Hi Chloee
Michael says weighing often is better, people do better if they do. I weigh every day and measure my waist every day. If I’m not down it motivates me to try harder, if I am down it motivates me and cheers me up. I used to hate waiting all week then being disappointed. Much better to be disappointed sooner and sort it out sooner!
Penny

Although I didn’t mind omitting the Glicazide, I would be more cautious about the BP meds until I have the OK from my GP. There is a history of diabetes and linked cardiac events in my family, so better safe than sorry in my case. I’ll check it out tomorrow and report back to the forum. Magiek

Hi Niffer
Keep going, it will get better.
Penny

Hi Paula
Those meats won’t spike your BG so you ll be alright!
Penny

Day 8 update, fasting bs 7.2. I am honestly amazed.

Today was the first day I haven’t been starving by lunch 🙂 so much that I didn’t actually WANT lunch! Had skinny bolog for tea and wasn’t even tempted to dessert. Did have a glass of red wine 🙂

My chocolate is in the fridge ; )

Thanks for the tip on the cauliflower and I’ll let you know how the muffins go

I have been on the diet for 10 days and already feeling the benefits, lost 8lbs in weight, 1.5 inches from my waist, sleeping better, much less moody, more energy… – until I made a mistake today! I was at a conference and forgot to ask for a salad for lunch (they only offered saandwiches) and had to rush to M&S for something. Quickly picked up a harissa chicken with cous cous (harissa chicken is in the book right)? I glanced at the ingredients, saw 5.2g sugars and thought ‘not too bad’ rushed back, wolfed it down and carried on with my day. Tonight I feel super bloated, irritable, shattered and generally yuk so thought I’d better take a closer look at the ingredients of my lunch on my fitness pal – there’s over 32g carbs (5g sugars)! Is this why I feel so rubbish, does this mean I can never eat carbs again!? Scary!

I know that walnuts are really good in the diet but what of other sorts of nuts?

Almonds I know are good, pistachios are also supposedly in the frame too but what of these:
Cashews
Brazil Nuts (lots of Selenium v. good) lots of calories
Macadamia nuts even more calories
Hazel/cobb nuts
Pecans?

Nuts make good snack food but with some at over 700 kcal per 100 grams you could easily blow an 800 per day limit even on a small handful.

I would think if your pasta was too soft cook it less the first time _ instead of 4 say 3 min

The reason I understood from the tv program was that it changes the carb from a simple on which is harder to convert and becomes additional fiber!! but you can google the episode of Trust me I’m a doctor and watch !!

This diet is absolutely worth doing. I started on 26 January, my blood sugar reading has gone from 19.1 to 5.4, I’ve lost 11lbs. I’m going to see my GP in the morning to see if I can reduce my Metformin (on 1500mg pd).

Superred it is not a good idea to stop your medication without talking to your doctor, especially if you are on insulin. You have to be on the diet for a while until your readings start to change.

I hope your doc will be pleased with your results and help you sort out your meds.

I have reduced my glicazide first as I was getting very low by end of the working day. I think my blood pressure is coming down too so may play with that next. Interesting that you found your sugar came down when you stopped taking some of your
meds

Have tried a couple of recipes that have turned out to be food for the birds… Anybody made something nice to enjoy with a cup of tea..

I bought coconut and almond flour.. Have tried to make the pumkin seed muffins from the book… Obviously did something wrong. The mixture was really dry and ended up going to birds …… Any suggestions would be appreciated…..maybe try the brownie mix next ….

Hi Magiek

I was interested to read your posting as I too have been concerned about the response of the practice nurse and GP at my surgery, who are not in favour of the VLCD.

I am in the 3rd week of the diet and for the first time today my fasting blood sugar has dropped 1 unit below any of the preceding results. Hoping this is the turning point. I have also reduced my hypertension medication steadily and finally gave it up the day before yesterday. Then the next blood sugar reading I take has dropped by the 1 unit to 4.6. I’m wondering if there is a connection?

So I follow your thinking that it would be good to have a thread that tracks peoples experience of the EFFECT OF OTHER MEDICATION on their blood sugar level.

Stay tuned….

Thanks Penny I have to say I am quite enjoying it so far! Felt a bit too hungry tonight after the steamed fish and went swimming which burnt it off. Have had to have a few almonds and a square of dark choc. Get me, pushing the boat out! Lol

Ddraig I did the cauli rice in the oven for a bout 12 mins. Much nicer that on a previous diet when I did it in the microwave.
Please let me know how the muffins go as I am tempted with them.

