(Diabetes Int) Re: Exchange Diet

[Guest guest]

I think you're opening a can of worms here Mike...but nonetheless I'll

stick my 2 cents in here.

I think the ADA is all wrong. It makes absolutely no sense to me to eat

the amount of carbs they consider " necessary " for good health when these

carbs make BGs go up. Then they say to take pills to lower BGs caused

by those very carbs. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Doesn't it make more sense

to avoid those carbs in the first place?

And mind you, I'm not talking about eliminating all carbs - only the

high GI ones that cause the fastest, sharpest BG rise such as all

products made with grains, which include cereals, breads, pastas...also

rice, either brown or white; and potatoes. As well as obviously sweet

stuff such as most fruits

OTOH, carbs that are in veggies are important. They're also on the

lower end of the GI scale. I have a standard list of lowcarb veggies

that I eat regularly that have a minimal effect on my BGs and I'll be

happy to print it yet again if anyone wants to see it.

Ultimately, of course, since YMMV, the best test is to try a food in

isolation, checking BG before, one and two hours afterwards. Then

you'll know exactly what effect this food has on your BG. It will use

up a lot of strips - but you'll have important information.

Oh, and one more thing about diabetes -- things change, so don't assume

because a serving of food -- or anything -- doesn't make your BG go up

now, it may do so in a year. So continued spot testing is still

important.

Vicki

(Diabetes Int) Re: Exchange Diet

> Janet,

> Greetings from the land of the National Technical Institute for the

> Deaf (NTID) where interpreters are near and dear to our hearts and

> EVERYWHERE in our town. I'd sign back but the computer just does

> not " get it. "

>

> To the exchanges. The ADA Exchange system was, 5 years ago, the main,

> technical, method for instructing a new diabetic. And in the grand

> scheme of things, 5 years is massive turnover for medical knowledge,

> or rumor, or diet of the day, or suppliment of the day, or exercise

> gimik, etc. I remember when the grapefruit diet was reported by Good

> Morning America show as almost absolute fact and what the h*ll was

> wrong with the medical community? So the establishment of the medical

> community is slow to change. It's research and then confirmations and

> follow up studies, etc. I heard on the way into work this AM that too

> many carbs is indeed an issue, more in women than in men. I'll have

> to check the story out. But I think ADA is looking for the corect

> stance to take at this point. Do they lower the carbs? Go " low carb? "

> Go " no carb? " A lot of people look at them for gospel and they have

> to be careful. I suspect they're waiting for more studies to come in.

> If they change direction with every new study - they have NO

> credability.

>

> How's everyone else feel about exchanges?

>

> Mike

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Vicki. The dietician who leads our diabetes group in town

believes low carb eating is the ticket. But the dietician at the hospital was

for more carbs. But even she gave me the 40-30-30 food plan and for that I was

grateful. But I cannot eat the 1500 calories on that plan and lose weight---just

no chance. She did not give me a 1200 cal plan that might allow weight loss

because she did not have any. When my friend went to her she only had 1600 cal

plans. I do better on the lower carbs. I want an appt with the fellow from the

diabetic support. I have not called to make one yet. I am on a food routine that

seems to be working in the meantime. It is just about what I ate when younger

and thin. It is patterned somewhat on South Beach that my Dr wants me to be

on-or near to it. Healthy carbs but low carb. Everyone has to find the plan that

works is my thought. All our bodies are different. Some people believe there is

merit in the Blood type diet. In all the " Type " diets I am a high protein

person. I see others in my family as being successful with other food plans and

more carbs. My Type B husband needs more carbs. I see that. My son is type A and

needs mega veggies and not too much protein. I am not saying these type diets

are right. I am only observing them by what I see. G

[Guest guest]

I think the exchanges are terrible. That is my personal opinion. I think the

basic four foods of my childhood were much more on target. I hope they get it

right or close this time. I have seen that few nutritionists agree. I even tried

the McDougal and the heart specialist high carb plan. Ruinous for me. If my

heart had to be healthy on that diet, I would not make it. Still they are

touting it on TV. Dr OZ on Oprah is a believer in those plans. I do not listen

to Dr OZ because of that but he might have other good info. I look into things

for myself. Doctors are not God. I could have been a Dr if I put in the time and

education, but they have still studied little on nutrition and I have studied

lots and lots over the years. I look for what works. I take charge of my own

health. I do not leave it to someone else to know what is actually best for me.

I take the things they prescribe but I also check them out and see what I can

also find out about them. If I see they do not work I go back for a

re-evaluation from my Dr. Most Drs listen to me about my health. Some pay little

attention to what I say and I move on to one who listens and explains. I kept my

mother alive about 10 years longer by doing her healthy heart and diabetes diet

and doing her meds so there were no mistakes etc. She took too many meds, but I

am smarter now. I would have questioned some of the meds she was on. But that

was then. Who knows our body better than we do? I have heard a new food pyramid

is coming out. If I see a diabetes plan with the old one, I completely dismiss

it. That is what works for me. It was encouraging for the dietician at our

hospital to give me a 40-30-30 food plan. G

[Guest guest]

Sammie Rutledge wrote:

<< The dietician figured my diet using exchanges. 15 grams of carb is

1 carb exchange. I get 3 exchanges for breakfast, lunch, and supper.

1 for morning and afternoon snack, and 2 for bedtime snack. >>

That's two to four times as many carbohydrates as many type 2's can

eat and still maintain good control, without resorting to injected

insuin or a goodly portion of diabetes meds. I like to keep my carb

intake beneath 100 grams daily, and space them out as much as

possible, to lower the sugar hit. Some diabetics even keep their

intake at 20-40 grams, so that they can remain in benign dietary

ketosis, to speed up weight loss and greatly reduce the need for any

medications.

Susie