Hi I'm new today I'm told I'm in the range just so doing a low carb diet but my question is how many carbs should you have a day it gives varying degrees of it getting myself confused although I have lost 6.5lb since last Thursdsy thats normal for me on a diet though any advice would be greatly received xx
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Type 2
- Thread starter Laynee
- Start Date
xfieldok
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum, tagging @daisy1 for the welcome pack.
We are all different and it depends on many things.
Do you know your latest HbA1c?
I started with a very high number and needed to be fairly radical and opted to go keto less than 20g pet day. You could start at around 100g per day, reduce it if you need to.
We are all different and it depends on many things.
Do you know your latest HbA1c?
I started with a very high number and needed to be fairly radical and opted to go keto less than 20g pet day. You could start at around 100g per day, reduce it if you need to.
Resurgam
Master
- Messages
- 10,135
- Type of diabetes
- Treatment type
- Diet only
What most people try is to eat the amount of carbs which will lower their blood glucose down to normal levels.
There are meters with inexpensive strips you can get mail order, so you can test frequently enough so you see how meals affect you, and you then tweak the amounts and the foods to suit.
There are meters with inexpensive strips you can get mail order, so you can test frequently enough so you see how meals affect you, and you then tweak the amounts and the foods to suit.
hi @Laynee
welcome.
carbs is like shopping...you have a budget
you can splash out on one item, or buy several cheaper ones.
carbs are similar...find the amount you can tolerate, and in a form you enjoy, AND that help reduce your blood sugars to a normal range.
some stay with a the usual 3 meals a day.
others go with whats known as Omad..one meal a day.
i tend to go with 2mad..2 meals or sometimes one proper meal and a lesser meal..more of a snack.
for low carb it's really under 20g a day.
some go for 50g a day.
others have more.
i like to get under 30g per meal
so on 2mad day that's a max of 60 grams of carbs..spinach, brocolli, add in meats, fats and butter/cream/etc
if i make it one meal, then the snack would be much lower and a sub 50g carbs for the day
i found upping the fats..cream, cheese..helped me feel fuller for longer.so i eat less, but better on the LCHF.
and as one who has never dieted, i tend not to consider it a diet as such, with the negatives of the worry of eating and the weight returning.
it's a lifestyle change for me, and so far the weights has continued to fall away and if i'm honest without even trying,
i pay little attention to the calories, just observe what the carbs are in everything i eat.
so far i've felt full, fitter & healthier then in years..so all good.
good luck finding YOUR way.
briped
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 945
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
We're all different, and some of us are even different from day to day - or depending on the time of the day as far as carbs are concerned, so I'd really recommend that you get a meter. One with cheap strips, because you're going to need them
The rule of thumb is to test your BG level right before eating, and then again 2 hours later, in other words pre- and post prandial readings. If your BGs don't raise more than 2mmol/l or less the meal you had is fine. I believe @Bluetit1802 has some good info on meters and @JoKalsbeek has some great nutritional info she'll be happy to share with you if she's online.
Have you had a good look at www.dietdoctor.com ? So much sensible and free info as well as recipes.
About your weight loss ... Do you need to lose weight? If yes, then it's great and congratulations. Please be aware that many people lose a lot initially, but most of it is water, so don't be disappointed if you don't keep losing at the same impressive rate. For me personally I've found that the knob to adjust is the fat. I've become a very slow loser. I know that most people say to add all the fat you possibly can, and that may have worked for me years ago, but not so anymore. Besides it makes no sense for me to go nuts on the fats (pun intended), because it's the advice given to people who don't want to lose more weight on LCHF. I need to go very low carb (less than 16g a day) and max. 100g of fat per day, but my point is that you may not have to be that strict at all to see good results on your BG meter and your scales. It depends on your metabolism, your gender, age and a host of other things. I've found that lowering my BG levels was perfectly do-able even with a BMI in the high 30es, so weight and BG levels aren't really connected.
