Low carb for T2 diabetes?

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  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    @Yarwell, do you have any studies that hold protein equal and have carbs at a more moderate %. 55-60% is rather high, IMO.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    julienurse wrote: »
    I'm a diabetes educator and our guidelines would be higher carb than many with diabetes on here would want to eat... the reason being is the majority of people out in the world have very very little food education and have no idea what a carb is not to mention have major difficulities lowering carbs. Especially those from cultures that eat a lot of rice.

    So what we usually discuss with patients is a reasonable diet that's moderate (a few carb choices at each meal), because that's a HUGE improvement from what they were doing for years before diagnosis. I have to teach the guidelines I'm supposed to. I also see quite a few patients who try low carb and that's ok, but many don't stick on that plan. Not saying people CAN'T, but people tend to fall off the wagon. I try personally (no diabetes) to stick to 100-120 grams of carb per day, or I feel unnaturally hungry and just eat more calories.

    A new diagnosis of T2D will have better luck with diet changes. Someone who has diabetes for over 10 years MAY have more issues controlling blood sugars because the pancreas can make less insulin over time. Every single person's diabetes is sooooo incredibly different it's crazy! You have to find out what works for you and how it makes you feel and how your blood sugars are. Some people CAN change their diet and not need meds, some people need insulin no matter what they do.

    I honestly think our guidelines will be changing soon to eating more healthy fats, it's been recommended before to eat lower fat because of the ADA guidelines, but research is showing otherwise.

    Great information.
  • traceyg3362
    traceyg3362 Posts: 13 Member
    I am having the hardest time figuring out the carbs thing. I have read dozens of books on the diabetes diets and carb situation and find it all confusing. One book says 45 grams per day another says 45% of your daily calorie intake can be carbs. One says count net carbs, while another says count full carbs and sugars separately. One says boost protein, one says protein doesn't outweigh carbs. UGGGG! I am new to the whole diabetes thing and can't make heads or tails of any of the information I am finding. I would really like an "eat this/not that" book specifically for diabetics.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    traceyg3362 wrote: »
    I am having the hardest time figuring out the carbs thing. I have read dozens of books on the diabetes diets and carb situation and find it all confusing. One book says 45 grams per day another says 45% of your daily calorie intake can be carbs. One says count net carbs, while another says count full carbs and sugars separately. One says boost protein, one says protein doesn't outweigh carbs. UGGGG! I am new to the whole diabetes thing and can't make heads or tails of any of the information I am finding. I would really like an "eat this/not that" book specifically for diabetics.

    Unfortunately, like with all things, you might have to play with a few approaches to figure out what is best for your situation/lifestyle and determine how well you can stick with things. It would probably benefit you to lower carbs and increase protein. And when you do eat carbs, try to focus on fibrous ones. With fruit, aim for lower sugar fruits to help mitigate some of the effects of insulin. The increase in fiber and proteins will help with satiety, which will make following the lifestyle a bit easier. Depending on how you ate prior to your recent diagnosis, you could start off with moderate to lower carbs, and decrease carbs (subsequently increasing fats - especially unsaturated fats) to figure out where your sweet spot is.

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