Hi JGwen
Yes, I watched the programme, too. To be honest I found some of it a bit confusing and disappointing from my perspective as someone with Type II diabetes – the whole section about eating bread and some of the things the chef was making – but I was really cheered by that last bit about the NHS rolling out a low carb programme for diabetics (did he say an on-line programme – I know David Unwin was involved in developing the online low carb programme offered by diabetes.co.uk) and it’s always good to see people with diabetes (and other medical issues) hearing about the positive impact low carb has had for them individually.

I found watching some of the faces of those who took part when they were told their results was quite touching. The fact that the guy who had been diabetic for 17 years was showing some signs of improvement in 2 weeks was particularly heartening.

Oh, my cynical friend – I bet you’re right about the celeriac chips!!

Marie xx
edited – to be fair I don’t really know anything about resistant starch which is what Chris van Tulleken was talking about in relation to the pumpernickel and rye bread.

nb I’ve always found the whole thing about fibre and carbs, and you can eat these carbs because the fibre zeros out the carbs completely confusing (so confusing I might be talking complete nonsense here) – something else I need to get my head around at some point!!

Just an after thought to my post to Verano.

If anyone is interested the thread I mentioned where sunshine-girl and others give advice on what healthy fats etc to eat in relation to cholesterol it’s called ‘Raised Cholesterol’ – you’ll find it through the search box.

There are also a couple of links to ratio calculators that Mariet posted which are useful.

And in one of my posts there’s a link to an Ivor Cummins presentation where he gives the formula for translating figures to help you work out your ratios (can’t quite remember what this was but I know it was useful for me!)

Verano
I will read the Pioppi book. I’ve also got Robert Lustig’s book – which I’ll also read! When I was diagnosed with type II last August I was also told I had high cholesterol – it was 6.2. Statins were mentioned but not prescribed. (The practice nurse rightly decided I should focus on the diabetes first). I started the BSD. When I was tested in March my total cholesterol had increased – it was 6.7. I was called a few hours after seeing my results (I have online access to my medical records) and was asked to attend an urgent appointment next day to discuss my cholesterol results. I was pressed to take statins.
Luckily, I have on-line access to my results (and one of the reasons I recommend getting online access where people can) so I was able to really look at what was happening and do a bit of research before my appointment. When I looked at the 0.5 rise between August and March 0.4 of the rise was in my HDL (good cholesterol) and 0.1 was in LDL (bad cholesterol). My triglycerides had gone down from 1.8 to 1.3 – a good thing. Like you, I hadn’t really heard of the importance of ratios until recently but when I checked, my ratios were all in the healthy range. (Interestingly, my total cholesterol/HDL ratio was 3.72 = healthy. When I typed in my figures from last August, the ratio was 4.43 = possible risk of heart disease, so even though my total cholesterol was higher in March, my total cholesterol/HDL ratio was better). Another thing I found interesting was some research which seemed to indicate that higher cholesterol in older women was a positive thing – something I need to research further.
I didn’t agree to the statin prescription. I haven’t rejected the idea completely, but I am highly sceptical. For balance, my friend who takes statins as a preventative measure swears by them (in a good way) but I’m going to be doing a lot more research before my next review in September. Meanwhile I’m following the dietary advice (on healthy fats and oils) sunshine-girl and others gave me.
Marie xx
nb 2 other things –
I agree with your concern about the way in which older people end up on a multiplicity of medication – I wish the ‘The Truth About Drugs’ team had done a programme on that issue!

Your conversation with your doctor about your normal cholesterol number, their new ‘norm’ number, goal posts moving, and the whole fiddling with the computer programme, it did make me smile. Got it in one, I think!

MaggieBath
As KrysiaD says it’s great that you’ve taken charge of your health so positively.
What a sobering account your experience with statins is; fantastic that you discovered what was going on in time, but the fact that it was down to a happy accident (you not taking the tablets) and you making the connection rather than anyone within your health care team is a bit worrying, isn’t it. It’s the big picture that really concerns me – how many people are having similar problems and are not able to make that connection?
Since being diagnosed with type II last August, like you and lots of others on here, I’ve learnt to keep an open but questioning mind about everything I’m being told and offered.

