Insulin resistant
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tinahagar498 wrote: »I lost 7lbs in the first week but it was just the weight that I gained the week before. I'm now back to the same weight that I have been for over a year and can't lose no matter what I do. The doctor told me to follow this diet plan. Today I've vomited and felt really weak all day. I am going to go back to eating whole eggs and avocado and maybe some nuts to snack on because I need something to keep me going and this restricted food is killing me. I don't believe the metformin is working for me because I'm feeling dizzy again and I'm sure my insulin levels are just as high as when I went in. Most likely because of the carbs. I'm gonna try to get them down to 100g and under per day now and go back to eating good fats.
I think you need to find a new doctor, or get a referral to a registered dietician (not a nutritionist). I'm very worried about you, vomiting and feeling weak is not good.
Here are some of the PDF fact sheets I was given by my dietician, from a diabetes clinic here in Australia.
This one lists common foods and then gives you low GI and high HI options for each: Lower and Higher Glycaemic Index Choices
This one gives you some ideas of healthy snacks: Healthy Snacks
This one talks about portion sizes and has photos of common foods in their portion size: The Portion Guide
This one is a shopping guide, of course many of the products are Australian but you might be able to find alternatives and compare them: Shopping guide0 -
I have insulin resistance, I was originally put on Metformin but after a while I decided to see if I could just change my lifestyle instead. After a few months of changing my diet and losing ~10kgs (at the time, I've now lost 22) I re-did the sugar drink test. My endo was happy with the results and I don't have to take Metformin anymore.
The things you've been told to eat are basically all the things I cut out. 3 slices of bread seems crazy to me, especially if you're also eating potato and pasta that day. If I'm going to eat pasta, bread or potatoes I make sure the rest of my meals are as low carb as possible. Ditch the bread, pasta and potatoes, and probably the banana while you're at it. You're better off eating berries instead. As someone else mentioned, make sure you eat protein when you do have carbs. I love apples so I have half of one in the morning with my eggs and then take the other half to work to have with cheese in the afternoon. You can also try spreading peanut butter on them. Yoghurt can be high in carbs, particularly if it's a sweetened or flavoured variety. Stick to a greek yoghurt that is higher in protein than it is in carbs per serve. Another great option is cottage cheese, I have it with frozen berries. You could try having that for breakfast instead of the bread (assuming that's your breakfast) or you could have scrambled eggs with spinach and cheese. Instead of pasta, buy a spiralizer (you can order them online) and make zucchini noodles instead.
This is all right on track.
What your doctor is telling you about limiting fats doesn't make a lot of sense. I agree that s/he probably wants you to lose weight as quickly as possible by limiting calories, but in the long term, what you are being recommended is not a good approach for IR.0 -
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BILLBRYTAN wrote: »
There is a chance you may have a magnesium deficiency. Supplements are harmless and can make a world of difference. Over 700 chemical processes in the body cannot work without adequate magnesium and many diseases, including insulin resistance result. I started magnesium citrate capsules 2 weeks ago and feel better than I did at half my present age. Magnesium may not work miracles for everyone but it would not hurt to try. I am age 62, 5'8", 150 lbs. I eat 2500-3000 calories per day and am losing weight.tinahagar498 wrote: »I lost 7lbs in the first week but it was just the weight that I gained the week before. I'm now back to the same weight that I have been for over a year and can't lose no matter what I do. The doctor told me to follow this diet plan. Today I've vomited and felt really weak all day. I am going to go back to eating whole eggs and avocado and maybe some nuts to snack on because I need something to keep me going and this restricted food is killing me. I don't believe the metformin is working for me because I'm feeling dizzy again and I'm sure my insulin levels are just as high as when I went in. Most likely because of the carbs. I'm gonna try to get them down to 100g and under per day now and go back to eating good fats.
Supplements are NOT harmless and no one should take them without a doctor saying they should.
