Dr. The Bernstein Diabetes Diet is a very low-carb diet designed to help people with diabetes achieve and maintain normal blood sugar levels and reverse and/or reduce the risk of complications.
This Negative weight loss diet, but anyone who follows it is likely to lose some weight.
The Bernstein diet is based on eating three meals a day, choosing from a list of “allowed” foods, avoiding “forbidden” foods, and sticking to a set amount of carbohydrates. There are no restrictions or guidelines regarding protein or fat intake.
The Bernstein Diet differs from the dietary guidelines promoted by major medical associations for diabetes because it limits carbohydrates so dramatically. That’s why the diet is controversial.
Background
The Bernstein Diet has an interesting history. It was created by an engineer-turned-endocrinologist named Richard K. Bernstein, MD. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1946 when he was 12 years old and suffered serious complications of the disease for many years.
In 1969, before changing careers, Bernstein purchased a blood glucose meter, which at the time was only used in hospitals. He began testing his blood sugar throughout the day to try to understand what factors might be causing his levels to rise and fall.
He eventually discovered that he could manage these problems with a combination of a low-carb diet, exercise, and a lower dose of insulin than he was taking. Moreover, many complications of his diabetes were resolved.
Dr. To gain the respect of the medical community for his ideas, Bernstein went to medical school and became an endocrinologist. He has since written six books about his diet and overall approach to diabetes management.
The first is “Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution: Achieving Normal Blood Sugar,” first published in 1997 and updated in 2011 to include information about new technology (such as insulin pumps and continuous blood sugar monitors), medications (including inhaled ones), and “The Complete Guide to”. insulin) and recipes.
Dr., who is now in his 80s. Bernstein maintains a successful medical practice and has a strong following of people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes who have been successful in maintaining normal blood sugar levels by following his diet.
How does it work
The Bernstein Diet limits the amount of carbohydrates a person eats to 30 grams per day. To put this in perspective, most people with diabetes get an average of 45% of their total calories from carbohydrates, according to researchers.
For someone consuming 2000 calories per day, this means approximately 900 calories from carbohydrates, or 225 grams.
The Bernstein Diet has no rules or guidelines regarding protein, fat, or total calories.
In addition to diet, Dr. Bernstein’s protocol includes advice on taking insulin supplements and exercising.
what to eat
Dr. Bernstein divides foods into two categories based on the number of carbohydrates they contain and how they affect glucose levels.
Foods known to cause rapid rises in blood sugar are prohibited; Foods that do not have this effect are allowed.
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Most meat
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Eggs
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bean curd
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Any vegetable not on the prohibited list
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Cheese
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Cottage cheese (very small amounts)
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Full fat unsweetened yoghurt
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Cream
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Butter and margarine
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unsweetened soy milk
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soy flour
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Some bran crackers
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Artificial sweeteners without added sugar
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Hazelnut
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herbs and spices
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Mustard
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Sugar-free and low-carb salad dressings
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Sugar-free sweeteners and extracts
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Water, sparkling water, soda, diet soda, coffee, tea, moderate amounts of low-carb alcoholic beverages
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Ready-made sugar-free gelatins (check the label for hidden sugars such as maltodextrin)
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Sugar-free puddings made with low-carb dairy alternatives (6 grams of carbs)
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Homemade low carb desserts
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Fructose, corn syrup, molasses; agave nectar, dextrose, sorghum; maltitol, sorbitol and other sugar alcohols
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Most desserts (pies, cakes, cookies, etc.)
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Powdered artificial sweeteners that add carbohydrates
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Breads and crackers
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Cereal, including oatmeal
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Pasta
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Pancakes and waffles
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Foods or flours made from wheat, barley, corn, rice, quinoa or rye
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Some vegetables such as potatoes, parsnips, winter squash, beets, carrots, corn, yellow peppers
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legumes
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Raw tomatoes (except small amounts)
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Baked tomatoes; tomato paste or sauce
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Packaged vegetables that contain sugar or flour
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All fruits and juices
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Milk
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yoghurt with sugar; most low-fat and fat-free yogurts with added carbohydrates
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Milk powder substitutes; coffee highlighters
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Evaporated or condensed milk
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Hazelnuts (except small amounts)
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Most processed foods and snack foods
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Most condiments, including balsamic vinegar
Meats and proteins: No meat, poultry, or other type of protein is off-limits, except those with added carbohydrates (for example, breadcrumbs in meatballs, flour in fried chicken or fish).
Vegetables: Compatible vegetables include asparagus, avocado, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and sauerkraut, cauliflower, eggplant, onions (in small amounts), peppers (any color other than yellow), mushrooms, spinach, string beans, summer squash, and zucchini.
Daily: Yogurt is allowed, but only plain, unsweetened, full-fat varieties. Count 1 gram of carbohydrates per ounce for all types of cheese. Although cottage cheese is generally considered incompatible, some people can eat up to 2 tablespoons without causing a spike in blood sugar.
