Does my diet qualify as LC?
 

I am very new to all this, so I'm not sure if I really qualify as LC'ing,
but my diet is certainly far more LC than it used to be -- and probably the
healthiest diet I have followed in all of my adult life, at least in my
opinion. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in early June, and that
served as a real wake-up call for me to do something about my diet. I am
greatly overweight and always knew that I "should" do something, but
knowledge about some of the dreadful side-effects of diabetes has been a
real motivation to me. I am essentially following the South Beach diet and
am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is 109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger prick). I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise (but I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even though I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein," but I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions? I met
with a dietitician/diabetes counselor, and she accepted the diet I am
following but it really does not equate with her recommendations (which is
*much* higher in carbs). A number of my friends who have T2 diabetes
recommended SB, and that is how I got started in that direction.

Thanks,
MaryL

MaryL wrote:

I am very new to all this, so I'm not sure if I really qualify as LC'ing,
but my diet is certainly far more LC than it used to be -- and probably the
healthiest diet I have followed in all of my adult life, at least in my
opinion. I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in early June, and that
served as a real wake-up call for me to do something about my diet. I am
greatly overweight and always knew that I "should" do something, but
knowledge about some of the dreadful side-effects of diabetes has been a
real motivation to me. I am essentially following the South Beach diet and
am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is 109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger prick). I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise (but I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even though I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein," but I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions? I met
with a dietitician/diabetes counselor, and she accepted the diet I am
following but it really does not equate with her recommendations (which is
*much* higher in carbs). A number of my friends who have T2 diabetes
recommended SB, and that is how I got started in that direction.

Thanks,
MaryL


There is no firm definition of a low carb diet. What you have posted
seems to be quite healthy, and if, as you say, you are not spiking with
any of your selections, and have good numbers, then stick with it. I
lost about fifty pounds between June and late August with a somewhat
similar diet. The only other thing that I included in regulars
quantities, was fish. A frittata made with smoked salmon, or even smoked
cod is a very tasty and healthy addition. I have them at least once a
week, and on occasion have smoked kippers or fresh trout for breakfast.
I also exercised morning and evening, walking, rowing, riding etc.

You probably should begin to add some exercise to your daily routine, at
least some brisk walking, slowly increasing distance as your body adapts.

You seem to be doing well, stick with it.


Good luck with it.

Regards

David

--

To reply, please include the letters DNF anywhere in the subject line.

All other mail is automatically deleted.

"J. David Anderson" wrote in message
...
MaryL wrote:

I am very new to all this, so I'm not sure if I really qualify as
LC'ing,
but my diet is certainly far more LC than it used to be -- and probably
the
healthiest diet I have followed in all of my adult life, at least in my
opinion.

Thanks,
MaryL


There is no firm definition of a low carb diet. What you have posted
seems to be quite healthy, and if, as you say, you are not spiking with
any of your selections, and have good numbers, then stick with it. I
lost about fifty pounds between June and late August with a somewhat
similar diet. The only other thing that I included in regulars
quantities, was fish. A frittata made with smoked salmon, or even smoked
cod is a very tasty and healthy addition. I have them at least once a
week, and on occasion have smoked kippers or fresh trout for breakfast.
I also exercised morning and evening, walking, rowing, riding etc.

You probably should begin to add some exercise to your daily routine, at
least some brisk walking, slowly increasing distance as your body adapts.

You seem to be doing well, stick with it.


Good luck with it.

Regards

David

--

To reply, please include the letters DNF anywhere in the subject line.

All other mail is automatically deleted.


Thanks very much. I can't add fish to my diet because I am allergic to
fish. However, I don't have that excuse for exercise and I know it is
essential that I develop some willpower there.

MaryL

"J. David Anderson" wrote in message
...
MaryL wrote:

I am very new to all this, so I'm not sure if I really qualify as
LC'ing,
but my diet is certainly far more LC than it used to be -- and probably
the
healthiest diet I have followed in all of my adult life, at least in my
opinion.

Thanks,
MaryL


There is no firm definition of a low carb diet. What you have posted
seems to be quite healthy, and if, as you say, you are not spiking with
any of your selections, and have good numbers, then stick with it. I
lost about fifty pounds between June and late August with a somewhat
similar diet. The only other thing that I included in regulars
quantities, was fish. A frittata made with smoked salmon, or even smoked
cod is a very tasty and healthy addition. I have them at least once a
week, and on occasion have smoked kippers or fresh trout for breakfast.
I also exercised morning and evening, walking, rowing, riding etc.