Long may we all continue to do so xx
Marie

I watched the program on BBC1 yesterday evening about low carb diets. – At the end they mentioned how the NHS is about to roll out a low carb program for diabetics. – I think that the word is gradually getting out there. – Somehow it almost felt like the program had been produced as part of an advertisement / launch of the new program to help both the public and GP’s to accept the new advice. – It must be true that nice doctor on the telly did a program about it. –

I liked the idea of using celeriac for chips. – How much do you bet that by the end of the day the shelves will have been cleared of celeriac in the supermarkets and the price has gone up 🙂

Thanks Squidge. Hope so!
Thanks Tenderfoot. So you are 1 day ahead! Maybe we can check in with each other every so often to make sure we stay on track?
I felt rubbish last night and have woken up with a pounding headache and no energy. Sugar withdrawal I guess? But have weighed myself and am 1.8kg down. I know that is probably water and is not ‘real’. Plus a kilo of that was halfterm mega splurge. So 0.8kg really. Which is still encouraging in 3 days.
I live with a semi-professional triathlete (top age grouper) and 2 sporty kids. All super-skinny with hollow legs. So the house is rammed full of carbs all the time. My son has just eaten 3 weetabix, & 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter and jam! The cupboard is full of chocolate bars, cakes and biscuits. I can’t get rid of any of it as it’s nt their problem I have gained too much weight. Still the whole world is full of carb and junk food. I need to learn to deal with triggers so might as well start now in my own house! Onwards and downwards……

Hi,

I just wanted to share a movie I watched last night. It was recommended to me by a friend, and it was simply breathtaking. It charts the effect of eating a LCHF diet on various people, an autistic child, a lady with a malignant breast tumour and various others. The results are simply outstanding. The movie also tells the battle that Prof Tim Noakes had in S Africa with trying to defend himself against malpractice. This movie is on Netflix and Amazon, I’m not trying to push it on you, but please find the time to watch it, it will absolutely convince anybody who is still sitting on the fence about this WOE. I’m sensing that this gradual change that we have been witnessing, may be picking up pace…

I can easily see that cutting out most snacks, and having a longer period of not eating, than for eating are good ideas – and I’m adopting that approach. Not eating from lunch onwards though? Nope. Don’t want to do that. I’d far rather eat a little less overall.

Jason Fung on the effects of the time we eat. Before 2pm has the max impact on all those markers we’re trying to improve. Sociable it isn’t!
https://idmprogram.com/the-critical-importance-of-meal-timing-for-weight-loss/

Allie,I hope your husband has recovered from his colon cancer operation and is now hale and hearty.

Allie, I APPRECIATE your advice ! I have been making the porridge for my daughter thinking that perhaps I should increase the carbs a little bit but don’t even know if i am doing the right thing. Her GP is really great but when it comes to weight loss, insulin resistance, pcos etc-I personally feel that her knowledge is limited. Do you think that blueberries with fried eggs would be good for breakfast? These are low in calories. If yes, then can blueberries be eaten once a day/? So basically I should avoid foods like broccolli, sprouts and cauliflower as these may cause disturbances in the tummy. I will do that and see if helps.
I apologise for asking so many questions.
Another question is-Do yo think that the 5:2 diet book recipes are good? I noticed that some of the foods in the recipes are very high in carbs. Just wondering what your thoughts are on this. Take care.

I’m glad that things are looking better today, SunnySandy. Introducing fruits can be a little tricky, because they
are so high in carbs, so really don’t have a place in the Fast 800. A pear, for example, has 22.5g. Most of us limit
fruit to a small portion of berries only, maybe 6-8. It’s only 2 years in that I’m experimenting with a few cubes of
canteloupe melon, to start. I’ve been ruminating on your beautiful daughter’s situation, though, and I have another
thought about how to quiet down this episode of IBS…..My husband was put on a short term “low residue die”t following
surgery for colon cancer last year. What I’m thinking is that using this briefly might get her over this attack. Cruciferous
vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts are the antithesis of this. Asparagus and stringbeans might
be better. Nuts, seeds wouldn’t be the best for her right now, or anything else that is high fiber. Long term,, high fiber
diets are much better, but quieting down what is going on in her large and small intestine is what I’d be looking to
do for my own child. I took a quick look on the internet, and there are many sites that outline this approach. I’m
just trying to brainstorm with you Sandy, not offer medical advice. 🙂 I hope these thoughts are helpful. Call upon
me ANYTIME, I’m always happy to share ideas!

