Re: Low Carb Diet Question

[Guest guest]

I've been " medium carbing " for four years, Joe.(about 90 per day) ..but I'm a

type 1...and I use insulin too. So probably my answer won't help you much.

However...are you exercising regularly? This definitely will reduce your

BGs. Vicki

<<

Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb? >>

[Guest guest]

I've been " medium carbing " for four years, Joe.(about 90 per day) ..but I'm a

type 1...and I use insulin too. So probably my answer won't help you much.

However...are you exercising regularly? This definitely will reduce your

BGs. Vicki

<<

Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb? >>

[Guest guest]

Joe, I was on a 100 carb a day diet the first year I was diagnosed. I lost

20lbs, from 175 to 150, and my bgs was lowered to my target range, 90(5) -

125(7). Over the last 4 years I have been able to increase my carbs to the

125 - 160 range and still hit my target range. My weight is up only about

5lbs. For my it was 5 years of trial and error to develop a meal plan that

works best for me.

I think you have to start with which is the greater health issue. Weight

lose or bgs control. Diabetes is life threatening and the longer you go with

elevated bgs (150+?) the more damage your doing to your body. I don't know

what the health risks are for your weight related problem.

Once you have your bgs under control try adjusting your meal plan each day to

address your weight issues. Try something different then test to see the

results. I don't believe there is any one diet that will work for everyone.

It took my 5 years, hopefully it take you less time.

Ed from CT

Type 2, no meds

> It seems like I am in a catch-22. If I go back to " low fat, high

> complex carbs " , I believe I will lose weight, but I am afraid of what

> might happen to my blood sugar control. If I continue low-carb,

> weight loss is nearly impossible, and I need to lose that 40 lbs for

> other health reasons. So what can a person do?

>

> Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb?

>

> Joe

> 42M, IDDM, Glucophage, Avandia, Insulin

>

[Guest guest]

Joe, I was on a 100 carb a day diet the first year I was diagnosed. I lost

20lbs, from 175 to 150, and my bgs was lowered to my target range, 90(5) -

125(7). Over the last 4 years I have been able to increase my carbs to the

125 - 160 range and still hit my target range. My weight is up only about

5lbs. For my it was 5 years of trial and error to develop a meal plan that

works best for me.

I think you have to start with which is the greater health issue. Weight

lose or bgs control. Diabetes is life threatening and the longer you go with

elevated bgs (150+?) the more damage your doing to your body. I don't know

what the health risks are for your weight related problem.

Once you have your bgs under control try adjusting your meal plan each day to

address your weight issues. Try something different then test to see the

results. I don't believe there is any one diet that will work for everyone.

It took my 5 years, hopefully it take you less time.

Ed from CT

Type 2, no meds

> It seems like I am in a catch-22. If I go back to " low fat, high

> complex carbs " , I believe I will lose weight, but I am afraid of what

> might happen to my blood sugar control. If I continue low-carb,

> weight loss is nearly impossible, and I need to lose that 40 lbs for

> other health reasons. So what can a person do?

>

> Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb?

>

> Joe

> 42M, IDDM, Glucophage, Avandia, Insulin

>

[Guest guest]

I've been low carbing for almost 2 years. I started at 165, got down to

135, and in the last 2-3 months (when I've been really, really bad), I'm

back up to 145. So, since I kept the weight off for about 21 months, I'd

call that long term success.

And, I know that when I stop being the bad little girl that I've been, I'll

drop that other ten pounds pretty quickly.

Are you still drinking enough water?

Robin G.

>

>Reply-To: diabetes_int

>To: diabetes_int

>Subject: Low Carb Diet Question

>Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 21:12:30 -0000

>

>Hello...

>

>I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

>this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

>as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

>

>I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

>years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood sugar

>is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

>frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

>regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

>

>So here I am, trying to lose weight now. Prior to adopting the low

>carb approach, I had an essentially " fat-free " diet, consuming lots

>of high fiber foods. This worked well for weight control, but was

>much trickier to control blood sugar.

>

>It seems like I am in a catch-22. If I go back to " low fat, high

>complex carbs " , I believe I will lose weight, but I am afraid of what

>might happen to my blood sugar control. If I continue low-carb,

>weight loss is nearly impossible, and I need to lose that 40 lbs for

>other health reasons. So what can a person do?

