newly diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic
ellenaj52
Posts: 18 Member
I am on a low carb diet (not a no carb diet) as I need to eat less carbs and sugars because of my diabetes diagnosis. My fasting blood sugar was 126, which is just the cut off to get the diagnosis of diabetes. My A1c was 6.7.. Neither extremely high but I am still diabetic. I recently had my eyes checked and my doctor did not notice any indication of diabetes from my eye examination, which is good. I was advised by a dietician that I could eat 2-4 carbs per meal. Since the carbs are the issue this seemed insane advice, but this is what the American diabetes association recommends.
She also told me to go low fat. I told her I would not do this. Instead, I am following the advice of Dr. Mark Hyman. He makes good sense. You can Google him and learn about his advice. I am on no medication. I try to keep my carb intake at 75 grams or less per day. So I eat about 20% carbs, 45% fat, and 35% protein. For the first time in my life the scale is going down and it is working. I think had I listened to her it would not have gone down and then they would want to put me on medication. So glad I followed Mark Hyman's advice! Is anyone else battling diabetes? I would like to hear of your journey also. I test my blood sugar twice a day and the readings are good following Dr. Hyman......I think I will win this battle!
She also told me to go low fat. I told her I would not do this. Instead, I am following the advice of Dr. Mark Hyman. He makes good sense. You can Google him and learn about his advice. I am on no medication. I try to keep my carb intake at 75 grams or less per day. So I eat about 20% carbs, 45% fat, and 35% protein. For the first time in my life the scale is going down and it is working. I think had I listened to her it would not have gone down and then they would want to put me on medication. So glad I followed Mark Hyman's advice! Is anyone else battling diabetes? I would like to hear of your journey also. I test my blood sugar twice a day and the readings are good following Dr. Hyman......I think I will win this battle!
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I was diabetic from at least 2000 (when diagnosed) until 2009 when I started eating LC. I did not track my macros too much, just only ate meat, cheese, nuts, lettuce, celery, apples, and fats. Within 2 weeks, I had to stop all insulin and related medications and within 2 months, my doctor said I was no longer diabetic. 7 years later, I am still no longer diabetic. You can and will win this battle!12
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Diabetic since 2011, reduced my a1c all the way to 5.2 with a moderate carb diet and list 40lbs over 2years. Then I went keto and was able to reduce my a1c to 4.9 and lost another 15lbs over 3 months. I was then taken off medication and kept good numbers until I got pregnant. So as long as you keep the diet/new way of eating, and you keep the weight loss you should be able to control your diabetes and claim you are not diabetic anymore. Keep in mind though to avoid disappointment that the diabetes could come back if something change in your lifestyle...back to high carb, weight gain; hormonal changes but I totally believe you can keep it at bay by controlling how much carb you eat.4
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Fellow T2D here. Welcome!
Here's my perspective, FWIW - keep or toss.
(FYI, my goal is to have the same BG levels as a normal, nondiabetic person. Not that this is actually going to happen, of course.)
1. I generally like Hyman's stuff, especially his advocacy of functional medicine. (I haven't quite digested his explanation of resistant starch. You?)
2. The advice of the ADA and 95% of registered dietitians should be received with skepticism. I doubt Hyman would find much to agree with in the ADA's pronouncements over the last few decades.
3. Some diabetes experts who don't follow the ADA wouldn't classify a fasting BG of 126 as borderline, nor an A1c of 6.7 (see Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, for example). Note that an A1c of 6.7 equates to an estimated average blood glucose level of around 147.
Also, your relatively high (to me) carb allowance of 20% may not give you a quick BG reduction, depending on where your carbs come from and how you handle them.
4. For many T2Ds here, switching to LCHF (with or without metformin) has been the key to getting our numbers under control, though there are people who do better with certain low-fat diets than LCHF.
5. Most importantly - There are useful keto-calculators - and a ton of other good info! - listed in the LCD Launch Pad (one of the sticky items in the LCD group).
