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A question of Carbs and calories

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
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eddymyers

Active Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
I have posted on here before but it was ages ago. I have started living a bit more normally because i did some experimenting...

i was really careful to pretty much cut out all carbs for three months - then ordered a Hba1c test - it was 48

then i spent three months eating takeway, bread, crisps, rice, pasta, snacks and ordered another hba1c test it was 49.

It seemed as though whatever i ate didn't really have an impact on my hba1c. I have been on 48 since 2016. back then the tests were different so i was not diagnosed as actually type 2 diabetic until years later - different tests means the same person (me) with the same diet and activity was now diabetic.

I am not overweight - if fact, probably too light. It is difficult to keep an awareness of not wanting to put too many carbs in (why would i even if they do not increase my hba1c dramatically - but surely i should still avoid/reduce them?) whilst also trying to put on weight - healthy weight. I struggle with this, do i just eat more meat? what can i eat that is high calories but low carbs?

Thanks for reading everyone...
 
eddymyers said:
what can i eat that is high calories but low carbs?
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How are you with nuts? A couple of handfuls of peanuts, for example, is just under 5g carb but around 360 calories. Walnuts even better, a couple of handfuls is around 2g carb but 350 calories. Also, although nuts are mostly fat, it's predominantly unsaturated - the 'good fat'. I include both in my diet.
 
eddymyers said:
I have posted on here before but it was ages ago. I have started living a bit more normally because i did some experimenting...

i was really careful to pretty much cut out all carbs for three months - then ordered a Hba1c test - it was 48

then i spent three months eating takeway, bread, crisps, rice, pasta, snacks and ordered another hba1c test it was 49.

It seemed as though whatever i ate didn't really have an impact on my hba1c. I have been on 48 since 2016. back then the tests were different so i was not diagnosed as actually type 2 diabetic until years later - different tests means the same person (me) with the same diet and activity was now diabetic.

I am not overweight - if fact, probably too light. It is difficult to keep an awareness of not wanting to put too many carbs in (why would i even if they do not increase my hba1c dramatically - but surely i should still avoid/reduce them?) whilst also trying to put on weight - healthy weight. I struggle with this, do i just eat more meat? what can i eat that is high calories but low carbs?

Thanks for reading everyone...
Click to expand...
Don't forget 48 is still diabetic, below 42 is normal but if you are happy with that then that is fine, I personally wouldn't be.
Maintaining or putting on weight whilst keeping low carbs can be tricky but adding protein and healthy fats into your diet, full fat yoghurt, avocados, eggs, cheese, nuts, dairy.
 
Leadinglights said:
Don't forget 48 is still diabetic, below 42 is normal but if you are happy with that then that is fine, I personally wouldn't be.
Maintaining or putting on weight whilst keeping low carbs can be tricky but adding protein and healthy fats into your diet, full fat yoghurt, avocados, eggs, cheese, nuts, dairy.
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My GP considers 48 the magic number. I would be more than happy with that. When did it change to below 42???
 
snowball12 said:
My GP considers 48 the magic number. I would be more than happy with that. When did it change to below 42???
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It’s always been below 42 is normal, 42-47 is “at risk of diabetes” or prediabetic. 48+ is bg levels above ideal range ie diabetic.
 
snowball12 said:
My GP considers 48 the magic number. I would be more than happy with that. When did it change to below 42???
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I think it depends on how you view what you personally consider to be diabetic, people are given 'at risk' diagnoses when their level is between 42 and 47 and advised to take action to reduce their risk by reducing their HbA1C so why is 48 considered OK. Makes no sense to me I'm afraid.
 
Lucyr said:
It’s always been below 42 is normal, 42-47 is “at risk of diabetes” or prediabetic. 48+ is bg levels above ideal range ie diabetic.
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Lucyr said:
It’s always been below 42 is normal, 42-47 is “at risk of diabetes” or prediabetic. 48+ is bg levels above ideal range ie diabetic.
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Thanks, obviously my GP is incompetent
 
snowball12 said:
Thanks, obviously my GP is incompetent
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Those ranges are freely available online eg they’ll be on the diabetes uk website. Always important to know the meaning of these numbers yourself.
 
