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Already getting fed up with counting carbs!

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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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Greymouser

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Not long since diagnosed and I am already getting fed up with counting carbs. This even though the nursey type person said to not bother, just eat healthy...

Please tell me this is going to get easier?

Also can anyone tell me what the upper limit for carbs in one meal is, only that elsewhere here on this forum, it seems some say it may be still OK to have a bit of a blowout occasionally?
 
Greymouser, occasional treats are fine. Give us an idea of what you would have for a blowout as it may actually be something that's ok.
Is it the meals your having that your fed up with or all that label checking we have to do initially.
 
It does get easier. Trust me, i have diabetes!

It always keeps you on your toes... Im away at the moment and Scottish carbs dont seem to have the same effect as Dorset carbs😱 Why? Goodness knows.

You get to know the carbs in what you usually eat and the usual effect, but dont bank on it!

Good luck🙂
 
Thanks for the replies. I am not surprised that Scottish carbs are better than English ones, most things are better up there! As for getting used to it, maybe or I will become totally OCD about the whole thing and get sectioned! 😉

Its not the meals that I am getting fed up with yet Lin, but the counting. I counted today and I have had 102.7g, + 3 home grown cherry tomatoes, which I think is OK, isn't it? That is the problem though, I just have no idea what an acceptable amount is. As for a blowout, well for me that would ( have been, ) be a plate of home made, deep fried fish and chips, followed by several pints of Real Ale. I know, I know, completely out of the question now, but I was sort of considering a small portion of the above followed by a couple of vodka and oranges...

Which is another problem, I have no idea how to factor in booze either. The nurse told me to just avoid Ale, other wise stick below the advised limit. Not that I will be having alcohol for a while as the Metaformin leaflet says to completely avoid, I think.
 
I had fish and chips, spiked me to 12. Just not worth it. :(
 
Ah yes delicious , mouthwatering fish and chips. I'd hoped you were going to say something like sausages , eggs, bacon and mushrooms as providing you have high meat content sausages and burgers, it' ok.

The trouble with the just eat healthily advise is , that quite a bit of what's considered healthy today isn't for us , though some experts say otherwise but our meters tell us the truth.

Carb counting does get a bit tedious but it does get easier Honest !
What gets me at times is 30 mins before eating (which according to my Libre seems to be rising :() I have to count the carbs and whack in the insulin. I'm sure we all get fed up sometimes with whatever regime we use and just want to be normal again.
You'll get through this his stage , in time carb counting will become second nature to you.
 
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I've just had my first trip to Mr Tesco since diagnosis - it took at least twice as long because I was reading every single label. I was told to eat normally just be aware of the carb content and try to reduce the level of high carb foods and increase leafy green stuff and low fat protein. My first day I had approx 75g of carbs - like you, Greymouser, I have no idea if this is good or bad!

One of the things I'm finding confusing is what is counted as carb free - cheese is, cottage cheese isn't, some beans/pulses are, some aren't...starting to feel a bit like Santa - I'm making a list and checking it twice, trying to figure out what is naughty and what is nice....sadly naughty and nice seem to coincide fairly frequently!
 
Reading glasses are a must when shopping:D

I must admit i dont think about my total intake across the day. I take a meal at a time.
 
I forgot my reading glasses but luckily I took my mother so she did all the reading for me!

As I'm just starting out with insulin I'm taking 4 units before breakfast and lunch and 6 units before dinner and 6 long lasting before bed - so I'm trying to have carbs in the same sort of ratio whilst keeping the daily total low. I'm just not sure how low I should be keeping carbs but as I need to get my blood sugar down keeping them as low as I sensibly can. Which means a lot of measuring and counting. Which I'm sure will get tired very soon. I'm hoping that with time I'll get to recognise the size of portions and the carb content so that I can stop the measuring etc at every single meal. Hopefully Greymouser will find that happens too.
 
Storm said:
I forgot my reading glasses but luckily I took my mother so she did all the reading for me!

