Diabetes Diet War (Hint: High carbing doesn't work)

US News ^ | 7/14/03 | Dara Mayers

[Nov3]

Diabetes diet war
The nutrition advice given to most diabetics might be killing them

By Dara Mayers
The bible says "make starches the star." That's the Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible, published by the American Diabetes Association. "Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables form the foundation of the Diabetes Food Pyramid. The message is to eat more of these foods than of any of the other food groups." For 17 million Americans with diabetes, diet is a crucial part of treatment, And what the ADA bible preaches, many doctors, nutritionists, and patients believe.

But what if the ADA's high-starch diet--another way of saying high-carbohydrate--is not healthy for people with diabetes but harmful to them instead?

This possibility is now the source of heated debate in the diabetes community. It is "the most controversial aspect of diabetes treatment today," says Scott King, editor-in-chief of Diabetes Interview magazine. How controversial? "Malpractice!" is how physician and diabetes specialist Lois Jovanovic, chief scientific officer of the Sansum Medical Research Institute in Santa Barbara, Calif., describes conventional high-carb nutrition advice.

Excerpted, click for full article

[SamAdams76]

Whoa, Sam! Weren't you one of the naysayers on the Atkins threads a few months back? But - that would mean you changed your mind about something due to FR threads. That's not allowed, is it?

Yes, I was a naysayer. But I also know that hundreds of Freepers can't be wrong. SO that's why I decided to give it a try. Actually I am not on the Atkins diet but sort of a modified approach to it. I still take in about 70-100 carbs a day, mostly through the Gatorade I drink. But since I walk 7-9 miles a day (and more on weekends), it's a luxury I can afford. Plain water just doesn't quench my thirst after a long walk like Gatorade.

[Old Professer]

Food cannot be obstained from. Or one's hair falls out and your bowels shut down.

This has got to saved for posterity.

[netmilsmom]

One of the FReepers works in a pharmacy and swears by Atkins and Starch Blockers for cravings.

[netmilsmom]

>>Well, you are living proof that popcorn and Diet Coke are not conducive to mental-health.<<

Geez, ya got that right!!!

[Nov3]

It's biochemistry, it's human physiology, it's fact, and it's not that hard to figure out, after your are informed.

Timmy,

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary. It might help you be "informed"

[Nov3]

It's biochemistry, it's human physiology, it's fact, and it's not that hard to figure out, after your are informed.

Timmy,

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary. It might help you be "informed"

[Nov3]

It's biochemistry, it's human physiology, it's fact, and it's not that hard to figure out, after your are informed.

Timmy,

Look up sarcasm in the dictionary. It might help you be "informed"

[chilepepper]

But tell me, how have the eggs and steak been for your cholesterol and, more specifically, your HDL/LDL balance?

(excuse me for barging in uninvited)

I've been on Atkins about 4 years, and am about 25# lighter than I was then (i am now about 240# and had made it to 220# but tend to binge on carbs and sweets once or twice a year while on vacation).

I eat eggs every single day, cream, cheese, bacon and steak along with lots of vegetables and strawberries (the only fruit i allow myself)

result of 4 years of this? triglycerides less than 90, and normal cholesterol (slightly above average but well below the upper limit of the acceptable range).

it angers me to no end the brainwashing by the USDA, the FDA, the AMA and the ADA, furthered by the food industry, which has created the skepticism you demonstrate.

believe me, i was the same until i actually tried Atkins and really stuck with it. the cognitive dissonance one must overcome to see things the way they actually are is high hurdle indeed.

i suspect those in power *WANT* you (& us) to remain fat and pliable so they can better control the sheep. they want you to believe IT IS YOUR FAULT you are fat. BUY MORE DIET FOOD THAT DOESN'T HAVE THE EVIL FAT and LOTS OF ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND wheat and corn in it. IF YOU ARE FAT IT IS BECAUSE YOU ARE A WEAK PERSON.

the *really* paranoid part of me would think that this is all part of the Gramscian plan to make us all so unhappy with ourselves that we embrace the socialist new world order (hows that for jumping from Atkins to politics??)

