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South Beach Diet

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simoneill

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Type 1
Hi - Type 1 for 20 years - and have been putting on weight in the last few years. Wondering has anyone tried the South Beach Diet approach and, if so, what changes did you have to make to your insulin regime?
Any comments gratefully received🙂
 
simoneill said:
Hi - Type 1 for 20 years - and have been putting on weight in the last few years. Wondering has anyone tried the South Beach Diet approach and, if so, what changes did you have to make to your insulin regime?
Any comments gratefully received🙂
Click to expand...

Hi Simon, I haven't tried the SB diet but from what I gather it is similar to the GL or GI diets. I try and eat low GL and seem to be able to maintain my weight fairly well within 'normal' BMI, and my BG levels are usually pretty good (HbA1c in the 5s for past 3 years 🙂)

What insulin regime are you on?
 
Hi SImon. I'd never heard of it.

Is it cravings that are your downfall?

I've never tried any sort of diet other than just eating less and avoiding some of the more fattening meals. I found, when I wanted to lose a few pounds last year, that the hardest part was about the first week, then I got used to smaller portion sizes.

I would personally not worry about following any particular diet, even if it's ideal for diabetics, but look at what you eat (honestly) using a food diary and then review it, eliminating or cutting down things bit by bit. If you can increase exercise too, you should find it a lot easier, as long as you maintain your new lifestyle.🙂

Rob
 
Hi Northener
I'm a DAFNE grad so on Novorapid ratios during the day and Levemir 24 units at night and 20 in the morning.
You're right that the SBD is low GI. I've been doing it for a week. BGs during the day have been great - very stable between 4-7. I've kept daytime background the same but problem I'm having is overnight. I've been cutting back nighttime background from 24 now down to 18 but still waking at about 6am with BG of 2.7 ish.
I can keep cutting back - as at the moment it's not affecting my day levels. Bed time reading last night was 7.6 so it's not that I'm going to bed low - but wonder if anyone has any other advice on what to do to avoid the morning low.
Weight loss wise it's been a good kick start 6lb this week - and it's relatively easy to follow. It's also dropped day time insulin needs hugely (as first two weeks are relatively low CHO too). Must say I'm looking forward to the end of the second week so I can have fruit again
 
That's a terrific result - 6lb in a week! 🙂 It does sound as though you need to cut right back on that nighttime levemir. I have 'transitional' periods where I find it very difficult to estimate insulin requirements and usually end up hypo more often than high, simply because I find it hard to believe that such a significant reduction in doses is what is needed! With me it's not really weight-related, but very much related to changing activity levels. For example, when I stepped up my running in spring I ended up having to drop my lantus from 8 to 3 units before the morning lows were overcome. My novorapid also reduced significantly, though not quite to the same extent as the lantus. After a couple of weeks of this level of activity I seem to stabilise and remain in range for most of my tests, until I have a 'lazy' week or two in which case I have to start increasing doses again. It actually keeps me motivated to keep up my activity levels so I don't have to go through these transitions!

I imagine that, with the kind of weight losses you are achieving, plus the reduction in carbs your situation is comparable. I think the reason I tend to have hypos when I am in a 'dose reduction' phase is because I am more averse to highs than lows, so subconsciously I am erring on the side of too much rather than too little insulin. Perhaps I should be braver and risk potential higher levels which should be easy enough to adjust down 🙂

Good luck with the diet! Perhaps you'd like to add your losses to our group weight loss total:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=13763&page=24
 
Tried cutting down background to 14 units last night - and woke up with a 9.2 - no hypos - so probably need to try 16. Amazing how much less insulin you need to take.
Must say I feel healthier having a low GI, low CHO diet - so will try sticking with it (it gets more liberal from the end of week two)
I also live with a vegetarian (without diabetes) and we thought it might be difficult to follow if you aren't a meat eater - but lots of choice (especially if you eat some fish) with lots of beans, salads, low fat cheese and veg choices. Even had a pudding yesterday (which I don't normally do) 🙂
Not sure how to add weight loss to group total - but I'll have a look and try and find out.
Thanks for the comments
simon
 
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