Information Overload

For most weight loss alone is a major factor in improving the blood panels. I would focus on calorie deficit more than carbs or any macros until you at least figure out what keeps you feeling full enough to resist the urges to over consume.

If you struggle with low carb simple calorie counting will give you more possible options. If you like the WW points system that can work also.

If you use the MFP system you can eat the things you want, and simply adjust the amounts of certain foods to fit.

AlisonTietz wrote: »

Hi I was just diagnosed with T2D last week. My AIC was 7.2% and I was placed on 500 mg of Metformin twice daily. I'm an overweight, 58 year old woman with diabetes in my family so no surprise when I was diagnosed. I'm determined that when I have my 3 month re-evaluation that my numbers should be much better and eventually I want to control this with diet and exercise alone. Of course I've been all over the internet and the information is vast and overwhelming regarding dieting. I started back on weightwatchers but there really are no carb or sugar requirements just stay within your points. I've read that a low carb diet is what I need to be on but that is high in fat and honestly, I've tried those in the past and they are unsustainable for me. So right now I don't know if I should have real half and half in my coffee or skim milk, can I eat fruit or not, what is the daily amount of carbs I should be striving for and in what form? I'm sure most of you that have been doing this a while have figured out the formula so looking for some guidance.

Did your doctor suggest anything?

I'd say that if you are overweight step one should be just losing weight, in the way that seems most sustainable and simplest to you (WW if you want, or using MFP's food log). Often that is enough.

Usually some kind of guidelines are given about carbs too -- basically not eating more than X per meal (not an especially low amount), making sure that you eat carbs with protein and fat too (again, not an issue if you are eating mixed meals and snacks), limiting refined carbs and added sugar (which is often something people losing weight will do anyway, since those are often high cal/low nutrient foods). Nothing complicated, and nothing that can't be instituted in smaller steps.

Some people do find low carb a good way, for them, to control T2D. Often these are people who have struggled to control their diabetes using other means, or else people who are drawn to low carb as a weight loss method or way of eating anyway. (I don't have diabetes or IR, but full disclosure, I like low carbing.) Some people find they develop symptoms of T2D or IR even when not overweight, and for them there may be more to it than losing weight.

I'd say that if you haven't had positive experiences with low carb and aren't attracted to it, see if just losing weight and eating a balanced diet that follows the kinds of guidelines mentioned above (eating carbs with other foods, limiting the highly refined carbs, focusing on higher fiber carbs like legumes, vegetables, and fruits, stuff like that). Then see where you are in 3 months, when you will have had weight loss too.

I agree with you, there is so much information out there it is hard to decide what to do. My husband is T2D and recently had a 491 blood sugar in the ER. His endocrinologist wants him on the low carb diet and he is very strict about it and his blood sugars are much improved. I make a low carb dinner for us with meat and 2 or 3 vegetables. I tried doing the low carb with him for a few days, I was not feeling well on it, tired ,dizzy,lips and fingers tingling,headaches and my mood was just nasty.
I have hypoglycemia and prediabetes and I cannot tolerate low carb. I have my fitness pal set at 40% carbs 30% fat and 30% protein and that works for me. I do a more balanced 1300-1500 cal ADA diet and feel better on that. The carbs I have though are whole grain and higher fiber. I eat fruits and vegetables, leaner meats and brown rice and some potatoes or sweet potatoes. I do continue the low carb dinner with my husband though and that does not bother me.This is what has worked for me in the past and I am just getting restarted on it.
Also exercise and drinking lots of water help rid your body of the extra sugar. I like the elliptical,swimming walking or riding my bike. The swimming and elliptical are the easiest on my joints. There are a series of cook books from the hungry girl. The hungry girl diet is one of them and has very good suggestions and recipes. The hungry girl clean and hungry book had good recipes too for all kinds of things to do with cauliflower and spiralized zucchini or squash noodles to use instead of pasta. Not everyone can follow the same diet, our bodies are different and you have to find out what works for you.