Type 1 and the South Beach Diet

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-21-2004
Type 1 and the South Beach Diet
2
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 6:07pm

Hi there, I'm a new member. I'm 22 years old, had juvenile diabetes for almost 7 years now. My weight pretty much climbed throughout college, and now that I've graduated and have a more steady schedule working full time, I want to lose about 25 pounds.

I'm on Day 4 of Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. But here is my question: have diabetics had any major success on these diets that limit carbs, like South Beach and Atkins? The South Beach book talks a lot about naturally regulating blood sugar levels by eating protein to avoid spikes and drops in insulin production....but isn't that not really in an insulin-dependent diabetic's control? Will my body respond to the all-protein diet to lose weight as effectively as a non-diabetic? i have developed a little insulin resistance, and find that i gain weight incredibly easily (although I eat a very limited number of calories a day, very few carbs and exercise every day) and that it is extremely hard for me to lose weight.

Can anyone tell me their experiences with these problems?
Thanks!

Lindsey
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-06-2004
Thu, 10-21-2004 - 6:27pm
How I understand it. Low carb is were you get your energy from. I was told it
could be dangerous for a diabetic and that all the extra protein could be hard
on your heart.I was told by a friend that a good way to do it was.
Breakfast,lunch and supper you should have 5 carbs each meal. There are 15g's
in each carb. I was also told 2 carbs for 2 snacks a day. For a total of
19 carbs a day. I have gotten my blood sugars under control with low carbing
I'am eating 3 meals a day plus one snack and trying to stay under the carb
count. I do have a treat once a week potato's or something like that. But cutting
out white bread,rice and potato's has helped alot. My sugar is good I have had spells
of low blood sugar that is why I need to keep my meals on a schedule. What I find odd
is that I'am not hungry sometimes and as soon as I eat I'am starving. I try hard to stay with in portion size some of those seem small but its getting better.
Maybe one of the ones with more experience can be of more help. I hope that
I have gotten everything right. I'am too trying to learn all I can.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Fri, 10-22-2004 - 8:57pm

Hi Lin -


I'm also a 1.


From what I understand, Atkins is NOT recommended for Type 1, and I'm going to imagine South Beach isn't, either (since it's a modified version of Atkins).

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)