My purpose in creating this website is to inform people about healthy low carb living. This site contains information that is likely very different from that which can be found on the websites of other dietitians. However, if you'd told me a year ago that I'd be touting the benefits of a low carb lifestyle, I would have probably said you were crazy!
I'd been eating a very healthy, semi-vegetarian or pescatarian diet (I consumed dairy, eggs, and fish but no poultry or meat) for many years. Because of genetically high cholesterol, I limited my saturated fat intake, always ordering egg white omelets instead of regular, eschewing butter and choosing trans-fat-free margarines instead, and avoiding cheese and cream sauces. I rarely ate desserts, occasionally having just a bite or two of my husband's cake/ice cream/cheesecake, etc., when we were dining out. Aside from one overweight period during my teens, which I attribute to hormonal upheaval and typical teenage emotional volatility, I 'd been thin and my weight fluctuated by no more than 5 pounds for more than 20 years. Sometimes people in the diabetes classes I teach would ask if I was diabetic too. My answer was, "No, but I try to eat as though I have diabetes." This was absolutely true; I followed the same dietary recommendations I espoused to them: 1 cup of healthy whole grains, three ounces lean protein, one to two tablespoons of healthy oil/fat, and two or more cups of nonstarchy vegetables. Lots of oatmeal, black beans, and whole grain pasta. A healthy dietitian, practicing what she preached! So when I received the results from labs that were done for life insurance purposes back in January of this year, I was speechless. Not only was my LDL ("bad") cholesterol elevated, but my fructosamine (a measure of blood sugar levels over a two-to-three-week period of time) was flagged as high, indicating the potential for diabetes. And my hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood sugar levels over a two-to-three-month period of time), although still within normal range at 5.5%, was still far higher than would be expected for someone my size who ate the way I did. Now, while these numbers were not outrageously high, as someone who works with people who have diabetes or prediabetes every day, they certainly suggested to me that something was not right with my blood glucose metabolism. I purchased a glucometer and began testing after meals, and discovered my blood sugar levels at one hour were significantly higher than they should be. Within the next few weeks, I saw that the more carbohydrates I ate, the higher the number would go. My fasting blood sugar always remained within normal range, however. I made an appointment with an endocrinologist, who wasn't overly concerned since my fasting levels were so normal. He did want to retest my A1c, and by that point, it had increased slightly to 5.6%. I cut down on the carbs slightly (not too much, though -- I'd been taught that we need enough carbs to keep our brains and other organs working properly), and then I started doing research online about strategies to control postprandial, or post-meal, blood glucose. It seemed that many people were using low carbohydrate diets with great success in managing their diabetes and postprandial blood sugars. I was skeptical, but once I started reading the available research on carbohydrate restriction, it all started to make complete and perfect sense. I discovered that that the high carbohydrate, low fat diet I'd been taught to believe was ideal was anything but for many people struggling with diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia. This was quite difficult for me to accept at first, but now that I have, I'm quite excited about the potential to help people struggling with these conditions. So how are my blood sugar levels now? Well, they're definitely better, although since I do have early-stage diabetes (not sure what type yet), I continue to have occasional spikes, especially when I increase my carb intake even a little bit. I haven't had a repeat A1c nor a new lipid panel yet. But I'm committed to a low-carb lifestyle, including recently eating poultry again for the first time in more than ten years. I can honestly say I'm extremely satisfied with this way of eating. It's not for everyone, but I believe it can help people improve many aspects of their health as well as their quality of life. I'm glad you took the time to read my story. I intend to post on this blog at least monthly, perhaps more if time permits. Here's to a happy and healthy future for all of us!
27 Comments
8/2/2011 12:27:43 am
Very interesting story!
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Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE
8/3/2011 01:41:22 pm
Hi Steve,
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Anna M.
8/17/2011 11:04:12 am
I'm very excited about this website and looking forward to learning about the research more than anything right now. I have been low carbing myself for about two years and have had excellent results.
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Franziska
8/17/2011 10:07:07 pm
Thanks very much for your feedback, Anna! Glad you've found success with LC.
