Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution

[tamarian]

Not covered by anyone yet. Any volunteers?

[doreen T]

I borrowed this book from the library, so that I could learn and maybe use the information to help someone, a member here on the forum perhaps. Excellent book ... I think I'm going to have to buy my own copy .. this is a terrific lowcarbing reference, not just for diabetes.

Doreen

[tamarian]

Thanks Doreen! This will be helpful to all diabetic low-carbers!

Wa'il

[IslandGirl]

A great deal of information on the rising and falling of insulin and blood sugar, VERY informative.

Includes recipes (something I always want to know).

[razzle]

I just read this. People may be interested to know the basics of the food plan, which is only part of the book:

B: 6 g carbs; 3 oz protein
L: 12 g carbs; 4 oz protein
S: 12 g carbs; 5 oz protein

All those carbs must be "slow acting" ones (low GI/GL). All the usual suspects are disallowed, as are cottage cheese, tomatoes (he says one cherry tomato is okay), spaghetti squash.

He has no problems with soy, if it fits into the carb count.

The protein amounts are starting guidelines--note how few calories you'd get with this diet.

He says never eat until you are full--can trigger excess insulin.

He has an interesting thing to say about nuts--though they are technically allowable, he claims to have never once met a patient who can stop at an ounce, so they are probably best avoided by most of us.

[madpiano]

He has an interesting thing to say about nuts--though they are technically allowable, he claims to have never once met a patient who can stop at an ounce, so they are probably best avoided by most of us.


I can relate to that ! When the box is open, it has to be eaten !
I love nuts. Peanuts are my favourite, but I have now changed to Macadamia. I also love Almonds and Hazelnuts, and Walnuts, and coconuts. But I don't like Cashews.

[doreen T]

[i
B: 6 g carbs; 3 oz protein
L: 12 g carbs; 4 oz protein
S: 12 g carbs; 5 oz protein

The protein amounts are starting guidelines--note how few calories you'd get with this diet. Indeed .... fortunately 4 oz of protein normally come packaged with some fat, as well as added natural fats and oils may be used.

I finally got my very own copy of this book ... (I had to return the library's copy as someone else had put it on hold). So here I sit on a Saturday night ... "end-of-summer" songs from the 60's on the radio, and a pot of green tea ... Mmmm ;) ... scouring the book, and making notes to finally get this darn review typed up!

Think I'll do Sugar Busters! next .. it's a quick read, and I have my own copy.

Doreen

[Dandi]

My husband and I are both losing weight and improving health and energy on Dr. Bernstein's WOE. We enjoy having either a meat or poultry or fish with each meal. And we also enjoy the serving of a vegetable with the protein food.

The problem is how to get more variety in the meal and what foods we can grab for quick snacks. We're doing okay so far because we're keeping this WOE as one of our primaries.

But I can already see some extra busy day or a trip out of town coming up. And, the way we're cooking and eating now won't work then. So I need to have a plan for those times.

Any suggestions from people with more experience with Bernstein than I have?

[Rachel F]

Thanks for this - I'm really interested as low carbing has helped tremendously with keeping blood sugars down.

BUT I didn't know that tomatoes weren't good - they are a fruit (I went on Dr Bernstein's website) - so should be avoided - how could I have somehow ignored this?? (denial!!)

But what I don't understand is how the Dr says that peppers of any color are OK - even red ones I would assume - How can this be as the red color means they are sweet?? But if he says it's OK I'm not going to question it!!

I'm hoping to substitute the red peppers for the tomatoes .

Any suggestions from anyone out there appreciated!

:)

[Rachel F]

Hi Dandi

I have been thinking about your question about what to do when you're away from home - as I had to be away for a few weeks recently ...
This is what worked for me -

- I had one of those lunchboxes that acts like a thermos so I could keep things cold.

- When possible I would try to save protein from lunch - a bit of chicken, cold hamburger etc. This would keep cold until evening and also makes a good snack.

-grapes were good too - they are OK by Dr Bernstein - low glycaemic index. I think you can also have some cherries.

- cold water!! Helps keep hunger down and is great when you travel

-herbal tea when stopping for a snack

- I had cheese in the lunchbox - some people say this is a no-no, I didn't have a problem however

- if you're really feeling health conscious - a few cucumbers.

I was in the US recently - salad bars are great if you are near any and some supermarkets have them! I loved these - they are great for healthy snacks.- as it's not easy to peel a cucumber when you're away from your kitchen!!
The secret is planning - boring I know.

If you have already been on your trip, let me know how it went.

