No carb diet

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I go to a weight-loss doctor and I had a lot of blood work done last week. It turns out that I am prediabetic, and have to go on a no carb diet. I had already limited my carbs for the first month I've been going there and had lost 8 1/2 pounds. Now, I cannot have any grains or carbohydrates, and no sugar whatsoever, which I wasn't having except for eating fruit anyway. To top it off, a medication that I'm taking is known to cause diabetes, but my weight-loss doctor is not really looking at that, and just telling me that I'm doing well dieting and I should keep it up and add more exercise. I'm frustrated because I've never had issues with blood sugar or insulin before and I feel like this woman is not listening to me. If anyone is on a carb free diet and has some foods they like that they could share with me I would really appreciate it. I have already given up all of the bad food, but I'm not really sure what to eat.
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Replies

  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    No carbs at all? So no vegetables? A zero carb diet would basically have to consist of all meat, as there really isn't anything else that is NO carb rather than low carb.
  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
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    Did the doctor gave you a list what you can eat? Maybe visiting a nutritionist that can make a plan together with you?
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
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    Did your doctor give you any guidance as to how this is supposed to happen? Most low carb diets are comprised of veggies, fruits, meats, fats (oils), and some dairy, but carbs/sugar occur naturally in veggies, fruits, and dairy, so complete avoidance would be next to impossible. I think your assessment that she isn't listening to you is spot on - is there another doctor in the practice you can talk to? I've honestly never heard of a "no carb" diet prescription for some diagnosed as pre-diabetic.
  • Kexessa
    Kexessa Posts: 346 Member
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    I'm frustrated because I've never had issues with blood sugar or insulin before and I feel like this woman is not listening to me.

    That says to me you need to find someone else to help you with your nutritional issues. If you aren't comfortable and have a good relationship with any medical professional you are taking advice from, it's time to find a new one. Maybe a registered dietician would be more beneficial.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
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    kgeyser wrote: »
    Did your doctor give you any guidance as to how this is supposed to happen? Most low carb diets are comprised of veggies, fruits, meats, fats (oils), and some dairy, but carbs/sugar occur naturally in veggies, fruits, and dairy, so complete avoidance would be next to impossible. I think your assessment that she isn't listening to you is spot on - is there another doctor in the practice you can talk to? I've honestly never heard of a "no carb" diet prescription for some diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

    I have full blown T2Dm and I have been prescribed a moderate carb diet. Are you sure that is what your doctor told you? No carb is extreme, even for people with diabetes let alone pre-diabetics. Did they give you a list of food to eat? You might want to get a referral to a Registered Dietician who can walk you through meal ideas.

  • BWBTrish
    BWBTrish Posts: 2,817 Member
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    earlnabby wrote: »
    kgeyser wrote: »
    Did your doctor give you any guidance as to how this is supposed to happen? Most low carb diets are comprised of veggies, fruits, meats, fats (oils), and some dairy, but carbs/sugar occur naturally in veggies, fruits, and dairy, so complete avoidance would be next to impossible. I think your assessment that she isn't listening to you is spot on - is there another doctor in the practice you can talk to? I've honestly never heard of a "no carb" diet prescription for some diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

    I have full blown T2Dm and I have been prescribed a moderate carb diet. Are you sure that is what your doctor told you? No carb is extreme, even for people with diabetes let alone pre-diabetics. Did they give you a list of food to eat? You might want to get a referral to a Registered Dietician who can walk you through meal ideas.

    Indeed i think so too.

  • 115Everest
    115Everest Posts: 31 Member
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    Second opinion. There's nothing wrong with getting one.
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 17,959 Member
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    Yeah, I'd be seeking a second opinion, particularly as you feel she isn't listening. If she's telling you not to have any carbs whatsoever, I'd be concerned about her credentials.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
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    The weight loss doctor diagnosed you as pre-diabetic? Go back to your regular doctor.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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    It would be near impossible to have a NO carb diet, wouldn't it?
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
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    I go to a weight-loss doctor and I had a lot of blood work done last week. It turns out that I am prediabetic, and have to go on a no carb diet. I had already limited my carbs for the first month I've been going there and had lost 8 1/2 pounds. Now, I cannot have any grains or carbohydrates, and no sugar whatsoever, which I wasn't having except for eating fruit anyway. To top it off, a medication that I'm taking is known to cause diabetes, but my weight-loss doctor is not really looking at that, and just telling me that I'm doing well dieting and I should keep it up and add more exercise. I'm frustrated because I've never had issues with blood sugar or insulin before and I feel like this woman is not listening to me. If anyone is on a carb free diet and has some foods they like that they could share with me I would really appreciate it. I have already given up all of the bad food, but I'm not really sure what to eat.

