Carb count

2

Replies

  • brightsideofpink
    brightsideofpink Posts: 1,018 Member
    This may sound obvious, but as this is a medical issue, you would do well to meet with a registered dietician.

    I'll share my own experience with you though, in case you can glean anything from it. I had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies. I know that is a bit different than T1 or T2, but I learned a lot about how carbs and sugar metabolize and how diet effects blood sugar levels.

    With diabetes, its important to remember that its not just a total daily carb count, but how you allocate those across the day. 100 g in one meal is different than 100 in several throughout the day.

    The plan I worked through with my dietician was perfect for me. I never needed insulin and managed 7 months each time with diet alone. I also never gained weight while pregnant.

    Again, this was what worked for me through consultation with a professional:
    Breakfast: 15 carbs
    Morning snack: 15 carbs
    Lunch: 15 carbs
    Mid afternoon snack: 15 carbs
    Dinner: 30 carbs
    Evening snack, had to be within half hour of bed: 1/4 cup plain ice cream (no mixins). I'm not joking about this part. The ice cream was used to help balance blood sugar levels through the night. I always woke up with a perfect fasting blood sugar level. Plus, ice cream!

    Good luck!
  • LinCharpentier
    LinCharpentier Posts: 1,122 Member
    Sounds like a very good plan. But i'm over with my oatmeal this morning. So no snack. But lunch will be quinoa veg. soup.


  • DiabeticDer
    DiabeticDer Posts: 21 Member
    I range anywhere from 50 - 75 on any given day. It seems like whenever I go below 40 my BG gets too low.
  • LinCharpentier
    LinCharpentier Posts: 1,122 Member
    Mine goes to low when I try to stick in 20 and 30 range. It's just to low like 3.9 I don't like that and scared of it.
  • hbmcracer
    hbmcracer Posts: 105 Member
    I am just getting back on here after a couple years myself.

    the best lab results I've ever had were from doing low carb and I wasn't really counting carbs to the exact number. I just avoid the carbs that I know are bad for my BG like bread, beer, potatoes, candy, etc. Typically I will eat something like this

    Breakfast
    2 eggs with cheese on top, bacon or sausage
    Omelet with peppers and onions

    Lunch
    Tuna with full fat mayo and a string cheese or couple slices of pepper jack
    Hot Wings
    Leftover dinner
    Burger without the bun
    Taco salad

    Dinner
    Steak, chicken, pork chops, carne asada with a veggie usually broccoli or cauliflower, sometimes a couple bites of potato lol

    So The carbs I get are usually from condiments and veggies, probably stay between 25-75
  • LinCharpentier
    LinCharpentier Posts: 1,122 Member
    I'm not being real strick with counting carbs but I do tend to watch and try and aim under 100. This past week was bad. I have to watch what i'm doing because my next A1C is coming up soon. And i was told to smarten up or end up on insulin. So far so good these last 5 years.
  • jaynee7283
    jaynee7283 Posts: 160 Member
    edited October 2018
    My average carbs in the first week were 71 per day. Net carbs for that week averaged 66 per day. Net average daily calories in week one was 1176. Exercise included one 3-mile walk (it was a busy week and I could only go walking one night after work). I dropped 9 pounds in the first week.

    Now in week 2 my average is 101 carbs, or 88 net carbs per day. Net average daily calories in week 2 thus far has been 1211. And I've lost NOTHING. Walked 1.5 miles last night (my daughter did not want to go farther). Not a single bit of weight lost in the 2nd week thus far.

    I'm suffering the week 2 curse, it looks like. Ugh.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    edited October 2018
    jaynee7283 wrote: »
    My average carbs in the first week were 71 per day. Net carbs for that week averaged 66 per day. Net average daily calories in week one was 1176. Exercise included one 3-mile walk (it was a busy week and I could only go walking one night after work). I dropped 9 pounds in the first week.

    Now in week 2 my average is 101 carbs, or 88 net carbs per day. Net average daily calories in week 2 thus far has been 1211. And I've lost NOTHING. Walked 1.5 miles last night (my daughter did not want to go farther). Not a single bit of weight lost in the 2nd week thus far.

    I'm suffering the week 2 curse, it looks like. Ugh.

    So two weeks with 9 pounds lost....your weekly average loss is 4.5 pounds per week. Pretty phenomenal. 1 or two weeks in not a stall. A stall is around 6 weeks of no loss while doing the same proper things that resulted weight loss previously.

    So yes, you are suffering the week 2 curse. And to answer the question I recall per your pre-edit...no I did not "stall" during my weight loss (which had similar to your carb intake-higher actually on average) but I also didn't lose every single week per my scale which reflects only full pounds. I averaged about 1.25 pounds/week and at the end of week 53 I woke up and was magically at my goal weight, 60 pounds lighter than when I started. Patience and tenacity. As a side note, I would have gone crazy monitoring tenths of a pound.

