Never heard of that, but I know you can’t have grapefruit juice if you are taking statins, as they nullify the effect

Hello. I am a 69 years old, female, and on steroids for PMR. Has anyone lost weight on the BSD whilst on steroids, as I have gained two stone on top of the four stones I need to lose?!

I would check out the grapefruit juice. We were told at the diabetes clinic that for some reason, grapefruit is an absolute no no for diabetics

I’m eating lots of veg, yes. I think I need to up my water tho. I’ll try the peppermint tea, thanks. Someone else mentioned that I might need to add a bit of salt to my veg? I’ll give that a go too!!

I’m two weeks into the diet, I started the day after being diagnosed Type 2 with a fasting Blood sugar level of 14.5! I lost about 13lbs in the first week but despite sticking to it rigidly, not another single pound in six days. I’m walking 30mins every day, taking the stairs at work, haven’t cheated at all. My glucose levels have come down, I’m now hovering around 8, with a few nice 7’s on some days. Getting a bit disheartened though with the plateau on weight loss. I’m trying to increase my water intake, to see if that will help. Really enjoying the meals though, had Cauliflower rice last night for the first time, delicious and filling! Not getting too many cravings.
G

I made a big pan of chicken broth using a handful of pearl barley garlic mushrooms, onions, leeks, celariac, carrots, celery, and believe it or not, cabbage (whizzed in the processor).
Hot, tasty, very filling, and enough for 8 – 10 meals

I live in rural France where there are no quorn products. When I go back to the UK I stock up but have learned to cook veg meals without. I have chickens, ducks and geese with loads of fresh free range eggs daily. One of my favorites is to roast lots of veg in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and serve with two eggs. Frittata features a lot too.
I will have to work out calorie count though. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall has a great book ‘River Cottage Veg’ that has helped. He uses no quorn! I have been on a mission for some time to eat only clean food and try not to buy anything made in a factory! This is the next stage for me to tackle my weight.

Thanks… Day one has come and gone and it was ok… Watched ‘That Sugar Film’ last night on you tube… Wow, everyone should watch it!

Afternoon ive just started on my second day im type 2 diabetic (18 months) hoping i can get it to reverse it this, is why ive started read the book and thought why not so my stats are
height 6 ft
weight 132 KG
my aim 100 KG

Wish me luck

Hi Squidgy
I m the same height but weight was 11.6. Now down to 11.5. So I take encouragement from that and what you said.
Hope it’s still going well.
Penny

Hi Aliba and everyone
Such an encouraging thread.
Today I haven’t felt hungry. Which is a great relief. Couldn’t sleep from hunger last night though. So spent time looking through recipes! I lost 1 lb since yesterday!
Have found some lovely slow cooker recipes which I’ll share.
Tomorrow I have a committee annual dinner- big test! Luckily I’m not interested in alcohol.
Good luck everyone.
Penny

I’m not so concerned about bs being up in the mornimg as thats part of the body’s waking up and overnight process – so don’t be disheartened Vetgirl you are doing good. Mine went up between waking and breakfast. I just wondered if anyone had tried a wee snack ( a few nuts?) when they wake up so the body knows its not starved – or is it best not to and get the glucose released

Hi all
Started yesterday but unfortunately my blood sugar ws actually higher this morning than yesterday. I don’t understand why I can have my last meal at 6:30, go to bed with a sugar reading of 5.9 and wake up to a reading of 9.8
I’m 62 diagnosed 4 to 5 years ago but I don’t know how long I had the disease before that. I have retinopathy which has led to loads of laser treatment, 4 vitrectomy operations (the first 2 didn’t work, bleeding just continued) and 2 cataract replacements. I still have to go to the eye hospital monthly for pressure checks. I just want to thank all the staff at Newcastle eye centre, without them I would have gone blind by now.
I take metformin and Exanatide injections which I’m hoping to be able to stop come April after the diet. I don’t eat a lot as the Exanatide does kill the appetite, so maybe I’ve been eating the wrong things. Lunch yesterday was a bowl of home made chicken soup made with chicken, celariac, and assorted veg, dinner was 4oz of lean lamb stir fried with assorted veg in 2tsp of olive oil. I don’t eat breakfast. Today for lunch I’m experiencing the pleasures 🙁 of home made humus with carrot and celery dipping strips.
I’mm determined to complete the 8 week course so I’ll update this on a weekly basis, as much for myself as anyone else.
Starting Sugar reading yesterday was 9.6, starting weight 16 st 5 lb (sorry I’m an old fashioned type of guy.)
So, lets all do this together and hopefully, within 8 weeks we’ll all be congratulating each other.

Thanks, Woobear45; I will check out eBay and Amazon. Impressed about the 3 egg omelette, bennyboy, that’s low and for quite a lot of food!

