Reply To: Eliminating Processed Sugars from your Diet

[JillT]

I have been on a low carb/cyclic ketogenic diet since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2012. I put on about 20kg after quitting smoking after my IPF diagnosis in 2009 and that tipped me into Type 2. By going so low carb, it’s almost inevitable that most sugars, high starch veg and processed grains are eliminated from the diet. I quickly lost the weight I’d gained, reduced my A1c to non-diabetic levels without medication and have maintained the weight loss for about 7.5 years now. Over the past few years, I’ve also incorporated a time restricted eating regime where I eat 2 meals a day within an 8 hour window.

Must admit I’ve been a bit more relaxed with my sugar control as I’ve lost more weight since my exacerbation earlier last year. I think the theory about increased metabolic rate must be correct as I hadn’t changed anything about my diet, yet still lost about 4kg without trying prior to going on oxygen. I think weight has stabilized again since starting on oxygen, but I’m now wondering if I shouldn’t get more strict about diet again. I probably average around 100g a day of carbs (including sugars) now, compared to the 60-70g I’d previously been eating. I’ve been telling myself the ice cream (my kryptonite) indulgences aren’t harming me, but I have to wonder.

There’s a guy who goes by the moniker “COPD Athlete” and his podcast has a lot of information on why a ketogenic diet is ideal for people with hypoxia. The interviews with ketogenic experts and researchers are well worthwhile listening to. I also recall reading about Bill Vick (“PF Warrior”) in a book about Paleo diet success stories after my IPF diagnosis.

I’ve often wondered if being on the low carb/keto diet helped stave off my progression to almost twice as long as the average time frame, but of course will never know that for sure.

I’d highly recommend the diet for both weight loss and – probably even more importantly – easy weight loss maintenance. The main thing is to commit to it as a permanent lifestyle change, rather than viewing it as a diet.