Steve Kroll
Wine Guy
I realize that diets are a personal choice and this isn't for everyone, but it has dramatically helped me quite a bit, so I thought I would share.
After being diagnosed with Type 2 six weeks ago, I realized I needed to take a different approach to the food I eat. I've been more or less following the dietary advice recommended by the American Diabetes Association for the last several years, but it didn't prevent my pre-diabetic condition from progressing to full blown diabetes.
For the last 30 years, the medical community (and the ADA) has been promoting a low fat diet, combined with what they refer to as "good" carbohydrate choices, including whole grains and fruits. When I was diagnosed, I immediately began strictly following these recommendations and those espoused in the "The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet."
The results were disappointing. Although my blood glucose levels dropped from the mid-200s to the mid-100s, I simply was not able to get them anywhere near the normal range of 70-99. Furthermore, I found myself constantly hungry.
So I started doing some research online, and found a number of references to "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" and "Ketogenic" diets for controlling (or aiding in the control of) diabetes. Dr. Bernstein's book, in particular, has been very eye opening. The author has had type 1 diabetes since the 1940s and, although still has to take insulin injections, has been able to whittle them down to a very low level. Most of his disease is controlled through diet. He has been on this diet since the 1960s and is still active at age 80.
The basic premise is this: the bulk of the calories in your diet should come from fat - about 70% or so. 20-25% comes from protein. Carbs comprise the remaining 5-10%, and pretty much all of those carbs come from vegetables and limited amounts of dairy. No sugar, whether from a natural source or not. No pasta. No breads. Period. But lots of butter, and olive oil, and lots of animal fats.
While there have been other low carb diets popularized over the years, including Atkins and Paleo, this one seems to be geared solely toward the control of diabetes.
I'll admit my first thought was that this could not possibly be good for you. I mean, I've been told my entire life that you should only eat lean meats and fish. We all know saturated fat is bad and causes heart disease, right? Well, it seems that more and more people in the medical community are coming forward to say that isn't the case.
Anyway, I started on it three weeks ago. I've now lost a total of 22 pounds, and my fasting blood sugar is at a normal 85-90 mg/dl, which is the lowest it's been in almost 8 years. Even after meals, it only jumps to around 93-95. Best of all, I am never hungry.
Like I said, I realize this isn't for everyone and some I'm sure will consider it extreme (maybe even nuts), but I was at the point I felt like I really needed to step back and rethink how I've been eating, and to do something different. Because what I've been doing up until now hasn't worked.
I know there are other diabetics here on DC. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. And I'm also happy to discuss specifics, if anyone is interested.
After being diagnosed with Type 2 six weeks ago, I realized I needed to take a different approach to the food I eat. I've been more or less following the dietary advice recommended by the American Diabetes Association for the last several years, but it didn't prevent my pre-diabetic condition from progressing to full blown diabetes.
For the last 30 years, the medical community (and the ADA) has been promoting a low fat diet, combined with what they refer to as "good" carbohydrate choices, including whole grains and fruits. When I was diagnosed, I immediately began strictly following these recommendations and those espoused in the "The Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet."
The results were disappointing. Although my blood glucose levels dropped from the mid-200s to the mid-100s, I simply was not able to get them anywhere near the normal range of 70-99. Furthermore, I found myself constantly hungry.
So I started doing some research online, and found a number of references to "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution" and "Ketogenic" diets for controlling (or aiding in the control of) diabetes. Dr. Bernstein's book, in particular, has been very eye opening. The author has had type 1 diabetes since the 1940s and, although still has to take insulin injections, has been able to whittle them down to a very low level. Most of his disease is controlled through diet. He has been on this diet since the 1960s and is still active at age 80.
The basic premise is this: the bulk of the calories in your diet should come from fat - about 70% or so. 20-25% comes from protein. Carbs comprise the remaining 5-10%, and pretty much all of those carbs come from vegetables and limited amounts of dairy. No sugar, whether from a natural source or not. No pasta. No breads. Period. But lots of butter, and olive oil, and lots of animal fats.
While there have been other low carb diets popularized over the years, including Atkins and Paleo, this one seems to be geared solely toward the control of diabetes.
I'll admit my first thought was that this could not possibly be good for you. I mean, I've been told my entire life that you should only eat lean meats and fish. We all know saturated fat is bad and causes heart disease, right? Well, it seems that more and more people in the medical community are coming forward to say that isn't the case.
Anyway, I started on it three weeks ago. I've now lost a total of 22 pounds, and my fasting blood sugar is at a normal 85-90 mg/dl, which is the lowest it's been in almost 8 years. Even after meals, it only jumps to around 93-95. Best of all, I am never hungry.
Like I said, I realize this isn't for everyone and some I'm sure will consider it extreme (maybe even nuts), but I was at the point I felt like I really needed to step back and rethink how I've been eating, and to do something different. Because what I've been doing up until now hasn't worked.
I know there are other diabetics here on DC. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. And I'm also happy to discuss specifics, if anyone is interested.
