Atkins Diet with Possible Diabetic?

PrincessMO · 09-09-2004, 08:24 AM

Hi there. I did search for another similar question but nothing for someone who is on the verge of being diabetic. I did not know this information until today but my father is on the verge of being diabetic. He also has heart disease and had a triple bypass surgery several years ago. His blood pressure is currently high and he needs to lose some weight. He has asked his doctor about the diet and the doctor said that as long as he did the diet 'right' he could do it.

So, I have some questions:

1) Will the diet push him into being a diabetic?
2) Will the blood pressure be worsened by the diet?
3) Can he be allowed to start the diet with a higher # of carbs?

I have done the diet myself but did not have the medical problems that he has. He is beginning to get frustrated about not losing any weight with excercise and I went over the little bit I know about Atkins from reading and talking on these boards and from doing it myself.

He is very paniced now because of friend of his said his father did some diet (NOT ATKINS) and it pushed him into diabetic. Now, I know his doctor did say it was ok and I will push for him to speak with his doctor also but I wanted to know what an Atkins expert would have to say as well to either set his mind at ease or to explain in more detail why he should not do this diet. I hope that he can do this diet because I think he is excited to try it out.

Thanks for your help and advice, it is much appreciated!

MaryMary · 09-09-2004, 10:48 AM

The Atkins Team just published a new book called the Atkins Diabetes Revolution. I have found it really helpful.

My sugars have normalized, blood pressure is normal and am off meds. By the way I eat about 100 Total carbs a day, 30-35 of them in Fiber, all from wheat germ, fruits and vegetables. I stay away from the bars, shakes and low carb products on the market and stick to whole foods.

I am interested in seeing what the Atkins Nutritionist has to say.

Atkins_Nutritionist · 09-09-2004, 10:56 AM

First let me suggest you get "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution", it will help give you a better foundation and understanding of the "right way" of doing Atkins.

The right way, includes eating a variety of healthy fats (olive oil, avocados), nutrient dense carbs from green laefy and salad vegetables and a variety of protein (chicken, fish), drinking 80-100 oz. of water...

To answer your question, Atkins will help your dad avoid diabetes and should help to decrease blood pressure. Many people who are successful on Atkins can reduce medications with the help of their doctors.

I would say he would benefit by reducing carbs to any measurable extent, if his typical intake is 300 g of carbs and he cuts down to 150, he'll be ok. However, if he is pre-diabetic and has high insulin levels he may need to get down to 30-50 grams.

By the way do not let him give up on the exercise.

Good luck, I wish your dad the best.

PrincessMO · 09-09-2004, 01:02 PM

wow, thanks so much for the replies. I appreciate you taking the time to help me Atkins_Nutritionist. This really helps me alot. My father gets real confused on some of this stuff. I myself have read the atkins book and think that I have a fairly decent grasp on the atkins diet but I guess my point about the 'right way' to do the diet was more about whether or not having my parents start out at 40 carbs a day was considered healthy. Sorry, I think I did not explain that clearly. I apologize.

Thanks so much too for your imput MaryMary. It really helped me feel good in encouraging my parents to give this a try. My father is one of those impatient ppl. Not too much unlike myself, LOL. However, all of this stuff like counting carbs and not looking for low fat I think confuses him and I think he then gets unnerved that he's not doing the right thing and I wish I could help him more. i am more the perfectionist type....like when I started my Atkins diet I had to weigh myself first thing in the morning, then write down my food, vitamins, water,etc. He is pretty much now just watching his carbs around 40....started yesterday. I want them to succeed because they have been so depressed about their weight and I want to add my input but not push them too far into having to do 'TOO' much for the diet, like writing things down and reading 'EVERY' label. Guess if anyone has any words of wisdom to help me I would greatly appreciate it!!!

MaryMary · 09-09-2004, 03:45 PM

PrincessMO,

My DH started Atkins last summer and it had to be easy for him. So the agreement he made was to stick to whole foods, with no sugars, white rice, white pasta, white flours or trans fats.

