I visited the diabetes nurse yesterday to discuss my 4-week blood tests. To my horror, she did exactly what the Sugar Diet book has described in detail. She was totally negative across all aspects of the regime I’m following.
She just went on and on – ” You’re on too low a calorie intake”, You shouldn’t lose weight so quickly”, Don’t buy new clothes because they won’t fit you a few weeks after you finish”, “this organ, that bodily system might fail”, etc.
On top of that, she had a real go at me for dropping my blood pressure pill as recommended in the book, even though it is in the short term. She picked fault with my description of the food I’m presently consuming.
All in all, because she has not even heard of this brilliant book, let alone read it, she subjected me to a demand that I stop immediately and revert to the good old-fashioned “1lb. a month weight loss method”.
Since I started on the Sugar Diet some 6 weeks ago, I have lost at least 20lbs and almost 5ins from my waistline. I feel brilliant and, although I’m not yet free of diabetes, my sugar reading has gone down a lot.
I’m determined to get there, but it’s going to be in defiance of the one person who should be encouraging me, not pulling my efforts to pieces.
Please, is there anybody else out there who is experiencing the same opposition? I’d love to know then maybe we could get together to share our frustrations??
This book is saving my life, it’s time some of the medical professionals came into the real world.

Hello everyone. I’m on week 4 of the diet and have so far lost 14 lb. I’m sticking to the 800 cals through sheer determination and some days are easy and some days are hard as I’m constantly hungry (I try to view this as a good thing!). I lost 7lb in the first week, then 2, then 4 and so far 1 this week. I seem to be a bit stuck as scales haven’t changed for 4 days but I’m hoping this is just my body re-adjusting. I may try to get weighed less as it is a bit disappointing when you are hungry all the time and the scales are staying the same.
I’m eating oats every morning, a big salad with protein for lunch and protein and veg for dinner. The food is more or less what I was eating anyway, just a lot less of it and without the sweet treats 🙂 I try to vary my protein and include healthy fats such as olive oil, nuts and oily fish. I’m exercising everyday weekday (30 mins brisk up hill walking) and trying to be generally more active.
I’m determined to complete 8 weeks to see what I can achieve but I am dreaming about cake!!

Hi everyone,

I’m going to try the No Carbs Ploughmans for lunch today and have a couple of questions that I was wondering if anyone could help with:

I am not sure what size the ham slices should be. I have a choice of smallish thin square-sized ham from a packet, or larger, thicker honey roast ham size.

How big is a matchbox-sized piece of cheddar? I can only find small boxes of matches, which I’m sure are too small.

What constitutes a ‘dollop’?

Does anyone know where you can buy low-sugar chutney, as recommend in the book.

Finally, how much is a ‘handful of walnuts’?

Just want to make sure I’m doing everything right!

Thanks!

Hi Kitty. Are you still having problems? Or has yours cleared up now?

Hi everyone and thank you for your advice, really helpful.

I’m finding my low mood is lingering a bit but I’m feeling a bit more ‘back in my body’ which is a huge relief.

Charliee – The multivitamin is a great idea.

Pat.Unlimited – I’m definitely drinking over 2 litres of water a day, but I’m sometimes skipping a meal – purely because I have not got an appetite. I won’t do this again.

Thank you pmshrink, I hope it will subside soon.

Pat263 – sorry to hear you are also feeling low. Do you think it’s a carb withdrawal side effect?
I was completely addicted for years before I did the bsd. Even when I did the Rosemary Conley GI Jeans diet and lost 4 stone, the diet allowed a limitation of crisps, sweets and carbs. So I was still getting my ‘fix.’