Hugs,

Allie

Hello dreamscometrue,
I just watched that video and must admit that those cakes certainly made my mouth water! Why do all the delicious things have to be so bad for health? On a serious note, ever since I started my daughter on this diet, her cravings have really lessened and I feel so good about that! Previously she used to rummage all the cupboards and eat ketchup straight from the bottle, eat up the bread in the fridge and finish off a who;le packet of biscuits, all without my knowledge. Funny enough she would also crave butter. I am wondering why though. Could it be that her body was crying for fat?
Please would you be kind enough to explain what you mean by-It could be the fat that is trying to break down?
Your reply to my question is really appreciated. Thank you all travellers. I wish you all good health. Our destination is the same for sure.

Daer Alliecat,
Thanks for your reply, yes my daughter is much better now. however i don’t know wheter it’s because she is taking the Buscopan . I am not going to give her another dose this evening just to see if the pain is still there. If it persists then I will definitely take her to the GP again. I have heard of gut biome and know that gut health is SO important for overall health. The gut biome has to be balanced and if it’s not then health issues crop up. Allie, one other question-I have cut out the sugar completely on this diet. We started on the 22nd of April on the BSD diet. Can I start introducing fruits such as [ears and berries into the diet? I mean so far I have been giving her mixed berries in the yogurt and apple porride but not on their own. From what I read, one should only eat two serving a day-is that right? You are so helpful-thank you fro your support.

Yowser, I haven’t seen any new posts from captainlynn since I became active on the forum in August of 2017, though
I took the time to read thru her posting history because I recognized what a beacon of light she was to the community.
However, Theodora, SunnyB, californiagirl, Verano, sunshine-girl and Krysia are still actively posting, to name just
a few, and I’m certain that they would love to hear from you, too!

Hello Maid2Measure,
Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question, much appreciated. i hope that you are much better now, so sorry for all the agony that you must have gone through. So raw food can cause cramps according to your personal experience. Daughter is okay today and is not in any pain. Unfortunately she was unable to explain what sort of a pain she was experiencing despite asking her several times. However I am going to stop giving her the Buscopan just to see if the pain is still there. It’s just so stressful right now. Hopefully things will settle down and this will just be related to her IBS. I appreciate you reply, thanks again!

Hi Lessmuffintop,
Thank you for your reply! My daughter too has IBS and she does have cramps when the dreaded diarrhoea strikes. After doing a lot of research I found out that there is a very strong link with pcos and ibs. This is something that the endocrinologist was not aware of and neither was the GP. This pain emanated from the sides of the tummy, basically in the line of where the ovaries are located. The doctor said that it wasn’t related to the ovaries as one one would cause pain and not both of them. I have been reading about probiotics and how they help with settling down the tummy when IBS is the cause of pain. Is there any particular one that you would recommend? Which are the heavy digest vegetables that you are referring to? Her last meal before the attack was skinny cauliflower cottage pie from the BSD recipe book. I do hear from some people that cauliflower can cause cramps in some people. Thank you so much for you reply, everyone has been so supportive.

howdy ALLIECAT! I remember you! So nice to hear you’re now a longterm maintaineer! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I like the sound of the poz thought for today thread!
Allie, Do you or anyone have news of CAPTAINLYNNE! ?she was role model to me and lots others here!
Cap’ n, i hope youre well!XX

Well done on your weight loss, Me Too. Good luck to both of you.