Hazelnut: Although nuts contain carbohydrates, Dr. These tend to raise blood sugar levels slowly, Bernstein says. However, since eating just a few nuts can be difficult, it’s important to look at the carbohydrate count in any type of nut to avoid overdoing it when following the diet. Peanut butter, even unsweetened, can raise blood sugar levels. For some people, a tablespoon may be too much.
Artificial sweeteners: Allowed include saccharin tablets or liquid (Sweet’n Low); aspartame tablets (Equal, NutraSweet); acesulfame-K (Sunette, Sweet One); stevia (powder or liquid); sucralose tablets (Splenda); and neotame.
Alcoholic beverages: One-half ounce of distilled spirits or a can of beer tends to have negligible effects on blood sugar levels. Alcoholic beverages should not be mixed with sugar-sweetened mixers.
A Note About Cooked Vegetables
Remember that cooked vegetables tend to raise blood sugar more quickly than raw vegetables, as heat makes them more digestible and converts some of the cellulose into sugar.
Recommended Timing
Dr. The Bernstein Diabetes Diet limits the total amount of carbohydrates consumed throughout the day to 30 grams. The suggested breakdown is as follows:
- Breakfast: 6 grams
- Lunch: 12 grams
- Dinner: 12 grams
There are no built-in snacks between meals, and there are no guidelines for timing meals.
Recommended Products
Dr. Food lists published in Bernstein’s books include a number of branded foods considered suitable for the diet, including:
- WestSoy Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
- G/G Scandinavian Fiber Crunchy Bread
- Wasa Fiber Rye
- DaVinci Gourmet Sugar-Free Syrups
- Ready-to-Eat Sugar-Free Jell-O Brand Gelatin
Pros and cons
Dr. It’s important to remember that Bernstein’s diet is a blood sugar-lowering diet, not a weight-loss diet. Given that there are no restrictions on the amount of protein or fat you can eat, the diet cannot be considered “low-calorie” (like the Carnivore Diet, which relies solely on meat and dairy consumption).
Like the Carnivore Diet, the Bernstein diet can lead to significant weight loss but carries many of the same health problems.
Here’s a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks:
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Contradicts dietary guidelines for diabetes management approved by major medical organizations
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The allowable carbohydrate intake may be too low for some people.
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Favorite foods may not be allowed
Pros
Dr. Because the list of foods that are and are not allowed on Bernstein’s diet is so detailed and specific, following it requires little guesswork.
What’s more, there’s plenty of variety to ward off boredom and encourage well-rounded nutrition, with at least as many “permitted” foods as there are “forbidden” ones.
The diet is also low-calorie by default. For most people, it can lead to weight loss as well as normal blood sugar levels. This may be especially important for people with type 2 diabetes, where losing even a small amount of weight can reduce the risk of complications such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
There is evidence that a low-carb diet can be effective in normalizing blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of complications from diabetes.
For example, in a study conducted at Duke University, researchers found that obese people who consumed 20 grams or less of carbohydrates per day for six months (10 grams less than the Bernstein limit) had better blood sugar control and more effective weight loss than participants. Those on a low glycemic/low calorie diet.
Cons
The diet limits daily carbohydrates to 30 grams, and certain amounts are allowed for each of your three meals; This can be limiting and require planning.
Between-meal snacks do not appear to be included in the basic diet. This can be quite restrictive for people who are used to eating more carbohydrates.
Despite the long list of approved foods, at least some of the misfits are likely to become favorites. This can cause the diet to be restrictive for some people.
Perhaps the most significant knock against the Bernstein Diet is that it goes against the recommendations of major medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Heart Association.
This also conflicts with recommendations set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Committee on Responsible Medical Practitioners.
Comparison with Guidelines
The most important point where it differs from standard medical guidelines is the emphasis on dramatically limiting the amount of carbohydrates to 30 grams per day.
The ADA recognizes that “monitoring carbohydrate intake and considering blood glucose response to dietary carbohydrates is key to improving postprandial glucose management.” However, the organization’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes fall short of determining how many grams of carbohydrates should be eaten each day. Their stance is that macronutrient intake should be tailored to the individual’s situation.
The Bernstein Diet also has a different perspective on dietary protein than most medical guidelines. While limiting protein is a staple of classic diabetes nutrition advice, Dr. Bernstein sees no reason to limit protein intake.
Similarly, Dr. Bernstein departs from the standard notion that a diet high in fat is unhealthy and the primary cause of obesity. His diet does not limit protein or fat.
A Word from Verywell
There is no doubt that diet plays an important role in treating diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, which can sometimes be prevented or reversed with lifestyle changes.
Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Diet aims to do this with a protocol that differs greatly from traditional guidelines. If you have diabetes and want to try this, it is imperative that you first consult with your healthcare provider and/or a dietitian who specializes in diabetes.