Type II and starting keto

072499tt
072499tt Posts: 37 Member
Hi All- Im new here. After much reading and research (and anxiety), Ive decided to begin keto with 2 main goals. 1. consistent low blood sugars and eventually without needing medication and 2. weight loss. I've been low carb since last Aug off and on but hit a plateau after a 15 lb loss. After months of back and forth between the same few pounds I decided to give keto a go. Today is day 5 and I have not had many keto flu symptoms except feeling a little jittery when I wake up. I loaded up any supplements in preparation so I hope this is why it seems so smooth. My question is Im really wondering if there are others here who are Type II Diabetic and if so, have you experienced success with sustained low bg and weight loss. I've been soooo frustrated with the advice given to me by medical professionals and nutritionists in my area which has been the standard reduce carbs speech. Im finding that this reducing carbs advice has been given without attention to individuality. For instance, I was told to eat 30 g at meals and 15 g at snacks. That put my bg too high for my liking (150) not many health professionals in my area seem to give advise about managing or even not needing medication but managing with diet and exercise. So Ive done my own research yet with so many of the cautions you also see about Keto, it has not been without pause. Anyway..thank you for listening and Im really just looking to connect with like minded folks and those who have attained some wisdom on this journey to better health.

Replies

  • zanyterp
    zanyterp Posts: 291 Member
    i can't comment on this for my own n=1; but i know there are groups of people that have done so (both here and elsewhere). if you like podcasts, the 2KetoDudes podcast is run by someone who has done just that (it was initially two type2 diabetics; now it is one and his co-host is a lady who is controlling her bipolar with keto)
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    wow! thank you @zanyterp
  • zanyterp
    zanyterp Posts: 291 Member
    you are welcome
  • chinatowninchina
    chinatowninchina Posts: 1,279 Member
    @072499tt Hi, I haven't done this, I mean I've not been type 2 diabetic but my two adult sons have been, note the have been! They both decided to listen to their mother for once! They had had the usual stuff from both doctor and dietician and it wasn't getting better and they were on metaformin. After a few months of low carb and keto they had a check up and neither was any longer T2. Both are off any drugs and that's several years ago for one and a year or two for the other. One of them pretty much eats what he like and when now but the other who if he were a girl would be PCOS no doubt about it, (we have sooo many PCOS females in our family!) still gains weight frighteningly fast and has to watch his carbs all of the time. Still the important thing is we now know how to avoid type2 and it can be reversed in our experience.
    I'm sure more people will chip in as there is a lot of direct experience with this from other members. Good luck and you are on the right path!
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    Thank you @chinatowninchina . Very encouraging. I just ordered a book that talks about the art and science of low carb eating and addresses the benefit for diabetic patients.
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks everyone. Trying to remain hopeful. This is just about the end of my first week and Ive only lost about 2 lbs and my fasting bg's are still in the high 120 range, despite eating low carb (yesterday I had 10 carbs total). Im not too concerned about the after dinner numbers but its the fasting one that I want to get lower and dont understand why its not budging further. I also dont understand why ive lost only 2lbs. However it really isnt an option to eat any other way so I will remain hopeful
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    *after meal numbers in general are fine (not just after dinner)
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    Get Dr Richard K Bernstein’s book Diabetes Solutions. Lots of it is geared toward Type 1 but he does discuss Type 2 as well.
    Here is a link to many of the chapters that are available free online. Her also has a YouTube channel called Diabetes University you should check out.
    http://www.diabetes-book.com/read-online-diabetes-solution/
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    If you have Amazon Prime, I just watched a documentary titled "Fasting" in which they discuss some interesting links between Type II and time-restricted eating. Might be worth your time to take a look.

