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TYPE 1s:: Low carb vs Low GI

I think low carb will keep levels down and low GI will minimise spiking, which is also good....

so a mixture of both would be great....
 
Thanks everyone. This is a big help. Low carb keeps my levels best and I've been eating that way for a while but I feel tired all the time and really low on energy. I have a really active job which makes me just wanna eat ****
I've had way to many 'cheat days' and it's making me feel a bit glum and my sugars ain't been great. So I thought if I incorporate some low gi carbs in my diet then maybe it would help .... I've been weighing things out and sticking to portion sizes, carb counting correctly and such so we will see how it goes...


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How long have you been low carbing? And are you losing weight, gaining or stable? And how low carb? Are you replacing the carbs with fats, so you have available fuel to run on?

Sorry for the inquisition!
The reason I ask, is that once we have been low carbing for long enough (can be weeks or months) then we become fairly efficient dual fuel users. And our bodies switch back and forth. At that point (it doesn't have to be ketosis) we should be able to have steady energy, because our bodies will mop up any spare carbs, then switch over to fat as fuel, without a stutter.
 

There are some Type 1s who low carb. @robert72 is one, I think.

There was a poll a while ago here about how many carbs Type 1s ate, if you're interested to do a search. If I remember correctly, the majority are moderate carbs.

How many carbs a day to you eat? What are your blood sugars like? You've mentioned being tempted to eat **** and I'm wondering if you're being too strict. Nothing makes me pine after certain foods than trying to resist them!

I eat approx 150-180g carbs a day usually. I try to choose lower GI foods but I do eat higher ones too. I tend to mix them with fat to slow any rise. I also move the time of my bolus more in advance to cover any quick spike. I find this works very well.
 
Moparp said:
I'm curious to know if anyone has tried both? Would really like your opinion on which one you think is best and what works for you

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Yes I've tried both, when I first came to the forum I went very low-carb (60g) but then increased my carb intake to 90g and then upped it to around 120-130g.

Whilst upping my carbs I bought a couple of low-gi books, the authors were Rick Gallop & Jennie Brand Millar and I found both books to be extremely useful and enjoyed reading them, I've since upped my carbs intake to 150-180g a day and try to incorporate low/medium gi foods wherever possible

Therefore you can if you wish use both @Moparp, keep the portions down so your meals are lowish in carbs and read about the Glycemic Index, the choice is yours but getting the bolus timing right and knowing how your body reacts to meals is the best thing you can learn in reducing and controlling postprandial spikes. Good luck.
 
We're all different, but it is much easier for me to run flat lines with low carb (fewer than 80g per day) and very low carb (below 30g per day) than with more carbs. I don't find I feel all that different though.


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Hi. I don't think it's matter of choice between the two? Many of us have a low-carb diet and if those carbs are as far as possible low-GI then you have the optimum. A low-GI diet may minimise blood sugar spiking but doesn't in itself reduce overall blood sugar by much.
 
It may take a while for you to become adapted to burning fat. I worked my way down from medium carb to low carb over a few months which helped me adjust. The first two times I tried dropping to low carb I felt awful, so found it better to reduce them gradually.
 
Thanks for your help and info will be sure to look into them and give them a read someone suggested a book to me before - think like a pancreas. That was so helpful.

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My blood sugars have been pretty awful recently but today I had a few low gi meals but moderate carb and my sugars have been pretty good.
I think that was the case. I don't have a great relationship with food haha
especially since being diagnosed.
Thanks for sharing

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I agree. For me personally a sweet potato affects me the same as a regular potato. White bread affects me the same as whole wheat. The only reason I would choose one over the other would be for other nutrients it may contain.
 
Moparp said:
Thanks for your help and info will be sure to look into them and give them a read someone suggested a book to me before - think like a pancreas. That was so helpful.

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The book often gets a mention on the forum

It's well written, easy to understand and provides you with the basic tools to get your diabetes under control, I often pick it up to have a reread together with Pumping Insulin (I moved over to a pump last year).

Best wishes @Moparp and hope you find the right balance in your food choices.
 
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