21/06/2015
STOP THE CARB CIRCLE
Fellow diabetics. Are you stuck in a carb circle? What is a carb circle?
The carb circle keeps you overweight, unmotivated and out of control. Let me explain why.
You'll have X amount of insulin as per your diabetic educators request. Then you'll have X amount of carbohydrate to offset the insulin and avoid a hypo. You then have more insulin and repeat the process, because diabetics need carbohydrate right? No, they don't. Unless you living a very active lifestyle you simply don't. Eating excess carbohydrate leads to insulin resistance (whereby you'll need more and more) and is stored as body fat.
The solution is to ditch the carbs, adopt a high protein and fat diet and watch the excess weight melt away, almost effortlessly.
Why 'almost'? Because you'll need to think a little more now. You need to lower your insulin dose and start thinking more carefully to avoid hypos. You'll need to trial and error this process until you find the right balance for YOU.
For example you'll need significantly less long lasting and rapid insulin as protein and fat generally don't need much insulin to be metabolised. If you're about to eat some lean meat and (no carb) veggies I'd recommend a very low dose or even no dose (of rapid release) if BSL is < 6 mmol/L. Otherwise you'll likely have a hypo and then need carbs (and back into the circle you go).
This may sound tough, and it is to start with but once you get the hang of it you'll be living lean, in control and with confidence.
Don't just deal with diabetes, dominate it.
Please feel free to ask questions, as it is a little complicated in the beginning and there are various factors to think about.
James West
T1 Diabetic, Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach
