Carbohydrates

[Knoxee99]

Hi Folks,
Recently diagnosed, just think I have got my head around things and I read something else which totally throws me, when I have been shopping I have been looking at the sugar content, just read on another thread that should be looking on the carbohydrate content, can anyone explain what I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance

 

[June_C]

Hi Knoxee99. Always look at the total carbohydrate figure and ignore the "of which sugar" figure. Got me confused at first too.

 

[tim2000s]

Hi Folks,
Recently diagnosed, just think I have got my head around things and I read something else which totally throws me, when I have been shopping I have been looking at the sugar content, just read on another thread that should be looking on the carbohydrate content, can anyone explain what I should be looking for?

Thanks in advance

That's correct. It is the total carbohydrate number that you need to pay attention to. All carbs are converted to glucose within the body, but at different rates. Sugars (Sucrose and Dextrose) are converted much more quickly (high GI). Starches, typically, take a little while longer to process, but all end up ultimately as glucose.

On a label, in the UK it is the Total Carbohydrate or Carbohydrate figure. There is usually below this a statement which says "Of Which Sugars". The Carbohydrate number is the one you need, not just the sugars.

 

[Robbity]

You should always look at the total carbohydrate content not just the sugar, as your body turns both to glucose.
Robbity

PS Tim just beat me to it and has given you more details...

 

[sanguine]

Hi Knoxee, have a read of the links in my sig below - as said, it's not just sugar, carbs are the enemy despite what DNs might say about the Eatwell Plate and eating them with every meal.

Try and go for foods with no more than 10g total carbs per 100g, 5g if you can.

 

[Knoxee99]

Thank you all for responding to me, much wiser now.

 

[Nuthead]

Yep as all above. Your profile does not say if you are t1 or t2 or if you are on any meds, insulin etc...Remember that protein can also be converted to glucose. If on insulin it's around 0.6 x 1unit as a starting point. Hope this helps.