Hi Yowser 49! It’s really so nice to hear from you today 🙂 I’m sorry that the lymphodema is still plaguing you…Of
course I remember you from earlier days. I’ve done well, and am now a year into maintenance. There are a lot of
us still around, so please pop in from time to time. We’ve got a “Positive Thoughts for today” thread, and you may
recognize the names of old friends there. Visit us, and very best to you,

Allie

Welcome. I just started as well. Just finishing day 4. The good news is that I am seeing the numbers on the scale go down. (I know, maybe water weight loss, but still encouraging). Unlike you, I have very little appetite! I must be detoxing in that I feel slightly strange and could not sleep last night. I am encouraged by all the support from members here and hope you find it easier day by day. I have tried many diets, and I think this one combines all the best (keto, Mediterranean, IF, calorie counting). So I am very hopeful and wish you great success and even blood sugar real soon.
Tenderfoot

Ah hi KAZZEE,thanks for calling by..im glad youre no longer that shy lurker! How is low carb going for you? Hope its working. I think its the only thing that has worked longterm for me,coz its the only WOE that means i dont go hungry.
The Carb Monster refuses to die completely and leave me in peace though! …just like someone with a drink problem,it has to be one day at a time,i cant get complacent and i am always just one slice of bread away from
Disaster! Well,not quite,but you know what i mean.
At the moment i’ m trying to follow a more alkaline but still low carb diet as its supposed to help reduce lymphoedema ( a condition that means my legs are still like tree trunks,despite losing so much weight elsewhere)
Autographs!? I used to do them but now Im like Ringo and say,”No more autographs please..love and peace!”
( hehe only joking of course..i love the Beatles but Ringo? Give your head a wobble! ) XX

Do not worry, as you are not diabetic your blood glucose will go up and down all over the place but your body is quite capable of making the right adjustments. Maybe it is a bit too soon for your husband to reduce his Metformin. I would suggest he get his bloods down to around 5 or 6 and then cut it by half – tell him not to worry as it all takes time but to watch his numbers carefully. If it was up at 8.5 post overnight fasting i.e. from dinner to breakfast, then he might want to look up the Dawn Phenomenon where the liver things you are starving and pumps out glycogen during the night giving a false high. If this is the case then a small snack before bed does the trick. Something BSD friendly like ham, cheese or chicken. Well done to you for supporting your husband and well done to him for having the courage to do this diet – it is not easy but it works.

Hi ChimpTamer.

The first few days are the most difficult. Once you and your body are over the shock and adapted to the change it gets much easier. Very soon your body will be getting energy from your fat reserves and you’ll feel much better.

Im on the diet to loose weight (Im not diabetic) also supporting my Husband who is type 2
Week 2 and have got into the swing of things and lost 8llbs Using my husbands blood test monitor I did a blood test crikey ! it said 15.5 and ketosis was flashing … should I be worried ??

my husband has slightly reduced his metformin by just half tablet for the last 2 days and his readings today are 8.5. . prior to this he had for a whole week readings of 6-7 did he reduce too soon ? thankyou all

Hello all, I have just posted on the weekly challenge but what I said I think might be worth posting again here. So I have cut and pasted it so here goes:-

I add up my daily menu to reach around 650 calories then I can allow myself a 10g piece of very dark chocolate at 50 cals and I always have a snack before bed. Usually it is just a chunk of chicken or ham but I have got into the habit of having it on a Ryvita (yes I know it is a carb) with butter, another 100 cals. So I am up to my 800 calories but that doesn’t give me any leeway for a coffee with milk or maybe an afternoon piece of meat if my BG goes too low. Also, there are days when I plan for, say, 750 calories but still have the same snack and treat, taking me over the 800 calories. From now on it has to stop. I will still have my bedtime snack but no chocolate and no Ryvita.

Just shows how easily we can go wrong. Have a good day everyone.

Hi there, this is a good time to work out my mistakes and I came across 2 whoppers yesterday. I add up my daily menu to reach around 650 calories then I can allow myself a 10g piece of very dark chocolate at 50 cals and I always have a snack before bed. Usually it is just a chunk of chicken or ham but I have got into the habit of having it on a Ryvita (yes I know it is a carb) with butter, another 100 cals. So I am up to my 800 calories but that doesn’t give me any leeway for a coffee with milk or maybe an afternoon piece of meat if my BG goes too low. Also, there are days when I plan for, say, 750 calories but still have the same snack or treat, taking me over the 800 calories. From now on it has to stop. I will still have my bedtime snack but no chocolate and no Ryvita.

It is good to come back to these things and see where you are slipping up. Keep on keeping on…

Thanks for that Krysia, I have put it on to record. Thanks V, I have just looked at the Pioppi diet and it seems very similar to this one. When I had my last cholesterol done my HDL had lowered along with the LDL and I asked doctor what I could do to get the HDL up more and he said to stop worrying I am perfect. I think he meant my numbers but it made me smile.

