Carb Question

[sowski143]

So, today I've officially started my diet of 45 carbs per meal and 30 per snack (dr. recommended). This morning, I had half a grapefruit which was only 12 carbs, so can I substitute the other 33 to another meal, or have I lost those carbs completely?

This may sound stupid, but I am just now trying to get the hang of this.

[shiftzor]

I would say that you have “lost” those carbs, the main reason for that is because you are trying not to overload your pancreas with carbs. The less work you make your pancreas do the more work it will do for you ;) Bean counting carbs is the wrong way to look at it, look at it as if these are upper limits instead of targets. Good luck.

[fgummett]

Hey Michelle, what diabetes medication if any, are you on? It might be pertinent to the advice offered here :)

I also have to ask is that ALL you had for breakfast... if so... it is arguably the most important meal of the day (just like our Mums told us!) and you need something to start your day out... some protein may be a good idea. Starving yourself is not really a help if you are trying to lose weight as that slows the metabolism and puts your body into "famine" mode where every little extra bit gets stored as fat.

[princesslinda]

There are no stupid questions here!

I would also encourage you to test your blood sugars 2 hrs after your first bite so you can see how many carbs your body can handle....I was also told 3-4 servings of carbs/meal and 2 servings per snack (serving = 15 mgs carbs). I soon found I couldn't tolerate that many. Your mileage may vary....but you won't know unless you check.

[Scrabblechick]

Love your avatar, Michelle! I'm a Cubs fan, myself.

Now to carbs, not Cubs. LOL. Carbs are a fluid thing. I eat very few carbs for breakfast, as a rule, simply because I've never been a big breakfast eater. A container of yogurt does fine for me.

No, you haven't exactly "lost" those carbs, but be aware: in general, the more carbs you eat at a meal, the higher your post-meal numbers will be. The aim is to keep your blood glucose (BG) levels as stable as possible. You don't want to spike and stay high for an extended period of time. The more carbs you eat, the more likely that is to happen. Eating some protein first will help delay the absorption of the carbs into your system, meaning you'll see a rise, but it will be a more gradual one.

I personally try to keep my carb consumption below 100 grams per day. That has been working well for my BG levels. However, I do tend to eat those carbs for lunch or supper, simply because that's when I feel more like eating. I may eat a few more carbs for supper because I'm probably going for a nice walk, which will help burn off the glucose that much quicker, returning my BG to my pre-meal level more rapidly.

I try to keep my snacks to 15 carbs or less--usually 10 or under. I find that helps keep my calorie intake lower, since I'm in the process of getting some weight off.

But with this disease, you must do what works best for your body and your BG levels. Testing 2 hours after you take your first bite of a meal will give you a really good idea of how your carbs are affecting your BG. A good goal to shoot for is under 140 two hours post-prandial (PP).

Also, all carbs are not created equal for everyone. For example, I can have a small serving of French fries as long as I eat some protein and it really doesn't bother me. However, rice in anything more than about 1/4 cup will send it right on up. That's why you test 2 hours PP. You need to know what foods are most likely to send your BG up, and try to avoid those foods, except in very small quantities. I'd way rather be able to eat rice than potatoes, but that's simply the nature of the beast.

You'll get the hang of this thing. Just remember to test frequently!

[sowski143]

I take 8 mg of Amaryl in the am and 58 units of Levemir before bed...what proteins other than eggs are morning foods? My cholesterol is high, and I don't want to eat more than 3 eggs a week, but I don't know of anything else I can do to prolong the absorption of the carbs I do eat...:confused:

[princesslinda]

You could always use the egg-beaters and turkey ham or sausage.

Also, nothing says you have to eat breakfast foods at breakfast...i'll often have some lunch meat and cheese for b/fast...or a protein shake.

[sowski143]

That's a good idea...I will try some turkey sausage links and scrambled eggs along with my grapefruit...thanks guys!

[BlueSky]

... My cholesterol is high, and I don't want to eat more than 3 eggs a week, ...
Eggs are a superfood, and as a diabetic you should be eating lots of them. Eating eggs doesn't raise cholesterol. The notion that they do is a myth. My cholesterol hasn't changed sinceI started eating 3 eggs a day. Try it for yourself and you will see.

[fgummett]

Also, nothing says you have to eat breakfast foods at breakfast...I'll often have some lunch meat and cheese for b/fast...or a protein shake.

