Well end of week 1 for me and have lost 10lb, blood sugar down to 5.1 this morning 😀
Looking forward to week 2

Yes 800 cals. Sorry forgot that bit!

I am doing real food. Vegetarian. I am using week one as my test week so while it counts, if it goes wrong I can always do 9 weeks. I haven’t done any drinks yet but they look manageable. I have a fridge at work so both the bircher and cottage cheese are viable lunches. Avocado looks achievable too and the egg recipes. I made a batch of chilli that will do a few too. The portobello toast with cheese and pine nuts works well at home. I am not feeling particularly motivated to make a huge effort with fiddly stuff so I am starting with the easy stuff and slipping a bigger recipe in at a time.

another person who wants to discuss insulin. perhaps you could connect with her? there may be more. I vaguely remember other people discussing their insulin use.

Insulin Deficient – should I still give BSD a go?

posted by Mornhy
on 28 Jan 2016 at 09:08
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I am Type 2 Diabetic and been advised that I am insulin deficient rather than resistant. I’m on Metformin and just started insulin (1 dose 10 units daily, I’m on day 4). I’ve talked about this diet and Professor Roy Taylor’s work with my doctor and insulin nurse a couple of times now and they are not keen at all but I really want to give it a go. I’d obviously prefer to do it with medical support but as I am not overweight and my blood pressure is low (my only really good statistic). My body fat is a bit on the high side which must mean there is some fat in liver and pancras surely?. Any advice on how to approach insulin nurse next week in my first check up since going on insulin? I was thinking I could give it till the 2 week review to convince them.

Thanks

I started following the BSD three weeks ago. In the first week, I religiously kept track of calories and on average thru the week, I managed 800 cal/day (sometimes lower than 800 or 700, sometimes a bit higher than 900. I lost 4 lbs in the first week and my blood sugar reading was down to 6.4 mmol, down from 8.4 usually. So was truly proud and encouraged. My second week was tough as I was travelling for work, which disrupted any new routine I was starting to develop. So my blood sugar was back to 8.1 (though this was also after I forgot to take my evening medication. (I take 4 tabs of Metformin and 2 of Gliclizide a day). Now, my third week, blood sugar is 7.8 (all tests btw were taken in the am, before breakfast). So I think I’m getting stuck, and a bit disheartened. Though I am now also increasing my exercise (10k steps 2x this week plus a 1-HR visit to the gym (mainly cardio), a 1-HR Zumba class, a 20 min bike ride and tomorrow a 1-hr tai chi class. What could I be doing wrong?

It sounds to me, that no matter what you choose to do, you’ll need to learn how to adjust the insulin for your safety’s sake.

okay. thankyou for your help.

Take a look at the blogs where others discuss insulin. I’m truly in over my head on that part and don’t want to give you incorrect information. It does take attention, awareness and a willingness to work with it. I have a very complex medical situation and must be very vigilant. But it has been worth checking my blood sugars multiple times a day to watch for any pancreas inflammation (the blood sugar rise dramatically in just a few hours. Then i must boost my prednisone and contact the do.

yes, it is all trial and error for each of us. The best thing i did was be gentle with myself during the changes.
xoxo

I will try it and see. I don’t really know much about insulin. so by going low carb, I know it will affect the insulin but I have no idea by how much. its very much trial and error.

Many folks on the blogs report that their doctors and nurses are not supportive, sadly. But they are bringing them around by educating them. You still have to eat! Why not the Mediterranean style?

Any chance that you could find another doctor to guide you? Dr. Mosley has suggestions for information for docs under resources.

If you know how to adjust your insulin according to your blood sugars, why not just try the regular Mediterranean diet first without calorie restriction? Most people lose weight on it. Basically you would be cutting out potatoes, white rice, sugar, flour, tropical fruits.

Here’s what Dr. Mosley says in one of the blogs:

Watching what you eat will make a difference
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posted by Michael
on 15 Jan 2016 at 16:11
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Simply changing to a Mediterranean style low carb diet and by watching your portion sizes, you will make an impressive difference to your sugars and weight. Essentially this means cutting out the sugar, starchy carbs and the white stuff (white bread, pasta, processed cereals and rice), and boosting consumption of fats like olive oil. See how others are getting on and share what works for you. Good luck!

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thankyou. I really would like to try this but I don’t get help from my doctor, I tend to work things out myself. I must admit I am a bit nervous because of the insulin. I did speak to a general nurse and she didn’t recommend it. I hope that things carry on going well for you. it doesn’t matter if it takes you longer than others not on medication. the fact that you are losing weight, you should be proud of yourself.

Oh yes, and drink water, water, water and take in salt per Dr. Mosley as needed. I found a good water filter and my water is now tasty and that makes a difference!

