Low carbs and symptoms

Posted , 14 users are following.

Hi,

I've been following a low carb diet for only one week now, the reason being to try to lose/maintain weight. I'm not sure if I've read this on the forum and already forgotten!!! but I'm fairly sure that it is having an impact on symptoms, in that there is an improvement. Having said that, I have next to no symptoms, more of a very, very mild awareness of some slight stiffness at times, which might not even be PMR related. I'm in the middle of my third attempt (slow DSNS) to go from 11mg to 10mg. My question is about whether a low carb diet is expected to have an impact on symptoms?

A second question is that I'm using diet.dr/low carb as recommended on this forum which I'm finding quite high in fat (love it!!) but this makes it high in calories - should I try to keep calories under control as well as carbs. Like most on this forum, I'm of an age whereby high fat, highish calories are just a real 'no no' for weight loss. I understand that any weight loss will be extremely slow. Thanks for your input.

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • Posted

    If carbs are under control and low enough the calories are relatively immaterial - without carbs the body uses fat to produce energy so it is still being used up. It is the combination of fat and sugar that has caused so many problems. I don't follow diet doctor slavishly as such - I recommend it more as an easy illustration of where carbs are found, I can't say I realised there was a "diet" there. And I say low carb - rather than keto which is high fat usually.

    High fat as such may not be ideal for other reasons - and I find I don't actually eat much fat as I eat the recommended portions of lean meat (i.e. under 100g/4oz) and only small amounts of cheese even though I could eat cheese all day left to my own devices!! I eat large amounts of above ground veg - and without the swings of BS almost never feel hungry. Even so, feeling hungry is actually a normal physiological response and doesn't mean there is anything wrong so there is no need to dash to find snacks. As children we had 3 meals a day and no snacks and we survived!!

    Yes, removing simple carbs and sugar in particular removes a lot of proinflammatory food from our diet and quite a few people have found that their symptoms have improved. Removing carbs automatically removes a lot of the wheat we eat normally - and a lot of people say it contributes to symptoms. Some do gluten-free and say the same, for the same reason. As much as anything it is a case of identifying what it is that makes YOU feel less well - where I find nightshade veggies make no difference to me, someone else may find they cause a lot of pain.

    • Posted

      Thanks Eileen. I'm surprised how easy I'm finding it to reduce the carbs 😊 - who knew cauliflower rice could taste so good 😂 . I think I will cut down on the fats just a bit though as I'm definitely taking liberties there!! The recipe selection on Diet doc is amazing - so many interesting choices. Likewise, I can't say I feel hungry but then I'm not one who needs to be hungry to eat, I love my food.

      I'm considering myself as one who is definitely responding in terms of symptoms to reduced carbs and that incentive will hopefully keep me focused.

      Thanks again

    • Posted

      No, me neither!!! Food? Eat...

      I don't get the point of cauli-rice - I eat it as a veg in lumps. Roasting almost all veggies improves them a lot. In fact, Nigel Slater talks about roasting fruit and veg in his article in the Guardian today and how it intensifies flavours - and changes them I think. I think it "nuttifies" brassicas - sprouts are magic!!

      I do wonder a lot whether the lack of general niggles I have is to do with diet. I have PMR flares - but day to day I don't recognise a lot of complaints mentioned by others. I DID have them early days. Not now.

    • Posted

      I couldn't agree more - thanks to Dietdoc/lowcarb we've had roasted cabbage and roasted sprouts this week - yum! And I have to say the pizza crust made with yes, once again, cauliflower rice, together with cheese and eggs was a huge success. Looking forward to many more interesting culinary adventures. I'm also a huge fan of Nigel Slater's recipes - we get that Sunday paper too. ☺

    • Posted

      I don't PAY for the Guardian/Observer - thank goodness for the internet for us migrants! Must try the cauli pizza - after all the topping is the point! But carbs in my pizza in the village pizzeria is fine too 😉

  • Posted

    Hi there. Its very interesting. I agree with Eileen but have also looked at Jason Fung on you tube. Fascinating about weight loss and blood sugar control. I am now doing low carb and some intermittent fasting - as in skipping lunch a few times a week. Its been easy, sugar levels much improved and have started to lose the weight I had gained on Pred. Not counting anything, can't believe its been so effective. Jason Fung is a Nephrologist with special interest in diet by the way.

    • Posted

      Jason Fung works with dietdoctor.com

  • Posted

    The Food Program on BBC radio 4 today did a very good report on carbs they had several professionals in to discuss it. I thought it was good anyway.

    • Posted

      Thank you, I will listen on catch-up

    • Posted

      I listened today - interesting. What's also good about a low carb diet I guess (apart from the fact that it is low carb) is that it just about forces one to cook from scratch - no more processed food and more chance of that healthy gut which is so topical at the moment. Win win situation.

    • Posted

      My sentiments exactly - I have a superb butcher who sources his meat locally (grown up the mountains) and the selection of veggies in the supermarket is mind boggling compared with the UK and is mostly sourced in Italy which has quite strict pesticide rules! Very seasonal too.

      There was a programme on German TV last night - called "diet doctors. They were looking at effect of diet on reflux and osteoarthritic knees. There were a few moments of "come off it" but in general it was OK.

    • Posted

      That sounds wonderful. I can just picture all those amazing vegetables, with so much more taste than any in the UK too.

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