You probably should begin to add some exercise to your daily routine, at
least some brisk walking, slowly increasing distance as your body adapts.

You seem to be doing well, stick with it.


Good luck with it.

Regards

David

--

To reply, please include the letters DNF anywhere in the subject line.

All other mail is automatically deleted.


Thanks very much. I can't add fish to my diet because I am allergic to
fish. However, I don't have that excuse for exercise and I know it is
essential that I develop some willpower there.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message

am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB
emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat
except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains
known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a
very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is
109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger prick).
I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I
will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise (but
I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even though
I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of
my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and
fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein," but
I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions?

It certainly sounds like LC to me!
I do eat more fats than you (as encouraged to when I first started posting
here because without carby foods I kept feeling hungry all the time). They
keep me satiated much longer. I eat 2 to 6 ounces of protein at each meal
of the day, certainly not anything I would call high-protein.
I do eat butter, cream cheese, regular cheese, cottage cheese, etc. Before
starting low-carb, I mostly used olive oil instead of butter (now I use
both, for different purposes, though) and I never had cream cheese.
Oh, and I eat far more nuts now.
There is something very enjoyable about having mushroom saute'd in butter,
or broccoli with butter and melted cheese (something I never would have
eaten before) and watching the pounds drop on the scale.

Congrats on your decision to make a healthful change in your diet. I too
had a diabetic scare in my blood sugars which led me here. I love the
energy and overall better feeling that I have now.


--
Spring
LC since 1/1/04
260/208/170
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spr...=/55b8&.src=ph
Size: 24W / 14 / 10

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message

am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB
emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat
except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains
known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a
very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is
109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger prick).
I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I
will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise (but
I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even though
I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of
my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and
fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein," but
I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions?

It certainly sounds like LC to me!
I do eat more fats than you (as encouraged to when I first started posting
here because without carby foods I kept feeling hungry all the time). They
keep me satiated much longer. I eat 2 to 6 ounces of protein at each meal
of the day, certainly not anything I would call high-protein.
I do eat butter, cream cheese, regular cheese, cottage cheese, etc. Before
starting low-carb, I mostly used olive oil instead of butter (now I use
both, for different purposes, though) and I never had cream cheese.
Oh, and I eat far more nuts now.
There is something very enjoyable about having mushroom saute'd in butter,
or broccoli with butter and melted cheese (something I never would have
eaten before) and watching the pounds drop on the scale.

Congrats on your decision to make a healthful change in your diet. I too
had a diabetic scare in my blood sugars which led me here. I love the
energy and overall better feeling that I have now.


--
Spring
LC since 1/1/04
260/208/170
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spr...=/55b8&.src=ph
Size: 24W / 14 / 10

"Sprgtime" wrote in message
...

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message

am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB
emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat
except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat
several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an
omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive
oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The
only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains
known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked
on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a
very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is
109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger
prick).
I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more
energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said
I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I
will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise
(but
I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even
though
I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of
my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and
fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein,"
but
I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the
fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions?

It certainly sounds like LC to me!
I do eat more fats than you (as encouraged to when I first started posting
here because without carby foods I kept feeling hungry all the time).
They
keep me satiated much longer. I eat 2 to 6 ounces of protein at each meal
of the day, certainly not anything I would call high-protein.
I do eat butter, cream cheese, regular cheese, cottage cheese, etc.
Before
starting low-carb, I mostly used olive oil instead of butter (now I use
both, for different purposes, though) and I never had cream cheese.
Oh, and I eat far more nuts now.
There is something very enjoyable about having mushroom saute'd in butter,
or broccoli with butter and melted cheese (something I never would have
eaten before) and watching the pounds drop on the scale.

Congrats on your decision to make a healthful change in your diet. I too
had a diabetic scare in my blood sugars which led me here. I love the
energy and overall better feeling that I have now.


