Confused about Sugar in Food

[Vince_UK]

This has me a little confused as to what is not acceptable and what is. For example tonight I will eat 100g Sirloin steak, 100g smoked salmon, 3 broccoli spears and 4 cherry tomotoes. Seems healthy to me in terms of Carbs and high protein but the sugar level comes out on the dashboard are 5.8g. I have no idea if that is a safe level or not. I am trying very hard since my diagnosis to avoid sugar totally but that seems an impossible quest.
So how would you guys and gals rate a meal content of 5.8g Sugar.
I havenlt started testing yet havong problems getting a decent meter here in Shanghai but back in the UK in December and I have ordered 2 x Codefree monitors which are planned for delivery at home in Newcastle tomorrow.
Maybe I am asking stupid questions but seems to be difficult to avoid sugar totally.
Help appreciated and please ignore my ignorance.

 

[Robin]

No question is stupid, it's just something you don't know the answer to!

All veg contains some carb (even lettuce), and some of that carb may be in the form of fruit sugar ( fructose). So, it wouldn't be a very healthy diet if you cut out all sugar because it would mean no veg! 5.8g really isn't very much, and the absorption will be slowed down by the protein and fibre in the rest of the meal. To put it in perspective, it's an amount where, as a type 1, I wouldn't bother getting the insulin pen out.

 

[Vince_UK]

No question is stupid, it's just something you don't know the answer to!

All veg contains some carb (even lettuce), and some of that carb may be in the form of fruit sugar ( fructose). So, it wouldn't be a very healthy diet if you cut out all sugar because it would mean no veg! 5.8g really isn't very much, and the absorption will be slowed down by the protein and fibre in the rest of the meal. To put it in perspective, it's an amount where, as a type 1, I wouldn't bother getting the insulin pen out.

Thanks Robin, Much appreciated..

 

[Mark Parrott]

That amount of sugar wouldn't budge my BG at all. And the rest of the meal would slow it down anyway.

 

[Dave W]

That looks like a pretty heathy, diabetes-friendly meal Vince. If I'd consumed it I wouldn't expect to see a significant rise in my BS.

 

[Vince_UK]

Thanks Guys..

 

[Copepod]

A meal containing 5.8g sugar is low and perfectly OK. As others have said, you don't want to exclude all veggirs, salad and fruit. However, in some meals, if you consider only sugar, you could eat a high amount of carbohydrate. So, it's best to consider carbohydrate content, rather than just sugar content.

 

[Vince_UK]

A meal containing 5.8g sugar is low and perfectly OK. As others have said, you don't want to exclude all veggirs, salad and fruit. However, in some meals, if you consider only sugar, you could eat a high amount of carbohydrate. So, it's best to consider carbohydrate content, rather than just sugar content.

Thanks again Copepods.
I am getting there slowly but surely in my understanding.
Just checked my weight, I have lost 2 kilos in 1 week. Currently 95.4kgs down from 97.6. First target is 80. Feeling a little more positive about this on a daily basis. Was a little depressed the other evening when I realised that this is for the rest of my life and not just a temporary situation and that I have to change what I eat and the days of just going grabbing a couple of steak pies or stopping for a bacon, sausage and egg butty from a roadsire caravan or over, BUT life goes on and will make the most of it. Quite strange actually, I do feel a little better and more eneretic. I must have had this problem for quite some time.

 

[Mark Parrott]

Tell me about it. We have a lovely van near us that does fantastic sausage, bacon & egg rolls. Haven't been there for 2 years.

 

[Copepod]

Thanks again Copepods.
I am getting there slowly but surely in my understanding.
Just checked my weight, I have lost 2 kilos in 1 week. Currently 95.4kgs down from 97.6. First target is 80. Feeling a little more positive about this on a daily basis. Was a little depressed the other evening when I realised that this is for the rest of my life and not just a temporary situation and that I have to change what I eat and the days of just going grabbing a couple of steak pies or stopping for a bacon, sausage and egg butty from a roadsire caravan or over, BUT life goes on and will make the most of it. Quite strange actually, I do feel a little better and more eneretic. I must have had this problem for quite some time.

No harm in the odd bacon / egg / sausage butty. How about asking for just one slice of bread or half a roll?

 

[Ditto]

That's a fantastically healthy meal imho. I wouldn't even bother counting it! Only the tomatoes and broccoli to count anyway. 🙂 Wouldn't raise my bg I don't think.