I recall a school trip to Germany (Rhine Valley) some many many moons ago, where breakfast usually included a cold buffet of meats and cheeses.

[notme]

I absolutely don't eat breakfast things for breakfast all the time. Some mornings, I will eat a chopped chicken salad for breakfast or some other dinner leftover.

Many times dinner becomes breakfast at our house or lunch. You just have to get a little creative.

[fgummett]

My Mum always used to threaten that if I didn't finish my supper I would get it for breakfast and every meal after that until it was done. I guess the threat must have worked 'cos I don't recall ever having supper food at breakfast time... but it sure worked a number on my eating habits :o

Can't say as I blame my Mother... what with it being not that long after war-rationing and her not wanting to waste anything... I'm just glad I didn't do that to my son :)

[jerseygirl]

So, today I've officially started my diet of 45 carbs per meal and 30 per snack (dr. recommended). This morning, I had half a grapefruit which was only 12 carbs, so can I substitute the other 33 to another meal, or have I lost those carbs completely?

This may sound stupid, but I am just now trying to get the hang of this.

Hi..I have a suggestion for you...try to eat a protein with your carb..also are you by any chance taking lipitor? grapefruit and lipitor are a no no. I get creative for breakfast as the others have said, I'll have cottage cheese w/fruit 1/2 eng muf w/peanut butter..a few days ago I had leftover chicken w/strawberries...whatever works for you...good luck

[jacobsam622]

So, today I've officially started my diet of 45 carbs per meal and 30 per snack (dr. recommended). This morning, I had half a grapefruit which was only 12 carbs, so can I substitute the other 33 to another meal, or have I lost those carbs completely?

This may sound stupid, but I am just now trying to get the hang of this.
I have said this many times before and i will keep saying it a lot of the notion's we learned about food growing up just doesn't hold true today. You cant eat eggs:eek: Eggs are one of the foods that make your cholesterol go up "good cholesterol that is" I have been eating three eggs everyday for about 9 years and I have never had bad cholesterol test.

Its not the number of carbs that we should be worried about its the kind.


Some tips to live by:

To determine carbs subtract fiber from the total carbs. You can also subtract artificial sweeteners.

Traditional wisdom says = Portion control is a must and do not get seconds. I like my way better get small portions that way you can get seconds It is an old Jedi Mind trick:fight:

Foods you can eat:

Meat = Beef well trimmed, chicken, fish broiled or baked, eggs, hotdogs without bun.

Nuts - most nuts are low in carbs, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, any that have total carbs of less then 10g

spreads buy no sugar added jelly or try one of several reduced sugar brands , no sugar added Peanut butter – good for cholesterol

vegetables = almost anything but corn If you are like me and just have to eat corn stick with the small kernel corn on the cob. Eat lots of Green beans it raises good cholesterol

Sugar free ice cream or no sugar added, sugar free jell-o

Chocolate that has a cocoa % >= 60% or low carb chocolate

Breads = whole grain or low carb whole grain.

Pasta = whole grain: Dreamfields, Wal-Mart has good brand

rice = brown rice, wild rice

sodas = diet only

Alcohol = Low carb beer, brands like Michelob ultra, Miller-Lite, there is at least two others. Red wine or wine that is at least 13% alcohol
tequila, Vodka I Like the four wise man myself: Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo, Johnny Walker

avoid high carb food any anything with a lot of refined sugar or white flour

Fruit = try different ones to see how they effect your BS

if you have acid reflux avoid eating fruit at meal time.

General rule if it’s brown then its OK for diabetes

[matingara]

I have said this many times before and i will keep saying it a lot of the notion's we learned about food growing up just doesn't hold true today. You cant eat eggs:eek: Eggs are one of the foods that make your cholesterol go up "good cholesterol that is" I have been eating three eggs everyday for about 9 years and I have never had bad cholesterol test.

ditto. i started ignoring the whole "eggs are bad for you" routine about nine months ago. at the same i started reducing carbs.

my cholesterol and triglycerides have been fabulous ever since.

:)

-- Joel.

[Eddy]

grapefruit and lipitor are a no no


I've heard several times that grapefruit [juice] interacts with various medications.

[sowski143]

Actually, I'm on Tricor and I eat grapefruit...is that bad too?

UPDATE: I finished day 1 of my diet and my blood sugar was higher than yesterday :( ....although, I did snack A LOT after dinner...I need to quit that out.

This morning I had one egg, one sausage link, and half of a grapefruit...we'll see what my blood sugar is later on!