To Carb or not to Carb? That is the diabetic question.?!
Question: I'm type 2 diabetic. No medication needed- it is diet controlled.
I have been reading a lot about how carbs should be evenly distributed in a diabetic meal plan- and throughout the day. The diabetic food pyramid says that you should have 6-11 servings of grains, breads, pastas. I'm confused. I know these carbs burn steadily and are used to maintain levels through out the day.
I'm scared of eating carbs. I've been on a high protein, low fat, low carb lifestyle. Since starting this, my numbers have been great. But because I'm so neurotic about having diabetes, I read a lot about what I should be eating.
Am I doing something wrong? Should I be eating the carbs they say to eat? Won't that increase my levels?
Answers: I'm type 2 diabetic. No medication needed- it is diet controlled.
I have been reading a lot about how carbs should be evenly distributed in a diabetic meal plan- and throughout the day. The diabetic food pyramid says that you should have 6-11 servings of grains, breads, pastas. I'm confused. I know these carbs burn steadily and are used to maintain levels through out the day.
I'm scared of eating carbs. I've been on a high protein, low fat, low carb lifestyle. Since starting this, my numbers have been great. But because I'm so neurotic about having diabetes, I read a lot about what I should be eating.
Am I doing something wrong? Should I be eating the carbs they say to eat? Won't that increase my levels?
All the answers here have been pretty good so far.
The fact is, there are several different approaches to the diabetic diet. The ADA (American Diabetic Association) says I can have three pieces of fruit a day. Half a cup of rice at any given meal. 40 grams of carb per meal. But if I did that my blood sugar would be 250 all day long.
Most type 2s I know take a different approach, a lower-carb approach. I do too because I've tested my blood over a period of years and I know how certain foods affect me.
Through measuring my blood I have learned what I can eat. How carbs affect me depends on context. If I eat half an apple with a relatively low-carb dinner, it doesn't show in my blood. I can have a whole apple, or even a few bites of chocolate, if it's just before my walk. But even then I can't have a banana. I can have half a potato with a meal and it won't bother me, but half a cup of rice will spike me over 200.
You SHOULD be scared of carbs. You SHOULD be a little neurotic about what you eat. You'll learn that it's not that hard to control, but it requires constant vigilence. If you can do it just with diet and exercise, you're better off than me. I use metformin and I think it really makes a difference, but I think I'd be better off if I could do it myself.
I am not diabetic...but have been on low carb (at least no white) diet...way of life. Since 2 years I had gestational diabetes. So I am interested in this .
I am sorry I have no answers but good luck...
Your physician should be able to give you some information on a diet for T2 DM. There are different types of carbohydrates out there that are recommended for the disease.
I would call him.her and ask for a diet plan or see a diabetic nutritionist.
Hi Marth A. I to am a type 2 diabetic! That's the catch 22 of diabetes! The body gets _fuel_ from carbs! You want to avoid the simple carbs! Carbs like simple table sugar, honey, corn syrup.. These cause a diabetics Blood sugar to SPIKE and we don't want that! TOO much protein in your diet can place too much of a burden on your liver and kidneys! That's why a LOT of diabetics read the nutrition labels on the foods they eat. So, they can plan accordingly. I'd suggest you get a referral from your DR. for a nutritionist/dietitian who will help you interpret nutrition labels and correctly plan your meals!
IF you exercise you can fight syndrome X! exercise causes the amount of sugar(glucose) in your blood to lower because the body's cells' receptors are more receptive to accept glucose while and after exercising.
When you see a nutritionist/dietitian they should explain this to you. I was referred to a "Diabetes Educator" who was _-*very*-_knowledgeable in helping the newly diagnosed diabetic adjust to the change in eating and lifestyle changes!
I've been told that any diabetic can improve their condition by losing weight. And with enough weight loss the blood sugar could improve AND yes.. even a reversal of the diabetes is possible.
Good luck!!
Keep in touch!
Vincent Reagan
Hawkeye
:)
;)
I AM ALSO T-2 I am on Oral Meds & Insulin.
I was Diagnosed 10 yrs ago. Breakfast yogurt Fruit.
I try to eat my carbs for lunch. As well as fruit and nuts.
Dinner the usual Protein, Veg, Little bit of Carb.
Snack something a little sweet or P-Nut Butter & Crackers.
I was verry Neurotic as well but with time I got over it.
My AB1C is a steady 5 for the past 2 yrs.
I SAY CARB with caution.
I even have real Ice Cream some nights.
Oh by the way i am 61 yrs old. great looking Grand Ma.
And Diabetes was my 50 yr old B-Day present.
What a Mid-Life gift that was.
you need to eat them, because they're the energy your body needs. Your body needs them just like your car needs fuel.
Just try to eat some, and if your numbers increase, then you'll know that was too nuch (if glyceamia is high just for a day or two, it is not a problem). So you'll learn what you can eat and how. If you need no medication, you should be able to eat some; do what the doctor told you. Of sugar levels increase, tell the doctor; but if you've only been given a diet, that should be ok.
Depends on the carbs. I suggest you learn all you can about nutrition verses "empty carbs". Dr. Fuhrman's diet is a good place to start. Since getting on his diet, I eat plenty of carbs... 500 to 800 Calories a day of SUGAR alone. That's right, sugar. You see, there are lots of different kinds of sugar. The sugar I take in is fructose. The glycemic index is only 19 whereas table sugar is 65 and pure glucose is 100. Simple rule of thumb is, if it's man made, refined carbs, avoid it. If it's natural carbs, eat it. Since following this simple rule, my diabetes has reversed to the extent that I no longer take any medication at all (after five years) and my glucose readings average in the upper 80s to low 90s. It's all about nutrition to Calorie ratio. Check him out: http://www.drfuhrman.com/default.aspx
sounds like you are doing well on your own...just keep up the good work and continue to monitor your blood sugar....if you would like support or counseling, call your local hospital and ask to speak to the dietician...they are experts on this and are more than willing to go over meals, and meal planning, and will cover everything...depending upon where you are located most hospitals will do this for you free of charge..call and ask for an appt...keep up the good work....your body needs some carbs to burn for fuel, but you also need to keep them down as well...but you have it under control....good job.
If what you are doing is working then leave it alone. Everybody is different. You have type 2 so you are still producing some insulin, your numbers are great then you are doing a great job. Keep it up............