• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2026 Survey »

Carb-counting numbers to start at?

Smallbrit

Smallbrit

Well-Known Member
Messages
284
Location
Cardiff, Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I've realised I need to be more controlled with my diet than I have been and actually count carbs instead of just avoiding pasta and eating brown bread instead of white. Is there a certain number to start at to work my way into it and not go 'cold turkey' (excuse the festive pun...!)? I don't need to lose weight or get any other numbers down - just blood sugar.

I controlled it fairly well 8 years ago in the US when I had gestational diabetes and was finger prick testing to monitor. The nutritionist then recommended carb numbers to me, but I think I've remembered them too high - I vaguely remember something like 15 carbs for 3xsnacks and 30/45/45 for meals. The nurse here just said "do what you've been doing" but I think I'd prefer a plan to stick to.

I don't have a meter now, so I'm just wondering if those numbers sounds reasonable or disturbingly high?
 
Everyone is different to the aims and goals and many here use a meter to figure out how much them can tolerate and when.

Did you count your carbs yesterday? Why not add them up and also look at today to see where you are now?

Please provide info on any medication you are taking for diabetes?
 
Sorry - have added a signature now to give a bit more background! No meds, and really...not much GP advice except keep exercising and keep doing what I was doing, after an admittedly traumatic time June/July this year where there was a lot of comfort eating involved.
 
hi there @Smallbrit

sorry for more questions..........

why are you having HbA1c tests done -- yet GP is just recommending exercising
somehow the 2 don't really seem to match up

the best advice is to "eat to your meter" -- that will tell you what you can eat and avoid high BG's

but to do that you need a meter :) ( and strips of course )
 
Welcome to the forum.

Your most recent HbA1c shows that you have already made some progress, well done!

If you want to control carbs more closely, I would suggest you first decide on a daily total, in grams (and your post indicates this is indeed what you are moving towards). There is information about the various low-carb diets, ranging from moderate to extreme, here: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/diet/low-carb-diabetes-diet.html.

When I was first diagnosed I was very confused about "carbohydrates" in general. I found this website invaluable for food information and recipes: https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb.

Because you are not taking drugs at this point, if you continue on the low-carb diet and track your HbA1c over time you will get a good idea of the effect of diet. I was able to "reverse" my Type 2 diabetes in 2.5 months with diet alone, starting from an A1c not very different from where you are now.

Best wishes.

Edited to add: Many forum members will also recommend using a meter to home-test your blood glucose. I don't do this, but it has the advantage of giving you a detailed idea of which foods "spike" your BG. Otherwise you just have to wait until the next HbA1c test to get an idea how it's going.
 
Ok I have just seen in your newly added signature that your doctor is concerned it may be Type 1. All of the info I gave in my previous post is based on my experience as a Type 2 (and that is how you identify in your signature). It may be inappropriate if you indeed end up being diagnosed with Type 1. Take care.
 
Has your gp told.you how they intend to.find out if you are type1? Are you being sent for further testing?
 
Back
Top