Carbs

[kate]

Yes this is about food but it's a Diabetic question too.

I've been reading the mail/news group alt/diabetes something or rather.

My husband set it up for me because I'm not that computer literate.

Anyhow, the discussion is about carbs.

I was told that 140 carbs a day or 40 carbs per meal will help in weight loss and control.

There are ppl there that replied telling me they eat next to none.

Some replied none to 20 carbs a day!

Others said if they ate that many carbs they'd be in the 300's all the time.

300/18 = 16.7

So, I'm curious how many carbs do you eat a day?

What are your recomondations?

It's obvious my doctor and diabetic nurse are way off base with that advice.

You have all really helped me out in the past.

I respect your opinions.

Thank you,

Kate

[Penny]

I was told 45 per meal and 15 per snack, years ago, and again when my insurance co. gave me a "diabetic team". It just doesn't work for me. I try to stay around 20 per meal and do not have carbs for a snack, unless I am low. You need to see what works for you, some people can do 40 per meal and do great. Just test as much as you can and see what happens.

[bryan42]

I do 15g carbs per meal...40 seems high!

[MJB]

I typically consume between 150 and 200g daily. And none of that is "junk carbs" like cookies or cake. I allow myself some whole grain bread and wheat pasta as part of that total.

It comes down to what works for YOU!

[princesslinda]

You'll find lots of different advice when asking about carbs.
When I spoke with the diabetes educator, I was told to eat 3-4 servings of carbs/meal (1 serving = 15 gms). I tried this for a couple of weeks, and my blood sugars never went under 150.
I really needed to lose weight, and started the S. Beach Diet, which is a low carb diet (though not as low carb as Atkins) and started losing weight and my blood sugars started decreasing. ....equally important for me, the carb cravings I had struggled with decreased as well.

Since then, i've eaten a low carb diet (with the occasional "treat" when we're on vacation or special occasion). I eat very low carb for b/fast....usually just bacon/eggs or a high-protein shake. I try to keep my carbs between 50 and 100/day.

I think the best advice I can give you is to keep monitoring your blood sugar and learn how certain foods affect you. Then eat whatever foods allow you to keep your blood sugars stable and at the acceptable levels. I think carb tolerances vary, probably due to factors such as activity level and weight and length of time you've had diabetes.

[Larry H.]

I agree that the amount of activity will be a factor in how many carbs you can use. If I am doing my manual lawn mowing after meals I get much lower readings. Do to the heat and drought I am doing a lot less of that and the numbers have crept upward to reflect less activity. I think Linda is right in saying everyone may react differently to the same amount. The hardest part is remembering that I can't eat as much when I am less active. And really in my experience I can get a rather wide range of readings when eating the same items. Seems to depend on so many other factors.
I would also agree to try and keep the carbs you do eat to those which are better for you such as whole grains, high fiber ones. Of course nearly everything but meat has carbs. I made a mostly whole wheat ginger bread which when eaten with meals was tolerable, if I made the same with all white flour I think the numbers would have been alot worse. You just have to test and see what happens and stay active.

[Gordonm]

I average about 200 per day. I try to keep my meals at 45 or less to keep the BS spikes down. I am very active so that helps a lot. There are some days I can eat 300 carbs with no problem due to activity. If I eat 150 a day I feel like I'm starving. My A1cs are in the 5.8 to 6.2 range for the last 10 years.

[xMenace]

It's a comprehensive, what-works-for-me number. To give a specific number without considering body mass, weight loss targets, exercise/activity, metabolic rate, and to some extent blood-glucose targets is short sighted. To base carbs soley on blood-glucose targets, IMO, is also short-sighted and unhealthy. A very low carb diet may be right for you and work; that's fine. But if you can't get along without carbs, don't hesitate to up the meds or go on isulin to manage to BGs, of course assuming the weight, exercise, and diet are in fact good. I'm all for trying things and seeing how it works.

[kgm0612]

No two diabetics are alike. What works for me, may or may not work for you. My carb intake is usually under 100g a day.

Breakfast: under 20g carbs
Lunch: under 20g carbs
Dinner: usually 40g, could be 50g, depending on the meal.
Evening snack: 10g

Karen

[pdxdennisj]

Well, first note the med I take. My diabetes educator told me my weight indicated an allowance of 180 carbs a day. I aim for 40 per meal max and come pretty close.

[HelenM]

Although some people find that extremely low carb diets work for them there are alternatives, the advice from many mainstream dieticians is that there are a minimum number of carbohydrates required by the body. The quality of the carbs is also important with low glycemic, high fibre carbs being the best choice.
Low GI carbs such as tradtional porridge and lentilsand other pulses produce only small fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels, high GI foods such as glucose drinks or even baked potatoes cause much higher blood glucose spikes.
You will find a lot more about the glycaemic index here http://http://www.glycemicindex.com/
Theres a lot of useful information in their newsletter which can be accessed from the main page. There are introductory podcasts on prediabetes and diabetes in the July letter and one on losing weight on the August one

[notme]

Kate, I can't really add anything more than you have already read above. Except...counting carbs is a good way to control your diabetes, but it has never helped me lose weight. I go back to basics when I am trying to take off some pounds.

