[Noturningback]

I've been reading about carb counting on this board lately.

When you count carbs are you counting the carbs from grains/startches/fruit only or the carb total for the entire meal (protein/veggies included)?

~Danielle

[Janlaton]

I count all carbs no matter the source. Why would one only count some carbs and not another. They all become starch at different rates I know but they get there so we have to allow for the total number.

If there is ever a day that mine are all really slow acting I do try to eat fewer. The thing is to balance them out. The fruits in between meals so there is no time when my sugar hits rock bottom and the grains,etc with my meals.

[poodlebone]

I count all carbs. Meat generally has zero unless it's breaded or coated in sauce. Some veggies are pretty high carb (corn, potatoes etc) and some veggies' carb counts contain lots of fiber (green beans). They all count as carbs.

[Noturningback]

Originally Posted by Janlaton

......

If there is ever a day that mine are all really slow acting I do try to eat fewer. The thing is to balance them out. The fruits in between meals so there is no time when my sugar hits rock bottom and the grains,etc with my meals.

I figured that all carbs count but, wasn't sure if those carbs people say they eat at each meal was for starches only. Thanks for the clear up.

I haven't been diagnosed yet as type 2 but, my A1c came back 6.5. I'm trying to come up with a diet to start with and I suppose next step is to get my doctor to prescribe me some test strips and get a hold of a meter. This is all new to me. I never thought about my sugar dropping...just rising. I guess that is when I get "the shakes". Hmmmmmm...that is a lightbulb moment for me

~Danielle

[xMenace]

I don't count fiber. They pass right through. Other than that, they all count.

[kgm0612]

Whatever the total carbohydrate count is, that's what I count. I NEVER subtract the fiber.

Karen

[art]

I count all the carbs and never subtract anything.
So far it works.

Art

[Evermont]

I got burned out on counting watching Sesame Street back in the day.

I don't count carbs, I just focus on eating "carbs that count". To me "carbs that count" means nutrient dense fresh veggies and fruits for starters. Since I'm a vegetarian I usually make food choices with proteins (that count) in mind first, then allow for a reasonable dose of carbs (that count) and add enough healthy fats to keep it interesting.

Works for me.

By the way, I also resist counting during exercise too. 100 side straddle hops takes 1/2 of a typical song on my MP3 playa.

I just can't imagine a lifetime of 1-2-3-4-5-6.... ugh.

[Noturningback]

Originally Posted by Evermont

I got burned out on counting watching Sesame Street back in the day.

I don't count carbs, I just focus on eating "carbs that count". To me "carbs that count" means nutrient dense fresh veggies and fruits for starters. Since I'm a vegetarian I usually make food choices with proteins (that count) in mind first, then allow for a reasonable dose of carbs (that count) and add enough healthy fats to keep it interesting.

Works for me.

By the way, I also resist counting during exercise too. 100 side straddle hops takes 1/2 of a typical song on my MP3 playa.

I just can't imagine a lifetime of 1-2-3-4-5-6.... ugh.

LOL

I'm not the math kind.

Thank you all for the responses!

~Danielle

[volleyball]

Originally Posted by Janlaton

I count all carbs no matter the source. Why would one only count some carbs and not another. They all become starch at different rates I know but they get there so we have to allow for the total number.

If there is ever a day that mine are all really slow acting I do try to eat fewer. The thing is to balance them out. The fruits in between meals so there is no time when my sugar hits rock bottom and the grains,etc with my meals.

If your carbs are slow acting, why would you try to eat less? I would eat less fast acting carbs. The slow ones burn slower raising BG less but longer.
You'll burn the same energy going one mile walking or running but the walking is easier on your body, same with carbs

[BrianSCohen]

Danielle,

You are doing great. It takes a while to learn all this stuff about figuring out what carbs are in various foods and even more how our bodies react to various foods. As time goes on you may find it useful to "eat to your meter." Yes, simple rules will let you figure out the number of basic carbs in the foods you eat, but then it gets complicated. Some carbs are simple, some are complex. The complex ones are digested more slowly and have a blunted blood sugar response. Fiber usually does not impact blood sugar, so many subtract fiber. Sugar alcohol has a minimal impact (although some), so some ignore it, others subtract a fraction. Protein can even impact blood sugar, so some will even track their protein intake.

Overall, take things a step at a time. Getting a first order handle on your major dietary sources of carbs, where they come from and what their amounts are is a first step. Control these and you will have made the biggest first step. After that you'll be fine tuning.

[CoffeeLizard]

Originally Posted by kgm0612

Whatever the total carbohydrate count is, that's what I count. I NEVER subtract the fiber.

Karen

Karen, I'm curious why you do not subtract the fiber? I'm new at this and subtracting the fiber is one of the things the dietitian suggested we do.

[Janlaton]

1. the reason I cut down on the slow acting carbs during the day is I have to sit at a desk with very little time to exercise so I have to control my sugar the way that works for me.

2. As for counting fiber, if you are going by a prepackage item the carbs have the fiber counted in it. As for it passing right thru well some of us diabetics have found that our digestive tracks have been slowed by the sideeffects of the bid "D" and the fiber does not move so quickly so it is important to watch the total # of carbs! But then there are those who have the other side effect of things moving too quickly. Oh My, what will the future hold?

[CoffeeLizard]

Originally Posted by Janlaton

1. the reason I cut down on the slow acting carbs during the day ......<snip>..... Oh My, what will the future hold?

Thanks for answering. I'm in the middle of a three-day study of foods/glucose levels. What I'm learning all the way around is that what works for one might or might not work for another. I'm definitely working on wrapping my head around all of this!

[Janlaton]

To the one who asked about walking, I do put in a mile a day which is pretty good since I push a walker. Also do 30 minutes of seated aerobics as well as other exercises designed especially for me.