So he loves his eggs & sausage for breakfast, he has a couple of fruits during the day for snack, he has protein and salad for lunch, and protein, salad and cooked veggie for supper. He has plain yogurt with cashew pieces with splenda & unsweetened powder for his dessert in the evening. He probably eats 100 Total Carbs and is now maintaining. But he gets his fiber which was important to his doctor. He gets his chocolate fix and his pseudo ice cream fix with the yogurt and cocoa powder. He gets some fruit and veggies. But when he started he didn't have the fruit for snacks. He had a protein snack. And he had smaller portions of veggies. He lost 25 lbs and has maintained it. He doesn't add salt to his foods and we don't buy canned food, like canned veggies or canned tuna.

skdanny · 09-10-2004, 06:48 AM

Four years ago I was pre-diabitic, I started Atkins, lost 50 lbs and got off the "danger list".

danny

PrincessMO · 09-10-2004, 12:27 PM

thanks skdanny! That is good to hear. Glad you have been so successful! Hearing that will also help to put my father a little more at ease!

Thanks to everyone for your help!!!

fla gal 57 · 09-10-2004, 01:50 PM

i to was told i was a diabetic type 2 over three years ago and when i went on low carb and lost so much weight i now keep my insulin levels at a normal rate and now out of the danger zone of developing full blown diabeties.
so low carb is good for your insulin count and keeping it regulated at normal rates.

09-09-2004, 08:24 AM	#1
PrincessMO Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 47 Gallery: PrincessMO Stats: 176.5/164.5/115 WOE: Low Carb Mo's Way Start Date: restarted 11/01/05	Atkins Diet with Possible Diabetic? Hi there. I did search for another similar question but nothing for someone who is on the verge of being diabetic. I did not know this information until today but my father is on the verge of being diabetic. He also has heart disease and had a triple bypass surgery several years ago. His blood pressure is currently high and he needs to lose some weight. He has asked his doctor about the diet and the doctor said that as long as he did the diet 'right' he could do it. So, I have some questions: 1) Will the diet push him into being a diabetic? 2) Will the blood pressure be worsened by the diet? 3) Can he be allowed to start the diet with a higher # of carbs? I have done the diet myself but did not have the medical problems that he has. He is beginning to get frustrated about not losing any weight with excercise and I went over the little bit I know about Atkins from reading and talking on these boards and from doing it myself. He is very paniced now because of friend of his said his father did some diet (NOT ATKINS) and it pushed him into diabetic. Now, I know his doctor did say it was ok and I will push for him to speak with his doctor also but I wanted to know what an Atkins expert would have to say as well to either set his mind at ease or to explain in more detail why he should not do this diet. I hope that he can do this diet because I think he is excited to try it out. Thanks for your help and advice, it is much appreciated!

09-09-2004, 03:45 PM	#5
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,839 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	PrincessMO, My DH started Atkins last summer and it had to be easy for him. So the agreement he made was to stick to whole foods, with no sugars, white rice, white pasta, white flours or trans fats. So he loves his eggs & sausage for breakfast, he has a couple of fruits during the day for snack, he has protein and salad for lunch, and protein, salad and cooked veggie for supper. He has plain yogurt with cashew pieces with splenda & unsweetened powder for his dessert in the evening. He probably eats 100 Total Carbs and is now maintaining. But he gets his fiber which was important to his doctor. He gets his chocolate fix and his pseudo ice cream fix with the yogurt and cocoa powder. He gets some fruit and veggies. But when he started he didn't have the fruit for snacks. He had a protein snack. And he had smaller portions of veggies. He lost 25 lbs and has maintained it. He doesn't add salt to his foods and we don't buy canned food, like canned veggies or canned tuna. __________________ 2001/2002/2003 - Lost 105 lbs. on Atkins & exercise 2004/2005/2006 - Lost 116 lbs. on the Cambridge Greysheet & GSA (www.greysheet.org) - A 12 Step Program for Carb Sensitive Folks 2006- Panniculectomy - Surgically removed 6 lbs. hanging skin 2007/2008 - Maintaining Free from Compulsive Eating Abstinent since 6/21/2004 by the grace of a Power greater than myself My Journey in Pics from Jan 2001 to June 2006 --LOST 221 LBS. - PEACE !!!--

