It works fine for me...... Or carbs don't do me any harm.

I've never been that convinced by the "low carbers" arguments nor have I fully agreed with the official medical advice to "eat plenty" starchy etc food eg potatos, bread etc, etc.

I do realise that everyone's circumstances are different but I'm lucky enough to be able to treat my condition by diet only and apart from one or two minor issues I'm in very good health otherwise. Also, I am able for the foreseeable future do as much exercise as I wish and I've already lost over three stone since my diagnosis although I've not quite reached my target weight yet. My blood pressure and blood sugar average are also back to normal.

So, for me, carbs are fine in moderation and I don't see the need to deprive myself in this respect.
Besides, I'd argue that you need to eat potatos, bread etc for roughage and you've got to take care of other aspects of your health as well as your diabetes.

Does anyone else agree or am I "out on a limb"? :wink:

Catherine,

You're right. I've been eating much more sensibly these days and, of course, my portions of bread, potatos, pasta, rice or whatever are obviously less than before. However, I don't feel that I have to go to the extremes that some members appear to advocate.

I realise that I'm very fortunate in that I'm "temporarily" healthy and able bodied and, basically, as long as I keep my weight down, do enough exercise and don't over eat/eat a load of rubbish I should be be fine. Of course, I also realise that this probably won't always be possible although I'd hope to be active for quite a few years yet.

I'm not sure about Diabetes being a progressive disease and it shouldn't really be if one is able to keep it under control by whatever means is required. However, I do agree that this might not always be possible due to various factors, eg other illnesses, unable to exercise to the same extent due to age and so on. So, the chances are that it will become progressive for these reasons but not necessarily because of the condition itself.

"Carb control"

The key word is control, I'd suggest, and my view is that the amount of control which is necessary varies according to the individual and his or her circumstances. Of course, this should be regularly reviewed too.

As I said earlier, I do eat less of everything including carbs than before but I still have a healthy appetite. I was in the fortunate position of already eating all the good foods but sadly much of the rubbish too and both in large quantities. So, since diagnosis, I've successfully managed to cut out the latter and reduce my overall consumption. By rubbish, I mean the obvious..sweets, chocolate, pastries, fry ups, and so on.....although I might still have the occasional treat.

As regards my carb intake, it is generally a bowl of cereal for breakfast, two or three potatoes for a meal, and maybe three or four slices/pieces of bread per day. Sometimes, a scone or a plainish biscuit too. Of course, these quantities might vary slightly and if I'm having rice, pasta, pizza etc, or extra bread, I won't be eating potatoes and so on. I don't eat a lot of chips but will have them if they are nicely cooked and not obviously greasy/fatty.

However, I'd consider that my appetite is still bigger than that of many people here but that's always been the case. Since I retired early about eight years ago, my weight steadily increased.... not that I ever had a particularly physical job although there was a lot of walking involved.. and this was probably the main cause of my problems which led to the onset of my condition. So, I have obviously had to make the effort to counteract this my "cutting down" and increasing my exercise by quite a lot. Of course, diabetes also affects thin people too and I shouldn't be complacent about it. However, at the moment, my actions seem to have had the desired affect.

As I say, I do have the occasional treat and I can confess to two very obvious misdemeanours.... Three helpings of Stovies at a Christmas Ceilidh and three helpings of Haggis, neeps and tatties at a Burns Supper. Mind you, I saved myself all day for this and I considered the portions to be on the small side. :lol:
Occasionally too, I may exceed my recommended daily alcohol intake although not excessively. However, such activities really are "Once in a blue moon" these days and I don't see any real need to get too paranoid about them although I'll probably eat or drink less the following day to compensate.
Yes, I know all about "the spikes" too but, rightly or wrongly, I'm not too worried at this stage re this while the general health is actually improving overall as opposed to deteriorating.