Carb counting questions - please read

hiya nic...i too would love to give low carbing a go (it's all new to me, i've always been told we need starchy carbs for insulin to work!). i have weight to lose! but am at a loss as how to balance this with insulin. i'm sure there's a low carb thread thingy on here, with lots of ideas of what to eat. i have just found out i am pregnant so can't continue with this 'experiment' but think it would be v helpful to lower insulin & BS!

as for exercise, i do go to the gym, but hearts been skipping around & worrying me ( i think it was early preg doing it without me realising!) so doc says go easy. i am gonna go for a long walk every day, sure this constitutes exercise!? give it a go.

nic, click on 'board index' and scroll down to 'low-carb diet forum' :wink:

NIC703 said:

I have been looking at the low-carb section but I can't work out how many carbs would help me lose weight, and does low carb mean high fat. I will keep on looking though.

Click to expand...

If you take out the water, your food is made up of 3 macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat.

If you want to reduce your carb count, while keeping your energy intake the same you can either:
1) Increase your fat intake
2) Increase your protein intake
3) Increase both your fat and protein intake

Unless you want to significantly increase your protein intake (which is quite difficult) then you are stuck with 2 and 3, both of which involve increasing your fat intake.

You can reduce both carbs and fat, but then you'd be significantly reducing your calorie intake - which is good in the short term if you want to lose weight, but unsustainable in the long term.

People on ketogenic diets, such as Atkins, usually try and eat less that 30g a day of carbs (at least in the induction stage). This is quite tough, and you could probably eat quite a lot more and still lose weight.

I'm on <30g a day, and I've increased my fat intake significantly to compensate.

borofergie said:

NIC703 said:

I have been looking at the low-carb section but I can't work out how many carbs would help me lose weight, and does low carb mean high fat. I will keep on looking though.

Click to expand...

If you take out the water, your food is made up of 3 macronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat.

If you want to reduce your carb count, while keeping your energy intake the same you can either:
1) Increase your fat intake
2) Increase your protein intake
3) Increase both your fat and protein intake

Unless you want to significantly increase your protein intake (which is quite difficult) then you are stuck with 2 and 3, both of which involve increasing your fat intake.

You can reduce both carbs and fat, but then you'd be significantly reducing your calorie intake - which is good in the short term if you want to lose weight, but unsustainable in the long term.

People on ketogenic diets, such as Atkins, usually try and eat less that 30g a day of carbs (at least in the induction stage). This is quite tough, and you could probably eat quite a lot more and still lose weight.

I'm on <30g a day, and I've increased my fat intake significantly to compensate.

Click to expand...

I am also under 30 a day, not so much to loose weight, although that would be a bonus, but because I am scared stiff of diabetic complications, so am determined to keep my sugar level as steady and as near to normal as possible. I eat lots of meat and dairy, along with loads of salad and veg. I rarely snack as my fear out weighs my want of a snack. At a real push I will have a slice (just one) of Burgen bread, or a single crumpet (my downfall) or a jaffa cake, otherwise no snacks at all.

Hi Nic,

I've been diabetic for over 20 years and have followed a low carb diet for the past 13 at least. Why? Because the less carbs I eat the less insulin I need. The less insulin I need the easier it is to keep the weight off. Sure I have days when I will wolf down a pizza, but I stick to low carb the majority of the time. I don't seen it as a diet, more of a lifestyle choice that I choose to follow as it makes me feel better and keeps me healthy.

There are plenty of things you can do so it doesn't get boring. For example, allow yourself one treat day a week where you can enjoy a meal with carbs. There are so many low carb recipes you can try. I'd recommend either searching the web for some good recipe or investing in some recipe books.

I still eat plenty of fruit and veg - I feel lousy without it! Make sure you get plenty of fibre and you'll be fine.

Exercise wise - you could try running or cycling. Personally I hate running but I really enjoy cycling. Can be quite difficult in winter, but during the summer months I will usually do around 50 miles. If you can find a good route you can get into it quite quickly and easily. Alternatively, exercise DVDs might be worth a try. Or invest in a fit ball and some hand weights.

I go to the gym most days but I understand this doesn't work for everyone. It helps me keep my sugars down and keeps me sane!

Good luck with the weight loss!

Emma