Repost from the Resolute Keto Archive Original publishing date: May 24, 2019
I have been living with type 1 diabetes since 2007, when I was diagnosed at the age of 40. For 11 years, my blood glucose levels resembled the graph below, with an average of 164 mg/dl and a variability of +/- 46 mg/dl. I had also gained 175 lbs in those 11 years since I starting taking insulin and following the Standard American Diet (SAD) and dietary recommendations from the ADA.
It was common for me to see blood sugar levels in the 200s or 300s daily, while I also faced severe lows in the 40s due to overcorrecting to bring those high numbers down. Finding a middle ground was a constant struggle, leaving me exhausted and burnt out from the daily highs and lows.
In November 2017, after a conversation with my cardiologist, I began to lower my carbohydrate intake to 20 total carbs per day. I discovered some delicious low-carb dinner recipes online and purchased a great keto cookbook. Thankfully, my husband agreed to join me in this journey.
By January, my non-diabetic husband and my daughter, who had become insulin-resistant, noticed the improvements in my health and decided to fully adopt a low-carb lifestyle alongside me. Since then, we have become a low-carb household, and all three of us have experienced significant health improvements and weight loss.
Within one week of reducing my carb intake to under 20 grams per day, my average blood sugars stabilized around 100 mg/dl consistently! I had never seen such steady blood sugar levels before and felt better than I had in years. I was amazed that no one had ever told me about this approach or encouraged me to try it! My nighttime glucose levels began to improve as well, and I experienced slightly better sleep.
As my body adjusted to the diet, I gradually reduced my insulin basal rate each day during the first few weeks. I went from taking 2 units of insulin per hour around the clock to 0.9 units, and sometimes even less. My A1c over the past 90 days is now 5.2, with daily blood sugars averaging 96-97 mg/dl and a standard deviation of just 12, which is incredible!
The other positive outcome has been the weight loss. I lost 5 pounds during that first week, and the weight has continued to come off steadily since then. I have lost a total of 120 pounds since starting strict keto in January 2018.
I no longer feel hungry, and I haven’t craved sugar since the second week. It feels amazing, and I have no desire to return to the Standard American Diet. I genuinely don’t miss the carbs, grains, or vegetable oils.
Important Information:
For anyone considering a low-carb or keto diet, I recommend educating yourself thoroughly before making any changes. Your personal health and safety should always come first.
Find a doctor or healthcare provider who supports low-carb eating and can guide you through the process. There are a few endocrinologists and general practitioners who do endorse low-carb diets.
If you use an insulin pump, it is crucial to know how to adjust the settings. Make sure you educate yourself and have a solid understanding of your basal rates, insulin sensitivity, carbohydrate ratios, and dosing.
This blog shares my personal experiences with a low-carb ketogenic diet as a type 1 diabetic and is not intended as medical advice, and I am not a medical practitioner.