Low carbs and the learning zone

[Dollypolly]

There’s me thinking woohoo a low carb menu meal planner in the learning zone.

err no its certainly is damn well not

chickpeas, barley are not and never have been low carb

so what gives there then have we decided now that they’ve to be included. Well I think no and I am disappointed in it

yup I’ve venting and moaning

 

[Inka]

Low carb can be anything under 130g carbs per day. Some people are fine with oats, barley, pulses, etc, others aren’t. People vary in what they can eat and the best thing to do is to be guided by your meter and what works for you 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

I have to say, it is one of the things that I don't like about the Learning Zone and feel that it isn't particularly helpful and could lead to confusion for people looking for low carb ideas. It is one of the main reasons I don't refer people to it. I certainly found it confusing when I first joined.

I personally feel that Diabetes UK follows the NHS dietary guidance a little too closely with the idea of "healthy" wholegrain carbs rather than low carb.

Is there any mention of being guided by your BG meter in the Learning Zone. I totally agree with that suggestion but no good if it is not mentioned along with what many of us would consider quite carb rich recipes.

 

[Inka]

Whole grains are healthy if you can tolerate them. They feed the microbiome which is crucial for health (and very underrated IMO).

I like the Recipes section because it offers a variety of options and the carbs are clearly shown. That way people can choose what suits them as individuals.

People can cope with varying amounts of carbs and having the carb content listed allows them to choose things that work for them. As long as we stress YMMV and point new people to testing then there’s no issue.

I don’t agree with all the NHS guidelines but I also don’t agree with demonising carbs. It’s an individual balance.

 

[Kaylz]

I also don’t agree with demonising carbs.

Totally agree as that's part of what led me to my eating disorder and I wouldn't wish that on anyone xx

 

[Dollypolly]

I’m type 2 not 1 so I find I can’t tolerate a lot of carbs mainly white ones as they spike my sugars I don’t have the fall back of insulin to bring my sugars down.

I was venting and moaning by the way.

yes low carb isn’t for everyone but most type 2s fair very Well on it

 

[grovesy]

What do you class as Low Carb, as some of us can't maintian a Low Carb under the 100 gram mark.

 

[Inka]

Yes, it’s different for Type 1s 🙂

Rant on I’m a proud pedant and was simply pointing out Low Carb can include carbs up to 130g. That might not work for you but it does for some Type 2s.

 

[Dollypolly]

I know that and mine is usually between 50 and 100g per day but that not what I was on about my moan was
barley and chickpeas are not low carb they are high carb.

 

[trophywench]

Well if you eat enough of anything low carb it transforms into high carb too. Exactly how much of each does the Learning Zone insist that you eat, and who is policing you to make 100% certain that you are?

 

[helli]

I was told different people digest chickpeas (and some other pulses) differently.
Some of us "pass them straight through" so they don't affect our BG whereas others digest them more and it has a greater impact.

 

[grovesy]

I was told different people digest chickpeas (and some other pulses) differently.
Some of us "pass them straight through" so they don't affect our BG whereas others digest them more and it has a greater impact.

I believe on the carb counting carbs for Type 1 recommend not to count them in carb counts.

 

[Inka]

Barley and chickpeas are both Low GI, though. That might explain why the DUK website considers them to be OK.

Martin

The recipes with the barley and with the chickpeas are still low carb (if I’m looking at the right page). One recipe is 25g and one 27g if I remember correctly, so they’d fit in fine with a low carb diet.

As with all meal planners, you obviously use your common sense and avoid foods you don’t like or that don’t like you. It’s also easy to make slight adjustments eg you could easily omit the chickpeas or add less barley to the soup, etc.

 

[Kaylz]

Seems to be turning into have a pop at Type 1's here 🙄 wouldn't call insulin a "fall back" seen as its the only thing keeping us alive, never mind low carb varies for everyone and there are many Type 2's that can handle it

 

[grovesy]

Seems to be turning into have a pop at Type 1's here 🙄 wouldn't call insulin a "fall back" seen as its the only thing keeping us alive, never mind low carb varies for everyone and there are many Type 2's that can handle it

I was not having a pop at Type 1 , I was trying to say that Type 1 don't always think the Balance magazine is always geared to them.

 

[Kaylz]

I was not having a pop at Type 1 , I was trying to say that Type 1 don't always think the Balance magazine is always geared to them.

Sorry grovesy? I wasn't referring to any of your comments I was referring to the comment "I don't have insulin as a fall back to bring my sugars down" it isn't a fall back to us as its the only thing keeping us alive and also wish it was just as simple as that to bring sugars down but it isn't and many things effect it, just wanted to point out that the use of insulin isn't as easy as some may think so please know I wasn't on at you xx

 

[Inka]

Very true @Kaylz Insulin isn’t a fallback - it’s crucial life-preserving medication for Type 1s. Even if we ate zero carbs and indeed zero food we’d still need insulin simply to stay alive.

 

[trophywench]

In any case - a big majority of Type 2 diabetics actually produce more of their own insulin than their body is able to use properly due to a problem with their metabolism (ie Type 2!) - as opposed to Type 1s producing so little of it it's not enough to keep them alive, if any whatsoever.

 

[Drummer]

Barley and chickpeas would not get included in my menus - simply because they are very boring foods and there are far tastier things to put on a plate.

 

[Inka]

Each to their own. I love chickpeas - falafels, hummus, chana masala, etc, etc Very yummy. I like to include pulses in my meals most days for their health benefits. Hungry now!