Nah, some things need to be said.
It's really disturbing seeing newly dx'd T1s being misled into thinking they need to rule out an entire food group when the reality is that most situations are totally manageable with cgm and a basic understanding of ratios and timing.
It's absolutely pathetic the number of times a parent of a newly dx'd T1 kid is looking for advice on how to deal with spikes, only for them to be told that the type1grit kids are doing "better".
I'd love to see some psychological studies of how the long term welfare of type1grit kids have worked out.
I suspect many of them have turned up at school telling teachers, "mum doesn't let me eat this, can I try it, are carrots and onions really that bad, that stew looks nice but dad says it might have cornflour in it, so I can't, they make me watch that Bernstein guy on youtube, he's creepy..."
It’s the whole balance between physical and mental health that is key here. Speaking from n=1 personal experience, I know my mental health is better because my levels are way better thanks to following a grit way of eating. But I’m an adult, with two decades of horrible diabetes management under my belt. So I can choose how I want to manage the failure of my pancreas. I can’t seem to balance carbs and the insulin action/delivery to avoid swinging levels, and it’s not like I don’t have enough education and skills to be able to manage the numbers side of it. I’m mildly jealous of those of you who do, in the same way that I’m mildly jealous of those of you who can eat meat and cheese without your lungs seizing up. But it is what it is. One size doesn’t fit all.
I’ve only been following Bernstein’s method for just over a year, and while it is undeniably restrictive (especially combined with my enforced vegetarianism), I feel it’s given me the freedom to not worry about swinging levels because I don’t have much insulin or carbohydrate in my system to affect it. I pretty much forget about diabetes and can concentrate on what I’m actually doing, be it teaching or first responder stuff. Psychologically that’s been really beneficial (for me), but I don’t know how it'll pan out mentally long term for youngsters. It’s totally different for me as a middle aged woman. I’m not even vaguely fussed about fitting in or doing the same as my peers! But working with young people in schools, I’ve observed that anyone that sticks their head above the parapet gets shot down. Differences are picked on, teenagers can be pretty vile to each other.
There’s a lot of cultism about - be it veganism, keto, LCHF, carbism, carnivory... the Internet makes it easier to find other like minded people, and echo chambers easily develop. Same with politics and religion, not just food! I find some of the T1G stuff a little bit too extreme, tbh. Bernstein’s recommendation that women continuously take the contraceptive pill to avoid menstruating and the accompanying hormonal insulin resistance each month makes me very uneasy. I’d rather work with my body and learn how to react to its natural functions rather than quash them with hormones.
I’ve had a few PMs from members asking me how I eat, and I’m always happy to chat, same as when I get tagged into posts when T1s ask about low carb eating. I may suggest having a go reducing carbs when someone complains that they just can’t manage, as another strategy to try, but I don’t believe for a moment that it’s the
only way to manage T1.
I love this thread because we can talk about our food choices sensibly and mostly without castigating each other. It’s such a crucial part of T1 management and it’s wonderful that we’re all so open here about discussing our food choices. Last night I had my favourite of the fake meats, a vegan shredded shwarma kebab thing. I fried that in coconut oil until it went a bit crispy, chucked in half a tub of chilli and garlic olives to heat through and served it with spicy roasted broccoli.
Was 12g carbs, for what it’s worth. The broccoli stems tasted a little like chips to me - quite sweet in the centre with a slightly crisp outside. Anyway, I’m rambling so will shut up and turn my record over. Listening to the Hooten Hallers, I’d highly recommend them! They were supporting the Dead South last month (also recommended) and are one of my new favourite finds.
.....good morning......
sorry to hear that, not sure I can offer any help other than a shoulder. 
