Food to control weight loss.

[fafafouy]

I was just diagnosed last week after having symptoms for the preceeding weeks including unexplained weight loss. I started on Metformin this weekend and will have my c-peptide test tomorrow.
As soon as I was Dx I began a diabetic diet based on what I've read hear and researched online. The problem is, I am at the beginning of trying to control this and combining that with the now low carb diet I am continuing to lose weight.

I am at my high school weight at this point and would like to avoid losing any more. Does anyone have suggestions for meals I can eat that are low carb but might help me stop the weight loss?
My cholesterol, BP, liver and kidney numbers are fine but I don't want to get into too much fat if I can avoid it. Is there anything I can eat a lot of that might help me put some healthy weight on or at least stop the loss? Thanks

[fgummett]

Hi and Welcome to DF!

What are your Blood Glucose (BG) numbers like? How were you diagnosed? I'm assuming they diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes -- based on the Metformin?

In terms of diet I'll just suggest that Fat has been given an undeserved "bad rap".

[fafafouy]

Initial diagnosis is Type 2 but I will have c-peptide to determine pancreas function this week. My BG has ranged between 200-350 but I've been eating reduced carb, not carb free yet because I'm still trying to find out what I can eat beyond hard boiled eggs, meat and cheese that is safe. For breakfast I have been having two egg whites with a slice of whole grain toast or half a serving of oatmeal and two egg whites. Lunch has varied and I am quickly learning what I think might be low carb (like a veggie pita) and what is, are too different things!
I had a football game tailgate yesterday and we grilled chicken wings (with no carb hot sauce) which were good but I obviously can't eat that every day. I just would like to get my BG under 200 and not lose another five pounds at the same time.

[fgummett]

I'd suggest that job one is establishing what Type of D you have. Has anyone suggested a GAD antibodies test? Metformin can take a coupe of weeks to take effect.

Why no egg yolks... cholesterol or personal taste? I'm pretty sure any decent (up to date) Dietitian will not even be spreading the myth of "eggs and cholesterol levels" any more.

Real whole food, is my order of the day... preferably local and in-season, grown/reared on nutrient rich land. This means eat whole (unprocessed, unpackaged, unadulterated) food, which includes a natural balance of fat, protein and carbohydrates (as well as vitamins, minerals etc...) ...don't be afraid of fat... it's gotten a bad rap.

Those of us with Diabetes need to pay particular attention to those foods which have the most effect on our Blood Glucose levels. There are obvious things to watch out for like candy, cola, cakes and sweets (these are high in refined/concentrated carbohydrates)... next in line are the "white" foods like bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, breakfast cereal... but even something assumed to be healthy like orange juice has about as much sugar as a cola... fat reduced milk can have an higher proportion of lactose (sugar), especially in products like fat reduced yogurt which often has added sugar in the form of HFCS ... and so it goes on. That does not mean you need to feel deprived or hungry to eat this way, not by any means.

You'll often see here on DF the phrase "eat to your meter" and this deceptively simple message is very wise... test around your food and figure out what works best for YOU.

I'd suggest that BG control be your primary aim -- managing fat mass, cholesterol/lipids, hypertension etc... all these tend to improve with more normal BGs.

Same rules for snacks... I'm big on nuts, cheese, dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), pork scratchings, cold meats, boiled eggs, peanut butter.

While we are encouraged to eat "so many servings of fruit and veg daily", many of these can spike our BGs so test, test test... but you may also help reduce/slow the BG spike by mixing foods... for example: instead of eating an apple by itself, try just half the apple in slices with some peanut butter or cheese... or have a few berries with some heavy cream.

[fafafouy]

Hey....I've read this somewhere before :) Got any specific foods? Is there anything I can pig out on? For example I had probably 15 wings yesterday but didn't test afterward because I was at the game. Can I eat two grilled chicken breasts or a large pork chop with vegetables or do I have to limit the portion of my meat? Are there any "pig out" foods that don't raise BG?

[fgummett]

Sorry... I get lazy sometimes and just quote myself ;)

My personal approach is very low carbohydrate (not for everybody but works well for me) and I would say that so long as you are avoiding refined/concentrated carbohydrates you may eat freely and trust your body to tell you when you have had enough.

I do not consciously count calories -- nor do I believe does any other animal BUT I do find the real whole foods are self-limiting... try eating the equivalent number of carbohydrate grams in a bottle of cola, in the form of broccoli instead... see you in a few hours :T and yet people chug cola after cola like it is water :eek: Similarly imagine how many stacks of pancakes and syrup you could eat compared to a similarly high stack of steaks or pork chops...

I cook and eat bacon, eggs, steak, chicken, fish, chicken stock, heavy cream, full fat cheese, butter, olive oil, broccoli, Romaine lettuce (green leafy veg preferred over starchy roots or sweet veg), dark chocolate, nuts, berries

I drink water and decaf green tea.

Carbohydrates are strings of sugar and will raise your BG. Protein can be converted by the Liver into Glucose but this tends to be a slower and costlier process. Fat is not converted to Glucose but when eaten with carbohydrates may slow down their digestion and lessen any BG spike.

[ShottleBop]

Dr. Bernstein's diabetes diet basically uses protein intake to regulate weight. If you're losing weight, add protein. If you're gaining weight, subtract protein.

[jps]

For me, I've found plenty of pig out foods. I can eat until I'm ready to burst with certain foods. They always seem to be vegetables and meats though.

Like Frank, I don't count calories. I eat until I start to feel a little bit full (as opposed until I'm completely stuffed). That's helped with portion control.

But I know, from experience with testing, that I can eat a 20 ounce porterhouse with mushrooms and broccoli, without testing. It simply doesn't budge.

As for not wanting to lose weight and keeping low carb, check different types of nuts. They all have different carb content, but there's alot of fiber in most reducing the net carbs. And they are calorie packed. And they are loaded with "good" fats. Also, cheese can help you out. Shouldn't do much at all to lift your glucoses and it packs some calories.

But again, it's one of those things - everyone is different. Make sure you test after you eat these foods. If they don't elevate your sugar, you should definitely add it as a staple to your diet.

[MamaGlucose]

I do not consciously count calories -- nor do I believe does any other animal BUT I do find the real whole foods are self-limiting... try eating the equivalent number of carbohydrate grams in a bottle of cola, in the form of broccoli instead... see you in a few hours :T and yet people chug cola after cola like it is water :eek: Similarly imagine how many stacks of pancakes and syrup you could eat compared to a similarly high stack of steaks or pork chops...

This is SO true!