Hi Smileymiley – I’m trying to reverse my diabetes type 2 or at least reduce the medication (I was diagnosed 8 years ago) so am being very strict and like Andy cutting out all bread, cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate, rice, pasta, sugar, potatoes, starchy veg, etc

Today I had Greek yogurt and blueberries, with a few oats and chia seeds for breakfast, then homemade veg soup and a kiwi fruit for lunch, then scallops and stirfry veg for dinner, with a glass of coconut water. I also allow myself 200ml milk per day and make myself a flask of filter coffee which I take to work, and when that’s finished I have herbal tea – Pukka cinnamon or mint are the current favourites. And I take a water bottle with a couple of slices of lemon or lime. Drinking is definitely a must – I’ve felt much thirstier than usual even though my blood glucose is lower than usual. I can’t believe I have not been really hungry once since starting last week.

I track all my calories on Nutracheck

Good luck – the important thing is to find something that works for you.

Hi Smileymiley…

I have decided to cut out bread, cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate, rice, pasta, etc

I love cheese so have a bag of grated cheddar which I sprinkle over meals. Not too much though!

I had 2 scrambled eggs for brekkie today, sprinkle of cheese on top. Pilchard salad for lunch then turkey stir fry with lots of green veggies for dinner, sprinkling of cheese on top! Calories 760 for the day.

Drinking 3 litres of water by sipping during the day.

Hope that helps

Andy

After trying every diet there is and failing miserably, including Slimming World and WW, I had an epiphany reading the most insightful, inspirational, life changing BSD Book…..I realised I had to get my Type 2 D under control after being in denial about it for the past 6 years resulting in more and more medication, vision deterioration, and now strangely – pains in my upper arms like a tightening of the muscles (although I don’t know whether this is related)….
I am now 3 days in and I seem to have lost 4Ib – and undertaking a daily 1 hour walk (something I have never done before) although I am still doubting myself whether that’s true ( I use the same scales always when I get weighed)…
I feel better already and full of energy, but haven’t done my levels yet as I’m not sure how often to monitor them ??
I have struggled maintaining the 800 cal target today so will that have a negative impact ????

That’s brilliant andypandy! Keep it up. Can I just ask is everybody eating anything as long as around 800 Cals eg hard cheese and bread?

Hi Bill1954
Hang in there!
I’m on hols at mo so will be a week behind you starting. I’m walking & making good food choices but will be vry strict on return

This has to work for me too. Diagnosed 2013 but know I must have been diabetic much longer. Have some eye retinopathy too. Can’t reverse it but want to arrest it

My high bs is on waking too. Do try some breakfast within those 800 calories. It’s going to take time effort & motivation for us all. Lets keep each other going as we are doing

Don’t forget this is experimental stuff we are doing. A total change from the advice we have all been previously given. I’m up for being a Guinea pig if I can help myself improve at all.

Learn as much as you can about your diabetes & the way your body reacts to carbs. Look at recommended web sites & keep asking for help. We all want the same thing

Keep on keeping on
Eureka

So far, so good. Three filling meals totalling around 800 calories & 3 litres of water sipped during the day. Lost 4 lbs from 7 am Monday to 7 am Tuesday & feeling great 👍 Hope everyone else enjoying & losing…

Trust me if you don’t drink a lot you will get constipation! Very unpleasant . Drink drink drink. I know it is hard. I struggle too 😳

Hi does anyone have any ideas for a quick and easy breakfast ? Doing food prep for every meal will make this way of eating very difficult to maintain .

I understood that graefruit and juices increased the effect of the statins either way best not to have them. I have just come back from Medeira where they had the biggest freshest grapefruit and oh did my mouth water. But l was good.

Lost 1kg since yesterday but really struggling to drink as much water as I should.

After reading your entry l also watched The Sugar Film.What have we been doing to ourselves?. What future have my grandchildren got? It should be compulsory watching. Thanks so much for mentioning it. I am very thoughtful now and only hope that all the damage l have caused myself can be partially rectified. I have struggled with low fat diets and diet products for years and slowly the weight crept on and the diabetes started and the blood sugar kept on rising and the medication was increased and the weight kept creeping up and the blood sugar kept on rising and and and at last maybe.

Well done, keep going! I am Day 11. Lost 10lbs in first week another couple more so far. Weigh myself first thing before eating and drinking as I find it is a motivator to be careful with portion sizes! I take my levels first thing too and they were 5.3 this morning, been in the 5’s since Saturday. This diet is good! My wife is doing it with me and she wants to drop some pounds so that helps that. We have adapted the meals to what works for us, but enjoying tasty filling meals and watching the calories and portions. Feeling good 🙂

Thanks woobear45!
Good luck to you too 👍

“The book says the diet is best for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes type 2.”

Which I have. I have high blood sugar because I my body doesn’t take it up. That’s why I am on the diet so I can loose the visceral fat and hopefully do something about it.

Sugar is something I avoided long before the diet, now I avoid the sugary fruit I thought was doing me good like melon, pineapple and grapes. As I am loosing weight I am a happy bunny and will stick with it, without the sugar.

It is the blood sugar diet?

Hi,
The book says the diet is best for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes type 2. I think it would be safest for you to speak with your Doctor before continuing to decide whether this is the right diet for you considering your Hypoglycemia. Better safe than sorry.
All the best,
Spencer

Hi Aly. Sounds like you are doing really well. I’ll check out RCV, I like Hugh and he has done some fantastic veg cooking on his TV shows. I’d actually like to quit Quorn as a processed food, but later, further down the line. Got to start learning to cook with lentils!

Don’t consider the oats a problem. As a type 2 diabetic the sugar is not an answer for me, all I would get is a blood sugar spike from sugar.

Berries are low glycemic. On Mediterranean diet.
Milk, per Dr. Mosley is good, especially whole milk.
He posted research about whole milk on the bsd.com
Sugar will boost the insulin levels and that will stop weight loss.
This diet is 800 calories – p.113. That’s because quick weight loss is motivating. I’ve found that to be true, happily. 1,000 calories is 200 calories over the limit.
Double check your oats, Dr. Mosley says to look for the least processed – but in SMALL quantities (p.131)
Hope this helps, 🙂

Is week over and 6.5 lbs down! , maybe half an inch off waist.. Im really happy with that…

Thank you Dr M

Anyone know if there are any acceptable vegetarian jellies out there? I struggle to find the ingredients anywhere on the packs and pots in the supermarkets.

I am using Purition shakes. Anyone else tried these ?

It’s not the calories that will be the problem in your porridge but the sugar, including those in the milk and berries.

I’ve been having egg muffins-I sautéed mushrooms, onion and peppers together and then added it to eggs and a little grated cheese and baked them in a muffin tin. My recipe makes 12 (I have 2 each day) and they work out to 82cals and 1.8g of carbs each.

Well day 2 nearly over. I have been hungry this afternoon and struggle drinking lots of water. I must stress how important fluids are especially if using the milk shake. Well done today everybody.
One day at a time!

need to lose about 5-6 stone dont want to end up with Type2 diabetes .have two children aged 8 and 11 and want to have the energie to do more with them.
Started yesterday 1st day and 2nd day have gone well not hungry but have to remind myself to drink enough water. I find hot water and lemon juice helps me too as I dont like black tea or coffee so save that for treats.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wish me luck

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How’s everyone getting on?

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

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

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

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

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

Building exercise into it too.

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

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

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

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

Good luck smileymiley

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

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

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

its half price in WHSmith right now ,