Carb Catch-22

Hey all, according to my profile settings, FitnessPal (and other sites) says I need around 260 carbs a day to maintain. However, I'm also teetering in and out of being pre-diabetic. My sugar intake levels are well below the target number, but I'm concerned that 260 carbs a day, though it will help me maintain my weight, will spike my sugar numbers. And if I cut back the carbs to, say, 150 or so, I know I'm going to start losing pounds that I can't afford to lose. Is there anything wrong with keeping to around the 260 mark, as long as its 'whole' carbs I'm eating? Thanks.

Replies

  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 13,393 Member
    edited April 2020
    So you maintain on 1040 Calories a day??????

    You maintain, gain, or lose on Calories.

    Your Calories can be made up of: alcohol, protein, carbs (including digestible/absorbable fiber), and fats in approximately increased order of storage preference in terms of what your body enjoys storing.

    Other than for alcohol (don't overdo it) and a certain amount of essential fats, and protein, there are no hard and fast rules about how much of anything you should eat... just suggestions and personal preferences. Don't overdo it also applies to some other categories such as non intrinsic sugars and saturated fats. Trans fats are an aim for zero category

    If you're testing out as a diabetic follow the advice of your registered dietician or equivalent.

    You may want to try meals with a mix of lower glycemic load carbohydrates and protein and some fat. However you can also test how your blood sugar changes after meals...
  • nxd10
    nxd10 Posts: 4,570 Member
    I am confused about why you need any carbs to maintain. You need calories to maintain (and your net is way low).

    I completely agree with the person above. See a specialist and follow their advice. Everyone in my family is diabetic or prediabetic except me. It's why I lost weight. I do have to be careful with my carbs (below 40%) because otherwise I will gain weight no matter how little I eat. It is hard for me because I don't eat a lot of meat so it's tough to get my protein high enough.

    It also makes a huge difference what type if carbs you eat. Yams, apples, carrots - all have lots of carbs. But they're slower to digest and don't spike your sugar as fast. I don't have problems with those types of carbs. It's added sugar and refined carbs you have to be very mindful of (in my experience). When I eat those I have problems. I can eat all the veg, beans, and brown rice I want.
  • jocol1954
    jocol1954 Posts: 2 Member
    Thanks for the comments. I found I lost weight when both my calories and carbs were low. When I'm at 2,300 calories and 250 carbs a day, I'm fine and I can stick around the 165 lb. range. I just want to make sure that those 250 carbs aren't quietly spiking my sugars