Mine doesn’t resemble peanut butter so don’t know what I have done wrong. It’s disgusting 🙁 it is more a fine crumb and yuck

Hi. Well done both of you. Interesting to read your comments about family members. My son (age 43) was diagnosed Type 2 after me, with a higher reading than mine had ever been. He’s on Metformin and another tablet and has had at least two treatments for retinopathy. He goes to a a Diabetes Centre, following their advice, and eats – no prizes for guessing – carbs! Because I’m still diet controlled he tells me I’m not diabetic, I’m just playing at it!!! Be interesting to see the family’s reaction when they see me in April as they won’t have seen me since last autumn – there’ll be a lot less of me LOL

Hello all, I’m currently on week 5 and have lost 16lbs and 2 inches off my waist. My blood sugar levels each morning are now between 4.6 and 5.4 down form 7.5 – 8.2 . My worry is that we have a big family weekend ahead, we are staying with family and they have booked three restaurant meals out. We are celebrating a wedding anniversary and two family birthdays one of which is mine. I have checked the menus for each restaurant and even the lowest options for carbs and calories are around 750 cals. What do I do? Do I just eat over my calories for three days as I can’t go a whole day without food for three days and then a meal in the evening? Or do I just eat soup at each meal? I thought the soup option was a good one but my hubby wants me to enjoy my birthday meal as it is at a Michelin stared restaurant which has been booked for over 6 months. The whole weekend has been a year in the planning. Please help!
Hedds

Hi Scotgran, sounds good that you’re so full 🙂 I am finding that i’m definitely not as hungry as usual eating this way- it’s a revelation.

Re- your hubby, get him to watch this: https://youtu.be/mAwgdX5VxGc

There are other videos on youtube too that explain why the medications are not the answer and in fact are making the problem worse. Sadly the medical profession – who we trust with our lives- are not always right! We have a family member exactly the same who thinks her doctor is right about everything including telling her to eat more pasta, rice and potatoes (she’s morbidly obese, uncontrolled diabetic in a wheelchair) it makes me want to cry 🙁 She won’t listen to anyone else though. I’m hoping she is inspired by my progress on this.

Best wishes to you both xx

@fredforest, it’s crazy isn’t it. i’ve been doing the same as you and inputting recipes myself to be sure it’s correct

Morning everyone! It’s day 3 of BSD in Casa Snacklady 😀 I am sure I was able to feel my ribs this morning in the shower (admittedly i had to poke around) I don’t think it was a mirage 😉 I feel trimmer – haven’t weighed as I don’t feel the need yet, but i did my fasting blood sugar and i’m now 4.4, down from 5.7 in 2 days! I am not diabetic but i’m pre diabetic and was suffering blurry vision, lethargy, insulin resistance etc etc so this is SO encouraging for me as my goal is to prevent full blown diabetes which runs in my family.

Breakfast is going to be mushrooms with goats cheese and pine nuts (because i have goats cheese to use up) Lunch, if it happens, will be chicken done some way or another (i will see what needs using up so probably stir fry) I say ‘if it happens’ because yesterday i only ate twice due to not being hungry. I listened to my body (which is hard when the voices are screaming ‘biscuits, doughnuts!!’ lol)

I’m drinking gallons which i’m sure helps with the fuzzy head. I have NO headache today and feel good to go! 😀

I hope everyone else is doing ok too! xx

Hi theblackspot 🙂 I’m on day 3 today, so I started the same day as you (not sure how I missed this post, sorry about that!)
Great to hear how well you’re feeling and the scrum food you’re eating. I love the food, I’m more satiated than i’d imagined I would be on 800 cals a day! It’s lovely you’re both doing it together.

re- sleep, I slept like an exhausted baby on the 1st night (even after an afternoon nap in the day) but last night I was a bit restless. Not sure why this would be, I hope it improves tonight :-/

I’m away to make my brekkie now- I’m finding i’m not hungry until mid morning on this diet. I’m repeating the mushrooms and goats cheese (to use up the goats cheese i bought) And I have some chicken for later- (stir fry probably)

Enjoy your Weds 😀

thanks ptman, i’ll try that. I bought a huge pack of spring water from Costco last week, just looked ant they are 500ml each bottle, I guess I currently have 1- 1.5 of those a day plus the occasional cup of ‘tea’ made with half a lemon and lime. Will increase that.

i’ll also try the linseeds and olive oil too

many thanks

WOW Cooktin!! That is fantastic 😀 that’s 3lbs off a stone!!