[Dandi]

Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your reply and for all the good ideas. We are scheduled for a trip in late May. A trip which I hope doesn't happen, as it is to a hospital. I'm hoping, praying for certain medical tests for my husband which will be done before that to show such good results that we don't have to make the trip. But I'm still planning what to take to eat if we do go.

Actually, we aren't even following the Bernstein WOE now. And I am not certain just which WOE on this board might fit us. We are eating a lot of non-starchy vegetables and small amounts of protein (nuts, seeds, meats, fish, egg).

It is interesting that after I quit eating carbs and got my blood sugars leveled I can eat very differently than before. I can even go without eating without having any physical problems, which seems like a miracle. I just have to remember that the carbohydrate foods are a poison to me and that I am more sensitive to them than most people seem to be.

Again, thanks for your post.

Dandi

We do have to each experiment and find out what works and what doesn't for us.

[Valkyrie]

I have been living the Bernstein way for the past few months and have normalised my blood glucose levels. I live in the UK. I would be more than happy to help anyone out if I can.

Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution has saved my life - I have no hesitation is stating that. Not only have I normalised my blood glucose levels I have also manage to shift 36 lbs in the process. As I will be eating this way for the rest of my life I decided to find out as much as possible about eating out, picnics etc etc. I find that the recipes from the Atkins diet are extremely useful. The two diets are almost the same with just a few tweaks here and there to accommodate the diabetic problem.

By the way. I understood that Dr Bernstein does not recommend fruit in any shape or form so, for me grapes would be out. He said, himself, that he has not had any fruit at all for 25 years. I would check this again if I were you just to make sure.

If anyone needs help then please ask. :roll:

[Rachel F]

You are right - if you are really being strict about the diet you are not meant to have fruit at all. I rarely have it but sometimes have grapes or cherries only.

I am a borderline diabetic and this diet has really worked for me as my sugar was 90 after fasting (this is a UK reading) which is high - but went way down after the Arkins/Bernstein diet, which I agree is virtually the same diet.

There is also a lot of debate about tomatoes - Schwarzbein principle says they are OK - but they are considered a fruit. I have some maybe a few times a week - hard to stay away from this if you ever get a salad in a restaurant.

I think we all have to adapt in a way that works for us and some 'cheats' go unnoticed by some but have consequesnces for others. In the end, having anything off the official list with a lot of water and veg usually limits the damage for me!

But do let me know if you disagree.

[Valkyrie]

It seems to work for you and that is fantastic. However, if you are a real diabetic then the fruit would cause real problems. It is all really up to the individual as each of us react differently to different foods. If I have only a small quantity of grapes my blood glucose levels rocket from 5.5 up to 9 or 10 within minutes. (UK measurement here), so I have to steer clear of all fruits. I also have a problem with polyols. Thornton's do a diabetic chocolate Vanilla Bar which seems to be harmless but has a very bad effect on my blood glucose levels (as well as giving me the trots to the smallest room <g>).

Isn't it just marvellous that we have these two doctors, Bernstein and Atkins who had the guts to come forward and tell the world about their ideas despite so much opposition? I know that they have saved my life! I will be eternally grateful to them for their courage. :cheer:

[freydis]

Before LC, I agree I would have had a hard time avoiding an open can of nuts. Now, after 9 months LC, they don't even tempt me. I have to force myself to eat a few now and then, just because they're good for me.

[kjturner]

I follow Dr.B's basic guidelines, but refer to Atkins for variety. In fact I use several of the Atkins food products and have found they work in very well w/Bernstein's guidelines. Yes, I test test test as Dr. B. recommends and his basic rule of 1 gm/carb=5 mg/dl. to be true. I can now easily stop at one ounce of nuts, I can't eat grapes, but strawberries don't seem to be a problem for me at all. That is the only fruit I can eat that doesn't have a significant affect on BG readings. Sometimes a bit of melon or pomegranate or some other berries. I read somewhere (Atkins BB I think) where green type apples aren't a problem, but I've not tried them yet. (Red apples are a no-no I've found). Yes tomatoes are a fruit, but since peppers and eggplant are all in the same family (nightshade) as are ground cherries and potatoes I pretty much avoid all of them as I've found they all affect my BG. So if tomatoes are fruits then so are peppers, eggplant and ground cherries as they are all formed the same way as tomatoes from the same plant family.

[Rachel F]

Having given up fruit I find that nuts are the only indulgence so I have some every day - can't really give them up - does anyone have any tips?

Nuts have a tremendous amount of fat (pecans - 70% fat!!) but technically that shouldn't be a problem - but the main thing is -- is there anything anyone has used (instead of nuts) as a satisfying snack after a meal?

