how many carbs should a diabetic eat?

vhadeskellop
vhadeskellop Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I am having trouble finding information about how many carbs I should be eating. My doctor tells me to cut back on carbs, but when I track my food on this website, I always come up short on the carbs that are recommended here. So, how many carbs should a diabetic eat?

Replies

  • L1zardQueen
    L1zardQueen Posts: 8,753 Member
    Did the doctor not give you specifics? Could you ask him to clarify?
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    The American Diabetes Association is a great place to start doing some research on the condition...they have diet tips as well and a wealth of information on understanding carbohydrates.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    As low as it takes to keep your blood sugar out of the danger zone. Keep lowering it bit by bit and testing until you're at a glucose level you're happy with. You could go all out into the ketogenic range, but it's not necessary for everyone. Some diabetics can handle higher levels without having to deal with extreme restrictions. Did your doctor refer you to a diabetes education program? Does that exist where you live? If not, ask them to refer you to a dietitian who is familiar with the condition.

    As for the app, you can change the percentage of carbs you want to eat in the Goals tab (on Android at least) or here if you are using the web version:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/account/my_goals/daily_nutrition_goals
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited February 2018
    Eat to you blood glucose meter. If you don't own one, I recommend getting one. Then check your BG before eating, and then every 30-60 minutes afterwards. You don't want much of a jump. If BG is going from 90 to 130, that is quite a jump and you ate too many carbs. If BG goes from 90 to 110 or less, you are not eating to any carbs.

    For some, too many carbs may be 10g of carbs at a meal but for others 50g or ore nay be fine. The only way to know is to test.

    I recommend the book Dr (Richard) Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. He also has some good videos and blog posts. Dr Sarah Halberg also has a good Ted Talk on the topic.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=da1vvigy5tQ

    Good luck.
  • ugofatcat
    ugofatcat Posts: 385 Member
    The recommended blood sugar ranges for a diabetic are 80 to 130 fasting, which is no eating or drinking (water is ok) for at least 8 hours. If you have eaten a meal, your blood sugar should be less then 180 after 1-2 hours.
    Source: http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-your-blood-glucose.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

    The 2018 Practice Guidelines for Diabetes recommend a Mediterranean style, DASH diet, or whole food plant based diet. They don't give a specific amount of carbohydrates you should or shouldn't be eating.

    I have been reading that when diabetics make their carbohydrates come from plant based sources (fruits, veggies, whole grains, plant based proteins) they have better control then those who just cut back on their carbohydrates that come from more refined sources (think pop, candy, cookies, etc).
    Source: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/plant-based-diets-for-diabetes/
    Source: https://www.masteringdiabetes.org/

    Ask you doctor to refer you to a dietitian who specializes in diabetes education to help you design a plan that works for you.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Carb tolerance is very individual - different foods with the same number of carbs on paper will spike you differently - and different diabetics are spiked by different foods. For example, I can eat lots of fruit with no problems but almost no rice, and a friend is the opposite. So you really MUST test your blood glucose after eating until you learn your limits, whatever your doctor may have told you! It's very common for doctors to tell newly diagnosed diabetics who are not on insulin that they don't need a meter but it's not the doctor's health, it's yours! If your insurance isn't covering enough strips, buy your own meter with inexpensive strips such as the Bayer Contour next or the Walmart relion. Is there anything you would rather spend your money on than not getting nerve damage?

    You've already gotten good advice about when to test. I like to keep my post prandial (after meals) readings under 140, which is as high as "normal" people ever get. For me, that means a maximum of 50g of carbs in a mixed meal. But some people can tolerate more and some less, and time of day and exercise matter a lot. For example, yesterday after running I was able to eat 70g of French fries and bread, and my glucose maxed out at 108. But if I eat after taking a nap in the middle of the day, I get huge spikes - I have learned that less than 30g will spike me way up into the 160s in that situation. Every day is a learning experience. Now I know that I don't eat carbs after a nap unless I am in a situation where I can exercise immediately after eating. But not everyone has the same reaction - you just have to test.

    You can do this! I had an A1c of 11 when diagnosed, and it's 4.7 now. By coming here and asking for help you are on the right track.

  • swebb1103
    swebb1103 Posts: 200 Member
    I agree that it is very individual and to test to get a sense of what you can and cannot eat. The only thing I would add is to look at sugar content, not just carbs - sometimes a "low carb" food still has a lot of sugar. It can be tricky!
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