    Here's the thing: weight loss is just practice for life long maintenance. You will likely never ever-ever-ever (unless you build significant muscle) be able to eat the amount you ate when you were gaining...on an on-going basis...without gaining the weight back. Keep practicing your new found habits and intake at a deficit. It will make maintenance easier... and you'll have a few more calories to work with.
  • jaynee7283
    jaynee7283 Posts: 160 Member
    I don't monitor tenths of a pound, but I do get on the scale daily. And while I don't obsess, necessarily, I do use that as an indicator of things like "did I have too much sodium yesterday?" or "did I drink enough water yesterday?" I don't get frustrated if I "only" go down .2, but I am a bit miffed that in week 2 I haven't even had THAT happen!

    I know not to expect to lose every week as time goes on, but in the beginning, given how much I want to lose (more than your amount), I figured I'd lose 1-2 pounds consistently for at least the first few weeks. I know, given how much I want to lose, I will need to consider this a life-long plan since it will take me AT BEST until Spring 2020 to get to my goal weight, and another 3-4 months after that before I get to my true "ideal" weight.

    In the meantime, can I be aggravated by Week 2's seeming lack of results? Absolutely. =)
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    @jaynee7283 it was day 45 before I lost the first pound but my fat face was already melting.

    4 years later sticking with the Keto WOE is still even more awesome as my health continues to improve.

    My first two weeks were hellish however.

    Best of success.
  • LifeChoiceGrammy
    LifeChoiceGrammy Posts: 121 Member
    Started back last Monday with some very good friends. Have stared this group.....they are using a carb tracker but I am going to stay here. Have some great support!! Thank you!
  • jaynee7283
    jaynee7283 Posts: 160 Member
    @jaynee7283 it was day 45 before I lost the first pound but my fat face was already melting.

    4 years later sticking with the Keto WOE is still even more awesome as my health continues to improve.

    My first two weeks were hellish however.

    Best of success.

    Thanks. I ended up losing 1.5 pounds in week 2 (that 1.5 came off the last two days of the week).
  • Wifett3
    Wifett3 Posts: 24 Member
    I aim for 20 net carbs. Usually I’ll have a couple days a week where I’m over and a couple days well under. I don’t stress as much as when I first started as I figure my weekly average is always pretty spot on and seems to be working.

    I’ve lost 15lbs of my goal of 50. Most weeks, my loss is just a pound but I’m super happy with that. I think I’ll be more concerned when I get closer to the final stretch as I’ve heard that can be the hardest to lose.
  • Toyota100
    Toyota100 Posts: 182 Member
    1 do 100 carbs or less per day. Plus I try to work out. Sometimes I do less, but I'm scared to go under 50 carbs per day. 100 carbs or less per day with exercise I'm losing weight fast. I will adjust my carbs if needed, but it's extremely hard for me to stay happy and consistent with too low carb restrictions.

  • tammyfranks2
    tammyfranks2 Posts: 290 Member
    I do less then 10 but I am doing keto diet with intermittent fasting 18 / 6 most days some 20/4 and 1 42 hour fast . I am also going to the gym 3 times a week and trying to walk 5000 steps a day .
  • CarolynRSB
    CarolynRSB Posts: 84 Member
    Wifett3 wrote: »
    I’ve lost 15lbs of my goal of 50. Most weeks, my loss is just a pound but I’m super happy with that. I think I’ll be more concerned when I get closer to the final stretch as I’ve heard that can be the hardest to lose.

    I'm also 15 pounds down, and one of the slower losers on keto, dropping .5-1.5 pounds a week (mostly closer to .5-1 average). I have 25 pounds to go, which will be a total loss of 40 pounds. I aim for under 30 net carbs, and often I'm closer to 20 net. For me the key is hitting my protein macros, which I find easiest to do when I jam shredded chicken breast into every dish I make!
  • Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks
  • 2t9nty
    2t9nty Posts: 1,630 Member
    Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks

    I am convinced you can do it. There is some adjustment as you get used to the diet, but much of it is changing patterns of behavior. I would get used to the LC first. Once you have that down, reduce the calories to lose the weight.
  • maureenkhilde
    maureenkhilde Posts: 849 Member
    Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks

    I think you can do the low carb. And a good place to start is around the 100 mark. But something to concentrate on is to be very aware of what exactly you are consuming for the 100 carbs. Meaning that white flour, rice of any type all are high in carbs, and also are well known for shooting up blood glucose/sugar levels. So if you can I would suggest really trying to limit the breads, pastas, and rice items. Eating lots of veges, and some fruit yes has carbs but overall better for you, and as a T2D as well. Depending how much your body reacts to the sugar in fruit will let you know if you can eat two servings per day or not. Me I stick with one serving per day. I do low carb, but not KETO, the biggest reason not is the amount of Fat the average person on Keto consumes to me that is just way too much. Again as a diabetic going on 18 years I am more comfortable with strictly Low Carb than true Keto. But for those that Keto works, I say that is great.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks

    Eat a LOT of salt.

