When we eat carbs, our blood sugar goes up. The solution, according to the ADA, is to eat lots of carbs, then take drugs to bring our BS down. No wonder; the ADA is financed mainly by drug companies. Pecuniam sequi!

The simple, logical approach is NOT to eat things that raise our carbohydrates, as Dr. Bernstein has demonstrated. However, such simple logic doesn't boost drug companies' profits, nor can one claim it on one's insurance.

I am using the INSULIN RESISTANCE DIET by Hart and Grossman to help me get my life in order, i.e. get my insulin regulated. The "weak" spells and almost fainting from hunger syndrome I used to have when I ate less protein (as advocated by Warshaw) are gone. On the other hand, I am not on the high protein diet advocated by some. I am losing weight and regaining the spring I used to have in my step (it's easier when you weigh less). When I lay on my side, I have to use a pillow to support my arm since the cutaneous layer around my middle no longer is large enough to serve this purpose.

Whereas Ms. Warshaw considers carbohydrates the most important food group (placing them at the bottom of her food pyramid with 6+ servings a day), Hart and Grossman place water at their base with 8+ servings a day. Next come vegetables on both pyramids, but Warshaw links vegetables (3-5 servings) and fruits (2-4 servings), whereas Hart and Grossman show only vegetables (unlimited servings but at least 3 per day). At the next level, Warshaw shows milk (2-3 servings) and meat, cheese, fish combined (2-3 servings), compared with Hart and Grossman's "high protein foods (eight servings a day including 2-5 servings of dairy products). At level 4, in case you've been counting, Warshaw shows fats, sweets, and alcohol with NO servings. Level 4 for Hart and Grossman is high carbohydrate foods with the restriction "Eat no more than two servings at any one time. Be sure to eat at least two servings of fruit daily." Fats and oils are the 5th level for Hart and Grossman with the words "keep to a minimum" and "include some good fats in liquid vegetable form." There is no fifth dimension for Ms. Warshaw's diet.

Hart and Grossman say their approach works for diabetics, as well as pre-diabetics and I have found this to be true for me. I am not about to go back on a high carbohydrate diet for anyone, not even the ADA. Maybe, just maybe, the high carbohydrate approach does not work for all women. A key aspect of Hart and Grossman is not only more protein, but a concept they call "linking" where one never eats a carbohydrate without a protein of greater value. Also, drinking lots of water and limiting carbohydrates to 30 grams per two-hour period is helpful.

Hart and Grossman cover research extant at the time they wrote their book (2001) and Warshaw's book reflects the thinking of the ADA extant at the time she published her book (2000). Hart and Grossman have been conducting clinical trials and base their results on their own experiences with clients as well as much scholarly work. The bottom line is if you have diabetes or think you're in the zone, you'll have to do some experimenting. What works for one person may not work for another. As for me, I'm going with Hart and Grossman, because it works.