Best Diet For Diabetics?

Staceyy · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 05:59 PM

Please tell me what diet you think is best. Zone, Adkins or what? Also why please. Thanks!

Stacey
The Diabetic Pastry Chef

Scrabblechick · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-2008, 08:58 PM

Stacey, the best diet is the one that works FOR YOU! I do a combination sort of thing, always using my meter as a guide for what's working. The diabetic diet motto should be: YMMV. Everyone is different and what brings fabulous results for one person may not be at all what works for another.

Personally, I shoot for about 100 carbs per day, with BG levels of under 140 PP and under 100 fasting. I hit the PP numbers probably 95 percent of the time. Still working on those fasting numbers. That works for me. You may be able to get away with more carbs, or you may be able to eat something (like rice) that sends me into orbit.

I'd take a look at all the lower carb diets and see what in them makes sense to you and what seems doable for you. My diet is mostly based on the glycemic index, since my goal is to keep my BG levels from spiking, and to trend them downward. It is a balanced diet and by using it, I can attain my BG goals.

Evermont · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 04:12 AM

The best diet for diabetics is the same diet that's best for non-diabetics. A well rounded appropriate balance of quality carbs, complete proteins, and healthy fats with a wide variety of micronutrients provided by a variety of fresh whole nutrient dense natural foods which are not over processed or over cooked. Taking in the correct amount of food for your needs and no more. Drink plenty of water and never forget your side dish of exercise.

That's how I roll.

Gordonm · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 04:45 AM

Portion control is the biggest hurdle most people have. As said above a well rounded diet is the best and control your portion size. All those fad diets are just that. They will work for a little while then you go back to your eating. Get control of your meal plan and stick with it. In the 34 years of being a type 1 I have never been on a diet. I eat a healthy variety of foods and control the amount I eat. Just because it is not high in sugar does not mean you can have an unlimited supply.

John Edison · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 10:58 AM

To help maintain a more stable blood sugar level try eating small meals more frequently. A great goal to have is plan on eating 3 small meals during the day and having small meals such as snack bars when you feel hungry between the meals. Try the ready to eat JELL-O Brand Sugar Free low Calorie Gelatin. They only have 10 Calories per serving and taste great.

Alice · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 06:12 PM

There is no magic diet or book. Just watch portion sizes and nutritional content. Try to add natural fiber to your diet. Drink plenty of water. Exercise.

Track your current calories and reduce that amount. I am a believer of the "calories in" vs "calories out" theory for weight loss. Excess calories is what causes weight gain. Reduced will help reduce weight along with exercise to boost your metabolism and increase muscle mass.

Muscle will burn more calories than fat tissue any day. So, start walking or start moving in some way every day.

xMenace · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2008, 06:43 PM

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.

davef · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabblechick

Stacey, the best diet is the one that works FOR YOU!

Very well said.

Stacey, Just because something works for me does not mean that it will work for others. We can offer general guidelines, such as watching carbs, eating healthy, but not all foods affect people in the same way. For example, I find apples don't work for me as I get a rapid large spike, others can munch on the without the same experience.

It takes a little time and testing, but you will through testing find what works for you. As somebody (wish I could remember who) posted when I joined, I can eat anything I want, I just choose not to eat somethings.

Evermont · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davef

...As somebody (wish I could remember who) posted when I joined, I can eat anything I want, I just choose not to eat somethings.

Gee, that sounds REAL familiar!

pdxdennisj · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 06:32 AM

See Volumetrics by Baqrbara Rolls, PhD. She has served on the Advisory Council fir the NIH's institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Her system was evaluated by CU and got better results than Weight Watchers or other commercial programs. Her approach is to encourage a diet based on high volume, low calorie foods rather than low volume calorie dense foods. Keeping the apatite sated is the key in her opinion.

BriOnH · #11 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabblechick

Stacey, the best diet is the one that works FOR YOU!

that again.

Some swear by Dr. Bernstien's diet, and if you are a brittle diabetic I believe its the way to go. Even if you aren't it has changed many lives for the better. The no carb thing just dosn't fit my life style. I eat healthy, splurge here and there, and just try to make sure what I put in my body isn't going to stress any of my major organs.

To come full circle though, you really do have to find what works for you, your quality of life, and control.

davef · #12 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evermont

Gee, that sounds REAL familiar!

Aha! I quote that all the time to diabetic police!

Janlaton · #13 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:53 PM

Portion and carb control and discipline are the best diet. As everyone else says what works for me may not work for you but til you know do measure your food exactly. Yes use the cooking measuring cups and spoons to get it right.

Then do some exercise every day. You know exercise can be anything. Go look at some threads on favorite exercise if you don't believe me but they work and help bring those numbers back down.

Have a blessed day.

PERKDOUG · #14 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 01:43 PM

There is a new book called "GOOD CALORIE BAD CALORIE" by Gary Taubes. It is not actually a diet book. It is a very well crafted history of medical research in the area of heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, weight loss and the various theories relating to these problems as well as the principal researchers that have taken us to the present level of knowledge. The book is available for about $25. If you are poorly educated the book may be to tough for you. The book is a virtual cornucopia of medical research summaries regarding the present argument of FAT vs. CARBOHYDRATE in the diet. After reading this book, you will know why you are a type 2 diabetic. You will know how to gain weight or lose weight. If you read and absorb the knowledge in this book you will know more about proper diet and weight gain/loss than 90% of the doctors in the world and 99% of the nutritionists. I have been dumbfounded that this book is not all the buzz of every website relating to type 2 diabetes. I must conclude that most type 2 diabetics do not read much, except on the web. Go to the book store (Borders or Barnes & Noble) thumb through it and decide if you are smart enough to handle it. You must be very interested in diet and heart disease to read it. Having type 2 should be sufficient motivation but if you are a poor reader you are in a heap of trouble. Good luck and good reading.

Petruchio · #15 (**permalink**) 06-08-2008, 02:02 PM

Nit Picking here.

I don't follow any Diet. I try and follow a Live-it. Because I don't eat to die, I eat to live.

To be honest, I just try to balance my meals and shoot for 1800 calories and 160 carbs per day. these are goals that are a wee bit tighter than those set during my Diabetic classes.