>> Yes, my doctor wants me on the ADA diet, which is
>> completely absurd. 

Bernstein explains this as follows:  kidney failure, loss of limbs and blindness are seen as the natural course of DM and therefore are not the fault of your doctor.  If you die from low blood sugar/too much insulin because he recommended a low-carb diet, then that could be construed to be his fault.

It's not that they want you to be sick exactly, they just don't want to be sued.

-Nicole