The diet must consist largely of protein and fat. One danger lies in the tendency of acetic and other acids to accumulate in the blood, which affects the nervous system.
While, as a rule, the craving for certain foods is an indication that the system needs the elements contained in them, the desire of the diabetic patient for sugars and starches must not be indulged more than absolutely necessary, because of the inability of the system to utilize them.
There is often a distaste for fat, but its use is imperative when it is well borne, because the weight and general vitality must be maintained. If all carbohydrates are eliminated from the diet, the system will often suffer severely. Therefore the dietitian must determine the diet suited to the individual case, since complicated conditions may exist and the diet for one patient will work harm to another. The fleshy patient can stand a rigid diet, eliminating sugars and starches, much better than one who is thin and emaciated. A thin, weak patient often cannot endure too rigid a diet.
The following list of foods contain least carbohydrates: clear soup of meat without vegetables, all acid fruits, eggs, clams, and lobsters, fresh fish of all kinds, fresh meat of all kinds, and most smoked meat, olive oil, butter, peas, beans, all fresh vegetables (except carrots, parsnips, squash), onions, artichokes, cauliflower, cabbage, and asparagus.
Fats may be supplied in the yolks of eggs, cream, butter, cheese, bacon, and oily nuts, as butternuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, hazel nuts, walnuts, pecans; all should be well chewed.
In beginning a diet, the change must not be too sudden. Potatoes, when they agree, may be used in small quantities as a substitute for bread. At least a week’s time should be allowed for the elimination of all sugar and starch. Begin by eliminating sugars and next bread, cereals, anything made with flour, and potatoes.
Sometimes it is necessary to begin with an all milk diet for a day or two.
Van Noorden gives the following diet, free from carbohydrates, which has been in general use in Europe and America.
Breakfast
Tea or coffee, 6 ounces.