Low carb is changing my life.

[cheeseisthebest]

Posting this in chat as hoping it will be helpful.

Bit of backstory- I was diagnosed with high blood sugar and pre-diabetes several years ago. The advice then was just to cut down on sugar which I did and saw an improvement.

Couple of years later I went back to Doctors as I felt hungry all the time, high blood sugar and pre-diabetic again. The advice now was to cut out sugar and carbs.
I've tried and tried over the past couple of years but finally something has clicked.
Since 1st Jan I've had no carbs or anything sweet. This is a massive deal for me, I'm working at home, stressful job and homeschooling and food has always been my comfort and I just love sweet stuff.

However I feel full, so I'm eating less, I've lost almost 4lb, my mood is more stable, I dont think about food constantly. I'm enjoying treats like cheese and cream (in moderation!) I'm really hopeful that I've finally cracked this.

I'm not sure why its different after so many attempts but I really dont want to end up with a serious health condition (type 2 diabetes) that is one of the few health conditions that you can have control over.

Just wanted to share in case this is helpful to anyone.

[cheeseisthebest]

One benefit of the last ten months is as a family we have become much more organised with our meals and meal planning. Husband is vegan which makes it hard, I also cook 2 different meals but tonight was just separate pre made meatballs for kids and courgetti for me so not too bad.

[cheeseisthebest]

Meant always not also

[MarshaBradyo]

Low carb is getting me through this somewhat

[cheeseisthebest]

[quote PaperMonster]@cheeseisthebest it was 50. I developed insomnia last year, so thinking that’s pushed it up as it can play havoc with your blood sugars.[/quote]
Will you have to have medication now?

[thatscurvydogbeard]

@Jaypreen

What if you have high cholesterol? Is a low carb diet advisable then?

Eggs (alongside other foods high in cholesterol) are no longer thought to affect your cholesterol level very much. I reduced my cholesterol from 6.9 to 5.4 over the months by doing a kind of adapted version of the portfolio diet, Google it if you're interested. I ate a ton of eggs in that time, as well as a lot of "good fats" - extra virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts etc. I also do a sort of lower carb diet now, I try to keep carbs down to about 80g per day maximum (would have been more like 150-200g before). Its totally doable if you're also trying to keep cholesterol down ime

[cheeseisthebest]

That's good advice and I didn't know that about eggs.

[Lucieintheskye]

I am loving low carb. I've never been so creative with meals and I feel excited to eat again without heaviness of toast weighing on me all day. No actual health benefits for me as I have chronic illnesses but eating different food is fun!

[IseeIsee]

I did low carb and loved it for weightloss but found I got constipated on it so stopped.

[CheltenhamLady]

We have been doing no alcohol, low carb and 16/8 since Jan 4th and have both lost 5lb and our blood pressure has come down dramatically. We both feel fitter and we are not hungry. Snacking and wine was just a habit, we have water now and walk every day.

I think the key to it is to become obsessed with the benefits and have a treat day just once a month.

[DayBath]

@cheeseisthebest

Sorry by control over I mean its reversible through diet and exercise and I would be an absolute fool to become diabetic through my own lack of control.

It's not always reversible through diet and exercise though. I know a lean and fit endurance cyclist who has eaten low carb for years and he still developed type 2 recently. I think he would be upset by the idea that his inherited genetics are entirely his fault, sometimes people can do everything right but still end up suffering. I know that it works for a lot of people and I congratulate you on your efforts but please don't make diabetes sufferers think it's ALWAYS reversible and therefore lay guilt on them. People can't always override their genetics.

[PowPurry]

I will shout about low carb until the cows come home. I will go on and on about it to anyone who wants to lose weight/feel better/less tired and so on

[MarshaBradyo]

It should be prescribed.

It would solve a lot of issues we face currently

[cheeseisthebest]

Sorry daybath yes I do know that. Apologies.

[justanotherneighinparadise]

I eat low carb and it’s fabulous.

[Tarquinthecat]

You say "I've had no carbs" and then "I'm enjoying treats like cheese and cream".

Cheese and cream have carbs.

What else are you eating that you think has "no carbs"?

[goose1964]

I have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure , I tried low carb but my cholesterol shot through the roof. Since then I had my gall bladder removed and can't digest fat properly. Low fat has helped both my diabetes and my cholesterol.

If you want to go low carb look up the disadvantages , constipation is one that can can lead to bowel cancer.

[Catty1720]

@cheeseisthebest with the risk of sounding very stupid how do you get your energy? I always have a sugary snack and then crash 3 or 4 hours later? I’d love to do this as I know I’m unhealthy and I turn to the quick fix as it were.

[DayBath]

@cheeseisthebest

Sorry daybath yes I do know that. Apologies.

No worries , I hope it didn't come across like I was pissing on your parade! I'm in awe at your ability to stick with low carb, it's something I really want to do once I have my gallstones taken care of. Full fat cheese and cream would kill me at the moment but it sounds like my best option after surgery.

[cheeseisthebest]

@Tarquinthecat

You say "I've had no carbs" and then "I'm enjoying treats like cheese and cream".

Cheese and cream have carbs.

What else are you eating that you think has "no carbs"?

Ok sorry I got it wrong. By no carbs I meant potato, pasta, bread, etc. And my mistake I meant low carb not no carb.

[cheeseisthebest]

No daybath it dudnt at all x

[cheeseisthebest]

[quote Catty1720]@cheeseisthebest with the risk of sounding very stupid how do you get your energy? I always have a sugary snack and then crash 3 or 4 hours later? I’d love to do this as I know I’m unhealthy and I turn to the quick fix as it were.[/quote]
Well I think that because you arent having the sugary highs and dips your energy levels are more stable.
Might be wrong though and I'm sure someone will tell me if I am!

[supercee]

To be fair the title of the post is 'Low carb is changing my life'. It's obvious that she's not existing on absolutely no carbs 🙄

[PlentyofButter]

I wish so much I could stick to this ! It's the only diet that has ever worked for me. But i struggle with organisation/ planning/ sheer greed. Well done for sticking at it xx

[cheeseisthebest]

Thanks supercee.
Yeh I'm still having carbs, my bad.
But I meant no carbs like bread pasta potatoes, that sort of thing.
Couldnt do no carbs at all.

[PaperMonster]

@cheeseisthebest yes, low dose Metformin and am working on the insomnia to try and get levels down so I can come off them.

Interesting that some people say they suffer constipation on low carb. I’d suffered with IBS for over 20 years and not had a flare up whilst eating this way, despite having to take co-codamol for pain on a regular basis, which previously would have made me constipated. I think it’s the healthy fats making my innards work well!!