• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

How much carbs?

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

Adele21

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all just wondering how many carbs is ok to have per day, im sort of blind here as just got to manage with food not told to do any bloods test ect and not on any medication, so i wouldnt know if blood sugars spike or not, just wanting a rough idea as i know everyone is different
thanks 🙂
 
Hi all just wondering how many carbs is ok to have per day, im sort of blind here as just got to manage with food not told to do any bloods test ect and not on any medication, so i wouldnt know if blood sugars spike or not, just wanting a rough idea as i know everyone is different
thanks 🙂

You'd have to get a meter and test your response to food and tailor what your eat so you stay in range - generally between 4 and 7 before meals and less than 8.5 two hours after eating according to guidelines.

I try to keep it between and 4 and 7 at all time by avoiding refined carbs totally.
 
Even though you've not been told to regularly test your blood glucose, it is a valuable tool in determining what foods will cause a spike for you and the monitors aren't hugely expensive. Everyone is different. @harbottle has said perfectly what levels you are ideally aiming for so I won't repeat 🙂

A low carb approach is considered to be no more than 130g of carbs per day. My approach wasn't as prescriptive as that. I generally try to avoid all obvious 'high' carb foods but don't necessarily count the total number of carbs per day. It seems to be working for me :rofl:

Low carb is considered to be less than 10g per 100g (total carbohydrate, not just sugars) - you will find this information on the back of most packaged foods.
 
Yes the only way you will know is to test your meals as different people will be able to tolerate different amounts of carb they have in their meals and even at different times of the day. However if you are following a low carb approach then the suggested amount of carbs per day is no more than 130g carbs not just sugar as a good starting point. Some people need to go lower but they will determine that by testing.
Have a look at this link as it will give you some meal ideas and there is some good explanation. https://lowcarbfreshwell.com/
 
thanks all, this is a big help, we told not to bother testing before or after foods, so for now i will adopt the low carb approach, till we go have have bloods done again, thanks again
 
Does a low carb approach, no more than 130g of carbs per day work if you are not trying to lose weight? Thanks
 
Does a low carb approach, no more than 130g of carbs per day work if you are not trying to lose weight? Thanks
No reason not to if you are eating enough protein and healthy fats.
 
Does a low carb approach, no more than 130g of carbs per day work if you are not trying to lose weight? Thanks
I am questioning the same thing now, I immediately went on a low-carb diet (Keto) when I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes 6 months ago, my HbA1c level was 49mmol/mol and 2nd test result was 48mmol/mol (weight: 75 Kg / 11.8 stone / 165.3 lb) when I was diagnosed. I limited my Carbs to 20 g Net carbs and 30 g total carbs per day strictly. After 3 months of being on the diet, I lost 19lbs / 9kgs (to: 66 kg / 145.5lb) and my HbA1c level went back down to 44mmol/mol. 6 months (3 months after the last test) after starting the low-carb diet (24/11/23) my HbA1c level remained at 44mmol/mol but I lost a further (5 kgs / 11 lb). So I now weigh is 61 kg / 134.4 lb (I am 5.8 feet tall). I don't want to lose any more weight but the low-carb diet had very little or zero effect. Is there a balanced approach?
 
Absolutely there is - increase the protein and make absolutely certain you haven't reduced your fat intake too much.

Lovely meal yesterday lunchtime - starter prawn cocktail so with Marie Rose sauce and 3 triangles of brown B&B, bit of green salad, main fresh salmon with hollandaise sauce, buttered new potatoes, carrots & peas, pud (small) choc brownie and vanilla ice cream. Both prawns and salmon are considered 'fatty' fish, trout's pretty good too as well as stuff like mackerel, sardines, kippers. No 'white' fish has anywhere approaching the fat content of those.

Cheese. Any meat practically.
 
Absolutely there is - increase the protein and make absolutely certain you haven't reduced your fat intake too much.

Lovely meal yesterday lunchtime - starter prawn cocktail so with Marie Rose sauce and 3 triangles of brown B&B, bit of green salad, main fresh salmon with hollandaise sauce, buttered new potatoes, carrots & peas, pud (small) choc brownie and vanilla ice cream. Both prawns and salmon are considered 'fatty' fish, trout's pretty good too as well as stuff like mackerel, sardines, kippers. No 'white' fish has anywhere approaching the fat content of those.

Cheese. Any meat practically.
Thank you! extremely helpful!
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top