Leadinglights said:
I think it depends on how you view what you personally consider to be diabetic, people are given 'at risk' diagnoses when their level is between 42 and 47 and advised to take action to reduce their risk by reducing their HbA1C so why is 48 considered OK. Makes no sense to me I'm afraid.
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I wish all GP's and DN's would sing from the same song sheet
 
Lucyr said:
Those ranges are freely available online eg they’ll be on the diabetes uk website. Always important to know the meaning of these numbers yourself.
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I understand that but people will trust their GP and won't do research ( my hubby is one of them ) I haven't had any guidance from the NHS ever
 
Thanks for all the replies. I would love to get my HbA1C down further but it seems to be such a struggle. the guidance i have had from NHS is minimal - "just be more aware of what you are eating" is the most frequently said advice to me!

I also find that finding accompaniments to main meals to be the issue - i seem to have settled on roasted carrots and green beans....pretty much every meal!
 
eddymyers said:
Thanks for all the replies. I would love to get my HbA1C down further but it seems to be such a struggle. the guidance i have had from NHS is minimal - "just be more aware of what you are eating" is the most frequently said advice to me!

I also find that finding accompaniments to main meals to be the issue - i seem to have settled on roasted carrots and green beans....pretty much every meal!
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Lots of other veg you can have, butternut squash roasted, broccoli, cauliflower with cheese sauce, cabbage, courgettes, swede, celeriac. you can still have peas, broad beans just watch your portion size. Salads.
 
If you like veg then it's easier. I eat carrots, peas and baby plum tomatoes. I have to have carbs at every meal or I am very hungry but manage to keep them under 100g or lower per day. I have accepted I will never reach remission. Now to get my DN to accept it lol. Have to read the book Carbs and Calories? It's very good
 
i do have the carbs n calories book - always confuses me that they show different portion sizes of things so no direct comparison! i also find that the more i research the more conflicting information about food there is! below gound veg is not as good as above ground veg - butternut squash (i can't remember where i saw it) was pretty much the same carb content as potatoes.

then there is the GI - no one seems to publish this information even though it seems to be more pertinent? high carb content but with other things (fibre i think) reduces the impact it has and there fore isn't as bad as something else with a lower carb count but no fibre????? my head is constantly spinning and i think i am developing an unhealthy relationship with food! IE i do not like/enjoy thinking about my meals any more!
 
eddymyers said:
i do have the carbs n calories book - always confuses me that they show different portion sizes of things so no direct comparison! i also find that the more i research the more conflicting information about food there is! below gound veg is not as good as above ground veg - butternut squash (i can't remember where i saw it) was pretty much the same carb content as potatoes.

then there is the GI - no one seems to publish this information even though it seems to be more pertinent? high carb content but with other things (fibre i think) reduces the impact it has and there fore isn't as bad as something else with a lower carb count but no fibre????? my head is constantly spinning and i think i am developing an unhealthy relationship with food! IE i do not like/enjoy thinking about my meals any more!
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I think you will find butternut squash is less carbs than potatoes and more fibre.
Yes the different portion sizes can be annoying but a bit if arithmetic and you can easily calculate to per 100g and compare. I think it is because that would be what a suggested portion of the particular food might be.
GI is a bit of a red herring as different people will respond differently because of their gut flora and it also depends on what it is combined with. Anthony Worrell Thompson's GI diet book explains the theory of GI.
 
eddymyers said:
i do have the carbs n calories book - always confuses me that they show different portion sizes of things so no direct comparison! i also find that the more i research the more conflicting information about food there is! below gound veg is not as good as above ground veg - butternut squash (i can't remember where i saw it) was pretty much the same carb content as potatoes.

then there is the GI - no one seems to publish this information even though it seems to be more pertinent? high carb content but with other things (fibre i think) reduces the impact it has and there fore isn't as bad as something else with a lower carb count but no fibre????? my head is constantly spinning and i think i am developing an unhealthy relationship with food! IE i do not like/enjoy thinking about my meals any more!
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I completely understand this as I don't enjoy food anymore. Eat what veg you like under or above ground. My blood sugars are around the 7 or 8 point each day. You have to live your life the best you can. Regards Carbs and Calories I always measure and weigh my food. I ignore Calories and have done for forty years. Hope I have helped
 
i might try and have a look at GI diet book - thanks

I don't look at calories either - although i am starting too as i don't think i am putting enough energy in during the day which is making me lethargic and tired.
 
eddymyers said:
i might try and have a look at GI diet book - thanks

I don't look at calories either - although i am starting too as i don't think i am putting enough energy in during the day which is making me lethargic and tired.
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Just read your original message. Do you like dairy produce? Try cream on your berries, cheese, Greek yoghurt. Full of calories and protein along with lean meat and fish it might help you gain weight! I find it fascinating that your Hba1c only went up from 48 to 49. Did GP have any ideas?
 
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