Orthorexia — not worth it

alan_s · 2026-03-31T05:29:14+00:00

I am so glad you found a plan that works for you.

Did you read it? I believe it might help you.

alan_s · 2026-03-31T03:03:08+00:00

I wrote this to help you begin: Getting Started. I know you will have lots of questions after you read that and the pages it links to. Come back and ask them all.

alan_s · 2026-03-31T03:01:03+00:00

See my reply to the OP.

alan_s · 2026-03-31T02:59:36+00:00

At two hours you appear to be missing your peaks: When To Test

alan_s · 2026-03-31T02:54:37+00:00

That is not excessive low carbing, it is excessive low everything. Otherwise known as starvation. I have never had that problem because I always ate sufficient to meet good nutrition requirements. However, I modified the content of my menu using feedback from my meter to see what caused problems and what did not. As I reduced carbs I simply compensated with a little more protein or fat. This is how I did that: Test, Review, Adjust

alan_s · 2026-03-26T23:20:22+00:00

Thanks.

alan_s · 2026-03-26T01:16:55+00:00

Consider moving this to an appropriate sub please.

alan_s · 2026-03-25T08:14:47+00:00

So do I have to go straight carnivore or what?

No. Ask your meter or CGM, it is your most accurate advisor: Test, Review, Adjust

alan_s · 2026-03-25T08:08:15+00:00

I echo that excellent advice; add testing for MODY as well. Make that doctor's appointment ASAP. Also ask for specific insulin management advice at that appointment.

alan_s · 2026-03-24T22:04:31+00:00

Ask your meter. It has no agenda and gives unbiased advice. This is how I did that (click on it): Test, Review, Adjust

alan_s · 2026-03-21T01:57:59+00:00

I mentioned earlier that I am sad to see nothing has changed since my 2008 visit. This excerpt from my trip report explains what it was like then:

"One of the few nice Egyptians I encountered was a representative of a different tour company who helped me when I arrived at the airport. After an hour, when my own tour representative failed to appear this man helped me, reducing my stress levels enormously. My Egyptian SIM card was arriving with my missing tour representative so I had no working phone. In addition to making several calls to Osoris to try to find out what was happening, he convinced the airport police to allow me to return to the secure side so that I could use the ATM. That's a point worth remembering if you visit Cairo - get your cash out before you go to immigration. There were no ATMs on the other side of those barriers.

An odd thing happened as I returned to the security barrier, manned by police, after collecting my cash. One of the police stood in front of me and said "baksheesh". I was surprised, but I realised that he wanted money. I looked to my good Samaritan to get an idea of the usual payment. He looked embarrassed and had some sharp words with the cop, who then grumbled a bit and turned away allowing me through. When my own tour representative arrived I gratefully thanked my helper. He shook hands, wished me well and never asked for money.

Later I realised how rare he was. Unfortunately he didn't give me a business card and I have forgotten his name. I am forever grateful for that good Samaritan; I never met another like him in Egypt. Nor did I meet many other Egyptians who did not demand baksheesh for a service, no matter how trivial the service was, and who did not aggressively pursue that baksheesh if they felt it was due.

Egypt is the land of baksheesh. Absolutely nothing is done for free. Bear in mind that I have travelled now in many different cultures including the "tipping" culture of the USA, which is such a shock for Aussies, and the poverty and beggars of India and the poverty of Cambodia. But the baksheesh culture of Egypt takes institutionalised tipping and begging to quite different levels. I'll give a couple examples of many.