FYI, here's one: http://www.ruled.me/keto-calculator/
Good luck!9 -
Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions is another great source for diabetics following a LCHF diet. It works well for me. I'm a bit unlucky in that weight loss did not help my BG at all. Exercise isn't a hge help either. Only if I stay LCHF does my BG look okay. It's nice to be able to control it with simple food choices.
Welcome to the group. 6 -
Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions is another great source for diabetics following a LCHF diet. It works well for me. I'm a bit unlucky in that weight loss did not help my BG at all. Exercise isn't a hge help either. Only if I stay LCHF does my BG look okay. It's nice to be able to control it with simple food choices.
Welcome to the group.
@nvmomketo - Huh? I completely disagree.
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Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions is another great source for diabetics following a LCHF diet. It works well for me. I'm a bit unlucky in that weight loss did not help my BG at all. Exercise isn't a hge help either. Only if I stay LCHF does my BG look okay. It's nice to be able to control it with simple food choices.
Welcome to the group.
@nvmomketo - Huh? I completely disagree.
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I think you've made a very smart decision!
I'm not T2D but my daughter is T1D and went low carb about 5 months ago. Imagine having an A1c of over 14. They don't actually know what it was because it doesn't measure that high!
She got down to 7 within about 9 or 10 weeks. Don't know current number. She has another appointment late this month. She was given the advice that she had to eat carbs too. But doing that and trying to manage blood sugar swings being your own pancreas isn't easy. It's no wonder so many people are T2D! It's hard work to be a pancreas and trying to figure out how to deal with all the crap carbs in the average diet! Poor overworked pancreas!
It amazes me why the immediate advice isn't to limit carbs as much as possible immediately. Even for T1's. The general thought is "just inject more insulin and you'll be fine". Such stupid advice!
You were so right to make this change and you will be another great success story of how to reverse diabetes because of it.
Congrats on your great start!5 -
Hello!
I'm type 2 since 2008 when my gestational diabetes turned into regular diabetes. Started low carb >40 grams of carbs per day in May, down 16 pounds (yay!) And back to metformin only. I had tried Actos, Januvia and Invokana they weren't working for me but to be fair I was eating horribly. This month I'm trying to transition to Keto.I've been testing it out and I really like it! My fasting blood sugars have gone from 150 to 85 in two months! Next month I'm due for my A1c so I'll see how this woe has impacted my diabetes. This group is blessed with very knowledgeable and helpful people.Add friends! That has helped me immensely. Best of luck and welcome!5 -
Hello aswell!
I've been type 2 for 12 years now. Didn't care until I got pregnant 3 years ago and was put on insulin. Stayed on insulin (biggest regret now!) until a month ago. Have lost 9kgs in 4 weeks doing low carb. Only take overnight insulin now and recently started januvmet this week. Feel a lot better for sure.
I am struggling with dinner ideas tho if anyone has any suggestions? So over broccoli as a side!!2 -
I've been Type 2 for 12 yrs now, eventually put on insulin as I couldn't tolerate the oral meds, ended up on 310 units a day and gained 60 lbs on my already heavy frame.
I ate low carb low fat for years, but it was never consistent because it led to too many binges. After 3 attempts at LCHF, last December I finally made the committment and it has changed my life in so many ways. I'm off all my diabetes meds, I've lost 80 lbs and I'm still losing, I have more energy than I've had in over a decade, and my latest A1c was 5.8.
Welcome to a new way of life! It takes time for your body to adjust and it can be an on-going process of adjustments, but its so worth the effort.6 -
Couldn't agree more!PaleoInScotland wrote: »Welcome to a new way of life! It takes time for your body to adjust and it can be an on-going process of adjustments, but its so worth the effort.
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Fellow T2 here.
Almost 2 years of LCHF, lost ±100lbs (still slowly losing), I'm now diabetes free, latest A1c of 5%. You can do this! Congrats on taking responsibility for your health, the ADA guidelines would take you nowhere good.
I second all of @RalfLott comments and his recommendation of Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, that's the best book ever on diabetes management through diet.
