Diabetic having trouble reaching 1000 calories a day

sparkynazca
sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Ever since I started trying to eat low carb, low fat foods (after finding out I am diabetic) I have been having trouble getting up to 1000 calories a day. Usually I'm around 600 - 800 calories at the end of the day. When you are limited on fruit, what is the best way to add some healthy calories to your diet?

I need some ideas!
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Replies

  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Low carb Low fat is nobody's friend, apart from Dr Dukan.

    Eat some nuts, or an avocado.
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Was this low carbohydrate and low fat plan recommended by your doctor and/or dietician?
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    yarwell wrote: »
    Low carb Low fat is nobody's friend, apart from Dr Dukan.

    Eat some nuts, or an avocado.

    And here I thought I'd never agree with you :wink:

    Low carb and low fat would be painful, and I doubt it would help your diabetes really. Many people with diabetes do fine on moderate carbs. Others do well at low carb. I haven't seen anyone recommend low fat for diabetes though.

    And as above, make sure your logging is accurate; you might be eating more than you think.
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    I was told to eat low fat by my diabetic councilor because I am also quite a bit overweight. Perhaps I'm overdoing it on the low fat. (I haven't been tracking on my fitness pal every day, but on another site)
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    I was told to eat low fat by my diabetic councilor because I am also quite a bit overweight. Perhaps I'm overdoing it on the low fat. (I haven't been tracking on my fitness pal every day, but on another site)

    You'll want to consult your treatment team before changing what they have recommended, but this recommendation confuses me. Fat doesn't make you fat -- cutting fat won't result in weight loss unless it happens to introduce a caloric deficit. The people who have the most success on low carbohydrate plans don't restrict their fat to low levels.
  • NJGamerChick
    NJGamerChick Posts: 467 Member
    I will agree with those who said add a little more fat. Lower fat dairy isn't always better than the full fat version. Low carb can be very boring without something to add flavor, so I'd suggest experimenting with seasonings, too.
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    Thanks for the advice! I will bring it up with my councilor next time I see her. She never mentioned eating under 1000 calories, it just seems most days with the choices that I've been making, that I am not quite making to that total. I've been kind of concerned, but it feels like I'm eating plenty, so it is confusing to me. But I've lost 17 lbs in the past two and a half weeks, and I know that isn't normal, so something needs to change!
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    edited August 2015
    What are you eating? Reducing some types of carbs and fat is usually recommended, but it is not the same as avoid all carbs and all fat. The goal is to change what you eat, not just take away the foods you used to it and replace them with nothing ;) Try lots of vegetables, unsaturated fat (e.g. olive oil, nuts, avocados etc), fruit (one serving at a time), dairy, lean meats, fish.
  • rhyolite_
    rhyolite_ Posts: 188 Member
    I agree with those saying talk to her - but the advice to eat low fat because you're overweight is wrong. Dietary fat doesn't make you fat. If after talking to her she continues to insist on a low carb AND low fat diet, it's time to find another professional to advise you.
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    17 lbs in 2 1/2 weeks without very close medical supervision is dangerous. You refer to a "counselor." What sort of professional is it?
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    She was assigned to me through my general practitioner, and is a nutritionist at our local hospital.
  • IsaackGMOON
    IsaackGMOON Posts: 3,358 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    She was assigned to me through my general practitioner, and is a nutritionist at our local hospital.

    Seems like a shabby nutritionist. Low carb low fat is pretty much mainly protein... good luck with that.
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    SergeantSausage wrote: »
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    Usually I'm around 600 - 800 calories at the end of the day.

    No you're not.

    You think you are ... but your not.


    Next ...
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    But I've lost 17 lbs in the past two and a half weeks

    No you didn't.


    Any more Whoppers you'd like to submit to the peanut gallery?



    I assure you that I am telling the truth. But thanks for doubting me, I guess?

    From the looks of your rock hard abs in your profile picture, I'm guessing you don't understand how fast weight can come off of a very overweight person.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    You don't need to be eating low fat as a diabetic.

    There are many healthy fats that you can and should include in your diet. Olive oil, avocados and nuts are a great place to start.
  • Unknown
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  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    How does someone who is significantly overweight go from eating thousands of calories per day to having a having trouble eating over a thousand? Even if you just ate 8 ounces of protein at each meal and add in some vegetables you'd be over 1000.
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    edited August 2015
    Because one gets scared of the fact that they are diabetic. I started monitoring my bloodsugar four times a day, and figuring out what was making my bloodsugar spike, then I cut those things out of my diet. Since then, I have been trying to replace what I was normally eating (mostly a lot of pasta, I was a pastaholic) with low carb, low fat options and trying to stay in a good bloodsugar range.