>

>Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb?

>

>Joe

>42M, IDDM, Glucophage, Avandia, Insulin

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

I've been low carbing for almost 2 years. I started at 165, got down to

135, and in the last 2-3 months (when I've been really, really bad), I'm

back up to 145. So, since I kept the weight off for about 21 months, I'd

call that long term success.

And, I know that when I stop being the bad little girl that I've been, I'll

drop that other ten pounds pretty quickly.

Are you still drinking enough water?

Robin G.

>

>Reply-To: diabetes_int

>To: diabetes_int

>Subject: Low Carb Diet Question

>Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 21:12:30 -0000

>

>Hello...

>

>I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

>this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

>as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

>

>I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

>years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood sugar

>is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

>frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

>regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

>

>So here I am, trying to lose weight now. Prior to adopting the low

>carb approach, I had an essentially " fat-free " diet, consuming lots

>of high fiber foods. This worked well for weight control, but was

>much trickier to control blood sugar.

>

>It seems like I am in a catch-22. If I go back to " low fat, high

>complex carbs " , I believe I will lose weight, but I am afraid of what

>might happen to my blood sugar control. If I continue low-carb,

>weight loss is nearly impossible, and I need to lose that 40 lbs for

>other health reasons. So what can a person do?

>

>Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb?

>

>Joe

>42M, IDDM, Glucophage, Avandia, Insulin

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

I've been low carbing for almost 2 years. I started at 165, got down to

135, and in the last 2-3 months (when I've been really, really bad), I'm

back up to 145. So, since I kept the weight off for about 21 months, I'd

call that long term success.

And, I know that when I stop being the bad little girl that I've been, I'll

drop that other ten pounds pretty quickly.

Are you still drinking enough water?

Robin G.

>

>Reply-To: diabetes_int

>To: diabetes_int

>Subject: Low Carb Diet Question

>Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 21:12:30 -0000

>

>Hello...

>

>I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

>this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

>as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

>

>I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

>years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood sugar

>is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

>frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

>regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

>

>So here I am, trying to lose weight now. Prior to adopting the low

>carb approach, I had an essentially " fat-free " diet, consuming lots

>of high fiber foods. This worked well for weight control, but was

>much trickier to control blood sugar.

>

>It seems like I am in a catch-22. If I go back to " low fat, high

>complex carbs " , I believe I will lose weight, but I am afraid of what

>might happen to my blood sugar control. If I continue low-carb,

>weight loss is nearly impossible, and I need to lose that 40 lbs for

>other health reasons. So what can a person do?

>

>Anyone here had long-term success with low-carb?

>

>Joe

>42M, IDDM, Glucophage, Avandia, Insulin

>

>

_________________________________________________________________

Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

[Guest guest]

I have only recently started Atkin's, but I also tried Bernstein's

program as well. I just wanted to comment that Bernstein's program

is a lot more generous with the carbs than Atkin's. I lost a few

pounds initially on Bernstein's program and then started gaining.

While you may not necessarily need to switch to the Atkin's program,

I do suggest you read his book as he explains how carbs affect a

person's weight. Basically, it is not the low carb that is not

working, but the actual number of carbs that you yourself are eating.

You are consuming more carbs than your body needs and it is then

storing those extra carbs as fat. So, I suggest you figure out how

many carbs you are eating each day and cut back the carbs until you

start losing weight again.

Or, you can do as I did and do the Atkin's program which starts with

only 20 carbs a day and as you lose weight, you add on more carbs and

eventually, once you've reached your weight loss goal, you figure out

your body's carb limit to maintain that weight. Roxanne

> I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

> years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood

sugar

> is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

> frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

> regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

[Guest guest]

I have only recently started Atkin's, but I also tried Bernstein's

program as well. I just wanted to comment that Bernstein's program

is a lot more generous with the carbs than Atkin's. I lost a few

pounds initially on Bernstein's program and then started gaining.

While you may not necessarily need to switch to the Atkin's program,

I do suggest you read his book as he explains how carbs affect a

person's weight. Basically, it is not the low carb that is not

working, but the actual number of carbs that you yourself are eating.

