Dodger,
I think the problem is that as soon as you mention "low carb" or atkins, people tend to associate it with the induction phase of atkins and being a very low carb diet. I don't like the term "low carb" in general because of this impression it gives.
I tend to think in terms of "managed carb" instead which does not sound as restrictive to most people. Its similar in approach but less structured in that I don't need a book to do it. Just a meter. What set me (and many others) off was this:
http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/joomla/jennifers-advice
Its particularly effective for T2s in that by using your meter you work out what combinations of foods you can tolerate without going too high. All T2s can tolerate a certain amount of carbs, particularly in combination with the right levels of fats and protein at the correct time of day, based on their levels of insulin resistance during the day.
Techinically, I am a low carber but this tends to mean somewhere wilyly varying between 60 and 140 carbs per day in various combinations. Its not very restrictive and theres no guide book, but its all based on what works for me personally. DM can be very individual and the way that a particular food or food combination affects one individual can be very different from the way that it affects someone else.
For T1s it can also have benefits and carb management for T1 in general is certainly advisable. If the quantity of carbs is moderated then there is less margin for error in bolus shots. For those on that godawful premix stuff, it can lead to a significant reduction in doses and a flatter BG curve.
Anyway, we are along similar lines. I just find it gets a better reception generally if rather than advocating diet x specifically, one talks in terms of working out how carbs can be managed to match the individual.
Neither Atkins nor a "Jennifer-based" (for want of a better term) approach needs to be terribly restrictive and there are always alternatives to the foods which do the most damage to the BG. Its just that preconceptions get in the way as we've seen in this thread...
1) Low/managed carb is not just for weight loss. Diabetes fact 101: Carbs raise BG. So if you control the level, type and combination of carbs you intake, you control your BG rise and insulin requirements.
2) Managing carbs does not mean "cut out a food group". Just controlling the "dosage". (The argument over whether starches and carbs are necessary at all for the body to function is usually a bloody one so I am not going there
😉 )
I'm intending no criticism with the above incidentally. I know where those preconceptions come from and have had many of the same concerns myself in the early days.
Things are improving with the attitude towards reduced carb diets for managing DM from the official sources (ADA has made some recent changes) but its going to take a long time for it to be accepted.
For one thing it would mean the dept of health admitting that their "heart healthy" diet is not a one-size-fits-all solution (easily disproved by any T2 using a meter).
Anyway, bottom line is that whats important it what works for you and if Atkins works for you, then go for it and good luck. Just watch out for those preconceptions getting in the way when you mention it.
Finally - Bev - I don't personally think a structured diet plan like atkins would be useful for kids. However, a moderate level of managing carbs could help out significantly without too much impact on lifestyle. As mentioned above I think it always needs to be tailored to the individual and I tend to think thats particularly important with respect to kids. Get it right and carbs could be moderated without him even noticing
😉
p.s. If I had been practicing what I preach better recently then my A1c would be at its usual level of 5.5/5.6 instead of the 5.8 "cockup" level that I had last time
😉
