Greetings from Maine

**GKS** · 07-06-2009 09:57 AM

Hello fellow LCE Viewers! I'm happy to have found this discussion board. I've been a Type 2 Diabetic for over 10 years and have made major improvements in my health and reduced my need for medication over the past 10 months by making the choice to eat low carb.

My daily intake is approximately 100 grams, enough for healthy brain function, but low enough to have made a major impact on my diabetes management, as well. By doing this, I've lost 18 pounds and been able to eliminate the need for daily insulin injections! Also, I've reduced my oral meds to only one Actos and one metformin tablet per day. Besides feeling better, losing weight and having more energy, this reduction in meds is a major $$ savings, too!

Thank you to all here at LCE that post tips, comments, recipes, and encouragement. It is much appreciated. Have a great day!

**Goddess** · 07-06-2009 02:03 PM

Welcome, Grace. Glad to have you with us.

Um...I have to be honest. I am NOT a big fan of the "you need X carbs a day for healthy brain function" school of thought. I think it's a great big truckload of sugar-encrusted hooey! I've never seen a scrap of research showing any credible support for that hypothesis. My brain function has never been better than when I started cutting my carbs to 20-30 a day "net" (carbs - minus fiber for effective carb count). The difference was night and day for me, and even overdoing the carbs on a single day will leave me "cloudy" in the thinking department.

At 100 grams a day, I would personally gain weight, so I'm impressed that you've seen positive results at that level. That's great. Of course, everybody is different and I am very careful not to interfere with the docs advice, too. I just wish they would all catch up with the rest of us LCers!

You may want to consider choosing a plan at some point and giving that a go? That is something we usually suggest, since the folks working a particular plan almost always do better. So it's something to keep in mind and/or discuss with your doc as it comes up.

Congrats on your results thusfar!

Hope you enjoy yourself here!!

**hdyhouse** · 07-06-2009 09:11 PM

Grace. Glad you found us.

**Maggie** · 07-07-2009 06:13 AM

Welcome, Grace.

I achieved normal BGL's and have maintained them (and normal a1c's) for over ten years now with no meds. My daily net carbs are between 20 and 30 and my brain functions better now than prior to my adopting a low carb way of eating. I'm aware of the "need to eat so many carbs for healthy brain function" adage, but am unaware of any credible research supporting it. However, there is much research to the contrary. If one maintains a normal BGL, there's plenty of fuel for one's brain.

Happy to have you join us.

**barb keith** · 07-08-2009 09:28 AM

Welcome to LCE! It's great to have you with us!

**GKS** · 07-08-2009 09:40 AM

Thanks for the input. It's good to hear of your successes! Of course, every body is different and has different nutritional needs (and different levels of willpower). At one time in my life, I ate mostly carbs which led to the health problems I now face. I grew up in Oklahoma and have had to overcome a "southern style" of eating that was fed to me from birth, taught to me by my family as I grew up and was ingrained. (Have you ever seen a Paula Deen cooking show? That could be my mother, who is now also struggling with Type 2 diabetes in her 70's and not doing well to change her habits, I might add!) To have cut my daily carbs to the 90-100 range reflects a major deduction and I'm very happy with the results, so far. Maybe in the future I will try fewer, but right now I'm maintaining my weight loss, my BMI is no longer in the overweight range, I have more energy than ever in the past 10 years, and I am continuing to reduce my meds with more exercise and healthier eating. For me, this change in poor lifestyle habits and food choices has been gradual and, most importantly, sustainable. This is not a diet, but a complete overhaul of my lifestyle and the results have been hugely positive.

I thank you for any encouragement you can give.

**Maggie** · 07-09-2009 05:44 AM

Hey, Grace.

In pointing out the carb/brain function falacy, I wasn't in any way trying to minimize the tremendous positive changes you've made for yourself. You are quite right that every individual has to find a lifestyle that is "do-able" and the right "fit" for him or her. You are correct that sustainability is key.

LOL @ the Paula Deen reference. Yup, I've seen her show.

You've REALLY had to overcome some mighty destructive eating "lessons" from your youth, and have done it beautifully.

I wish you continued success!

**GKS** · 07-10-2009 08:35 AM

Thanks Maggie! One particular change I'm proud of is that most of the carbs I eat are vegetables and a little fruit. (Do vegetables even count?) I no longer eat white bread, white potatoes, pasta or rice which was an extremely difficult habit to change. Breakfast is usually just a protein shake and no longer cereal, bread products, pancakes, etc. I grew up in a household where it wasn't breakfast if there wasn't a sweet roll of some kind on your plate!!! Yes, I've come a long way and plan to go even further....

Have a great weekend!

**Maggie** · 07-10-2009 07:36 PM

Big

to the veggies and fruit. With vegies, my rule has always been that if it's green, leafy and raw, I don't give it much thought. With fruits, I'm more cautious. With cooked vegies, I pay some attention, since certain of them (like, carrots, for instance) are not too much of problem raw, but I have to view them with caution when they're cooked.

It's a learning process. I continue to learn, as will you.

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