I find that the only snack I can bring successfully to work is cheese.
======

on a personal note-

Basically I too feel so much better after having been on this eating plan (for almost a year now). All secondary side effects of diabtetes have gone down - no yeast infections and even skin has improved. I agree that it is tremendous- have lost about 10 pounds. (now weigh about 130 pounds)

I don't think Atkins stresses vegetables enough sometimes though - I think you really need a lot of these to balance out the protein and to feel good.

[Lisa N]

I was eating a handful of nuts occasionally as a nice crunchy snack until a few weeks ago when I broke out in a major rash all over my upper body (face and neck included) after eating nuts 3 days in a row.
If I want to take the trouble to make them, deviled eggs make a nice snack. So do meat sticks and celery sticks with cream cheese. I've even resorted to pork rinds and ranch dip a few times. Since you're close to goal, you might want to experiment a bit with some of Dr. Atkins' products like the muffin mixes or brownie mix. They're quite tasty even if they are on the expensive side. Generally I'm not much of a snacker, though.
Most berries don't bother my blood sugar much, but apples and oranges do, even the green apples. I didn't even bother to test bananas as I knew what they would do. I have a raspberry patch in my garden, so I can get a great treat when they are in season, but this time of year I don't tend to eat much fruit at all as berries are out of season here and quite expensive as well as not terribly tasty. If they're not fresh from the garden, they don't appeal to me as much.

[kjturner]

Dr. Atkins' newest release of "Diet Revolution" (2002 edition) is a completely different book. The basic diet is the same, but he's revamped the rest of the book. If you've read any other of Dr. Atkins' books you'd know he's *very* much into a balanced diet and improving health with nutritional support, it just doesn't really come across in his past editions of Diet Revolution. If he'd written the 2002 edition 10 years ago, he'd've never come under the 'fire' he's had from the AMA. (or maybe not as much) Remember, Dr. Atkins is NOT a 'diet doctor'--he's a cardiologist. I find Dr. Atkins and Dr. Bernstein complement each other and I use both books for guidance.

[willeke]

Hello Valkyre,
Yes, I need help with Bernstein. My husband has diabetes type 2 and wants to go on a diet to lose weight and to regulate his diabetes.
When he was first diagnosed, 3 years ago, he did Bernstein for a few months and that went very well. Unfortunately, after that he got back to eating all kind of carbs and his medication has been increased.
I am doing Atkins myself, and of course it would be a lot easier if he did that, too, but he is very concerned about the fat content of that and doesn't feel comfortable to try it.
So, is there aybody out there who can give me some golden tips for us? How to combine the two so we both can eat the same and both lose weight and so that his bloodsugar will get better, too??
thanks a lot in advance
Willeke [Vilica]

[Lisa N]

Hi Villica!

Dr. Bernstein doesn't restrict fats, either. On pages 112-116 of his book (where he uses the phrase "big fat lie" long before Taubes does), he pretty much agrees with Dr. Atkins that fat isn't the problem as far as obesity and heart disease goes...carbs are. The two plans are very compatible...you pretty much eat the same things on either plan with the exception that Dr. Bernstein does not permit fruit of any kind. The only difference is that on Dr. Bernstein's plan there is no induction period; you drop to 30 grams of carb per day and there you stay. Dr. Bernstein suggests that to lose weight, you decrease the amount of protein that you are eating by 1/3 first at one meal and then at a second if you are still not losing 1-2 lbs per week.
I'm primarily using Dr. Bernstein's plan with great results, but I have added in some aspects of Dr. Atkins plan as well by eating small quantities of melons and berries when they are in season. I found through testing that I was able to handle small amounts without a spike in my blood sugars, so they seem to be okay for me. Without restricting fats and actually eating more of them than I ever have in my life, my cardiac profile looks better now than it ever has and my doctor has been very pleased with the results that I have gotten with this.
Bottom line is that I believe your husband should be far more concerned about his increasing need for medication to control his blood sugars and the amount of carbs he is consuming than about the fats, but I understand that it's very hard to convince some people that everything that they have been told about fats and heart disease up until now is probably wrong for the most part. Maybe it would help to print up some of the research and studies for him to read?
I hope this helps and wish you both success!

[willeke]

Hi Lisa,
thank you for your long reply. I so wish that my husband would at least try anything like this now. I've just sent you a loooooooong private message about his problems. Today he said he wanted to do low fat again, and I am flummoxed.
Hope you don't mind my long private message and will wait to see if you can help me with this.
Vilica

[Lisa N]

Willeke...

