Re: Another view on low carbing.
I realised after I posted that spiel that although I discussed the points of the article, I didn't actually explain my own stance on the whole thing coherently - thought I might do that here, and hopefully it's not too off-topic.
First off, I'm not a rabid "you must low-carb or else" nutter. I don't have shares in LowCarb Inc., I'm not a ketogenic pyramid scam-artist and I don't have anything to gain from converting people to the Church of Enlightened Anti-Carbers. Quite bluntly, I don't know anyone on here personally and it doesn't really make much difference to me what you all eat - I lose no sleep over it!
What I do like doing is helping other people where I can. One of the best ways I can do that is to share whatever information or experience I've got so people can make informed choices.
My opinion when it comes to diabetes is that control over your carbohydrate intake is essential. In fact, I believe this is the case in everyone, diabetic or not. Unrestricted intake of highly refined carbohydrates is simply damaging to EVERY person to some extent, and it's more damaging to diabetics (because diabetes by its nature is evidence of a manifested problem with glucose metabolism). So I'd suggest that in the vast majority of cases, both T1 and T2 diabetics will find their optimal control by restricting their carb intake.
If I had to advise anyone (diabetic or not) on what to eat, it would involve lots of real, whole foods (meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds) and very little else - and almost completely absent would be any refined carb items like bread, pasta or rice. This would be the ideal - I'm realistic enough to know that many people would still want occasional treats or "cheats" and that's fine, though I'd try to emphasise the word "occasional". I've seen accounts from thousands of people - from Olympic hopefuls and elite athletes to teachers, plumbers and students - who thrive on this kind of diet, improving their health, fitness and body composition. It's how we're meant to eat, and getting back to this kind of diet in lieu of the processed and refined "norm" can have a profound effect on health.
If the person was diabetic, I'd initially suggest a low-ish carb intake as well, at least at first, and see where things lie; further tinkering can take place once you have this baseline, and many people might find they can eat a fair amount of carbs from real food sources while maintaining good control. But likewise, many people find that they can't, and they have to limit carbs quite heavily to get the control they want. I'm one of these, and while I'd love to eat more fruit and starchy veg it simply affects my blood too much for me to do it. But wherever your own tolerance lies, the best way to find it is by experimenting with lower carb intakes and seeing what effect it has.
This approach simply works so often and so well for so many people that I'd feel guilty if I didn't recommend it. There's a caveat here that diabetics need to be aware of what they're doing - they need to know how this kind of dietary change is likely to affect them, what it'll mean for their medication etc. I completely agree with the points above that you can't just point someone off and set them loose without some advice on what to look out for and how to cope with the changes that will ensue.
Now that's just my opinion. Some people don't want to go low-carb, or don't want to give up the foods they love, and that's fine. There's more to it than the cold, hard numbers on your glucose meter, emotions and all sorts of things come into it too. I think they're missing a trick if they don't at least try it and see if it works, but it's a personal decision and one I respect. Most of the regulars on here know what they're doing and have made this decision one way or another, and I'm not looking to argue with anyone's choices.
However, many of the newer posters on the forum are simply looking for advice and help in improving their control, and they possibly won't even be aware how effective carb restriction can be. It's these people that I hope to help when I post about the efficacy of a low carb diet. At the worst, I'll give them some information that they can weigh up and decide on; and if they decide not to follow it that's fine. But at best, I'll give a little bit of help to someone controlling a pretty horrible condition and they'll live a better and longer life; and I think that's pretty cool actually.
Anyway, sorry that's such a long ramble and hope it's not too off-topic - but that's where I'm coming from anyway.
Cheers,
Nick.
I realised after I posted that spiel that although I discussed the points of the article, I didn't actually explain my own stance on the whole thing coherently - thought I might do that here, and hopefully it's not too off-topic.
First off, I'm not a rabid "you must low-carb or else" nutter. I don't have shares in LowCarb Inc., I'm not a ketogenic pyramid scam-artist and I don't have anything to gain from converting people to the Church of Enlightened Anti-Carbers. Quite bluntly, I don't know anyone on here personally and it doesn't really make much difference to me what you all eat - I lose no sleep over it!
What I do like doing is helping other people where I can. One of the best ways I can do that is to share whatever information or experience I've got so people can make informed choices.
My opinion when it comes to diabetes is that control over your carbohydrate intake is essential. In fact, I believe this is the case in everyone, diabetic or not. Unrestricted intake of highly refined carbohydrates is simply damaging to EVERY person to some extent, and it's more damaging to diabetics (because diabetes by its nature is evidence of a manifested problem with glucose metabolism). So I'd suggest that in the vast majority of cases, both T1 and T2 diabetics will find their optimal control by restricting their carb intake.
If I had to advise anyone (diabetic or not) on what to eat, it would involve lots of real, whole foods (meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds) and very little else - and almost completely absent would be any refined carb items like bread, pasta or rice. This would be the ideal - I'm realistic enough to know that many people would still want occasional treats or "cheats" and that's fine, though I'd try to emphasise the word "occasional". I've seen accounts from thousands of people - from Olympic hopefuls and elite athletes to teachers, plumbers and students - who thrive on this kind of diet, improving their health, fitness and body composition. It's how we're meant to eat, and getting back to this kind of diet in lieu of the processed and refined "norm" can have a profound effect on health.
If the person was diabetic, I'd initially suggest a low-ish carb intake as well, at least at first, and see where things lie; further tinkering can take place once you have this baseline, and many people might find they can eat a fair amount of carbs from real food sources while maintaining good control. But likewise, many people find that they can't, and they have to limit carbs quite heavily to get the control they want. I'm one of these, and while I'd love to eat more fruit and starchy veg it simply affects my blood too much for me to do it. But wherever your own tolerance lies, the best way to find it is by experimenting with lower carb intakes and seeing what effect it has.
This approach simply works so often and so well for so many people that I'd feel guilty if I didn't recommend it. There's a caveat here that diabetics need to be aware of what they're doing - they need to know how this kind of dietary change is likely to affect them, what it'll mean for their medication etc. I completely agree with the points above that you can't just point someone off and set them loose without some advice on what to look out for and how to cope with the changes that will ensue.
Now that's just my opinion. Some people don't want to go low-carb, or don't want to give up the foods they love, and that's fine. There's more to it than the cold, hard numbers on your glucose meter, emotions and all sorts of things come into it too. I think they're missing a trick if they don't at least try it and see if it works, but it's a personal decision and one I respect. Most of the regulars on here know what they're doing and have made this decision one way or another, and I'm not looking to argue with anyone's choices.
However, many of the newer posters on the forum are simply looking for advice and help in improving their control, and they possibly won't even be aware how effective carb restriction can be. It's these people that I hope to help when I post about the efficacy of a low carb diet. At the worst, I'll give them some information that they can weigh up and decide on; and if they decide not to follow it that's fine. But at best, I'll give a little bit of help to someone controlling a pretty horrible condition and they'll live a better and longer life; and I think that's pretty cool actually.
Anyway, sorry that's such a long ramble and hope it's not too off-topic - but that's where I'm coming from anyway.
Cheers,
Nick.