diabetes

Enlighten us on good and bad carbs.

Enlighten yourself

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm

This is an article detailing glycemic index of foods. Can you point to where it details the difference between carbs?

Enlighten yourself

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Glycemic_index_and_glycemic_load_for_100_foods.htm

This is an article detailing glycemic index of foods. Can you point to where it details the difference between carbs?

Are you really trying to argue with diabetics about how different carbs affect their sugar levels?

OK, first--don't live by this diagnosis! Think of this way (it sounds corny, but it really helped me!!!): You are A PERSON living with diabetes, not a diabetic!
There is no quick fix, the link below was wonderful and will have very helpful advice. One thing I've learned is that you will have to find out what foods spike your blood sugar (I hope you are checking it. Did the doctor recommend this?). Carbs in general doesn't effect me as much, but refined foods and good 'ol candy will do it in a skinny minute!
I also found out that exercise is a HUGE factor for me. I have to move--walking, ZUMBA, strength training--you name it will help keep it lower.
I have to take meds but I am hoping that at my appointment in a couple of weeks will allow me to go off of one or two of them.
You can do this. Be honest with your food diary and make notes of spikes or dips you see with your exercise.
Good luck and feel free to add me as a friend.

To the OP, there's a good group here on MFP for people with diabetes.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1789-type-2-diabetes-support-group

A lot of clinics will often refer you to a nutritionist, dietician, or diabetes educator. you can ask about those services.

OP: I'm a type I diabetic, so my needs will be slightly different from yours, but hopefully I can help a bit.

As a Type II diabetic, you have a lot of different stuff going on- probably insulin resistance, more than one phase of insulin production, etc. You don't necessarily need to understand all of that, but if you want to, I like the classic Dr. Bernstein "Diabetes Solution" book. I personally think his diet is too extreme for me, but the book really helped me to understand the processes of diabetes.

There isn't really a good/bad here, it's about how different foods affect your blood glucose. You probably do know more than you think. Focus on eating whole, fibrous foods. Most veggies will be great. If you aren't sure, eat, and test your glucose 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hrs after. keeping a detailed log goes a long way in figuring out how food affect YOU. I do think the glycemic index is helpful, because it will give you a good idea of how foods may affect your blood glucose. But other things will affect it too. Strength training can have a huge positive affect on insulin resistance, so if you aren't doing any, start!

I would also suggest getting on to a diabetic specific forum - TuDiabetes and diabetesforum.com have a lot of long-term diabetics who are great at giving advice. You will get no snark on any of those message boards.

When I was diagnosed, I was really disheartened, but a great diabetes educator said to me 'This can either be the monkey on your back, or in your pocket. This can be an opportunity for you to be the healthiest person you know." You have a very compelling reason to take charge of your health and educate yourself. Keep up the good work. You got this!

I'm a diabetic, I don't eat bread, white rice, white potatoes or pasta in order to keep my blood sugar under control. I use bean sprouts instead of pasta, corn tortillas as my pizza base and 1/3 a cup of brown rice. Watermelon spikes my blood sugar, but cantaloupe doesn't. I keep my carbs at 15 for snacks and no more than 30 at a meal. I know more than that makes my blood sugar high. I eat lots of veggies, corn and peas are not veggies for me, meat, fish more often, and chicken. Portion control, is also a must as too much of anything can make blood sugar high.
Exercise is a must!

I was just diagnosed this week with diabetes. My doctor said to continue on the path I am on right now and it can be controlled by my diet and exercise. It is not extremely high, but nonetheless, it's still "diabetes".

My question is, I am so confused by the amount of carbohydrates that a diabetic should consume. I understand the difference between good and bad carbs, but really have no how much of carbs I should consume.

I guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed. I spent four weeks just trying to learn to eat healthy again and it was working. Now I feel like I've been thrown a loop and need to readjust.

Any advice or suggestions would help. Thanks.

Get a blood sugar monitor. Your insurance should pay for one (you will need a prescription from your Doctor). If not, get one off Amazon. The meter can be almost free, but the strips can be costly, although I found that Amazon doesn't work out to much more than my insurance charges me anyway. Use it on waking (fasting levels) and two hours after the first bite of a meal (2 h post-prandial).

Ask your Doctor for a consult with a Nutritionalist who specializes in diabetes care. My State had a free education series for newly diagnosed (pre)diabetics where they taught us about medicines, nutrition, exercise etc.

Avoid sweetened foods, especially drinks like soda, fruit juice and sweet tea. The sugar hits your blood stream immediately.

You will have to find your own level with just how many carbs you can eat, so use the meter to check. I find mine does OK with moderate carbs (a single serving of pasta with a meal is OK). Other people find they need to go low carb to keep their sugar in check. However many carbs you eat, try to spread them out during the day, so you are getting some regularly, rather than saving them up for one meal.

They say avoid white rice, pasta, bread as much as possible - eat brown/whole grain instead. It has a lower GI and absorbs slower. Make sure you get enough fiber - even though it is a carb, it is indigestible and slows down the absorption of the simpler sugars. So add fresh veggies to your diet. Watch the salt, as high blood pressure can complicate high blood sugar levels even more.

Eat protein at every meal. It likewise slows down absorption of the carbs.

Exercise. Whether it be walking, running, swimming, weight training... just do it. Aim for 5 x 30 sessions per week.

Lose weight if you need to. Although for me, I had just lost 40-50 lb and hit goal weight when I was diagnosed.

And breathe! It will be OK!

Enlighten us on good and bad carbs.

Un-called for, unnecessary and just plain rude. The OP came here for help, not this.

So it's rude to ask someone to explain their post?

My question is, I am so confused by the amount of carbohydrates that a diabetic should consume. I understand the difference between good and bad carbs, but really have no how much of carbs I should consume.

Welcome!

The first thing I'm going to suggest is to find your way over to BloodSugar101 - an informative and independent site run by long-time diabetic Jenny Ruhl. http://www.bloodsugar101.com/ There is fantastic information here.

As for how many carbohydrates you should consume ... that varies depending on the individual. Do you have a meter? If not, get one! They're really critical to your glycaemic control. (They're also inexpensive at Walmart - the Relion Meter and strips are cheap and remarkably accurate for the price.)

Test yourself after meals - at minimum test at the 1 and 2 hour mark after you START eating. If you're above 140 mg/dl (USA measurements) or 7.8 mmol/L (most of the rest of the world) then you've spiked too high and need to reduce the amount of total carbohydrate in that meal. (Sometimes it means having 1/2 a potato instead of a potato, sometimes it means eliminating the potato ... Each individual is different).

Please know that BOTH the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) and the IDF (International Diabetes Federation) set post-prandial (after-meal) targets of BELOW 7.8mmol/L or 140mg/dl. The reason for those targets is that level is universally-accepted at the point where damage starts to happen in the body - so you avoid damage by staying below those targets.

If you find yourself above that target, and are worried, exercise will help bring it down... even just a brisk walk.

With frequent testing you'll find what amounts of carbohydrate your body can tolerate and prevent long-term complications. You may even reverse your symptoms and control the disease quite well, which is the ultimate goal!

Good luck!

Call your local hospital and attend a Diabetic Education class. If you see an Endocrinologist, they usually have classes at their offices. Also try to see a nutritionist. Lots of good information on the Diabetic Association website.

You are an inspiration! I saw your post at the perfect time. Funny how that happens. I just finished my first week of a lifestyle change and exercise is what I'm lacking. I did well with food overall but I know I need to get off my sedentary butt and get moving . Thank you, thank you, thank you.