I am following the diet to a T for 8 weeks. Start week 5 tomorrow. No deviations, but i am pre-diabetic and am on no medication for it. I am on high dose steroids which also interfere with weight loss and cause significant weight gain. Most of the time, I have no hunger, but on occasion i am hungry enough to eat the frig door, lol because the steroid level had to be boosted. But i just persevered because the significant weight loss is motivating. i am losing more weight than i ever have. Probably not as fast now as many others, but it is going in the right direction. After many weeks, i’ve lost 19 pounds and have about 95 to go.

I think patience and taking the time to read the book and other resources on this website is key.

Key: As Dr. Mosley says, the 800 calories causes significant weight loss and that IS motivating.

Only you and your doctor would know whether you can tolerate the 800 calories for 8 weeks. If not that, why not try the Mediterranean diet for most of the week and then go to 800 calories one or two days a week? You would have to constantly check your blood sugars on both the regular Mediterranean diet and the 800 calorie diet and adjust your insulin levels as needed. How to do that would be up to you and your doctor. Perhaps staring off slowly might be helpful. The diet works. I have autoimmune pancreatitis and it is slowly destroying my pancreas. While i may have to go onto insulin later, at this time i do not need to. I don’t expect the diet at that time to bring down the blood sugars, but the weight loss is a significant piece and will help with other problems. With good supervision, I think you would do well.

From the FAQ’s : You SHOULD NOT do a low calorie / fasting diet if you are:

Underweight and/or have a history of an eating disorder
Under 18 years of age
Breastfeeding
Diagnosed with a significant psychiatric disorder
Frail or recovering from surgery
Under active investigation or treatment or have a significant medical condition affecting ability to comply with diet and / or
On certain medications
A Type 1 diabetic
Unwell or have a fever

You should also confirm with your doctor that you really are a type 2 diabetic as there are other rarer forms of diabetes that will not respond in the same way to weight loss.

Use CAUTION doing a low calorie / fasting diet & DISCUSS WITH DOCTOR if any of the following apply:

On insulin – detailed assessment & education by health professional to plan a suitable reduction in medication/insulin to avoid a drop in blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetics and those who have other, rarer forms of the disease, like pancreatic or monogenic diabetes will not respond in the same way to weight loss

Hi Bill
I know. We were all told that. But michael says people do better if they weigh more often.
The disappointment is certainly worse if I wait a whole week and haven’t lost. If I know each day it’s not such a shock!
Thanks fir advice
Penny

Hi Chinta
You could freeze some spring onions for the winter?
Penny

Hi Netty
Sounds good
Penny

Hi Jojo
Sounds like you have a handle on it!
Penny

any tips you can give me, I would be really grateful.

can I ask you how please. the only time I can lose weight is when I stop my insulin, which I shouldn’t really do.

I too, cannot exercise, but i am still losing weight. Because of the insulin, i would be sure to be under a doctor’s care.

I went through a phase of that. According to my doctor, that meant that i was beginning to burn fat instead of protein and carbs – which is ideal. He told me to pretty much to follow what Dr. Mosley suggests, but to be sure that i was adding fat to each meal. I’m doing the 8 weeks, and then will go to the regular Mediterranean diet after that with 2 days a week of 800’s to finish the 100 pounds i have to lose. This will allow me to increase my carbs at that time. I’m eating about 50 carbs a day right now. In the 3rd week, I noticed a significant change. More energy, more clarity of mind, better sleeping. But during the transition phase I wasn’t all that comfortable. I am pre-diabetic, controlled by food only – no meds – in very close contact with my doc. This gives me more leeway than many. For poo, i eat 2 tablespoons of ground flax a day – something that has to be started very slowly or it will cause gas. I started with 1/2 TB and gradually increased it. One can increase it to 3 Tbs. Greens are fabulous for this as Dr. Mosley points out in his book. On occasion, i have used xylotol to ‘move’ things along – but i prefer to stay away from anything artificially sweet, to get used to that type of eating. I do allow myself to sleep as needed when possible, while the adjustments are happening. My body is smarter than i am! 🙂

Hi JoJo, are you doing the 800 cal diet? If so are you managing with making real food or are you on the meal drinks. I plan to try and eat healthy and take one of the drinks to work if I find it difficult there. Half way through book and at planning stage.

So tired? I’m on day 6 and have gone from feeling amazing and full of energy to so tired and grumpy. I’m wondering if I should be eating some fruit for natural sugar as I have been living on just meat, tons of veg ( mainly green with lots of onions and peppers), some dairy and some nuts and olive oil. It’s not the fluid… I’ve been drinking masses and masses, mainly water with the occasional cup of tea or coffee. Also… Haven’t poo’d in a while!! It’s a shame as I have been feeling amazing and still can’t believe I’ve resisted the carbs all week… Even buttered beautiful fresh white bakers bread for my kids!! Have been telling everyone how fab I feel and now I just want to curl up and sleep. Any ideas?
Ela.

