks,Cinnamon on anything I can put it on. Also Hemp protein powder.
I know this is a very long post, but it is experience of one diabetic and I hope it may help someona out there.
PS. I have osteoarthritis and been taking a lot of aspirin and Glucosamin condroitin for that. Stopped the glucosamine as there is some evidence that it may interfere with the blood glucose. I was worried about my joints, but to my incredible surprise, my arthritis pains are gone! and I move my joints without pain! (most probably the diet)
Welcome to TuDiabetes. Your story is an inspiration. I hope it helps all that reads it.
You have shown that with determination, anything is possible!
Hi Lucy: Congratulations on all your good efforts! There is one problem, however and it isn’t small. On such a low carb diet, you are very likely to face a ketoacidosis crisis so buy those keto strips too and check. The body requires carbs and if you don’t get them (10 is too low), the body starts burning fats only for energy instead of carbs and that’s where the ketone problem enters the picture so be careful. Running a little ketones, o.k., but high is dangerous. Also cholestrol may rise too high. As the weight drops off and you keep exercising, its possible that the type 2 thing may just go away. With a little more carbs, you might need pills just for a little while until you lose a little more weight. But please, see a doctor! You would still be in charge. Jan
Lucy,
Thank you so much for sharing! It is wonderful that you have found such a healthy (non extreme) diet that is working for you. I am taking good notes!! Please do visit your doctor though. It is very important that you are under a care for your diabetes including annual eye exams, lipid profiles, etc. Anyone that would make you change the diet you described would be the WRONG physician, but do go see someone.
God Bless
Scott
Hello Jan, what a sweetie. Thank you so much for your comments. Yes I do check my ketones, so far only trace. I think ketoacidoses is a little different and mostly need to be watched for by diabetes1 folks. I also believe that after a while the body starts changing the glucose cycle and minimal carbs are needed. I do intend to see a good Endocrinologist, when I have one more A1C done in about three month from now, so I can present some believable data to him. Thanks again for you care, it is amaizing how many people already read my blog and sent comments. It is going to be a great support for me. Lucy
Hello Scott, thank you so much for your nice comment. I need the support and information, information, information. My lipid profile was perfect (lucky me, I work in the lab.) I had an eye exam 6mo ago, but will schedule one with an Ophtalmologist - it is on my list od to doooooo’s. I am giving myself another 2-3mo. will run another A1c and then find a good Endocrinologist and present my data to him to see what he will say. Thanks again, be well, Lucy
Hi Lucy, Great post, the diet that you have discovered works for you is quite close just a little tighter, to Dr Bernstein’s method About - Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Official Web Site , He discovered that contrary to the ADA way it is carbs and not fat that you need to restrict to control BG, as he was an engineer and not a MD at the time, no one would listen so he went back to school and became a MD.
Hello Dave, what a fabulous site - will go back to it and read and read… I feel so much better that I am doing something someone actually put on paper. I am surprised how easy it is for me to keep the diet - actually not a diet, just selecting all food on the bases of carb. content. I am so disapointed with all the diabetic support sites recomending mostly 90g carbs, 90g protein and 25g fat. That would put me on medication ASAP. I did try that for 3 days and my glucose was close to 200. Today I overdid the cottage cheese and went up to 137 for 1 hour, then slowly, very slowly down to 120 in 4hours. So, I have a way to go, but doing so much better in just really 3 weeks and I feel I am getting a handle on keeping the glucose down. Thanks for your words and especially for the link to Dr Bernstein. Be well, Lucy
What an accomplishment! Thank you for sharing. You’re an inspiration.
Just as a note to Jan’s comment. Ketosis & ketoacidosis are different. Ketosis is a naturally occuring process as fat is used for energy. Ketoacidosis in people with diabetes happens with extremely high, uncontrolled blood sugar. The body is in starvation because energy isn’t getting to the cells. Fat is broken down at such a rapid rate that ketones are rampant & the body can’t remove them.
I’ve been on a low carb diet (about 30 carbs daily) for over a year. I’ve never had ketones.
"Ketoacidosis is an extreme and uncontrolled form of ketosis, which is a normal response to prolonged fasting. In ketoacidosis, the body fails to adequately regulate ketone production causing such a severe accumulation of keto acids that the pH of the blood is substantially decreased. In extreme cases ketoacidosis can be fatal.
