Hello everyone. We seem to be getting great results according to this thread. I have dropped my Glicazide for nearly a week now and haven’t had a reading over 6 so all is well with me too. Sometimes after fast days it has gone as low as 4.4. I would like to see it stabilise a bit more before I reduce any other medications. I think some of us could get a little hasty and I shouldn’t like to see anyone having to call in the docs due to blood sugars soaring again.

Not many are talking about the exercise part of the programme. I know Michael recommends upping physical activities as well as following the diet. I have been walking regularly and am up to 7.5k steps per day. I’m also doing the resistance exercises so I am building muscle as well as losing fat. My general health and mood is improving too. I hope that you all feel as positive as I do just now. Good luck.

Hi Paul

I’ve finished the 8 weeks and can confirm that my weight, fasting blood sugar levels and blood pressure have all dropped.

Hi all

So I have the book The 8 week blood sugar diet and have read it once.

I am just 6ft and 74 kg and have a waist measurement of 35″ [ sorry for the mixed units , they seem to work for me !]

I cycle regularly at least 3 x 12 miles every week with 3 good hills involved , and do quite a bit of dog walking as well.

The Diabetic Association web site say I am at risk of getting Type 2 , risk now 1/33 will be 1/7 as I age.

However I am more interested in whether the diet and 5:2 can reduce my blood pressure ?

I was on medication but I was not happy with the possible side effects and came stopped it couple of years ago.

Currently my BP is around 195/95 however it does vary considerable through out the day it can be high when I first wake and lower after the bike ride !

regards Paul

Hello everyone!
I finished the book last week, and plan to start the diet on Monday. My question is, can I succeed if I try and do the 800 calories for 5 days of the week, and have 2 days off? Does anyone think this could work? I don’t want to try the fast option, but I’m not sure that I could keep up 800 calories, 7 days a week. Should I just bite the bullet and go for the full plan? Or try 2:5 first?
I am about 3 stone overweight (I have struggled with my weight since having children) and my dad has type two diabetes, so it’s something I really need to worry about. I’m 35, so I really want to nip this in the bud now, before it becomes a big problem.
Thanks for reading!

I use the MyFitnessPal website to note all my food intake, it’s great. I don’t have the facility on my mobile to use apps but I’m guessing it’s the same thing. Very happy for you that Week 1 has gone so well. Thanks for the good wishes. 🙂

The theory behind it is that, during sleep, your sugar levels go down so your liver releases stored sugar to compensate for this. It’s a well known phenomonen called the dawn effect.
A snack containing fat a couple of hours before bedtime can help by giving your body the calories it needs during the night.

what is the name of the magic seeds ? i sure need to try a few of them , and how much do you use ?

My cholesterol dropped from 6.3 to 2.3 when I started eating seeds in Greek yoghurt for breakfast.
That was before before I started on this diet. Looking forward to many more changes now!

my blood sugars are at an all time low , i think that is what is really supporting me on this diet before they were 10 12 15 and more day and night , i thought 6 to 7 was good , now down to 4.6 , the last time i asked my doc was it reversible, he said you need to go on a cabbage water diet , and how would you like that !
better call in to doc and get a check over , before i shrink any more . let you know how i get on.

I’ve only done a week but looking back through my diary I can see that a split three ways has given good results? Eg 30ish% for each, higher and lower on some days for each but not by much. Will be interesting to see if this changes over future weeks however, as obviously week one will give the easiest results… On another thread I’d read that people were aiming for 50g of carbs.

Hiya,
Don’t think anyone else has mentioned it above but have you tried using the myfitnesspal app? If you can? I use it on my phone but you can also do it on your computer? It really helps me make sure I’m counting it all correctly so I stay within calorie budget, and it helps with working out the calories of random things that I wouldn’t have a clue about?
Try to stay with it. I’ve just completed week one and am thrilled with my loss and have found it really quite easy – I’m sure the app has really helped.
Good luck and stay positive, it will work once you get your head round it I’m sure 🙂

Freezing the apple juice sounds like a plan. I just used water for the raisins but I might buy a triple pack of those little cartons of apple juice for next time.