Day 4 of week 1. I am accepting a margin of error this week as I adapt as I had some root vegetables to use up for the first three days so it has been phased. I have adapted the Skinny Chilli to be vegetarian and slow cooker friendly (hopefully, it’s in there now). I had the mushroom toast but with feta as I forgot goats cheese and loved it. I loved cottage cheese with walnut and pear and I really really love no carb bircher. I like the snacks and can use my Nutri Ninja Lite on the shakes and probably on cauliflower rice so I feel like I am making headway on the recipes. This week I have to eat out twice and have been a bit chaotic but I still started it as it eases me into the mindset. I have some aubergine to do a vegetarian version of the lamb dish and I am planning pea omelette tomorrow. I don’t follow recipes religiously because I am vegetarian and very busy but I do what I can and track on my fitness pal. I work from Wednesday as I prefer a mid week start so hoping to see results by mid of next week even though it’s been a bit bitty this week. I am in London at the end of the month but the breakfast in the hotel is continental so I am confident I can cobble together a bircher. My goal is 15 lb off by my 40th in May and I need to lose a whopping 9 inches from my waist. Almost all my weight is belly and I am only 5 lb overweight. I did 5:2 2013/14 and lost a lot so this is more of a targeted process for me.

I am vegetarian and on day 4. I am using quorn mince in the chilli at the moment and it is actually less calories than beef. You could also try the dried soya. I work on the philosophy that as long as I am broadly in line with it as a vegetarian, it is fine. Marinated tofu is nice too.

I am on day 4 and I am finding it good so far. I am eating out twice next week but I think I can work around it more or less ok as I can have a salad.

I am on day 4 and I am starting to get to grips with some of the recipes now. For the first few days I improvised a lot so it wasn’t perfect. I decided that if the first week goes a bit awry it’s OK. I can always do 9 weeks if need be. I don’t find 800 calories hard but I did 5:2 in 2013 and 2014 and got on pretty well with that. I am not Diabetic. I have about 15 lb to lose and the bulk of it is around my middle. I am focusing more on inches than anything else. My mum is type 1. My Auntie is type 2. Carbs and sugar are my issues.

I hadn’the heard of it until you posted but looking it up it does look interesting.

Hi,
Yes I’m doing the 800 calorie and its going well. I do normally eat fairly healithly …just too much.. so am filling up on veg and surprisingly enough am not hungry and as I said feeling great so far.
For me this is good as I don’t have breakfast usually so can have two slightly bigger meals and save a few cals for a natural greek yoghurt if I want anything sweet.
When did you start?

Thanks Penny. I feel better this evening and am drinking lots of water. Had quorn, kale and a tomato sauce . Didn’t eat it all so have left half. Might eat it later or tomorrow.

According to my booklet (Beyond GI), soya and linseed bread has a GI of 36 and a GL of 11, much lower than even stoneground wholemeal. Being loathe to give up bread completely, is there any place for it in BSD?

Hi everyone
I’ve been reading the book and planning all week and am due to start the 8-week 800 cal plan on Monday. I have to say, I’m really looking forward to it. Although I’ve not been diagnosed with diabetes, I’m currently the heaviest (and unfittest) I’ve ever been and need to lose 4.5 to 5.5 stones to get comfortably in the healthy weight range again. It will be great to shun the usual ‘lose weight slowly and steadily’ mentality and really go for it this time. I’m addicted to sugar and carbs, and am also a fish-eating vegetarian which also brings its own difficulties in terms of planning a balanced menu, so it will be a challenge, I’m sure. Wish me luck!!

Has anyone tried or made “cloud bread”? Saw a news article on it so thought I’d give it a go. There are recipe variations out there but the basic one is eggs, cream cheese, cream of tartar and a bit of sweetener (if wanted).
I used 50% less fat cream cheese to keep the calories down and by my reckoning, it’s very low carb.
I hope I’ve worked everything out right coz I was pleasantly surprised by the results!

Hi all, heard Michael Mosley on Radio 2 and bought his book on Kindle. Reading it at the moment, plan to start Monday. Going for a very sweet afternoon tea tomorrow with my family as part of my Christmas present from my son! He gets married in August, just one of many insentives.

Hi viennasue – you’ve made a fantastic start. Are you doing the BSD fast 800?

I am 5 days into the Blood Sugar Diet and an so pleased 2 inches gone from my waist!!! already not sure about the wieght I am waiting for new scales, the old ones are donkeys years old and not accurate so I havent bothered weighing yet.
I must say by the end of day two I suddenly felt different ,as though I’d dropped 20 years and still feel good….long may it last.
Good luck with it everybody.