Hi Little_ella, I am coming back to 5:2 as well after time away. I have done some BSD and also some keto- I am almost where I want to be with my weight but I would like to lose a little bit more and also have a long term plan for a healthy future. The most updated version of The Fast Diet seems to be 2014 but I think the BSD 5:2 has kind of overtaken – I’m guessing partly because the 5:2 works better if the ‘feed’ days are also Mediterranean/low-carb even if you’re not counting calories.
It is also worth reading Jasón Fung’s books on fasting and diabetes (he quotes both MM and Prof Taylor) and he has more long-term results for fasting.
I think for me, the reason I want to come back to 5:2 is that constant very low-carb and especially keto just end up making me obsessive about everything I eat and I end up almost scared to eat anything – that can’t be good!
So I am back, so we can do this!
SSB

Hey everyone! I’m also in my first week and started on Monday. I’m determined to reverse my diabetes once and for all and really hope I can do it this time. I’m keeping my carbs to 20g. I’ve got to admit that the first day was a struggle and I did have abit of headache by the time I went to bed but drinking more water has definitely helped! Weighed myself on Monday morning and since then my blood sugars are showing improvement already. We can do this!! The support on this forum is amazing 🙂

Thanks JGwen. That’s reassuring. Xx

That’s our Kazzi, Maggie! We both enjoy humor at our own expense 🙂 My tale of woe tacks in the opposite direction….
I’m “frontally challenged” and I’ve lost ALL fat tissue in that area, and have had to resort to prosthetics to appear normal!
When I remove this garment I weigh over a lb. less 🙂 🙂 🙂 I could go on, but that really would be TMI.

Congratulations Kazzee, that was quite risquè reading! Very joyful, really got the picture of how excited you are!

Hi Inka, how’s it going with your multicooker?
I have a positive NSV to report – I am now wearing a smaller bra! 48G! So much more comfortable than my old bolster holder that did absolutely nothing for me and basically just flattened and contained! It was a very stern sports bra, 50H. I’m now feeling quite perky! 🙂 Truth is though, I have to practically roll ’em up and fit them inside with plenty of rearranging! Who cares?! 🙂 Next goal will be to ditch my knickers that are all starting to get a bit loose! Yey! Sorry if that’s TMI – but it’s an exciting thing for me!
Kazzeexx

I understand how you feel, I thought the same about 800 cals, and no carbs when I started. I promise it does get easier once your body and mind adapt to this way of eating. –

I also went through a period of finding it difficult to get to sleep when I first started. Carbs do make the amino acids which help people get to sleep easier to access, your body just takes a little time to get used to lower carb levels.

It’s good to see so many familiar names from last year when I was a shy (and desperately unhappy) lurker having just discovered this website and avidly reading through the threads, prior to me taking the plunge and getting on board mid August last year.
I just wanted to say hello to you all. I hope you’ll stay for awhile? I’ve noticed that people come and go and it seems to be the cycle of things, particularly once this way of eating becomes established… life moves on in other ways as a result of adopting this WOE but it’s always lovely to see “old timers” re-visit so I am really delighted to read your happy exchanges at reconnecting with each other again! Long may it continue! 🙂 And, lovely to meet you all – you’re all like celebrities to me! Can I have your autographs? haha!
Kazzee

Thanks! Hurray lunchtime! Survived on my 2 eggs. Having a big salad for lunch. I was hungrier on day 2 than day 1 and am now hungrier than I was yesterday. So I have visions of this just getting harder and harder each day a nd becoming more and more food obsessed and starving!! But that does not seem to be how other people experience this so fingers crossed.

Should have said the snack should be BSD friendly like a piece of ham or chicken or a tablespoon of yoghurt with a couple of prunes. It might take them over the 800 but if it is needed it is needed and better than the old remedy of having something really sweet and fast acting which increases BG quickly but it drops again very soon.

