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How Low, Is Low Carb?

Low carb is technically anything under 130g a day.

However, the amount one can eat safely is personal and individual. We find out by testing before and 2 hours after a meal to see how much the food effects our blood sugar levels.

paging @daisy1 for the basic info and excellent advice.
 
I do about 30 carbs a day, sometimes lower and it's still a work in progress for me. As others have said anything lower then 100. Preferably lower me thinks, for it to be low carb.
 
It's something I've not looked at too closely. I don't eat bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, cakes, biscuits et al.
I do eat a lot of veg, which will have carbs... though I've dropped peas... 10% carbs... so cabbage, spinach, runner beans, sauerkraut by the bucket and they probably add up but no where near 100g a day... so lowish.
 
I believe LCHF is under 100 grams total per day, with the lower carb version Keto around 20 grams or less. I have never measured accurately but guestimate I am around 20 to 50 grams depending on how many of the family meal low GI above ground vegetables I have and or mixed nuts. I am currently favouring protein as an experiment (heavier weights) over lower carbs, so I am lower carb, higher protein and fat.
 
XxTinkerxx said:
I've set myfitnesspal to 70g per day.
It's a struggle to keep to that though.
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Why a struggle? For me it's quite easy because I cut out all grains and starchy vegetables. The only fruit I tend to eat are berries which are low carb compared to other fruit. Berries and dark chocolate are my "treats". I think once you get used to it, you might find it easier as you go along.
 
XxTinkerxx said:
Don't be so judgemental! Lol. I don't eat those every day!

I have good days and bad days.
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I just try to think of it as healthy days.. makes it easier to stick to.
Keeping eye and toes far more important than short term sensual pleasure..
But that's how I tick. Each to their own of course.
 
50-60 grams of carb is what I aim for but most of the time I have much less (around 30grams).
 
Indy51 said:
Why a struggle? For me it's quite easy because I cut out all grains and starchy vegetables. The only fruit I tend to eat are berries which are low carb compared to other fruit. Berries and dark chocolate are my "treats". I think once you get used to it, you might find it easier as you go along.
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I get the shakes and feel faint if I don't eat enough carbs even though my body doesn't like carbs.

I'm 5'2" and weigh 8st 1lb. I don't particularly want to lose weight either.
 
XxTinkerxx said:
I get the shakes and feel faint if I don't eat enough carbs even though my body doesn't like carbs.

I'm 5'2" and weigh 8st 1lb. I don't particularly want to lose weight either.
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How long have you been doing this now? You may still be adapting. It might be an idea to start at 100g and slowly lower the carbs so that you adapt more easily and your body can get used to lower BG levels. Are you measuring your BG when you get the shakes/faintness? You may find that it's a false hypo - your body is not used to being that low, even with it not being dangerously low.

If you're worried about weight loss, I'd increase protein and fat to maintain calories.
 
Indy51 said:
How long have you been doing this now? You may still be adapting. It might be an idea to start at 100g and slowly lower the carbs so that you adapt more easily and your body can get used to lower BG levels. Are you measuring your BG when you get the shakes/faintness? You may find that it's a false hypo - your body is not used to being that low, even with it not being dangerously low.

If you're worried about weight loss, I'd increase protein and fat to maintain calories.
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On and off for a year I guess. Went to see a consultant about a month ago and was told that everything I have been doing such as lowering carbs, intermittent fasting reducing overall food intake is making no difference as my body is not producing enough insulin.

I measure my BG a LOT! Almost obsessively. It's been years since I've had a hypo

I started insulin injections last week Wednesday.

Anyway, it's all a really touchy subject for me. I have made so many adjustments and nothing worked so now I have to inject and I feel quite sad about it. Like it's my fault
 
XxTinkerxx said:
On and off for a year I guess. Went to see a consultant about a month ago and was told that everything I have been doing such as lowering carbs, intermittent fasting reducing overall food intake is making no difference as my body is not producing enough insulin.

I measure my BG a LOT! Almost obsessively. It's been years since I've had a hypo

I started insulin injections last week Wednesday.

Anyway, it's all a really touchy subject for me. I have made so many adjustments and nothing worked so now I have to inject and I feel quite sad about it. Like it's my fault
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It's nothing to feel sad about and it's definitely not your fault. If you've been diagnosed with impaired insulin production, you need the exogenous insulin to help your body cope. Nothing bad about that.
 
XxTinkerxx said:
Anyway, it's all a really touchy subject for me. I have made so many adjustments and nothing worked so now I have to inject and I feel quite sad about it. Like it's my fault
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Not your fault. You have done all you can. Sometimes our bodies just stop doing what they are supposed to. It might be an idea to change your profile to show that you are now an insulin user, as that affects what sort of advice we give you about diet.
 
lucylocket61 said:
Not your fault. You have done all you can. Sometimes our bodies just stop doing what they are supposed to. It might be an idea to change your profile to show that you are now an insulin user, as that affects what sort of advice we give you about diet.
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Thank you.

I'll make that change too.
 
I started at 80 per day but after several weeks, I found I was consistently eating under 50 daily. These days, it seems the highest per day seems to be about 35, usually less. I found I did have to increase my salt intake to avoid leg cramps.
 
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