For my daughter, advice for dealing with lows ...

[ErinB]

She is an adult diabetic, type 2. After watching me with growing interest over a year, seeing my progress and how I ate, she made the decision about a month ago to get rid of caffeine and most really high carb foods (for her that was mostly diet soda with aspartame and caffeine, chips and chocolate) and then start Atkins.

She drinks nothing but water, plenty of it. She chooses her induction foods wisely, follows the rules. She hasn't lost a pound.

Why? She cannot tolerate any of the usual meds prescribed for type 2 diabetics. They cause severe gastrointestinal issues. So, her doc has her on insulin.

The good news is that she has been needing to reduce the insulin every few nights since she started. The bad news is, of course, this is because of the blood sugar lows. Instead of using chololate for these times, she has been using glucophage, but that adds about 12 carbs, the wrong kind of carbs. I suspect this keeps her from getting into and staying in ketosis.

I mentioned to her I think I have read that diabetics on Atkins have used legal induction foods to counteract the lows, so a couple of mornings ago she used zuchinni to deal with a low. She said it took longer to recover from it, but she felt much better afterward than she does when she uses either chololate or the glucophage.

Could any of you give advice as to which induction legal foods have worked best for you in this situation?

[atkinsgal08]

I don't have diabetes, but advice that I have read is:

"The focus of the Atkins approach is blood sugar regulation. So, the answer is yes, you can overcome high and low blood sugar using Atkins. The reason for this is because protein, fat and low-carb veggies have the least effect on insulin and blood sugar, which means they will not cause your blood sugar to go too high or drop too low. However, even when following Atkins, it is important for you to eat three meals and two snacks or six small meals daily to regulate blood sugar.

If you are taking blood sugar lowering medication you will need to work closely with your doctor to lower dose and most likely take you off the meds. Do not try adjusting medication without medical supervision. The need for blood sugar lowering meds is diminished on Atkins.

Until the right dose is found, or before you are taken off meds, be alert to the signs and symptoms of the onset of hypoglycemia for the first few days of Atkins and if you feel it is necessary, select higher carb foods that will not interfere with the program. These could include tomato and cheese, broccoli and other higher carb veggies, nuts and seeds or a half cup of tomato juice."

Your daughter might also want to read Dr. Atkins Diabetic Revolution.

How are you determining that she's in or out of ketosis? If you're relying on ketosis strips, know that they are not reliable. One can be "in ketosis" without changing the color of the strips ... and changing the color of the strips doesn't mean one is doing Atkins properly.

Since she's diabetic, it may take her a while to start losing ... her body may need to "correct" some things before that happens ... it's good that her blood sugar is becoming regulated ... focus on the positive things that are happening ... and let weight loss come at its own pace.

[ErinB]

I really am not "determining" she is out of ketosis. I'm guessing. She hasn't used the sticks.

No worries about her having a great attitude about this. She does! In spades!

She expected it would take time to lose. What she did not anticipate is how good she would feel and so soon! She is rejoicing about that, believe me.


As far as increasing/decreasing her insulin, she is trained to do this for herself, always has. She can't run to a doctor every time that insulin needs to be adjusted. He does not expect her to do that. She would be in very serious trouble if she kept the dose steady when it needs to be changed.

Thanks for the suggestions in regard to foods to try when combatting those lows.

[atkinsgal08]

>> really am not "determining" she is out of ketosis. I'm guessing.>>

Then I'm not understanding what your wrote about ketosis in your first post.

The quote above was written to a specific person ... but the advice about working with one's doctor about medicine changes is sound ... and is even in DANDR. As your daughter has experience, that's a good thing.

Hope some of the food suggestions work for her.

[ErinB]

Originally Posted by atkinsgal08

>> really am not "determining" she is out of ketosis. I'm guessing.>>

Then I'm not understanding what your wrote about ketosis in your first post.

Actually, I said, "I suspect this keeps her from getting into and staying in ketosis." I was saying I "suspect" this is the reason she hasn't lost anything, not that I had "determined" it as fact.

I agree, in most scenarios, it is the doctor who needs to increase/decrease prescribed meds. I wouldn't think of changing my thyroid hormone dose myself, for example. I would increase/decrease my diuretic dose, however, as I have been instructed to do so and when to do it by my doctor.

It is a different deal, likewise, for a diabetic treated with insulin. To manage this it is very important they know how to do the math to determine how to do this themselves.

There is a sticky in the Diabetic Reading subforum which addresses this, including the need to decrease insulin as one progresses on this WOE.

I'm sure the suggestions will help. Again, thank you for responding.

[atkinsgal08]

Being in ketosis is no guarantee of weight loss.

[ErinB]

Yep, I've been doing this for about 16 months. I'm aware of that.

I'm not all that educated about a diabetic following the plan, though. That's OK. Daughter is smart and she'll figure it out. I just thought I might be able to help her (busy person she is) by getting some suggestions about which foods to eat to bring her out of those lows when they occur.

We're definitely not whining here, just trying to learn.

[atkinsgal08]

>>I'm not all that educated about a diabetic following the plan, though.>>

What I know is from reading other people's experiences ... perhaps you could help your daughter by reading Dr. Atkins Diabetic Revolution?

[ErinB]

I meant to say thanks for the book suggestion, too. I don't think I was aware of the existence of that one until you mentioned it.

[atkinsgal08]

You're welcome!