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dr bernsteins diet side effects

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lesleyc

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Please comment if you can!
I am a newly diagnosed Type 2 .I have been following Dr Bernsteins low carb diet 6 CHO 12 CHO 12 CHO daily. I am also disabled following a fall 2yrs ago and have to take powerful prescription painkillers daily and so take Movicol daily to keep me regular. Three time over the last 9days I have had bad diarrhea.Has anyone else experienced this side effect with this diet? I am eating quite a lot of cream (in my coffee and on sugar free jelly) that's about the only thing in my diet I can think might upset me.
Any experience you have would be good to hear :D
 
Hi lesleyc, you don't say how long you have been following this diet? Assuming it has only been for a short time I'd suggest (and in my experience) that any significant change to diet (it simply means "what we eat") can lead to a period of adjustment, especially in the gut. Of course if it does not settle within a few more days, or is getting worse: you may need to try changes to what you eat, or possibly your medication... but for the latter you might prefer to consult with your HCPs. I wish you well :)
 
Hi LesleyC - when I followed Dr B's diet to the letter it had the opposite effect on me but I have heard of some people complaining of diarrhea in the early stages, as pianoman says your body may be adjusting to changes.
Perhaps reduce the Movicol for a while?
I know there is a Dr B forum where you can get advice re diet personally I am a failure when it comes to Dr B, I found the diet too restrictive and boring.
Still a low carber though but eating exciting lovely food.
Good luck Lesley hope all goes well
 
Thankyou piano man andwhitby jet :D
I have only been on the diet 3wks but the side effect has only occurred the last 9 days. I do stop the movicol when my stomach is upset.
I appreciate your good wishes. I want to stay on this diet for 6months and then see where my blood sugar is. I was a professional scientist all my life, for the last 20yrs a university lecturer and so am keeN to approach this scientifically!
 
Hi lesleyc

Just a suggestion - the low carb diet I use in posted as a sticky thread at the top of the Low Carb Diabetes Diet forum - it's called Viv's Modified Atkins Diet. You might like to have a look at it as a possible alternative to Bernstein. I find it easier and less restrictive, and it certainly keeps my BGs under control.

It generally has the opposite effect to diarrhoea! If that continues, see your GP.

Let us know how you go on.

Viv 8)
 
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was the cream. I've had a few, shall we say, "episodes" after eating cream on a VLC diet...

It might also be worth taking a look at what sweeteners are in the jelly. I had a pretty **** severe "episode" a few weeks back after eating some sugar free jelly sweets. I *believe* they contained Malitol. I won't make that mistake again!

I've never had trouble with Rowntrees Sugar Free jelly, so I'm considering making my own sweets out of that by adding more gelatine to it to firm it up a little.
 
Thanks Viv and Patch, i will look out for maltitol in food and look at the modified catkins diet.
It is so kind of you all to give me such helpful comments. :D
 
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