Bernstein Diet

981 Comments

• January 27th, 2012strive2bfit

  Chris, which clinic did you go to? Did you take the Dr. Richard Bernstein Diabetes Diet (US) or the Dr. Stanley Bernstein ketogenic diet in Canada? I also found that nurses at the Dr Bernstein clinics (Canada) not very educated. I’ve found them friendly. But they’re LPNs with just 1 year of nursing education. I guess we can’t expect them to have a wealth of knowledge on any topic. I can see why they would not be educated on diabetes. All they seem to be interested in is the Ketostix reading – whether you’re in ketosis or not and whether you’re following the diet. I think the amount of calories on this diet is too low for someone on diabetes. I don’t know if anyone with Type 1 diabetes completed the diet. It would be interesting to hear people’s feedback. I did the diet so I can prevent diabetes.
• January 25th, 2012Chris

  I did Dr Bernstein for awhile and was very happy with the program and the results. Unfortunetly I relized that the program, Dr. Bernstien and the nursing staff and un educated in regards to Type 1 Diabetes, in which they claim to specialize in. They kept wanting me to drop my basil rate and the amounts they were wanting me to change them to would have killed me in less then a day. Even my endocrenologist (Diabetic Specialist) was dumb founded by the complete lack of understanding of Type one diabetes. If you are a diabetic on an insulin pump do not do this program, they will kill you, or at worst you will end up in DKA if you listen to Dr. Bernstiens “expertise” If you ask me a jack of all trades and a master of none. You cant guess at diabetes, we are all unique.
• January 23rd, 2012Dave

  KT, I’m in Alberta as well. Was on the diet, lost weight, gained it back. There are any number of books on primal or paleo eating…which is not dieting that dispell the myths…check out Chapters and Primal BluePrint (only online and Amazon). I have been losing weight, slightly slow than Bernstein, but with NO hunger or struggle. For a fraction of the cost of Bernstein, you could actually eat organically 100%, but I don’t take it that far. Funny thing is, my diet is about 60% FAT… but it is natural fat from meat, fish and nuts. Still, I’m losing weight, and not craving bread and grain products in the slightest. No beans, legumes, no pasta, no bread… drink whole milk, eat every part of the egg, and read a bit on why exactly eating like this works, you’ll never want to go back.
• January 22nd, 2012strive2bfit

  @ Maria
  Did you ask for a copy of your bloodwork /lab results when you started the diet? I asked the Dr Bernstein Clinic for a copy just to check if the increase in Potassium was exceeding the 3.5 – 5.0 mmol/L recommended levels in the blood. On my bloodwork/lab results, the increase in Potassium never went beyond 5.0 mmol/L. Mine always hovered in the 4.0 mmol/L, so neither I nor my family physician was concerned about the increase in Potassium. Yes, taking excessive amounts of Potassium can be harmful, but the increase in Potassium levels on the Dr Bernstein diet was not excessive or in the harmful range to cause problems with your liver, kidney or bowel. It was meant to reduce the muscle aches and cramps. I also had bi-weekly visits with the doctor at the Dr Bernstein Clinic and she reviewed all the bloodwork/lab results with me to ensure everything from my Cholesterol, Potassium and Electrolytes were within the normal ranges. I would suggest, if you are concerned, you ask for a copy of the lab results when you get your first bloodwork done. The normal levels are listed next to your actual levels and you can also self-monitor. The Dr Bernstein Clinic will give you a copy if your ask the staff. As for the Vitamin B 6 & B 12, the Drug Identification Number (DIN) is listed on the bottles the nurses withdraw the liquids from. So they’re legally what the Provincial Health Care System and Insurance systems require within your province. If you check with your insurance plan or call your provincial health care, they will also tell you that the DIN is the allowed bottles of Vitamin B 12 & B 6. You can also ask the nurse at the time they administer the injections to show you on the bottle for peace of mind. I too was initially skeptical at first, but doing a little bit of self-monitoring, research and asking questions helped. I don’t know what kinds of health issues you had, but maybe when you complained they might not have wanted to deal with it. The nurses at the clinic always ask me every morning if I have any questions. And the Dr Bernstein doctor, although it’s a quick visit, always asks me if I had any questions. It’s a ketogenic diet, so the foods you’re eating is healthy although the caloric intake is low. If you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and include some fibre in your diet, you won’t have a problem with constipation. I think they want people who can make a commitment to losing weight. From what I’ve read, if people start to complain about things, and they don’t stay committed to strictly adhering to the diet they run into problems. That’s when they tell you the diet is not for you. I don’t know your full situation, but that could possibly be what may have happened here.
• January 20th, 2012Maria

