Help on carbs....

[sarnie100]

Hi.. i've just become a new member....having been diagnosed type II within the last few weeks I have started to turn my life around and have been managing okay... but am becoming confused about carbs... I would like to know if it is the carb count per 100 grams I should be watching... or the with sugars count? Also I do miss my sweets or some chocolate sometimes.... having been told diabetic sweets and chocolate are a waste of time.... can anyone suggest something sweet that isn't too bad, as an odd treat say at the weekend.... many thanks, any suggestions appreciated.

 

[anniep]

It is the total carb count you should use and not the sugars one.


When I have a chocolate emergency I have some 85% cocoa chocolate, there are a few versions around, it is dark and will never be my favourite cadbury's. But it serves its purpose, one strip of it only has about 3g of carbs and a whole a bar has around 15-18g depending on which brand.

 

[Bobbylove]

Hartleys sugar-free jelly is very low in carbs ... it's not quite like having a slab of choc but it does quieten that yen for something sweet

 

[Daibell]

I also go for 85% chocolate as the carb level is much lower even than 70%. Green & Blacks seems to be the smoothest. I think to some extent you need to train yourself off sweet things. I've gradually got used to not having that lovely slice of rich gateaux etc; not easy but it does make a difference.

 

[pollyr]

Thanks guys, I am relieved that I am not the only sufferer who still has a sweet tooth. Sometimes I am really good with the low GI diet but in the evenings watching TV or reading a book, I sometimes have to break out the chocolate. I love dark chocolate in preference to the milk stuff. I have tried hard to get rid of this sweet tooth but must confess I am bereft without something tasting sweet.
I do eat some ( a few) of the sugarfree sweets if I am really desperate and the sugarfree jelly is lovely.

Its brilliant of you though sarnie100 that you are taking the low carb effort seriously, I wish I had known about it when I was first diagnosed 8 years ago as I would have managed it totally differently to the way I did it which was to cut out the sugary stuff but wasnt aware that the carbs also caused problems. It was only since I was ill and subsequently prescribed insulin that I was given help to understand how to make things better.
Good luck with the diet.
pollyr

 

[sarnie100]

thanks everyone for all your help... i have learned a bit more which is always a bonus and I quite like the small pots of jelly, and thanks also pollyr.... I must admit I didn't know things like fruit and veg and lots of other stuff contained carbs... i just assumed it was things like rice, bread, pasta, pots... how wrong was I? I hope your doing okay and it is good to hear you feel much better.... like you say, if only you had known earlier.... at least you have it under control now... good luck on the insulin...it can't be easy.... sarnie100.