Reading the 8 week BSD but wondered about going on this when on other medication. I am a fit 69 year old diagnosed with type 2 4 years ago. I’m not overweight. I take Metformin 4 a day. However I’m in remission of autoimmune hepatitus from 20 years ago and take Azathioprine. Also on thyroxin and hypertension meds. Will there be any problems going on this diet with my current medication?

Be had exactly the same happen to me this morning. Yesterday’s fasting BSG was 5.2 ( where it’s been since Friday) went down to 4.4 two hours after lunch and then 5.8 before bed. This morning it’s 6.3. I have no idea why except I had some dairy for dinner last night ? very disappointed this morning but going to keep going for now. 😊

No need to over complicate things peeps. 800 calories max per day, try to be low carb, so no sugar, bread pasta rice etc. Three egg omelette, less than 200 cals, boiled swede at 11 cals per 100grms, lots of every day foods within reach!

How’s everyone getting on?

I’ve been on it for two weeks now. I’ve had a few blips as found it really hard initially. Now I seem to have turned a corner and finding it relatively easy.

I haven’t weighed myself as the scales always horrify me. I do know my starting weight though obviously, so I’ll probably just weigh myself at the end of the eight weeks. My partner has lost 12 lbs in two weeks though!

I’m really enjoying not feeling constantly hungry, and my cravings are greatly diminished. I actually feel hopeful for the first time in ages that I might lose weight this time, and learn how to keep it off. I haven’t felt that hope for a long time!

I started the diet 13 days ago and have not lost a gram. I have been having just under 1000 cals a day. I know this is not 800 but wondering why I am not losing weight when eating such low calories? Blood sugar tested today for diabetes and I have good blood sugar they say at 5.2 so I am not diabetic.

I am eating the foods that Michael says are good to eat on this particular diet and just cheated once with a home made scone which was still within my 1000 cals.

Building exercise into it too.

Are there any other reasons why on a calorie restricted diet someone would not lose weight? I do weigh everything and log it onto Fitness Pal.

Hi kbskylady, I have a one touch select plus which is simple to use. Ask your gp surgery the practice nurse might give you one. If not they are all pretty cheap to buy but its the test strips that are expensive, Have a look on ebay and amazon and go for one that the test strips don’t cost the earth for. Good luck!

Thanks for your response, Woobear45. I agree that Quorn is going to be a bit of a lifesaver! Eggs are OK by me too, I’m buying organic eggs as now I’m dumping the bread, sweets, etc. I can afford to (I realise how much money I waste on junk!). I hope that eventually I’ll be able to afford some organic veg.Well done on the loss of 3lbs in the first 2 days – that’s excellent. I need to get a test kit (I am pre-diabetic) but not sure which is best one to go for, any suggestions? I’ll look at my recipe chart and share some that may be suitable – I have a lot of vegan dishes that are great but spoilt with the usual accompaniment of brown rice or brown pasta, but I guess those can be replaced with something else.

As to Ryvita, or any other carb, the best thing to do, I’ve found, is test your Blood Glucose before, and 2 hours after eating. See what they do for your BG. I found some things, I was urged to eat, for years, by the diabetic nurse, sent it really high. Things like porridge and bran flakes. While some granola or muesli, although containing sugars or dried fruit, was much less! Everybody is different on this. Seems down to your own personal gut bacteria. There is no blanket yes or no to these things, despite what your nurse will say. I was told not to test.
“After all what can you do about it?”
“Well, stop eating the ones that send it high.”
An expensive business, in test strips though, but educational.
Lidl “high protein” rolls I found fairly benign. I might return to them when the weight is really down and the bloods are consistently good.

Good luck smileymiley

I think fake meat might be your only option. I am veggie and must say would find it challenging without Quorn. I am eating a lot of soups and salads and eggs. Have lost 3lb in the first 2 days and blood sugar is down from 6.9 to 5.4 this morning. Good luck and if you have any recipes please share 😀

You just need to change the orientation of your screen to landscape view for those pages and go back to portrait view for the rest of the book (or not as you wish). Its in the ‘change font size’ function on my (older) Kindle.

Having said that Dr M has done well out of me because I ended up buying a paperback copy of the book as well as the kindle version ! (as I found the recipes easier to use that way .. and it meanst I could also lend it to a friend, who I’m sure will benefit from reading it ).

its half price in WHSmith right now ,

I started today & have stuck to the 800 calories & drinks 2.5 litres of water & not felt hungry once & felt quite full all day. Enjoyed the healthy food I’ve been eating too. Here’s to the next few days & weeks & healthy weight loss. Well done, Vaughnie. Keep up the good work & good luck everyone else

Hi All , I too have started today. I did post something last night but I can’t find it.
It will be great to find encouragement here as I think we will need it. I have done the diet already 18 months ago but have put the weight back sadly so I am here trying it again and then maintaining the loss.
My levels were brilliant when I did it last time so well with doing!!
Good luck everyone. One day at a time!

