My partner is border line diabetic and we must change our diet. We both retired 5 years ago and have gained weight. I find that I'm eating the same as when I was working and younger, but the pounds have piled on...40 since retiring. I never had to diet before so this is new. Where do we start? I've become conscious of carbs, but need some direction as to foods to buy, receipies, eating out. Any suggestions, books, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Toni

Welcome, Toni. Glad to have you with us!

Your best bet for your and your partner is to review the low carb plans available and try one out. While it's tempting to go it on your own sometimes, I can tell you from the four or so years I've been hanging out here, there is a big difference in the level of overall success between folks who start out with an established plan vs. those that don't.

Many of our folks are on Atkins or Protein Power, with a few SouthBeachers and many folks that have more or less developed their own strategy after starting with an estabilshed plan. How your body responds to different foods is very indivudiual, so consider it a learning process. Normally, you'll subtract the fiber grams from the carb grams to get the "net carbs," which is what most plans count.

However, regardless of your approach, understanding LC and how it works with help you tremendously, both in making informed choices and in answering the critics many of us get when folks find out we're eating LC. (Why nobody complained about the "healthiness" of my previous diet of Little Debbies and Dr. Pepper, I have NO clue, but once I ditched the sugar for veggies, meat and a little dairy, you'd think I was skydiving without a parachute or something. )

Give yourself time, and check out the recipe section for lots of helpful ideas. The goal here is to make a reduced-carb way just a part of your lifestyle, and not a diet. Otherwise, you'll loose any ground you've gained LCing when you go back to your old ways. However, once you get the hang of it, most find it's easier than they thought and you end up feeling great in the process.

Just to get started, though, start checking out plans, and begin cutting back on ALL sugar and flour products right out of the gate. Most protien sources are fine, as are the vast majority of veggies. The more natural the food, the better people tend to do, so limit any LC specialty products, especially early on. And start learning LC cooking techniques so you can "low carb" your favorites, because imagination helps you avoid deprivation.

We have a number of people who are diabetic or pre-diabetic here who may jump in as well. I started LCing myself to avoid the diabetes my doc said was on it's way, and have successfully done so.

You may be interested in Dr. Bernsteins Work in particular, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars. Official Web Site, as he specializes in diabetes management, as well as our Articles on Newbie Topics, Newbie Topics | LowCarbEating.

Read here, don't be afarid to ask questions, and give yourself time to develop some new habits and strategies. Looking forward to sharing your journey. And congratuations on your decision to eat healthier. Wishing you and your partner much success!

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Welcome, Toni.

Dixie gave you some fantastic advice, so there isn't much to add.

You'll find most of us follow Atkins, some do Protein Power. I like the explanation of how low carb works in the Protein Power books. There is a lot of science behind it!

I wish you and your partner much success, whatever plan you choose.

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Nita

Welcome, Toni.

I'm an example of someone able to control my BGL's (Blood Glucose Levels) with no medication for a long time now. (I'm almost at my 10 year atkinsversary.)

Ditto everything Goddess said.

Hope you'll both make yourselves at home here.

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Toni. Glad you could join us.

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Henry

Thanks everyone for your support.

Toni

We started the Atkins plan yesterday. About the only thing I miss is milk. We've always been big meat, fish (love fish) and veggie eaters, so that's no problem.
Enjoy!
Toni

If you miss the milk, try heavy cream. I have an egg cream for breakfast every day and as a result have no craving for ice cream or milk.

Hi Toni, I'm Carmen & I too am just starting at the age of 57. I'm glad you asked the question I wanted to ask & got such a great response from all. Good Luck to Both of You!!!