Suggested max cab level for prediabetic

[ShellyBeee]

Hi
I've tried to find info on this but I'm now confused!
With prediabetes is it best to try to stick to low carb generally or is there a maximum daily amount to go to which allows for the occasional treat/eating out etc? Hubby does intermittent fasting with an eating window of about 6 hours anyway, but he's now cut his carbs right back and he's worried he's cutting back too much. He has increased his healthy fats.
Thanks
ShellyBeee

 

[Northerner]

Hi
I've tried to find info on this but I'm now confused!
With prediabetes is it best to try to stick to low carb generally or is there a maximum daily amount to go to which allows for the occasional treat/eating out etc? Hubby does intermittent fasting with an eating window of about 6 hours anyway, but he's now cut his carbs right back and he's worried he's cutting back too much. He has increased his healthy fats.
Thanks
ShellyBeee

Hi ShellyBeee, really I'm afraid it's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions 😱 The right amount of carbs is the amount that your body can tolerate well without pushing your levels high or causing sudden spikes and dropping back quickly, whilst at the same time allowing maximum flexibility in your diet i.e. not severely restricting it and allowing for treats which don't reap havoc!. Some people are able to manage very comfortably on very low carb diets (below 50g per day), but others find this unsustainable or impractical. A moderate amount of carbs would be in the region of 100-150g per day, and is usually perfectly adequate in a varied diet 🙂 The usual RDA (Recommended Daily Amount) of 200-250g is probably too much for most people, diabetic or otherwise (in my opinion!) 😱 Something you also need to bear in mind is that people have different tolerances for the same things - porridge or bananas might raise some people's levels quickly, but for others it's just a steady rise and slow decline.

So really, the answer is that you need to find out for yourself what, and in what quantities, a person's body is able to tolerate well. To do this you would need to start a food diary and experiment using a blood glucose meter to test levels before and after eating (as described in Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S). Healthcare professionals usually say you don't need to test if you are pre-diabetic, but it's a very useful way of learning about how to best tailor your diet so you never reach the stage of a full diagnosis 🙂 If you don't have a meter, then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 (test strips can cost £25-£30 for 50 strips for some High St brands, so cost of strips is of primary importance as this is what you spend most money on).

Sorry it's not a simple answer, but I hope it helps nonetheless! 🙂

 

[ShellyBeee]

Hi ShellyBeee, really I'm afraid it's one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions 😱 The right amount of carbs is the amount that your body can tolerate well without pushing your levels high or causing sudden spikes and dropping back quickly, whilst at the same time allowing maximum flexibility in your diet i.e. not severely restricting it and allowing for treats which don't reap havoc!. Some people are able to manage very comfortably on very low carb diets (below 50g per day), but others find this unsustainable or impractical. A moderate amount of carbs would be in the region of 100-150g per day, and is usually perfectly adequate in a varied diet 🙂 The usual RDA (Recommended Daily Amount) of 200-250g is probably too much for most people, diabetic or otherwise (in my opinion!) 😱 Something you also need to bear in mind is that people have different tolerances for the same things - porridge or bananas might raise some people's levels quickly, but for others it's just a steady rise and slow decline.

So really, the answer is that you need to find out for yourself what, and in what quantities, a person's body is able to tolerate well. To do this you would need to start a food diary and experiment using a blood glucose meter to test levels before and after eating (as described in Test,Review, Adjust by Alan S). Healthcare professionals usually say you don't need to test if you are pre-diabetic, but it's a very useful way of learning about how to best tailor your diet so you never reach the stage of a full diagnosis 🙂 If you don't have a meter, then the cheapest option we have come across is the SD Codefree Meter which has test strips at around £8 for 50 (test strips can cost £25-£30 for 50 strips for some High St brands, so cost of strips is of primary importance as this is what you spend most money on).

Sorry it's not a simple answer, but I hope it helps nonetheless! 🙂

Thank you Northener, that's really helpful 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Also on Alan S's Blog is the article entitled 'Testing on a Budget' - which he wrote following finding out from another UK forum that we often don't get test strips or enough of them, on the NHS. (No such problems in Australia!)

 

[Drummer]

You can't cut back on carbs too much, as there is no necessity for them, however, eating some low carb veges roasted or stir fried, or a large colourful salad ads a lot to the variety and flavour of a meal.
Many type two diabetics buy a blood glucose meter and test to see how many grams of carb they can cope with in their meals, and so take control.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Just seconding everything in Alan's post. 🙂