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Carbs/Sugar and Insulin Spikes

TriLifter
TriLifter Posts: 1,283 Member
in Social Groups
Okay, so we all know that carbs/sugar cause insulin spikes and lowering your intake reduces these spikes and prevents fat storage. My question is, how many grams of carbs/sugar are acceptable at one time (not in one day, but at one meal) to prevent an insulin spike?

Replies

  • paulinegrant01
    paulinegrant01 Posts: 22 Member
    bump to read the anwser
  • strychnine7
    strychnine7 Posts: 210 Member
    Of course, I imagine that there is no one number. It depends on activity levels, degree of fitness, and probably a billion other things. This article below, by Sisson, is the best I could think of to post. In it, he does mention some people suggest that paleo-era humans ate probably around 80gr/day but whether that was all one meal or not is anyones guess... Did they eat three-squares a day back then or not?

    http://www.marksdailyapple.com/diabetes/#axzz2bNLQz511
  • Akimajuktuq
    Akimajuktuq Posts: 3,037 Member
    It totally depends on the person and how metabolically damaged the person is/was. For me, the amount would be very, very small. For others, it might be quite high. I think if a person is eating healthy and paying attention to their body they will be able to determine quite easily how many carbs are adequate and how many are too many.
  • homesweeths
    homesweeths Posts: 792 Member
    It totally depends on the person and how metabolically damaged the person is/was. For me, the amount would be very, very small. For others, it might be quite high. I think if a person is eating healthy and paying attention to their body they will be able to determine quite easily how many carbs are adequate and how many are too many.

    You're right, it varies. Personal experience: six months ago a bagel would have made me very sleepy. After two months of eating paleo/primal, last night I had a piece of birthday cake (gluten free: meringue layers with chocolate mousse in between), very sweet and rich, after a protein-heavy meal and was fine. I'm also relieved that it didn't trigger sugar cravings in me this morning, unlike the chocolate liqueur cherries earlier in the week (have banned those from my existence, at least for now, as they are the sort of thing I have trouble eating just one or two). Maybe because of the eggs in the meringue and mousse? Don't know.
  • shar140
    shar140 Posts: 1,158 Member
    It totally depends on the person and how metabolically damaged the person is/was. For me, the amount would be very, very small. For others, it might be quite high. I think if a person is eating healthy and paying attention to their body they will be able to determine quite easily how many carbs are adequate and how many are too many.

    This, plus depends on what activity level and what you've just done, and what else you're eating with those carbs, and the source of the carbs, etc. Also remember that insulin is not the only hormone affecting fat storage/fat release/fat burning; as well as, protein can also induce an insulin spike (but also triggers glucagon to be released, whereas carbs do not). So there is a lot more in the game than just how many carbs eaten in one sitting.

    Also, an insulin spike isn't always a bad thing - it also helps shuttle nutrients to your muscle cells.

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