Hi Penny,
Can’t remember my exact results because MFP wanted me to round it to the nearest 5%.
So roughly:
Carbs 15%
Protein 45% (87g!!!)
Fat 40%

But so far, using the recipes in the book, protein is more around the 25% mark, fat around 65% and carbs only 10ish%.
This is only based on two days of data though!

Sounds like yours is pretty similar so I feel reassured! I definitely don’t feel hungry at all so that must be a good sign that my body is getting what it needs. Couldn’t even eat all my chicken and walnut lettuce cups for lunch today! Full up!

800 cals a day is definitely do-able!

Yeah,this is probably the wrong forum for a rant like that. Apologies. I’m now with my good friend Costa. Medium skinny. 109 calories. Nothing to eat though. Going to drown my sorrows with falafel tonight. Lovely.

Well, that’s another job interview I’ve been to where the employer failed miserably! Why are they so arrogant as to think we aren’t scrutinizing them as much as they are us? Its not because they have the upper hand, these employers are desperate for willing victims. Well, I am neither desperate, willing or a victim! So there.

AllieBee,
I wasn’t drinking much before I started either but when liquid is the ONLY thing you can put in your tummy, you soon find you drink a lot more! I still drink tea, just decaf with just a tiny splash of milk. Again, you soon get used to it! I also have fruit tea bags and sometimes just hot water.

This is a kind of second hand response – maybe someone can expand on this? I know my sister used to say her sugar went up overnight after eating what amounts to this diet. But it went down later in the day or something…? I know there was something about morning readings being affected by something else, and so being a bit of a red herring.

Should make it clear – my post was talking about cholesterol myths – I agree that fat can be carried in the blood, but not that we absorb cholesterol from foods in any significant quantity.

It’s about fat that’s been laid down in the body as a result of excess calories, not about the fat that you eat (unless, of course, you eat so much that that is converted to body fat too).

Oh, and a lot of studies (can’t speak for what Moseley may be using as source material) don’t distinguish between good and bad cholesterol, so can be misleading.

It’s a huge myth – just like the ‘don’t lose weight quickly’ thing. That said, it’s still better to eat some fats over others, but those naturally occurring aren’t the problem (even from animals) – it’s the artificial or trans fats that cause the problems, and these are being phased out/banned on an increased basis.

Hope this makes sense – I’m writing in a rush 🙂

Hi AllieBee,

I started on Monday (3lbs so far) and my husband is not ready for this diet. He prefers to go running instead! So far, he’s had exactly the same food as me in the evenings (pesto salmon with loads of green veggies, chicken curry, tuna salad and mushroom omelette) but I will put in a baked potato, or cook some rice or pasta for him to go with whatever we’re eating. To be honest, we’re probably eating better than before! And I can honestly say I haven’t really felt hungry.

There’s loads of recipes on the web (just look for low or zero carb) for inspiration and I use MyFitnessPal to portion out. I never thought ahead about meals, but do have to do some planning now.

Please drink lots of water though. Can’t emphasis that enough! I felt dreadful on Tuesday, really flu like, nauseaous and headachy, but apparently that’s normal and is your body adjusting. Keep going and you will feel much better, and today someone at work said how good my skin looked and how bright my eyes were! Going on a Hen Weekend tomorrow, so will no doubt undo some of the good work with wine etc, but that’s ok – be good with what meals I can, and then start again properly as soon as I get home.

Good Luck!

