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Confused.

B

butterfly

Member
Messages
9
I hope someone can answer this for me.
I joined this site yesterday, (I put a message in Greetings and Introductions).
The more I read, the more confused I get. There seems to be a few people who say that if you don't follow them and use low carbing to control your diabetes that you will have all the complications associated with diabetes. Feet dropping off, blindness etc. :roll: :roll:
Why don't Dr's tell you this? My Dr. is happy with my diet and my readings, they rarely go above 5.2 on my HBA1c and 1hr after meals are in the 6's, two hours after back in the 5's and when I have occasionally tested 3hrs. after they are in the 5's.
Is it that the carbohydrates are doing damage even if your levels are good?
Sorry to be a pain but I really don't understand it at all.

Vicky.
 
At the risk of being burned at the stake - I low carb. I also use a low GI, low fat and low salt diet. It works for me. My numbers are good and I have never felt healthier or livelier in my life.

I and many others would never tell you that you are doomed unless you follow a strict path relating to diet. YOU have to evaluate what you read and the advice given here and elsewhere. YOU then make your own mind up as to what is good for YOU. End of story.

Your numbers seem excellent so can't see that there is anything you would need to change at the moment ?

As for carbs doing damage - in general terms, No. For some of us they propel our Bg levels into the Stratosphere ! It's an individual thing.

Hope that helps?
Ken
 
Vicky,

First of all, there should be a sticky in the greetings and introductions forum that says Don't Panic!

There isn't a one-size fits all diet for diabetes. You will be able to handle a variety of foods in different ways to many of the folk here on this forum.

There is a link between carbohydrates in your diet and blood glucose levels. It is indisputable that constantly high blood glucose levels can cause complications, but then so can constantly high blood pressure.

What you need to do is reduce your blood glucose levels, how you do that is with a mixture of diet and exercise.

Low Carbing is just one of the many ways in which members of this forum manage their condition, it isn't the only way, there are a number of us who low GI, some follow a meditteranean diet, some don't even follow a recognised diet plan and have just reduced their portion size so that they don't overload their systems.

Ultimately you need to find a diet that works for you, one that will help you maintain your weight and keep your blood glucose at levels you are happy with. I would ask your GP to refer you to a dietitian as a starting point.

Have you been given a meter and some strips yet?

Regards, Tubs.
 
Hi Vicky,

It's not the presence of carbohydrates that does the damage - it is high blood sugar levels. Carbs convert into blood sugar and the more carbs you eat then the higher your blood sugar will go. The way to avoid all the diabetes problems is to keep the blood sugar under control, which you are obviously doing extremely well. Most people on here would kill for an HBA1C of 5.2 and to be in the 6s an hour after eating!

For some people, even with high doses of medication, the only way they can control their blood sugar is with a low carb diet. Unfortunately this is often frowned upon by some of the medical profession (those that don't understand the connection between carbs and blood sugar). In your own case, whatever it is you are doing is working perfectly for you and, as long as you can maintain your blood sugar at these levels, then you don't need to worry because you should steer well clear of future problems.
 
Thanks guys for the reassurance.
I read the thread about Low G.I. Diets v. Low Carb and I think that is what confused me. Some of the people who did low carb seemed a bit over the top.
I eat a fairly normal diet and have reduced the starch things to about half of what I was eating before. I haven't cut out anything except for obvious sugary things. I am not a great meat eater, don't like fatty things, love vegetables and fruits and drink loads of water. If I have a biscuit it is usually a fig roll or a rich tea.
Well I'll carry on reading and see if there is anything else that will help me.
Hi tubs,
I do have a meter and strips, was given this at diagnosis 18mths. ago. Seems a downright crime that people aren't allowed these. How do they manage?

Thanks again,
Vicky.
 
Sounds like you have everything under control ,Vicky.Keep on doing what ever is working for you.Yes, the diet advice can be confusing on here because everyone tailors their diet to suit themselves.
Maybe you would like to share how your diet works for you?
 
Hi Sue,
My diabetes happened after a period of personal stress. Had all the symptoms but diabetes was the last thing on my mind. The media view of me was not a diabetic, 5ft.5in. weighing about 9 stone.
Hubby does a lot of research in his profession and he decided to take on a private project, enlisting the help of his colleagues. My Dr. had already said that I was to cut back on the starchy carbohydrates. There were so many contradictions on websites that should have known better saying to eat plenty of wholegrains and starchy carbs. We decided that the G.I. diet was the way to go as it would suit the whole family, hubby, me and two young children. Youngest child was 2 in March and oldest will be 4 in May. If hubby wants a high G.I. food then he has it but all cooked meals are based around low G.I.
I have to say that it works for all of us and does not harm the children in any way. They still have full fat milk and the occasional treats. The best book that I found to help out was written by an American heart specialist called Gallop and I also use G.I. websites.
I had always eaten sensibly, whatever that means, and so it has been no hardship for me. I drink the occasional glass of wine, water, water and more water. I do not have an exercise plan as coping with my kids and walking miles seems to work for me.
Hope this is of some use.

Vicky.
 
You have a sensible doctor!

I suspect you have been diagnosed early while your pancreas is still relatively functional and you don't have to go to such lengths to obtain control as others who have been left to disintegrate for far longer.

There is IMNSHO a whole bunch of similar but different diseases under the catch-all name of "diabetes", many different forms of Type 2. They are generally regarded as "progressive" but as more and more people are discovering the earlier you start work the more likely you are to slow or even halt the progression. A small but increasing number of doctors and dieticians also understand this, I suspect yours is one of them. Bribe him occasionally! <G>
 

Sounds good for you and all the family Vicky.long may it continue to work for you.
 
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