    A no carb diet would be eating as a carnivore. Was it perhaps a no sugar diet or a low carb diet? That would be easier to do than no carb.

    I eat low carb and have days with just one or two sugars. I haven't had a carb free day yet though.

    I would clarify with your doctor what his expectations are and how he wants you to implement it.

    Best wishes.
  • kyrannosaurus
    kyrannosaurus Posts: 350 Member
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    What special qualifications does this "weight-loss doctor" actually have? Is she actually qualified to know how to manage pre-diabetes? I'm not sure I'd trust a doctor recommending a "no carb" diet.
  • strong_curves
    strong_curves Posts: 2,229 Member
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    I go to a weight-loss doctor and I had a lot of blood work done last week. It turns out that I am prediabetic, and have to go on a no carb diet. I had already limited my carbs for the first month I've been going there and had lost 8 1/2 pounds. Now, I cannot have any grains or carbohydrates, and no sugar whatsoever, which I wasn't having except for eating fruit anyway. To top it off, a medication that I'm taking is known to cause diabetes, but my weight-loss doctor is not really looking at that, and just telling me that I'm doing well dieting and I should keep it up and add more exercise. I'm frustrated because I've never had issues with blood sugar or insulin before and I feel like this woman is not listening to me. If anyone is on a carb free diet and has some foods they like that they could share with me I would really appreciate it. I have already given up all of the bad food, but I'm not really sure what to eat.

    Like a real MD doctor who went to medical school?
  • tbtheg87
    tbtheg87 Posts: 5 Member
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    If you've actually gotta go no carb. I would suggest looking up something called a Ketogenic diet. It's all about high fat, extremely low(25g max) - no carb.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
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    If you completely omitted carbs, I'd say you'd be swapping your current problems with another kind, in the toileting department :confounded:
  • cbelc2
    cbelc2 Posts: 762 Member
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    Maybe talk with your primary care doctor. Pre diabetics have an A1c level of 5.7-6.4. That measures the sugar that clings to red cells. I would question a no carb diet. High protein diets that are very low in carbs are hard on kidneys. Ask if a Mediterranean style diet might be safer.
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,598 Member
    edited July 2015
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    I think you need a second opinion. This is too extreme. I'm prediabetic and I was told to eat moderate carb, not NO carb. You'll end up malnourished by trying to avoid all carbs. I second the idea of talking to your regular family doctor. I should elaborate, I saw an endocrinologist, and she said that moderate carb was the way to go. Moderate to low-ish... the key is that you never eat a carb without a protein. Always pair them together.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
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    I can't believe your doctor said "no carb". Are you sure it wasn't low carb? That is common with a pre-diabetes disgnosis. Sometimes people will causally say things like "cut the carbs". This is generally meant as reduce them significantly, or even cut out added sugar. I really think there was some miscommunication here.
  • micheledarley2012
    micheledarley2012 Posts: 24 Member
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    Thank you for all of the replies!
    She wrote no carb on my new diet plan which says Mediterranean diet on it. She is actually part of a very large practice that is part of our local hospital and very well respected. I do think I'm going to call and ask for a new doctor as she makes me feel so uncomfortable. I'm going to see the dietitian in two weeks and hopefully that will help me get some tips on cooking and such. I also want to have my primary care doctor look at my blood work, because he takes the same medication I do and has done bloodwork on me for the last eight or nine months and I want him to see the blood sugar and insulin information.

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  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
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    You'd better ask for clarification. Low-carb and literally-no-carb are two completely different beasts.