Understanding the diet/ low carb/ no carb

[Darkmindead]

I'm going to keep this short and sweet... maybe....
What do you use for diet reference , what has worked for you ?
I have used weight watchers in the past , I usually only use this as it teaches the basic principles of food control and portions etc... Not really a diet as much as it is learning about food . So what I was wondering it what some others have used as reference? Do you think The South beach "diet " Is more of a better reference when diabetic or do you have something else you use for reference that has worked for you? I know I am going to have to see the dietician again ... been a while so I just want to be prepared and go in knowledgable with what I feel will work well for me :)

[princesslinda]

For me, watching my carbs has helped a lot, with both blood sugar control and weight loss. I avoid things like bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, instead eating lots of green veggies, salads and lean proteins. I also eat various cheeses, nuts and s/f pudding, jello and popsicles.

The S. Beach diet is quite similar to what I personally follow, but thinking of the word "diet" makes it seem temporary, and this is my life now, not just a temporary diet...so, I eat, test 2 hrs after first bite, and find what foods keep my blood sugar in line...these I eat regularly. If something causes a spike, I avoid it. Also, exercise is very helpful.

When first diagnosed, I kept a food journal, writing down everything I put in my mouth and the corresponding 2 hr blood sugar...soon I had a lot of good foods I knew I could eat without problems.

I'd suggest eating "by your meter." Let it determine what foods you can tolerate, as we are all different and what works for one of us may not work for another.

A great book for good basic diabetes info: "Type 2 Diabetes, The First Year," by Gretchen Becker. It has a lot of information that you'll find interesting.

As for Weight Watchers, I did it several years ago, and seem to remember it being more carbs than I could tolerate at this point.

[nicole]

huhh, I'm starting the weight watchers diet saturday.
Is that not a good idea??

[Darkmindead]

Well really Nicole its not that it isnt a good idea it is I think more of a your going to have to be even more careful along with the portion conrtol your going to have really watch your carbs. I don't think it is a bad idea just reasearch as much as you can and get as much head knowledge as you can so your well informed. Kinda like the other person said you'll learn to eat by your meter ;) ( remember not everyone follows the smae lifestyle changes as the other person 0 :D

[Evermont]

I find that what I'm doing is working very well, but I'm learning that it's not something everyone else can bring themselves to do. Like Linda, it's my way of eating now, not some temporary adjustment. My approach is to learn about the most nutritious foods there are. I have a couple reference books on nutrition that I'll detail here in a later post.

We can learn about macronutrients and micronutrients.

We can know the difference between carbs, protein, and fats and where all these things hide in our food.

We can know that saturated fats are bad, polyunsaturated fats are bad (with important exceptions), trans-fats are the worst, and know that monounsaturated fats are good and where to find all of these.

We can know that protiens are good when they don't come laced with saturated fats.

We can learn about Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load and how those measures help to distinguish between carbs that we should eat and carbs that we would do better to limit or avoid.

There is much to know about micronutrients: vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, water, etc. etc. Like why lycopene for example should come from a tomato instead of a pill.

We should understand about the need for and benefits of a balance of macronutrients with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and what cooking does to help or hurt nutrient density and bioavailability. We can get variety by seeking out and trying new foods, ingredients, and cooking techniques all the time.

One reason I've bothered to learn all this is that I hate planning, or following plans regardless of who made them, even myself. As it stands now, I can walk into most any kitchen and quickly put together a nutritious and satisfying meal or snack without much fuss. I invent new recipes often in the middle of cooking them. I'll decide what to put in an omelet after the eggs are already in the pan sometimes.

This may seem like a lot to take on. Complications of diabetes seem to me like a lot to take on. If this approach to food seems like too much then you may not want to hear this...

It's pointless to work on eating and not work at least as hard on exercise. We should know what our Maximum Heart Rate is. We should know why it's important to get both cardio and strength training and how to do that safely. And so on... you get the idea.

[princesslinda]

huhh, I'm starting the weight watchers diet saturday.
Is that not a good idea??

I'm certainly not saying WW is a bad idea, but for a T2 not on insulin, carb counting is a very important part of good control. I don't have a lot of T1 knowledge, but as a T2, if I eat a "Lean Cuisine" chicken and pasta dinner, i'll be a lot higher 2 hrs afterward, even though its supposed to be a healthy dinner.

Weight watcher's may have something different now from the time I was a member several years ago, so don't let me discourage you. Whatever diet you try, check regularly and see how your blood sugar handles your choices.

[Harold]

huhh, I'm starting the weight watchers diet saturday.
Is that not a good idea??
The Weight Watchers diet was designed for non diabetics and works well for many. The problem to keep in mind here is you need to determine what carb load per meal you tolerate well. Then adjust the diet plan to fit your needs. This applies to most every diet out there.

[Cyborg]

Low carbing is a great way to control your bg. Keep in mind that protein can also affect your bg. With regards to losing weight, it's ultimately the calories that count and both protein and fat contain the same or more calories than carbs...

[Handybear]

I follow the Dr. Bernstein program quite faithfully.
For the past 14 days my BG fasting and post prandial is averaging an 84!

[kgm0612]

For me, watching my carbohydrate intake and keeping it under 100g a day works best for me.

But.........what works for me today may not necessarily work for me tomorrow.

Karen

[Alice]

I attend WW for the weekly weigh-in...I also think they excel in getting the "general public" to look at what a portion size really looks like...not what mom or a restaurant serves. This serves diabetics well.

WW started out as a marketed plan of the ADA diet. When ADA changed, so did WW.

It's really difficult to "blow carbs" on WW. Due to my weight, I'm on the lowest "point" amount...but I really don't follow the point system. I try to stay within that range, get my walking on schedule and use it as a "church" for healthy eating.

I'm far from perfect, but it really is healthy eating...especially if you are prone to grazing, snacking and treats.

You really need a fun group for it to succeed. I've been to good WW groups and some pretty dismal ones.

I never tell them I'm diabetic because it's too much info for them to handle. Especially a Type 1 on insulin.

You can (and should) count carbs on WW...it would be no different if you weren't following WW.

Just remember that diabetics can't follow those low amounts very well without treating lows with carbs...so don't beat yourself up...just do what you need. Their plans still allow for a little "extra calories" for good success.

WW can be a little expensive IMO for the 1/2 hour mickey-mouse lecture...but it can be motivating.

Personally, I have found an online site that is only about $10 a month that gives me a better tracker on foods with a complete (and easy to use) nutritional breakdown of foods...fats/carbs/etc.