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09-09-2004, 10:48 AM	#2
MaryMary Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: New Hampshire BMI:57/24-Maintaining Posts: 4,839 Gallery: MaryMary Stats: 376 lbs/155 lbs//Age 60// 5'7" BF%:47+%/28.4%/25% WOE: GSA Cambridge Greysheet "www.greysheet.org" Start Date: Atkins 1/22/01; GSA 12/23/03 - Total Loss 221 lbs.	The Atkins Team just published a new book called the Atkins Diabetes Revolution. I have found it really helpful. My sugars have normalized, blood pressure is normal and am off meds. By the way I eat about 100 Total carbs a day, 30-35 of them in Fiber, all from wheat germ, fruits and vegetables. I stay away from the bars, shakes and low carb products on the market and stick to whole foods. I am interested in seeing what the Atkins Nutritionist has to say.

09-09-2004, 10:56 AM	#3
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	First let me suggest you get "Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution", it will help give you a better foundation and understanding of the "right way" of doing Atkins. The right way, includes eating a variety of healthy fats (olive oil, avocados), nutrient dense carbs from green laefy and salad vegetables and a variety of protein (chicken, fish), drinking 80-100 oz. of water... To answer your question, Atkins will help your dad avoid diabetes and should help to decrease blood pressure. Many people who are successful on Atkins can reduce medications with the help of their doctors. I would say he would benefit by reducing carbs to any measurable extent, if his typical intake is 300 g of carbs and he cuts down to 150, he'll be ok. However, if he is pre-diabetic and has high insulin levels he may need to get down to 30-50 grams. By the way do not let him give up on the exercise. Good luck, I wish your dad the best.

09-09-2004, 01:02 PM	#4
PrincessMO Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 47 Gallery: PrincessMO Stats: 176.5/164.5/115 WOE: Low Carb Mo's Way Start Date: restarted 11/01/05	wow, thanks so much for the replies. I appreciate you taking the time to help me Atkins_Nutritionist. This really helps me alot. My father gets real confused on some of this stuff. I myself have read the atkins book and think that I have a fairly decent grasp on the atkins diet but I guess my point about the 'right way' to do the diet was more about whether or not having my parents start out at 40 carbs a day was considered healthy. Sorry, I think I did not explain that clearly. I apologize. Thanks so much too for your imput MaryMary. It really helped me feel good in encouraging my parents to give this a try. My father is one of those impatient ppl. Not too much unlike myself, LOL. However, all of this stuff like counting carbs and not looking for low fat I think confuses him and I think he then gets unnerved that he's not doing the right thing and I wish I could help him more. i am more the perfectionist type....like when I started my Atkins diet I had to weigh myself first thing in the morning, then write down my food, vitamins, water,etc. He is pretty much now just watching his carbs around 40....started yesterday. I want them to succeed because they have been so depressed about their weight and I want to add my input but not push them too far into having to do 'TOO' much for the diet, like writing things down and reading 'EVERY' label. Guess if anyone has any words of wisdom to help me I would greatly appreciate it!!!

09-10-2004, 06:48 AM	#6
skdanny Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 8 Gallery: skdanny	Four years ago I was pre-diabitic, I started Atkins, lost 50 lbs and got off the "danger list". danny

09-10-2004, 12:27 PM	#7
PrincessMO Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 47 Gallery: PrincessMO Stats: 176.5/164.5/115 WOE: Low Carb Mo's Way Start Date: restarted 11/01/05	thanks skdanny! That is good to hear. Glad you have been so successful! Hearing that will also help to put my father a little more at ease! Thanks to everyone for your help!!!

09-10-2004, 01:50 PM	#8
fla gal 57 Guest Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 991 Gallery: fla gal 57 Stats: yr.2000--325 lbs. now in yr. 2004 215 lbs. WOE: Atkins Start Date: nov. 2000	i to was told i was a diabetic type 2 over three years ago and when i went on low carb and lost so much weight i now keep my insulin levels at a normal rate and now out of the danger zone of developing full blown diabeties. so low carb is good for your insulin count and keeping it regulated at normal rates.