8 week blood sugar diet
janieski
Posts: 19 Member
Hello
is there a group chat thread anywhere on here for this diet? Thanks
is there a group chat thread anywhere on here for this diet? Thanks
13
Replies
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VLCD aren't looked favorably around here and are against the forum rules.
OP, eating 800 calories a day isn't healthy or safe and it's just setting you up to fail.20 -
I've never heard of this, but a cursory look here and I'd have to agree this sounds unhealthy (https://thebloodsugardiet.com/); 800 calories per day is too low.
I see they're also promoting a 5/2 program, with only 2 days at 800 calories, but this is still inadvisable; to balance out to the minimum 1,200 per day you'd need to eat 1,360 the other 5 days. Just screams recipe for disaster.3 -
What is it's intent and what happens after 8 weeks?
ETA: Oh wait - I've heard of this guy. He's a former psychologist who left medicine to pursue journalism? Sounds like a legit resource for weight management advice.5 -
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Justin_7272 wrote: »I've never heard of this, but a cursory look here and I'd have to agree this sounds unhealthy (https://thebloodsugardiet.com/); 800 calories per day is too low.
I see they're also promoting a 5/2 program, with only 2 days at 800 calories, but this is still inadvisable; to balance out to the minimum 1,200 per day you'd need to eat 1,360 the other 5 days. Just screams recipe for disaster.
Before Mosley went off the deep end with this 800 calories a day, every day nonsense, his 5:2IF approach was actually pretty solid. I did it during the time that I was transitioning into maintenance and it worked well for me. The difference between the two plans is that with 5:2IF you only have 2 lower calorie days a week and then 5 maintenance level days a week. And you don't do the 2 lower calorie days back to back. This is just a fancy way of calorie cycling/zig-zagging. Many people move their calories around throughout the week to give a buffer for the weekends, special events etc. and it's similar to that.
The blood sugar plan does 800 calories a day, every day though, and there's no higher, maintenance level days mixed in. This has disaster written all over it and really shouldn't be done, unless prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
To elaborate a bit more on 5:2IF, using my numbers as an example-I would take my TDEE and multiply that by 7 (days). Then I would subtract 3,500 (1lb a week loss goal), and then I would subtract 1,600 (to represent the 2 low calorie days), and then divide the remaining number by 5 (days). This would give my an eating pattern of 5 days a week at 1,640 calories per day and then the 2 days at 800 calories a day, (when I did 5:2 my low cal days were Mondays and Thursdays).4 -
Justin_7272 wrote: »I've never heard of this, but a cursory look here and I'd have to agree this sounds unhealthy (https://thebloodsugardiet.com/); 800 calories per day is too low.
I see they're also promoting a 5/2 program, with only 2 days at 800 calories, but this is still inadvisable; to balance out to the minimum 1,200 per day you'd need to eat 1,360 the other 5 days. Just screams recipe for disaster.
Before Mosley went off the deep end with this 800 calories a day, every day nonsense, his 5:2IF approach was actually pretty solid. I did it during the time that I was transitioning into maintenance and it worked well for me. The difference between the two plans is that with 5:2IF you only have 2 lower calorie days a week and then 5 maintenance level days a week. And you don't do the two lower calorie days back to back. This is just a fancy way of calorie cycling/zig-zagging. Many people move their calories around throughout the week to give a buffer for the weekends, special events etc. and it's similar to that.
The blood sugar plan does 800 calories a day, every day though, and there's no higher, maintenance level days mixed in. This has disaster written all over it and really shouldn't be done, unless prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
To elaborate a bit more on 5:2IF, using my numbers as an example-I would take my TDEE and multiply that by 7 (days). Then I would subtract 3,500 (1lb a week loss goal), and then I would subtract 1,600 (to represent the 2 low calorie days), and then divide the remaining number by 5 (days). This would give my an eating pattern of 5 days a week at 1,640 calories per day and then the 2 days at 800 calories a day, (when I did 5:2 my low cal days were Mondays and Thursdays).
Unless I had a pressing medical concern that required weight loss for surgery I would not go for an 800 calorie diet even if my doctor recommended it. It might be okay for short term quick losses for surgery but not for sustained weight loss. It is a bad idea to assume that a doctor has been trained or is knowledgeable in bringing someone all the way to goal weight. Mine isn't. He is beneficial for monitoring my health status as I lose weight and that is about it.6 -
Justin_7272 wrote: »I've never heard of this, but a cursory look here and I'd have to agree this sounds unhealthy (https://thebloodsugardiet.com/); 800 calories per day is too low.
I see they're also promoting a 5/2 program, with only 2 days at 800 calories, but this is still inadvisable; to balance out to the minimum 1,200 per day you'd need to eat 1,360 the other 5 days. Just screams recipe for disaster.
Before Mosley went off the deep end with this 800 calories a day, every day nonsense, his 5:2IF approach was actually pretty solid. I did it during the time that I was transitioning into maintenance and it worked well for me. The difference between the two plans is that with 5:2IF you only have 2 lower calorie days a week and then 5 maintenance level days a week. And you don't do the two lower calorie days back to back. This is just a fancy way of calorie cycling/zig-zagging. Many people move their calories around throughout the week to give a buffer for the weekends, special events etc. and it's similar to that.
The blood sugar plan does 800 calories a day, every day though, and there's no higher, maintenance level days mixed in. This has disaster written all over it and really shouldn't be done, unless prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
To elaborate a bit more on 5:2IF, using my numbers as an example-I would take my TDEE and multiply that by 7 (days). Then I would subtract 3,500 (1lb a week loss goal), and then I would subtract 1,600 (to represent the 2 low calorie days), and then divide the remaining number by 5 (days). This would give my an eating pattern of 5 days a week at 1,640 calories per day and then the 2 days at 800 calories a day, (when I did 5:2 my low cal days were Mondays and Thursdays).
Unless I had a pressing medical concern that required weight loss for surgery I would not go for an 800 calorie diet even if my doctor recommended it. It might be okay for short term quick losses for surgery but not for sustained weight loss. It is a bad idea to assume that a doctor has been trained or is knowledgeable in bringing someone all the way to goal weight. Mine isn't. He is beneficial for monitoring my health status as I lose weight and that is about it.
Agree, I think there are situations where a doctor will have someone do this, but most times its because they're getting ready for weight loss surgery/other type of surgery. At that point the person is most likely working with a team of doctors/specialists.
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Justin_7272 wrote: »
I see they're also promoting a 5/2 program, with only 2 days at 800 calories, but this is still inadvisable; to balance out to the minimum 1,200 per day you'd need to eat 1,360 the other 5 days. Just screams recipe for disaster.
To elaborate a bit more on 5:2IF, using my numbers as an example-I would take my TDEE and multiply that by 7 (days). Then I would subtract 3,500 (1lb a week loss goal), and then I would subtract 1,600 (to represent the 2 low calorie days), and then divide the remaining number by 5 (days). This would give my an eating pattern of 5 days a week at 1,640 calories per day and then the 2 days at 800 calories a day, (when I did 5:2 my low cal days were Mondays and Thursdays).
I understand, my point being for most I think it would be mental warfare to have to think "I literally have to eat less than half as much as I did yesterday" twice a week. I see a lot if room for failure, especially considering there's no "oops" room for excess calories at 800.
It may work for a select few, but marketing it as a cure all to the masses? SMH.
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I believe it’s meant for people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
It has been shown to reverse this in early diagnosed patients. You’re then supposed to go onto a healthy diet to keep your insulin levels steady.
This still means no refined stuff, sugar and low carbs too.
You’re supposed to exercise as well.
All stuff everybody should be doing diabetic or not. (Maybe not the low carbs)
I was diagnosed with type 2 in Jan this year but had had diabetic symptoms for at least a year before this but didn’t know I actually had. Just thought it was an age thing.
I was prescribed Metformin as my blood sugar levels were so high and commenced a healthy eating (not diet!) and lifestyle.
I asked my diabetic nurse about the 800 cal diet and she was dead against it and recommended lifestyle change.
To cut a long story short, my bloods are normal ( not in diabetic range) and I’ve lost over 2 stone since then and haven’t actually been on a ‘diet’.
I exercise 3 times a week in the gym and feel 10 years younger.
The 800 cal diet is meant as a kickstart to control diabetes, not a permanent solution.
Granted you get the bonus of quick weight loss but in the context of cutting diabetes.
If you then go onto a healthy lifestyle situation after that, it has to be a good thing.
It’s not for everyone and I’m sure it’s really tough but if it works, why not?
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As above, its meant to kickstart a rapid weightloss for those who are T2, the aim being to drop the lard pdq from around the organs if thin on the oustide, fat on the inside, or just plain old fat all over (that would be me then). The objective is to get the T2 markers relevant to you down quickly - weight, waist size, BP, BG etc rather than go onto medication straight off (if appropriate and your GP / MD is in agreement).
My read was though that they dont particularly encourage exercise.
Its also worth noting that the 800 calorie stage is not for 8 weeks - its for between 2 and 8 weeks depending on your starting position and personal preference.
This is based on the Newcastle diet which is an 8 week liquid diet (euw) that has been shown to deliver improved T2 markers in those taking part, although this was not a large scale trial.
Interestingly enough, the 8 week blood sugar diet is essentially the Newcastle diet for people who like to chew and is punting for HFLC in terms of macros (if all that counts at 800 calories).
I did this at 800 net calories for 8 weeks (so exercised and ate my calories) and I have to say, its done wonders. Just under two stone off, BP way down, BG much more settled but most importantly of all, habits reset including the realisation that I dont need to eat All The Time.
I came to MFP for my next stage.
Type 2 is becoming a bit of a thing here in the UK and there is a lot of focus on resetting the nations habits, particulalry with added sugar. The national guidelines from our NHS is no more than 30g of added sugar a day for anyone over the age of 11 years old which is really is not a lot - every time I have mentioned this here, there has been nothing but tumbleweed.
The NHS are also trialling both diets (Newcastle and 8WBS) to see if its a more appropriate solution than sending patients off with a prescription for drugs.
I think the point about sustaining weight loss is an interesting one - it would be useful to see some stats about how much weight is regained based on how quickly or slowly it was lost.
Mosely quotes trials that suggest speed of weight loss does not determine rate of regaining said weight - that being said, a quick trawl of the Internet can get most people some support to their pov
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The Newcastle Diet trial did monitor those that did it and I think one of thier outcomes was something like the majority of those who took part went back to their old eating habits but at portion sizes that meant T2 markers did not return - so I suppose an approach that is supported by MFP.
If the OP can't get support here for this approach and is still interested, there are forums about especially for this diet.
Wishing the OP all the best in their choices !
Woo away people !8 -
When I was diagnosed Type 2 I was referred to a dietitian and attended diabetic classes. None of these resources recommended a VLCD diet. If anything, it was drilled in to me to do everything in balance. Don’t skip meals. Eat on a schedule. Eat a variety of foods and include all your macros in every meal.
Insulin is a blood sugar balancing hormone and in its absence, the diabetic learns to be vigilant about their own dietary highs and lows.
If you are concerned about eating with respect to your blood sugars, check out the American Diabetic Assiciation website.10 -
Here's some reference material if interested:
https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2018/12/diabetesdiettrialledbynhs/
Its accepted with this approach that it will not work for everyone, same as the previous established diet recommended for T2's of high carb low fat was unhelpful to some in the UK.
These are not the only two options available to T2's in the UK - whichever approach is followed though, it is about understanding what works for the individual rather than persevering with something that should work but doesnt.
It will be interesting to see the results of these trials in the coming years.1
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