You are consuming more carbs than your body needs and it is then

storing those extra carbs as fat. So, I suggest you figure out how

many carbs you are eating each day and cut back the carbs until you

start losing weight again.

Or, you can do as I did and do the Atkin's program which starts with

only 20 carbs a day and as you lose weight, you add on more carbs and

eventually, once you've reached your weight loss goal, you figure out

your body's carb limit to maintain that weight. Roxanne

> I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

> years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood

sugar

> is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

> frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

> regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

[Guest guest]

I have only recently started Atkin's, but I also tried Bernstein's

program as well. I just wanted to comment that Bernstein's program

is a lot more generous with the carbs than Atkin's. I lost a few

pounds initially on Bernstein's program and then started gaining.

While you may not necessarily need to switch to the Atkin's program,

I do suggest you read his book as he explains how carbs affect a

person's weight. Basically, it is not the low carb that is not

working, but the actual number of carbs that you yourself are eating.

You are consuming more carbs than your body needs and it is then

storing those extra carbs as fat. So, I suggest you figure out how

many carbs you are eating each day and cut back the carbs until you

start losing weight again.

Or, you can do as I did and do the Atkin's program which starts with

only 20 carbs a day and as you lose weight, you add on more carbs and

eventually, once you've reached your weight loss goal, you figure out

your body's carb limit to maintain that weight. Roxanne

> I adopted a Bernstein-like low carb regimen about two and one-half

> years ago. I can honestly say that while low carbing my blood

sugar

> is EASIER to control. However, one unexpected and totally

> frustrating thing that has happened to me is that while on this

> regimen I have gained 40-50 lbs over a two year period.

[Guest guest]

Hello joe@...,

In reference to your comment:

ð After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in

ð the towel. Although my carb level was very low...in

ð ketosis most of the time ...yet still gained

ð weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs.

I really think your meds, as well as choices of foods, were what caused the

wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on.

I'd like to encourage you to try to low carb for a while, try the suppliments

like ALA and try to cut back on the insulin for a bit. I think you'll find

that you will lose wt as soon as you cut back some on the insulin.

[Guest guest]

Hello joe@...,

In reference to your comment:

ð After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in

ð the towel. Although my carb level was very low...in

ð ketosis most of the time ...yet still gained

ð weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs.

I really think your meds, as well as choices of foods, were what caused the

wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on.

I'd like to encourage you to try to low carb for a while, try the suppliments

like ALA and try to cut back on the insulin for a bit. I think you'll find

that you will lose wt as soon as you cut back some on the insulin.

[Guest guest]

Hello joe@...,

In reference to your comment:

ð After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in

ð the towel. Although my carb level was very low...in

ð ketosis most of the time ...yet still gained

ð weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs.

I really think your meds, as well as choices of foods, were what caused the

wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on.

I'd like to encourage you to try to low carb for a while, try the suppliments

like ALA and try to cut back on the insulin for a bit. I think you'll find

that you will lose wt as soon as you cut back some on the insulin.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ed...

After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in the towel.

Although my carb level was very low...in ketosis most of the

time ...yet still gained weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs. I have

decided to give up the low carbing and go back to the ADA exchange

plan (yikes!) It was the only plan that I have ever really had long

term success with -- controlled BS and weight. It is just so un-sexy.

Thanks again.

Joe

> Joe, I was on a 100 carb a day diet the first year I was diagnosed.

I lost

> 20lbs, from 175 to 150, and my bgs was lowered to my target range,

90(5) -

> 125(7). Over the last 4 years I have been able to increase my

carbs to the

> 125 - 160 range and still hit my target range. My weight is up only

about

> 5lbs. For my it was 5 years of trial and error to develop a meal

plan that

> works best for me.

>

> I think you have to start with which is the greater health issue.

Weight

> lose or bgs control. Diabetes is life threatening and the longer

you go with

> elevated bgs (150+?) the more damage your doing to your body. I

don't know

> what the health risks are for your weight related problem.

>

> Once you have your bgs under control try adjusting your meal plan

each day to

> address your weight issues. Try something different then test to

see the

> results. I don't believe there is any one diet that will work for

everyone.

