dr bernsteins diet

[pands45]

I decided to give the Bernstein diet a try since I just couldn't lose weight wih my version of low carb. I am VERY motivated and driven but am very unsure of what o eat. For Ex: my endo says I need protein before bed since that will help the insulin from making me too low at night. I am not sure what to eat as a snack. Especially since I don't have 4to5 hrs between dinner and bed. Also, Bernstein talks about splenda as if it had not yet come to the U.S. when he published the book. Is he pro splenda or not? BTW, today is only day 1 but so far my BS numbers have stayed pretty much stayed the same all day.I tested immediately after dinner, not waiting 2 hrs and it was below 6. That is a first!!! They say I won't feel hungry but now I am (less than an hour after dinner] What can I snack on or should I refrain????

[Granny Shanny]

My old standby is beef sticks or a hard-cooked egg with a little mayo & mustard. A handful of raw almonds also squelches my munchies.

[ShottleBop]

Dr. Bernstein is fine with Splenda.

[enigmalady777]

String cheese or even sharp cheddar cheese cubes are a good snack.

Another good option is peanut butter on some celery. I typically buy the natural peanut butter or any of the low sugar varieties. Even just a spoonful of peanut butter alone will sometimes do the trick in quenching my munchies.

[jtausch]

I use the regular penut butter only 6 grams of carbs. I looked at the low sugar ones and some of them had more carbs in them.

[Mike Opteris]

Bernstein prefers liquid Splenda. The powdered stuff has maltodextrin in it, usually made from rice, corn, or potato starch. Maltodextrin is easily digestible, being absorbed as rapidly as glucose. YMMV but powdered Splenda spikes my BG. He really likes stevia, but it is expensive. For nighttime snacks, I love nuts, particularly pistachios and walnuts. I don't eat peanuts or any other legumes or their cousins like cashews. But find almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and pecans great.

[Subby]

Bernstein prefers liquid Splenda.

He also gives approval to tablet form, as per in his book.

I decided to give the Bernstein diet a try since I just couldn't lose weight wih my version of low carb. I am VERY motivated and driven but am very unsure of what o eat...

What can I snack on or should I refrain????

Strikes me that if you want to do it the Bernstein way, the best option is to go to the source. You've got the book? The common one being "Diabetes Solution" - the answers to your questions are found in the chapter "Diet guidelines essential to the treatment of all diabetics" - and especially the sections "So what's left to eat?" and "no-nos in a nutshell".

[Mike Opteris]

I know the Dr. does not approve of any food with significant portions of foods with the ending of '-ol' or '-ose' in it such as sugar alcohols or dextrose, sucrose, or fructose. However, it is not that important of an issue as long as the powdered or tablet form of any artificial sweetner does not significantly affect the individual BG of the person using it.

[pands45]

As in my other thread this diet is NOT working for me. My BG is amazing but the bacon, butter, cream, coconut oil, sausages are not aiding in weight loss. It is all so depressing. I want something that assures me success for great behaviour!!! Husband ( not diabetic) proudly announced he lost 4 pounds over weekend from simply cutting down on carbs like me. Woopty doo, I ommitted all carbs over 10 days ago nadda 1 pound!!!! This is NOT working for me!!!

[jer.lawrence]

I would definitely suggest giving it more time as well. I know some people see immediate results, but I dont' think all folks do. Sometimes it just takes a little longer for your body to start burning that fat.

[pands45]

I guess I'm not very patient. It's just that in past eight came off with dprivation and hard work.... now it doesn't!!!! Sorry,
I feel very WOE IS ME today. Is it possible that I just can't lose this way????

[foxl]

I guess I'm not very patient. It's just that in past eight came off with dprivation and hard work.... now it doesn't!!!! Sorry,
I feel very WOE IS ME today. Is it possible that I just can't lose this way????

Give it time, but it is possible you might just hold on to weight. We are all different! As I said in your other thread, I HAVE stopped losing ... (and my endo wants me to lose 10 - 15 more) but I also am still maintaining.

[rak1978]

As in my other thread this diet is NOT working for me. My BG is amazing but the bacon, butter, cream, coconut oil, sausages are not aiding in weight loss. It is all so depressing. I want something that assures me success for great behaviour!!! Husband ( not diabetic) proudly announced he lost 4 pounds over weekend from simply cutting down on carbs like me. Woopty doo, I ommitted all carbs over 10 days ago nadda 1 pound!!!! This is NOT working for me!!!

That must be frustrating! For weight loss purposes, I would suggest cutting back a little on the higher calorie options. I think it's possible to eat lean, fresh foods and still eat extremely low carb if that's what you decide. Everyone's body has a "budget" as far as calories go...low carb or not, if you go over your budget, then you won't loose weight.
By the way, it's annoying how easy it is for some men to loose and/or maintain weight. My husband can eat the refrigerator and still loose weight.

I wish you all the best!

Rachel

[notme]

As in my other thread this diet is NOT working for me. My BG is amazing but the bacon, butter, cream, coconut oil, sausages are not aiding in weight loss. It is all so depressing. I want something that assures me success for great behaviour!!! Husband ( not diabetic) proudly announced he lost 4 pounds over weekend from simply cutting down on carbs like me. Woopty doo, I ommitted all carbs over 10 days ago nadda 1 pound!!!! This is NOT working for me!!!