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Heli
8/27/2011 12:17:12 am
Hooray! Every time I learn of another dietitian or other medical professional promoting lowcarb I feel like we have a chance to reverse the prevailing notion that a low-fat diet is going to solve our national obesity problem.
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Franziska
8/27/2011 05:28:48 am
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Heli! It's wonderful to hear that low carbing has helped to normalize your relationship with food. Your way of eating sounds really healthy. The forties have been the best years for me as well :)
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Franziska
9/4/2011 11:29:18 pm
Thank you so much! Great to hear from you. I'm thrilled that there are other RDs who favor an alternative approach to what we were taught in school.
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Suzanne Garrett
10/18/2011 11:44:19 pm
Were you able to share your views openly during your R.D. program? I'd like to earn a Master's in an ADA-approved program, but am concerned my views about low-carb would create problems with faculty. Would love to hear your opinion. Thanks!
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Franziska
10/19/2011 10:28:01 am
Hi Suzanne,
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carb intolerant
8/27/2012 11:29:51 pm
have you checked for any food intolerances? My spouses' pre-diabetes went away once he tried a gluten free diet. He handles GF carbs without issue.
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Anna
4/5/2013 04:43:48 am
I found myself in almost the exact situation you describe around the same date as this post. I made very similar observations on myself regarding FBG (normal) and A1C (5.4%). As my condition could not be classified, I wasn't really entitled to medical treatment, so I did my own research. I've been on a low-carb diet ever since, probably around 30-50g net carb per day although I haven't actually counted. I get great control this way. I'm very interested in the information you provide here and looking forward to reading more!
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Welcome, Anna! Thanks so much for your comments. Yes, you and I sound very similar. Glad you've had such success with LC. I typically eat 30-45 grams net carbs daily, my last A1c was 5.2%, and my postprandial BG levels have normalized. I love LCHF and can't imagine eating any other way :)
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Rick
4/22/2014 05:35:57 am
Hello Franziska,
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4/22/2014 07:17:18 am
Well, I was only vegan for a year, but it was definitely the most miserable year of my life! But yes, I followed a low-fat diet for over a decade, although like you and your wife, I was hungry much of the time.
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Kennedy
6/20/2014 02:15:38 pm
Hi Franziska, We have much in common. I'm also a Registered Dietitian who recently embraced a low carb life-style. I was a vegan for one year when I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes (A1C of 5.7). My fasting BG levels are generally normal, but my 1 and 2 pp levels are high, even with a small carb intake. I taught diabetes education for many years and always encouraged a high carb, low fat, moderate protein intake. In hindsight, I am so embarrassed and wonder how many people's diabetes I made worse by my teachings. I essentially drank the Kool-Aid spit out by the various professional organizations and trusted there was sufficient research behind their recommendations. I'm excited to read through all the articles on your blog!
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6/20/2014 10:00:36 pm
Hi Kennedy,
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Amelie
5/17/2015 05:11:45 pm
Hi Kennedy,
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5/18/2015 01:55:38 am
Hi Amelie,
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Vicki Kechekian
4/20/2016 02:07:24 pm
I listened to your webcast on Diabetes Summit today, and ordered your book as a result. I'm looking forward to perusing your blog & website.
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4/20/2016 03:04:11 pm
Hello Vicki,
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Vicki
5/12/2016 03:24:21 pm
The book is great. Length and content are just right to stay practical and accessible. 5/13/2016 05:35:19 am
I'm so happy to hear that you liked the book and found it useful, Vickie! That's wonderful :)
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4/30/2017 09:03:09 am
Dear Madam Franziska Spritzlerlink, I got Diabtetes in early age around 33 years. I was searching for Foods for Diabetes and found your articles related to 16 Best Foods to Control Diabetes < https://authoritynutrition.com/16-best-foods-for-diabetics/ >.
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Great insight into one of my favorite diabetic diet. No doubt, no "one size" fits all, not every diabetic would prefer a low carb diet, but when you look at all the characteristics and versatility of a low carb diet, it's easier to see why and how a low carb diet can help greatly in reducing blood sugar level rush.
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