Please explain something for me !!

hya rick,
basically since going lower carb ,definately not as low as some, ive needed less insulin and lost over 5 stone so thats why i lower carb approx 80g daily

Hi Rick.

For some reason people equate low carbs with NO carbs. (Atkins induction I think ?) A fallacy ! This is not my idea of low carbs. When I first came here I took to low carbing and was eating only about 40-50g per day. That worked very well in helping reduce my Bg levels and my weight as well. I stuck with that for quite a while.

I now wouldn't be considered a true low carber as my daily intake of carbs is more like 60 - 90g. I was able to add some foods to my diet which previously were totally banned for me. I have what I call a reduced carbs diet. It works, together with low GI/low GL/low fat etc.

Diabetes is an inability of the body to deal with glucose properly. Carbohydrates when consumed become glucose in the body. Therefore for a Diabetic it makes sense that a reduction of the carbohydrates will help to lower Bg levels, reduce weight, reduce medications such as Insulin which surely has to be a good thing. A very simple explanation. If you want it technical, we have that too.
Most people on this forum probably wouldn't recommend that you cut out ALL carbohydrates, at least, not for very long.

Hi Rick,

I'd like to back Cugila up on his previous post as in my experience thats sound advice and a good explanation/summary of what carbs do to blood sugar and that low carbing most definately does not have to be atkins.

I was diagnosed as a type 2 a few months ago and found myself in exactly the same situation looking at all the diets getting myself a meter (a nano like yours - great little device). The two best things I ever did was 1.) find this site and 2.) Use my meter to test myself to see which foods sent my blood sugars high.

I have to admit now that for me low carbing works (I do get away with some carbs and use them as treats) BUT I would suggest that you "eat to your meter" and if by default you end up low carbing then so be it. Regular checking with your meter will enable you to build up your own personal list of good, medium and down right damaging foods. If you find that you seem to lack balance or even exclude some foods that you need for certain vitamins then I am confident that folks round here could help you. I got all of my information from this site from all the forums both low carb and none low carb. The search function on here is great !

It's a very personal journey as they say but your meter will never lie (to a great extent) about your blood sugars.

All the best Richard.

Almost forgot the most important thing that YOU mentioned - "can't see how I am going to control anything without testing" **** straight and **** right. Nailed it in one. Don't ever listen to someone that says otherwise - test test and test until you know all your safe foods and even then testing helps you know that you are in control.

Hi Rick.

Those pre meal readings are good. Here's hoping you get some good results at the
1 and 2 hr tests.

Hana,

In the context of this post as a newly diagnosed diabetic the simple question is how often do you need to test when establishing a diet suitable to you ?

First thing in a morning and first thing before your evening meal

Click to expand...

or

Before you eat
then after you eat

Thats what it boils down to.

Which is more useful to a newly diagnosed diabetic trying to establish a good diet?

You test twice a day as do I now with testing for new foods and on days when I feel off it. Its all about the context of this post and again I apologise If I am not making myself clear.


All the best Richard.

Obviously testing first thing in a morning is a good idea to see whats happening overnight. Again something I assume most people do.