Thanks, Tulip and Sunshine, I appreciate the understanding! I’m still going to try to gradually move the calories down, and try to insert at least a couple 800-ish days a week.
Sunshine, I thought the 5:2 was only two very low calorie days and five maintenance calorie days? I remember first learning about it after Michael Mosley’s documentary called, “Eat, Fast, and Live Longer.” Always wondered how he put his diabetes into remission and lost 20 pounds after just a couple months of doing that plan, especially since he wasn’t even doing a low-carb diet.
Speaking of surprising results, was also surprised that Dr. Roy Taylor had such great diabetes remission results in The Newcastle Study using the Optifast shakes, since they are not low-carb, either. Apparently his belief is that it comes down to calories more than macros.
I was keeping my carbs under 20, but now I’ve changed that limit to more like 30-40. It has helped me to allow a small slice of thin whole grain toast each day – I use Dave’s Thin Powerseed Bread, which has 12 gm total carb and 3 gm fiber, so 9 net carbs. That’s in the US, so not sure where else it is available. I had also tried the low-carb tortillas, but they messed with my stomach, and to be honest, I don’t quite believe that you can just add some extra fiber to a high-carb food and suddenly make it low carb. I would think the fiber has to be naturally present in the food.
Have also been mixing a low-carb protein shake with a little tub of unsweetened yogurt for breakfast, blending them up together. Very satisfying and satiating, and 42 gm protein. I’m aiming for quite high protein, and that drink helps a lot.
I haven’t been eating fruit, and do miss that, so may add back a little bit when things come more into season, like plums and apricots. Vegetables, I don’t get enough, and need to work on that.
Would love to hear what kind of a food balance everyone else is eating.
Oh, one final thing, S-G, I’ve been working on getting the A1c down, also. I was up to 7.5 (US numbers) this time last year (diabetic), and most recent test I was down to 6 (prediabetic), so hoping I can keep lowering that with weight loss, and get off the metformin soon, which also messes with my stomach. : /
Thanks again for welcoming me to stay and post, it means a lot to have this support system and friendship! –Becca