Diabetes Forum banner
  • Welcome! Are you ready to join the discussions? Click here!
Status
Not open for further replies.

Low carb Low fat Low protein?

12K views 58 replies 17 participants last post by  Ileana 
#1 ·
will this work for weight loss and control?
I've been trying the low carb high fat and I did get use to some of the fats but I did gain almost 4 pounds now so I don't think this is going to work for me. I bought some needles today and a meter and I had some mcdonalds and I went recorded myself at 175 and I've learned that is not a good idea to be over 140 so now I feel bad.

my fats have been butter, coconut oil, fat hamburger, sour cream, dressings and I check for carbs too and none are over 3 and I have not been the best but I've been better than I was for carbs minus today and I don't know how I was before today with no testing kit.

so now I am thinking that this high fat is not a good choice for me either because of weight gain and because it still not good and still some nausea. I am thinking of trying this low carb, low fat and low protein to see how I fair with it because can it be any worse really? I just dunno so help please!
 
#2 · (Edited)
Can you tell us how many carbs you are eating per meal, and per day? Are you keeping protein to a moderate amount, and fats high?

Some things to consider:

There are only three nutrients: carbs, protein and fat. One can't eat low on every one of them - that's called "starvation"

I know that if I eat a lot of nuts I gain weight. Nuts not only contain fat, but a fair amount of protein along with some carbs.

Eating more protein than the body needs for maintenance is counterproductive because that excess protein will be changed to glycogen by the liver and stored there to be released again as glucose into the bloodstream. Thereby raising BG.

It's a balancing act with food. While LCHF generally does cause weight loss, overdoing protein or (for me) nuts will stall or cause gain.

To address your comment about not feeling good - how long have you been doing LCHF? Sometimes it takes a week or two for the body to adjust to this new way of eating and to make the switch from getting fuel from glucose to using fats for fuel.
 
#3 ·
What do you intend to eat if you're reducing all of the nutritional categories? There isn't anything else except carbs, protein and fats.

If you think it can't get any worse than LCHF, then you won't be surprised when you're constantly hungry on your new plan, and not losing weight either. When we starve our bodies, they convert to a survival mechanism whereby metabolism rates are lowered to rock bottom in order to conserve every possible nutrient in order to survive the famine. I suggest that low-carb/low-protein/low-fat is not a healthy way-of-eating at all, and it would definitely not be sustainable.
 
#4 ·
well see that is why I am asking if it would work. I have not tried anything as of yet but this morning when I was cooking some eggs with butter and I thought of all that fat and calories in there but ate it anyways, and I had chicken with it from last night at a restaurant that I wanted to eat again that was so tasty, and I had these long green beans as well. I thought about the eggs without butter and the green beans without sour cream and how many calories and fats I would save there.

My thinking was plain eggs and plain meats and plain vegetables without adding all the fats/oils and that would be low carb because the vegetables are low carb, low fat because the meat would be regular meats like chicken breast and low protein or at least not added protein but just protein from the meats because I know that the chicken has a good amount of fats so I would not be adding extra butter or extra sour cream for fats. I did eat this since my last post but not sure how long ago that was now but I think at least a week that I tried this but even before that I tried the higher fats and it just seems my stomach is not going to accept much of it but some of it. How ever I am disappointed in the weight gain I didn't expect that plus my panties felt tighter around the legs so maybe gained some inches just in a week?

So how does my way of eating sound? real vegetables that are low carb so not like carrots, protein that is just regular in meats and just regular fats that come with the meats
 
#5 ·
just another question or should I start a new thread?
I am anxious to take my fasting blood sugar in the morning. Is there anything I should avoid before bed to change it up or down? I wish I had all the information all of you have on here, I bet you all feel like broken records from posts like me.

And when I had the mcdonalds I was at 120 blood sugar and went to 175 and back down to 135 in two hours so does starting out high make it higher? I will learn this.
 
#7 ·
I wish I had all the information all of you have on here, I bet you all feel like broken records from posts like me..
None of us were born with knowing about these things. We all had to learn about it. Thank goodness for forums so one CAN discuss these things and ask questions.

