Yes I thought it was just a sugar problem because that's all I did but reading all these people's stories it's more complicated than that, and carbs are things to understand too. I was unaware as I didn't alter my carbs only my sugar. Thanks I will continue learning.
Yes I thought sugar caused diabetis as years ago when my mum had it the Drs called it sugar diabetis. It's been a near miss for me hopefully, thanks.I think part of the confusion (for people in general) is we talk about blood sugar so it's assumed that dietary sugar is the problem. Of course, it's also the fault of the media and people saying things like "If you eat too much sugar you'll get diabetes" etc
You should find a level of carbs that suits you and allows you to keep your blood sugar in range. Test two,hours after the start of your meal if you want to see what carbs do to your blood sugar
When I say I cut out all. I still ate bread and that has some in, also porridge that has some in, but I reduced it down to 99.9%yes fruit does, I never ate a lot I always have ate lots of veg more than fruit.Hi @_lyn_lyn_1963
I'm not sure I could cut out all sugar. I'm doing a check on what I'm eating for a few days or maybe more. Blueberries have lots of sugar (fructose) and also just checked my salad for lunch even lettuce, cucumber and tomato had small amounts. Once I discovered that it was the carbs that raised blood sugars I then went onto checking the carb values and not just the sugar.
Sugar doesn't cause diabetics, insulin, lack of or not processed properly by the pancreas causes diabetes. If it was that easy we could avoid it.Yes I thought sugar caused diabetis as years ago when my mum had it the Drs called it sugar diabetis. It's been a near miss for me hopefully, thanks.
A carbohydrate problemHearing a lot about low carb on this forum but not much sugar free, does anyone still eat sugary foods? In moderation or avoid them like the plague. Interested to know what people eat and what they don't.when I say sugar free I mean all sugars, honey artificial etc.
Is diabetis a sugar problem or a carbohydrate problem if so which first or both together, I only tackled the sugar not altering any of my carbs and I have reversed my pre diabetes. Has any one just done low carb and still ate sugar and reversed their pre diabetis condition? Any research into either.?
Yes. I found the sameMost "sugar free" foods either contain a different carb for sweetening or some nasty chemical to fake the sweet taste. Thus I wouldn't eat either. Also as you get more attuned to a LCHF way of eating I have found that my sugar cravings have gone and even regular milk tastes sweet to me.
I'm not prediabetic now so should I eat how I am now or what, I don't want to lose anymore weight but am eating lots, I don't think I have levelled out yet.i will not eat as before so hopefully avoid it.Its not just a sugar problem, the body treats carbs and sugar exactly the same, it doesn't know there is a difference. Carbs become simple sugars in the body. If you just gave up sugar and it worked, well done. You just have to be aware that if you are pre diabetic and carry on eating as before you may become actually diabetic.
Ye
i agree with your advice, I was wondering as I didn't do anything with my carbs only my sugary foods, that was my first choice or action, did you reduce carbs first? Or both together.
Lyn have you read the advice that @daisy1 supplies? That should explain things very clearly to you. There is also a link to a free low carb programme you can join. I think, if you don't mind me saying, that your thinking re sugar and carbs being very different entities is a bit muddled at the moment. The basic information which should come along soon will really help with that. Best wishes and good luck
Hi did you go low carb as well or first or later than sugar free and artificial free?was sugar free your first choice or low carb or both together,
was sugar free your first choice or low carb
I went for sugar free as when they said I had high blood sugar the first thing that popped into my head cut out my sugars.and I think I have been lucky as it worked not sure how though.Straight to lowcarb me and it works for me.
you?
thanks for that, it explains a lot, but in my case as I didn't do a carb thing I done a sugar thing, so am wondering why I am ok and numbers down and no,longer classed as pre diabetic.i wonder why it worked for me.@_lyn_lyn_1963
Hello Lyn and welcome to the forumAs mentioned above, here is the information we give to new members and I hope you will find it helpful. It contains a lot of advice about carbs and contains the link to the Low Carb Program too. Ask more questions you want and someone will be able to help.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED DIABETICS
Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.
A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 210,000 people who are demonstrating this.
On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.
The role of carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.
If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.
The bad news
Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.
The good news
People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.
Controlling your carbs
The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.
There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:
Reduce your carbohydrates
- Reduce your carbohydrate intake
- Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates
A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.
The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.
Choosing better carbohydrates
The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.
Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.
Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a free 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.
Eating what works for you
Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.
To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.
The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:
Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.
- Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
- structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
- self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education
Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.
You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.
Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.
thanks for that, it explains a lot, but in my case as I didn't do a carb thing I done a sugar thing, so am wondering why I am ok and numbers down and no,longer classed as pre diabetic.i wonder why it worked for me.
My mums family had diabetis, my mum was always on a diet but her type two went to type one and she had a lot of health problems, I hope what I am doing is the way to go for me, I will get my numbers checked each year I think to see if they start to rise again.thank you all for trying to explain a very tricky condition. I'm a bit thick. Newbe
Yes I thought it was just a sugar problem because that's all I did but reading all these people's stories it's more complicated than that, and carbs are things to understand too. I was unaware as I didn't alter my carbs only my sugar. Thanks I will continue learning.
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