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Carbs

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fluke

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Hi I'm new to this forum. I joined because I need help with my diet. When I was first diagnosed about 2 yrs ago all the advice I read recommended eating lots of carbs. Accordingly I've since got through lashings of bread, potatoes, rice, etc. Now it seems there are lots of people recommending a low carb diet. After reading this site's advice - that it is permissible and even advised to eat carbohydrates, but not too many, I'm just as confused. I aim for my 5 a day each day (although don't always manage the 5) and sometimes eat a sandwich for lunch and a toasted sandwich for dinner (I live alone). Is this too much carbs per day? Or what about high fibre cereal for breakfast, sandwich for lunch and home-made rice and curry for dinner? I genuinely do not know what to eat any more and really need some well-founded advice. Can anyone help me, please?

Fluke
 
Hey Fluke, someone will be along in a minute to give you the definitive answer but I thought I'd give you my perspective. I was diagnosed T2 about 4 months ago. After doing all the reading, I decided the easiest way for me was to reduce the 4 main carb things ( potatoes, pasta, rice and bread) as my diet was already very good in all the fruit/veg/low fat way. I was advised to test a lot at the beginning to make sure I was eating the right things. This has worked very well for me and by testing and trying things out ( and testing again ) I have learnt that as long as I keep the portions tiny, I can have a little basmati rice and a slice of burgen bread ocassionally and a healthy amount of protein and veggies. I emphasise that this works for me and other people try and succeed on different diets. I think the main thing that most people here will tell you is test, test, test, keep records of what you are eating and learn what works for you. Good luck. :)
 
Hi Fluke

I would say that that is way too much carbs -well it certainly would be for me.

Have you posted on the new members thread so that the monitors can pick you up and post the advcie for newbies? it is well worth reading, or just browse around and find it on a thread already it explains ain more detail about carbs and testing.

I too was given the must eat carbs advice and it sent my BG soaring, through testing I now know which i can tolerate and which I can't.

I also find that I can't eat fruit - some people can or can eat certain types of fruit it is worth finding out suit syou

Annie
 
Hi
I would just like to emphasise that everyone is different, if I were to eat a couple of sarnies a day and not any tatties or other carbs my bg would drop really low and I would end up having to gorge on a sugar drink/food to get out of a hypo. It all just depends what your body does with different foods. Trial and error and testing will sort out what is right for you. :roll:
 
HI Fluke

Deb100 is on inslin, others of us are oral medication, others diet only. That makes a big difference to how and when you eat. For example anybody on insulin has to balance carb intake and insulin, diet only depends on not eating more carbs than the amountof insullin your body is producing can cope with.

Which is why you need to monitor and find out what works for you.

Does you doctor give you test strips?
 
Deb - II see from your profile that you are on insulin injections, Fluke is on tablets and therefore probably won't have the hypo issue.

Fluke - Try reducing your carb intake gradually and see if it has a positive effect on getting your BS readings down.
 
OK thanks for all your replies. I don't get test strips, nor have I been offered them. My last annual fasting blood test results were excellent and I'm only one Metformin a day at present. I am going to cut my carbs down slightly though. Trouble is, I get so flipping hungry if I don't have carbs! Thanks again.

Fluke
 
Fluke I found the starving hungry feeling was a reaction to previously eaten carbs. Once I serioulsy reduced them I didn't feel nealry so hungry.

I just eat more of the main course and if hungry have a bit of cheese of soem nuts.
 
Fluke
let your meter be your guide on carbs.
I keep them very low, because I choose to keep my Bg Very low on minimal medication.
that's MY choice.
You need to make your own choice and decide how to achieve your targets.
Nevertheless, Large amounts of carb will require medication to keep bg under control. Possibly large amounts of medication. It's YOUR decision
Hana
 
I can vouch for the hunger going away if you stick to the low carbs! I have always had a gargantuan appetite but since changing my diet I only ever get 'mouth' hungry ( if you can understand that feeling ) which I solve with willpower and the occasional low sugar mint. In fact I've just had to change the size of my plate because I was putting out to much food for myself and then feeling uncomfortably full 1/2 an hour later. I'm hoping a smaller plate will make me put less food out in the first place! :lol:
 
That would be too many carbs for me too. I'm T2 and was on insulin, which made me gain sooooo much weight it was ridiculous. I was put on Byetta and it has changed my life. I no longer need insulin, and don't even have to take the Byetta every day now. I do still take Gliclazide but that's about it. I've cut out all starchy carbs, my last HbA1c was 5.3 and my bM's rarely go above 5. But we are definitely all different, but I believe we are all masters of our diet and lifestyle and we can only do the best we can. Good luck :D
 
Whatever you are eating the initial thing to do is keep a food diary and test before and two hours after every meal. If the amount of carbs you eat in the meal puts your blood sugars above an acceptable level two hours after your meal, say 7.5 for instance( but you can set lower targets for your own personal levels), then the next time you have that meal cut down the carb portion and see what difference that makes.

It is trial and error. You can also set a certain amount of carbs per day or meal and see how that works. Get a carb counter book and weigh out the amount of carbs you are eating with each meal for a couple of weeks and note them in your food diary. Once you have done this for a while it becomes easier to 'see' a portion and therefore know what that portion is likely to do to your blood sugar levels.
 
Fluke - Have you asked for a meter and test strips? You can but the meters fairly cheaply or maybe get one for free from the manufacturer but the test strips can be costly.
 
Hi, all these replies; this is such a helpful site. Thanks again, so much. I haven't been offerred a meter or strips from my doctor and will definitely get myself a meter. The only thing is I'm such a coward and hate the thought of pricking myself at least twice a day. Does getting a meter mean that's what I'll have to do? Or is there any other way I can test my blood (apart from the strips) without jabbing myself all the time? I know you're probably all raising your eyes at this but I've always been the same and how I get through my annual blood tests I don't really know! I think I go onto another consciousness!
 
I only know about the meter I use, which is an accu chek. Their pricker is very simple to use and not terribly scary, as you don't jab it into yourself but press a button and it does it for you.
 
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