I was just diagnosed about a year ago and have a significant amount of weight to loose. Ideally 100 pounds but would be thrilled with 20 for now. Unfortunetly my Dr. is very pleased as long as my BS are in good control and my A1C hemoglobin comes back good. Any ideas on where I should start and what method of dieting is best for a diabetic?

A low carbohydrate diet is the way to go if you are Type II diabetic because it keeps your bloodsugar levels in check and hence keeps your insulin requirements low. Since insulin is responsible for fat storage as well as blocking the use of your bodyfat for fuel, keeping it low enables you to lose bodyfat. All that said, get a copy of "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution". He is a Type I diabetic himself and he has successfully treated diabetics with the low carb diet for years. You can read online reviews of this book at Amazon.com. I highly recommend it. Another good book or two for weight loss and general health issues is "Protein Power" or "Protein Power Lifeplan" by Dr. Eades. Alan S.

Best do what Alan said. I personally know a type two insulin dependent doctor who now has no diabetic symptoms.. He did so by following the Glycemic Index to determine the least harmful of the carbohydrates. His name is Dr. Shortt in West Columbia, SC. Otherwise, Diabetes will kill you,,, an inch at a time. God bless, Oldguy

Depends on what your doctor calls a good BS or A1C number. Many doctors brush you off, especially if you are down near or in the normal range at that particular time. Unfortunately diabetes is with us all the time and must be kept under "tight control" to prevent damage to vital organs.

If you A1C is 7 or above, that is too high. Aim for 2-digit early morning before breakfast BS and not more than 120-140 two hrs. after meals.

If carbs are a little high before a meal then eat less carbs. Stacking carbs on top of carbs will only increase the BS and also the A1C.

Food choices and portion control plus exercise is the best way to control BS and lose weight.

Limit the starch carbs, eat more green veggies and lean meat.

Portion control is very important. I found what I thought was a normal serving was much more food than allowed. 1/2 c. cooked veggie or 1 c. raw veggie is a serving, 1 oz. bread or 3 oz. potato (high glycemic), 1/2 fruit and 3-4 oz. lean meat.

Walking off and on during the day is good or walk before and after meals. I walk 2 miles in the mornings plus weights at the gym. Today tried walking 1 mile before lunch and 1 mile after lunch (waited 1 hr.) and BS was very, very good after having starch carbs (sm. hamburger) and 5 tater tots. BS=85

Will try the before and after walking again and see how well it does. Supposedly walking before meal burns fat and walking after burns glucose from that meal. Not sure if that is correct or not but did read that some place. Have to be careful walking on empty fuel tank for fear of a drop in BS too low.

Back to the weight loss, it takes both portion control AND exercise to lose weight. Making right food choices is critical too.




[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 02-12-2001).]