controversial in weight loss and health circles but the
Bernstein diet is also controversial in the diabetic
community. That is because the Bernstein diet,
designed for people with diabetes, goes against the
conventional low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet advo-
cated by health professionals for more than 50 years.
The Bernstein diet doesn’t recommend a specific
ratio of the three main food groups: proteins, fats, and
carbohydrates. Instead, he advocates an individual-
ized approach to a diabetic’s diet. At the center of
the diet is the need for diabetics to test their blood
sugar levels at least five to eight times a day. On
his Website, (http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com)
Bernstein states, ‘‘There is simply no way to determine
objectively how any given food at any given time is
going to behave in any given individual, unless blood
sugar is tested before and for a number of hours after
its consumption.’’ In his books and on his Website,
Bernstein details how each of the three primary food
groups, protein, fats, and carbohydrates, fit into his
diet.
Bernstein has three basic rules for diabetics when
developing meal plans that normalize blood sugar
levels. They are:
Eliminate all foods from the diet that contain simple
sugars, which are fast-acting carbohydrates. These
foods include table sugar, most starchy foods such as
breads and pasta, grains, and potatoes.
Limit total carbohydrate intake to an amount that
will work with insulin, either injected or produced
naturally by the body. This will avoid a post-meal
blood sugar increase, and will avoid any remaining
insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.
Stop eating when there is no longer a feeling of
hunger. He says people should not leave the table
while they are still hungry but should also not wait
until they feel stuffed to stop eating.
Bernstein tells diabetics to avoid hidden dangers
in foods, especially sugar-free foods, that can cause
blood sugar levels to rise too much and too rapidly.
Food labels should be carefully checked for these sub-
stances and foods containing any of them should be
avoided. These include carob, honey, saccharose, corn
syrup, lactose, sorbitol, dextrin, levulose, sorghum,
dextrose, maltodextrin, treacle, dulcitol, maltose, tur-
binado, fructose, mannitol, xylitol, glucose, mannose,
xylose, and molasses.
The Bernstein diet recommends diabetics avoid
eating the following foods: breakfast cereals, snack
foods (candy, cookies, cakes, potato and tortilla
chips, popcorn, and pretzels), protein bars, milk andcottage cheese (except forsoymilk), fruits and fruit
juices, certain vegetables (beans, beets, carrots, corn,
potatoes, tomatoes (including tomato sauce and
paste), canned and packaged soups, and most ‘health’
foods.
Foods that are allowed under the Bernstein diet
include meat, fish and seafood, poultry, eggs, tofu, soy
meat substitutes, cheese, butter, margarine, cream,
yogurt, soy milk, soy flour, and bran crackers. Other
food items allowed include toasted nori (seaweed),
artificial sweeteners (Equal, Sweet’n Low, Nutra-
Sweet, and Splenda), No-Cal brand syrups, Da Vinci
Gourmet brand syrups, flavor extracts, herbs and
spices, low-carbohydrate salad dressings, nuts, and
sugar-free gelatin and puddings.
Bernstein admits his diet is somewhat restrictive
and that people will still havecravingsfor sweets and
bakery items. ‘‘Most of my patients initially feel some-
what deprived, but also grateful because they feel
more alert and healthier,’’ he says in his book and on
his Website. ‘‘I fall into this category myself. My
mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop andKEY TERMS
Carbohydrates—An organic compound that is an
important source of food and energy.
Diabetes—A disease in which the blood glucose
(sugar) levels are too high and the body does not
make insulin (which helps regulate blood sugar) or
does not make or use insulin well.
Endocrinologist—A medical specialist who treats
diseases of the endocrine (glands) system, includ-
ing diabetes.
Hypoglycemia—Abnormally low blood sugar
levels.
Insulin—A hormone that regulates the level of glu-
cose (sugar) in the blood.
Insulin resistance syndrome—A medical condition
in which insulin fails to function normally in regu-
lating blood glucose (sugar) levels.
Ketoacidosis—Dangerously high blood sugar
levels.
Monounsaturated fat—A type of fat found in vege-
table oils such as olive, peanut, and canola.
Polyunsaturated fat—A type of fat found in some
vegetable oils, such as sunflower, safflower, and
corn.Bernstein diet