Had the mushrooms and goats cheese this morning and could have eaten tons of them very tasty!

Soooo tempted to stand on the scales tonight but resisted until Monday. Hope I am not disappointed

I found coconut flour at Waitress – expensive but a fairly big bag

I’m not diabetic or pre, but doing 800cal BSD as there are three diabetics in family. You say keep off the white stuff (bread, pasta, cereals or rice), does that mean there are some breads, rice I can eat? I have only been on diet four days and kept off all these foods, lost 5lb so far. Also is sweet potatoe ok, In the book I think it says can be eaten but Not sure I should.

My husband makes his own bread and I am trying to work out if he can make a low GI bread that I could occasionaly have, maybe on a Saturday. He loves making bread and I actually feel guilty stopping him from his much loved hobby.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Sounds idyllic, where you live. I bet your dogs love their walks. I have an underactive thyroid too, taking 75 mcg a day but I think having it makes it harder to lose weight. Its one of my big questions whether I can lose weight as quickly as the others here. I’m glad you’re enjoying a glass of red and music is great therapy. I’m less worried about you now! I can’t drink red wine myself, it all tastes like vinegar to me but I see that as a blessing really. Coffee is a different story but I love a sweet latte and there just isn’t room for the calories. I do intend to have one once a week though, which I hope will be a carrot to keep me going. I must look for these TED talks, I’ve heard there are all sorts of interesting topics covered.

So my husband is rolling his eyes at the thought of me starting yet another crazy diet and thinks I fall for anything. Absolutely hope I can prove him wrong with this one!

Have a lovely evening!

Hi Superred
There’s a really encouraging TED talk by Dr Sarah Hallberg.
She is a specialist in obesity and diabetes and she talks about the diet she gives her patients. She calls it ‘no GPS’ which is grains, potatoes, sugar. This is from diet doctor.com Maybe you need to come off the insulin more slowly??

‘Avoiding the carbohydrates that raise your blood sugar decreases your need for medication to lower it. Taking the same dose of insulin as you did prior to adopting a low-carb diet might result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). You need to test your blood sugar frequently when starting this diet and adapt (lower) your medication. This should ideally be done with the assistance of a knowledgeable physician.’
Hope it helps
Penny

Have you tried Lidl “high protein” (ie low carb) rolls. Triangular , dark brown, stuffed full of linseeds, coated in sunflower seeds. Had some quite good BG results eating these before I started BSD diet. Might return to them later (and test again).

Hi Ddraig
This is day 11.
I’m a great one for researching and finding stuff out and then telling people- sometimes too much!
I’m keeping s notebook with what I eat as well as MFP and how I am etc.
Unfortunately for us my sister and I have lost a very small amount of weight despite being meticulous. Must be a family thing. Our waists have come down a bit which is nice. How can we have eaten 4000 cals less in 10 days and only lost a couple of pounds in my case, nothing in my sisters case? Weird. Any explanations welcome. And that’s with me doing 1000 s of steps every day! And drinking a lot.
But we are feeling a lot better, much less sluggish in the morning and sleeping better. So we really keeping on, keeping the faith, and keeping our fingers crossed! Anyway it’s actually enjoyable to do the diet and feel in control.
Penny

End of day four, still feeling sick and suffering headaches although not as rough as I felt at end of day two. Feel it is worth pushing through especially after reading some of your posts.

Ha ha quinoa… I’m sure I read somewhere sometime about roasting it. It doesn’t do anything for me but it’s high in protein(?) so if you can eat mushrooms I’m sure I can rise to the challenge. Over these 8 weeks I shall be eating many things I’ve never heard of before. I keep looking at what I got today – including miso and tahini. Things like soy sauce I haven’t had for years because I always thought I might have IBS or Candida but guess what? Since starting the BSD I have not had any symptoms of that sort of thing. Liberating.

I’m not low really, but definitely feel different to usual. I tend to be a little low and inward normally. I’m having a small glass of red wine and listening to loud music, they help. I’m thinking of taking up yoga again as there’s no way I could do anything strenuous unless something miraculous happens. These forums are invaluable for the support and information and thank you for taking an interest. Like you I need to lose two stone and 3″ off waist at least. At least should be in italics!

I’m following the meal plans in the book almost exactly but unsure about only two meals at weekends. You can have coffee you know – max one a day I think he says. I had a black coffee in the week which sorted out a headache. There’s an awful lot of withdrawal going on!

