[aussie mum]

Hi everyone,

I haven't posted here in a while. I have been doing a lot of reading about a low GI diet. I have changed our whole families eating habits and found it has made Tom's sugars much better and his bsl much easier to predict.

Does anyone else follow a low gi diet and how have you found it? Has it made your bsl's better? Do you feel better?

Tom will be seeing the endo on the 19th and I am interested to see if it will have had an affect on his hba1c.

[Ritehsedad]

I don't follow a low GI diet, per se, but I do believe it has benefits and I do try to make carb choices that are low GI.

[Sparkle]

Hi

Yes I try to not eat any white bread or white rice etc unless I am out or caught without a packed lunch or out for dinner etc.....Have quite alot of books on low gi and it definitely keeps sugars more level. All slow and medium release foods are better if you are taking insulin.

If I have to eat white bread the difference in levels is really obvious. Shoots up and then falls about 3 hrs or so later.

I think it's the way to go eating wise personally. Can't always be good tho!

[HelenM]

I don't follow it as a diet but I do make use of it when choosing starchy carbs and fruits. I usually have an oat based cereal for breakfast and I search out small new potatoes! I do see a difference if for example I have to eat a slice of baguette rather than wholegrain.

[Sparkle]

Must be hard with all those baguettes around there!!!? I always find in France and Spain it's really hard to get granary bread etc especially in restaurants and always end up eating the wrong things! Can be tricky.

[Jazz]

I have learnt alot about the Glycemic Index from the book "The New Glucose Revolution Third Edition." As a result I try to choose the recommended food that is high in fibre and low in saturated fats and sugar. Wholemeal/granary bread, porridge, oat based cereal bars, branflakes breakfast cereal are part of my regular choices and I add pulses whenever possible into main meal dishes. I now eat satumas/clementines/apples (never liked them before, but am starting to enjoy now). I keep some grapes/cherries/strawberries to hand in the fridge as I find a few of these small fruits are useful if my blood sugar is feeling low as I am cooking the dinner. All the above paints me as a saint! -however, I do still need biscuits and chocolate, but I tend to have a weightwatchers biscuit or low GI biscuit such as a gingernut or fig roll. I also keep a packet of maltesers or cadburys mini eggs in the fridge (that belong only to me, not the rest of my family!) If I have a chocolate craving I find that I can satisfy it by eat a couple of maltesers or a couple of mini eggs. I am still in the honeymoon period on low doses of insulin, but I am sure that making choices based on low glycemic index recommendations are really helping to keep my blood sugar more stable. I have found the above book invaluable.
Jazz

[Mich]

I pretty much follow a low glycemic index type of diet. I just keep a copy of the index handy and consider that in with the other figures (carbs, total calories, TASTE.) You are right, it's a healthy way to eat with lots of whole grains and veggies.

My family has eaten that way for years and now my adult children do it too. That isn't saying we don't eat high glycemic things now and then, but usually that's the exception. I LOVE Dove dark chocolates. Thank goodness they are lower GI (yikes...because of all that fat ) and also only 5 carbs per piece.

I found a pretty good GI reference list on Rick Mendoza's site (Thanks, Rick!) If I consume my higher carb or higher GI stuff in the middle of the day I do better overall. Many days I eat a salad for dinner, with cheese and some tasty veggies. I also have to go low on carbs at breakfast because of my dawn effect.

I have to watch my weight, so I try to keep overall insulin dose on the low end.

Mich

[aussie mum]

Originally Posted by Jazz

I have learnt alot about the Glycemic Index from the book "The New Glucose Revolution Third Edition." As a result I try to choose the recommended food that is high in fibre and low in saturated fats and sugar. Wholemeal/granary bread, porridge, oat based cereal bars, branflakes breakfast cereal are part of my regular choices and I add pulses whenever possible into main meal dishes. I now eat satumas/clementines/apples (never liked them before, but am starting to enjoy now). I keep some grapes/cherries/strawberries to hand in the fridge as I find a few of these small fruits are useful if my blood sugar is feeling low as I am cooking the dinner. All the above paints me as a saint! -however, I do still need biscuits and chocolate, but I tend to have a weightwatchers biscuit or low GI biscuit such as a gingernut or fig roll. I also keep a packet of maltesers or cadburys mini eggs in the fridge (that belong only to me, not the rest of my family!) If I have a chocolate craving I find that I can satisfy it by eat a couple of maltesers or a couple of mini eggs. I am still in the honeymoon period on low doses of insulin, but I am sure that making choices based on low glycemic index recommendations are really helping to keep my blood sugar more stable. I have found the above book invaluable.
Jazz

this is the book that I have. My sister bought it in London for me. I love the recpies in it especially the creamy mushroom pasta. I have made the meusli bars and herb and cheese scones and the children all love them for snacks.

Thanks for all your feedback. I am really glad to have Tom on a good diet. He really loves sweet potatoes which surprised me.

Therese

[arzoo]

With regards to whole grains, my old diet usually centers on bread, rice, pasta, and potatoes.

Which type of bread have you experienced to be most effective?

Does brown rice and wholemeal pasta work for BG maintenance and provide low GI?

Thanks.

[xMenace]

Yes, it all makes a difference, but it's not the only weapon - it is often not enough on its own. Cutting down on carbs and pre-bolusing insulin are also vital.

Look at the whole diet, not just individual foods. Adding low GI foods is pointless if you don't cut out the high ones.

[volleyball]

The day my doctor told me of my over 13 A1C, I started researching and saw low GI. I started immediately and took Amaryl for only several weeks. I have not taken any medicine in the years following.
I have converted many family and friends not diabetic over as they too feel better and the taste is usually superior.Some things just won't do for people but you can always make exceptions. One kid hated whole wheat pasta for years but has finally come around. all other whole grain foods were ok.
The cauliflower mash goes as fast as the potato kind though I only use waxy potatoes.

[gambi]

I have started eating low GI. I feel better, I don't eat as much, and I use less insulin. I only eat low GI foods and stay away from the medium and high.

I tried to go strickly low carb but my energy levels were horrible. Now I have a balance of veggies, some fruits, and whole grains.

Remember it's not a diet but a life sytle change I hope it works out for you and your family!