You can use the basics your doctor gave you and work back from there if it doesn't work. The biggest issue you will have is adding fat to your diet when you are hungry and trying to cut your carbs. Think about changing your diet by carb counting, calorie counting and exercise.

I had my metabolism checked recently and found that I have a high metabolism. Basically, I was told that if I sat on my backside all day long in front of the tv (or computer), I could consume between 1700 and 2000 calories a day and not gain weight. If I ate over that amount with no exercise I would gain. If I eat slightly under the 1700 and didn't move, I could lose. Obviously, that would be a terrible way to lose as you also lose muscle. But, it gave me a baseline for weight loss.

Don't over do. If you eat too few calories, your body will think it is starving and save calories and you will have a tough time losing weight.

Good luck on your weight loss and control quest.

[kate]

Thank you to everyone, one and all, for your time and careful consideration of your answers to my question.

I feel so much better after reading your responses.

I do realize I have to cut down on my food intake and what I am eating in order to realize better numbers.

The problem I'm having is the renovations on the house and the trailer living, eating out.. tooooo much stress!

I do agree that the amount of carbs allowed should be a personal thing. What works for me won't necessarily work for you etc.

The response that was given to me at alt/diabetes something or rather was more like, "omg! you're eating far too many carbs!"

It's amazing what one can read into words not even hearing how the person is saying them.

Anyhow, I'm glad to know that I'm not in the wrong totally and can change.

Thank you again, all of you, as usual I'm extremely blessed to have found this site with such great people who's advice is dearly appreciated.

Kate

[Cyborg]

Many factors come into play. Type 1 vs. type 2. Insulin dependent or not. Regular exercise or not.

Personally, I can eat a ton of carbs if I have a good set in and I take the proper amount of insulin and properly time my bolus. So yes, everyone is different. Trial and error, learn from your mistakes and stick with what works for you...

[DeusXM]

The response that was given to me at alt/diabetes something or rather was more like, "omg! you're eating far too many carbs!"

Yeah, you'll find there's nothing more irritating than a born-again low-carber. They're often staggeringly unhelpful.

NB. This doesn't go for all low-carbers - just the ones who seem to think a carb is a small piece of the AntiChrist and won't listen to any scientific research.

[Dan Gato]

Kate,

How are your bg's & your A1C?

How many carbs are u taking a day?

[kate]

My last A1C was 6.1.

My fasting vein glucose was 7.7 that day.

My fasting finger test with my metre at the same time was 8.2.

How many carbs I've been eating is hard to know except I am watching what I'm eating and try hard to make the better choice.

The problem is at the moment the choice is from eating out alot due to our renovation circumstance and not having a proper kitchen, food storage etc.

That will change in the next month or so as the house is coming along now.

The only other factor would be stress.

I've found this past month and the most recent weeks to be the most stressful.

I've found when I'm feeling stress my BG elevates no matter what I eat or don't eat.

This past month I've also had unreal fasting tests as high as 13.5.

I don't really think it's what I'm eating but moreso due to stress.

However, my food choices could be a factor there as well.

Eating out doesn't exactly give you the best food choices at times.

We have found this great restaurant that homecooks everything with great prices but items can be saucy.

I've found I've had to ask for no sauce on things such as broccoli that they serve with cheese sauce.

I'm dearly hoping that by the time I get into the house, life will return to normal and so will my readings.

My next A1C will reflect all of this and that is now in October.

My doctor doesn't want to increase anything just yet.

So, we'll see how it goes I guess.

Thank you to everyone for their replies, thoughts, and insight.

Kate

[Alice]

I eat as many as I like since I take insulin...and yes I eat desserts if I choose. But all diabetics are different. I take insulin and count carbs to dose the Humalog. I'm a normal to small eater...meaning if I order a meal, I usually don't finish all portions. This is mainly due to weight control than a blood sugar issue. If I order a dessert, I eat a few bites until I'm satisfied and count the carbs into my dosage.

Type II's are more varied as they produce different amounts of insulin...so what works for one, will not work for another.
Also, medications help your body metabolize glucose. If your doing this without meds, then you have a lower threshold of carbs...but then that varies when you look at exercise. Some type II's are running several miles a day. Some are sitting in recliners...it all varies.

You have to find what works for you. I also think people often forget about portion control. 45 carbs (3 of the old bread/starch exchanges) really isn't that much when you are looking at true, measured portion sizes. I think that's where people get sidetracked on carbs...portion sizes. That goes for Type I & Type II's.

For instance, I always tell the server to measure my pasta in the kitchen at restaurants. I tell them I only want 1/2 cup of pasta on the plate. If they forget, I ask for a smaller plate and serve myself...You can use coffee cups for measuring cups if you need to in restaurants ( I learned this tip at Weight Watchers)...who care what they think? I consider it a good education of the public that has grown up with SuperSizeMe mentality.