Hypermagnesia (too much magnesium) can cause delayed muscle reflexes (something they check when giving pts iv magnesium in the hospital), respiratory depression/arrest, and possibly even cardiac arrest. It CAN hurt to try. Only take supplements if your physician tells you to.0 -
OP- I'm not gonna lie. I thought your opening post was a joke as it goes against the common sense rules of insulin management. The "rule of white"- no carbs that are white (potatoes, sugar, pasta) should be the first thing you learn.
I echo the others who recommend changing doctors. If you can find an endocrinologist, all the better. The problem with family doctors is they are often 10-15 years behind on best practice treatment plans.
In the diabetic community, we have a phrase called "eat to your meter" which is the only true way to know how your body is reacting to the foods you eat. Ask your doctor for a blood glucose meter and many testing strips and start testing your sugars in the morning, and before and after you eat your meals. This is how you learn what spikes and what doesn't spike your blood sugars. The key to successful glucose management is low and steady numbers. You should be avoiding the roller coaster of spikes.0 -
Please don't say things like I thought your post was a joke and criticise. It is unhelpful and not everyone knows about diabetes or insulin problems before being diagnosed. Of course I am not ignorant to my problem and have since writing this post read many books.
All support and knowledge from people that have this problem is worth more than any book in my opinion and so I came here to seek just that. I am very grateful and have messaged people privately for their help and advice.
I am 33 years old, I live in Chile which is still a developing country and I am very poor here financially. I do have private medical insurance however medical knowledge is perhaps not as advanced in this country.
The medication I have been prescribed is metformin 750mg once per day and vitamin e 1000 once per day.
I don't have any home testing units and so I can't give any recent info on my blood sugar levels or patterns. I have to go back in a couple of weeks to get another blood test on my insulin levels and for the doctor to check my weight.
My weight loss stopped days ago so I don't believe he will be impressed. I'm going to add good fats back into my diet and reduce carbs. I'm going to try to mostly avoid potatoes, rice, pasta and bread. I mostly managed it yesterday and I feel a lot better today so I am taking people's advice on that.
Thanks again for all of your support!0 -
Diabetic in remission here. I was insulin resistant for ten years. I'll talk about the metformin. You haven't taken it long enough to notice the benefits. The side effects for me were nausea (if I took it on a nearly empty stomach), and loose bowels. Adaptation to metformin takes a while and it really helps if you very gradually increase the dose. Make sure you have enough food in your gut to feed it. The effect on blood sugar levels is nearly miraculous. I did not experience the weight losses claimed.
I agree with others that your diet seems overly restrictive. That combined with the metformin is likely affecting your appetite.
The dizziness may even be a sign of low blood sugar. Do you have a home blood sugar tester?
I can attest that weight loss will really help with the insulin resistance.0 -
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The logic for bread, rice and potatoes should be questioned in IR.
I agree. There is a lot of bad and outdated advice being given out by medical professionals. I was shocked to see that most diabetic associations' food pyramid has grains at the base! A recipe for out of control blood sugars. Even "whole grains" spike blood sugar for most people with IR/diabetes.
I think a low carb diet would be better for IR with moderate protein and higher in healthy fats to maintain blood glucose levels without feeling so hungry. Get your carbs from vegetables. Cut out empty carbs like rice, potatoes, bread, etc.0 -
Thousands of people die from drugs that physicians told them to take. I have been unable to find a single instance of death from supplement use. Prescription drugs kill more people than the illegal ones but nobody even blinks because physicians are their gods.BILLBRYTAN wrote: »
[/quote]
No one ever? You sure?
Hmm guess my pt who had died from hypercalciemia from accidentally taking too many calcium supplements, who was in her mid 30s, must have died from something else?0 -
Low carb diet for Insulin Resistance (ie, limit bread, potatoes, starchy veggies)0
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Being prescribed Metformin and then told to eat bread sounds to me like a good way to ensure taking Metformin for a long time. Did the diet plan and prescription come from the same Doctor?