Thanks for taking time to reply, everyone. It’s clear I’m not the only one, so probably am not ‘doing it wrong’. I will give those coconut flour scones a try, thanks for the tip. Can’t say I’m missing bread or potatoes, but I used to have a lot of rice or pasta with everything – no pasta now, but a little rice twice a week. Shrinkydinkyman, I so agree with what you say – this diet has to work for me too because I just cannot go back to where I was. Hence I’m looking at this as the start of a new way of eating, forever. I also understand the ‘thin man’s wardrobe’ – I have beautiful clothes in the wardrobe that haven’t gone near me for years! I’m determined to be able to wear them again. Bill1954, I will start checking the forum threads – so many it is hard to choose. I could spend my life online! I like what you say in your Week 1 summation, i.e. body not knowing what’s hit it. After years of abuse – I fed it constant chocolate/sugar, pasta, potatoes, bread, ice cream et. – it’s definitely in shock I think. I think I’m having my plateau early too. I believe my body has responded very fast to the changes, same as it does when I have started a new exercise regime so I guess I need to look at this as a good sign. It;s great to get other people’s views, because you often put things in a way I would not have thought of, so thanks to all of your for your input. I’m feeling a tad cheerier now and will try to have more patience as I carry on. 🙂

Thanks everyone for the replies. Salky what a fab result very encouraging!! Also my hubby has said he will read the book so that he has an understanding of what I am up to which is great. Bill It’s good to know you are not struggling with hunger I hope I am the same. Janet I definitely think that cooking ahead and planning the fridge freezer is the way forward. I was explaining to the girls this morning round the breakfast table that Mummy is going on a special eating plan to make her really healthy and that I will often be eating different things especially over the next 8 weeks. Think i was worrying unneccesarily I will just feed the troops their norm and continue trying to put weight on the hubby lol. Girls were very intriguing as to why I was not having my usual 2 slices of buttered toast this morning. I had natural yogurt and apple with a wee teaspoon of seeds. My verdict – seeds are lovely!!! Yum. Girls didn’t want to try it out though!! Ha ha. I will start properly on Monday. I am trying to incorporate some changes just now so it doesn’t come as too much of a shock on Monday. I have been trying to drink more water which I find hard. I drink so much tea about 6 cups a day with milk – love the stuff – but don’t want to use all of my calorie allowance on the milk.

Right away for a cuppa lol

Thanks again
I’m looking forward to Monday.
🙂

HI Bruce, have to say I fell off the wagon on Wednesday, had a team meeting and our tradition is that we cook and eat together. I avoided most of the carbs like rice, but know I blew the 800 calories, but I also used the opportunity to see how much sugar and carbs others are eating. And how easy it is. So I went home and got back with the plan and I think my pangs are reducing a bit, or I am filtering the experience after yesterday. I can see water and tea really helps. I know I am on a slippery slope with my health and its intetsecting with my age and I really want to have a dynamic and fabulous ” rest of life ” so I am feeling committed to doing this BSD.
I picked up on Cherriannes comment on full fat foods and find that does make a difference for me. I have followed diets before where one weighed out teaspoons of oil. But I think the drizzle of olive oil approach feels less austere and my belly feels less deprived. I can see afterma few weeks one can get a feel for the program. I hoping my weigh in tomorrow gives me some encouraging results.
Thanks for your message, I really appreciate the support, having someone use your name and address you really has power.
Hope you are doing well too, why not look at the fats side of your equation. I know the full cream yogurt makes all the difference at breakfast. Cheers.

Has anyone else found that the calorie count for many of the recipes given in the book is very inaccurate? I am gluten and dairy intolerant, and follow a low FODMAP diet to help manage my IBS, so I knew I would have to make a fair number of substitutions for some of the foods used in the recipes. I am only on day 3, so haven’t checked on that many yet, but of the recipes I have checked, I get a different calorie count every time, and all but one coming up with a higher number than is stated!
Sometimes it is as little as 20 or 30 calories (Spinach & Pea omelette, Chicken Butterbean and Walnut salad) which isn’t that significant, but it can be as much as 116 calories more (Sardine Dip).
I know that Michael has commented on another thread that in the ‘Almond Butter with Apple’ recipe (page 186) it should read: ‘makes 12 portions’ of the almond butter rather than the ‘4 portions’ stated in the book, but that only brings the calorie count down to 150 for the butter, and that is before adding the apple, seeds and goji berries!!
Michael says in the book that keeping to 800 calories is important at this stage, but just going by the calorie count in the book, it isn’t likely to be possible without calculating the calories for every recipe you use, which take ages – and I speak from experience!!

