Carb question ?

[cjc]

Could some one tell me when looking on a pack of food at the carbohydrate measuring g do I go by carbahydrate or carbahydrate-sugar a little confused as there is quite a difference in them both thankyou

 

[Aadrgon]

Hi cjc

you need to use the total carbohydrate figure and not just the sugar value.

 

[Thirsty]

It really depends on the approach you're taking with regard to diet. All carbs eventually become glucose, some faster than others. Sugars, particularly refined sugars, are absorbed by the body very quickly and will cause a rapid rise in BG levels, so definitely avoid anything that contains large amounts of them.

As for the rest, you'll have to find out for yourself how carbs affect your BG levels, there isn't an answer that suits everyone.

 

[Dennis]

Hi cjc,

All carbohydrates raise blood sugar. Sugar is simply a very fast acting form of carbs so will raise your BS immediately, whereas other carbs do this more slowly. So in a food that has a total of 15g carbs, of which 5g is sugar - this means the 5g sugar will raise your BS within a few minutes, whereas the remaining 10g of carbs will raise your BS over the next 15minutes to an hour or so.

 

[cjc]

I am having about 100 g of carbs a day so when looking on food packets for carb contents do just look at carb contents or the one with the sugar sorry should have made myself a little clearer thanks

 

[Sweet3x]

you look at the carbs. All carbs need to be 'treated' with insulin. The carbs made up of sugar will make your blood sugar rise faster, so avoid eating those things that contain (for example) 30g carb, of which sugars 29g. These are just pure sugar.
Foods which are starchy will contain a little sugar. You still need to look at the total number of carbs. So for the above example, 30g carb of which sugars 2g, you still need to count it as 30g carb. Just that it will be absorbed more slowly into your system, and won't make your blood sugar rise so quickly.

Hope that makes it clearer