Keeping carbs and protein constant

[LilaE]

Hey everyone (im type 1 btw) I was just wondering if there's anyway who eats the same amount of carbohydrate and protein for the same meal times everyday as recommended by Dr Bernstein? Is it true that you cannot stabalise your blood sugars effectively if you do not do this like he says? If anyone does do this how do you keep it up and keep meals interesting and how do you deal with socialising and going out?
Thank you!
Lila

Ps I think I am honeymooning as since I was told to not bolus for the foods that weren't in the carbohydrate list we drew up, I haven't been bolusing for most of my meals. Is this a bad thing to do? And should i bolus for protein to preseve beta cell function?

 

[Kristin251]

I eat the same macros at every meal and know the dose. After much trial and error this way works for me and allows me to take very small doses of insulin so I don't fear hypos and I stay steady.
I do switch up my proteins but I always keep protein carbs as well as far consistant.

I eat VERY low carb so j do bolus for protein and meal size.
I can have a few nuts or a little guacamole as snacks without blousing.

Personally, I found that I could not keep bs any where near steady when eating carbs other than salad greens or a small serving of steamed veg. Others have done it but I have no idea how. I like a tight low range though.

 

[LilaE]

I eat the same macros at every meal and know the dose. After much trial and error this way works for me and allows me to take very small doses of insulin so I don't fear hypos and I stay steady.
I do switch up my proteins but I always keep protein carbs as well as far consistant.

I eat VERY low carb so j do bolus for protein and meal size.
I can have a few nuts or a little guacamole as snacks without blousing.

Personally, I found that I could not keep bs any where near steady when eating carbs other than salad greens or a small serving of steamed veg. Others have done it but I have no idea how. I like a tight low range though.

Thank you that is very interesting to hear!

 

[Kristin251]

I forgot to respond to going out. I pretty much just stick with Caesar salads with chicken shrimp or salmon. I veered to other foods but never know what's in sauces etc. or I will get shrimp cocktail ( no sauce) and a side salad. Buber without bun and side salad. I have learned to keep things very simple.
I decide on a moderate amount of protein, steam some veg or make a salad and add some fat. I don't gob fat but I don't fear it. I eat three small meals with protein and few nuts in between or guac. Guac is my go to food. Never hurts me. I usually have turkey on a leaf of lettuce with mustard and mayo for BF. Lunch is usually salmon tuna or chicke with mayo on another large piece of lettuce and some celery radish and 1/4 avococado. Dinner is usually fish but sometimes beef or lamb and either a handful of steamed veg or a salad with 1/4 avocado. I use different herbs or hot sauce to change flavors. Not nearly as gourmet as I used to be but it keeps it simple and still tastes good. I only eat 2 oz protein at lunch and dinner and 1 at BF. Seems to be enough for me. Like I said though I do bolus for protein because I am very low carb so really I am just blousing to eat something. I take 1/2 unit with meals and 1 lantus.

Hope that helps and I give Bernsteins way of eating a BIG YES

 

[Brunneria]

Hi,

(I'm type 2, diet and exercise controlled, which requires less than 50g carbs a day to achieve. I do best at less than 30g carbs)

When i first read Bernstein's book, my initial reaction to the uber controlled, consistent daily carb intake was revulsion - and that isn't an exaggeration. I had a deep visceral refusal to live such a regimented and limited life. Awed by the man and his methodology, but appalled by his restrictive rules and goals.

Having read the book a second time, and 2 years into keto eating i still have the same reaction, but it is no longer so strong.

Turns out that i have drifted naturally into a way of eating that (5 days a week) gives me almost no carbs for breakfast, a few at lunch (veg only) and a few more for dinner. I probably av 30-40g nowadays. Weekends are much more fluid, but the carb count shifts around usually without increasing the total. I consider that flexibility very precious. I suspect that i would feel exactly the same as a T1 because i value flexibility and reject restrictive habits in most areas of my life. It works excellently for some, but it will never work for me. My projected a1c is in the mid-late 30s, so below pre-diabetes. The Freestyle Libre helps with this.

So i appreciate his advice on low carb, but reject his regimented delivery and exercise regime (my body has other issues that prevent a punishing gym regime).

Having said that, i think that reversing complications probably requires more extreme measures than preventing complications - and i am lucky to not (yet) have any detectable complications. My attitude may change if symptoms arrive in the future!