Hi Mermaid 2 – I’m 5’1, 51 and starting weight last week was 11’3. Lost a fantastic 6.5lb in the first week, so a great start and i can feel the difference already! Roll on week 2……

Good luck, stay strong!

Good luck to you too Vaughnie….nice to find a forum where everyone is starting out at about the same time and really inspiring to read about peoples stories of success

Yay, day one over and I have loved it. Got weighed and measured this morning followed by a PT session – she wasn’t kind but I told her not to be otherwise I won’t achieve my goal. Weighed in at 90 kg, with a 40 inch waist – not my proudest moment but school of hard knocks. That’s why I’m here. I was going to follow the 800 cal menu plan but loved the lunch, stuffed peppers so much I had it again for dinner. I have not felt hungry at all but I think all the water has helped that.
Hope all you first dayers have been okay – long may it reign. It feels so great to be a part of something – I’ve always found dieting so lonely but it’s so encouraging reading everyone’s news. Good luck everyone

Well done everyone – it’s really encouraging to see everyone do so well.

I’ve been diabetic for 8 years, and my medication has been going up and up so I was at the stage where I think it’s now or never to get myself in hand.

After reading the the Blood Sugar Diet book cover to cover, and some time meal planning, I started on 26 January and am astonished by the results after just one week of the 800 cal diet.

According to my new bluetooth scales, I’ve lost 6.5lb in weight, BMI dropped from 29.6 to 28.4, Body fat dropped from 40.1% to 37.8% and water and muscle increased slightly! Best of all my Blood Glucose results were under 7 all week, getting as low as 4.7 on a couple of occasions. I saw my GP this morning and she agreed that I could cease Gliclazide and see how I get on, and then over time gradually reduce my other medications.

I found the first week really quite easy, and haven’t been hungry at all (though have been drinking and weeing more!). I think it helped that last summer I did a few months of the 5:2 diet and lost 1 1/2 stones, so 800 calories feels quite generous compared with that!

With results like that I feel really motivated for week 2!

Keep going and monitor yourself Floraellen. Its your life and your body. I bought myself a blood sugar monitor and already had a bp one. I love the comment in the book where it is said that as soon as you are diagnosed with T2 you will be thrown medication quicker than you can say CocaCola. I was- without even seeing a doctor. I disputed needing to be on Metformin so it was agreed that I could have a 3 month trial on diet and exercise.No advice given though. I took the Metformin when I found my bs was 15. I lasted a week and was so ill I came off it again. Started on the blood sugar diet and have lost weight and my bs is reducing. This even although, so far, I have not been very strict due to my husband and I both having significant birthdays in January. So we have had family meals out, a holiday in Rome and a final birthday bash this weekend. Then I will be strict. So be heartened and keep going – treating your body the way you want it to be treated not how someone else dictates. You will be able to tell your doctor that you don’t need medication once you are stabilised – and you will make that happen.

Hi Bexicle
People usually just add carbs for the children. Good luck!
Penny

Hi GettingSerious
I have just started the diet today. I am using a Nutriblend to make my own shakes, and a book called The 5:2 Diet Low Carb Nutribullet Recipe Book by Susan Fotherington.
It’s available on Amazon. I’ve got it on kindle. It was about £3 I think.
Really recommend both!
Penny

Bad start! Got unexpectedly invited for aperatifs this evening, so had a few drinks. However, stuck to the dinner I had planned of baked cod, green beans and lentils. Only had a greek yoghurt for breakfast and no lunch. I’m hoping this diet will work for me. My main problem has always been that I don’t eat enough (so why am I so overweight!?!?) I was always told off at WW for not eating enough. So I think having breakfast and then a higher cal dinner should work for me. I’m now in the mind set that if I have a bad day it’s just one day and I can start again tomorrow, rather than just give up, so back on it again tomorrow, with no alcohol!!

I was about to post a similar question re shakes. I was wondering whether I could incorporate the PhD shakes into the diet as I often don’t get time to eat during the day. I also find them handy after I’ve been for a run, I usually have them with unsweetened almond milk which is a total of 120 cals per shake.

Unfortunatly my GP left so l am in limbo finding one that l can communicate with.. The one l saw treated me like a dim wit. I thought l would monitor myself as much as possible and after a couple of weeks go back and say ‘now can we dicuss my treatment’. Like get me off all this medication cus l dont need it any longer. Gosh how l would love to say that

That’s a lot of steps Penny!
Day two I felt a bit weird and hungry but that could be because I’m not used to ever allowing myself to feel any hunger!
Good luck and hope it all settles down

Hi everyone
I also started today. I didn’t find it hard and wasn’t tempted but I was hungry all day. I am also hypoglycaemic which made me nervous about starting and now I do feel fairly brainless but then I did do 9,500 steps on 800 calories. Hopefully tomorrow or the next day things will even out.
Good luck everyone I hope your day went well.
Penny

Glad your first day when we’ll Bexicle….I found that peppermint tea helps when hungry…comforting and no calories!

