Atkins and Bernstein

Hey ...

I think it's the low carb thang.

Thanks for the information, Warren.  It seems that every time there's a breakthrough diet or treatment, there'll be a study that discredits it and then later on another study that discredits that.  Nearly every "study" I've read about is proven to be right and then wrong and vice versa some time later.  In one of Mendosa's books, he said that early in the 20th century diabetics were told to have a very low carbohydrate diet but statisics years later indicated that they had a higher level of heart attacks, so the ADA changed to the one based on carbs (what is it, 55%?).  But now that I was told I'm "pre-diabetic", I found that cutting out bread, potatoes, most pasta and white rice keeps my numbers in control.  (Let's not talk about that chocolate peanut butter bunny on Easter.)  I've heard good and bad reviews of the Atkins diet.  It seems the Bernstein diet is similar in that natural fats are ok.  Well, I'll eat a steak or beef a couple of times a week, chicken and fish and lots of vegetables and anything with green leaves and some beans - but I just can't go back to real bacon and real butter on a regular basis.  My morning numbers are still in the 80's and 90's when I stick to that food and throw in some strawberries (or other berries).  Anyway, thanks for answering.

Lanie

atkins has modified his diet in his later books but does claim it excellent for overweight diabetics, as it was for me, being both

atkins claims insulin dependent diabetics have been able to stop using insulin on his diet, I never used insulin but am able to much reduce my metformin on atkins, but I stress that atkins hasnt cured my diabetes

a caution thats not stressed enough is that constipation can be very severe on starting any no  carb diet, while your body makes the change, psysillium husk or similar fiber and laxatives being needed

Lanie,
I have tried both the Atkins and Bernstein, South Beach, Zone and a variety of other diets. They all start out great and then I start feeling socially isolated from people who eat more normally. I have found that lots of monounsaturated fats (your nuts and olive oils), moderately low fat meats, lots of veggies and limited carbs works great for me. I also occasionally go to the local Chinese Buffet and enjoy myself because that makes me happy.

I try to do the "All things in moderation" lifestyle and that seems to work really well. Just my 2¢.

Lanie,

Your diet sounds great to me. Were I a betting man, I'd put a few quid on your test results being pretty enviable.

As far as condemnation of low carb principles goes, I think most of it stems from vested interest groups who don't like the orthodoxy challenged. I'd include the medical establishment, drugs companies and the food industry (low fat food alone must generate billions!)

My research into cholesterol has revealed lots of interesting stuff. Fistly, the body manufactures 75% of its own cholesterol, principally in response to carbohydrate consumption. Lots of research confirms levels are elevated following starchy meals, but much less after protein or fat is eaten. Most interesting of all are the statisics which show that heart attack victims typically have cholesterol levels no higher than those who don't suffer heart attacks. Most surprisingly , large studies over a long period of time in Paris are showing females with higher cholestorol levels are living longer than those with low levels.

Whew indeed!

fergusc

Fergusc

I have to add my .02 here- I just spent the better part of last week in and  out of the hospital with severe dehydration, a kidney infection, a bladder infection, a middle ear infection- and who knows what else. For the few meals I was there, I was served up an unbelievable amount of carbs- for example:

Breakfast = orange juice ( I was not low!); pancakes with margarine and syrup; cereal with milk; and some canned fruit

Dinner = macaroni and cheese; peas, white bread; 1/2 cup of head lettuce 'salad'; jello; milk (no meat bec I am a vegetarian!)

I was almost dead- but I inisisted on speaking to the 'diabetic' expert dietitian- when I pointed out that I generally eat 1-2 proteins; 1-2 non-starchy carbs; and a small mount of heart healthy fat at each of my meals- I was told that I was being given  ADA standard meals and that I should eat up- I told the guy that a meal like that would drive my BG up over 200 and he looked me in the eye and told me that I should be on MORE medicine so that I could eat a nice normal meal.

I had my husband smuggle in Boost drinks and some nice salads after that- and that's what I 'ate' until they  let me go home.

Lanie-

I will post the cheesecake recipe for you soon- as soon as I have the strength to go through the my Christams recipes out in the garage! sorry.

sandy

Omigosh, Sandy, I hope you're better, having survived the hospital stay which could have made you worse!  Don't worry about the recipe - take care of yourself.  That's more important. 

Fergusc,  don't worry.  When I find out my results, I'll be crowing if they're good.  If they're not, I'll be stuffing my face with that ice cream.

Lanie 

Whenever possible I stay away from the hospital. It has been my experience that incompetency runs rampant, administrations and insurance companies dictate policy, they are short staffed and the people in place are severely overworked. There are some huge problems in our medical industry and I certainly don't know the answers. I simply feel that if the woods are dangerous, stay out of the woods! The same is true for hospitals.

I know that emergency situations make it necessary to go in for help but even the last time I had pneumonia I refused to let my doctor admit me. I went home to my loving family with lots of meds and rested in my own environment. I got better without complications and didn't catch any of the super infections that are roaming hospital coridors looking for weak prey.

Sandy, et al ...  Thanks SO! much for sharing your hospital experience.  I thought it was just me.  I was an inpatient for 4 days in February 2006 - and still don't have my bg as well under control as before.  They insisted I eat all the high carb foods, then gave me insulin all the time - and I didn't have sense or energy enough to argue.  Nevermore!   

Re diet; Atkins works when I stick to it.     Martha

Post Edited (wmnak) : 4/19/2007 11:35:05 PM (GMT-6)