DUK Carers or con artistes ?
We are all different, and one size does not fit all ! How many time have we seen those statements made over the years. Well, genetic differences between human beings is very small, and there is one size that fits most, if you are a diabetic. A drastic reduction in carbohydrate food benefits almost all non insulin injecting type two’s and brings many benefits to insulin users. The $64000 question is how low in carbs do you go, and what is a low carb diet. Some believe 150 carbs per day is low carb, others feel 50 is more realistic, for many people including Dr. Richard Bernstein, 30 carbs per day is the number. I know many non meds type two diabetics, and 150 carbs per day would have almost all, in double figure BG numbers most of the day. The same applies to 100 carbs per day. You would have to be very lucky to be able to consume 100-150 carbs per day on nil or minimal meds and hold safe blood glucose numbers. For me anything above 50 carbs per day is not low carb. As readers of this blog know, I believe low carb is the only way.
How about a low GI diet ? Well I tried that at diagnosis, and found it to be a complete faluire. OK it reduced my BG numbers from mid twenty’s to around 12-15, a big drop, but still in the extremely high risk of complications territory. So, low GI did not work for me, but could it work for others ? My money is on NO! and I will give you my reasons. For me a carb is still a carb, it’s just a question of how fast it raises BG. Secondly, there is a huge amount of misinformation out there. You read one GI chart, and it says a certain food is low GI, you read a different GI chart, and it says the same food is high GI. So, very confusing especially for newly diagnosed, and possibly very dangerous for the type two getting no test strips, and cannot afford to buy their own. Trusting a GI chart could lead to dangerous BG numbers. Now, an outfit that should have some accurate GI food information is the largest diabetes charity in the UK DUK alas no. Have a look at the chart from the DUK website below.
One more thing, the Special K diet is a complete crock. I had my wife on it for six months and she looked nothing like the woman in the ads.
Eddie
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Food_and_recipes/The-Glycaemic-Index/
8 comments:
Collins Gem Special K 75 grams carb per 100 grams. Brown rice boiled 32 grams carb per 100 grams. God help the people that follow there diet plans.
Corn flakes are OK but only have 16grams, just ask Sid.
I think GI is what carb addicts hide behind so that they can hang out with the low-carbers.
There are too many variables, it isn't a reliable method of controlling your BG
S.
Low GI is a joke, snickers bars and milk chocolate are supposedly low GI.
http://www.the-gi-diet.org/lowgifoods/
Jenny Ruhl has made two interesting posts about GI diets:
"Why the Glycemic Index Fails for Many People with Diabetes."
Diabetes Update Low GI
"More Bad Science: The "Low Glycemic" Diet in the JAMA Study is the ADA Low Fat Diet"
Diabetes Update Low GI
Graham
I tried the GI diet when I was first diagnosed on the recommendation of my diabetic nurse. What with having to cope with being newly diagnosed and feeling confused then trying to get my head round the GI variables it was a disaster. Confusion, worry, worry, confusion it was a vicious circle. Thank God I found the website and then the blog and of course low carb. What a saviour it's been, my readings went down from 12 to 7 and then mid 5's. I think you just have to make your decision and stick with it.
Low carb works for me, I think you need to experiment and find the level that suits you, use your meter and test, I did look into GI but it seemed much too confusing, every article I looked at the figures were different.
Without wanting to upset anybody stick with what works for you.
Dave
Try this guide Low GI for Dummies could help understand what can foods are OK for those interested in the GI diet.
Graham
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