    For example, in the past I could eat a large pizza by myself in one sitting for supper and not think much about it. And today I'm having a single 4 oz pork chop and vegetables.
  • sparkynazca
    sparkynazca Posts: 169 Member
    Anyway, thanks for the good advice those of you who gave it.

    This post is now frustrating me, because I came for help, not to be called a liar or criticized. So have a good day everyone.
  • caroldavison332
    caroldavison332 Posts: 864 Member
    I'm a 54 year old 224 pound diabetic. My diabetic educator told me to keep under 45 carbs per meal and was happy that I was on a 1600 calories per day diet. She said those 1000-1200 diets were unhealhty. Low carb and low fat sets you up for failing which screws with your metabolism and sets you up for more weight gain in the long run. I gave up drinking 3 20 ounce pepsis daily and now drink only water. I eat oatmeal with unsweetened peanut butter for breakfast, a pound of assorted vegetables for lunch to ensure that I get all different kinds of vitamins and a 4 ounce beef, salmon or turkey burger with mayo and blue cheese and no bread but with vegetable soup for dinner. I did this cold turkey. After 17 days I sometimes couldn't finish it all. I believe that is because I am actually getting nourished by eating all of those vegetables or as Dr Fuhrman says, I lost my toxic hunger. Best to you.
  • Nuke_64
    Nuke_64 Posts: 406 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    Because one gets scared of the fact that they are diabetic. I started monitoring my bloodsugar four times a day, and figuring out what was making my bloodsugar spike, then I cut those things out of my diet. Since then, I have been trying to replace what I was normally eating (mostly a lot of pasta, I was a pastaholic) with low carb, low fat options and trying to stay in a good bloodsugar range.

    For example, in the past I could eat a large pizza by myself in one sitting for supper and not think much about it. And today I'm having a single 4 oz pork chop and vegetables.

    That's great a great change and seems like you have the right motivation! Don't let the people here frustrate you. We see a lot of folks come here that push bad nutritional advice and many react in the wrong way when someone like yourself is given what seems to be bad advice.

    As many said, there should be no reason to go low fat. Talk with your nutritionist again and show you diary. Ask more about what she meant by low fat. If she doesn't give you the advice you need, find someone else that can help you.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    Because one gets scared of the fact that they are diabetic. I started monitoring my bloodsugar four times a day, and figuring out what was making my bloodsugar spike, then I cut those things out of my diet. Since then, I have been trying to replace what I was normally eating (mostly a lot of pasta, I was a pastaholic) with low carb, low fat options and trying to stay in a good bloodsugar range.

    For example, in the past I could eat a large pizza by myself in one sitting for supper and not think much about it. And today I'm having a single 4 oz pork chop and vegetables.

    Pasta is fine for diabetics and so are most carbs. The key is serving size. You cannot have a huge serving of pasta, because it will affect your blood sugar. You cannot top it with a creamy sauce and lots of cheese, because it will affect your weight loss. But you can enjoy one small bowl of pasta, with e.g. tomato sauce and complete your meal with a salad and cheese. It will be filling and not affect you negatively in any way.
    As for your meal today, especially if you are low in calories, there is no need to have a single pork chop. Make a full meal out of your pork chops and vegetables. It will not affect your sugars.
    You can have about 40 grams of carbs per meal. Of course this might vary, and for some carbs it might be less, for some it might be more, and it is not the same for eveyone, so you need a bit trial and error. But the usual starting point is about 40. Which means for example, 1/2 to 1 bowl of pasta, or a couple of slices of bread, or 1/2 to 1 bowl of rice or beans or a small baked potato, when it comes to common ingredients used in lunch and dinner. So no need to starve!
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Hi, there. I believe you. My type 2 diabetes is in remission now. The thing with chronic conditions is that you are your best advocate daily, and you don't have a professional at your beck and call if something isn't working. So you need to adjust the instructions until you can see them next.

    Both low fat and low carb is just too hard which you've found out. You need to find out right away what your minimum calories a day need to be and I suspect it will be about 1,200 calories.

    Are you testing a full two hours after you eat? Everyone spikes after eating but it should even out after a couple hours.

    You might find that adding protein to a fruit, vegetable, or whole grain will even out the way your body processes the whole meal. So pair your fruit or vegetable serving with protein like,

    Peanut butter with apple slices
    Celery sticks filled with laughing cow (skinny)
    Hard cheese with crackers

    "Good fats" that you can cautiously add to your diet include vegetable oils, nuts, and fatty fish. I only say cautiously because fats are calorie dense and can add up quickly.

