New Low Carb diet – Seems to be working!

[timmyp]

I am rather excited! :) After years of readings that were all over the place with lots of spikes, I have recently gone onto Dr. Bernstein’s diet. So far my levels are amazingly more stable and have already managed to lower my levels to normal (this after my average being around 14 mmo/L or 252 mg/dl :eek: ).

I am finding it hard to research some of this though. I totally buy into lower insulin / lower carb diet as it mitigates all kinds of risks (including sever hypos) but I am finding that the Dr B’s diet is controversial. I may end up taking more carbs than the 6 -12 -12 he recommends. I am also already under weight for my height and am fearful of loosing any more weight but want maintain / put on more weight (hopefully I can build muscle in the process with all the protein intake.)

I would love to hear from others out there on this topic and or those who are on the diet (if any).

Anyway, here is to good control and happy levels!

[matingara]

hi tim.

i have the book. and it has changed my life for the better.

i do not follow it slavishly. but i do eat low carb. my fasting BGLs are almost always between 4 and 6 (72-108).

if i eat real low carb (0 carbs) my post meal readings sometimes drop.

if i eat low carb, i normally stay below 7.8.

tonight i had a little treat of full fat, full sugar sara lee chocolate ice cream and i have shot up to 9.3 (167). (after a dinner of home made thai red curry and salad (with a tablespoon of rice).

most of the time i stick with most of what Dr. Bernstein says. i do allow myself onions and carrots. the occasional apple or grapefruit or cherry or berry.

i am maintaining my weight (75 kg (165 lbs)) despite eating more fat and protein.

my opinion is that Bernstein is pretty darn good and a great help to the "pro-active" diabetic.

:)

-- Joel.

[Jan B]

Timmy,

I'm a believer. Even if you don't go quite as low as Bernstein suggests, I believe in his logic. I quit eating oatmeal for breakfast, and have eggs. No more spikes! I eat lots of spinach and greens and gave up all starches. However, I have put a tiny bit of black-eyed peas (cow-food to some northerners!) back in my diet. And I have added a bit of fruit.

Low carb really does help me with control. I do, however, want a wide variety of nutrients. I feel we need a bit of all the natural growing things (food), but am very glad I read Bernstein's Diabetes Solution, and Gary Taube's book, Good Calories, Bad Calories.

[timmyp]

I have just done a keto test and I came out at 'Moyen' - mid range. I am rather scared right now. This can't be good can it? I am drinking a lot of water now to try and flush these!

Any help welcome and needed!

[Jan B]

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/dieting/25479-type-1-diabetes-low-3.html

Look at the above for good discussion.

[xMenace]

On July 7th I suddenly decided to cut back by shooting for lower total daily insulin dosage. I was averaging about 85u a day. I decided to shoot for under 70 each day.

My TDDs were 67.6, 64.35, 79 (rebound fighting), 92.35 (party), 68.6, 63.85, 75.9, 77.35, 71.3, and today is on target for about 70.

It's been a modest cutback. I haven't achieved my goal every day, but it has made a difference. My BGs have been great, mostly, and I've lost 2.3lbs in 9 days. Woot! I also feel more full than before. I think cutting back even more is definately doable.

[sprzepiora]

I do not follow his diet, but I do eat low carb and it has helped a LOT. I typically eat like this:
Breakfast 30g
Lunch 15g (always a salad)
Dinner 15g (a Meat and two vegetables often 4 "serving", about 340g of vegetables)

I didn't mean to eat this low carb, it just kind of happened :) I was eating higher carbs for lunch but I wanted to loose weight so I started eating salads for lunch. Before that I usually ate a half of a Subway sub and a bag of sunchips.

[BrianSCohen]

I have just done a keto test and I came out at 'Moyen' - mid range. I am rather scared right now. This can't be good can it? I am drinking a lot of water now to try and flush these!

Any help welcome and needed!

Don't be alarmed, don't adjust your set, everything is normal. On a very low carb diet, you will convert to a ketogenic energy system, burning fat to produce ketones and using the ketones to supply the energy needs of your body in place of glucose. As your body becomes adapted, you will only produce enough ketones to supply your needs and your keto test should show marginal or trace. You are not going into DKA unless you have highly elevated blood sugar readings, which I presume you are not having.

After three years on a very low carb diet, I still show trace ketones and use it as a marker that I am keeping my carbs low enough.

[dbc]

I'm a believer. Even if you don't go quite as low as Bernstein suggests, I believe in his logic.


Me too. I used to stick pretty close to his recommended carb intake, but i've relaxed a bit now, am probably up around 60-80 carbs/day. Restricted carb intake is the "main ingredient" in my recipe for maintaining reasonably stable/normal BS, I simply can 't get it right on a "normal" carb intake, even when carefully trying to match insulin dose to the carb load.

That said, there are folks here who do get it right - I'm just not one of them!

[BlueSky]

I am rather excited! :) ... I am also already under weight for my height and am fearful of loosing any more weight but want maintain / put on more weight (hopefully I can build muscle in the process with all the protein intake.) ....
I have also had difficulty maintaining weight. With low-carb eating, I find I don't get as hungry and don't eat as much. I have dealt with this by doing regular gym workouts. It stimulates the appetite and builds muscle. I think it was the post-workout protein shake that made all the difference. I am not training at the moment, and I am losing weight again. So I will have to renew that gym membership ... :o .

[cyberus]

Low carb seems to be working for me too ... after the first days of levels spiking all over the place following the "recommended diet" I've leveled out pretty well on low carb.