Being a chef means you get an extra medal for the willpower it must take working around food, that’s impressive!
I love these kind of posts, SO motivating thank you!

Morning Spirit. The advice about plenty of water is good, though I find it difficult because I don’t like straight water much. Persist though its worth it. You might also try one or both of the following. I had some problems with haemorrhoids recently and was advised to take linseeds. They are quite cheap and I add a dessertspoonful to my breakfast each morning and it helps a lot. Since watching the last series of Trust Me I’m a Doctor, I’m also adding 20ml of olive oil to my breakfast. I have natural yoghurt with fruit, nuts and seeds (usually 100gms of yoghurt, which is a bit less than in the book). The oil and seeds mix in easily (do it first before adding the fruit) and has no taste at all

It is officially one week since I started this diet. In the past I have done all the mainstream diets and had some success but more failures. This was a last ditch attempt, I vowed that if this does not work I would accept I was meant to be large and roll with it (literally).
My first week has been amazing. I have eaten so well. My Plate has been heaving with Vegetables and fish mostly. I even had a curry with brown rice.
I am a chef and have got around tasting the food at work by enlisting the other staff as quality control !
I can’t say I have not been hungry, I have, but…..at the right times, when it was time to eat ! So sitting down to my meals was an immense pleasure.
So I got on the scales this morning and ……insert drum roll………11lbs OFF. I am gobsmacked and so happy !
Roll on week 2.

Foggy is a good description Pat.unlimited! Have you had and sleep problems? I did fine last night, but the OT is complaining of poor nights sleep after the past 2 days of the plan.
This will lead to grouchy Ness which in the past has led to comfort eating…

Try not to get discouraged by daily fluctuations. It can be caused by: 1. A lady’s time of the month. 2. Whether you’ve emptied your bowel. 3. How much salt you’ve eaten (causing some water retention). 4. Exercise – fluid around muscles that are in recovery.

None of these are due to an increase in FAT, just in water or waste products. If you can bear it, I recommend weighing no more than once a week, always at the same time and in the same spot. I know – it’s irresistible, particularly early on when the weight is dropping off, but keeping away from the scale might stop you going nuts as the weeks move on and the progress becomes erratic. Remember also – stress can delay weight loss, so try to avoid giving yourself any more of it by worrying about the scale.

I’m only on Day 4 but I’m an old hand at this lark, so will be doing my best to keep a level head when the fluctuations kick in. Oh – and use a tape measure/take selfies too. They are better indicators of progress than the scale.

Drink plenty of water, don’t forget to eat what you’re supposed to, even if you don’t feel hungry, and – yes – keep reading the posts. It will pass, I’m sure 🙂

I’ve completed 4 days now. I like the expression ‘foggy brained’ – I had a little of that – not quite a headache but felt a bit odd. Very sleepy during yesterday morning, but the work I was doing didn’t help that!! Seeing my personal trainer today so, likewise, I hope I’m able to ‘go the distance’. Good luck theblackspot, and all of us!

They’ll give an indication but they won’t ‘help’. It’s very likely this diet will put us into ketosis so you don’t need to monitor that – if you’re sticking to the diet that will be enough to do it. Depending on your health-related issues, just keeping and eye on blood sugar would seem like enough to think about. 🙂

Day 2 went well. Yoghurt and berries with stevie breakfast, salad Bulgaria &feta for lunch and I cooked a tomato spinach and lentil slop for dinner with chilli garlic ginger and garam massala. 740kc for the day.
A bit headache, but drank loads of water and that seemed to help. Day three awaits!