As I'm just starting out with insulin I'm taking 4 units before breakfast and lunch and 6 units before dinner and 6 long lasting before bed - so I'm trying to have carbs in the same sort of ratio whilst keeping the daily total low. I'm just not sure how low I should be keeping carbs but as I need to get my blood sugar down keeping them as low as I sensibly can. Which means a lot of measuring and counting. Which I'm sure will get tired very soon. I'm hoping that with time I'll get to recognise the size of portions and the carb content so that I can stop the measuring etc at every single meal. Hopefully Greymouser will find that happens too.
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How long have you been diagnosed? I would suggest talking to your team about carb counting so you can adjust your insulin to suit your meals 🙂 x
 
Hi Kaylz, I was diagnosed on Tuesday so this is all very new! I've got an appointment in September to see the nurse and dietitian so I expect that they will be looking at doing something like that then. 🙂
 
Ah right I didn't realise quite how new you were @Storm if they don't mention it at your appointment suggest it to them, as it does make things easier after you work out what your ratio etc is 🙂 x
 
Ah... I am glad I am not the only one then, at least I do not have to bother with insulin at the moment, ( at the moment! ) unlike some of you others. I will have to ask you to forgive my whining, I just felt like a rant. 😳

Yes Storm, I look forward to stopping counting every single meal... :D
 
Greymouser said:
Ah... I am glad I am not the only one then, at least I do not have to bother with insulin at the moment, ( at the moment! ) unlike some of you others. I will have to ask you to forgive my whining, I just felt like a rant. 😳

Yes Storm, I look forward to stopping counting every single meal... :D
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@Greymouser. Everyone is entitled to have a wee rant,🙂 I know I do. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in anything related to diabetes so no need to apologise ok . If I came over harsh or made you feel as though you shouldn't have a rant I am sorry as that was not my intention at all .
 
Ranting is good - it doesn't matter if you are taking the needle or not this is a huge change! And counting carbs is tedious! 😉
 
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No I was not feeling like you were being harsh Ljc, I was just being myself... I really do not want to impose, so end feeling a little guilty when I feel I have.
 
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It is hard work at times but it will pay off. After more than 51 years of T1 & still in full-time employment ? Please keep at it 😉
 
Greymouser said:
Not long since diagnosed and I am already getting fed up with counting carbs. This even though the nursey type person said to not bother, just eat healthy...

Please tell me this is going to get easier?

Also can anyone tell me what the upper limit for carbs in one meal is, only that elsewhere here on this forum, it seems some say it may be still OK to have a bit of a blowout occasionally?
Click to expand...
Greymouser said:
Not long since diagnosed and I am already getting fed up with counting carbs. This even though the nursey type person said to not bother, just eat healthy...

Please tell me this is going to get easier?

Also can anyone tell me what the upper limit for carbs in one meal is, only that elsewhere here on this forum, it seems some say it may be still OK to have a bit of a blowout occasionally?
Click to expand...
 
Hi Greymouser, try this app as it really helpful with counting your carbs and your be amazed at what is not good for you. Cut your carbs out or down using this app. My fitness pal. Good luck
 
Greymouser said:
Thanks for the replies. I am not surprised that Scottish carbs are better than English ones, most things are better up there! As for getting used to it, maybe or I will become totally OCD about the whole thing and get sectioned! 😉

Its not the meals that I am getting fed up with yet Lin, but the counting. I counted today and I have had 102.7g, + 3 home grown cherry tomatoes, which I think is OK, isn't it? That is the problem though, I just have no idea what an acceptable amount is. As for a blowout, well for me that would ( have been, ) be a plate of home made, deep fried fish and chips, followed by several pints of Real Ale. I know, I know, completely out of the question now, but I was sort of considering a small portion of the above followed by a couple of vodka and oranges...

Which is another problem, I have no idea how to factor in booze either. The nurse told me to just avoid Ale, other wise stick below the advised limit. Not that I will be having alcohol for a while as the Metaformin leaflet says to completely avoid, I think.
Click to expand...

Hi Greymouser. You are correct about the Metformin leaflet and alcohol but I mentioned to the Diabetic nurse that I regularly had a couple of glasses of red wine with dinner and a glass of whisky here and there and she didn't raise an eyelid. My daughter who is a GP doesn't even comment on my alcohol intake. Alcohol tends to lower BG and I think, taken in reasonable moderation, is fine. Only my opinion and what works for me, remember.
 
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