What would be a good level of carbs to start at?

[melassaz]

Hi guys, I really want to try and reduce my carb intake but am confused about what is a good level to aim for? Let me say that i'm a bit of a carb addict so feel this is going to be really difficult for me I recently started using Victoza and have had horrible problems with nausea and sickness and extreme tiredness I desperately want to stop using Victoza (have been on it for around six weeks now with no sign of the side effects reducing). For this reason I am now looking again, more seriously, at dropping my carb intake to help control my sugars. I'm also confused about how to count the carbs in my food. For example, a slice of wholemeal bread (small) says on the label 11.5g carbs, is it really this simple to count carbs? I was imagining there would be a complicated calculation involved. Any advice, book recommendations etc would be gratefully received as I'm not sure how much longer I can continue like this, feeling extremely down about the whole thing

 

[Northerner]

There is no complicated calculation involved, although it may be necessary to weigh some loose ingredients, like rice or pasta. Otherwise, yes, it's as simple as reading the packets! 🙂 I would suggest getting a little pocket book like the Collins Gem - Carb Counter to help with common ingredients.

What is a good level of carbs to consume? Well, the best answer to that would be 'the amount your body can tolerate, whilst maintaining good blood glucose levels'. You would determine this by testing your blood before eating, then testing again one or two hours afterwards and seeing howm much your levels have gone up by. If there is a bit jump in levels ( a 'spike') then you know that the meal needs closer scrutiny - you may need to reduce the carb content, or replace some of the carbs with slower acting carbs e.g. brown, seeded bread instead of white bread for your sandwiches. The GL Diet for Dummies is a good introduction to selecting foods that will release their energy slowly and steadily and help avoid the spikes.

I would recommend starting a food diary and writing down the amount of carbs in everything you eat and drink for a couple of weeks. This will give you a clear picture of how much carbohydrate you are actually consuming. It can be a bit tedious, but it does help because just trying to work it out in your head will usually mean underestimating the amount.

I would say that my personal carb intake is around 140-160g per day, which is probably considered a medium carb intake. 'Recommended' amounts are 200g/day for women and 250g/day for men. Some people go much lower, aiming for 30g/day or less, eating more fat and protein instead. Many people find Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution helpful. The thing to bear in mind is that you want to achieve two things - manage your diabetes well, and retain a good, varied diet and quality of life. You need to find a compromise that you are happy with and can maintain. Might be hard to begin with, but once you have adapted you will no doubt feel much happier and healthier! 🙂

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi guys, I really want to try and reduce my carb intake but am confused about what is a good level to aim for? Let me say that i'm a bit of a carb addict so feel this is going to be really difficult for me I recently started using Victoza and have had horrible problems with nausea and sickness and extreme tiredness. I desperately want to stop using Victoza (have been on it for around six weeks now with no sign of the side effects reducing). For this reason I am now looking again, more seriously, at dropping my carb intake to help control my sugars. I'm also confused about how to count the carbs in my food. For example, a slice of wholemeal bread (small) says on the label 11.5g carbs, is it really this simple to count carbs? I was imagining there would be a complicated calculation involved. Any advice, book recommendations etc would be gratefully received as I'm not sure how much longer I can continue like this, feeling extremely down about the whole thing

Hello Mel,
yes carb counting is that simple just read the packaging 🙂
To help your self the simplest thing to do is to cut right back on starchy carbs.
So that's flour goods, spuds rice pasta etc. This are just solid carbs so reduction is a must as your pancreas can't cope with them.
Have you tried burgen bread? A bigger slice and less carbs. (Poppy and linseed loaf).
As to what is the correct amount of carbs, that's a very individual thing. Do you have a meter if so test before meals and 2 hours after this way you can see what effect different food have on you. 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

I reduced my carb intake as far as I possibly could after diagnosis. No bread, pasta or rice at all for quite some time. And most cereals were out too, except I find I can handle oatmeal OK. I've added some things back in now, but in much reduced amounts and never spuds which are the worst offender for me. The only way you can be sure what works though is to test your blood sugars and record the results. We're all different in how we react to certain foods.

Regarding the Victoza, I got over the worst side effects after about two months. Though I can still feel pretty grotty if I have a meal that contains more carbs than normal, such as that slice of pizza I had for lunch last week. That may just be the carbs though and not the Victoza. I feel a lot less lethargic if I stay away from the carbs too.

I'd give it another 6 weeks or so and if you're still feeling that sick, talk to your doctor. There are other alternatives such as Byetta/Bydureon that you can try.

 

[melassaz]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. This has been most helpful. I will definitely keep a food diary for a couple of weeks and see how many carbs i normally consume. I will try to give up bread, pasta, rice and potatoes or reduce them significantly. I don't test regularly but will test as you suggest, before a meal and two hours after eating.

Regarding the Victoza, does eating excessive carbs make the sickness come on? I haven't taken my injection for 3 days now and all sickness has stopped. I don't know what to do for the best and feel really depressed about it all. I am joining my local gym soon with my daughter and hopefully this will have a positive effect on my sugars and my general fitness and help me to reduce weight.

Once again, thank you for your helpful replies 🙂

 

[AlisonM]

No, while it's possible, I think that's probably just me. I've been low carbing for four years now and if I eat more of them than usual, my tummy complains.

The side effects of the Victoza took around two months to fade away for me, I was beginning to think they never would but was prepared to put up with it because, unlike Byetta, it works for me. If you really can't cope with the nausea, but your numbers are improving you could always ask your doctor for something to settle it. There are pills you can take. If the Victoza isn't making any/enough difference, then talk to the docs about an alternative. Just because Byetta didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't for you.

Remember, there are always options and alternatives.