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No Sugar - You have got to be kidding!!

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Posted 7/10/2010 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Okay....  I am failing miserably at the low sugar carbohydrate diet.   I mean really...  No cereal, bread, pasta, yogurt, seasonal summer fruit and berries.  After the disaster that I experienced last summer with my digestive tract, I decided that I would eat Raisin Bran every day for life.  I had also made yogurt a daily routine because of all the antibiotics.   I crave and eat a lot of fresh fruit and Peanut Butter and Ritz Crackers is another regular staple I can not seem to live without.   

The low sugar and carbohydrate diet is significantly lowering my energy level making it much harder for me to survive the work day.   I have added another cup of coffee at 2:00PM to keep me from falling on my face.   I know that I can significantly lower my sugar load but there is no way I can function without some.    I don't like feeling guilty about eating healthy.

It's bad enough we have to feel like crap all the time and put up with the non-stop antibiotics.   Yes, I want to get better, I'm just not sure I can follow the lyme diet very well.     Anybody else struggling with this?

 

 

Posted 7/10/2010 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
That is a hard diet. I tried and failed as well the first time. Just keep trying!! The second time I did well for about 5 months, and then when I went off my meds, I went off the diet. I plan to try again now that I have to start treatment again. Good luck. You are not alone!!!
Posted 7/10/2010 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I try but always do poorly.

I don't crave sugar until the afternoon, most days I can fight, but some days I can't.
Posted 7/10/2010 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
It is hard.  So was going off of gluten.  I suggest lowering sugar first (keep everything you eat to lower than 10mg's).  Also, you probably know this but make sure that none of the sugar is fructose, sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, etc.; as it is more dangerous than sugar cane.  Stevia is a good alternative (I've been warned about agave, and I can't stand honey).

Yogurt /dairy elimination can come next maybe?

I don't want to go against what your doc is saying. I just know that for me I had to do it one at a time.

There are supplements and detoxes that will give you energy...

my .02 worth.

 

Posted 7/10/2010 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Patti!

I just read on Mercola's site after my dr. told me about agave.  They both strongly warns against it.  It's reportedly healthy because it is natural and yes, lowered GI.

However, the ways the plants manufacture it apparently leaves the ability for microbacteria to grow, and also some other things happen to it.  Hard to understand.  I think Mercola's recent article about sugar and sugar substitutes was phenomenal.  even though I can't repeat any of it.  LOL.

He didn't mention the same problems with Stevia.  I do know that some products that are called 'steviocide', etc., are stevia WITH other stuff.  I have gotten the 100 percent stevia.

Patti, is that still accurate (under your signature?).

Regarding insurance, I have found a compounding lab that charges everything under insurance and it is approved.  This is within the past 5 months. I'm wondering if you could find a doctor who maybe isn't a "LLMD" to work with you (if none are local) and get a compounding lab to make you some treatment.  I am getting glutathione, EDTA sups, mag, KPU treatment, B12, etc.  all covered under a low copay.  I'm sorry to hear about your doctor. :-(

Posted 7/11/2010 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
PattiB,

I don't understand how any doctor can turn their back on a sick patient. It also upsets me that the CDC and Insurance Industry have so much influence over lyme disease treatment protocols. There are many doctors out there who have committed themselves and their practices to helping people like us recover from this illness. Praying that you find a better way forward in your treatment and recovery.
Posted 7/11/2010 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Patti, I am so very sorry for all your difficulites -- that's all bad enough, without having to add the issues in receiving treatment! Please tell us this -- might you be able to tolerate regular shots of penicillin? My first LLMD said that is how he treats some patients -- a strong shot of penicillin once per week. It's darned cheap, you can receive a high dose w/o bothering your stomach, and altho it does not help many people, it DOES help many people too. When you think about it, this is how syphillis is treated, except not as long term.

Just something to consider. That Dr even told me he would show me how to give myself the shots and I could do them myself without having to travel to him every week. I chose to start w/ oral Amox (he agreed this was good), but would certainly have considered the penicillin shots. They are some strong whammies.
Posted 7/11/2010 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been able to be on a lyme diet. I am sure it helps, but for me, I am such a picky eater that if I gave all that up I would starve to death. I did get well on abx and never had a special diet so it is possible. I was so sick at the time I was lucky to eat anything so that I did. Like when I was pregnant. Whatever I could get in I would no matter what it was. Now, many years later, I try to eat better, but I love sweets and I can't give them up. I have cut way back and do find if I eat a lot of sugar at once I will feel worse. I substitue raw sugar now for white sugar, but I eat white bread, pasta (I try to do smart pasta when I can). But I still eat cake and lot of fruits. I have tea every day with sugar, but I just try to cut back, but I don't see how anyone can cut it all out. Life would be not much fun at all.

I don't think you have to be so strict, but start slowly by cutting back and maybe you can get to a point one day where you are sugar free. I know for me that is not possible, but I try to do what I can.
Posted 7/11/2010 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty good at avoiding simple sugars like cakes, candy, fruit juices, sugared cereals, cookies, etc...
The tough things for me are healthy cereals, breads, pasta, potato, rice and fresh fruits.

