Bernstein Diabetes Diet

Looking for more information on Bernstein Diabetes Diet. I am a diabetic, and would appreciate any information.
(November 16, 2010)

Bernstein Diabetes Diet

The Bernstein Diabetes Diet was formulated by Dr. Stanley Bernstein, a Canadian physician. This diet plan can be accessed only through Bernstein clinics. The Dr Bernstein Diabetes Diet aims to enable an individual to shed four to five pounds in one week. This involves visiting the clinic thrice a week while the program is on.

The Bernstein Diabetes Diet incorporates consumption of low calorie foods, intake of vitamin and mineral supplements, education and behavior modification.


The daily calorie intake should be within the range of 800 to 1500 calories. This, however, will depend on each individual case. During this diet program, an individual loses fat tissue. Other tissue such as muscle, fluid and electrolytes remains intact. Vitamins and minerals constitute an important component of the diet and in some cases vitamin supplements, in the form of injections, are also prescribed. There are three phases of the Bernstein Diabetes Diet - weight loss phase, maintenance phase and tune up diet for small amounts of weight loss. There are many food items that form a part of the Bernstein Diabetes Diet. Protein intake includes foods such as chicken breasts, shrimp, tuna, white fish, chicken livers, veal cutlets and small steak. Fruits such as apples, oranges and lemons and vegetables such as mushrooms, celery, bean sprouts, cabbage and peppers may be consumed. One can also consume spices and seasoning such as dried herbs, caraway seeds and bay leaves. The beverages incorporated in the diet include herbal teas, club soda and decaffeinated coffee. There are some other miscellaneous foods as well that form a part of this diet.  This type of eating plan consists of high amounts of fat and low amounts of carbohydrates.

The main benefit of this diet is that it helps the individual to maintain a normal level of blood sugar. This is important in the management of diabetes. There is also rapid weight loss while using this diet. However there are some health risks of this diet as well. The calorie intake is very low and hence problems such as rapid muscle loss, reduced metabolism and tiredness may occur. There are some side effects of taking vitamin B injections such as nausea, headache, joint pain, swelling and diarrhea. There is no exercise program prescribed by the Bernstein Diabetes Diet. The cost of the diet is also rather high. In addition the diet can only be followed through regular visits to special clinics.

Bernstein Diabetes Diet 

Anti diabetic diets, as the name indicates are foods that consist of ingredients that help in opposing the increase in blood sugar levels. Diets followed by ancient people were rich in trace minerals, such as vanadium, chromium and zinc. These trace minerals are literally deficient in the present day diet. Vanadium, zinc and chromium are helpful in synthesis of insulin and its absorption. Blood sugar is sent to the cells with the help of vanadium, whereas chromium is essential for metabolism of carbohydrates.

Insulin receptors function well in the presence of chromium. Black pepper, parsley, shellfish, mushrooms, olive oil and dill are the best sources of vanadium. Tomatoes, onion and romaine lettuce are good sources of chromium, in addition to oysters and brewer's yeast. Zinc is seen in abundant quantities in fish liver oil, beef, oysters, pork, turkey and chicken. Zinc is a cofactor, which helps in the production of insulin. Milk, cashew, chickpeas, yoghurt, cheddar cheese, beans, milk and peanuts also have some amount of zinc. Raw and fermented foods were consumed in the ancient days.

Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine is necessary for metabolism of carbohydrates. Whole grains, rye, barley, chicken, liver, fish and pork are good sources of pyridoxine. Vitamin A and D are necessary for protecting the body from complications associated with diabetes. Carotenes are not converted to vitamin A in diabetics. Vitamin A sources are pork, beef, poultry, chicken, butter, cheese, and milk, yellow and green vegetables.

Anti-diabetes lifestyle includes exercise, weight control, wholesome healthy diet and rest. This is a holistic approach that helps in maintaining the blood glucose level. Anti-diabetes lifestyle helps in overcoming the disorder. Exercising at least twenty to thirty minutes on a daily basis proves beneficial. Weight control is easily done at home level with the help of an Exercycle or treadmill or plain brisk walking. A healthy diet is the easiest to adhere to.