Ketoacidosis is most common in untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus, when the liver breaks down fat and proteins in response to a perceived need for respiratory substrate. Fasting leads to ketosis but not ketoacidosis."
Hello Gerri - Thank you so much for your comment. Hallelujah… That was exactly my answer to Jan.
Just 4 weeks ago I was totally ignorant but I am a good study and am making progress. Frankly I find the recommendations from all the Official diabetic support sites not good. First all the recommended diets include 60 - 90!g carbs. Second, they consider “normal” fasting glucose of 100 -120 and post meal to be kept below 180! That is unexeptable to me, I can and already do much better. I have lost only 8lb. so far, have 30lb more to go, so I am sure as my belly fat goes down, so will the sugar. Anyhow, thanks a bunch for the great comment, i will always appreciate any info. Be well, Lucy
Hi Lucy,
I wish more people had your insight. Sadly, most follow the ADA dietary guidelines, which is the same party line given by doctors, dieticians & CDEs. Everyone you turn, it’s the same story. Too high carb with correspondingly high A1cs & blood glucose targets as acceptable–but of course. You can’t tell people to eat that many carbs without also promoting higher BG, right:) Agree–unacceptable.
The ADA, many doctors, dieticians & CDEs don’t believe that tight control is possible because patients won’t/can’t follow lower carb recommendations. Low expectations. It angers me that people aren’t given the choice & the info is being withheld.
My goal is to be as near normal as possible & to take as little insulin as possible. I’m Type 1.
People fear that they’ll be deprived eating lower carb. I’ve found wonderful recipes, eat well & never am hungry. They’re also warned that low carb is risky & will effect their brains. That’s what I was told. Made no sense to me & I did my own research. I follow Dr. Bernstein’s suggestions, who Dave mentioned. Changed my life for the better.
A critical factor that’s omitted in low carb warnings is that about 58% of protein turns to glucose at a slow rate. Not that anyone should because we need the nutrients & fiber in vegetables, but you could live without ever eating a carbohydrate.
Slow weight loss is better. No doubt you’ll reach your goal.
Thanks again for sharing your story!
Gerri - you are fabulous. Thanks again, exactly what I think and I will go on with my plan! My brain is still working LOL I am glad you are dealing with D1 as well. Great to talk, Lucy
Judith - Thanks a million, I need all the info I can get. Listen, I have noticed that after eating about 1/4 cup of dry roasted pumpkin seeds (use them as snacks), my glucose drops, and I mean significantlt, about 20-25points? Is it possible?
Lucy
How interesting about the pumpkin seeds. How soon after eating them do you see a drop? Pumpkin seeds have a good bit of zinc. but a 1/4 cup isn’t much, not that zinc should effect BG.
Hi Gerri, lordie lordie, I don’r want to mislead anyone. I will try it few more times, but this happened about 3x now and the drop was in +/- 2hrs. I have this wierd theory - the seeds have the hard shell that looks to me like celulose? or something and I theorized that it digests very slowly and it may somehow absorb the glucose (this is very unscientific statement), I will try it few more times and see what’s up. Lucy
You’re eating unshelled pumpkin seeds? I’m guessing that they’re indigestible with the shells.
Yap, Roasted and salted (not much), they are a fabulous crunchy snack. Found at local Sprout’s market. I think that is the clue - the shells…LOL I don’ know, but whatever works. will test it some more and keep you posted. Lucy
All the fiber makes them pretty hard to digest, unless you’re really chewing them well. 1/4 cup shouldn’t effect BG much either way.
Sure - I chew them a long time, thay last longer that way LOL
If you really like yogurt you could try the strained style, also called Greek style. Turns out most of the sugar is in the whey, so when it is strained it loses half its volume – the protein and fat content double per cup while the sugar is cut in half per cup! I bought the Fage brand Greek yogurt until I read that you could strain your own for half the price, so now I buy Horizon plain organic yogurt, line a wire strainer with paper towels over a big bowl and dump the yogurt in; in about 3 hours it looks like half as much yogurt and it just rolls out of the paper towel. Very creamy with a lot less fat and a lot more protein than sour cream! I LOVE it over strawberries or blueberries or on chili.