I attended my second diabetes education/support group yesterday. There are four in our community, so two more to go. This particular one is facilitated by the nutritionists at the hospital. It's a monthly drop in group that follows a question and answer format. When I introduced myself, the facilitator gave a brief history of Dr. Bernstein and began listing all the foods that are not allowed. To this the response was, I'm not giving up my potatoes. To the facilitator's credit, I was able to give examples of what I eat on this restricted diet, and there was a more positive response to that.
I now have at least 5 books that I'm reading. The Eat Fat book by Trudi Deakins (sp?) is on its way but will likely take weeks to get here. Blood Sugar 101 by Jenny Ruhl is another book that was delayed in getting to me. I have not seen Trudi's book yet, but what I can say is that Bernstein's book offers the best description so far of how to get started on the diet for a diabetic, type 1 or 2. That opinion may change after I read all the books cover to cover.
I don't recall reading in Bernstein's book about the daily sodium intake need or the carb, fat, protein ratios that are often discussed here, but perhaps I missed it.
My plan is to start a diabetes low carb education and support group locally, but I'm months away from that because I've got to first figure out how to clearly, concisely, and completely instruct "newbies" on the do's and don'ts of this diet.
The first group I attended was a women's group for type 1's using the insulin pump. These are the most amazing people, many of whom have been living with diabetes type 1 for more than 40 years. I have to say, the prospect of facilitating a group for type 2's is challenging, but I don't think I could do it for type 1's unless I had a well informed type 1 co-facilitator.
And then when you factor in the complications of the diabetes itself, and common co-exsisting conditions. All I can say is wow. And I should add here I facilitated an education and support group for eight years.
I think what is most helpful for newby's is to keep asking smart questions as most of you are already doing, and keep asking. It's a process. Bernstein himself, a trained engineer (and problem solver) took a full year to develope the diet that worked best for him, and now us, in part based on an animal study on how to control glucose levels, and in part on the feedback he got from his first glucose meter. I had an advantage that most people don't have starting this diet. I already had eliminated gluten from my diet, so I had a lot of practice and experience going into to this, reading labels for example.
So I guess my other point is to judge people individually not as a group as to their ability to come up to speed and put into practice this diet.
For the most part, the support I've received here has been excellent. And I plan on participating here for a very long time.
And I am now close to being late for work, so heading out the door now...