Finding it difficult to limit carbs

Options
245

Replies

  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,912 Member
    Options
    StatChicBayes wrote: »
    I was told I had pre-diabetes back in Feb (also have issues with high LDL cholesterol, but normal triglycerides and high HDL). I was working with a lipids specialist who recommended reduced carb (but not keto or Atkins) - recommendations were pretty close to 40% carb, 30% protein and 30% fat (the Mediterranean diet??) which translate to about 130g of carbs for me in a 1400 calorie diet. Carbs were supposed to be primarily low glycemic index fruits, vegetables, but pasta and bread on occasion were OK within the macros. Brown rice rather than white rice if possible, legumes for carbs, protein and fiber, steel cut oats, oat bran, etc. Wine was also OK. Healthy fats: avocado, olive oil, etc were fine, but should limit saturated fats (this is related to lipids more than the pre-diabetes) from meat/dairy. I tend to avoid processed foods and do most of my own cooking so find it easier to eliminate sugars or other added carbs.

    With this I have been exercising (cardio +strength training and have lost 48 pounds so far - still a ways to go but getting there! It has been pretty easy to adhere to, and something that will work for me long term. Mostly it has been limiting the more refined carbs (pasta, pizza, fritos). Fortunately, I don't really like sweets so that has not been a problem :-)

    Tests yesterday indicate that fasting blood glucose is now in the normal range. LDL cholesterol results tomorrow.

    So do ask for more specifics - you can change this with reducing carbs and weight. Feel free to add me as friend.

    this is pretty much what the doctor told my dad. Dad walks more as exercise now (coz of high blood pressure too) and has just swapped some things out in his diet like white rice for brown and the white (even though mainly sourdough) bread for grainy/rye other types of bread. No more chocolates and ice cream all the time, but he eats yoghurt in moderation for his sweet tooth, as well as fruit.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
    edited August 2019
    Options
    deleting - double post
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,179 Member
    edited August 2019
    Options

    No, you do not need low carb, you need to count carbs and distribute them throughout the day. This is just an assumption from my part, but I assume your dr said to limit carbs and not to eliminate carbs? Even a diabetic can eat bread daily, as in have a sluce of bread with cheese for breakfast, but not have the entire loaf of bread for breakfast, and not have also bread as snack, at lunch and at dinner.

    The usual plan is something like one small serving of carbs per meal/snack, paired with protein. So even though a peach is definitely good for you and you should eat, diabetic or not, do not eat 10 peaches at once, but eat 1 peach and pair it with a plain yoghurt or a cup of milk to have a snack, and not with more carbs. Similarly at main meals, eat one serving of rice or whole grain pasta or bread or beans etc with meat and a green salad, but do not eat a serving of beans and a serving of potatoes and a couple of slices of bread. Of course you need to figure out what a serving is per food, your dr should provide resources, otherwise the American Diabetes Association has a lot of info.

    Usually several servings of fruit, vegetables and grains are encouraged for diabetics, and reducing overall fat is also encouraged. You can check here: https://www.diabetes.org/nutrition/meal-planning , there is a lot of detail. It requires some reading, but it looks very close to what my local hospital advises diabetics and prediabetics.
    Also keep in mind that losing weight and adding exercise (walks are good, you do not need to find anything more complicated) are key to controlling and even reversing diabetes.[/quote]

  • neugebauer52
    neugebauer52 Posts: 1,120 Member
    Options
    Bread always has been my "trigger food" - meaning when I was unhappy / frustrated / depressed I could easily eat a loaf or two and whatever I managed to put in between the slices. Finally I have realized that bread is not the healthiest food for me - I have learned to replace it and with that my weight is also coming down.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,627 Member
    Options
    get to a registered dietician. my ex had T2 diabetes and was allowed carbs daily. where does this one piece of a bread a week BS come from? I think his limit was 80 or 90. exercise (even just walking) also helps reduce your risk factor and when combined with a permanent change in the way you eat, and how many carbs you eat, can work miracles for getting those numbers back to where they should be.
  • LIFOtheparty
    LIFOtheparty Posts: 24 Member
    Options
    Also just wanted to add in case this matters - my dr said that I am not yet close to T2 diabetes, just over the line into prediabetes territory and I am not on any medication at this point.

Categories