Carbohydrates and the Glycaemic Index

II'm 60 years old and was diagnosed as a type 1 diabetic on 31st March 2012. It was a bit of a shock but I am coping because my kitchen scales tell me how many carbs there are in each item of food I eat and my Insulinx blood glucose meter converts this to CPs. I know it doesn't suit everyone but carb counting has prevented me from going hypo or hyper and keeps me on the level.

Type 2 diabetic for the past 22 years. Living in Thailand is very difficult, particularly when eating out. They put sugar in everything - some 6 times the WHO maximum recommended level. There is no easy way to manage any low-carb diet other than eating at home and consider carefully what you are eating.

My 90 yr old aunt has been in hospital and her diabetes has now become an even greater problem. The info is not there to help her. The doctor says yes you can eat something, then the nurse takes it away and as for the menu in hospital that is no help. Yes, I think they concentrate on the losing weight rather than helping us look for things that she at 90 will enjoy and want to eat. She is not used to eating yoghurt, and doesn't like milk puddings. Breakfast cereals are horrendously sweet and recently were quoted as so sweet they should be in the chocolate biscuit aisle in the supermarket. She has taken too many artificial sweeteners in her life instead of ever reducing her sweet tooth. So she can't get her fix of sugar unless something is very sweet. She will eat digestive biscuits which I consider sweet biscuits with her cheese. She has used the excuse of age ever since I can remember when even at 90 she could live another 15 years!I believe that potatoes send your blood sugar high and so I can't understand why that is the staple food on the hospital menu (other than they are extremely cheap).Also even IF they write diabetic above her bed she doesn't understand when the tea and coffee ladies/men offer her biscuits why she should decline them. As far as she is concerned she is in hospital and if she shouldn't have them she shouldn't be offered them (ie everybody should know - the WHOLE team). Sadly it is no longer a team.

Do not be confused, Graham in France, discharge yourself from the asylum in which you find yourself. Go home and eliminate bread and potatoes from your diet. Start eating raw vegetables, fish and some fruit. Eating too much fruit will increase your fructose levels. Fructose is the worst kind of sugar that you can ingest. Start walking at a brisk pace a mile or two each day, and gradually increase on this. Ensure you get as much sun as possible(sensibly) in order to absorb Vitamin D.

Hi, I have just started looking after my 83 year old diabetic father. His sugar level is too low, he does not like healthy food but knows he has to change diet. He loves casseroles. Can you suggest any, also if the glucose result is not too good any info on a quick fix to bring him round. I'm just learning, I know fresh food and veg but he's fighting against it.

I am diabetic for 30 years - I'm now 56 years old and a retired chef. With being a type 1 diabetic, I've found carb counting helps a LOT.

The list of bad carbohydrates above can be very confusing to some people. Many may completely eliminate carrots in their diet because of the fear of very high GI. Although carrots have a high GI, It is nevertheless very nutrious and formed part of a good balance diet when eaten in small quantity. Similarly with bananas, as you do not need to eat a whole big banana but half of it will be fine. As far as I am concerned, a diabetic person be it type 1 or type 2 can eat any food as long as only small quantities are consumed. Honey is very tasty, the way I eat it is to add one teaspoonful in my oat flakes for my breakfast. With regular exercise, one can live a relatively normal life.

Hello I hope I can get a reply from you. I live in France and the other week, they put me in hospital for a week because I'm not a very good diabetic, anyway I have just looked at the good and bad lists of food. What I got every morning for breakfast was a lump of white baguette and a plain yoghurt and one lunch time two huge jacket potatoes and more on the trolley if I wanted. Now I am totally confused. Kindest Regards. Graham