First day today…had a handful of almonds cos I was struggling but in general a real good day! Was stuffed after breakfast lunch and dinner, first time in a long time, and it was all tasty!

Good luck to all of you who started today!This is the first time I have ever posted on a blog but I really believe this is a revelation for those of us who struggle to lose weight. it has always been tough for me and being type 2 for the last 4 years hasn’t changed that. But 4 days on this diet and I’ve lost 5lbs….ok some may be water but who cares …..it’s working.
Day one was a bit tough (I love food!) but since then, no problems. Have made sure I take food to work (boiled egg) and truly have not been tempted. In fact walked past a full tin of chocs today without wanting one.
Stick it out folks, we have nothing to lose but our weight!

The courgetti is great isn’t it? I had been wanting a spiralizer for ages and this has been the perfect excuse to get one and actually use it lol.

Hi,
I recommended this diet to a friend who is concerned that rapid weight loss will cause skin sagging , wouldnt his be the case ?

Thanks

About a year ago I tried the 5:2 diet. I found it easy to do but it triggered gout. I’m now taking allopurinol and haven’t had an attack for a long time. I really like the idea of this 8-week plan, but I’m worried about the prospect of it triggering gout again.

I plan to discuss this with my GP, but has anyone here tried this whilst being on allopurinol?

I had just logged on to ask the same question. I have the Hartley’s ten cal pots and they are 1.8g of carbs each with all the carbs from sugar so not sure if they are permitted.

Crushed raspberries and a few raisins are containing my sweet urges. Although the raspberries aren’t really sweet. They are in fact a little sour, but they do help.

You have done so well with 7lb in one week. That’s amazing.

I have no idea about sugar free jelly. I’m not a jelly eater so have never even heard of it, but wouldn’t it contain some other type of sweetener instead of sugar?

Bought the book last week and most of it makes sense. Bought a spiraliser and tried the courgetti bolognaise , excellent if I say so myself and so did the rest of the family. Looking forward to trying new things, losing weight and hopefully get the blood sugar levels down.

Hi Kel, I just know that I am feeling more awake, less lethargic and lighter since not eating all those processed carbs.

Call me daft, but also think about how we got certain foods. We didn’t even know about the potato in the UK until the 1500s. Pasta I hadn’t even heard of until the 1960s. Rice I’m not sure about but it certainly wasn’t native to this country – Maybe the 10th century when the Romans invaded. I honestly fail to see how anything that we would never have had if we hadn’t been introduced to it from another part of the world can be bad for us if we don’t eat it.

Here in the UK we are hereditary farmers and before the world was opened up to us we lived off only what we could grow in this country and the animals that were native to us. That didn’t include potatoes or rice, and we certainly never invented pasta.

The only reason we don’t eat bread on this diet is because it’s been messed about with in the processing of it. If those breads that are called whole wheat really were the whole wheat grain ground and used directly then we could eat it.

I am eating one or two ryvita a day if I feel so inclined because I’m hoping I am right and that they are made from the whole grain only with no mucking about or additions. (please correct me someone if you think I shouldn’t even be eating those either.)

Well, I’m thinking it hasn’t been healthy eating lots of carbs, so far, as it’s got me diabetes. When first told (5′ 8″ and 12st) I was “pre-diabetic” I was given the usual diet sheet with a third of the plate carbs etc. I asked how this was going to help as that’s what I’ve been doing for my entire adult life. Since then I’ve gone to “diabetic, and lately to “need meds” via the “healthy” NHS diet advice, as predicted. I was told it can only get worse, all I can do is slow the decline. There has to be another way!
There are lots of other low carb theorists out there. Lots to read. Like Dr. Bernstein who has decades of experience of diabetes as a T1 diabetic himself, and as a doctor. He has written several books on the subject. Plenty of people on Diabetes.co.uk forums are living the low carb life. Check them all out. This book, after the “needs meds” diagnosis, finally spurred me to make the change.
So far I’m loving the diet. Chucking in some chick peas, kidney beans, etc., as bit of a carb, just leaving out the concentrated stuff like bread, rice, potatoes, cereal, etc. Can eating tons of veg be wrong? More energy, hunger disappeared (I was always hungry every 2 hours on carbs, now go from a late breakfast to an early evening dinner, and then through the night, no problem), fasting blood sugar normal, massively better spirits too.