What is your carb profile?
earlnabby
Posts: 8,171 Member
I'm curious. How many carbs do you eat and how do you eat them over the course of the day. I know we all are working with different recommendations from our diabetes management team and that what is right for me will not be right for others (and vice versa), but I am really curious how others spread their carbs out.
Mine:
I eat approximately 180 g a day which is 40% of my total. The other 2 macros are 30% each
Typical meals:
Breakfast: 30
Lunch: 50
Afternoon snack: 30
Dinner: 50
Evening snack: 20
With this, I rarely get a number higher than 150 after meals and my before meal numbers have been averaging around 80 before lunch and 105 before dinner. (My morning fasting has been more in the 120 range because of dawn syndrome)
Mine:
I eat approximately 180 g a day which is 40% of my total. The other 2 macros are 30% each
Typical meals:
Breakfast: 30
Lunch: 50
Afternoon snack: 30
Dinner: 50
Evening snack: 20
With this, I rarely get a number higher than 150 after meals and my before meal numbers have been averaging around 80 before lunch and 105 before dinner. (My morning fasting has been more in the 120 range because of dawn syndrome)
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Replies
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My numbers are similar. I was told to aim for:
Breakfast: 45-60 g
Lunch: 60 g
Dinner: 45-60 g
Snacks: 15 g
Daily Total: 180-210 g
I tend to have three snacks per day. I also tend to go under on my meal intake and over (10-50%) on my snack intake. On days I've fully reported, I tend to be at or below the minimum total (180 g). Again, on days I've fully reported, I've never been over the 210 g upper limit.
I could have an overage or two by not reporting. But, many of my unfinished reporting days occur because I've "eyeballed" my remaining meals and snacks, they look good, and then I forget about it.
I should probably tighten that up.0 -
Personally I stick with low carb cycling. Its worked wonders on my blood sugar. My A1c went down to 5.6.
I eat less than 30g on most days and then two days a week eat up to 60g-70g of carbs. I've steadly continued to loose weight and inches.
My day
breakfast 10
snack 0
lunch 5
snack 3
dinner 7
snack 0 *unless I need it for gluclose reasons.
I'm interested in what others do also. Also most of my carbs come from fruits and veggies only.0 -
I try to do less than 120 carbs a day. When I eat them varies a lot depending on the day.
Cool thing is I dont count calories at all.. I've found that limiting carbs to 120 a day makes it hard to over eat. Seems like I have to eat a lot to get to 1800 calories a day. As a result I have lost 42 lbs since Jan, and my last A1C was 5.0 0 -
My macros goals are 40% protein, 30% fat, and 30% carbs. That gives me a carb target of 127g per day and I try to stay below that.
On a typical day I eat:
Breakfast - 30-35g
Lunch - 20g
Afternoon Snack - 10-20g
Dinner - 40-45g
Evening snack - 10-20g
Although I don't always succeed I try to keep it below 50g for any meal.
My A1C is down to 5.6 and I'm down to 500mg per day of metformin. My body seems to be tolerating this sort of carb load well. My fasting numbers are below 90 most mornings.
Right now my plan is to stick with this sort of carb range even when I reach my goal and hit maintenance. I will up my fat% to make up the extra calories I will need at maintenance.0 -
I probably eat 180 carbs a day. You can check my food diary. Of course I have a few days I ate a little more carbs than that and my fasting sugar the next morning always reflects that.
melodymedlin - I don't know how you do it with only 30 carbs a day!0 -
breakfast 10
lunch 15
dinner 15
I do between 20-40 carbs a day, Eat between 1200-1400 calories. My numbers never go over 120 and run mostly in the 90's all day. I do take metformin 500mg at night. My a1c is in the low 5's.0 -
I probably eat 180 carbs a day. You can check my food diary. Of course I have a few days I ate a little more carbs than that and my fasting sugar the next morning always reflects that.
melodymedlin - I don't know how you do it with only 30 carbs a day!