I replied to your PM, but it might be easier to do this by e-mail or here in the forum (the information might be helpful for other readers as well).
I'm sorry that your husband is giving you such a hard time about this, but you can tell him that I tried it the low fat/high carb way and wound up getting much worse, not better. Diabetics can't handle carbs like a normal person can. Fat has absolutely no impact on blood sugars and protein only minimally. Carbs have a huge impact on blood sugars. In diabetics, insulin production and the corresponding insulin resistance are always abnormal and feeding them more carbs will only make things worse. If it makes him feel better, he can try to follow low carb with a lower fat intake, but I can practically guarantee that he will be hungrier and find it harder to stick with. There are more and more studies coming out all the time that confirm that dietary fat has very little to do with heart disease...excess insulin production and insulin resistance are much bigger culprits. He might be interested in reading Ravnskof's (not sure I spelled that right) book called "The Cholesterol Myths". There's a lot of great information in there on how the dietary fat gives you heart disease theory is full of holes.
Another good book would be by Udo Erasmus called "Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill".

[willeke]

Yes, Lisa, I thank you so much. I will tell him what you said and can only hope things will get right again.
Will keep you informed,
Vilica

[Lisa N]

Your husband might be interested in this article published in the 2001 issue of Science magazine. It gives an interesting perspective on how the whole low fat movement got started; not by scientists, but by politicians and lawyers: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40182

[SnowbirdNJ]

Hi, Newbie here (a returning LC'er who went off the WOL but who is back).
:wave:

I haven't read Dr. Bernstein's book yet, only DANDR. I am a type 2 diabetic. I have a question or two about this, hope someone can answer it.

Doesn't the carb content seem high for LC?

Originally posted by razzle
I just read this. People may be interested to know the basics of the food plan, which is only part of the book:

B: 6 g carbs; 3 oz protein
L: 12 g carbs; 4 oz protein
S: 12 g carbs; 5 oz protein

Also, regarding Dr. Bernstein's theory on not eating fruits ... what about things like scurvy, etc.? I am not a pill person and don't want to take supplements and pills. Can one get the same nutritional benefits from Dr. B's or Dr. A's WOL without having to take supplements?

[Lisa N]

Hi Snowbird!

I guess compared to induction levels of Dr. Atkins' plan, 30 grams of carb would seem like a lot, but it's actually about the same amount as several other plans such as Protein Power and The Schwarzbein Principle and that's just at the beginning phase of those plans. Different plans allow different levels of carbs depending on their primary focus.
Remember, the primary focus of Dr. Bernstein's plan isn't weight loss, but tight blood sugar control although weight loss is possible on his plan as well; I've lost about 75 lbs. so far.
About not eating fruits: Dr. Bernstein doesn't allow it because of their affect on blood sugars. Fruits usually create a larger rise in blood sugars than what Dr. Bernstein wants; no more than 20 points following any meal. Fruits are not needed to prevent scurvy as you can get the vitamins and minerals that you need from vegetables and meats just as well. Having said that, I've found by testing with my meeter that I can have small amounts of melons and some berries without getting a big rise in my blood sugars, so I do include them when they are in season.
No matter which WOE you choose, a good multivitamin is almost a necessity today with foods being produced on nutrient-depleted soils unless you eat exclusively organic products and even then I'd recommend a good multivitamin at least.

[flagday]

Have been following Bernstein's approach to diabetes management since January of 2000. Saw him in March 2000 for treatment and instruction for Type 2. Have generally been doing very well, although my weight went up over the past 6 months, due to another medical condition, which required protein restriction! Fortunately, this condition is just now resolving and am having good results by resuming the plan.

Am fairly well-versed on the Bernstein approach and would be glad to be of help to anyone who needs assistance. :) :thup:

[kjturner]

Hey SnowbirdNJ, learn to like kale! I like the red kale the best and a single serving is just chock full of good stuff including plenty of vitamin C. The USDA has a website:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

You can pop in there whatever you are eating to see what kind of nutrients it has.

[freydis]

As a type 2 diabetic who was on meds for a couple of years before finding Atkins, I have found that I must stick to 5 grams of carbohydrates per meal or less. I can have 30 carbs a day, more even, but not at greater increments than five every couple of hours. If I eat more than 5 at once, I get a blood sugar spike and all the bad diabetic side effects, including pain.

I recently rediscovered this when I ate sugar for the first time since beginning Atkins in March of 2002. I had half a piece of birthday cake on Saturday, the part with less frosting, and within one hour was thirsty and urinating and in pain - and that was even with carb counting. I stayed well under 30 for the day, but that small bit of cake was too many carbs at once - AND was sugar.