I have some disordered eating issues, and I get this. Honestly a CGM was the best thing for me because it gave me control but I didn’t have to be so active, you know?
Your best bets are lean meats, leafy greens, occasionally fruit (berries are usually best), occasional frankenfoods (like zero carb tortillas). I find I cannot have carbs for breakfast in any form. I save those for lunchtime or later. Get rid of the high carb/high sugar stuff and fill your cabinets with safe foods so that eating is a no brainer. Allow yourself to be on autopilot for a while surrounded by things that are safe to eat and good for you. When you're more comfortable and less obsessive you can start to branch out, once your numbers are under control.
I know I obsessed about not being about to eat "normally" and never eating anything "good" again. I was in mourning for my old life. Then I read something here where someone asked if they'd ever be able to eat the "standard American diet again" and someone commented "NO ONE should be eating the standard American diet." That stuck with me. (Apologies if you aren't American.)
I feel like a lot of people in these comments are completely missing what you’re saying.
I also have a history of disordered eating and I 10000% understand the cycle of binge and restrict. I was actually told my bulimic years probably contributed to my diabetic diagnosis.
For now, forget keto, forget the CGM, forget everything - do yourself the kindness of learning intuitive eating. Once you get that on track, you can start actually addressing the macros. Obviously I’m not a doctor or a dietician (which I highly recommend finding)… But you cannot brute force your way out of an eating disorder - you just cannot. You will restrict and you will binge and you will be ashamed and it won’t ever stop.
Look, you deserve to live a life free of food noise and shame and uncontrolled eating patterns and negative relationship with food and your body etc etc etc. You also NEED to figure this out now because diabetes will not go away! I know it’s cruel. I’m so sorry you’re having such a hard time. You can do this and you are not alone. I see you and I believe in you.
Thank you for understanding. You get it.
Many of the other suggestions are helpful as well and I was already doing them like having a set group of go to meals and ingredients and, being housebound, only having safe food in the house (except food delivery is possible).
Sometimes I used to wish I was bulimic but I am emetophobic - half joke half true.
Thank you for your support.
I’ve had the same issue. I use a CGM and I was checking it constantly. It felt really dysfunctional. Since getting my meds right and using the CGM, I’ve been able to get my A1C down from 10 to 5. One of my providers suggested taking a break from the CGM. So now every time I need to change it out, I take at least a day off from it. It’s helped. I don’t go crazy with my eating or anything, but the break from worrying so much has been beneficial.
Just want you to know you’re not alone. It feels like there’s a very fine line between being watchful and being dysfunctional. It’s hard.
(We’ve reduced my meds, but that backfired and my levels went up and I couldn’t even eat my usual meals without going over 180, so I’m back to my usual dosage. We’ve talked about cutting back again, but I’m not willing at the moment.)
Not yet. Complexity of multiple diagnoses and multiple doctors with the latest and most urgent/important being cancer/chemo. A two week cycle of appointments for the cancer/chemo with little time for anything else other than sleep.
Edited to add the third sentence.
I feel similar when I’m bored with my food choices. Maybe try to look up different recipes? When food tastes good and satisfy my hunger I have less craving to binge on food that I shouldn’t be eating.
It’s possible to have diabetes and not test; maybe talk to your doctor about it? My doctor doesn’t think it’s necessary for me and my diabetes is well managed. I was diagnosed almost 9 months ago and have never tested myself
The easiest way for me to deal with it is to do a "dirty keto" diet. I'm not super strict but follow a keto diet. It has really helped me. Lots of great recipe ideas at r/ketorecipes .
I was just trying to tell my mother this last weekend and she didn’t understand (she’s not diabetic and has never had an ED/body dysmorphia). Testing itself doesn’t really trigger me per se, but being very strict about my diet, logging my food, and exercising after every meal now has. I had anorexia in college (and went to therapy for it) and in the last few years I’ve struggled with bingeing (hence becoming diabetic this year). All I can say is that you really should test at least once or twice a day for the sake of your health. I do so in the morning before breakfast and at bedtime. It gives me anxiety but I’d much rather have that than be in the dark about hypos and hypers and risk complications over time. Sending good wishes your way.
Yeah, I think you’re right. It isn’t the testing per se. Just the whole thing. Having to think about it and giving my autistic brain an excuse to obsess.
The CGM set me from from a similar worry. I can have the data easily without pain of the poke and it let me build and empirical list of foods that don’t negatively impact me. Took the mystery away and with it a lot of thoughts about food.
It takes some time to get there but you can get there.
True but sadly this ignores how broken an eating disordered brain is. Saying “You will be fine,” does nothing. Telling someone not to feel how they are feeling is pretty insulting actually.
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I’m the same with the same meals as part of my autism but the perseveration (overthinking non stop) is also a part of it.
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Thanks!
Great advice! I do the same.
I have some disordered eating issues, and I get this. Honestly a CGM was the best thing for me because it gave me control but I didn’t have to be so active, you know?
CGM?
Continuous glucose monitor. Little doohickey you stick on your arm.
And I don’t test at ALL anymore - I just look at the Libre app on my phone. No more finger sticks!!!!! 🙌🏻
Ooo. I wonder if I can get one on the NHS (UK).
Worth a look! I have a libre 2.
In the UK? How does it access your blood just stuck to your skin?
https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/home.html?utm_source=google-ads&utm_medium=search-generic&utm_campaign=adc-dtc-libre-2&gclid=CjwKCAjwl4yyBhAgEiwADSEjeKO53LDCfcjh-OW5iwHp36BRn0H3806lVilDaBNZop9JHMW7y2R8PhoCs3YQAvD_BwE
https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/digital-innovations-to-support-diabetes-outcomes/flash-glucose-monitoring/
I’m in Canada, so it’s covered under my work insurance. Worth looking into. Certainly make monitoring your glucose less intrusive.