It was really hard the first week and a half and now its tons easier. The sweets that I found I ate a lot of are too sweet. I don't crave pasta or bread like I did. I still indulge in these things once a week and I love it! Also still getting around 1,500-1,600calories a day. 0 -
I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day with about 150 g max carbs. I try not to have more than 30-35ish at one time, but I snack quite a bit too. My last a1c was 5.4 and I just got taken off Metformin today.
My philosophy was to reduce my carbs a little and as long as it works, then to stick with it. It gives me some wiggle room in the future if I need to cut back more and (for me) is much more realistic and maintainable than going ultra low carb.0 -
How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?0 -
Been eating at (around 1,900 cal./day) maintenance since Dec 2013. Daily carbs around 170-180g.
I treat my mealtime carbs, using a fast acting (bolus) insulin in addition to using Lantus, a background insulin at bedtime too.0 -
I eat about 1500-1700 calories a day with about 150 g max carbs. I try not to have more than 30-35ish at one time, but I snack quite a bit too. My last a1c was 5.4 and I just got taken off Metformin today.
My philosophy was to reduce my carbs a little and as long as it works, then to stick with it. It gives me some wiggle room in the future if I need to cut back more and (for me) is much more realistic and maintainable than going ultra low carb.
Congrats on getting taken off Metformin! Great A1C! I hope to get off it. I take it three times a day, 500mg.0 -
How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?
That's what I'm wondering. I need to see some food diaries.0 -
melodymedlin - I don't know how you do it with only 30 carbs a day!
I am doing well at 120 carbs a day. Eating 30 or less would be really tough; though I know people do it. If you eat that few carbs you have to eat a lot of fat to get enough energy.0 -
How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?
I was wondering that too. My dietician told me I should not be counting net carbs, only total carbs.0 -
How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?
I was wondering that too. My dietician told me I should not be counting net carbs, only total carbs.
I count total carbs.0 -
This is a really interesting discussion and it's good to hear how each person is figuring out the amount of carbohydrate as well as your overall eating plan that works best for you. It might be easier in the short-term if there was just one way of eating that worked for everyone, but in the long run this allows each person to put together an eating plan that meets your needs for energy, diabetes management, taste, and social events. Thanks for sharing what works for you. ~Lynn /Glucerna0
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How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?
Well, one plum tomato has 2.43 g of carb. I can eat 2 of those sliced with mozz or fried queso blanco for a nice light snack or breakfast.
I eat lots of fat, veggies & a fair amount of protein.
I aim for < 20 g carb per day. It's not that hard to meet my macros when I eat avocado, coconut oil, butter, fatty cuts of meat & fresh leafy veggies.
No sugar, no starch is what I try to do in a nutshell.
If I could eat more carbs and still stay within my BG limits, I would, but I can't. I aim for <100 mg/dl for FBG and < 120mg/dl 1 hour PP (at the least, but will settle for up to 120mg/dl at the 2 hr mark if I've chosen to indulge a little).0 -
@hookilau: I had to consult with bloodsugar101.com and Google to be sure what you were saying. I learned some new terminology.
Your carb goals are definitely different than what I was told mine should be. But as you indicated, they seem to be working quite well for you. Coolness.
I imagine it was difficult to find stuff to eat. I thought I was jumping though hoops to get into the 170 g range. Hence, my difficulty understanding.0 -
This is an interesting discussion, I went back and looked at my food diary as I really have not been tracking to a specific number. I have simply cut refined carbs out of my diet
I gave up bread, white rice, and potatoes for the most part and my numbers have been consistently below 125 1 hour P/P. My last A1c was a 5.3.
I get the majority of my carbs from vegetables and fruits.
I have been averaging around 140-180 grams per day.
I think I will try to go to 100 grams a day and see what that does for me. I have hit a plateau at 295 pounds and need to figure out a way to jump start my weight loss again.0 -
@hookilau: I had to consult with bloodsugar101.com and Google to be sure what you were saying. I learned some new terminology.
Your carb goals are definitely different than what I was told mine should be. But as you indicated, they seem to be working quite well for you. Coolness.
I imagine it was difficult to find stuff to eat. I thought I was jumping though hoops to get into the 170 g range. Hence, my difficulty understanding.