Hi Natasha. I feel for you. I am feeling low too. Keep going and read the posts on slow weight loss they have helped me abit x

My friend and I have been on the diet for 7 days and we have both put on weight! I have put on 3lb and he has put on 8lb!! We were not having a good experience with the diet – we were both hungry, irritable, unsatisfied and exhausted and now we are both fatter than we were when we started, so we’re pretty pissed off! We are seriously considering ditching the diet altogether and just eating healthily. I haven’t read any posts of other people having these problems, so I suppose we must be doing something wrong. Tuesday evening we had to go out and get some chocolate because we were so fed up with it all and we needed to feel better emotionally. Not good for our bodies but a great feeling in many ways. And it tasted so good! Could ditch the diet or change to the 5:2, but really want to get rid of my diabetes! Arse! It’s just too hard and it’s not working for us 😕.

It just depends on the natural elasticity of your skin – and age. Personally, I can’t wait to have a big of saggy skin back!!

Morning Bill,

I thought I was, but maybe not. I don’t think I have anything like 3 litres.

The 2 most important things you can do to prevent saggy skin are:
Ensure you exercise – follow the exercise protocols in the book.
Drink at least 3 litres of water every day – all the creams in the world wont help with prevention of sagging skin unless your body is hydrated to begin with – water “plumps out” the skin and feeds every cell of the body.

Dry skin brushing can also help to boost circulation, slough off dead skin cells and and encourage release of stored toxins.

Hi Stalagtites

I spoke to my other half about this – we are both gym goers and I like to try and burn about 400 calories a time (I’m only 5,4 and weigh 10,5 with a stone to loose, so it’s a fair workout) he does about 800/900 and eats around 1,200 (he’s on on the diet but watching his weight) – I personally don’t think the 800 diet is right for you as I really don’t think you should give up the good work you’ve done with exercising, if you loose tone and shape it might de-motivate you?

Have you thought about doing the 5;2 diet and then exercising on the non fasting days?

sorry, i hope that doesn’t sound patronising at all but the calorie burn / consumption is of interest to me too!

Charlie

Hi Spirit, are you drinking lots of water ?Michael recommends at least 3 litres per day to help stop constipation.

Morning campers!

It’s good to read everyone’s experiences. I’m on week 2 now. in week 1 I lost 8lbs (I’m not diabetic by the way). this week, well, sorry fif TMI, but I’m sure I’d lose half a stone if only I could got to the loo!

I’ve had to cut out eggs for now as they normally bind me up. the last 2 nights I’ve taken some colon cleanse tabs. they normally work overnight, but at the time of writing they haven’t! Last night I had some left over roast beef with a plateful of Brussels sprouts. Still nothing. so this morning I’ve drained a tin of prunes – of the juice they come in and rinsed them with plain water to remove any residue of juice. I’ve had about half a tin.

Sits waiting patiently…….

Thanks Penny and Joycey. Tried diets before but nothing this extreme and good to know I’m not alone, and tips to deal with it!

Hi charliee
I just put it in MFP and I agree with you. Crazy amount of calories! Did the 4 portions turn out bigger than 2 tablespoons each? Is it making more than 4 portions in fact? That could be the error.
There’s definitely something wrong with the recipe. If you change it to 30 instead of 300 it comes out at 63 cals per portion so that’s not the answer.
Penny

Hi Vic
I think it’s roughly 30% each. The ‘roughly’ taking up the other 10
Penny

Hi Natasha
Michael mention it in the book. Like all the side effects, it should be just a few days.
Penny

hi Hay lay
Have a look at the thread I started called ‘useful links’
Penny

hi folks , went in to get a heart screening test to day and the doc said i should lose some weight was 18 stone , now 16 5 since i bought this wonderful book , i mentioned that i was on the 800 cal s a day , immediately she gave me a lecture and said see your GP at once , you need to lose weight but not this way, you may get keystones get tested for that as well , can anybody enlighten me on keystones ?
and is there a risk going on this diet , 4 week s in now .

I think you’re supposed to have 800 even if you exercise. This is so you start using the stored fat for energy instead of food.
I think you’re body will cope, from what I’ve read. After all, it’s got the fat to use so it will use it!
Good luck
Penny

Hi olisue

Good thinking! I’m 8lb down & two & half stones to go. See you at the finish
Eureka x

I’m trying rubbing with cocoa butter and other ‘friction’ oils. It seems to help the skin pull together. Anything that might be used for stretch marks would do. I saw it on Dr.OZ and hopes it’s true. saggy saggy, but the better health is what i’m focusing on!