The folks on this forum are happy to share what they have learned in order to ease the frustration and confusion of those just beginning down this road. Won't be very long and you'll be answering questions, too.
 
#6 ·
Yes, starting out high makes it higher - carbs just pile on more points to wherever you start from. Your testing shows that the McDonald's meal spiked you 75 points - it would have done the same thing if you'd started at 80 and your spike would have gone 135.

Your morning fasting level is a combination of many things . . . much of it hinges on what you ate the day before and even two or three days before. It also depends on what time you test, like if you're up early your reading is likely to be lower. The longer you sleep in, the higher it's apt to go. Not eating doesn't keep it low, it actually increases the odds that it will go higher, because when we don't eat, our liver secretes glucose into our bloodstream to keep us from falling too low. This is the 'liver dump' you may see mentioned around here. Other things that can cause high readings are stress, infections, corticosteroid drugs like prednisone . . . the list goes on.

Don't feel bad about asking so many questions - diabetes and its management is a pretty complicated undertaking. What makes it easier is that LCHF isn't too complicated! :)
 
#8 · (Edited)
Eat the filling and just half the Mc bun next time and see if that's ok, if it's too high cut all of the bun and if you can afford it add a salad. I go to Mc because it's cheap, easy and a consistent product when I'm away from my preferred t/aways, So I wouldn't pay the extra for the salad.
here is a protein calc, don't go below it or it causes problems, cut the carb to lose weight and your sugar highs (I think it's more accurate if you put in the weight you should be for your height)
Protein Calculator | Meals.com
 
#10 ·
I ate half only of the bun but those fries!
I tried this calculator and it says I should eat 91 grams of protein, now if I find something that says how many carbs and how many fats to go along with the protein I shall be set! Not going to happen is it? I check my blood sugar a minute ago and I was at 88. I have not ate since the mcdonalds this afternoon so not sure that good or bad after that food that was about 4 hours ago when I ate it.

I tried to eat some more fats and used some sour cream with mayonnaise and I had them long green beans with some ground turkey all mixed it together like a mush but it all went down the same place. My husbands birthday was yesterday and we having a small cake this evening, maybe I need to make it a farewll piece of cake and start fresh tomorrow. This is really a second job I feel.
 
#9 ·
One big problem with low-everything diets is ... bodies like to maintain the status quo. Pure calorie cuts across the board tend to provoke metabolisms to slooowww dooowwwn. This is why so many people go on one diet after another, only to lose weight quickly ... then re-gain more than they lost ... or, they may gain while dieting!

As for fats and tummies ... carbs must go down as fat goes up! Diabetics simply cannot digest carbs properly. When our systems try to digest both carbs and fats at the same time, they may revolt. Violently. Even if numbers are good.

(And yes, as a matter of fact, I do have deep knowledge about the above ... :eek:)

For me, added exercise has always been the missing component of an otherwise weight-healthy diet. Believe me, I'm not talking Olympian workouts or luxury gym memberships here (not that there's anything wrong with that). Just walking more, taking stairs, incorporating stretches into your day ... whatever's doable for you ... can make a lot of difference.

Most important, for diabetics, is to keep that glucose controlled. Highs, lows and roller-coasters will bring us down, long before extra poundage will.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mary
#11 · (Edited)
If you aren't underweight, at this stage you wont need to be too careful about swapping carbs for fat,
ok so 91g of protein is 91x4= 364 calories
cutting carbs to try 90g a day 90x4=360 calories
target calories say 2000
2000-724 leaves 1276 to be made up of fat
fat is Gram times 9 = calories
142 grams fat x 9 = 1276 calories
total 2000 calories and adjust the 2000 to your requirements, if the 90g of carbs is ok for your sugar
eg to lose, gain or maintain weight by adding or subtracting fat calories

this is free and keeps track of everything for you. I use it and it's a big help
Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com
 