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This is a good TED talk. This doc has reversed diabetes in her patients with a low carb diet.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sarah+hallberg+tedx0 -
Dr Sarah Hallberg youtube0
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tinahagar498 wrote: »I lost 7lbs in the first week but it was just the weight that I gained the week before. I'm now back to the same weight that I have been for over a year and can't lose no matter what I do. The doctor told me to follow this diet plan. Today I've vomited and felt really weak all day. I am going to go back to eating whole eggs and avocado and maybe some nuts to snack on because I need something to keep me going and this restricted food is killing me. I don't believe the metformin is working for me because I'm feeling dizzy again and I'm sure my insulin levels are just as high as when I went in. Most likely because of the carbs. I'm gonna try to get them down to 100g and under per day now and go back to eating good fats.
This does not sound good. Please see an endocrinologist. I have IR and my endo only recommended to eat most if my carbs from veggies and whole grains, limit breads pasta and sweets. In the past I have lost weight not limiting carbs and that too reversed my ir, it comes back when I gain.
My mother had a gp tell her to eat only 500 calories of green beans a day to lose weight. So, yeah, just because a Dr said it doesn't mean it's correct especially if you are feeling ill from it.0 -
Hey girl! Bread, rice, potatoes and fruit all create insulin resistance, as well as keep you diabetic. None of us are doctors but you asked for advice. The idea of eating carbohydrate rich foods(whole foods or not) to decrease insulin spikes is a very western, antiquated, and newly dismissed idea. A lot of doctors and health care professionals, as well as nutritionists are now in the light about eating healthy fats, proteins, and low starch diets for health. In that order. Fat is the only macronutrient that DOES NOT CREATE AN INSULIN RESPONSE. Try to stick to avocados, fish, grass fed meats, eggs, turnips(as your starch), coconut milk and oil, seeds, nuts, olive oil, ghee, and fresh green leafy veggies. Hope all is well! I beat my disease!0
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Ah thanks for the YouTube URL! I'll be watching this asap. And thank you to everyone for the great advice. I will absolutely be making changes and not following the doctors medium-high carb diet plan. I will aim for under 100g of carbs and add in avocados, olive oil, almonds etc. I just need to learn a whole new way of getting flavour into my cooking.
Breakfasts are going to be difficult. I don't really like eggs.0 -
tinahagar498 wrote: »Breakfasts are going to be difficult. I don't really like eggs.
I'm the same, I've always been a cereal person. Not toast, not eggs, not leftovers for breakfast. Always cereal. In the last few weeks I noticed myself not feeling well so I decided to switch over to eggs for breakfast. The problem I have is that I always crave something sweet after every meal. Having cereal for breakfast took care of that on its own. That's why I've been having half an apple after my eggs, just to finish off with something sweet. When summer comes back around here in Australia, I'll switch over to some fresh berries.
Could you maybe try having some sort of meat for breakfast instead? As a vegetarian I don't really have any suggestions but maybe some sort of sliced deli meat, a slice of cheese and a hard-boiled egg? Or if you like spinach, you could have a big bowl of sautéed spinach with a poached egg, bacon and maybe some fetta.
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a couple of things
1. What is the dose of Metformin you are on? It is common to have side effects when starting and so it is recommended to start slow with 500mg twice a day and then gradually build up to 1g twice a day. If that is still causing GI distress, then you can always talk to your doctor about switching to the extended release form- people tend to tolerate that better
2. If by insulin resistance you mean prediabetes then you do not have to be on Metformin necessarily. Weight loss and exercise is key. Fatty tissue increases insulin resistance and muscle helps to increase glucose utilization from the blood stream. Losing as little as 10lbs (or 10% your body weight) makes a PROFOUND effect. Increase your cardio to 30 minutes twice a day and make sure you are also weight training. For the diet aspect of it, I agree with decreasing your net carbohydrate intake. Make sure you are spacing out your meals so that you are not eating more than 30 carbs with any meal. I would avoid potatoes, bread and pasta. Eat greek yogurt (more protein, less sugar), lean meats- fish, chicken, lots of green leafy vegetables, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli- basically veggies with low glycemic index. Within 3 months you should see a big difference.0 -
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tinahagar498 wrote: »Ah thanks for the YouTube URL! I'll be watching this asap. And thank you to everyone for the great advice. I will absolutely be making changes and not following the doctors medium-high carb diet plan. I will aim for under 100g of carbs and add in avocados, olive oil, almonds etc. I just need to learn a whole new way of getting flavour into my cooking.