 

[chaoticcar]

If you ask nicely for your bacon ,egg ,sausages etc on a plate instead of a bun and explain that you have heard how good their food is but you can't eat bread .Smile nicely and see what happens
CAROL

 

[Ljc]

IMO Their is nothing wrong in having an occasional treat, so if a bacon or a sausage sarnie/roll is your thing then I say go for it, after all you won’t be having them daily will you.
For me it’s chocolate, I’ve just slipped in an order afor 2 peanut butter kit kats in my weekly shop 😱 one for the next 2 Sunday’s 🙂

 

[Ljc]

Oops I meant to say, I don’t bother checking the sugar content, just the carbohydrates as the sugar is included in the carb content

 

[HOBIE]

This has me a little confused as to what is not acceptable and what is. For example tonight I will eat 100g Sirloin steak, 100g smoked salmon, 3 broccoli spears and 4 cherry tomotoes. Seems healthy to me in terms of Carbs and high protein but the sugar level comes out on the dashboard are 5.8g. I have no idea if that is a safe level or not. I am trying very hard since my diagnosis to avoid sugar totally but that seems an impossible quest.
So how would you guys and gals rate a meal content of 5.8g Sugar.
I havenlt started testing yet havong problems getting a decent meter here in Shanghai but back in the UK in December and I have ordered 2 x Codefree monitors which are planned for delivery at home in Newcastle tomorrow.
Maybe I am asking stupid questions but seems to be difficult to avoid sugar totally.
Help appreciated and please ignore my ignorance.

Well done Vince for getting on the Forum. The meal you are describing is very good & low. 😎 Welcome 🙂

 

[Vince_UK]

Well done Vince for getting on the Forum. The meal you are describing is very good & low. 😎 Welcome 🙂

Thanks Hobie. Appreciate your comments

 

[Vince_UK]

If you ask nicely for your bacon ,egg ,sausages etc on a plate instead of a bun and explain that you have heard how good their food is but you can't eat bread .Smile nicely and see what happens
CAROL

Thats given me an idea Carol.
I always have believed that every problem has a solution and you have just provided me one Carol.
I will keep a small picnic pack, plates, knives, forks etc. in the car.
Life just go so much better lol
I now need a solution for my other passion in life, Pies.😉

 

[Vince_UK]

IMO Their is nothing wrong in having an occasional treat, so if a bacon or a sausage sarnie/roll is your thing then I say go for it, after all you won’t be having them daily will you.
For me it’s chocolate, I’ve just slipped in an order afor 2 peanut butter kit kats in my weekly shop 😱 one for the next 2 Sunday’s 🙂

Ljc, You have no idea how many choccy biscuits I used to ram dowm my neck each day have a passion for them. I am scared to look at them now and thats just after 1 week.I am quite proud of myself. Yesterday I walked past 3 ice cream cafes here in Shanghai and didn't stop. Usually I would have stopped and indulged at at least 2 and an ice cold smoothie in the 3rd.

 

[Ljc]

Ljc, You have no idea how many choccy biscuits I used to ram dowm my neck each day have a passion for them. I am scared to look at them now and thats just after 1 week.I am quite proud of myself. Yesterday I walked past 3 ice cream cafes here in Shanghai and didn't stop. Usually I would have stopped and indulged at at least 2 and an ice cold smoothie in the 3rd.

Vince you are certainly not alone. In the past I would have happily guzzled a pack of Jaffa cakes , half a big family bar of choc and had the other half a wee bit later I’m sure you get the idea. What I’m trying to say is, it does get easier.
You did exceptionally well going past those ice cream cafes, I wouldn’t have been able to in the early days.

 

[Vince_UK]

Vince you are certainly not alone. In the past I would have happily guzzled a pack of Jaffa cakes , half a big family bar of choc and had the other half a wee bit later I’m sure you get the idea. What I’m trying to say is, it does get easier.
You did exceptionally well going past those ice cream cafes, I wouldn’t have beYour righten able to in the early days.

You're right.. I have come to the realisation that if I don't get this correct and manage it I could have very serious complications and even die. I ain't ready for that at all. I used to think that if you developed T2 you just took a pill and everything was fine.. WOW!!!! I can be so wrong about things sometimes..What a shock this has been and thank God for this forum.