So what exactly does everybody eat?

Breakfast:   

Lunch:

Dinner:

Snacks:


 

Posted 7/11/2010 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Betterhealth, are we really positive that we have to avoid every drop of sugar -- like what's in healthy cereals, yogurt, and fruit? I do eat a little bit of rye bread, as I know it was allowed (no more than 2 slices, and I only allow 1) in the Sugar Busters diet.

And I thought that we should be eating yogurt if on abx?
Posted 7/11/2010 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
When I first saw my LLMD, they instructed me to avoid simple sugars like cakes, candy, cookies and fruit juices. I followed this strictly for about two months only cheating a few times... Had some ice cream cake for my birthday. Wow..... was that good.

Every time I visit the LLMD they ask if I am following the Lyme diet and I have responded.... Yes.
When I re-read through the literature they had given me on diet, I realized that I was not even close to following what was recommended.

Only certain high fiber fruits are permitted and no cereals, breads, pasta, etc..... Yikes. That's when I decided to post to see what others are doing.

I have pretty much decided to follow a low carb/sugar diet without cutting out high fiber cereals and fresh fruit. I will probably eat breads and pasta in very reduced quantities and avoid them when possible.
Posted 7/12/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
PattiB,

Thanks for all of the great meal ideas.... That could definitely work for me.
There is not much that I don't like so I guess it's a matter of making a few adjustments here and there.
Posted 7/12/2010 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

When I decided to go on my diet (I am doing common sense Atkins which is totally sugar-free), I first went through sugar withdrawals and felt a little sick (it lasted about 12 hours).   After about 1 week I stopped craving sugar completely which totally shocked me! 

I lost 30 pounds now and feel great.   I was addicted to breads, chips, all those bad carbs.    I found this site that has low-carb recipes and some of these dishes are really fantastic!   Let me see if I could put in the link.

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/recipes.html

This is one of my favorite recipes:

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/broccoli_cauliflower_gratin.html

Oh, I also make this pizza in which the "crust" is made from riced cauliflower (I put the cauliflower in my food processor to "rice" it):

http://www.examiner.com/x-355-Low-Carb-Examiner~y2008m6d4-Cauliflower-Pizza-Crust-Worth-its-Wow-in-Gold

Denise

Posted 7/12/2010 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
You guys are great.... Thanks Denise!
Posted 7/12/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know how you guys do it. I tried to give up sugar once. I went about a month, but I couldn't do it. I like it too much. I think everything in moderation is the key for any long term "diet". I also have a 2 year old so that makes it a lot harder. I think it is good for anyone not to eat a lot of sugar, but I don't think it is bad to have a treat every now and then either. :-)
Posted 7/12/2010 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
If u are too strict you will struggle, and finally fail. Also, it is much more difficult feeling pain most of days, low and then also have to restrict the food that brings up the mood (carbs).
What I do, might work for you or might not since we are all different, is eat 30 gr of bran flakes or kelloggs k or something like that with milk. That is around 30gr of carbs. Then I have for lunch some chicken or salmon with veg and salad. During meals, in the morning I have a protein shake with 0 carbs and mid afternoon a yogurt or a piece of fruit. For dinner I have a slice of bread with ham and cheese and or low sugar jam and salad and another yogurt before going to bed. This way I get a few carbs (not more than 70 - 80 gr which is very low) and I do not feel the lack of carbs so much.
I have a diet coke when I really need something sweet in my mouth.
Good luck,
Ine
Posted 7/12/2010 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Breakfast: Ezekiel cereal with frozen blueberries and walnuts, raw milk or kefir
Lunch: Almond butter on rice cake
Dinner: Grilled chicken, hamburger (organic, if possible), or fish, green salad, sauteed veggies
Snacks: Fruit or a piece of Ezekiel bread with coconut oil for spread

I also juice. My staple is kale, cabbage, cilantro, ginger, carrot, with a clove of garlic sometimes.

I am not eating as clean a diet as I wish. Probably my biggest issue is that I like to get a cup of coffee and a muffin or sweetbread from Starbucks in the morning to take to work. When I don't have that, I feel like the most deprived person on the planet. While there is physical withdrawal the mental is ridiculous. I usually have a little ice cream every week, too.
Posted 7/12/2010 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
I find the no sugar diet to be impossible to follow. I have high sugar cravings about 24 hours a day. On top of that, I'm lactose intolerant, and I can't digest too many vegetables. That leaves me with........meat.

I just do the best I can. I don't eat much rice, but when I do, I eat brown rice. I eat the pasta that is enriched with fiber and protein. I try to stay away from the "simple" carbs, like flour and sugar. I hardly eat bread anymore. I only indulge my sugar cravings once in a while with either a bit of chocolate or coconut milk "ice cream".

I'm on a pulsing schedule of antibiotics. I find it necessary to be more strict while I'm on the antibiotics, but when I'm off, I can relax a little more. I also take probiotics constantly.
Posted 7/12/2010 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I really appreciate all of the great responses from everyone. I now feel more motivated and have a better idea on how to be successful.
Wishing everyone that is following a special diet continued success.
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