I experienced certain ‘symptoms’ that indicated that I was in ketosis – or fat burning. Sweet taste in mouth, sudden thirst, deeper sleep, more clear mind, inches off the waist and 20 pound loss after 4 weeks. My doc said that indeed I was in ketosis. He said that in the beginning the strips would show that one was in ketosis. But once the brain/body figured out that it was in ketosis it said, “oh boy! I like these ketones, I’m not going to let them go!” So, after a short while, the keto strips will be normal, because the body is using the ketones for brain function and for fat burning. Your choice, but i wouldn’t waste money on them as long as you are staying high fat, moderate protein, and low carb – the blood sugar diet!

Hi Charlie
Thanks for that tip about tinned stuff. I suppose they have to write it on the contents? I ll look out for it.
After the 8 weeks I’m going to do the ‘Mediterranean diet’ as outlined in the book. I suppose either that or the 5:2 will keep us on track.
Good luck
Penny

Hi Moose2. Welcome

Me too. I’ve chopped some up & put them in salads. They are good to go & are listed in the original Reversing Type 2 menu (Prof Roy Taylor Newcastle Uni)
Original list of veg:
Cabbage,Celery, Carrots, Peppers, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Lettuce, Artichoke, Mung bean sprouts, Cauliflower, Onions, Leeks, Radish, Broccoli, Bean Sprouts, Mushrooms, Water chestnuts
And everything else mentioned in the BSD book

Don’t worry about maintenance , by the time you are there you will be great at making the food & have tried posted recipes from the site. Also go look at meal suggestions for low carb diets on the web. Vegetarian & vegan meals are tasty I’ve found, & I’m neither You can always add protein to them

Good luck. Enjoy
Eureka

http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/
A marvelous resource, thank you Penny!

Hi Orchid
What a great idea!
Thanks
Penny

Hi Hayclay
Have a look on this website
http://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/

They go through the various side effects and what to do about them.
Hope you feel better
Penny

It’s explained in the book. After the 8 weeks move on to The Fast (5:2) Diet – 2 days 500-800 calories, as in BSD, the other 5 days eating normally, but low-carb Mediterranean style. Just had it clarified that I can stay on BSD for a few weeks past the 8, but should then move across to 5:2. Hope this helps.

Hi Catlady – I have loads of veg or salad with meals to fill me up – as long as it’s non starchy I think it’s fine.

If I’m having a stirfry I have the whole pack of veg and feel pretty full afterwards. I’ve also been looking for new veg to try so that I have lots of variety.

I’m much more careful about measuring high calorie foods like oil, cheese, meat etc

Good luck 🙂

Hi stalagtites

I hope you make the decision to try & reverse your type 2 diabetes now! You stand a better chance, according to Prof Roy Taylor’s findings (Newcastle Uni) if you haven’t been long diagnosed. I am three years in & some trying are many more years diabetics. Wish we’d had the chance you have now. It’s only 8 short weeks & you could stop dire future health problems

This is experimental stuff & we can’t wait any longer (five years before the results of the Newcastle Uni trial). We’ve made that decision now to help ourselves – & each other on this BSD site. Do hope you are ready for the challenge & the fight. We’re fighting to regain our health , Diabetes is a killer. My mum & dad died due to complications of type 2.

It’s laudable you want to continue exercising, & it’s advised in the book to exercise. Your body has a lot of adjusting to do on this diet & it takes a little time, but we do feel better. I’m going to swim again & go back to TaiChi. Could you do something less punishing for a few weeks, then crack on & do your original training sessions?

Hope you’ll consider it. We’d love to welcome you on board
Eureka

I love Brussels but I can not see them mentioned anywhere in the book. Are they to be avoided

is there anywhere a menu plan for a maintaince diet. I have only just started the diet but already worrying about what to eat on a maintaince diet. I like the diet because it helps me decide what to eat each day.