Not sure what to eat

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

My doctor recommended a low carb diet using the glycemic index sometimes. I am not sure what to eat.

Any ideas for a low glycemic index/low carb diet hybrid?

puffbrat

Why did your doctor recommend this? I don't have any experience with what your asking but my inclination is to say that you should get more clarification from doctor or ask for a referral to a registered dietitian.

sollyn23l2

You can find loads of info on low glycemic diets and low carb diets online. They are 2 quite different diet ideas, so I'm not sure why you're doctor would have combined them. Basically, though, you could eat anything that's a meat, legume, or vegetable. Only a small amount of grains on low carb, some whole grains for low glycemic. Very little fruit on either.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

I am overweight but not diabetic. Unfortunately, my insurance (medicare) won't pay for a dietician, I have already called and argued with them.

That's really where my confusion is, they are two different diets and where they cross and recommend different things I am not sure what to do. I did call the doctor for more feedback but she did not return my call today.

lynn_glenmont

Also, unless you are eating foods in isolation, the glycemic indices of individual foods don't matter so much. It's the effect of the meal in total.

Doctors generally have very little education about nutrition. If you're overweight without any diagnosed conditions, why not just eat fewer calories than you need to maintain your weight, and lose the weight. Following either a low glycemic index diet or a low carb diet is no guarantee you'll lose weight. You still have to be in a caloric deficit.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

I had a tough therapy session on Thursday and ended up binge eating Thursday and Friday.

I made an appointment with a new PCP for Friday to discuss weight loss. Depending on how I get on with her I might work with her.

apullum

If your doctor wants you to follow a particular diet, ask for a referral to an RD to discuss exactly how to do that.

BarbaraHelen2013

apullum wrote: »

If your doctor wants you to follow a particular diet, ask for a referral to an RD to discuss exactly how to do that.

I think the OP has already stated that her medical insurance won’t pay for such a referral.

I agree that it sounds as if what is probably wise would be just to try and drop some weight as that seems to be what the end result your doctor is after. My guess is he’s heard some buzzwords and is just passing that along!

lemurcat2

sollyn23l2 wrote: »

You can find loads of info on low glycemic diets and low carb diets online. They are 2 quite different diet ideas, so I'm not sure why you're doctor would have combined them. Basically, though, you could eat anything that's a meat, legume, or vegetable. Only a small amount of grains on low carb, some whole grains for low glycemic. Very little fruit on either.

Not really true. Not if the doctor is using "glycemic load" -- as is normally recommended -- and not glycemic index. Most fruit isn't high in glycemic load.

In any case, as others have said, it's the overall glycemic load of the MEAL that matters, not individual food items.

OP, it sounds as if the doctor might be concerned about insulin resistance, which is often addressed by eating a moderate carb diet (lower than what you were likely eating before if a typical diet) and, especially, making sure the carbs are higher fiber ones and/or eaten with protein and fat and sources of fiber in the context of a meal. As others have said, losing weight alone (and increasing activity) can often help if that's the issue.

corinasue1143

I agree with lemurcat. I don’t know anything about either diet, but they sound like the basics would be the same, details would differ. But if the Dr. was just making suggestions to help you, what they probably meant was cut out or cut down on sugary things, concentrate on eating more protein, fat, and low calorie carbs, like veggies.

sollyn23l2

lemurcat2 wrote: »

sollyn23l2 wrote: »

You can find loads of info on low glycemic diets and low carb diets online. They are 2 quite different diet ideas, so I'm not sure why you're doctor would have combined them. Basically, though, you could eat anything that's a meat, legume, or vegetable. Only a small amount of grains on low carb, some whole grains for low glycemic. Very little fruit on either.

Not really true. Not if the doctor is using "glycemic load" -- as is normally recommended -- and not glycemic index. Most fruit isn't high in glycemic load.

In any case, as others have said, it's the overall glycemic load of the MEAL that matters, not individual food items.

OP, it sounds as if the doctor might be concerned about insulin resistance, which is often addressed by eating a moderate carb diet (lower than what you were likely eating before if a typical diet) and, especially, making sure the carbs are higher fiber ones and/or eaten with protein and fat and sources of fiber in the context of a meal. As others have said, losing weight alone (and increasing activity) can often help if that's the issue.