 

[LilaE]

I forgot to respond to going out. I pretty much just stick with Caesar salads with chicken shrimp or salmon. I veered to other foods but never know what's in sauces etc. or I will get shrimp cocktail ( no sauce) and a side salad. Buber without bun and side salad. I have learned to keep things very simple.
I decide on a moderate amount of protein, steam some veg or make a salad and add some fat. I don't gob fat but I don't fear it. I eat three small meals with protein and few nuts in between or guac. Guac is my go to food. Never hurts me. I usually have turkey on a leaf of lettuce with mustard and mayo for BF. Lunch is usually salmon tuna or chicke with mayo on another large piece of lettuce and some celery radish and 1/4 avococado. Dinner is usually fish but sometimes beef or lamb and either a handful of steamed veg or a salad with 1/4 avocado. I use different herbs or hot sauce to change flavors. Not nearly as gourmet as I used to be but it keeps it simple and still tastes good. I only eat 2 oz protein at lunch and dinner and 1 at BF. Seems to be enough for me. Like I said though I do bolus for protein because I am very low carb so really I am just blousing to eat something. I take 1/2 unit with meals and 1 lantus.

Hope that helps and I give Bernsteins way of eating a BIG YES

Thank you for that advice! 1/2 unit bolus and 1u lantus sounds very nice and small I'm glad I got myself into liking avocados almost just before I was diagnosed hahaha

 

[LilaE]

Hi,

(I'm type 2, diet and exercise controlled, which requires less than 50g carbs a day to achieve. I do best at less than 30g carbs)

When i first read Bernstein's book, my initial reaction to the uber controlled, consistent daily carb intake was revulsion - and that isn't an exaggeration. I had a deep visceral refusal to live such a regimented and limited life. Awed by the man and his methodology, but appalled by his restrictive rules and goals.

Having read the book a second time, and 2 years into keto eating i still have the same reaction, but it is no longer so strong.

Turns out that i have drifted naturally into a way of eating that (5 days a week) gives me almost no carbs for breakfast, a few at lunch (veg only) and a few more for dinner. I probably av 30-40g nowadays. Weekends are much more fluid, but the carb count shifts around usually without increasing the total. I consider that flexibility very precious. I suspect that i would feel exactly the same as a T1 because i value flexibility and reject restrictive habits in most areas of my life. It works excellently for some, but it will never work for me. My projected a1c is in the mid-late 30s, so below pre-diabetes. The Freestyle Libre helps with this.

So i appreciate his advice on low carb, but reject his regimented delivery and exercise regime (my body has other issues that prevent a punishing gym regime).

Having said that, i think that reversing complications probably requires more extreme measures than preventing complications - and i am lucky to not (yet) have any detectable complications. My attitude may change if symptoms arrive in the future!

Yes I agree that the restrictive nature scares me a little and that maybe his approach is something to take what works best for you from it. I think I will try to follow a regime similar to his at first to see how it works for me as I feel the reduction in anxiety about hypos and complications make up for some of the restrictive nature. After trying it and adjusting to myself I will see what works best. Congratulations on your hba1c and managing to control your diabetes through diet and exercise, that's amazing! And thank you for your advice and opinion

 

[Neohdiver]

I can't address what it takes to control T1 diabetes, but I can share that I have had my blood sugars under tight control since 3 days after my diagnosis (the first day I was brave enough to test). By tight control, I mean within non-diabetic normal ranges - not the higher recommended caps for people with diabetes.

My meals range from 0 carbs to 20 (recently a bit higher) per meal. I eat between 0 and 50 grams of protein in a meal. I eat between 1 and 6 meals a day. Yesterday I had two meals at noon and 9:30 PM, my BG low was 4.4, my high was 5.6; the day before I had one snack and one meal at 5:00 PM and 1:00 AM. My BG low was 4.05, my high was 5.4.

My ranges are tighter, at the moment, because I'm in the middle of an experiment to try to put my (T2) diabetes into remission by a combination of Michael Mosley's 8-week diet and daily fasting (the reason for the late first meal). That started Monday - before then a more typical daily range was from 4.7 to 7.0 on a maximum of 20 grams of carbs per meal.

So - for at least some T2 diabetics, it is not necessary to keep the timing and carb/protein content of meals regimented.

 

[LilaE]

I can't address what it takes to control T1 diabetes, but I can share that I have had my blood sugars under tight control since 3 days after my diagnosis (the first day I was brave enough to test). By tight control, I mean within non-diabetic normal ranges - not the higher recommended caps for people with diabetes.

My meals range from 0 carbs to 20 (recently a bit higher) per meal. I eat between 0 and 50 grams of protein in a meal. I eat between 1 and 6 meals a day. Yesterday I had two meals at noon and 9:30 PM, my BG low was 4.4, my high was 5.6; the day before I had one snack and one meal at 5:00 PM and 1:00 AM. My BG low was 4.05, my high was 5.4.

