Probably a stupid question......

[karen M S 1229]

I'm a fairly new type 2 diabetic and wondered if you could all tell me what is the magic number of carbs I should safely consume in a day. It's all so much to take in at first and I do feel I have a good handle on things. My initial A1C was 6.8 and just had another one taken yesterday. I'm anxious to get my new number and hopefully will be happy with it!
I would like your input on what a daily carb count is for us.
thanks and I look forward to hearing from you all!
karen

Janumet 50/1000 2/day
Lisinprol/HCTZ 10/12.5
Simvastatin 40mg

[xMenace]

There's no silver bullet. It's one big balancing act and each one of us carries a different load. Use your tester to find what you can eat that keeps your numbers in range. The quality of carbs matters too: whole wheat vs. white, etc. Activity, more meds/insulin, and weight loss all contribute.

[davef]

Karen,

Personally, I don't have a magic number for the day, instead my aim is to aim to keep my fasting BG below 110 (prefer 100) and to keep my BG below 140 two hours after first bite. This is working for me, suppose it's kinda like looking after the pennies and the dollars wil look after themselves. That said, I would aim to not have more than 20-30g carbs per meal.

I arrived at "my" approach by testing, testing, testing. I test before eating to get my starting point, if I'm at 90 (or below) I will allow myself up to 30g, I then test 2 hours after first bite (at this stage only if I've eaten something new) to check I'm below 140 and then two hours later to check I have returned to 110 or lower. I have worked out a number of different meals that let me hit/beat my targets so I don't always do the 2 hour after first bite test (but do so at least 4-5 times/week).

I know there are others who are much better at watching the total carbs etc, I have just found this way is working for me, as they say "your mileage may vary" and I suppose some will say my approach is not optimal.

Either way I am a strong advocate of regular testing to find out what you tolerate best.

[davef]

Sorry meant to say that there is no such thing as a stupid question as far as I'm concerned!

[karen M S 1229]

It certainly is a challenge to say the least! I have always loved a challenge! My levels are consistant....morning levels are usually between 90-110 and afternoon are in the 70's. My doctor has me testing only 2/day. I feel with those levels I have probably found the right mix. I have always been a true love of the carbs so this is a little rough. But like I said I love a challenge and I'm determined to stay on the right track.
You're all very kind with your responses!

[princesslinda]

I'd encourage you to test more often than you are. It sounds like you have good numbers when you test, but unless you test 2 hrs after the first bite of your meal, you'll not know how different food/carbs affect your blood sugar. Once you start testing, you'll be able to make smarter food choices.

I avoid bread, pasta (except for dreamfield's brand), white rice and potatoes, as these tend to cause my blood sugars to rise. I know this because I tested after eating these.

I basically eat "by my meter," meaning if I eat something and my post meal is higher than my goal, I don't have that particular food very often.

BTW, there are NO stupid questions.... its the smart people seek information.;)

[davef]

I agree with Linda, and urge you to test more often, at the moment you are getting a fasting number in the morning (which is a nice number) and then an evening number, but you really don't know what is happening in between after you eat, that is why I went from testing twice daily to testing 2 hours after eating. You never know, some apparently carby food may work for you, I find that I can tolerate Pitta bread pockets and Tortilla wraps really well if I don't go mad on the number I eat.

[amyjo29]

I was told no more than 45 grams of carbs per meal but we are all different so just test like everyone else says and see what the effects are.

[EasyType2]

I pretty well endorse what xMenace said. We are all different, and what works for one may not work for others.

Yes, test religiously until you get a handle on how various food types and amounts affect your BGs.

[kgm0612]

Karen...........you're A1c went from a 6.8 to a 5.8, so whatever you're doing, keep with it. I do agree with Linda & David that you should test a little more often.

No two diabetics are alike. I'm a type 1 pumper and although I can always "push a button" to cover an extra food item, I really try not to do that and try to keep my total carbohydrates (including snacks) to under 100g a day. That's what works best for me.

Karen

[pdxdennisj]

I weighed 185 pound when I started insulin and my diabetes dietitian suggested a max of 180 carbs a day. Actually I run closer to 40 per meal for about 120 a day. Sometimes I'm looser than that and allow my meds to cover for the extra carbs (I absolutely love Byetta). My last A1c was 6.1.

[Lloyd]

I weighed 185 pound when I started insulin and my diabetes dietitian suggested a max of 180 carbs a day. Actually I run closer to 40 per meal for about 120 a day. Sometimes I'm looser than that and allow my meds to cover for the extra carbs (I absolutely love Byetta). My last A1c was 6.1.

I weighed 249 lbs a year ago, I weight 214 now. I eat about 75 carbs a day, this helped!

[karen M S 1229]

Hi All!
Well I took your advice and have been testing more frequently even though my MD told me to only check twice a day. I'm happy to report that whenever I check 2 hrs post meal time my levels have always been in the 90's. I'm happy with those readings...don't you think?

[princesslinda]

Hi All!
Well I took your advice and have been testing more frequently even though my MD told me to only check twice a day. I'm happy to report that whenever I check 2 hrs post meal time my levels have always been in the 90's. I'm happy with those readings...don't you think?


I think you should be very happy regarding these results. Keep up the good work!

[davef]

Karen,

They are great results, congratulations. Keep up the good work.

David