You're absolutely right, glycemic load changes based on whether a food is eaten in isolation or as a meal. And it also will be different based on which other foods in particular you eat a given food with. Meaning the glycemic load of a given food will likely be different at each meal you eat it at assuming the meals are different. There are a lot of people (me included) that don't agree with the concept of low glycemic diets for this very reason.

PAV8888

As @lemurcat2 says, it sounds like your doctor is throwing out ideas that MIGHT lower your insulin level a bit.

Many people on mfp have gone on to discover that losing weight if obese (or significantly overweight) and increasing their daily activity level (even just by walking), regardless of what type of food they eat while accomplishing all this, often results in positive improvements in terms of regulating the vague "pre-diabetic" spectrum.

Some people do find it easier to regulate their eating by avoiding certain foods; but, this experience is by no means universal.

In any case, I personally prefer to INCREASE my consumption of foods I like and which meet my nutritional goals! This tends to have the side effect of crowding out items which may be less conducive to helping me meet my goals! And I'm happier because I am eating more things that I like and want, as opposed to unhappy because I'm concentrating on avoiding stuff

ReenieHJ

I'd keep trying to have another conversation with your dr. for more information. Are your numbers off? How much weight loss is your goal? What are the exact reasons behind his suggestions and ask him to clarify what foods are good/bad for you. It sounds like s/he should've been more helpful. But then I went to a pcp once, begging for help with losing weight and she simply told me to put down the brownies and eat carrot sticks. Yeh, thanks. Hadn't thought of doing that.
Anyways, I'd go to very basic foods, such as meats(preferably chicken and fish), veggies(focusing on greens/oranges/reds), throw in a couple fruits a day(berries) and some oatmeal.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

I was tested for diabetes a few months ago and the test came back that I am not diabetic or even prediabetic.

Aside from emotional eating, which I know isn't healthy, I try to eat whole grain whenever possible and whatever meat, fruits, veggies I can afford. A typical example would be a meat and 2 veg dinner (1 starchy, 1 not) like turkey breast, baked sweet potato, salad or steak, corn, steamed broccoli.

I'm addressing the emotional eating with mental health providers by beefing up on skills to use instead of food.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

I went to the doctor yesterday, upon hearing my mental health history she said she wasn't qualified to help me lose weight. She suggested a specialist and when I explained the insurance wouldn't pay she suggested working with my psychiatrist.

I did find 3 other primary care physians that look promising, 2 more than the other. I am going to try them,

AnnPT77

@IAmWomanHearMeRoar15, I'm really impressed by how you're patiently and methodically working toward understanding what you need to do, and de-constructing obstacles you find in your way. With that kind of approach and attitude, I think you're going to be very successful in reaching your long term goals. Keep it healthy, and keep going.

Cheering for you! :flowerforyou:

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

Success!

I went to a different new PCP who has agreed to take me on. She is a part-time PCP and part-time bariatric doctor. She said there is a way to do the billing so I get to see her in the bariatric office and get the benefit of that specialty. We talked about medication changes she'd like to make and she wants to increase one of the meds I am on after I finish my partial program.

She spent a lot of time talking about my mental health, abuse history, and how I cope with mental health issues instead of food. She had a balanced approach, I got the feeling that carbs weren't the devil with her. Instead of focusing on the glycemic index, glycemic load, and carbs she said to focus on less processed foods and more whole foods.

The one thing she did say that bummed me out was she referred to my eating issues as a binge eating disorder. I don't want it to be an eating disorder though especially in the past week I think an argument could be made that I have one. But I also wonder if I would take it seriously without such a label.

The past week has been difficult mentally. I have been depressed- not showering, sleeping 12+ hours a day, and binge eating. I gained 11 pounds this week and spent way too much money on healthy foods.

I am trying to make healthier choices as she suggested. I went to the thrift store and bought a stockpot and made some pumpkin soup. I even healthed up the recipe a bit; adding greek yogurt instead of cream, bone broth instead of chicken broth. I bought the ingredients for tukey and quinoa soup and I am planning to make it tomorrow when hopefully my energy is better.

aokoye

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15 wrote: »

Success!

