Mediterranean Diet

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 8:27pm

This is my own situation. Six weeks ago I decided to get a grip on my eating regimen because of my diabetes. I had been ignoring it, and eating plenty of cookies, cakes, candy, meat, pasta, everything. Thing is, I never felt so good in my life. Every day I woke up feeling great and was happy all the time.

For the past six weeks, I've been following the Mediterranean diet mostly. It's big on olive oil, nuts, seeds, fruit, vegetables, fish and a little meat or chicken. I can see I'm losing weight but here's the thing - I never feel well.

Before anyone says this isn't the place to get medical advice, I have an appt. with my gastroenterologist on Aug. 14. I was just wondering in the mean time if anyone understands not feeling well on a healthy diet.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 8:45pm

Are you doing any exercise? I find that when I'm trying to eat better that even a little bit of exercise helps me feel better. I also try to drink a lot of wwater throughout the day.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 9:08pm

Yep, getting exercise and lifting weights, lol. and with diabetes, I drink water all day long.

Thank you, Broadway Joe.

[ghostlight2]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 9:24pm

Perhaps for any number of reasons the Mediterranean diet isn't healthy for you. Maybe it's a transitional thing. Ask your doctor about speaking to a nutritionist who specializes in diabetic diets?

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 9:51pm

that's a good idea, ghostlight. Maybe too much fruit! On the phone, the dr. told me to take align, a probiotic until I see him. thank you~

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/23/14 at 11:21pm

You're clearly not getting enough carbs, which not only increase the waistline but also (and more important) feed the brain. You're forcing your body to produce the 130 grams of glucose you need each day from protein, which is a slow and inefficient process. This is why we need carbs--because the body can produce glucose from carbs much more efficiently.

Given the fact that you have diabetes, any diet like Mediterranean or Paleo will leave your brain starved for glucose. You need to calibrate the precise amounts of protein and carbs you ingest with your doctor or a qualified dietician.

Don't F*CK around with diabetes. Look what happened to Elaine Stritch.

[bethnor]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 12:47am

one shouldn't necessarily equate "feeling well" with "healthy." most ppl don't "feel" anything from high blood pressure, and the medications quite frequently make ppl feel sick.

the only way to have a completely "healthy" diet is to consume cardboard. ppl have to live a little.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 1:05am

Also, do not forget that refined sugar is very much like a drug. You will experience withdrawal symptoms which though not severe, do cause that "I'm not feeling great" sensation.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 1:46am

:::the only way to have a completely "healthy" diet is to consume cardboard.:::

I don't think I understand what that means? All food that is good for us is like cardboard?

[bethnor]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 4:07am

^^^^^

it's quite possible to cut out the fat, sugar, and salt from one's diet, but the result is far less palatable.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 8:54am

PJ, I love your answer. Carbs are my life! Pasta for lunch, lol!

Fortunately, my diabetes isn't severe enough for medication (so far) and I want to keep it that way.

Thank you!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:02am

Who said that eliminating all fat, sugar and salt equals a healthy diet? It doesn't, not by a long shot.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 9:28am

If anyone does some reading up on the Mediterranean diet, as I did, you'll find that it's considered one of the healthiest diets around, and very appropriate for diabetics. It's not really a "diet" as it is a way of eating for life - as the Mediterranean population does it. It's not a "reducing" diet, either. I'm on it because I like the food on it.

And even the diabetic way of eating is the "everything in moderation" style of eating. It's not what many people think-that you must not eat any white carbs or sugar. In fact, my doctor admitted that it's more about losing weight than anything else.

[bethnor]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:31am

Who said that eliminating all fat, sugar and salt equals a healthy diet? It doesn't, not by a long shot.

no one, but if one eats a "heart healthy, renal, diabetic diet," that is more or less what you get.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 10:36am

I too have heard that giving up certain things from your diet will cause withdrawal symptoms at first. Your body isn't used to not having whatever it is you gave up. Definitely talk to your doctor though if you are concerned.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 11:02am

I agree, Marianne, but after 6 weeks, I should be used to the new regime. vv

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 1:47pm

Jane - maybe the diet is not the factor in the "not feeling well" - get a full workup if necessary!

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/24/14 at 2:32pm

that's partly correct, lwyr. I'm sure the indigestion and freq. bm is the diet, but the dizziness and headache prob. isn't.

thank you for commenting~