    Good for you for taking the time to try something different and hopefully get off those meds!!
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    Thanks everyone

  • chicbuc
    chicbuc Posts: 615 Member
    Also, if you were already low carb, you won't have that whoosh of water weight loss because your body most likely wasn't holding on to extra water. 2 pounds in one week is a very good loss! Stay the course. Let your body heal. Keep educating yourself. Your fasting numbers will come down.
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    Thank you!
  • prowell57
    prowell57 Posts: 140 Member
    072499tt wrote: »
    Thanks everyone. Trying to remain hopeful. This is just about the end of my first week and Ive only lost about 2 lbs and my fasting bg's are still in the high 120 range, despite eating low carb (yesterday I had 10 carbs total). Im not too concerned about the after dinner numbers but its the fasting one that I want to get lower and dont understand why its not budging further. I also dont understand why ive lost only 2lbs. However it really isnt an option to eat any other way so I will remain hopeful

    A 2 pound weight loss in a week is good! My aim is to lose 1.5 lbs a week although since starting keto I average around 3 but I'm a big believer that if you lose weight too fast it seems to come back, at least with me. I've been on Keto for a month now and still in the learning process myself. Good luck on your journey!
  • rmac18
    rmac18 Posts: 185 Member
    I was was diagnosed Type 2 diabetes a month ago. Blood sugar regularly over 300. Tried the doctor’s diet of 1,500 calories but blood sugar was 175 - 300 and i was eating healthy unprocessed foods. I then decided to have bacon and eggs for breakfast in lieu of my standard plain oatmeal and the result was my first blood sugar test under 150. I experimented a bit and it seemed that my blood sugar results were directly tied to my carb intake. I decided to go full Keto and stay under 20 net carbs per day with 65-70% of calories from fat. Been in Ketosis for 3 straight weeks and have lost 14 lbs. Most importantly my 7 & 14 day average blood sugar #s are 103. Go back to doctor on Friday but I’m feeling good about for Keto for T2 Diabetes so far. The trick for me was figuring out how to manage my macros and get enough fat while limiting both carbs and proteins, once I figured that out the blood sugar #s came way down and more predictable and weight loss accelerated. I need to lose another 60 lbs so I’m just getting started. I know my weight loss will slow way down but I’m hoping for 1.5 - 2 lbs per week with stable blood sugars and I’ll get there in a year or so. Hope this helps and Best of luck to you.
  • akscooter1
    akscooter1 Posts: 3 Member
    @072499tt Hi, I haven't done this, I mean I've not been type 2 diabetic but my two adult sons have been, note the have been! They both decided to listen to their mother for once! They had had the usual stuff from both doctor and dietician and it wasn't getting better and they were on metaformin. After a few months of low carb and keto they had a check up and neither was any longer T2. Both are off any drugs and that's several years ago for one and a year or two for the other. One of them pretty much eats what he like and when now but the other who if he were a girl would be PCOS no doubt about it, (we have sooo many PCOS females in our family!) still gains weight frighteningly fast and has to watch his carbs all of the time. Still the important thing is we now know how to avoid type2 and it can be reversed in our experience.
    I'm sure more people will chip in as there is a lot of direct experience with this from other members. Good luck and you are on the right path!

  • akscooter1
    akscooter1 Posts: 3 Member
    Hello, I'm here as the mother of a obese 13 yr old that is pre diabetic. Can you tell me any of your sons favorite low carb or no carb products? My son loves pizza so I need to find a way to be able to include this in his diet.
    Thanks
  • akscooter1
    akscooter1 Posts: 3 Member
    Hello, I'm here as the mother of a obese 13 yr old that is pre diabetic. Can you tell me any of your sons favorite low carb or no carb products? My son loves pizza so I need to find a way to be able to include this in his diet.
    Thanks
  • lucy662017
    lucy662017 Posts: 4 Member
    akscooter1 wrote: »
    Hello, I'm here as the mother of a obese 13 yr old that is pre diabetic. Can you tell me any of your sons favorite low carb or no carb products? My son loves pizza so I need to find a way to be able to include this in his diet.
    Thanks