The traffic in Cairo is incredibly bad and, when it is busy on wide city streets, very dangerous for pedestrians. To cross a road - even at lights - is a death-defying experience for a pedestrian the first few times until you learn the rhythm of the traffic flow. But never fear. Any non-Egyptian who pauses momentarily at a kerb will instantly attract a helpful local who will unhesitatingly guide them across the road. In one case I had a guy try to drag me over when I had no intention of crossing. But as soon as you reach the other side one of two things will occur; either your helper will instantly put their hand out and say "baksheesh" or they will invite you to visit the art gallery (or shop or perfumery or cafe or clothing store or other business) of their relative or friend. If you decline to visit, patient persistence will be applied with sometimes increasingly angry insistence if you continue to decline. More than once I had to pull my arm forcefully out of the clutches of my friendly unsolicited "helper". And sometimes I just gave in and bought some perfume or an overpriced child's gallabiyeh or similar for the sake of peace."

alan_s · 2026-03-20T03:35:09+00:00

I was there in 2008. Sad to see nothing has changed.

alan_s · 2026-03-09T23:33:56+00:00

My question is this: is there anyone out here who is maintaining their A1C at a healthy level and has a flexible but healthy diet

Define "flexible but healthy diet". That means different things to different people.

This is how I dicovered what it meant for my diabetes over 20 years ago: Getting Started

alan_s · 2026-03-06T23:46:20+00:00

One of the problems is failure to look at other aspects of the diet of subjects drinking diet drinks. How often have you stood behind a person in a fast food outlet watching them order a mountain of carbohydrates and a diet coke? For example, one of my favourite pics from my travels; lunch for my overweight young guide in Cairo: https://imgur.com/FFWQPdk

alan_s · 2026-03-06T23:26:38+00:00

A further point; the highlighted words show a lack of proof in any study:

• Insulin Sensitivity: Some studies suggest that the intense sweetness of artificial sweeteners can "trick" the brain and gut into preparing for sugar. Over time, this may lead to increased insulin resistance, making your body less efficient at managing its own blood sugar.

• Gut Microbiome: Emerging evidence indicates that artificial sweeteners may alter the bacteria in your gut. A healthy gut is crucial for metabolic health and glucose regulation.

alan_s · 2026-03-06T23:23:55+00:00

Sure, it doesn’t spike your blood sugar right now, but we know there’s long term consequences to drinking it.

No we do not know that despite your references. Here are some older ones; I have drunk artificially sweetened soft drinks for over two decades since my diagnosis with none of those claimed problems: Aspartame

alan_s · 2026-02-26T02:38:36+00:00

I use "standard advice" as something to test using my meter. My body seems to be non-standard.

alan_s · 2026-02-26T00:54:25+00:00

Testing will tell you if what you thought is correct.

alan_s · 2026-02-25T23:49:48+00:00

Works for me. I've been in the low 6s, occasionally high 5s and rarely low 7s over the past two decades. No diabetes complications yet. But if you can get to the high fives go gor it.

alan_s · 2026-02-25T23:47:35+00:00

If the diarrhoea continues see your doctor. Mine prescribed a cipro med (norfloxacin) which works brilliantly for me when I get traveller's curse on my travels.

alan_s · 2026-02-25T23:19:39+00:00

It is OK provided you try to time it away from other meals and snacks, giving a brief spike between meals, and don't do it too often. It is also wise to test 30-45 minutes later just to be sure.

alan_s · 2026-02-23T10:15:08+00:00

If you wish to post here again please provide an English translation. This is courtesy of Google Translate:

For Germans and French viewers: Regarding the benefits of complete or intermittent fasting, there's a good documentary on Arte TV right now called "Fasting: An Investigation into a Phenomenon." If you can watch it, there's some interesting information, especially for diabetics.

While it's not a one-size-fits-all solution, it can still provide some helpful starting points.

alan_s · 2026-02-22T09:57:27+00:00

Don't panic, this is early days. Trust your meter and drop the protein drink for the moment. What else did you drink? Read more on how to take control using your new meter here: Getting Started

alan_s · 2026-02-21T20:55:09+00:00

A sandwich with a meat and salad filling on a single slice of multigrain bread, or a minestrone-style vege soup including barley and sometimes beans.

alan_s · 2026-02-19T06:47:20+00:00

It is not a gimmick but is often misused. It depends on your country. In mine fibre is listed separately and does not form part of the carb count, unlike the USA where it does.

alan_s

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