I’m a Registered Dietitian and I never thought I would do this…but, I’m doing it. I’m following a low-carb diet, at least trying to. My family went to dinner at Diego’s after an event my stepdaughter had and I ate a few chips and got a burrito. When I woke up on day four and felt good and had energy, I remembered why. Oop! On day four, I probably only had about 23 grams of carbohydrate throughout the day. When I woke on day five, I was hypoglycemic and wasn’t even sure I could make it down the stairs without blacking out. I have experienced hypoglycemia many times in my life, even during childhood. Self-diagnosed, I have fasting hypoglycemia, as sleeping-in as a child would often result in waking with weakness, shaking, sweating, and tunnel vision. Some crackers and orange juice would always provide a quick solution. I once attended a diabetic educator class and had a big breakfast on the way. We all checked our blood glucose levels four hours later, before lunch, and my blood glucose was 45 mg/dL. Normal is 70-100 mg/dL and that is considered fasting. Physically, I felt fine. I don’t have a glucose monitor at home, but from that experience, I know that when I feel all the symptoms of hypoglycemia it is likely super low. I made it downstairs and drank a glass of orange juice and there went 30 grams of carbs down the hatch. Dang-it!
Thoughts
My main thought, friends is that I like bread. I mean, I really like bread! What is a sandwich without the bread? A burger without a bun? Chicken salad without crackers?! If you want to know the real truth, I only really like meat without some sort of carb when it in Chinese food. That’s not an option for indulgence because they use cornstarch as a thickener and sugar!! As a Registered Dietitian, I never thought I would do this either: I bought pork cracklings. Not even going to look at the nutrition facts label. I need to do another post on Confessions of a Dietitian! REALLY sorry piggies and arteries!!! If I hear the word bread or see someone eating a sandwich, I instantly pause, then yearn. Also, too much salt in everything…..and I never say that. I’m mostly eating non-starchy vegetables and cheese and eggs.
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Nothing.
Sentiments
Hoping to have lost at least one measly pound by now. Maybe it’s the increase in salt. I have not been counting my carb intake in the non-starchy vegetables I have consumed. There are approximately 5 grams per serving (1 cup raw, 1/2 cup cooked) in non-starchy veg. I guess I should start doing that. Keep on keeping on…
*I know quite a few dietitians are actually counseling patients/clients to decease carbohydrate intake. I would appreciate thought, recommendations, experiences, and testimonials, so please leave a comment!
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