  I tried Dr.B diet and after trying to ask them what I was getting on those injections and complaning that I was getting too much potassium they have told me that the program is not for me. They knew I had medical issues and still wanted the money, The injections are synthetic, B12 and B6 which are pure are kept in the fridge. Too much potassium can give you a bowel ulceration and gallbladdler problems not to mention kidney failure. Watch when you go there if you are concious about your health and have some weigh to loose try changing your habits eat healthy and exercise, they are not there to watch your health only to collect the money. A diet that you might loose weight and be constipated that need laxatives is not HEATHY…..
• January 5th, 2012Tizzie

  I’ve just finished my first week on Dr. B. After the initial headache, which only last two days, I feel great. I’m not hungry at all. Yes, this diet is very strict, but if you can organize yourself and preplan your meals, it’s fairly straight forward. I do miss the breads & cereals, but that was my weakness. I’ve been able to break up the meals into 5 smaller ones which so far is working out just fine. I’m down 7 lbs. No doubt this is mostly water. This diet is costly, and I knew this going in to it. You have to make up your mind to stick with it. When a store clerk tells you, ” A woman of your stature should be shopping in this area over here”, it really hit home. I’m tired of it, no more excuses. 7 lbs. down, 73 more to go. Last years goal was to compete in a half marathon, I trained and I finished it. In fact I competed in two. I can’t wait until May when I can compete again. I’m sure the 80 lbs loss will help with my race time. Losing weight is an individual task. No one is going to do for you. You have to commit, regardless of what diet you choose.
• January 4th, 2012strive2bfit

  @ Amber,
  The Vitamin B6 & B12 liquid injections can be purchased at Save -On – Foods and WalMart pharmacies without a prescription. Other pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart will ask for a prescription. You can also order through an online pharmacy, but I don’t know which one. I think the Drug Identification Number (DIN) for them are 0224215 and 00521515. The Vitamin B6 & B12 bottles are the same ones that the nurses at the Dr Bernstein Clinic draw the dose to give patients. I don’t know the exact does, but you can ask people who do the home versions. The bottles on them read B12 & B6 respectively. They are the same ones that can be purchased at the pharmacy, so they do not contain anything else – no lipotropics, etc. The reason why it’s given in high dose in the injectible forms is because it’s better absorbed by the body in comparison to Vitamin B6 & B12 pills. And in high doses it provides you with the energy needed to survive during ketosis, because your body is burning fat.
• January 3rd, 2012Amber

  Dr. Berenstein doesn’t just inject B6 and B12, there are something else in his shots. They are called lipotropics, something that helps to metabolize fats and carbs. There is no way you could get enough B vitamins just from pills anyways, not to mention the other things in it. I have read online that you can buy these injections from a pharmacy but you do need a prescription. I can’t say for sure though, this is just what I have read on the internet. I was on Dr. Berenstein a couple of years ago and it really does work well…I wasn’t hungry at all and lost 60lbs in about 4 months. But then I stopped and did gain back everything plus more. I tried to do it again but couldn’t stick to it. I kept cheating, then binging out as well. Now I am trying to decide which diet I can do to lose my weight. I do have a lot to lose! Any suggestions would be great. Thanks
• January 2nd, 2012strive2bfit

  To Monita – I don’t think you should return to the Dr Bernstein diet if you have an eating disorder. Correct me if I’m wrong, but “Bulimia is an illness in which a person binges on food or has regular episodes of overeating and feels a loss of control. The affected person then uses various methods — such as vomiting or laxative abuse — to prevent weight…” The diet is not for people with Eating Disorders. It is very restricted and one has to be in control. It’s a lifestyle change and you have to change your eating habits to a healthy lifestyle. You may be doing yourself more harm than good. Try something that is less restrictive – South Beach diet or Lean Cuisine meals. I hear people all the time blame the Dr. Bernstein diet for causing Eating Disorders, which is hard to believe. You actually EAT healthy food and ARE eating FOOD on the diet. But it’s not for people who have emotional issues like the Eating Disorders or who engage in frequent binging. You have to strictly follow the diet and remain in ketosis for it to work. You have to be in control of your emotions, and want to lose weight. Plus being in Ketosis reduces your cravings, and if you’re binging all the time, your body is not going to be in ketosis and you’ll binge even more because your not strictly adhering to the diet. So the diet is not going to work for you. You’ll end up blaming the diet for causing your Eating Disorder which misleads others about the true purpose and benefits of the diet. My suggestion is to deal with your emotional issues – Eating Disorder – and choose a diet that is less restricted. The Dr Bernstein diet is not going to work for people with Eating Disorders unless you can give up your binging and strictly follow the diet. You may end up wasting a lot of money for no good outcome here.
• December 29th, 2011strive2bfit