There are people having a hard time, there are threads on it on the forum. The thing is, everyone is an individual and things will happen at different times for different people.
My theory is probably rubbish but it goes like this.
Week 1 – 2 lots of weight loss and lower BS readings. The body has just been assaulted with a way of eating that it has probably never experienced before and it doesn’t know how to react hence the rapid decrease in weight and blood sugar.
Week 3 maybe a plateau ? The body is now recovering from the initial shock and goes into protective mode where it will automatically maintain weight by retaining water and using stored sugar until it finds a way to cope with the new regime.
Week 4 stored sugar is used up. Now the body has to find a source of calories to burn so it goes into fat burning mode and now we’re cooking on gas.
BTW I see a lot of people who have lost a good amount of weight initially trot out the old “most of it is water” chestnut. I’m not so sure that this holds true on this diet given the copious amounts of water we are glugging, add to that the fact that there are several folk on here who were already on some other diet (maybe low fat) before starting out on this one so the water loss thing is well in their past but they are still getting great results.
Stick with it, you will get there, maybe not as fast as otheres but, better safe than sorry.

Hi Kbskylady.
Try not to get despondent. If you have read the book cover to cover you will find everything you need to make this a successful diet for you. But for me this is not just a fad diet so that after i reach my targets i just go back to how i ate before, otherwise in a few months i will be back where i started! (17st 4lb)
So for me this is a life style change. and i shall be adopting a true Mediterranean eating plan.
i have lost 13.8lbs since staring out last Monday (the 8th) I have found once i got over the first couple of days i was feeling more happy/energetic and sleeping better. The meals in the book are tasty and filling and do not leave me with cravings.
I am still partaking of moderate amounts of alcohol. The odd glass of red wine or a gin and tonic.
My tummy woodge has shrunk, my belt doesn’t feel tight. But what keeps me motivated about from better health/longer life grandchild etc, is the Grands worth of clothing hanging in my thin mans wardrobe just waiting to be worn.
So i wish you success, dont give up.
Regards Shrinky.

Although, if you have a look at the cheesy scones! thread, 6 eggs ain’t working!

As many as you like! The theories about eggs increasing your cholesterol are all debunked now and they have all the proteins in them that we need. As a person who doesn’t eat meat, eggs are a daily part of my diet.

Hi AllieBee
I don’t eat any meat but my husband loves his meat so I have made two different meals for the last twenty years. It doesn’t have to cost more because you can often batch bake for yourself and refrigerate/freeze stuff, saving you time and effort next time round.

On the other hand, if you really want try to keep your meals the same, I’d suggest maybe giving the rest of family larger portions than yours and maybe including the carbs that you will be avoiding – potatoes, rice, pasta, bread etc.

I’m going to agree completely with Salky. My partner, while fully supportive of me, doesn’t want to do the diet herself and has been really good at cooking two different dishes each mealtime.
I’m actually quite happy to sit while she munches on what are for me, forbidden pleasures.
The fact that I’ve never been hungry since starting the plan helps a lot of course.
So AllieBee go for it and don’t worry

On this site you can calculate your chances of heart disease and diabetes ( if you haven’t got it) in the next 10 years. It’s what the NHS use.
Very illuminating and motivating!
Penny

http://www.qintervention.org

Hi there

I wondered about Corn flour or Corn meal? Would that be allowed on the diet. Sweetcorn isn’t mentioned much. I was thinking of making some cornbread as a substitute for normal bread.

What do you think?

Hi Mark
Thanks for QRisk info.
I calculated mine at qintervention.org
Very interesting and motivating! Luckily not sky high.
Thanks
Penny

Hi team,

I’m new to the diet. I’ve no health problems at the moment, but I want to eat better and stay healthy.

I’m concerned by the amount of eggs in the recipes. As a guide, how many should I eat in a week on this diet. I’m not doing the 800 cals a day version. I’m just following the food group rules.