--
Spring
LC since 1/1/04
260/208/170

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spr...=/55b8&.src=ph
Size: 24W / 14 / 10



Thanks! One thing that I forgot to mention is that I have 2 or 3 snacks a
day so I don't let too many hours elapse between meals. A typical snack is
a few natural almonds and a piece of low-fat cheese or a couple of spoons of
peanut butter with a small apple or a piece of string cheese and a few
natural walnuts or pecans.

MaryL

"Sprgtime" wrote in message
...

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message

am eating almost all fresh fruits and veggies (lots of them). SB
emphasizes
"good carbs" not "low carb." Most of the meat I eat is lean/low-fat
except
that I will sometimes (not always) have bacon with my eggs. I eat
several
eggs a week -- sometimes fried, sometimes poached, sometimes as an
omelet.
I frequently stir-fry veggies and chicken in a small amount of olive
oil.
In addition, I have eliminated rice, pasta, and white potatoes. The
only
bread I eat is a flourless bread made from the sprouts of whole grains
known
as Ezekiel bread, which I get at a health store. My blood sugar spiked
on
each occasion when I tried whole wheat bread or oatmeal bread, so I no
longer do that. However, I do have old-fashioned oatmeal with fresh
blueberries for breakfast, and I have not had any problems with BG as a
result. I want to try steel-cut oatmeal but have not yet found any.

As a result of these dietary changes, I have lost 33 pounds since early
June. I also take one 500mg tablet of Metformin XR per day, which is a
very
low dose. All except 3 of my BG tests have been within the target range
since early July, and my average BG (testing at a variety of times) is
109.
We checked my meter in the doctor's office, and it gave the identical
reading as what they received in their lab (using the same finger
prick).
I
also feel much better than I have felt in years and have lots more
energy.
I had expected my doctor to increase my dosage of Metformin, but he said
I
am doing so well that that is not necessary. In fact, he hopes that I
will
eventually be able to control this entirely through diet and exercise
(but
I
must admit that I still have not added exercise to my routine, even
though
I
know it is very important). I had previously existed almost entirely on
fast-food and commercially-prepared frozen meals. I am now doing all of
my
own cooking and am relying almost exclusively on fresh vegetables and
fruits
plus meat. I do not place a great deal of emphasis on "high protein,"
but
I
do get protein every day. Instead, I place emphasis on lots of the
fruits
and veggis that SB lists as "foods to enjoy."

Does this really qualify as LC? Does anyone have any suggestions?

It certainly sounds like LC to me!
I do eat more fats than you (as encouraged to when I first started posting
here because without carby foods I kept feeling hungry all the time).
They
keep me satiated much longer. I eat 2 to 6 ounces of protein at each meal
of the day, certainly not anything I would call high-protein.
I do eat butter, cream cheese, regular cheese, cottage cheese, etc.
Before
starting low-carb, I mostly used olive oil instead of butter (now I use
both, for different purposes, though) and I never had cream cheese.
Oh, and I eat far more nuts now.
There is something very enjoyable about having mushroom saute'd in butter,
or broccoli with butter and melted cheese (something I never would have
eaten before) and watching the pounds drop on the scale.

Congrats on your decision to make a healthful change in your diet. I too
had a diabetic scare in my blood sugars which led me here. I love the
energy and overall better feeling that I have now.


--
Spring
LC since 1/1/04
260/208/170

http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/spr...=/55b8&.src=ph
Size: 24W / 14 / 10



Thanks! One thing that I forgot to mention is that I have 2 or 3 snacks a
day so I don't let too many hours elapse between meals. A typical snack is
a few natural almonds and a piece of low-fat cheese or a couple of spoons of
peanut butter with a small apple or a piece of string cheese and a few
natural walnuts or pecans.

MaryL

"Ignoramus13725" wrote in message
...
Your diet is an excellent start on the road towards controlling your
diabetes, it does qualify as lower carb, and definitely you are not
going to suffer any health consequences for merely eliminating flour.

It may not qualify as true LC diet, but, you pick what works, and make
adjustments when necessary.




Thanks! This a very helpful group.

MaryL

"Ignoramus13725" wrote in message
...
Your diet is an excellent start on the road towards controlling your
diabetes, it does qualify as lower carb, and definitely you are not
going to suffer any health consequences for merely eliminating flour.

It may not qualify as true LC diet, but, you pick what works, and make
adjustments when necessary.




Thanks! This a very helpful group.

MaryL