Low Carb Diet

Craigfleming88
Craigfleming88 Posts: 3 Member
edited December 19 in Food and Nutrition
Hi

I'm type 1 Diabetic and have been looking into trying out a low carb diet to help with my diabetes. There is alot of information out there which varys. What % of carbs is classed as low carb? I'm currently consuming 200-250g of carbs a day if I cut down to 150 would this be enough to notic a benefit?

Replies

  • RelCanonical
    RelCanonical Posts: 3,882 Member
    edited January 2019
    Because you're diabetic, I would recommend speaking with a dietitian or your doctor about proper food choices. Different carbohydrate sources each have their own glycemic index (a simple chart for common foods here) and there's more to carb intake than just total carbs, especially when you're diabetic.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Low carb is typically considered to be under 100-150 g per day, with 150g not accepted by all as low carb.

    Ketogenic is under 20-50g of carbs a day.

    As I understand it, the lower you carb intake, the better chance of tight BG control you get. Have you readDr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution?

    There are a few low carb members around with T1D or family members.
    @midwesterner85 , @Sunny_Bunny_

    Good luck.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    Yes, I also suggest Dr. Bernstein's book. My BG control was better as I cut further and further, though I admit I'm still not as good as most who eat a keto diet. There was a survey done last year and published in a scientific journal - this found that the best control was seen by T1's who ate less than 50g carbs daily. Their average BG's were somewhere around 93-94 mg/dl (I don't remember exactly) with low standard deviations.

    As you cut carbs, you will need to know a few things... some of those things are true for everyone (like making sure to get enough electrolytes) and some of them are unique to type 1's (such as bolusing for protein consumption).
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    edited January 2019
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @lemurcat2 - did you catch all three episodes of that Nutrition Wonk / N = 1 podcast? Didn't they say studies suggest simply losing weight was just as beneficial for diabetics as cutting carbs? Do you remember what episode that was and if they specified which type of diabetes?

    I think that's T2 (second episode of the three, first one after the introduction), but I'm not sure that there's any consensus on the best way for T1 diabetics to eat. Those I've known offline generally follow pretty traditionally healthy diets. I agree that a referral to a dietitian is a great idea.

    There is a lot of evidence, mostly anecdotal, to show type 1's benefit from a keto diet. Much more research is needed, but this is an interesting article to invite some more thorough research: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/6/e20173349?fbclid=IwAR2VCD2ggDpYPzOaO9QAOTZa8JU3bBMO-ja4KUcDyFjyfZnxtLI6SYmIEKA

    ETA: This is the survey mentioned in my earlier post on this thread.
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    mmapags wrote: »
    midwesterner85 wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    @lemurcat2 - did you catch all three episodes of that Nutrition Wonk / N = 1 podcast? Didn't they say studies suggest simply losing weight was just as beneficial for diabetics as cutting carbs? Do you remember what episode that was and if they specified which type of diabetes?

    I think that's T2 (second episode of the three, first one after the introduction), but I'm not sure that there's any consensus on the best way for T1 diabetics to eat. Those I've known offline generally follow pretty traditionally healthy diets. I agree that a referral to a dietitian is a great idea.

    There is a lot of evidence, mostly anecdotal, to show type 1's benefit from a keto diet. Much more research is needed, but this is an interesting article to invite some more thorough research: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/6/e20173349?fbclid=IwAR2VCD2ggDpYPzOaO9QAOTZa8JU3bBMO-ja4KUcDyFjyfZnxtLI6SYmIEKA

    ETA: This is the survey mentioned in my earlier post on this thread.

    I think they key point in your statement is "mostly anecdotal". Would be very interested in seeing what more research would reveal.

    OP, IMHO this is something you should be discussing with your treatment team rather than an internet forum.

    Yes, I was very intentional about those words "mostly anecdotal." Many of us would like to see more research.
  • jonjaxmom
    jonjaxmom Posts: 77 Member
    T1D here! I’m low carbing right now 105g or less per day it’s made s big difference in my blood glucose numbers. I’ve also reduced insulin intake by 30%. Weight loss is slow but going in the right direction. Down 14, 25 lbs to go
  • Craigfleming88
    Craigfleming88 Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks for everyone's replies. My issue is that the Dietician at the Diabetic clinic I attend is about 5 stone overweight, isn't diabetic and not specifically trained on diabetes. When I asked about low carb she called it a fad diet and told me to stick to around 200-250g of carbs a day! I've also joined a diabetic forum just to get a few pointers as well
  • Craigfleming88
    Craigfleming88 Posts: 3 Member
    jonjaxmom wrote: »
    T1D here! I’m low carbing right now 105g or less per day it’s made s big difference in my blood glucose numbers. I’ve also reduced insulin intake by 30%. Weight loss is slow but going in the right direction. Down 14, 25 lbs to go

    I've been hitting 100-125g of carbs a day and even though it's only been 4 day noticed a massive difference in my BG. I have only been diabetic for a year is it harder to lose weigh due to the insulin?
  • leeleemay41
    leeleemay41 Posts: 1 Member
    The Dr is type one I'm going to try it
    https://youtu.be/z4VS5sG_PU4
  • Sunny_Bunny_
    Sunny_Bunny_ Posts: 7,140 Member
    I would tighten it up a bit more than 150g if it were me.
    My daughter is T1D and doesn’t go low carb enough and has just as much trouble with blood sugar roller coaster at just kinda low carb as she does on high carb. She briefly stated very low at less than 50g and had the best results ever but is young and immature and simply won’t stick to it.
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