I’m not checking my blood readings as I’m not pre-diabetic or diabetic according to a recent check. I have high cholesterol and thyroid problems though, and a BMI of nearly 30, weighing in at 13st 10lbs. They may not seem too worrying for some however I know I do have a lot of visceral fat and the old liver and pancreas would play up soon. I would like to lose 3 or 4 stone, to be back where I was before I had thyroid disease. I haven’t noticed any change in clothes because I live in baggy jumpers and leggings most of the time but that has got to change. When I’m out walking add on waterproofs and fleeces so it’s hard to know what might be going on!

I’m so glad you can now start as it’s exciting taking control and joining this amazing diet plan, really, as you were so ready for it. Have you watched any of the TED talks on YouTube about reversing diabetes? Very encouraging if ever you flag a little. Yes, I am in a little town that’s in the middle of nowhere really. I can see snow on mountains in one direction and pastoral plains in others! But within a 20 mile radius there are several towns too.

Happy Eating (of the right things that is)

Of course, it is the law 😉

Hi Hubby, that’s an interesting side effect! Just keep doing what you are doing and more will come. Best wishes to both of you.

A small price to pay – I think I can stay with Rye Bread and avoid spuds altogether ( except for the mandatory friday fish and chips : -b )

Good for you BizzibeeI was very shocked as well. So irresponsible.
Penny

Well done Paula, I would definitely have had to step away from the fridge. Made me giggle! Keep up the good work!

I always weigh myself every day. It’s taught me that sometimes my weight goes up or down a pound or two unexpectedly (fluid loss/retention/loo etc) and that it’s quite natural and nothing to worry about.
If you only weigh yourself once a week, then that weigh-in assumes undue importance, and can cause both undue optimism or despair.

Hi Hercles.
Great it’s working for you.
It is ok to eat bacon and whole egg, otherwise your breakfast might be s bit carby, but with those additions would be more protein and fat, which won’t do you any harm ( unlike what we’ve been told for years) and you won’t get hingry for ages.
Penny

Well, if you have achieved your goals, I think the idea is that we don’t really go back to previous eating habits – keep the carbs as a very…very… rare treat.

We have an “Easy Store” model from Lakeland. After use, it all packs away – handle, blades and all – into a package about the size and shape of a small tin loaf. Works and cleans very well. Cost just over £30 I seem to remember.

Many thanks for the reply. I will have a look into those.

So what happens when the 8 weeks is over? Ease back into moderate carb intake or carry on avoiding “bad” GI carbs as much as possible?

Hi, I’m not diabetic but want to lose some weight before my daughter’s wedding in May. I did the 5.2 successfully 2 years ago by dropping 3.5 stone. A little has crept back on so I want it to go fast.

Did anyone see This Morning, this morning when they made cloud bread? It’s not bread at all. it’s made with 3 eggs – separated. 3TBPS cream cheese or cottage cheese and 1/4 tsp cream of tartar.

you whisk the egg whites in 1 bowl, and the egg yolks with the cream cheese and cream of tartar in the other. gradually add the whisked egg whites to the egg yolk mixture. put dollops on a baking sheet and cook at a low heat 130c for 15 mins. they look like puffs of cloud and you can use them in place of bread apparently.

i’ll make some tomorrow, but they looked good on tv.

I’ve not had the catastrophe “yet” but I’m sure at some point it will rear it’s ugly head. It’s day 6 for me. Well done for getting back on the wagon. My problem is not going to be chocolate or sweet stuff it’s probably going to be savoury like salami, bacon chorizo…..the list goes on!!! I did get a valentines meal deal in M & S today I deliberately bought things that were on the diet apart from the starter which I got anti pasta – which I love, but I know that my husband will happily guard it and eat it before the meal! The dessert I bought, I wouldn’t eat as it’s white chocolate which I hate….they did have my all time favourite dessert Tarte tartain. I can tell you the mental debate over that went on for a good 10 mins.

Hubby here, thank you for the encouragement….in all honesty not felt this sharp for many years…just could do with hitting a magic 8……then a fantastic 7 to know it’s moving in the right direction.

Hi

Welcome to the group.

I finish the 8 weeks tomorrow night. I’d have no problem staying with the 800 calories a day (still got weight to lose), but Dr Mosley suggests (p146/147) doing 5:2. My thinking is I might try 2:5 rather than 5:2 – 800 calories a day Monday to Friday with low -carb Mediterranean at weekends. Trying not to be too rigid as I’ve a holiday in March and residential conference in April so need to work out what I’m going to do about them.