My ranges are tighter, at the moment, because I'm in the middle of an experiment to try to put my (T2) diabetes into remission by a combination of Michael Mosley's 8-week diet and daily fasting (the reason for the late first meal). That started Monday - before then a more typical daily range was from 4.7 to 7.0 on a maximum of 20 grams of carbs per meal.

So - for at least some T2 diabetics, it is not necessary to keep the timing and carb/protein content of meals regimented.

Wow congratulations on your control, I hope you manage to push your diabetes into remission! It's very interesting to here how type 2s control as well as type 1s. I think the keeping of the protein and carbohydrate content is so you have the same insulin doses for type 1s but at the moment I am managing with changing it around so I'll have to see

 

[Kristin251]

It's really very simple and basic. Pick a desired amount and type protein and a desired amount and type of veg, add some fat of choice. I did use a food scale for a long time and still weigh my protein. I actually smash An avocado (1/2 or whole) with sea salt and eat it throughout the day. A little everywhere haha. There is something in it that keeps me from going low and stops me from any spike. Very satisfying.
Honestly for me planning meals, guessing at what insulin dose etc caused too much anxiety and stress. That is why I settled here. I am more often than not always in the 4's.
I understand people not wanting to go as low carb as Bernstein but I do best in ketosis. I was low carb Atkins induction phase for 20+ years and did quite well so it was nothing to do this. I just had to find the macro combo that matched my insulin. Insulin and I don't get along so the lower the better. I don't like to be rigid either but this is one place I am. But I also must add I don't exercise anymore. As a type 1 now it only raises me and I'm not playing that game now. I have only been T1 for two years ( I'm Almost 52). It's either genetic (I'm adopted so no clue) but most likely from a nasty virus I had 6 years ago. Either way, no fun but keeping it simple and basic takes a LOT of stress off me.

Best wishes, I am sure you will find your balance

 

[Neohdiver]

Wow congratulations on your control, I hope you manage to push your diabetes into remission! It's very interesting to here how type 2s control as well as type 1s. I think the keeping of the protein and carbohydrate content is so you have the same insulin doses for type 1s but at the moment I am managing with changing it around so I'll have to see

If you are taking insulin, or a drug that "squeezes" insulin out of your pancreas at times that don't fit the natural cycle (sulfonylureas) , it is much harder.

If you have an unnaturally steady supply of insulin running about (the non-bolus insulin or the sulfonylurea generated insulin), you need a unnaturally steady supply of carbs to keep the circulating insulin from taking out too much glucose and sending you hypo. It's an ineffective imitation of how our bodies are supposed to work - which is all about call & response (bolusing mimics that better) But once your body loses the ability to create enough insulin to keep you from going hypo when you're not eating, you've got to keep some insulin going all the time. I know a number of T1 diabetics who have minimized the background insulin they are taking by cutting back on carbs.

 

[Kristin251]

If you are taking insulin, or a drug that "squeezes" insulin out of your pancreas at times that don't fit the natural cycle (sulfonylureas) , it is much harder.

If you have an unnaturally steady supply of insulin running about (the non-bolus insulin or the sulfonylurea generated insulin), you need a unnaturally steady supply of carbs to keep the circulating insulin from taking out too much glucose and sending you hypo. It's an ineffective imitation of how our bodies are supposed to work - which is all about call & response (bolusing mimics that better) But once your body loses the ability to create enough insulin to keep you from going hypo when you're not eating, you've got to keep some insulin going all the time. I know a number of T1 diabetics who have minimized the background insulin they are taking by cutting back on carbs.

VERY well put. I think that is exactly why I eat low carb/Bernstein style. Though I dont eat 12 carbs at lunch and dinner. Or 3 at BF. I eat less than that.
As you said, the unnatural injected insulin before a meal rather than the natural way following bs is what makes it so hard. For me carbs make it impossible to match food and insulin. Also the low dose has much less of an effect if I am going to go low 1st. If I take a whole unit I will go low before the protein gets there, most likely get a liver dump and pop up. I recently found I can take the 1/2 unit vs whole with a little less fat and actually have steadier bs. I feel much better not having the unnatural insulin at the beginning. I tried playing with timing and just as I start eating is good. Lots of people say novolog takes 40 min to work but not with me. If seems to leak at 45. I think lantus is gone by morning haha, not anything close to 18-24 hours.

It would be quite a struggle if I still randomly produced some insulin. My GAD was over 250 and my cpeptide was .6 with a reference range of 1.1-4.4. I am too consistant with insulin and bs to be making enough to work on food. That would be so difficult.

Though I thoroughly enjoy all food I enjoy steady bs better and will do what I need to. At the end of the day it is just food but I understand how others feel differently. We all have our own goals and own priorities. Do I wish I could just have at it? Of course but life is more enjoyable not focusing on food...for me that is