And so on, and so on, and so on...

one of the biggest misconceptions is that Atkins is "easy". it is not, and for me it is easy to backslide.

having said that, it is *MUCH* *MUCH* easier than any other diet i have tried, and believe me, 40 years of struggle against obesity and having once weighted 320# make me an *EXPERT* dieter...

[timydnuc]

Thanks for the triple post....I get it. But, how is my language sarcastic? I only want to defrag the info from people that know not what they preach.

I'm never confrontational here. Please explain how I'm being sacrcatic, or condecending. I need the input to further refine my presentations.

[jennyp]

What are you, about 5 feet tall?

5 feet 8.

[jennyp]

One of the FReepers works in a pharmacy and swears by Atkins and Starch Blockers for cravings.

Interesting. (Though I myself don't get starch cravings anymore.) Now if they ever come up with sugar blockers, we'll be all set!

[Nov3]

I was being sarcastic in my original post. I have been doing Atkins/Protien Power for 7 plus years and hav been espousing it here since 98 when I was in a minority of 5 or 6 that supported low carb here.

[A_perfect_lady]

It is indeed counter-intuitive that diabetics would be encouraged to eat carbs. I am the plateau queen but none of the causes you listed for yourself seems to apply to me. I think I just have a stubborn body. Oh well. I'm almost there.

[Ladysmith]

the *really* paranoid part of me would think that this is all part of the Gramscian plan to make us all so unhappy with ourselves that we embrace the socialist new world order (hows that for jumping from Atkins to politics??)

Works for me. Desperate and misinformed sheeple are controllable sheeple...

[Freee-dame]

Although the doctors who wrote it do not allow sugar substitutes that affect the pancreas,

Which are the sugar substitutes that affect the pancreas? This could be a big factor in the problems of a diabetic's diet full of aspertame.

[drlevy88]

And you smell like a bottle of nail polish remover lol

[A_perfect_lady]

Radio Shack sells this neat little doorbell that uses batteries; at least they used to.

I'll be up all night trying to figure out why you addressed this cryptic little sentence to me.

[auggy]

"Every single Type II diabetic I know has overaten their way into developing it. Many could control their diabetes through execise and proper nutrition and choose not to do so (they'd rather not change their behavior and rely on drugs). I don't know anyone who's overweight and eats right and exercises."

I am Type II. When diagnosed 2 years ago, I weighed 185. Ideal for my height. I now weigh 225. I eat less carbs and sugar than I did before I was diagnosed. Due to arthritis I can exercise very little. Same as when I was diagnosed. My chemistry changed sometime in the last 2 years. I packed on 40 lbs for no apparent reason. I am also on Synthroid for thyroid problems.

I am 54 and have been on the thin side all of my life. Not any more. Some people are heavy due to their chemistry or makeup. I know now, this is true and not a excuse.

[cubreporter]

There is too much emphasis on losing weight and looking anorexic like the shallow hollywood people. Most look like starved sticks. Unfortunately, we teach girls inparticular that the must be "stick thin" and look down our noses at those who are overweight for whatever reason.

Weight goes deeper than just eating something that has too much sugar. Actually, people need to mind their own business when it comes to someone else's weight and just thank God it is not them.

If someone wants to be thinner than a rail...so be it. If someone else is struggling with overweight or obesity even those who look down upon them without knowing a thing about them should step back and stop being so judgemental. Let someone who is judmental go on a diet or do without the things they love for one day even and see how they feel at the end of that day.

Then perhaps they might have a little compassion for someone who is where they are for God knows what PERSONAL reasons but am sure that person wants to be thinner...not skinny like a rail but thinner. Maybe these people who are suffering from this overweight problem are crying within.

We are all probably guilty of being too judmemental but I guess we should all remember the famous quote: "There but for the grace of God go I."

Your mother may have damaged her heart physically with this starvation diet but...you can rest assured you were in her heart and it was BIG not big from weight but BIG with love for you. God bless.

[ladyinred]

Since the ADA, the FDA, the CIA, FBI, and all of those guys started telling us how to eat, we have grown fatter and fatter, and have more cases of diabetes!