I need to go low carb, and I want to cry.

girlviernes

bellaa_x0 wrote: »

Emily3907 wrote: »

Thanks for the encouragement everyone! I know it is doable, I just need to start planning.

Basically, my doctor is concerned with more Low GI, which pretty much translates to low carb. For now, he told me to just start making swaps like whole wheat pasta for the white pasta, not to eat as many potatoes, etc. Nothing extreme, he just wants me to ease into it and try to stay under 80 g a day. His concern was mainly added sugars and simple carbs. He told me at this point there is no reason to cut out fruit, since I struggle to eat fruits/veggies anyways.

So basically, I am supposed to cut out the overly processed stuff, added sugars and simple carbs. He wants to see what kind of progress I can make with that and then in February we are going to re group and he then may refer me to a reproductive endo.

This has all stemmed from me previously being diagnosed as insulin resistant, having 2 miscarriages and having trouble conceiving. My A1C has been in the healthy range for the past 6 years so he does not think I have a major problem....yet. But, we are trying to avoid going back into the hyperinsulinemia ranges.

what kind of doctor is recommending this? just from personal experience, i wouldn't trust anyone but a dietitian for this kind of advice. my (now former) endocrinologist told me i should go on a 1,000 calorie diet or try appetite suppressants; meanwhile, i am 26 years old, no where near obese.. maybe overweight but i'm 5'10" and 1,000 calories is not adequate for the exercise i do.

I would agree, most doctors don't have the training needed in this area. Find a dietitian who specializes in diabetes/insulin resistance issues.

girlviernes

tomatoey wrote: »

Your doc's suggested approach of going gradually makes sense. 100 grams of carbs is moderate & worth shooting for imo, might get results with that… would let you have more leeway, too, with planning.

People have different tastes, but a low GI diet doesn't have to be awful. Limiting amounts of higher GI foods and having them with lower GI ones could work - like it's feasible on 100 g/day to have e.g. 1/2 cup of a starch with your lunch and dinner.

(1/2 cup of baby potatoes with skin - boiled and then sautéed in a bit of butter with garlic, topped with paprika & parsley, not terrible - or 1/2 a cup of rice, coupled with ~200 grams of BBQ'd or roasted meat - can be really filling and delicious. Or you could go for a bean/lentil/chickpea type side like chana masala (which is delicious!!!! to me. good as a main, too.)

Thing too is once you've limited sugars for a while, very sweet things stop tasting as good for a lot of people. You might have a bit of a brownie with icing and find yourself going "ugh, that's a gross sugar-shot". (in which case scrape the icing off and have fewer carbs elsewhere in the day.)

When I'm really on my game with my diet and limiting my starch/sugar as stated above, plus eating plenty of veggies, whole foods, healthy fats, and protein, I find that my drive to eat sweets pretty much goes away, when normally I'm hugely sweet and snack focused.

Raynne413

I have always had a BIG sweet tooth, and I'm doing low carb/keto. You can still have sweet treats, just not sugar. Go to Pinterest and search for Keto desserts and there are SO many options. I'm also doing the low carb thing due to PCOS and I realize how crappy I would feel after eating my sugar. It's much easier once you start. Feel free to message me with any questions.

Emily3907

You all have been so awesome!

To answer some of the questions:

The doctor was my primary care family doctor. He has been on me for years to lose weight and has always pushed the lower GI/lower carb way of eating. I have just always tried to resist because the whole idea scared me. I guess you could call it denial.

He did say NET carbs of 80 g. After doing some reading and realizing the difference, this provided me some relief.

I fully intend on getting a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist in the new year (our insurance at the moment is a little screwy until the new year) in order to "firm up" and confirm this plan. The doctor I am looking at specializes in patients with PCOS and has a dietitian on staff, so that would all go hand in hand. However, based on their website, this kind of diet plus metformin is their first treatment option for obese patients, so I might as well get started now.

Lastly, after doing a ton of reading last night, ordering some books and looking at different recipes, I feel much better today than I did yesterday. I still have to make some significant changes, but I think I can do it without feeling so defeated while doing it.

dubird

Emily3907 wrote: »

I fully intend on getting a referral to a reproductive endocrinologist in the new year (our insurance at the moment is a little screwy until the new year) in order to "firm up" and confirm this plan. The doctor I am looking at specializes in patients with PCOS and has a dietitian on staff, so that would all go hand in hand. However, based on their website, this kind of diet plus metformin is their first treatment option for obese patients, so I might as well get started now.

I wouldn't start the metformin right away. That's not a drug for obese patients, it's for managing your blood sugar. Granted, many obese patients are also T2, but if you're not and your A1C is good right now, I would question starting it.

As for lower carb, my husband has T2, and he manages well with limiting some things. Basically, his doctor gave him a carb max for each meal, so he's learned to work with that. There have been some changes and adjustments. Like, if we want pasta for dinner, he'll have less carbs during the day to compensate for it. It requires some planning and research when starting out, but once you get the hang of it, it's about as complicated as basic calorie counting is. So, even with the limitations, he still has sandwiches and potatoes and the like, he just has to limit how much of them he eats.

mysteps2beauty

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Thing too is once you've limited sugars for a while, very sweet things stop tasting as good for a lot of people. You might have a bit of a brownie with icing and find yourself going "ugh, that's a gross sugar-shot". (in which case scrape the icing off and have fewer carbs elsewhere in the day.)[/quote]

I've cut back on sugar not for any underlying health issues, just calorie counting....and about 10 days out, boy I could not eat something I normally did, it was terrible. Had to spit it out, and drink some water... same with salt.

I think when your tastebuds get clear, you will find that you will not be craving the same things...jmho....

P.S. When your sweet little bundle arrives you will be armed with some great tools and receipes to help him or her in case they end up having the same issues.

I hope you feel better soon....it sucks to be made to do anything, but when you choose to do something it has power. Best to you...

nvmomketo

mysteps2beauty wrote: »

*********

Thing too is once you've limited sugars for a while, very sweet things stop tasting as good for a lot of people. You might have a bit of a brownie with icing and find yourself going "ugh, that's a gross sugar-shot". (in which case scrape the icing off and have fewer carbs elsewhere in the day.)

I've cut back on sugar not for any underlying health issues, just calorie counting....and about 10 days out, boy I could not eat something I normally did, it was terrible. Had to spit it out, and drink some water... same with salt.

I think when your tastebuds get clear, you will find that you will not be craving the same things...jmho....

P.S. When your sweet little bundle arrives you will be armed with some great tools and receipes to help him or her in case they end up having the same issues.

I hope you feel better soon....it sucks to be made to do anything, but when you choose to do something it has power. Best to you...

[/quote]

Very well said. I have found that to be very true.