Breakfasts are going to be difficult. I don't really like eggs.
Neither do I. How about yogurt and a low-GI fruit for breakfast? I like cottage cheese and fruit, but I don't think you have that where you are. Queso fresco might be an option.
You could also try a serving of avena integral. Some people like it with peanut butter for a bit of fat and protein. You can make it in a microwave in 2 minutes. Not low carb, but you can certainly work it into your plan if you are eating 100G carbs/day.0 -
azulvioleta6 wrote: »Neither do I. How about yogurt and a low-GI fruit for breakfast? I like cottage cheese and fruit, but I don't think you have that where you are.
Fruit = carbohydrate = not the friend of Insulin Resistance.
Don't be duped by "low GI" fruit which is high FI (fructose).
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For breakfast you could try chia seed pudding? Add peanut butter and milk/ greek yoghurt to the chia seeds and its soo gd, high fibre but low net carb. Maybe also try some meat dished for dinner like breakfast sausages?0
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My best breakfast options are definitely some sliced meet and maybe quesillo. Like queso fresco as mentioned before. It is true that we don't have cottage cheese here. My husband doesn't even know what it is ha ha.
I do enjoy eating fruit and although I don't eat a lot of it I won't be giving it up completely.
The medication I was given 12 days ago is 750g of metformin and 1000u.i of vitamin e. Both once per day. I go back to the doctor in a couple of weeks for more tests and to check weight loss. Despite the little food I've been eating which anyone can check as I have an open diary, I've lost the few pounds that I had gained and am again now back stuck at the weight I can never drop below no matter what I do. I want to have a glucose monitor that's for sure but my doctor told me on my last test results that my sugar levels were fine and that it was my insulin levels that were more than 3 times over the healthy range.0 -
I'm type 2 diabetic and on metformin. I was also on insulin when I was first diagnosed but no longer require it for now thank goodness! The side effects did not last for long with me as well but I find with myself that healthy fat/protein sources like avocado, eggs, peanut butter I do very well on. I usually have 2 bread in the morning breakfast, 2 bread for lunch, and potato or rice (1/2c) for supper. I eats a lot of veggies and a lot of fruit with these meals. You have to count your fruit as a carb however! Your allowed 4 carbs for each meal which means 2 bread, protein of choice, maybe a cup of carrots as well as a apple maybe for lunch for example? It takes some adjustment and you will find what works for you!0
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Many doctors don't know a lot about diets and nutrition. It is a very small section in their education. I'm a nurse and worked many years with dieticians. The advice to go lower carb is excellent. You also need to be aware to eat healthy fats and protein. If you can lay your hands on GI index diet it has great advice for those with IR. the book is simply formatted too. Green is safe, Yellow is consume in small quantities and red is avoid.
Good luck. It won't happen fast but if you know you are feeding your body the right foods then at least you can relax and know you are taking good care of yourself.
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Thanks for the advice. It is good to hear from other people that are still eating and enjoying some regular foods!
I have been reading many books and had a look at the GI value of many foods. I will have a look for this book also - thank you! I am feeling dizzy and weak again today. I am not sure if my blood sugar levels may be high or perhaps could they also dip low because of the metformin and restricted carbs?
My doctor did not tell me to buy a home blood glucose monitor however I am thinking of buying one. Is this useful for insulin resistance or is it really only used for diabetics? I am treating myself like a type 2 diabetic as from the books I have read they are both very similar and insulin can lead to type 2 diabetes. Is this extreme of me to think like this?0
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