Total daily carb count

[h4kr]

So I’ve been carb counting since the first of jan. my control is fairly good, the libreview gives me an estimated a1c of 6.5% and I’m mostly in my target range.
My daily carb intake ranges from 150 to 250, averaging 200 most weeks.
Im not sure I understand the need for low carb dieting? Should my total carb intake be lower really? Or given that I’m managing this it’s ok to carry on eating what I am?

 

[catapillar]

There is no need for a low carb diet for a type 1.

 

[Kikeena_]

For me 6.5 would be a little high making heart events more likely. But plenty of other people are ok with that level.

 

[Alison Campbell]

My view is that low carb eating is useful for those with type 2 and people who want to loose weight. I have insulin resistance and prediabetes and find reducing my carbs levels necessary to lose any weight and keep my HBA1C reasonable given my specific circumstances.

 

[Scott-C]

As @catapillar said, low carb isn't necessary for T1. If you're getting decent figures, carry on. You might still be in honeymoon, so things might change as time goes by but you seem from previous posts to be proactive enough to figure out how to deal with that. Your kid has been T1 slightly longer than you, so I'm sure she'll keep you right if things go wrong - you're going to have a few good arguments with her in her teens when she says, "look, dad, I've been doing this longer than you, so...."!

This forum is very useful for a variety of reasons, but there's a definite tendency for it steering people towards low carb.

In my view, unnecessarily so in the case of T1s, and disturbingly so in the case of the Parents sub-forum which has a sticky post at the very top called "Type 1 and low carb" implying, incorrectly, that you as a parent of a T1 sprog must low carb them.

I always try to bear in mind that T1s are a minority - we're about 10% of the total T population and that's probably reflected in the general make up of the forum population.

Low carb is definitely a viable option for T2s, and many T1s benefit from it also.

What troubles me, though, is that many low carbers seem to think that it is the only option.

There have been some frankly insulting posts from low carbers suggesting that people like me who say that T1s can eat a reasonable amount of carbs are "irresponsible".

T2 input into these T1 matters is frequently less than helpful. Sure, T2s have to manage carbs in a certain way, but the biology of insulin/carbs is different in T1s.

It worries me that newly dx'd T1s, who know very little about it at the start and who are looking for easy solutions, are in some instances being led down a path by posters on this site which leads them to view carbs as inherently evil, and insulin as an enemy. It's no wonder that so many T1s end up with eating disorders.

 

[h4kr]

Thank you Scott, I find your replies very helpful and insightful! You are right I do find the forums lean towards low carb.. and being new to this didn’t realise that this is(should be?) t2 focused.
This place and the advice posted is invaluable to us diabetes noobs.
Thank you all...

 

[therower]

@h4kr . You'll do well to take advice from @Scott-C and @catapillar . Proper, real life, experienced TYPE 1 diabetics.
You and your daughter have been given a great opportunity to be great, healthy individuals.
You have a reason to live healthy lives, following a sensible diet ( something overlooked by a lot of non- diabetics especially children).
Low carb isn't necessary for type 1's and in my opinion is positively detrimental to a child.
Eat healthy, have the occasional treats ( McDonalds may be bad, but if they put a smile on your face go for it )
There's more to life than food.
Exercise is now on the menu. Whatever it is just get out there and do it. You have the reason ( non- diabetic kids often have no one dragging them away from the games console ).
Use your diabetes positively, IT WILL MAKE YOU A FORMIDABLE INDIVIDUAL.

 

[becca59]

As a Type 1 of four years standing I have just read Dr Bernstein’s book. It was a difficult read, due to the American numbers for blood results etc. But interesting. He is very evangelical and I know he has helped lots of people, particularly type 2s. However, he was diagnosed very young and I feel that the regime and technical equipment that we have today should be a big help in avoiding some of the health issues for long term diabetics. (Particularly the CGMs).

I feel I eat pretty low carb as a rule, (50-80 cps a day, more at weekends) and as healthily as possible. Could I make some more changes? Sure! Would that strict daily regime be worth it? For me no.

I respect others different opinions, but like Scott-C says, there are some dogmatic views on here that are not helpful for newly diagnosed type 1s. It could be very depressing on top of the shock of diagnosis.

My advice, read as much as you can. Then make your own mind up and decide what the best way to live YOUR life would be.

Yesterday I enjoyed a Yorkshire pud and small potato with my roast beef. Plus horror of horrors an eclair. Today just an omelette and leafy veg. Yesterday-good steady levels on my Libre. Today-erratic, due to an Adrenalin surge after my swim session. (We won’t even mention dawn phenomenon!)

Tomorrow is another day!

 

[Kailee56]

No, I’m not type 1 or on insulin, but still want to comment.

I think the benefit of the low carb for type 1, as mentioned in Dr Bernstein’s book, is for minimizing glucose swings. If only small amounts of carbs are eaten, there is less likelihood of under or over dosing your bolus insulin, and the blood glucose response is minimized, more closely replicating the blood glucose response seem in someone without diabetes. His whole stance is that diabetics deserve to have the same blood glucose as non-diabetics.

My thought would be that if your control is good, you are doing OK, but if your glucose is all over the place, be more aware of carbs and consider finding substitutes for high carb temptations.

Keep in mind that the extreme swings are what specifically damage the kidneys. You really want to avoid them. It is not just the average blood glucose that matters. The whole thing boils down to how well you manage your basal and bolus insulin.