Hi – I have been on the BSD for a couple of weeks, and have done pretty well – lost 8 kgs so far. But……I am increasingly not wanting to eat meat of any kind – and am wondering what sort of adaptions I can make to ensure that I am getting enough protein. I dont like to eat much cheese…….and I do get bored of legumes/pulses. Can anyone suggest how I continue without meat? Is there a vegetarian page ?

Yes you can eat porridge

From the FAQ
Which foods should I avoid?
You should avoid refined carbs ie anything white or rich in sugar. It also means avoiding starchy foods such as pasta, white rice, breakfast cereals (other than plain unprocessed porridge) bread and potatoes, as well as the more obvious things like donuts!

Joe

Thank you for that, I’ll will have a look at Red yeast rice capsules, I am taking quite a few supplements. I’m not diabetic but think it’s good for all to cut out sugar, at least for a while.
Many thanks

Hi Wobbly
I too have tried every diet in the past but this does work if you do it properly. It’s all down to planning really. There are lots of people on here who are in the same position as you and lots who were worried about how they’d would manage ….but they have.
Best of luck to you I’m sure you will do well!

Hi Nettyrim
I suppose the headaches are from clearing stuff out. Apparently the answer is to drink even more!
Good luck.
Penny

Hi Meggy
Michael recommends weighing often. Even every day. At least you d get less nervous after a while! But apparently people do better weighing often- not what we ve been told on the past.
Good luck.
Penny

Hi I am going to start this diet in March when I know I will have some clear space without much on.
Does anyone know whether once I am on 800 cals a day I could have porridge for breakfast? They are proper oats not the instant type and it is a low calorie breakfast as I make it with water. I find this one of the breakfasts that keeps me fuller for longer. But I have noticed in the book that it is not one of the options and I haven’t found anyone mentioning it online?

I have been using PhD diet whey. 1 serving provides – 91cals, 1.2g sugar, 1.25g fat. 17g protein. This is for 25g scoop with 175mls water. You get different flavours and they are nice and thick. I also add a teaspoon of ground flax seeds . I find they are quiet tasty and good for protein. Keeps the calories low as well as a lot of the other MR as high in calories ..

Totally inspired by your recent talk at Food Fight. Bought the book and starting today. Had fasting blood sugars done last week at GPs request and been to scared to ring for results. Now feel equipped to deal with the results as know I can do something about it. High blood pressure, high cholesterol , and now probably high sugars was not looking good!

Hi this is day 6 and I am finding it okay. I am not a big eater. My challenge was eat healthy and avoid sugary snacks and I am managing fine. I work shifts so it complicates it for me a bit, but I have used my protein shakes as an emergency if I run out of time. I must admit I feel better eating this way and look forward to first weigh in. Weigh-in always makes me nervous as although I know that I have been good sometimes the scales don’t represent my hard work… I am what is typically a yo yo dieter, having lost 5 and 6 stones only to put it back on very quickly. Hoping this diet helps me re evaluate my eating. Thanks for your inspiration Michael.

Day 3 of diet and got an fbg of 6 which I am pleased about. Lost 2 inches off waist and about a pound. Downsides are the headaches and going to the loo every half hour!

Starting today (gulp!), hopefully will be more relaxed than starting on a Monday, which I find is a stressful enough day as it is! I haven’t got the book yet so apologies if this has already been covered but I wanted to share a tip from Paul McKenna, which can help with weight loss – eat slowly. Try to chew every mouthful really thoroughly and try to make every meal last at least 20 minutes. It does work, trouble is it’s easy to forget to do it!
Another tip from my Weight Watchers days is to have a big glass of water before every meal as it helps fill you up.

I agree with Eureka re: experimental stuff. Did anyone watch the episode of Trust Me last week with the Israeli blood sugar experiment? Apparently, BS rates are affected by the combination of bacteria in the gut and everyone is different. So a food which causes a spike in one person won’t necessarily cause one in a different person. Who knew?! You can register to have your poo analyzed, (ewww!) and they will send you your personalized list of “good” and “bad” foods, though this isn’t available to the general public yet. Interesting study, links on the bbc website.

As you may have guessed, I have tried every diet going. I don’t have a huge amount to lose, but my dad is Type 2 and I have other health issues. My motivation is high today, this being day 1, but I know I will really need support over the coming days & weeks.

nettyrim – I’m not surprised by that. I find nothing I bring up from my reading, or watching TV programmes, is known about by any health professionals I meet. All met with amazement, then just get steered back to NHS basics. My wife mentioned the diet to a GP who had never heard of it, or Michael Mosley, or “Trust Me I’m a Doctor”. She was impressed by the results, so far, though.
captainlynne – A, randomly allocated, GP wanted to put me on metformin when I’d only been judged “pre-diabetic”, but had to defer to the practice nurse, fortunately.
I see a diabetic nurse once a year!