    Hi-Quest makes a pizza that I can only find in Target. One pizza is two servings. My niece ,who loves pizza, loves it 😊. Kinda pricey at $7 but I always keep it in my freezer.
  • zanyterp
    zanyterp Posts: 291 Member
    @akscooter1: in addition to the Hi-Quest & Real Good options, you can try a cream cheese & egg pizza dough (I use this as my base....https://lowcarbyum.com/pizza-casserole-gluten-free/#wprm-recipe-container-22937......though, i would recommend @Sunny_Bunny_'s sausage crust first). i think i need to find a cast iron (?) pan to play with...
  • Glazed_and_Confused
    Glazed_and_Confused Posts: 1,307 Member
    My husband was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 4 months ago (A1C was over 10) and started doing keto and IF. He just got his A1C rechecked and he's at 5 now. He's lost over 70 lbs and all his other blood work has also improved (he is considered morbidly obese so I'm not sure how typical his results are compared to someone who needs to lose a lot less).
    I need to lose about 40-50 lbs and my weight loss has been significantly slower. I am getting my blood retested next week so we'll see how I fared. I am not diabetic but have been in the pre-diabetic range most of my life.
  • 072499tt
    072499tt Posts: 37 Member
    akscooter1 wrote: »
    Hello, I'm here as the mother of a obese 13 yr old that is pre diabetic. Can you tell me any of your sons favorite low carb or no carb products? My son loves pizza so I need to find a way to be able to include this in his diet.
    Thanks

    Sausage crust pizza is my favorite!
    zkbsvihwcqcq.jpeg

    Start by pressing breakfast sausage into a cast iron skillet. Go up the sides a bit because it shrinks as it cooks.

    43427ped9nqw.jpeg

    Season it with garlic powder and Italian seasoning and bake in oven til done. Then top with marinara and toppings and bake again til done.
    It’s so good. He will likely think it’s better than regular pizza.

    ummmmm this looks amazing! How kind of you to post this. Will certainly try it!
  • chinatowninchina
    chinatowninchina Posts: 1,279 Member
    akscooter1 wrote: »
    Hello, I'm here as the mother of a obese 13 yr old that is pre diabetic. Can you tell me any of your sons favorite low carb or no carb products? My son loves pizza so I need to find a way to be able to include this in his diet.
    Thanks

    I'm so sorry, I've been MIA for a month as sooo darn busy with stuff and life and missed your question! So though I know others have answered I'll add my bit. Mainly what to watch with kids and keto is that they don't mix the high carb food with the high fat stuff you can eat on Keto. It just adds weight as it means instead of becoming a fat burner you are just eating high carb and high fat which is a recipe for disaster and how many of us got here in the first place!
    It is really really hard with young kids though and they have to want to do it. That was the trouble with my youngest and also I would take him to the doctor as I was concerned about his weight and constant weight gain and would be told to follow the standard diet and I knew it wasn't working. I kept saying he was following what he was told to eat (he was young enough to monitor!) and yet he was either not loosing or gaining.
    I got seriously fed up with always being looked at as if I was failing mother who couldn't/wouldn't understand how to follow a diet. Seriously, not able to follow a diet.........! Anyhow I was convinced that the answer was in his reaction to carbs as it made no sense that he gained so much weight so easily. Then I read the Diet Delusion by Gary Taubes. Goodness that was amazing and it all made sense to me. Unfortunately less sense to my son who was by now in his 20s!
    So life continued with me nagging and trying everything to encourage him to loose weight until eventually he was Type 2 and had sleep apnea and was no longer allowed to drive. I managed to persuade him to try Keto properly and he lost weight, reversed the type 2 and stopped the sleep apnea and was able to drive again. Now he still gains weight frightening quickly but at least he knows now and acknowledges why and can do stuff to loose weight when his head (like the rest of us) is in the right place.
    Key for his weight loss was actually bread! So that he could go to work and take a 'normal' packed lunch. We used and still use the almond bread from the diet doctor site made into rolls. We use low carb pasta and rice made from Kojac flour and there are some okay pizza recipes on the diet doctor site as well.
    It's hard though for a 13 year old but it's not an easy life being overweight either. Good luck.
  • vaderhater22
    vaderhater22 Posts: 2 Member
    I was diagnosed type 2 about 3 months ago with an A1C of 8.4 After a little research I decided to go keto. It's actually more dirty keto/low carb. I don't worry about specific macros or organic free range anything. I left behind breads and pastas and sugars and starchy vegetables and otherwise eat fairly normal. Lots of veggies. Not shy about bacon cheeseburgers without the bun. Lots of eggs and avocados. Using almond flour or coconut flour for baking. I've lost over 25 pounds and lowered my A1C down to a respectable 6.1. And I haven't really been working out a lot. I can only imagine if I drag my lazy butt out to run again. My keto might be dirty but it has really cleaned up my health so far. I love it.