Type 1 for 45 years Time to change diet

(Cathy Davies) #1

Hi, I’ve been type1 for 45 yrs. I’ve been on a pump for 3 years. My hba1c few weeks ago was 75. I’ve never really gotten it below 8 (old number). I crave sweet things a lot. I need to lose 56 lbs. when I cut down on carbs my blood sugars are so much better. I recently got started on Victoza, I’m very insulin resistant. I know I need to change my diet/lifestyle. I recently attended a pump support meeting with a Dr Ian Lake giving a talk. It inspired me to think seriously about change. I have
Minimum complications (some background retinopathy), I’m 54 years young! I so want to improve my health and well being. Xxx

(Solomom A) #2

Hi you are welcome. Have you heard of Dr. Bernstein? He is also a Type 1 Diabetic. An excellent doc who uses similar approaches for the management of diabetes. Extremely knowledgeable about the medications also. He may protest referring to his approach as LCHF or Ketogenic but thats not the substance.

#3

Hi Cathy and welcome to the forum. Our profiles are very similar! I’ve had T1D for 45 years too with no side effects. I started eating keto 10 weeks ago and have never felt better! Whilst I took it slowly, gradually reducing insulin with reducing carbs and made sure to have the wine gums close at hand (I did experience both highs and lows!). I thoroughly recommend it; mentally I’ve never felt better, lost 7kgs and have so much energy its unbelievable. My last HbA1c in December was 73 so looking forward to the next (that’s not something I’d normally say!). I’m on MDI; Levemir and Novorapid

Things to be aware of as you reduce your carb intake:

  1. You may need to bolus for protein in absence of carbs ( I experienced quite a few highs early on by not doing this). Not all Type 1s do but generally the rule is 50% of normal. The protein effect doesn’t kick in for a couple of hours after eating protein
  2. As you progress you may/ should experience far more stable BG results ie less peaks and troughs. Amazing for me is the fact that I can now get regular FBGs of 3.5 - 5.0 and not feel hypo . I am still hypo aware so all safe!
  3. For me I still experience the dawn phenomonon (or liver glycogen dump) so need to eat something (usually I eat a slice of butter :):grinning: to stop the BGs from climbing

Like everyone else you do have to get your head around this great WOE and its so worth it. But you need to wipe the slate clean re everything you’ve been taught over 45 years.

Listen to the podcasts and learn from all the great people on this site; they’re very friendly and knowledgable. Lots of scientific evidence to back up why this is the way to go. It convinced me…

As well as Dr .Bernstein’s books/you tube (loads of great information) also check out https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/low-carb-diet-forum.18/ and https://www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com/treatment-for-diabetes.html Once you start researching there is actually loads of info available on line.

Please feel free to ask anything , everyone is happy to help
Ali

(Cathy Davies) #4

Hi Buffy, lovely to hear from you. I’m really keen to change my way of eating. I generally bolus (via pump) for pretty much everything including cups of tea! I’ll have a look at the links you posted. I’ve been getting fed up of my cravings and carb addiction. I think this (keto/low carb) will be the thing that will help me. Xxxx

(Cathy Davies) #5

I have his book on my Kindle, a very interesting book. X

#6

Hi Cathy, always around if you want to bounce any ideas/experiences/questions . Remember I’ve only been eating keto for 10 weeks so I’m still a relative newbie too. The hardest part for me was giving up fruit such as bananas and satsumas, but I do now eat very small quantities of raspberries or blueberries.(max of 5). I kept it very simple (didn’t experiment with keto recipes until last week) initially; so meat/fish and low carb veggies (cauliflower, cabbage, courgette, green beans) plus butter, olive oil, cream cheese, double cream. Drink lots of water, use salt and I also take a magnesium supplement. To help with insulin resistance I now take ginger capsules which were recommended by @SlowBurnMary . Do a search on this forum for ginger and you should find her highly informative articles. My weight loss has been relatively slow in comparison to others,probably due to exogenous insulin plus age (52) but I already feel 20 years younger mentally and know that this is for life for me :):grinning:

(Cathy Davies) #7

Thank you. I’m lacking a bit in variety really at the moment and eating same each day , mainly raspberries and Greek yogurt and tuna salad! I need to get cooking and do some recipes. I’ll have a look at ginger capsules, I tried ginger tea but ohhhh yuck! Xx

#8

:smiley:Hi Cathy, sorry for the late reply; been at Cholmondeley Castle today walking through the bluebell woods and buying plants. The rhodies/camillias and azaleas were all in bloom, so beautiful. Bought a couple of lemon trees , all of 3 cm tall currently, in an attempt to grow my own lemons in the UK! I miss my NZ lemon trees and just picking them off when I need one. Have been assured these are fully hardy for the English weather. I’m going to start them off in the conservatory plus have a secret “weapon” to really get them going. Watch this space…

Do you eat red meat? Lamb, mince, chops, bacon etc. Do you like baked salmon? Try sardines/mackerel for a change from tuna. Avocado is now my best friend. Mash half an avo with half tin of tuna and dessert spoon of mayonnaise (this is an old favourite of mine from about 20 years ago). Eat some low carb veggies such as courgettes, broccoli, cauliflower(which is gorgeous mashed with butter and a little double cream), fry some green beans with red pepper/leek/red cabbage in coconut oil (yum!). When I first started I did keep it very simple but now I’ve rediscovered my love of cooking. Lots of great recipes on keto forum and dietdoctor.com. I like to make up my own recipes on the whole so my hubby is a bit of a guinea pig (though well fed!)

I’ve assumed you’re in the UK ? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Do hope you are feeling ok? How’s the BGs? Keep in touch

Ali x