Lynne

Sorry its not been as good a day as you would have liked. Its annoying when things seem to get in our way. But at least you got your coconut flour! My adventurous streak is only stretching as far as quinoa so far. I’m breaking my rule of if I can’t pronounce it I have no business eating it!

You do sound quite low (if that’s possible?). What can you do for a quick pick-you-up?

My testing kit arrived this afternoon (yay!) so I have already done a test two hours after eating which suggested I have normal bs (blooming hurts for such a small hole and so much blood!) and I will do another test in the morning for fasting bs. However, I’m not off the hook as I have two stone to lose and at least three inches off my waist and I know I am addicted to carbs as I answered yes to every question in the questionnaire.

So I’m ready to start tomorrow – I have menu plans done until Sunday. Not surprisingly it didn’t take long!

Have you done any results yet? Have you noticed any changes in clothes yet? You’ll be on day 5 tomorrow, or are you planning to wait a bit longer?

Oh yes – I said a sad goodbye today to Costa (Coffee!) as I will have to stay away for a little while – that will be the real test…

Tomorrow is my first GP appointment since starting the 5:2 plus Mediterranean Regime 3 Weeks ago. I have lost 9 lbs and my average Blood sugar has dropped from 7-5 to 5.0. My BMI has gone from 26.8 to 25.5. I am feeling great with more energy and I’m enjoying the compliments I’ve received about my appearance. It is obvious that this is working for me, but what will my GP say? I would like guidance from her about Medications such as Glycazide, Metformin and Anti-hypertensive drugs that I’ve been prescribed, because of my Type 2 Diabetes. I have already dropped the Glycazide on the Fasting days but think I need to have all my medication reviewed.

I have printed out the Information for Doctors from Newcastle University and have kept a diary of my diet, blood sugar results and exercise for the past 3 weeks, so hopefully she will believe the evidence. Has anyone else got to this stage and how has their doctor reacted? Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

Magiek

I’ve been using occasionally lighter life 5 2 shakes. They are 150 calories. You can get them in Superdrug.

Can’t speak for the potatoes – but as for re-heated pasta – it is a well known trick of the trade for us mothers who have Type 1 diabetic children. Whilst the carbs remain the same – it somehow causes less of a spike.

Hi Haining25 welcome

Re read p146 in BSD book. Also Google ncl type 2 diabetes. This is the original Newcastle uni 800 calorie diet to reverse type 2 Diabetes
Read prof Roy Taylor’s Reply on frequent questions asked Read the lot & print out all you need. You need knowledge to succeed & really understand what you are doing.
We’re here to help as much as we can. I don’t think any or many have done 8 weeks yet on this site. Could be wrong & they will post you.

Dr Michael Mosley says ‘ create a lifestyle you can stick to’. Prof Taylor says ‘ once you are at your personal target weight, the critical thing now is to become accustomed to eating approximately 2/3 of the total amount you used to eat’.

So exercise, eat better & really change what you did that got you to the place your at now
Knowledge is power. Pass it on. We can do this. Great to have you on board
Eureka

My children are adult now and do a bit of mothering of me… but I do recall only too well being a busy mum, working half time and coping with some health difficulties, mainly thyroid disease and gall stones, so I admire your guts going into this diet and also think you’re right on to look at ways to make it work that suit you. Don’t forget you can eat protein too not just salad, don’t want you looking like a rabbit! One day at a time dearie, you’re making moves towards your goal already 🙂

I have also been trying alternatives – such as Almond milk and Soya Milk – less calories and less sugar. Interestingly – milk is one of the few things you give to Type 1 diabetics to maintain their blood sugar when they go low – it has a long acting effect.

Hi there – okay day thanks although feeling different to usual. Still low energy/weak and unable to do much other than walk two Border Collies which to be honest is quite challenging. I trekked off to Tesco and they didn’t have a lot of what was on my list so made a detour on the way home to nearest Sainsbury’s and they do stock coconut flour (£5 for a small packet!). I’m catching you on another thread so will look for that and get back to you there.

No problem Olly. The machines do tend to exaggerate calories burned for obvious reasons. I’m just starting the diet myself tomorrow. I have been waiting for my blood sugar testing kit to arrive, which it has done today (yay!) so I have done three meal plans for over the weekend and am really excited to see if it works for me as well as it has for other people.

Wishing you every success!

There you go see! A little slip up, back on the plan and still a kilo down! That’s what I call a diet! Good job Peanutbutty, totally agree with you.