Introduction

Update: well, that was short lived. As before, I got through the early days ok, but simply couldn't continue with how non-functional my brain felt. I've gone straight into trying keto . . . and have also decided to switch up the format and actually blog. So. Here goes: Blog.

Back in 2021 I tried the Newcastle diet. You can read about it in the Newcastle Diet Blog section. It went well until . . . it didn't.

So it's somewhat nervously that I find myself trying something similar in 2024. The diabetic nurse who oversees my care offered to put me on the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme. The idea is very similar to the Newcastle diet, but with more support.

The program is a year long:

• Twelve weeks on 800 calories a day, using shakes and soups.
• Six weeks of gradual food reintroduction.
• The rest of the year: ongoing support.

Check out the Theory for a brief introduction to the science behind the program. The FAQ provides answers to questions that I've had as I've gone along - hopefully it also answers some of your questions.

For detailed understanding of the science of type 2 remission, I highly recommend Life Without Diabetes: The definitive guide to understanding and reversing your Type 2 diabetes, by Professor Roy Taylor.

I will be doing a couple of extra things this time, based on a bit of googling to see what can help me get into ketosis faster:

• I'll start intermittent fasting on the 16/8 pattern (eating only within an eight hour window each day), before I start the diet.
• And I'm going to try MCT Oil. There's (admittedly limited) evidence that it can speed up the process of achieving ketosis: The Effect of Medium Chain Triglycerides on Time to Nutritional Ketosis and Symptoms of Keto-Induction in Healthy Adults.