I went to a different new PCP who has agreed to take me on. She is a part-time PCP and part-time bariatric doctor. She said there is a way to do the billing so I get to see her in the bariatric office and get the benefit of that specialty. We talked about medication changes she'd like to make and she wants to increase one of the meds I am on after I finish my partial program.

She spent a lot of time talking about my mental health, abuse history, and how I cope with mental health issues instead of food. She had a balanced approach, I got the feeling that carbs weren't the devil with her. Instead of focusing on the glycemic index, glycemic load, and carbs she said to focus on less processed foods and more whole foods.

The one thing she did say that bummed me out was she referred to my eating issues as a binge eating disorder. I don't want it to be an eating disorder though especially in the past week I think an argument could be made that I have one. But I also wonder if I would take it seriously without such a label.

The past week has been difficult mentally. I have been depressed- not showering, sleeping 12+ hours a day, and binge eating. I gained 11 pounds this week and spent way too much money on healthy foods.

I am trying to make healthier choices as she suggested. I went to the thrift store and bought a stockpot and made some pumpkin soup. I even healthed up the recipe a bit; adding greek yogurt instead of cream, bone broth instead of chicken broth. I bought the ingredients for tukey and quinoa soup and I am planning to make it tomorrow when hopefully my energy is better.

Well done on finding a new PCP. Does your therapist know about your history surrounding food? If not they need to for your sake. Also is one of the meds your PCP is wanting to change a psychotropic medication? If so, I would also try to find a psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner as most PCPs don't have much training in that department.

lynn_glenmont

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15 wrote: »

Success!

I went to a different new PCP who has agreed to take me on. She is a part-time PCP and part-time bariatric doctor. She said there is a way to do the billing so I get to see her in the bariatric office and get the benefit of that specialty. We talked about medication changes she'd like to make and she wants to increase one of the meds I am on after I finish my partial program.

She spent a lot of time talking about my mental health, abuse history, and how I cope with mental health issues instead of food. She had a balanced approach, I got the feeling that carbs weren't the devil with her. Instead of focusing on the glycemic index, glycemic load, and carbs she said to focus on less processed foods and more whole foods.

The one thing she did say that bummed me out was she referred to my eating issues as a binge eating disorder. I don't want it to be an eating disorder though especially in the past week I think an argument could be made that I have one. But I also wonder if I would take it seriously without such a label.

The past week has been difficult mentally. I have been depressed- not showering, sleeping 12+ hours a day, and binge eating. I gained 11 pounds this week and spent way too much money on healthy foods.

I am trying to make healthier choices as she suggested. I went to the thrift store and bought a stockpot and made some pumpkin soup. I even healthed up the recipe a bit; adding greek yogurt instead of cream, bone broth instead of chicken broth. I bought the ingredients for tukey and quinoa soup and I am planning to make it tomorrow when hopefully my energy is better.

If the money you're spending on food is a concern, don't waste money on fad foods like "bone broth" in lieu of nearly identical chicken broth because someone on the Internet claimed it was healthier.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

My therapist knows my food history. So does my Department of Mental Health team.

The med my PCP wants to adjust is Vyvanse, it is used for ADHD but also overeating.

I picked out the bone broth because of the higher protein content, not the fad.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

My therapist knows my food history. So does my Department of Mental Health team.

The med my PCP wants to adjust is Vyvanse, it is used for ADHD but also overeating.

I picked out the bone broth because of the higher protein content, not the fad.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

My therapist knows my food history. So does my Department of Mental Health team. I make sure everyone knows because otherwise, it can sneak up.

The med my PCP wants to adjust is Vyvanse, it is used for ADHD but also overeating.

I picked out the bone broth because of the higher protein content, not the fad. I meant to type I spent too much money on unhealthy food, not healthy food.

IAmWomanHearMeRoar15

I talked with my mental health team, they agree with the binge eating diagnosis. I'm kinda upset about it because I don't want it to be this bad. Oh well.