> It took my 5 years, hopefully it take you less time.

>

> Ed from CT

> Type 2, no meds

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ed...

After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in the towel.

Although my carb level was very low...in ketosis most of the

time ...yet still gained weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs. I have

decided to give up the low carbing and go back to the ADA exchange

plan (yikes!) It was the only plan that I have ever really had long

term success with -- controlled BS and weight. It is just so un-sexy.

Thanks again.

Joe

> Joe, I was on a 100 carb a day diet the first year I was diagnosed.

I lost

> 20lbs, from 175 to 150, and my bgs was lowered to my target range,

90(5) -

> 125(7). Over the last 4 years I have been able to increase my

carbs to the

> 125 - 160 range and still hit my target range. My weight is up only

about

> 5lbs. For my it was 5 years of trial and error to develop a meal

plan that

> works best for me.

>

> I think you have to start with which is the greater health issue.

Weight

> lose or bgs control. Diabetes is life threatening and the longer

you go with

> elevated bgs (150+?) the more damage your doing to your body. I

don't know

> what the health risks are for your weight related problem.

>

> Once you have your bgs under control try adjusting your meal plan

each day to

> address your weight issues. Try something different then test to

see the

> results. I don't believe there is any one diet that will work for

everyone.

> It took my 5 years, hopefully it take you less time.

>

> Ed from CT

> Type 2, no meds

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Ed...

After 3 1/2 years of low carbing...I am finally throwing in the towel.

Although my carb level was very low...in ketosis most of the

time ...yet still gained weight...albeit slowly...40 lbs. I have

decided to give up the low carbing and go back to the ADA exchange

plan (yikes!) It was the only plan that I have ever really had long

term success with -- controlled BS and weight. It is just so un-sexy.

Thanks again.

Joe

> Joe, I was on a 100 carb a day diet the first year I was diagnosed.

I lost

> 20lbs, from 175 to 150, and my bgs was lowered to my target range,

90(5) -

> 125(7). Over the last 4 years I have been able to increase my

carbs to the

> 125 - 160 range and still hit my target range. My weight is up only

about

> 5lbs. For my it was 5 years of trial and error to develop a meal

plan that

> works best for me.

>

> I think you have to start with which is the greater health issue.

Weight

> lose or bgs control. Diabetes is life threatening and the longer

you go with

> elevated bgs (150+?) the more damage your doing to your body. I

don't know

> what the health risks are for your weight related problem.

>

> Once you have your bgs under control try adjusting your meal plan

each day to

> address your weight issues. Try something different then test to

see the

> results. I don't believe there is any one diet that will work for

everyone.

> It took my 5 years, hopefully it take you less time.

>

> Ed from CT

> Type 2, no meds

>

>

[Guest guest]

Joe asks:

> I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

> this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

> as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

I have been following a Bernstein like eating plan for three years or so. I

lost the 25 pounds I needed to loose at the beginning and have retained the

loss. In addition, not only are my blood sugars controlled (non-diabetic

levels), but my lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) improved

significantly.

Have you tried cutting down some on calories? With a low carb eating plan,

that generally means cutting down some on fat consumption since fats become

the main energy source. Low carb does not have to mean high calorie.

Obviously, activity (exercise) is good an any case (for blood sugar control

as well as weight). There are high fiber foods that fit a low carb WOE

(such as salads and high fiber veggies (spinach, green beans, etc.), so you

should be able to increase fiber, decrease calories, and still maintain the

blood sugar control afforded by low carb eating.

Tom the Actuary

[Guest guest]

Joe asks:

> I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

> this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

> as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

I have been following a Bernstein like eating plan for three years or so. I

lost the 25 pounds I needed to loose at the beginning and have retained the

loss. In addition, not only are my blood sugars controlled (non-diabetic

levels), but my lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) improved

significantly.

Have you tried cutting down some on calories? With a low carb eating plan,

that generally means cutting down some on fat consumption since fats become

the main energy source. Low carb does not have to mean high calorie.

Obviously, activity (exercise) is good an any case (for blood sugar control

as well as weight). There are high fiber foods that fit a low carb WOE

(such as salads and high fiber veggies (spinach, green beans, etc.), so you

should be able to increase fiber, decrease calories, and still maintain the

blood sugar control afforded by low carb eating.

