Hi, I had a wake up call a few months ago, told I am pre-diabetic.
I started the BSD, a few hiccups along the way (holiday /christmas);but I have lost a stone.
However, I bought a blood sugar monitor, after listening to Dr Mosley, I thought I was doing right testing in the morning before eating. My level was 6.5.! Still pre-diabetic Having read up about Dawn Phenomenon, I wonder if I should test a different time of day. It’s dispiriting to think I have made no headway with pre-diabetes.
Help and advice please.

Hi Lycatu, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. The numbers you are quoting on your morning readings are diabetic not pre-diabetic but don’t panic. The home test kits are around 10% to 15% wrong. There are other things to consider like the Dawn Phenonomenon but given time your body will adjust – unless you want to test in the middle of the night – just joking, it is not a good option because you might still be high for a number of reasons.

You say you have lost weight but it might be you have not quite got to grips with the LOW CARB way of eating. Just reducing calories will help lose weight but not impact on the diabetes. Measure your carbs and stay around 50g daily or under. I find it hard to be under 50g. Take another look at what you are eating and post on here if you feel comfortable. We might be able to see some errors. On the other hand you might actually be doing a good job but just need to give yourself more time. Just don’t give up.

Thank you for your prompt reply, Sunshine-girl.
I know I eat too many carbs, quite honestly, I could live on bread alone, however, I have cut down considerably, but find it hard to get down to 50 g or less.. today I have hit 98g, but the only real “carby” thing was a tortilla wrap . The rest (apart from a biscuit) came from various veg ( not potatoes) and lentils. If I didn’t count the carbs in veg I would be nearer 50g. I don’t eat meat, and only limited amounts of fish, purely to get protein and omega oils. I don’t eat eggs.
I have another 7-10lbs to lose to get to my ideal weight. But my main concern is diabetes.
I will have to try harder.

Lycatu, don’t beat yourself up, take it slowly and you will get there. You say if you didnt count the carbs in veg you would get to 50g, it is only veg that contains carbs. There are no or very few carbs in meat and dairy. If you dont eat meat do you eat eggs. cheese, yoghurt etc. Please cut out the biscuits and wraps as obvious culprits and stay away from white carbs like pots, bread, rice, pasta and processed foods, plus all the obvious sugars. If you cant manage to cut out completely then at least you are doing some good keeping low – 98g is a start.

No I don’t eat meat or eggs.i will be trying to cut down more but as a carboholic I guess it will take time to adjust my diet to low carb

Hi Lycatu,
Sounds like you have made a good start. Keep cutting down on the carbohydrates. Sunshine girl is right, skip the bread and the wrap — they are simple carbs and the worst for blood sugar control.
It sounds as though you might be very low on protein — that is a great thing to focus on and make sure you get enough. If you don’t eat meat or eggs, how do you get your protein?

Hi Lycatu,
Fellow pescatarian here. I used to eat eggs, but have had to give them up recently after going on an elimination diet to figure out what was causing stomach issues and systemic inflammation. I’ve also had to go gluten free as well. I was eating the odd slice of rye bread as it didn’t spike my blood sugar as much as wheat (I know that from doing experiments while wearing a continuous glucose monitor). I was really struggling with the idea of giving that up, but now that I have and am eating different foods, I’m not really missing it.
It can be harder for us to get enough protein when we don’t eat what the others do. I have lots of nuts and seeds though, including hemp seeds which are very low carb. Chia, pumpkin seeds and flax (linseed) are good ones too. I eat a couple of Brazil nuts daily for selenium. You can search for the broccoli sandwich bread in the recipes section of this site. The recipe uses eggs, but I just made it without by using ground linseed and a 1/4 cup of chia seed mixed with a bit of water instead of the almond flour and grated cheese instead of the eggs, and it held together fine. In fact, I think it was even tastier and more bread-like!
There are recipes for seed crackers too, which might help. I’m thinking of trying to make some as I really am missing crunch.
Other great low carb proteins are cottage cheese, full fat greek yogurt or skyr, and of course all the different kinds of fish. I like to have tinned mackerel or sardines on salad, or on the broccoli sandwich bread.
Oh, and I have also rediscovered lupini beans as a very low carb legume. I still have lentils, chickpeas and other beans on occassion, but am using the lupini beans in most recipes now as they are much lower carb.
Hopefully that gives you some ideas!

Hi Californiagirl, I get my protein from some fish and legumes and nuts. It is difficult to eat enough and keep carbs and calories down.

Articfox, thank you for your useful reply, I have never heard of lupine beans, I’m off to google them, maybe in Uk they have another name. I’ll have to try your bread suggestion, thanks for your support ladies.