Hi BARISTAGIRLS! I DO remember you and thank you for remembering me! 💐💐💐💐
Is it very quiet on here these days? Its a shame,used to be so busy here,but it seems like all forums change over time. lovely to pop back and say hello tho,and i’ve just re read some old posts,and as you say,its good theres still people here giving and sharing good advice!
Take care BG! X

Hi Cassiopeia, yes it could be carb flu although I have never experienced this – maybe because I had already worked out that carbs were not good for my diabetes and had cut by about half when I started this plan. You could also be suffering from low blood sugar, it makes you feel weak and wobbly and gives you blurred vision, strong hunger pangs – you might not feel hungry but if you are sticking to 800 cals your body will be screaming for food. As you are not diabetic this only has a short term annoyance effect and you will get used to the diet and soon be able to tolerate the low calories. However, your partner might also be experiencing this too and will need to watch their blood sugar very carefully. Do they take medication, do they have a blood monitor, how are they feeling. They might need to reduce meds or have an emergency snack nearby in case they go low. Please talk to them and ask them if you can pass on any information that might help to keep him / her safe.

Thanks for all your replies – I am feeling a bit better this morning mercifully! It’s all very interesting – I wasn’t prepared for feeling quite as bad as I did yesterday from the information MM had given in the book!
Thanks again
Cass
x

This came to me, so I’ll start us off…
I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE, A SMALLER SIZE BY THE 10TH OF JULY!
YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON A LOW CARB JULY!
Okay, over to you all!

Thanks Maggie, yes of course call me Cass 🙂

Thanks Lisa 🙂

Happy lunchtime, Zoomers!
Apologies for the delay in getting last week’s total poundage lost to you all. I was just waiting to see if anyone else had anything to report like BuddhasWife. Okay, the total lost at the end of week 3 is…. 18.8 lbs and 1 inch off JGwen’s hips! Woohoo, well done every body and give yourselves a big clap! 🙂
I guess we should start thinking about the name for the next 4 week challenge which will begin 12 June and end 10 July? Anyone like to volunteer to host?
We’re on the final lap now, my friends – let’s crank up our engines, and fly through to the finish line with our best weekly loss possible! 🙂
Kazzeexxxx

Thanks Krysia, just grateful I found this way of eating and the forum which gives so much information and positive reinforcement.
I think there are four doctors alerting us to another way of eating and taking responsibility for ourselves on or have recently been on television; Xand and his brother Chris who’s presenting The Doctor who Gave Up Drugs, MM and Rangan Chatterjee who presented Doctor in the House advocating lifestyle changes. It must surely be having a drip drip effect.
Conversations between the two brothers would be well worth listening in to!

Positives for the week.
Still feeling good from visiting last week a good friend who lives a long distance away so we only catch up in person occasionally. She kept referring to me as her vanishing friend because of the changes in body shape since we last met.
Met up with another friend yesterday evening who also asked lots of questions about the diet and what I eat each day. You could see the cogs working on maybe following the same routine herself. – It feels great to have enough weight loss that others are taking notice that this WoE works.
Lovely sunny day, with plenty of work to do out in the sunshine.

Hey, glad that you start do this! Gl with that. Hope you will be ok. Waiting for youre results)

Guys i just got raise!!!
I`m so happy atm)

Hello everyone!

I have had the most wonderful holiday. The staff remembered us from last year (we must be a nuisance lol) and made a fuss of us. We tried to abstain from alcohol, but failed with good grace. I have gained weight (not from eating) but I am confident a few fasts and copious amounts of water will deal with that! Not happy that my house (looked after by my daughter and son in law) was an absolute sh*t tip when I got home. She apologised but….HE could have done something! There is a stain on my Egyptian Cotton Quilt cover (cost a lot of money). The baby’s sticky finger marks everywhere (they could be wiped away, now will need scrubbing). Apparently, HE was ill (both ends) during his stay…not saying anymore except, going to spend all day cleaning sticky floors!

However, I do have some positives!

1) I saw my lovely grandchildren yesterday. Missed them so much and got the most amazing cuddles and love.
2) Weighed myself yesterday and this morning, and have lost a pound overnight !!!!!
3) Slept in my own, incredibly comfortable bed last night. Bliss.

Inka, and Marie 123….are you referring to ….“ah that’s the listening thing before you go to sleep.” ? Thank you for remembering me.

Keep going everyone.

Lots of love
Nonna Mary
xxx