Thanks

Hi AllieBee, I see where you are coming from. I scared the daylights out of myself when I got the book 6 weeks ago. My wife has been brilliant and decided to go on the diet with me, so we have been able to plan our meals together. The arrangement is, however, as she is much lighter than me, when she decides that enough is enough I have no problem at all with her going on to eat “real” meals alongside me.
My advice to you would be, sit down and go through the book again. I did just that and the second read brought a lot of new information to me.
I can honestly say that, at least in my case, everything I’ve read has applied 100% to me. The best bit is that after the initial screaming desires for goodies has died down, as you progress you will find yourself totally losing interest in food in general. Now, after losing 20lbs. in the last 6 weeks I feel so at peace that my other half can sit down to all sorts of scrummy dishes, and I don’t bat an eyelid.
So, basically, do your own thing, let the others have what they want, you do your diet and you can still all sit together round the table and enjoy your meals.
Go on, go for it!! A little discomfort followed by a wonderful feeling is so worth the effort.

The Optifast shakes are used here in Australia as part of a very low calorie diet to treat obesity and the carbs give you enough energy not to feel awful on 3 shakes a day (plus a cupful of non-starchy veggies)- I took them for about 4 weeks a few years ago and they are extremely effective They are also nutritionally well-balanced which I imagine is why they were used in the Newcastle study. Even 60 grams of carbs is considered low carb (less than 50 grams is considered ketogenic) and so they still fall within the parameters of a low carb diet. An additional advantage is they taste pretty good for a diet shake.

Hi nangemac,
Well done on your weight loss, that’s fantastic! Thanks for the tip for quinoa, I have a full bag of the stuff so I’ll give that a go the next time I’m feeling brave enough to take it on! Keep up the good work and keep us up to date with your progress.

Auntylil, thank you, yes, I am feeling better although I’m feeling a bit less energetic than usual. I know you felt like that last week – did it pass for you? I’m glad your daughter found something she likes, that’s so important, and I’m thinking anything in the health sector is a good idea these days. So pleased you had a good day out yesterday, its tradition that a lot of our get-togethers involve food and/or drink but they don’t have to – way to go girl!

Thanks for the link, I’m going to have a look now.

Have a great day both of you!

Hi Mark
I totally agree that’s what’s behind it. Which just means they haven’t read their own website which has the research on it, according to a forum post. As well as having the contradictory crap advice.
In any case a nurse or GP should be polite and listen properly, not tell people off!
I agree while this type of advice exists we just have to take our fate onto our own hands. Which we are going! Eventually they ll twig.
Good luck
Penny

Thanks Pat unlimited!
😊
Penny

Hi Bruce,
How are your blood sugars going and are you eating enough full fat products?
A few of us are finding that extra fat/ protein has been the key to feeling satiated and managing our blood sugars.
There’s also been some debate about counting carbs. I have found that just counting calories wasn’t helping because things like your apple, while relatively low in calories is quite high in carbs. A piece of cheese, which my dietician would have frowned on, helps with hunger and has no effect on my BGL because of it’s low carb content. A boiled or scrambled egg would work too. Stick with it because it’s your best chance of avoiding diabetes related health problems.
Someone else put up a link to a site, Diabetes 101, which has some great info.
There is always someone on this forum who can help, or puts up info you hadn’t thought of yet. Everyone is so resourceful and supportive. Hope your uncomfortable symptoms soon pass.

Hi everyone, day 10 here for me and 8lbs off, I love this diet! seeing some of you mentioned how bland quinoa was, I make a nice Mexican quinoa (if I say so myself! 😂) I’m not good at following recipes, more of a ‘chuck it in and see how it goes’ kinda girl, it’s basically a tin of tomatoes, peppers, onion, any other veg you fancy, garlic, coriander, cumin and chilli and quinoa simmered for about half an hour. You could also add a tin of beans of your choice.

