• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

How low do you go?

Terrytiddy

Well-Known Member
Messages
835
Location
Grimsby. N E Lincolnshire
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Hi all started LCHF diet last Monday (30th). What level do people aim for on their carb intake? I don't eat after 8.00pm and fast for either 16-18 hours with only a cup of black tea in the morning and water as needed. I have no problem fasting as don't have much of an appetite. I did this a couple of years ago with great results but fell by the wayside, now back on the path. Any advice very much appreciated.
 
I try and stay under 20g per day. Like you no breakfast just tea and coffee sometimes lunch and always dinner.
 
Also lower than 20g here, and I also do a 16:8 fast every day. The only carbs I have during the day are a low carb bagel (2g) and low carb brownie (2g), and some green vegetables (usually around 4g). Everything else is protein or fat, so lots of meats and cheeses!
 
I'm am often around 30g (5-6 days a week) which I find quite easy (carbs come from nuts, seeds and veg) but will occasionally go a fair bit beyond that to 50-150. But, I am in maintenance mode and do quite a bit of intensive exercise and was quite good about keeping it to 30g earlier on.
 
I was under 30g a day but have been adding some back now as my numbers are very good and my meter tells me all is well. I no longer weigh or measure anything. I just eat what I enjoy, but I am a lot further along this journey's path than you are. (4 years). I also don't eat between evening meal at 7pm until lunch time at 1pm.
 
Terrytiddy said:
20g seems very low how do you manage on that?
Click to expand...
How do I manage what? Don't eat many carbs.. those that I do have are mainly from cream or lactofree milk and a few green veg. My meals are meat/fish based. Last night for example was cod baked in the oven with a butter and chilli marinade, scallops pan fried in garlic and butter and some asparagus spears. Had some raspberries with yoghurt ad double cream for pud and some macadamia nuts. Here's the full diary entry for yesterday

A bit more protein and probably not enough fat which is why I prefer meat to fish. Hence the butter slices with salt sprinkled on that I mentioned in another thread.
 
I aimed to get my BG level down below 8mmol/l after eating - the carbs were not important, I wanted the BG reading - and I found that some foods had more impact than others, so it was no use eating peas or beans even if they did have the same carb count as the salad, I had to go with what the meter showed.
 
Wow that's very detailed, thanks so much.
 
I'm the anti-@bulkbiker I can't even remember what I ate yesterday, let alone 12 months ago.

What I do know however, is that it didn't contain many carbs.
 
bulkbiker said:
No worries.. I have that level of detail for about the past 16 months (since feb 2017)... sad maybe but true..
Click to expand...

I am very impressed Bulkbiker with your determination and your focus. Is that you with Jason Fung? I would like to meet him myself.
 
Smita said:
I am very impressed Bulkbiker with your determination and your focus. Is that you with Jason Fung? I would like to meet him myself.
Click to expand...
Yes I had the great pleasure of meeting him last year at the PHC conference in Manchester.
 
Impressive. I struggle to go low carb on 20 -30 GM per day. Just not been conditioned that way for last 38 years of being on this earth.

My question is ( I have tried to find answers but can't), if I eat around 70gm carbs and increasing fat and protein, am I going to be doing a mistake ? I just don't know enough whether high fat consumption is only good with very low carb OR your body is adapt at using both. I am not trying to loose weight and could do with some muscles gains. I do want to loose body fat so not sure what should be the right mix.

Any tips appreciated.
 
Depends what you are aiming for..
Blood sugar control... I found that the lower the carbs the better for me
yes you should increase protein and fat.
What you want to avoid is high fat with high carb but on 70g per day you'll have to test on yourself and see how your bloods react. It might be low enough or it might not.
 
Thanks. Guess what k k really want to know is whether I have to go in keto mode for benefits or not mandatory
 
Personally I would say keto has many benefits but if you find it hard then try something less severe. Just keep monitoring blood sugar levels to see how you are progressing.
 
bulkbiker said:
Personally I would say keto has many benefits but if you find it hard then try something less severe. Just keep monitoring blood sugar levels to see how you are progressing.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I have not given up on it. Just getting all facts
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…