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Type 2 Carbs v calories

E

Evie58

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I have just got my Hba1c back at 92 which the pharmacist at my practice was shocked about and told me I have to sort myself out. I have been diabetic for several years but have never faced this number before. I am taking Metformin and Alogliptin currently which has kept me steady for several years but now I have to find a new way. Has anyone beaten a high Hba1c by carb cutting or by restricting sugar and calories. I obviously haven’t been restrictive enough and have got complacent but don’t know the best way to move forward after doing the same thing for many years
 
Evie58 said:
Has anyone beaten a high Hba1c by carb cutting
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Many of our members have improved their numbers to the point of prediabetes or non diabetes by reducing carbs but ignoring calories.
Evie58 said:
I obviously haven’t been restrictive enough and have got complacent but don’t know the best way to move forward after doing the same thing for many years
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Would you like sharing what you usually eat?
 
Chicken, fruit , potatoes, rice , pasta, dairy, most vegetables and the occasional sweet. Looking at this shows I eat a lot of carbs but it’s never affected my diabetes before. Guessing increasing age and length of having diabetes could be changing what works for me. I lost about 40lbs about five years ago and have kept it off but it seems I still need to lose more
 
Dropping the potatoes, rice, pasta and most fruits, eating more good quality fats, and swapping sweets for full fat greek yogurt with a few berries would make a huge difference, but consult your diabetic team about the impact of dropping carbs while on Alogliptin?
 
Thanks for the advice. Will check with diabetic nurse and make a start on removing the carbs from my diet
 
Sugar and calories - no - but using a meter to test reactions to foods and choosing low carb foods, yes. I went from a Hba1c of 91 to 41 in 6 months.
Fruit, potatoes, rice, pasta and sweets are problematic.
There are some fruits, those called berries, which are usually OK in moderation.
 
Evie58 said:
I lost about 40lbs about five years ago and have kept it off but it seems I still need to lose more
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While losing weight can help diabetes, keeping diabetes controlled is much more about the foods you choose than about losing weight.
Cutting carbs is because all carbs make your blood sugar go up. It may help you lose weight as well, but that's not the main goal.
Do you use a meter to check before and after food?

I think you might like to have a read of this: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog/jokalsbeek.401801/
 
Thanks, the link is very useful as it sets things out in plain language. I would have never have thought of doing pre and post food meter checks before , that’s something I can start on straight away.
 
I have to count both, carbs for my bs less than 20g a day, calories I have to keep at 1400 or below to lose weight and about 1800 to maintain weight. It’s very easy to overeat the low carb good stuff sometimes
 
20 g of carbs seems so hard to achieve to me ATM, calorie intake seems easier to manage. I need a good book to show me carb values to make sure I don't overdo it.
 
Evie58 said:
20 g of carbs seems so hard to achieve to me ATM, calorie intake seems easier to manage. I need a good book to show me carb values to make sure I don't overdo it.
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Many T2's don't need to go that low in carbs, that's where your glucose meter comes in!
All packaged foods have the carbs listed on the back, and as a rule of thumb, most vegetables (not potatoes, grains and rice) are pretty low carb, meats and cheeses are close to zero carb.

So instead of a meal of potatoes, veggies and meat, have more of the veggies and meat with an added knob of butter or some grated cheese.
 
Evie58 said:
20 g of carbs seems so hard to achieve to me ATM, calorie intake seems easier to manage. I need a good book to show me carb values to make sure I don't overdo it.
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Try these infographics.

https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/visual-guides
https://phcuk.org/sugar/

A good rule of thumb is to eat fresh, single ingredient foods as much as possible so meat, fish, eggs, green veg (root veg is very starchy/carby), some dairy and limited berries and you can’t go far wrong.

Finding what works for you is important. I find it easier to omit anything I might find tempting completely than to try and eat it in moderation. Others find the reverse easier.

I find that I get better results for weight loss and blood glucose by not limiting fats attached to my food - fatty cuts of meat are a mainstay and limiting added fats such as butter or cheese, which I tend to overeat. Again, others find they’re different.

The main thing is to get the carbs down, eat enough to feel full and not snack - when and how often you eat is also important - and then other things tend to fall into place.
 
Also be aware that not all diabetic nurses/GPs are clued up on how carbs affect blood glucose. Some are brilliant and at the top of their game, others not. Officially they have to promote the NHS Eatwell plate, which for diabetics is arrant nonsense, so research the Eatwell system yourself and then you'll be aware if that is what they are telling you to work from. You'll get sensible dietary advice here from real diabetic people who have actually been there and done it.
 
Thank you, it's advice from real people I need. My doctor has never given proper advice re my diabetes referring me to the practice nurse who refers me back to the doctor. I appreciate all of your good advice
 
Evie58 said:
20 g of carbs seems so hard to achieve to me ATM, calorie intake seems easier to manage. I need a good book to show me carb values to make sure I don't overdo it.
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Try Dr Atkins New Diet Revolution - the last edition was about 2003 I think, but it has all you need in order to eat low carb.
Later books were not by Dr A but the Atkins Corporation and are not on track, as they try to be mainstream and acceptable.
The advice to eat fewer calories and lose weight is likened to stop drowning and start swimming - would if we could.
 
Evie58 said:
20 g of carbs seems so hard to achieve to me ATM, calorie intake seems easier to manage. I need a good book to show me carb values to make sure I don't overdo it.
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I use an app on my phone my sugr that I can record my before and after blood sugars and I can also write down what I’ve eaten including carbs. To calculate carbs I just ask on my iPad how many are in certain foods. It’s given me a good idea on where my diabetes is going. I only use basic program which is free. It also gives you an idea on where hba1c is going, although I don’t know how accurate that is
 
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