Hi Metta,
yes i have been trying to pin down exactly what that feeling is, because I’m not totally sure that it is really hunger. I’ve found sitting down with a hot cup of tea has sort of helped, probably a combination of the warm liquid and the act of doing something. I haven’t fallen off the wagon, but have jumped somewhat, I think I’d need to have a couple of weeks of holiday to manage 800 calories, so am now averaging around 1000 – 1200 I think, which is keeping the weight loss going and allowing me to be functional at the same time.
How have your past few days been?

Me too colsanders, fruit is usually a big part of my diet

Hi Kbskylady
I am exactly the same as you on week two and no weight loss yet since 13/2 but I lost 7 lbs first week so if I was on a “normal” diet and had lost half a stone in two weeks I would be exstatic. As Mark says it will work and we have to keep going, I also feel no energy this week but trying to keep active regardless, food diary helps me
Reading the forums on here helps, I have also made coconut flour scones and a loaf to have as treats, the cloud bread is tasty too, I’m going to try the pumpkin seed muffins soon too
Best Regards

Are you feeling better yet? Have to tell you – I managed a squat and quite enjoyed it. I may do another 😀 One of my daughters was thinking about becoming a nurse after several career choices including media make up but she is now doing a degree to become an occupational therapist and she is loving it. Had a lovely day out with a pal and lots of dogs yesterday and not one extra carb or calorie passed my lips. It’s not so hard after all. Lovely recipes on this blog if you’re interested – https://beachhousekitchen.com/ he’s the chef who wrote Peace & Parsnips.

Hi Kbskylady, I have found it hard to adjust also. Difficult to comment to much as I dont know your full story. I assume you have the book and have read it so some answers are available to you regarding cutting back to 800 ish cal a day. Maybe this diet is to challenging at the mo and the 5:2 would be better at first. Getting used to reducing your cal for 2 day in a week will help moving on to the 800. I was diagnosed in Sept and 56 YO. I didnt have any symptoms that i recognized as diabetic but after reading this book certain behavioral things make sense. It is very difficult no one said it would be easy. You WILL succeed. Believe in yourself this is only the start. You will lose weight if you exercise, drink plenty of water and reduce portion sizes down also. Also keep active in between meals. Best of Luck! Mark

Hi. This is interesting to me as I was born lactose intolerant and use goats milk mostly but have tried this soya milk and I didn’t get ill from it so may be it’s only cows milk with it’s lactose that is my trouble. For dishes needing yogurt with say mint the goats milk works well; to me the Alpro does taste sweeter. I need to look into this more closely, may be almond milk would be better and assuming rice milk would be too calorific.

Hi again, Think about it. Liability and bad reaction if Roy Taylors research doesnt prove this diet works. They are sticking to guidelines they have been taught and advice since Med school. Clinical research backed up by years of trials then the BMA and NICE have to sign it off. In the mean time we keep taking the pills and drugs that the pharmaceuticals are making loads of money on. We are Diabetics for life! Not for me guys. I`d rather feel good about myself. Being more active with energy and a positive outlook will give me a reason to carry on with this approach rather than drugs. Chin up! Mark

The first week I chucked out most carbs and all sugars, but forgot to cut down to 800 cals a day. I lose 3 pounds. Since Monday Ilve stuck to 800 cals, now feel very low mentally, energy does spike and drop (adjusting BS levels?) but not losing much – 4 ounces since Monday. Friends are concerned and say I am cutting back too much and the body needs a certain amount of calories to burn up the fat. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? The book is full of positives but there don’t seem to be any people saying they had a hard time with it, and results not as expected. I started out at 12 stones 13 pounds, need to lose 3 stones, I’m 56 years old and diagnosed a diabetic (just) 2 weeks ago.

Hi All, After I was diagnosed wth T2 last September after seeing my GP with UTI issue I did the usual research in Diabetes and came across Roy Taylors research. I printed off the sheet and on my next appoint passed on the Info. Like some of you guys the GP filed it and went down the NICESs guidlines. Dont get me wrong she seems caring but want me on the medication. This is even though i have lost 21lbs and my Bloods are back to normal. QRISK is the issue for the GP. Im staying off drugs and using Lifestyle and diet and this programe. Good luck all! Mark