Tom the Actuary

[Guest guest]

Joe asks:

> I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

> this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

> as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

I have been following a Bernstein like eating plan for three years or so. I

lost the 25 pounds I needed to loose at the beginning and have retained the

loss. In addition, not only are my blood sugars controlled (non-diabetic

levels), but my lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) improved

significantly.

Have you tried cutting down some on calories? With a low carb eating plan,

that generally means cutting down some on fat consumption since fats become

the main energy source. Low carb does not have to mean high calorie.

Obviously, activity (exercise) is good an any case (for blood sugar control

as well as weight). There are high fiber foods that fit a low carb WOE

(such as salads and high fiber veggies (spinach, green beans, etc.), so you

should be able to increase fiber, decrease calories, and still maintain the

blood sugar control afforded by low carb eating.

Tom the Actuary

[Guest guest]

says:

> wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on.

I don't use insulin, so this is based on what I've read and seen in others,

but my understanding is that insulin does not necessarily cause weight gain.

It will if dosing is not done carefully so that one has to eat to " feed the

insulin, " but if one learns to dose for one's meals, and eats with control,

weight can still be controlled.

Tom the Actuary

[Guest guest]

>>I really think your meds, as well as choices of foods, were what caused

the

wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on. >>

**Insulin doesn't put weight on - eating the carbs that you cover with the

insulin is what puts weight on.

Barb

[Guest guest]

>>I really think your meds, as well as choices of foods, were what caused

the

wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on. >>

**Insulin doesn't put weight on - eating the carbs that you cover with the

insulin is what puts weight on.

Barb

[Guest guest]

My experience has been much like Tom's...I've been eating a moderately

lowcarb diet for four years (under 100 carbs per day) and the weight I've

gained -- about ten pounds-- is probably because of the nuts, cream and

cheese that are a large part of my diet. However, I'm a type 1 and use

insulin too (I eat lowcarb to keep insulin doses small) and was originally

underweight anyway. I get my fiber from the veggies Tom mentioned (with the

addition of sauerkraut and cabbage) and one slice of lowcarb Alvarado Streeet

Bakery bread per day - very high fiber. Vicki

<<

> I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

> this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

> as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

I have been following a Bernstein like eating plan for three years or so. I

lost the 25 pounds I needed to loose at the beginning and have retained the

loss. In addition, not only are my blood sugars controlled (non-diabetic

levels), but my lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) improved

significantly.

>>

[Guest guest]

My experience has been much like Tom's...I've been eating a moderately

lowcarb diet for four years (under 100 carbs per day) and the weight I've

gained -- about ten pounds-- is probably because of the nuts, cream and

cheese that are a large part of my diet. However, I'm a type 1 and use

insulin too (I eat lowcarb to keep insulin doses small) and was originally

underweight anyway. I get my fiber from the veggies Tom mentioned (with the

addition of sauerkraut and cabbage) and one slice of lowcarb Alvarado Streeet

Bakery bread per day - very high fiber. Vicki

<<

> I thought I might jump in here with a question. Has anyone reading

> this list had long-term success (> 2 years) with a low carb diet such

> as is espoused by Bernstein, Atkins, etc.?

I have been following a Bernstein like eating plan for three years or so. I

lost the 25 pounds I needed to loose at the beginning and have retained the

loss. In addition, not only are my blood sugars controlled (non-diabetic

levels), but my lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) improved

significantly.

>>

[Guest guest]

This is absolutely true. The only way insulin (or anything else) will make

you gain weight is if you eat more calories than you burn. Insulin gives the

" freedom " to eat what you want, so the temptation is always there to not

control portion size or eat whatever you want...which can lead to weight

gain. Vicki, controlled with lowcarbing, exercise and insulin

<< wt gain.... esp insulin, which is known to put wt on.

I don't use insulin, so this is based on what I've read and seen in others,

but my understanding is that insulin does not necessarily cause weight gain.

It will if dosing is not done carefully so that one has to eat to " feed the

insulin, " but if one learns to dose for one's meals, and eats with control,

weight can still be controlled.

>>