    When you lower carbs you lose water and electrolytes due to depleted glycogen stores and lower insulin. If you don't replace your lost sodium with at least 3000-5000 mg of sodium a day, you may experience headaches, fatigue, moodiness, brain fog, stomach and BM issues, muscle weakness and spasms.... It's hard to stick with a new diet when you feel poorly! ;)

    Eat half a teaspoon of salt with water a couple of times a day, eat a couple of bowls of salty boullion, use salt tablets, make a salty keto-aid, and salt your food liberally. It will help.

    For reference, 2300 mg sodium = 1 teaspoon salt.
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks

    Eat a LOT of salt.

    When you lower carbs you lose water and electrolytes due to depleted glycogen stores and lower insulin. If you don't replace your lost sodium with at least 3000-5000 mg of sodium a day, you may experience headaches, fatigue, moodiness, brain fog, stomach and BM issues, muscle weakness and spasms.... It's hard to stick with a new diet when you feel poorly! ;)

    Eat half a teaspoon of salt with water a couple of times a day, eat a couple of bowls of salty boullion, use salt tablets, make a salty keto-aid, and salt your food liberally. It will help.

    For reference, 2300 mg sodium = 1 teaspoon salt.

    @smith1420ABC987NAN please don't switch to keto without talking to your cardiologist and medical team regarding your over all health as it relates to one of the health issues you mentioned "multiple other drugs for heart problem...heart attack caused by A-FIB".

    After my heart attack just a week ago I too am on a cocktail of heart meds specifically formulated for me, my A-Fib, etc. No one here knows the specifics of your case and you should not be randomly following generic information like "eat a lot of salt".....
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    kpk54 wrote: »
    nvmomketo wrote: »
    Have been trying to do keto for 2 yrs.I am T2D and could loose90 lbs.I am finding it so hard to stick to it.I might have 4 good days then blow the whole thing. I am starting this week and going to plan to keep carbs under 100.Do you think that will work for weight loss? I have to take metformin for D and multiple other drugs for Heart problem.(heart attack caused by AFIB) .Thinking low carb 1200 calories might help.Any recommendations.Thanks

    Eat a LOT of salt.

    When you lower carbs you lose water and electrolytes due to depleted glycogen stores and lower insulin. If you don't replace your lost sodium with at least 3000-5000 mg of sodium a day, you may experience headaches, fatigue, moodiness, brain fog, stomach and BM issues, muscle weakness and spasms.... It's hard to stick with a new diet when you feel poorly! ;)

    Eat half a teaspoon of salt with water a couple of times a day, eat a couple of bowls of salty boullion, use salt tablets, make a salty keto-aid, and salt your food liberally. It will help.

    For reference, 2300 mg sodium = 1 teaspoon salt.

    @smith1420ABC987NAN please don't switch to keto without talking to your cardiologist and medical team regarding your over all health as it relates to one of the health issues you mentioned "multiple other drugs for heart problem...heart attack caused by A-FIB".

    After my heart attack just a week ago I too am on a cocktail of heart meds specifically formulated for me, my A-Fib, etc. No one here knows the specifics of your case and you should not be randomly following generic information like "eat a lot of salt".....

    Great advice in this case and actually applies to all readers. Anonymous web based advice is dangerous at the best and deadly at the worse. I was taught not to take advice from anyone that had nothing to lose if it was wrong advice.
  • lcharpentier2
    lcharpentier2 Posts: 354 Member
    Where is everyone it's Nov. 17 and no since the 6th come on.
  • canadjineh
    canadjineh Posts: 5,396 Member
    I think the thread kinda got away from the OP's questions. :o
  • lauriepoirier1
    lauriepoirier1 Posts: 8 Member
    My Nutritionist has told me to have 3 servings of carbs per meal, so 45g x3 125g for a day. I am type 2 and my levels were out of control. What she didn't tell me was how much to eat of anything else!
  • PollanDP
    PollanDP Posts: 17 Member
    My doctor handed me the Diabetic Diet. It was as you said - 45-60 per meal and then 15 per snack. The examples said toast with breakfast. Sandwich for lunch. 3-4 servings of fruit. WHAT? that is crazy! It wasn't until I found this board that I figured out how to eat as a diabetic. Drop the bread, pasta, rice and drop the fruit servings down to 1-2 at most. More protein and more fat. Doctors need a different approach with the nutrition now. That old diet would be fine for a person without diabetes. Not so much for me!
  • kpk54
    kpk54 Posts: 4,474 Member