I hope I haven't managed to confuse you further? In any case, do keep asking. You've found a very supportive and friendly community. Welcome
The rule of thumb is to test your BG level right before eating, and then again 2 hours later, in other words pre- and post prandial readings. If your BGs don't raise more than 2mmol/l or less the meal you had is fine. I believe @Bluetit1802 has some good info on meters and @JoKalsbeek has some great nutritional info she'll be happy to share with you if she's online.
Have you had a good look at www.dietdoctor.com ? So much sensible and free info as well as recipes.
About your weight loss ... Do you need to lose weight? If yes, then it's great and congratulations. Please be aware that many people lose a lot initially, but most of it is water, so don't be disappointed if you don't keep losing at the same impressive rate. For me personally I've found that the knob to adjust is the fat. I've become a very slow loser. I know that most people say to add all the fat you possibly can, and that may have worked for me years ago, but not so anymore. Besides it makes no sense for me to go nuts on the fats (pun intended), because it's the advice given to people who don't want to lose more weight on LCHF. I need to go very low carb (less than 16g a day) and max. 100g of fat per day, but my point is that you may not have to be that strict at all to see good results on your BG meter and your scales. It depends on your metabolism, your gender, age and a host of other things. I've found that lowering my BG levels was perfectly do-able even with a BMI in the high 30es, so weight and BG levels aren't really connected.
I hope I haven't managed to confuse you further? In any case, do keep asking. You've found a very supportive and friendly community. Welcome
daisy1
Legend
- Messages
- 26,457
- Location
- Switzerland
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
- Treatment type
- Tablets (oral)
- Dislikes
- Cruelty towards animals.
@Laynee
Hello Laynee and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.
BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 235,000 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:
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 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
Access to blood glucose test strips
The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:
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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
Hello Laynee and welcome to the Forum
Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it interesting and helpful.BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
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 235,000 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 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 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
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l
- Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
- 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l
- 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.
Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding. Most of these are free.
- Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
- Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.
M
Member496333
Guest
I’m probably doing around 10g or less at the moment. I can tolerate vastly more these days but want to stay that way so I don’t. The only constructive answer is whatever works for you.
taipuha
Member
This is so interesting and helpful. My last HBAC1 was late November 18 and was 49. I am due to have another test in the next few days. I take 500mg Metformin in the morning and at night. I have been following a low carb diet since early December and have lost 8kg. I m hoping the new results will be OK. I am a tad confused, my fasting level this morning was 5.8 mmol. I thought ...OK I am going to have half a banana with my breakfast. Tested two hours later and the reading was 6.7mmol. Is this OK. I am at the point of thinking .... do I need the metformin. Should I wait and see what my next blood test shows. I walk 4-5 km per day and attend a resistance gym 3 times a week. Any suggestions or encouragement would be appreciated
Bluetit1802
Legend
I was tagged to give you some information about meters, which in my opinion are essential if we want to control this disease. By testing before you eat and again 2 hours after first bite you can see instantly what that food has done to your levels. Used alongside a food diary this information helps you to work out which foods your body can tolerate and which it can't.
The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2+ because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2+ is here
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/
Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2+ because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.
Try here for the Codefree meter
http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/
and here for the extra strips
http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/
There are discount codes if you buy in bulk. (applied at the check out stage)
5 packs 264086
10 packs 975833
The Tee2+ is here
http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product-category/shop/tee2/
Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
JoKalsbeek
Expert
- Messages
- 6,718
- Location
- The Netherlands
- Type of diabetes
- I reversed my Type 2
- Treatment type
- Diet only
Hi Laynee,
Sorry, didn't see this sooner. Here's some nutritional info you might find interesting: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/blog-entry/the-nutritional-thingy.2330/ All in all though, it's all highly individual, which is why getting a meter helps. We all have varying degrees of insulin production, insulin resistance and whatnot... So it really is worth it to test and see what works for you, as there isn't really a one-size-fits-all.
Hope this helps!
Jo