#12 · (Edited)
now for the good news, a piece of chocolate cake is 30g carb
eat meat and veg, no potato meal about 10g carb so a total 40g,
2/3 of a slice of chocolate cake=20g + 10g with main meal =30g
congratulations, you had the 30g carb meal allowance in a 90g carb a day to keep your sugar down
Calories in 1 piece of Chocolate Cake (with Chocolate Frosting) and Nutrition Facts

that's if your sugar is ok at 90g carb a day, you will need to adjust the total carbs a day to work so you don't peak too high
 
#16 ·
Your doctor is wrong, but in his defense, it's what he was taught in medical school. Protein does not break down the sugars - in fact, it can itself be converted to glucose (sugar) when we eat more of it than what our bodies require for maintenance and repair. So go ahead and cut your carbs, but replace them with fats instead of protein, because fats do not raise blood sugar and they do not convert to glucose.

Don't Fear The Fat
 
#18 ·
I think I just got lost on this thread somewhere. Why are we suggesting that a diabetic eat chocolate cake?!

Also, while calculators are helpful and many people use them, the actual carb tolerance (in my opinion) is based upon the individual. Many people here would never tolerate 90 grams of carbs in one day, while others would. Test, test, test!
 
#24 ·
You are right. The theory that by reducing portions without regard to nutritional content may work on paper but it don't take into account hunger which make them impossible for most people to maintain long term. It not only keep the patterns that feed their addictions with the food that they overeat with their health detriments. They make a healthy diet harder to do with all the measuring and weighting.

You can do your carb allowance with a potato or piece of cake but for most diabetic the amount will be so small that it will leave them just with more hunger. Fast acting carbohydrates causes blood sugar roller coaster that even if they have high blood sugar it will trigger more hunger. It will also limit the amount of other food you could eat since a small piece of fast acting carb will just make it very hard to not over do it when you take into account all the other food you will need to calm your hunger.

That why the ADA and regular nutritionist advice doesn't work.
 
#19 · (Edited)
90 grams was the protein cal.
I gave a maybe 90g carb per day example, qualified with "cutting carbs to try 90g" and " if the 90g of carbs is ok for your sugar"
if a piece of chocolate cake fits into a carb allowance, why not?

Ileana has a spike of 175 with a mc Donald's meal with maybe 75g of carb if this was the meal size, if it was 75g of carb, that is nearly a GTT
Calories in McDonald's - Big Mac | Nutrition and Health Facts 46g burger
Calories in McDonald's - French Fries, Medium | Nutrition and Health Facts 48g medium frys
less 1/2 bun about 15-20g
 
#20 ·
if a piece of chocolate cake fits into a carb allowance, why not?
Because chocolate cake is full of fast-acting carb and will send blood sugar soaring in most people, regardless of the carb content. For example, even though my carb allowance is 15-20 per day, I could never eat something sweet that's 25 carbs (like a pastry or something) because of how quickly it increases blood sugar. I would then crave additional carbs, which would make it harder for me to stay very low in carbs.
 
#21 ·
True, it is a very fast acting carb, slowed a bit by the fat in the cake and the main meal. Most here wouldn't have 90g a day of carbs and that includes me :eek:, but a lot of diabetics have that and even more.
the 20g carb of cake is about 1 1/2 to 2 pieces of bread, isn't it?
 
#23 ·
Jack,

Type 2 aside, which I'm new to, I can tell you from being on low carb diets before that cake isn't a great idea. From the standpoint of trying to drop pounds, one piece of cake will spike your blood sugar, knock you out of ketosis, and suspend weight loss for maybe two days, +/- a day. There's also the issue of craving more carbs after you eat the cake. That only makes things difficult.

When I'm low-carbing, I find it helpful to to start from the perspective of "zero carbs" from sugar. Just eliminate simple carbs entirely. I used to think sugar alcohol based candy was ok, but my meter is telling me otherwise. Some tasty "1 carb" peanut M&Ms from Atkins spiked me pretty hard yesterday, for example.

"Eat your meter" is a fantastic bit of advice I've gotten from this site. It takes much the guesswork and speculation out of the process.