Good luck (not that you need it, this works)!
::flowerforyou::2 -
PaleoInScotland wrote: »
After 3 attempts at LCHF, last December I finally made the committment and it has changed my life in so many ways. I'm off all my diabetes meds, I've lost 80 lbs and I'm still losing, I have more energy than I've had in over a decade, and my latest A1c was 5.8.
Welcome to a new way of life! It takes time for your body to adjust and it can be an on-going process of adjustments, but its so worth the effort.
@PaleoInScotland - So happy for you! Great inspiration and great advice.1 -
KetoGirl83 wrote: »
Almost 2 years of LCHF, lost ±100lbs (still slowly losing), I'm now diabetes free, latest A1c of 5%. You can do this! Congrats on taking responsibility for your health, the ADA guidelines would take you nowhere good.
I second all of @RalfLott comments and his recommendation of Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, that's the best book ever on diabetes management through diet.
You too, @KetoGirl83 !
Do you listen to Dr. Bernstein's monthly Q&As? His last one was maybe the best yet.1 -
32 years T2D
Up until about a year & a half ago I was a poster child for the
ADA way of life. I have retinopathy, neuropathy & my pancreas needs help.
Low carb has given me a way to finally get good control of my blood glucose.
I still have to take several meds but that's the way it goes.
Getting good control back then would have saved me a lot of damage.
or 
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KetoGirl83 wrote: »
Almost 2 years of LCHF, lost ±100lbs (still slowly losing), I'm now diabetes free, latest A1c of 5%. You can do this! Congrats on taking responsibility for your health, the ADA guidelines would take you nowhere good.
I second all of @RalfLott comments and his recommendation of Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, that's the best book ever on diabetes management through diet.
You too, @KetoGirl83 !
Do you listen to Dr. Bernstein's monthly Q&As? His last one was maybe the best yet.
Yep!
::flowerforyou::
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KetoGirl83 wrote: »
Almost 2 years of LCHF, lost ±100lbs (still slowly losing), I'm now diabetes free, latest A1c of 5%. You can do this! Congrats on taking responsibility for your health, the ADA guidelines would take you nowhere good.
I second all of @RalfLott comments and his recommendation of Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, that's the best book ever on diabetes management through diet.
You too, @KetoGirl83 !
Do you listen to Dr. Bernstein's monthly Q&As? His last one was maybe the best yet.
He makes a LOT of sense. It's just too bad that he isn't a better public speaker. He's not as entertaining as some other "diet doctors" out there, and I am guessing that affects the number of people who hear his message.
http://www.diabetes-book.com/free-teleseminar-registration/3 -
He makes a LOT of sense. It's just too bad that he isn't a better public speaker. He's not as entertaining as some other "diet doctors" out there, and I am guessing that affects the number of people who hear his message.
http://www.diabetes-book.com/free-teleseminar-registration/
Replay, no registration needed. Interesting discussion on fasting and diabetes.
http://events.instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=81409638
::flowerforyou::2 -
Thank you! 0
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FYI - Here's his most recent Teleseminar (from June). It doesn't have all the graphics that come with the webcasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FxhAvSyRPg 3 -
T2 here, almost ten years now (diagnosis 2007) and have never done very well on meds of all kinds, so much switching around and even when I got onto insulin, BG lowered but didn't last, and I still stayed kind of high - it's not good - Only just about to finish week 6 of LCHF/not sure if even keto, but was almost always on the mark with macros. Lost 7 lbs almost immediately, then 8 more two weeks later, then a couple more, for an accumulated 19 lb loss in 30 days, then bumped back up, so just a 16 lb loss so far.