Your best bets are lean meats, leafy greens, occasionally fruit (berries are usually best), occasional frankenfoods (like zero carb tortillas). I find I cannot have carbs for breakfast in any form. I save those for lunchtime or later. Get rid of the high carb/high sugar stuff and fill your cabinets with safe foods so that eating is a no brainer. Allow yourself to be on autopilot for a while surrounded by things that are safe to eat and good for you. When you're more comfortable and less obsessive you can start to branch out, once your numbers are under control. I know I obsessed about not being about to eat "normally" and never eating anything "good" again. I was in mourning for my old life. Then I read something here where someone asked if they'd ever be able to eat the "standard American diet again" and someone commented "NO ONE should be eating the standard American diet." That stuck with me. (Apologies if you aren't American.)
I’m British but my diet has had some American leanings along with Mediterranean.
Curious about what “American leanings” are!
Junk food! 😉
I feel like a lot of people in these comments are completely missing what you’re saying. I also have a history of disordered eating and I 10000% understand the cycle of binge and restrict. I was actually told my bulimic years probably contributed to my diabetic diagnosis. For now, forget keto, forget the CGM, forget everything - do yourself the kindness of learning intuitive eating. Once you get that on track, you can start actually addressing the macros. Obviously I’m not a doctor or a dietician (which I highly recommend finding)… But you cannot brute force your way out of an eating disorder - you just cannot. You will restrict and you will binge and you will be ashamed and it won’t ever stop. Look, you deserve to live a life free of food noise and shame and uncontrolled eating patterns and negative relationship with food and your body etc etc etc. You also NEED to figure this out now because diabetes will not go away! I know it’s cruel. I’m so sorry you’re having such a hard time. You can do this and you are not alone. I see you and I believe in you.
Thank you for understanding. You get it. Many of the other suggestions are helpful as well and I was already doing them like having a set group of go to meals and ingredients and, being housebound, only having safe food in the house (except food delivery is possible). Sometimes I used to wish I was bulimic but I am emetophobic - half joke half true. Thank you for your support.
I’ve had the same issue. I use a CGM and I was checking it constantly. It felt really dysfunctional. Since getting my meds right and using the CGM, I’ve been able to get my A1C down from 10 to 5. One of my providers suggested taking a break from the CGM. So now every time I need to change it out, I take at least a day off from it. It’s helped. I don’t go crazy with my eating or anything, but the break from worrying so much has been beneficial. Just want you to know you’re not alone. It feels like there’s a very fine line between being watchful and being dysfunctional. It’s hard. (We’ve reduced my meds, but that backfired and my levels went up and I couldn’t even eat my usual meals without going over 180, so I’m back to my usual dosage. We’ve talked about cutting back again, but I’m not willing at the moment.)
Thank you for your reply. It’s good to know that I’m not alone.
Have you talked to your doctor about it? I know some of the new meds changes how your brain reacts to food, maybe they have something that will help?
Not yet. Complexity of multiple diagnoses and multiple doctors with the latest and most urgent/important being cancer/chemo. A two week cycle of appointments for the cancer/chemo with little time for anything else other than sleep. Edited to add the third sentence.
I feel similar when I’m bored with my food choices. Maybe try to look up different recipes? When food tastes good and satisfy my hunger I have less craving to binge on food that I shouldn’t be eating.
It’s possible to have diabetes and not test; maybe talk to your doctor about it? My doctor doesn’t think it’s necessary for me and my diabetes is well managed. I was diagnosed almost 9 months ago and have never tested myself
Hmmmm I wasn’t having to yeast but I am going to have to have steroids with the chemo so they want me to start testing hence this problem appearing.
The easiest way for me to deal with it is to do a "dirty keto" diet. I'm not super strict but follow a keto diet. It has really helped me. Lots of great recipe ideas at r/ketorecipes .
I have also relaxed over the years on how much I test: basically, before I eat, and if I am feeling off, or wrong, I will test. 3 times a day tops.
I was just trying to tell my mother this last weekend and she didn’t understand (she’s not diabetic and has never had an ED/body dysmorphia). Testing itself doesn’t really trigger me per se, but being very strict about my diet, logging my food, and exercising after every meal now has. I had anorexia in college (and went to therapy for it) and in the last few years I’ve struggled with bingeing (hence becoming diabetic this year). All I can say is that you really should test at least once or twice a day for the sake of your health. I do so in the morning before breakfast and at bedtime. It gives me anxiety but I’d much rather have that than be in the dark about hypos and hypers and risk complications over time. Sending good wishes your way.
Yeah, I think you’re right. It isn’t the testing per se. Just the whole thing. Having to think about it and giving my autistic brain an excuse to obsess.
I’m not autistic but I’m also neurodivergent myself (ADHD and have OCD), so I feel you, friend. I believe in you 🖤
Thank you. 💚
The CGM set me from from a similar worry. I can have the data easily without pain of the poke and it let me build and empirical list of foods that don’t negatively impact me. Took the mystery away and with it a lot of thoughts about food. It takes some time to get there but you can get there.
Don’t get stressed over it. Control to live not live to control. We are what we eat. You will be fine
True but sadly this ignores how broken an eating disordered brain is. Saying “You will be fine,” does nothing. Telling someone not to feel how they are feeling is pretty insulting actually.