You may find that it's best to get most of your carbs from vegetables and nuts - that's what my meter is telling me.
 
#31 ·
I bought strips yesterday and mutt blood sugar was as high as 175 and as low as 88.
It shows that you're having high and low swings, so the cake and extra carbs aren't doing you any favors. If you start to work on your carbs, you will bring down the 175 and hit more stable numbers.
 
#26 · (Edited)
I'm virtually on no carbs and meds to try and get under 100/5.5 fasting, when I get there I will try and put a few carbs back and see how I go
This is what I would be aiming for if I were you,
How to Lower Your Blood Sugar
Here are what doctors currently believe to be non-diabetic readings:

Fasting blood sugar under 100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/L)
One hour after meals under 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/L)
Two hours after meals under 120 mg/dl (6.6 mmol/L)
 
#27 ·
Thank you Jack, I will strive for them numbers then since I blew it yesterday but this is a learning curve and as long as I learn I won't be wasting time and others time as well.

As for that piece of cake? It was so good! I had a good meal before I ate it and when I tested 1.5 hours after it was 122, maybe it was higher latter but I didn't test after that. I don't normally go around eating cake just on birthdays and I've never eaten sweets on an empty stomach because even when younger I felt shaky if I did. There is still a small bit of cake and it beckons me
 
#33 ·
I went through a health issue lately and lowered my fat and, in turn, increased my protein. Disaster. BG shot up. Thank GOODNESS i got to the root of it(myself) and just went back to the high fat. I stay away from all grains, as those are sugar spikers and will undo all your work eating the fat.

If the butter, bacon, etc freak you out, go avocado, oilive oils and salmon. Keep the protein in check- it will undo your efforts!
 
#34 ·
Mollie I see you are also pre D. How were you diagnosed and what kind if numbers did you have? Not to be nosy but just curious. I cannot believe your fasting! I know others are also in the 70"s and that is incredible! If I woke up top that I would probably faint from fear of going into a diabetic coma!
 
#37 ·
I would assume we all sound the same dubbed we are all here with the same problem diabetes and if that its the club you speak of I would wonder why my Dr does not say so. This club I do not wish to belong to. I guess I'm aware of this on some level but am having my last Harrah.
 
#39 ·
I was called by the nurse with my blood test results and never talked to the Dr after that even though I was told too but really it costs a copay each time I go in and I thought they could of told me all that I the phone but she didn't say anything just I wad pre diabetic and make appointment I guess I best hey serious huh? It's hard but I did better yesterday.
 
#42 · (Edited)
what does fat do?

I'm sorry to bother again here.
I read something about the purpose if fat slowing down something but I can't seem to find the post. I was wondering if my experience was fat related when today I had an extremely large meal at a banquet which I rarely do. I tried my best to stay to fats and protein but found mostly meats available so what I did was have a small pile of mashed potatoes and slathered them with butter and sour cream for fats. I did indulge in a few sweets but not too bad because I was so stuffed as it was. My question is why almost five hours after all that food my blood sugar was 129. I'm not sure if it should of still been that high all them hours latter or if the fats I ate kept it that high if that is what fat does. Later when I finally did start to feel hungry again I was so nauseated and that is why I don't eat such large meals
 
#43 ·
I'm sorry to bother again here.
I read something about the purpose if fat slowing down something but I can't seem to find the post. I was wondering if my experience was fat related when today I had an extremely large meal at a banquet which I rarely do. I tried my best to stay to fats and protein but found mostly meats available so what I did was have a small pile of mashed potatoes and slathered them with butter and sour cream for fats. I did indulge in a few sweets but not too bad because I was so stuffed as it was. My question is why almost five hours after all that food my blood sugar was 129. I'm not sure if it should of still been that high all them hours latter or if the fats I ate kept it that high if that is what fat does. Later when I finally did start to feel hungry again I was so nauseated and that is why I don't eat such large meals
I meant to say I was nauseated from all the fats not the large meal because it was about 5 hours from the
Time I ate till I got nauseated.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top