  Response to KT:
  The diet doesn’t work with Vitamin B12 pills. It only works on Vitamin B12 & B6 injections. I don’t know why it works, but at high doses, it gives a person more energy because of the low calorie diet and ketosis. You can however purchase the injections at the pharmacy, and they cost cheaper and you can follow the diet at home if someone gives you a food list. I would have to disagree with others who say the diet causes Eating Disorders. This is not true. Even though you it’s low calorie, you have sufficient food allowed per day. I think these people had emotional problems and issues with binging before they started the diet. If you can adhere to a strict diet, it will work for you. If you cannot, you may want to try another diet or ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who can give you a healthy list of foods that lower in calories to help with your weight loss
• December 26th, 2011KT

  Hi there,

  I have tried every diet out there and still find to be gaining weight like its nothing. I have been directed to the bernstein diet, but just can’t afford to do the program through the clinic. Can someone help with advise with what I need to do it from home? I bought B12 vitamins… do I need anything else? I also live in Alberta, and if anyone has or knows where I can access the food list for AB, that would be awesome!

  All your information and feedback is greatly appreciated.
• December 23rd, 2011Dave

  People, stop throwing money away. This fat loss is available to everyone with a low carb diet (I recommend Primal Blueprint and Paleo Diet) and does not require needles from unfriendly nurses. More importantly, you do not need to starve or fight cravings or feel guilt. Best of all, you can change your life by investing $30 on books.
• December 18th, 2011strive2bfit

  You should tell the nurses at the clinic. For some people they suggested increasing the Potassium levels, but for me because I exercise while on the diet the doctor suggested eating an extra serving of protein and a serving of jello per day. That seemed to help. Other than that the diet does work.
• December 15th, 2011Angie

  Hi Sylvia, After the B6 has been used it’s only good for thirty days (that’s how long the preservative lasts) even though the expiry date is longer.
• December 14th, 2011Monita

  Hey guys I haven’t posted in a while. Well I still haven’t restarted my diet. When I first did this I was motivated and now I feel horrible. Because if this diet I have an eating disorder which is bulimia. But that is under control. Being a psych nurse I think I am able to resolve myself.
  I really want to start this diet again and loose 60lbs. And my big thing is, KEEP IT OFF!!!
• December 1st, 2011Sylvia

  Do you know what the shelf live is on an open bottle of b6. I fell of the wagon during the summer. Thanks
• November 30th, 2011ted

  Hi Princess, This has already been discussed in previous comments.
• November 29th, 2011Princess

  So, I have been doing the medi weight loss diet and have lost 60 pounds. I was getting the B6/B12 injections 2Xper week.It was getting expensive and my question is can you purchase B6/B12 without a script? Thanks for your time.
• November 29th, 2011Holly

  I just wanted to give everyone the heads up on B6 injections.
  I have just come from seeing a neurologist, because of numbness and tingling in both my feet and up my calf’s of my legs.
  Vitamin B6 can be dangerous if taken when the body does not require it. The doctor told me to stop taking it immediately. At this point the damage to my nerves in my legs is surficial, just the nerves on the top. I am to go off of it for 3 months then he will test my blood again and by that time it should be out of my system, and we’ll see if I get feeling back in my legs.
  Don’t want to scare anyone, wanted to let everyone know should they have the same symptoms as I have
  .
• November 28th, 2011ted

  Hi Brittany, If you take time to read through previous comments, there is a wealth of information in there from previous members. Do to spammers we never publish email addresses, sorry.
• November 27th, 2011Holly

  Hi Everyone, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on here. Last time was in the spring I QUIT smoking and am STILL smoke free. I will never smoke again so I’m happy with that….

  But..I’ve gained everything back, I was eating pretty sensibly and exercising everyday, must have done something wrong. Oh yes forgot my thyroid has gone worse under active, so I am on stronger med’s, hoping that helps.

  Now how does this Bernstein/Atkins work, only dietI have every been on is Bernstein, and am have a REALLY hard time this go around. I’m hungry I need more too feel like I’m not going to faint.

  Any help would be helpful.

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