I just can’t for the life of me figure out why no one wants to just eat a variety of foods in moderation. People think they have to eliminate one thing or go super heavy on another. There’s a lot to be said for balance and portion control, but when I say anything about it (on these forums anyway), I swear I’m just talking to myself.
Lee Ann, you are not the only one. True confession: I eat carbs 
I try to use the philosophy of moderation as well… I eat some of everything-- carb, meat, veggies, etc. But perhaps this is because I can’t imagine following that strict of a low carb diet. Some can do and it works for them. Great. But I haven’t been able to do it and I’m not sure that I want to.
My strategy is that: I know the foods I love and i don’t mind eating them over and over and over again! So I have figured how to carb count and bolus for those meals very accurately- thanks to trial and error!!
I eat the same frozen pizza almost every Friday. And I like it 
And I don’t go above 140.
Perhaps my two favorite philosophies:
- Everything in moderation!
- Different strokes for different folks!
Lee Ann…I eat carbs in moderation, too. My form of moderation is to eat foods that are lower carb rather than to eat less of higher carb foods. I do occassionally indulge, but generally, I don’t have the willpower to limit my bites of mashed potatoes or pasta or ice cream, so it’s easier for me to not serve them at home. I was not great at portion control before I was diagnosed and that hasn’t changed even though my future quality of life depends on it now. I am T1 (.5) and a half an apple will send my #'s soaring. I do eat apples, and some other fruits, but have to really be careful to bolus appropriately and watch for lows later, depending on my activity level. The extra vigilance is worth it to me to eat fruit, as an example, but not less healthy carbs regularly, so there you have it. Like me, I’d guess that a lot of low carb proponents actually do eat a variety of foods in moderation, but try to restrict carbs as much as possible as that is what works best for BS control for them.
Hi Judith. I love the “including moderation” part of “All things in moderation.” I hope you don’t mind me using that! Sort of says it all.
I’d love to know your pizza trick, Kristin, but I doubt I can get the same frozen pizza in South Florida that you get in Eastern Europe.
I also am a carb eater–not huge (well huge for atkins) 40-60…I tried the adkins thing early on-before my T1 (they think I amT1 due to a horrific digestive track infection that almost killed me). I have bad kidneys, and even though Bernstien and Adkins say their diet is safe for kidney patients–it was not for this one. That much protein lload is not an opiton for me. I usually am in the 20 unit of Insulin a day range–nver gone over 30 on a bad chasing a high day, last A1c was 5.9.
Since getting my CGMS, using the 20 min before a meal bolus most of the time, with a dual wave split normally of 60/40 over 1hour…I have been ableto kill the 200+ spikes and am back to 120 orless within 2 hours (usually less)
So whatever works for each is good. I also beleive in moderation and living a life with diabetes. Also wouldn’t put a child on that restirctive of a diet unless as an absolute last resort–I had one as a kid because of my kidneys–and it sucks!
I am a low carber. I was diagnosed a month ago -T2 diabetes A1c 6.5% and no meds.
My doctor tried to put me on the ADA diet. The ADA diet is my dream diet because it would include more carbs than my prediagnosis days.
I read Atkins and Bernstein and then asked my doctor to give me a glucose meter ( yep, I had to ask) and I cut my carbs to about 30-40 grams per day. My numbers have been under 120mg/dl - although I am experiencing morning highs of 125mg/dl - 130mg/dl. I also lost 9 lbs in July without exercise due to a bruised femur bone.
I eat meat, omega eggs, all fats w/ exception of trans fats and try to keep the omega 3s high, nuts, Greek yogurt, low GI fruits, peanuts/PB natural, unsweetened soy milk, cheese, cream w/coffee or berries. and on occasion whole - high fiber grains like brown rice, double fiber bread or sprouted bread - maybe a low carb tortilla and when I need chocolate it’s 75% cocoa, two hershey’s kisses or my favorite ChocoPerfection bars.
For me this has worked and I don’t think I will be able to increase my carb intake until I lose a lot more weight. However, this is the only “diet” that has worked for me without feeling deprived. The only other time I lost a lot of weight was on an 800 calorie diet - not the best route to go. Yet, you can see I do have motivation to lose weight but, the weight doesn’t come off me with the higher carb diet.
I think Bernstein is an excellent book to read whether you decide to follow his low carb eating plan or not.
My two cents,
~Danielle
Danielle…maybe you should write the new “Diet Revolution” book! At least for diabetics. Who wouldn’t enjoy your healthful variety of choices? (I don’t think the fats in cream and nuts and meats are bad, in moderation.) I lost 9 lbs without trying by eating that way but 3 mini vacations (and vacations from minimal carbs,) in quick succession put them back on. I am back to that way of eating, but this time, the weight is slower to come off. Maybe metabolism?
Good luck to you.
I think Bernstein is an excellent book to read also. But i am with Denise on this. I try to stay as low carb as possible, but cannot do the high protein due to kidney disease. I do some meats, but most of my carbs are from vegetables. And i definitely do high fiber as much as I can. I have to use ground flax seed every day to get my omega 3’s due to an allergy to fish and shell fish, but now that I have gotten the benefits from the flax seed am very happy to use it. And I do use it a lot in many things. I think we all just have to do trial and error to find what works for us and what we personally can live with. I know it is different for each of us and think how boring it would be if we all were exactly the same. I really enjoy reading the different things we all do. And i think that the creativity eveyone shows is wonderful.
Haha - Elaine, If you help me write the book, we can live lavishly on the profits!
~Danielle
Danielle, Have you tried Almond Milk? It tastes nicer than soy and doesn’t have the health risks of soy either. 3g carbs per cup.
lavishly low carb!
I do drink Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk - I switch back and forth. I admit I, personally, enjoy the soy milk sweetened with Splenda (yep - I’m not perfect LOL shocking right?) but try to stick to the Almond Milk since I too believe it’s a better choice. Admittedly, I drink only about 8oz a day to swallow my hypertension med - another thing I want to get rid of.
Thanks Libby for the “heads up” on Almond Milk.
~Danielle