New to low carbing - need advice please

christinet said:

Hi everyone
I am 54 years old have been diabetic in excess of 10 years,Type 2 on insulin (Basal Bozal Regime) and Metformin tablets. Diabetic control very poor, over weight and have severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Need very much to get control and loose weight (between 15 and 16 stone currently).
I want to start a low carb diet, but even after reading a few posts I am still confused.

1. I think I have gathered that I need to look at the total amount of carbs a food has and not bother about the "of which sugars are", although if there are a lot of sugars it is probably a good idea to steer clear of.

Sugar is a simple carb so always look at the total carb as this includes the sugar.

Personally if something has more than 10-15 carbs per 100 I try and steer clear of it but that is my personal choice.

2. I know how much carbs people have is different from person to person, but what would you suggest as a good starting point for me, I haven't a clue.

Start of by weighing things and calculating the amount of carbs you usually eat. Then reduce this amount by say half and see how you get on. You have to be careful as you are on insulin not to go too low with your carbs as you may hypo. Test frequently when you first start.

3, The type of job I have means that I have to take lunch to work with me and only get 15 to 20 mins to eat lunch, so a lot of time it is sandwiches, or a wrap (very often brought from local supermarket). I know too much bread isn't good so does anyone have any good suggestions for lunch that I can prepare before and take with me.

Try salads with cold meats in a lunch box. Low carb yogurt, get the carb counter book then you can look at the things you like and work out a portable menu.

4. I tend to eat porridge with fully skimmed milk for breakfast as I find this sustains me for the morning, with BS readings prior to lunch usually between 6 and 7.

Porridge does not suit everyone. Try testing before breakfast then one and two hours after it to see if it spikes your blood sugars.

4. I would like to go to a slimming club, but does anyone know if there are any that follow low carbing.

Many of these are not suitable for diabetics. Far better to make up your own diet.


5. I have just brought some dried apricots and mixed fruit and nuts (brazil nuts, sultanas, etc) from local health food shop to take with me to add to my lunch. Is this a good or not?

Only in small portions, again, test,test, test to see how it affects you.

I am sure I will have loads more questions, mainly to do with the amount of carbs foods contain, and the sort of foods that are low carb. I so love my bread and potatoes, do I have to give them up?

Bread and potatoes are starchy carbs,empty carbs that you can exchange for healthier carbs that contain vitamins etc in other vegetables and foods.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. Any advice, help greatfully received, and no doubt I will be back.

Christine

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2. I know how much carbs people have is different from person to person, but what would you suggest as a good starting point for me, I haven't a clue.

50 - 100 g per day. I found the DUK diet recommendation - lots of starchy carb - amounted to about 300 g carb per day, & led to chronic tiredness, crippling muscle pains, & the beginning of retinopathy.

If your lifestyle doesn't allow careful calculations, just drastically reduce the obvious carbs - bread, potatoes, rice, pasta & puddings. Increase the vegetables & nuts to compensate.

3, The type of job I have means that I have to take lunch to work with me and only get 15 to 20 mins to eat lunch, so a lot of time it is sandwiches, or a wrap (very often brought from local supermarket). I know too much bread isn't good so does anyone have any good suggestions for lunch that I can prepare before and take with me.

Cheese, cooked meats, nuts, salad, & "minute m-wave muffin." You'll find that & other ideas on this thread.

4. I tend to eat porridge with fully skimmed milk for breakfast as I find this sustains me for the morning, with BS readings prior to lunch usually between 6 and 7.

I make my porridge with ground almonds, oat bran (for cholesterol), wheat germ & milled seeds, blended with soya milk which has very little carb compared with cow.

5. I have just brought some dried apricots 4 g carb each - no more than 5 a day and mixed fruit no and nuts (brazil nuts, sultanas, etc) from local health food shop to take with me to add to my lunch. Is this a good or not?
Nuts are very good though cashews have some carb. Dried fruit is 70% sugar.

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