Since we came back from France a couple years ago, I became infatuated with making crepes. With French Canadian roots, it was easy to enjoy all the flavors that you can infuse in these home made delicacies. In addition to the crepes, I took on English Muffins, croissants, french bread, etc. Then last October we exchanged homes with a family in New Zealand. Our favorite place to eat was at a fish and chips place on the water. First thing you know, I was 20 lbs heavier and all my pants were getting very hard to secure. Not good! I decided it was time to get back to my ideal weight of 200 lbs. ..but how?
I knew that the only way to do this was to cut out all carbs and force my body to burn off the fat for energy. We all know that when you eat carbs, your body asks immediately, do I need this for quick energy? When your body says "no", it immediately turns those calories into fat and neatly lays it around your belly (if you're a male), or around your butt (if you're a woman).
So, the 1st of November, I decide that I'm done with all carbs...no bread, pasta, fruit, etc--only protein, fat, veggies. I came up with a breakfast made of 2 eggs in a bowl lined with olive oil, with pieces of ham/bacon/last night's leftover steak, pieces of green olives maybe, grated Parmesan cheese, and topped with a splash of heavy cream...in the microwave oven 1/2 power for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes (depending on how you like the eggs). This and several cups of coffee, and I'm done...no juice of course.
After this kind of breakfast, I'm not anxious/hungry for lunch (as I use to be). But if I want to eat, I usually enjoy a salad...lettuce, cukes, carrots, peppers, scallions, and a little cheese or ham on top with oil and vinegar type dressing. It is amazing how the feeling of hunger doesn't claw at you as it does when you have pancakes, toasts, jelly, or nothing for breakfast.
Dinner is, of course, the same, lacking in perceived carbs...any protein and fat with a couple glasses of wine (red or dry white) or martini, or any other normal liquor with diet mixer. Alcohol never effects my blood sugar...except occasionally to lower it.
Why does this work? As a diabetic, you are forcing your body to burn fat for energy. A by-product of burning that fat is that you will give off some ketones if you test your urine. That's not a problem, but your have to make sure your sugar doesn't get really high and you need to drink a lot more water. It gives the ketones a vehicle for exiting your body. Water is very important!!
The other thing you have to do is reduce your insulin(s). In my case, I cut my Lantus by 1/3 and eliminated Humalog altogether. Until you find the right level, you may experience some low's because of the lack of carb's. The other side benefit is that if you can live off just the Lantus, you will eliminate the severe low's that Humalog can create. (The Lantus lows aren't as acute).
Anyway, three months later, I got to my 200 lb goal from 220. I have since incorporated a little fresh fruit--usually as a dessert with the last half glass of red wine...delicious!
This diet is the only one that has ever worked for me, and I think is the only good one for any diabetic considering the other battles we have to fight successfully. Hope this was helpful.
Moe
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