Having new labs done this next week. I'm feeling very anxious
Really more focused on blood sugar management right now, to try to rid myself of diabetes, which is the goal, but I guess I thought that losing through a strict weight loss plan/WOL would just be the best step toward easing down my BG, but am still high. I reduced my protein intake by 20% as of a couple days ago, will see how that goes. 2 -
T2 here, almost ten years now (diagnosis 2007) and have never done very well on meds of all kinds, so much switching around and even when I got onto insulin, BG lowered but didn't last, and I still stayed kind of high - it's not good - Only just about to finish week 6 of LCHF/not sure if even keto, but was almost always on the mark with macros. Lost 7 lbs almost immediately, then 8 more two weeks later, then a couple more, for an accumulated 19 lb loss in 30 days, then bumped back up, so just a 16 lb loss so far.
Having new labs done this next week. I'm feeling very anxious Really more focused on blood sugar management right now, to try to rid myself of diabetes, which is the goal, but I guess I thought that losing through a strict weight loss plan/WOL would just be the best step toward easing down my BG, but am still high. I reduced my protein intake by 20% as of a couple days ago, will see how that goes.
@bjwoodzy Let us know how the appointment goes.
And don't say "just a 16 lb loss". That is awesome! That's a pound every two days. It doesn't get much better than that! Congrats!! 5 -
@KatMac2207200 -
Congrats on your great progress!
FYI, I recently heard Dr.Bernstein urge caution in the use of Januvia. (I believe he discusses it in his May 2016 Teleseminar.)
I'm guessing he might recommend starting with name-brand Glucophage XR to see if that alone would do the trick.
Best of luck!
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@bjwoodzy Let us know how the appointment goes.
And don't say "just a 16 lb loss". That is awesome! That's a pound every two days. It doesn't get much better than that! Congrats!!
I will, thank you for being encouraging. I guess things could be worse, I'm just frustrated with my insurance coverage and then on top of that, my family practitioner holding out on me with my Metformin right now.
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@bjwoodzy Let us know how the appointment goes.
And don't say "just a 16 lb loss". That is awesome! That's a pound every two days. It doesn't get much better than that! Congrats!!
I will, thank you for being encouraging. I guess things could be worse, I'm just frustrated with my insurance coverage and then on top of that, my family practitioner holding out on me with my Metformin right now.
You have a right to be pi$$ed. Your insurance and doctor are playing games with your health. It isn't fair.1 -
@KatMac2207200 -
Congrats on your great progress!
FYI, I recently heard Dr.Bernstein urge caution in the use of Januvia. (I believe he discusses it in his May 2016 Teleseminar.)
I'm guessing he might recommend starting with name-brand Glucophage XR to see if that alone would do the trick.
Best of luck!
Thanks! Will have a look. Fairly in the dark about medication, never even thought of different brands or them not working properly. Janumet has been working pretty well on me, I'm off all daytime insulin now which is a relief! Getting my bloods done in another weeks time to be sure.
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KatMac22072004 wrote: »@KatMac2207200 -
Congrats on your great progress!
FYI, I recently heard Dr.Bernstein urge caution in the use of Januvia. (I believe he discusses it in his May 2016 Teleseminar.)
I'm guessing he might recommend starting with name-brand Glucophage XR to see if that alone would do the trick.
Best of luck!
Thanks! Will have a look. Fairly in the dark about medication, never even thought of different brands or them not working properly. Janumet has been working pretty well on me, I'm off all daytime insulin now which is a relief! Getting my bloods done in another weeks time to be sure.
That is really great!
Have your BG checks been pretty good since you switched your meds around?
Dr. Bernstein frequently laments the advice frequently given to maintain carb intake and stay on daytime insulin. You could be his poster kid!
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KatMac22072004 wrote: »@KatMac22072004
That is really great!
Have your BG checks been pretty good since you switched your meds around?
Dr. Bernstein frequently laments the advice frequently given to maintain carb intake and stay on daytime insulin. You could be his poster kid!
I wish! Haha. Yeah I'm getting majority 6's for any reading in the last few days. I was convinced I had dawn phenomenon until starting this way of eating0 -
<spike>0
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Thanks. I some how missed Dr. Bernstein's work the last time around.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=WFNGdKSXx64&list=PLs_TA02I6IvV6-1s2pL4BPhvMo0Ck_lcY0
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