It was indeed difficult at times, and at others, far less so :laugh: Diagnosed at 45, I've got a lot of years (hopefully) to get this right. Eating to my meter has led me to a Ketogenic Diet, Modified Atkins, Modified South Beach sort of thing.
I don't log foods anymore, though when I first started last April I did so diligently. These days, my diet consists of salads, cheeses, deli meats etc. Eggs, butter, cream and nuts as well. Veggies include all but starchy ones & favor Avocado, tomato, peppers, cauliflower, broc, cabbage etc.
Fats include coconut oil, ghee and bacon fat to a lesser degree (cause too much gives me bubble-guts :blushing: )
I'm not real big on the grass-fed meat argument, however, through meet-ups, I was able to secure 1/4 share of a pasture raised pig. Not sure what that will be like, but looking forward to checking it out
My endocrinologist does not support my diet, however he is impressed with my numbers. It seems we have an unspoken agreement, I keep getting good numbers, he won't tell me what to do :laugh: To be fair, I hear his advice, I just don't take it. He respects that I guess.
I appreciate your comment, good luck & BloodSugar101 is a fantastic resource. I go back to it all the time to refresh my understanding or update myself as I go. It's a lot to study for sure :drinker:0 -
How do people do the ultra low carb thing? I can't figure out how those numbers are achievable. A tomato would kill your budget for the day.
Are we counting the same way?
I was wondering that too. My dietician told me I should not be counting net carbs, only total carbs.
I just realized, I'm not working with a dietitian, nutritionist, and as I stated earlier, while I do have an Endocrinologist I see on a regular basis, I have chosen to reject his targets for me.
If I followed his advice, it would not be a pretty picture, and I certainly would not be able to get the numbers I do. I'm not really sure how he expects me to get good numbers with his targets, unless he's just standing by waiting to add more meds as needed, as this disease progresses.
It is my belief that even though I am a T2Diabetic, I still have the right to normal blood sugars if I can get them safely. This is where my doctor and I diverge. His belief is that I am diabetic & I should stay in the diabetic range of numbers because that's what the literature says.
I should say that I am not on Insulin, just Metformin XR 1500 daily.
For folks who are finding this discussion eye opening, it can be complicated, but not overly so.
Go to BloodSugar.com and I encourage you to share the prospective you've gained (I'm sure you'll have questions) with your doctor.0 -
I try to keep my carbs at 22 per day. Helps to keep my blood sugar down.0
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I try and do 30 or less for breakfast ,lunch and dinner and 10-15 for snacks. My numbers are usually good with that but I may try lower to try and lose more weight.0
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I don't actually count my total. I eat my meter and know what affects my sugar more. I test about 9 times a day (I know a lot). However, I know some carbs don't affect my BS as much as others. (on Metformin ER 2 times a day 500mg each - no insulin)
I try to keep my morning meal under 30g with fat.
Snacks under 15 (sometimes 20...)
Lunch around 25 or less
Dinner 40 or less
These are all ballpark. I splurge on fruits. They seems to be ok for BS. Every person and every carb is different.
What I do know is exercise really lowers my BS. Once I was about 160. Got on my treadmill. After 10 minutes it was 110. Definitely makes a huge difference!0 -
I don't actually count my total. I eat my meter and know what affects my sugar more. I test about 9 times a day (I know a lot). However, I know some carbs don't affect my BS as much as others. (on Metformin ER 2 times a day 500mg each - no insulin)
I try to keep my morning meal under 30g with fat.
Snacks under 15 (sometimes 20...)
Lunch around 25 or less
Dinner 40 or less
These are all ballpark. I splurge on fruits. They seems to be ok for BS. Every person and every carb is different.
What I do know is exercise really lowers my BS. Once I was about 160. Got on my treadmill. After 10 minutes it was 110. Definitely makes a huge difference!
I test a lot too, like 6 times a day or so. My fingertips are taking a toll. I'm only on Metformin too. I usually can do more carbs for breakfast than my other meals. I started added more fruit into my diet. It hasn't had an effect on my sugars. Exercise makes a big difference for me too!0 -
I'm normally below 1500 calories a day but I try to keep my carb intake below 50 for most meals.0
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What I do know is exercise really lowers my BS. Once I was about 160. Got on my treadmill. After 10 minutes it was 110. Definitely makes a huge difference!
