I started out 17 months ago eating pretty low carbs (<75 a day most days) and it was great for my A1C but I’ve found it really hard to maintain that level of commitment over time. I think others are right – focus first on figuring out how to stabilize your #s, and then look for a balance of #s vs. quality of life that you think you can maintain. At least, that’s what I’m trying to do.
One trick that works for me if I’ve just gotta have something I shouldn’t eat much of (like ice cream) is to eat it FIRST. I decide how much to have, and really pay attention to eating it and enjoying it, and then eat the rest of my meal followed by as much salad as I want. I never used to be all that heavy into lettuce but it’s my new best friend now because it’s one of the few things I can eat until I feel satisfied, with no rise in BG. And if I’m satisfied at the end of a meal, and I already had my treat, then there’s no temptation to have just one more bite of ice cream, or maybe two, or three or …
There was a time when I would have found it depressing as hell to think lettuce would become one of my favorite foods. Not so much anymore, though. You’ll find things that work for you too. And when you do you can share them here. I look forward to it!