    I find I can take the carbs from fruit very well, better than rice.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I agree that low carb and low fat seems hard. Diabetics can eat fat, and plenty of it, because it will not bring up their blood glucose like carbs and even protein can. Look into Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solutions. It is about a low carb high fat diet that helps diabetics normalize their blood and helps them lose weight.

    Eating low fat is not needed to lose fat. I've been eating LCHF to help my blood glucose, for close to two months, and it has worked great (I was prediabetic). My blood is normal, and I have lost almost 20lbs, which is pretty good since it brought me into my normal BMI - I didn't have a lot to lose.

    Try the Low Carber Daily forum or the T2 Diabetes forum. You'll find more support there. Good luck.
  • Bshmerlie
    Bshmerlie Posts: 1,026 Member
    Sorry didn't mean to offend you, but we just hate seeing people who are starving themselves as a way to lose weight. That's not the best way to stick to a diet long term. Sure you can probably do it for about a month and then eventually you'll just give up and you'll be back to where you started. It seems like people get some scarey diagnois from their doctor and then they take their weight loss strategy to an extreme. I too got the scarey diabetic diagnois from my doctor back in April. My AC1 was at 9.6. I then did research on the best foods to eat as a diabetic and started making my meals around those foods. In four months my AC1 went from a 9.6 to a 6.0 and I lost 46 pounds. I haven't starved myself. Just eat a healthy balanced meal. Sure I try and keep my carbs low but I still eat fruit everyday. I eat on average 1500 calories per day and have gone from 254 pounds to 208 pounds in about 4 and a half months. A regular exercise routine is also vital to helping mainting proper blood sugar levels. Just being more active and losing weight is going to help your situation.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    I was told to eat low fat by my diabetic councilor because I am also quite a bit overweight. Perhaps I'm overdoing it on the low fat. (I haven't been tracking on my fitness pal every day, but on another site)

    I'd ask the counselor for more specifics, like how many grams of fat or calories from fat is suggested. Also, talk to him/her about fiber.
  • Iamnotasenior
    Iamnotasenior Posts: 235 Member
    My husband was recently diagnosed as type II diabetic and as a 200-lb. man, he was told to limit carbs to no more than 60 per meal. So for a female, about 40 carbs per meal sounds about right. He also has very, very high triglycerides and blood cholesterol, so he was also told to limit fats. He was told by his nutritionist to look at it this way, if you are putting food on your plate, half of your plate should be vegetables, one quarter of your plate should be protein and one quarter, carbohydrates. If a particular food, does spike your blood sugar, then you may have to substitute a higher fiber, lower sugar version. My husband, for instance, loves sweet pickles, so I found a sugar-free version that he can enjoy without elevating his blood sugar. It's a trial and error process, but follow your nutritionist's advice and be sure to communicate your results weekly to the nutritionist. Rapid weight loss can be a sign that your diabetes is still not under control, so make sure he/she knows about that.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Iamnotasenior wrote: »
    My husband was recently diagnosed as type II diabetic and as a 200-lb. man, he was told to limit carbs to no more than 60 per meal. So for a female, about 40 carbs per meal sounds about right. He also has very, very high triglycerides and blood cholesterol, so he was also told to limit fats.

    Triglycerides reduce by restricting carbs, not fats. Might want to revisit that one.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    I applaud your commitment to trying to get this under control. I think it is great you are taking control now rather than when you have severe complications.

    My advice would be to contact your treatment team, specifically, the counselor who have you these guidelines. I would explain that you feel like you are not eating enough and are concerned that this may hinder your health even more. I would ask for specific foods that you could add that have higher calorie counts or how you could add more calories into your day (maybe a protein shake or two or something of the like).

    Just a question: are you weighing your food with a food scale? If so, great! If not, I would go buy one (cheap on amazon or at target/Walmart), and start weighing everything. Not doubting your calorie consumption, but would hate for you to think you need to add in more calories if your calorie intake is actually higher than you think.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/heart/prevention/risk-factors/cholesterol/triglycerides
    It looks like dietary fat and carbs both contribute to higher triglycerides.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    sparkynazca wrote: »
    I was told to eat low fat by my diabetic councilor because I am also quite a bit overweight. Perhaps I'm overdoing it on the low fat. (I haven't been tracking on my fitness pal every day, but on another site)

    Call them up and tell them that you cannot eat enough. If you're feeling weak, tired or dizzy, tell them that, too. Ask for help.

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