Exercise makes mine go higher. The before dinner reading I take is always highest on the days I have my water aerobics class because class is from 4-5 PM and I usually eat dinner around 6-6:30. My doctor said that that will go away eventually as I lose more weight and get more fit. The muscles are releasing glucose into the bloodstream to give me energy for the workout (known as a "glucose dump"). She told me, for the fun of it, that I should take my meter to class and test every 10 minutes. I probably will see an initial drop, then the numbers will start rising and won't go down again until 2 hours after. Kind of like a meal except that the glucose is coming from the muscles instead of food. I haven't done it because I would be kind of self conscious about moving to the edge of the pool and testing in front of everybody.0 -
What I do know is exercise really lowers my BS. Once I was about 160. Got on my treadmill. After 10 minutes it was 110. Definitely makes a huge difference!
Exercise makes mine go higher. The before dinner reading I take is always highest on the days I have my water aerobics class because class is from 4-5 PM and I usually eat dinner around 6-6:30. My doctor said that that will go away eventually as I lose more weight and get more fit. The muscles are releasing glucose into the bloodstream to give me energy for the workout (known as a "glucose dump"). She told me, for the fun of it, that I should take my meter to class and test every 10 minutes. I probably will see an initial drop, then the numbers will start rising and won't go down again until 2 hours after. Kind of like a meal except that the glucose is coming from the muscles instead of food. I haven't done it because I would be kind of self conscious about moving to the edge of the pool and testing in front of everybody.
Yes, that used to happen to me too when I exercised. However, since my carbs are so low, I don't have a whole lot of glycogen to burn up in general So I don't get that glucose 'dump'....that's not to say it's not possible for my liver to decide I need some & 'help' me out :huh:
However, as I've progressed & lost weight, it stopped happening :drinker:0 -
Hey all,
I really appreciate seeing what everyone is doing in their carb counts. It's always good to open up to other ideas.
My Dietician said to shoot for somewhere between 135-165 of starch carbs a day. I do not count every carb I eat. I was advised to count carb servings (15g=1 serving) of starchy foods like corn, potato, bread, rice, yogurt, fruit etc... Not tomato, lettuce etc... I was ultra low carb in the beginning, but she said that wasn't recommended for me as I need the carbs for energy and I get lows associated with hormone chnages. So, I upped my carb intake.
I am on one Metformin a day and occasionally I forget to take it at dinner. Afterwards, I'm always up in the 150's or higher. When on the Metformin, I'm usually around 115 post-prandial.
Hubby and I live on a second shift schedule, so I only eat 4 times a day. 2 meals and 2 snacks. Here's what it looks like:
Lunch 30-45g
Snack 15-20g
Dinner 30-45g
Snack 15-20g
If you total that up, the most I'll eat in a day is 130 grams. I find it difficult to eat more and keep my sugars where I want them (A1C is 5.9). When I'm up early enough for Breakfast, I can spread them out more and eat more carbs. Those days I typically get to 150 or so.
Generally, I try not to eat more than 45 grams of grain carb in a day. However, I do allow myself to eat one chip type snack a day. The rest is fruit (I try to eat 30g a day in fruit) and veggie carb with the occasional 15g of potato.
I eat a lot of cheese and meat because I can't tolerate Vitamin D meds and my Endo is determined to get my levels into a normal range (I was at 7, now I'm at 17). Plus it fills me up!
I also have acid reflux so onions, peppers and salad more than once a day can be problem. So, I have to get creative with the veggies...lots of broccoli, carrots and mushrooms.
I test 3 times a day. Once in the morning, once after dinner and then once whenever I want to test a food or see where I'm at before I eat. I'm 2.5 years in and I still feel like I learn something every time I test.
Create a great day!
Kristen0 -
I shoot for the very low end. Typically 40-60 grams per day. Often nearly none for breakfast (hard boiled egg or a cheese stick are typical on week days) and then 20-ish grams for lunch and dinner, that leaves a few for a snack. And what's life without a little chocolate?
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