It did not work for me either pands. I wish it had as I found it easy to eat this way and not feel hungry. For me, the only way I lost weight was to eat nothing with a nutrition label. I eat fresh foods only and I lose weight. I ate fresh veggies, fresh berries, whole nuts, salmon, eggs and a small amount of cheese. Mostly my diet consisted of veggies and fresh berries and nuts and I lost about 15 pounds in three months.

I tried low carb, higher fat and proteins. I also tried low fat. I did lose on low fat, but I gained it all back.

I feel your pain. It really is frustrating for some of us.

[fgummett]

+1 for that approach Nancy... real whole food, that isn't processed and packaged :thumbsup:

[pands45]

Okay , so now I really feel bad for me. I weighed myself at gym and gained 3 pounds. It is day 11 on Dr B's diet.I am trying to feel better by telling myself that I gained muscle.The truth is that I have been working out for many years.

[fgummett]

I know the advice so often is not to obsess about weight and that you should "only weigh yourself once a week" or whatever but as I've long since developed a thick-skinned attitude to my BG numbers -- they are just numbers that tell me how I am doing -- so I have a fairly decent set of scales at home and I'll jump on them some days, 2 or 3 times in the same day... you may be surprised to see how much your weight changes (sometimes 2 or 3 pounds) over the course of a single day. And without meaning anything sexist, I'd also consider hormonal cycles and fluid balance.

Try not to attach emotions or self-worth to these numbers... they are what you are... if you have practical steps available to you to change them and you wish to do so then take action but don't beat yourself up over them :)

Another reason I prefer home scales is: I wonder how accurate the gym scales are, has someone been messing with them or possibly re-calibrated them since you last used them?

[Granny Shanny]

Another reason I prefer home scales is:

We can jump outta bed first thing in the morning & weigh before we dress! :D :D :D No way I'm gonna count the weight of my clothes - I even weigh without my coke bottle glasses. :eek:

[pands45]

You guys are so GREAT!!! I agree I have gained 3 pounds after 10 days on DR B's diet because ..a) the gym scale was messed with and b) my thick as COKE BOTTE glasses got in the way. Thanks , you guys are the best!!!!!!!!

[pands45]

You guys are so GREAT!!! I agree I have gained 3 pounds after 10 days on DR B's diet because ..a) the gym scale was messed with and b) my thick as COKE BOTTE glasses got in the way. Thanks , you guys are the best!!!!!!!! Frank, my daughter just started University in Wolfville. We loved it there.Lovely people, lovely place.

[Caravaggio]

Ditto Notme's and many of the other posts.

I also agree with the suggestion not to attach too much meaning to the number on the scale. It should be a guide, nothing more. I would also suggest not weighing so often, especially not everyday as one's weight fluctuates everyday for various reasons. I recommend 1x a week (same conditions - like same time of day, wearing same clothes, and for women, taking note of one's period) should be enough. Or 1x every other week. Don't forget weighing completing as weighing lets you know if things are improving or not; but don't be a slave to it either (it's hard to resist jumping on the scale, I know).

I also suggest trying to change your attitude - instead of focusing on losing weight, why not focus on slowly improving your eating habits (example, eating less bread, or eating more veggies, or no potato chips) or adding more physical activities to your day? While you can't really control the rate of your weight loss/gain, you are in control of what you eat and whether you go out for a walk :).

Hang in there!

[musique913]

As a person who has lost 130 something pounds, I can tell you it all takes time.

If it were easy, we'd all be in perfect shape and healthy as horses, right? :)

Don't get on the scale. It doesn't do much good if you are feeling fat to begin with. Measure yourself, especially if you are exercising. It could be water weight, could be anything..that's why I don't concentrate on those numbers..thought admittedly it gets easier as I get close to the 130's!

Good luck, and hang in there!

Angela:dancing2:

[fgummett]

Yes the tape measure may be a better guide than the weigh scales... I wish I had baseline measurements for before my weight loss. There have been many times during the last few months where the scales have not budged but my body looks to be rearranging itself and my clothes fit differently. Compare photos over several months rather that just relying on your eyes in the mirror where you don't notice the small daily changes.

Also be clear about your overall intention: is it to "lose weight" or to "reduce excess fat mass"..?

[Josselyn]

Yes the tape measure may be a better guide than the weigh scales... I wish I had baseline measurements for before my weight loss. There have been many times during the last few months where the scales have not budged but my body looks to be rearranging itself and my clothes fit differently. Compare photos over several months rather that just relying on your eyes in the mirror where you don't notice the small daily changes.

Also be clear about your overall intention: is it to "lose weight" or to "reduce excess fat mass"..?

I can go three weeks without the scale showing any noticeable difference. One day is up a pound, the next is down a pound...it's maddening. Sooo...I get on the scale every week or two or three, preferring to focus instead on maintaining a good BG level. But it seems I drop about 3-4 pounds per month...all in the same week. Weird.

I noticed, too, that during my plateau phases, my body continues to rearrange itself - the same syndrome Frank mentioned. I went a month with virtually no weight loss, but dropped a jeans size.
I'll take it. :T