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Low-carb for type 1 diabetics

J

John Briffa

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I'm new here. I'm a practising doctor and author and general supporter of 'low-carb', particularly for diabetics. As many of you will know, diabetics are often told starchy carbohydrates are 'essential', and this is particularly true for type 1 diabetics. This notion is, in my opinion, nonsense. I've written about this on my blog today, and highlight recent research which showed great long-term results using low-carb eating in type 1 diabetics:

http://www.drbriffa.com/2012/06/22/low-carbohydrate-diet-proven-to-be-very-effective-in-type-1-diabetics-just-as-youd-expect/
 
Does 150g a day count as low-carb John?
 
John Briffa said:
Thanks Steve!

Hadn't seen that! Glad you were onto it and also 'eat to your meter' (very good idea!)
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I'm a bit of a Swedish fan boy and actually based a load of my own T2 "treatment" around what I would get told if I were Swedish so I respect the opinions of people like Dr Annika Dahlqvist and try to follow a slightly stricter version of her LCHF dietary regime.

http://blogg.passagen.se/dahlqvistannika/?anchor=my_lowcarb_dietary_programe_in

You'll find lots of forum members will have the same "Eat to your meter" philosophy. Effectively it allows forum members to respect each others differences in dietary style and control. Some of us will control by carb counting, others by portion control, some will emphasise a low carb approach others a low GI / GL approach and we also we have many members who follow various variations of true ketogenic sub 50g / day regimes. The point with "Eat to your meter" is to accept the validity of any of these approach so long as you meter is telling you its safe. Safe means less than 8ish two hours after a meal. 8ish as some like the 8.5 NICE guidelines and others the 7.8 IDF guideline.

That's the theory at least!
 
Hi John,

and a BIG thank you for your Escape The Diet Trap which I came across just after getting my diagnosis (early Dec 2011.)
This led to further investigation and now I'm fully sold on low-carb as an extremely healthy way to eat.

Great to see you posting :thumbup:

Geoff
 
Hi John,

I also thank you for your Escape the Diet Trap as it answered a lot of questions I was wrestling with. :)

Like you, the other best book I have read was written by Allen Carr and completely changed my life overnight. :thumbup:
 
Hi John,

I am T1 doing carbohydrate counting (and just starting to get it sussed) and see the logic that the fewer carbs the less insulin. My question is that I am the ideal weight now my BMI is just right. ( I am also on 150 microgms thyroxine. ) I am concerned that if I low carb I will loose more weight, which I don't want to do. Is low carbing more helpful if you want to reduce sugars and loose weight?

Lucy.
 
Welcome aboard John,

It's a pleasure to have you here.

I completely agree about Type 1's and low carbing; as I am one who does.

What shocked me was that after years of HbA1c's hovering around 7.0% I went on the Atkins diet about 5 years ago and I got my lowest ever reading; 5.8%. I was told by my GP that that was too low; he wanted me to relax the diet and get that level up. Like a fool I followed his advice.

It took me a couple of years to find this forum and really get into the mindset of low-carbing again, and things are much improved; still not quite in the 5% club. Yet!

Best

Dillinger
 
Hello all - thank you all very much for making me feel right at home.

noblehead - not really, but if this level of carb intake works for you and allows good blood sugar control then this is what counts. if not, you might want to scale back a bit but this should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice.

steve - thanks for the 'eat to your meter' info - makes perfect sense.

libraising and truffle - really appreciate your kind words about Escape the Diet Trap.

shop - it's unlikely you're going to lose much more weight low-carbing if you're already at your 'fighting weight', but you might enjoy better blood sugar control.

dillinger - might be your doctor was spooked by the evidence linking intensive blood sugar lowering (with drugs) with worse outcomes. doing it with diet is a completely different kettle of fish, in my opinion.
 
John Briffa said:
noblehead - not really, but if this level of carb intake works for you and allows good blood sugar control then this is what counts. if not, you might want to scale back a bit but this should not be taken as a substitute for medical advice.
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Thanks, I agree that we should all use what works for us personally and not accept a given figure, I was eating around 90-120g for a while but find I function better at my present level.
 
John Briffa said:
Hello all - thank you all very much for making me feel right at home

shop - it's unlikely you're going to lose much more weight low-carbing if you're already at your 'fighting weight', but you might enjoy better blood sugar control.

Thanks John, I know my last HBA1C is shameful :( Hence the carb counting course. I have reduced my carbs considerably ( I have lost 1 1/2 stone and now weigh 54Kgs and am 5'2 ) Previously injecting a standard amound of insulin b/fast dinner and tea and as BG control not improving insulin would go up then carbs to prevent hypos.........A vicious circle. Once I have improved my Bgs and experience of carb counting I will look at low carbing too.

Just to make sure I undersand. Is it just reducing the amount of carbs and if so how much would be the limit daily? We are not talking Ketosis are we?

Lucy.
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Welcome to the forum Dr John, it's absolutely brilliant to have you here. You should know you are quite a legend with some of us. :D

Joanna.
 
Welcome on board Dr Briffa, wonderful to have you on board.
Lchf works for me, I keep my levels steady at 50 to 60g carbs a day
Thanks for your books, I have got them all (plus read them of course), keep up the good work
All the best
Judith
 
Hi John and welcome! Sorry it's a bit belated, but I've been away in France exercising my main diabetes control system - Golf and good red wine! I'll look forward to your posts.
 
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