carbs and weight gain

[megan2002]

Hello Again everyone ,

Been to my diabetic specialist today and again left feeling deflated and uninspired by the lack of empathy and real care.

Told putting weight on fast and need to lose - asked how to do that when not eating much as it is and told it could be to many carbs

Plus suffering from severe pain when going to toilet and told IBS and due to weight!!

How do I fix this never ending nightmare???

My diet is basic - Rice Krispies for brekkie , noodles or toast for lunch and rice or pasta dinners not too much snacking bar digetives and tea

 

[Sanober]

Hi Megan, I started gaining weight when I started the insulin.

I realised firstly it was because I had a lost a bit of weight when I finally got diagnosed and secondly because I was eating a drastically low calorie diet (was low carb but wasn't upping protein/fat so over my calorie in take was low). Also, with a lot of hypos I got in the early days, it left me famished so I was eating more at my next meal...

Basically I look at calories, as well as carb and I've started up the exercise and even in 2 weeks I lost an inch off my waist!

As long as your sugars are well controlled already, and you're confident with carb counting etc, it's time to look at the actual amount of calories your eating vs what you're expending.

Are you doing any exercise? I find that lowering my calories and doing exercise is the quickest way to drop the pounds (obviously and additional challenge to Diabetics, but one of those things). I know some folk advocate lowering carbs but for me I keep at a moderate level for me, although I rarely eat pasta, I do have maybe about 50g worth of rice every few days in an evening meal.

It's probably the evening meal that's the heaviest for me and most calories, I try to bulk up by throwing on loads of veg, lower calories and healthier. I also don't really snack too much, like you, although yesterday afternoon I couldn't resist 5 Rolos...hardly a sin to be honest considering I avoid chocolate for weeks at a time!

I need to watch my fibre too - I suffered from IBS a few years back and I wasn't overweight, so don't what the doctor is on about there! Fibre, is the one thing we tend to overlook really and if you're susceptible to constipation you really need to have a look at that, from what you've written, I don't see much fibre there am afraid. Add in plenty greens and if you want to keep it simple, see if you can get Soya bran (Holland and Barret), very low carb and high fibre, if you can chuck some on yoghurt or porride or juice - or get some Fibogel packs - with fibre you need to drink more water too!

The trick is keep a record for a week and be truthful. Then take measurements of your upper arms, thighs, hips and waist and set (realistic goals and dates - e.g 2 inches off waits in 6 weeks). Then start to bring in some exercise, walking for 20 mins 3 times a week will really help as a start if you do no exercise.

Hope this helps

 

[Daibell]

Hi. You've made a good start by not having too many snacks, but your dietician is probably right that you are having too many carbs. The diet we have become used to in the West is quite unhealthy and certainly not good for those of us with diabetes. To help with blood sugar and weight reduction you really need to reduce your carb intake. Bread, pasta, rice and so on are all carbs. Try to reduce the quantity and go for the more complex ones such as multigrain bread, wholemeal pasta and so on which are low-GI. Avoid anything with highly refined white flour which are high-GI. Try increasing your fruit and vegetables. Protein is OK and even fat in sensible quantities particularly oily fish. You will find if you persevere you will suceed. There are treats you can have such as 85% dark chocolate. Keep reading the forum and you will come across many suggestions for coping with weight and diabetes in general.

 

[Etty]

Hi Megan,

Your IBS symptoms might well be related to the cereal, bread pasta noodles rice digestive biscuits you are eating so frequently. Would you be willing to try an experiment for 5 days eating like this ?

Breakfast-- a piece of cheese and one rice cake (or corn thin) buttered, and tea/coffee with milk/cream
Lunch-- some iceberg lettuce (or other salad greens) with a slice or two of ham, chicken, corned beef or other meat that you like.
Dinner-- the same as lunch, with 1 or 2 small new potatoes.
Snacks-- Babybel cheese or a handful of nuts. Tea or coffee.

If you can stick it out for 5 days, you might find relief from your symptoms, and you will know what to do to improve things in the future. What have you got to lose? Best wishes.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Megan,

I'm not type 1 so may not be much help, but as Etty says, could you give yourself a holiday from the carbs for a few days. Think of it as a temporary test and see how you feel?

S